ISWI Chapter 180-181 (Patreon)

Chapter 180: Go Ahead, Report It!

Ye Chen's expression caused both An Miaoli and An Yuyi to furrow their brows slightly. Could it be that there was something they didn't know about the situation?

Ye Chen looked at An Yuyi with disappointment and coldly spoke, "Please watch this... Water Mirror Technique!"

The next moment, Ye Chen raised his hand. A pre-recorded Water Mirror Technique appeared before them. The scene began with Fang Xi and Pei Ling desperately fleeing in panic.

Upon seeing this, An Yuyi's eyes immediately turned angry. This was the moment when Fang Xi and Pei Ling had abandoned her. Behind them, the terrifying Earthheart Python was charging directly toward Ye Chen. Clearly, they were trying to lead the disaster away from themselves.

The Water Mirror Technique didn't capture Ye Chen's actions, but in the next moment, the two of them were struck down by a purple-golden hand—clearly, Ye Chen had made his move. Immediately after, a hand reached out and tossed both of them one by one into the Earthheart Python's massive mouth.

Watching this scene, An Miaoli's eyes flashed with a strange expression. Seeing outsiders kill Divine Will Sect's direct disciples, as the Great Elder, she should have done something. But these two had abandoned their fellow disciples, trying to lead disaster to Ye Chen. Their deaths could only be considered well-deserved. Thus, An Miaoli remained silent.

An Yuyi, watching the two being swallowed alive by the Earthheart Python, couldn't help but feel a sense of satisfaction.

However, what shook An Yuyi the most was a sentence from the Water Mirror Technique: "An Yuyi is so beautiful, and you couldn't even bear to die for her! Are you even a man?"

Had she really become so perfect in Ye Chen's eyes? If Ye Chen had said this to her face, An Yuyi might have dismissed it. After all, many people had complimented her beauty before. But this was something Ye Chen had said behind her back. If it weren't for the Water Mirror Technique, she might have never known. Clearly, this was Ye Chen's most sincere thought.

An Yuyi lowered her head slightly, feeling a little embarrassed. Soon thereafter, an even more astonishing scene unfolded. The Earthheart Python, after devouring two individuals, looked ahead with evident greed—it was not yet sated. It was about to strike at Ye Chen.

But off-screen, Ye Chen, for reasons unknown, began to negotiate with the Earthheart Python. Most crucially, the Earthheart Python seemed to consider his words, hesitating. And indeed, it decided against further attacks. This scene elicited a look of admiration from An Miaoli.

Clearly, Ye Chen possessed an item that could threaten the Earthheart Python. However, had he threatened the Earthheart Python from the start, the creature, starved from millennia of slumber, would not have had the patience to listen.

But Ye Chen fed Fang Xi and Pei Ling to the Earthheart Python first, then negotiated. The result was unexpectedly effective.

An Yuyi also felt a pang of emotion. It turned out that the Earthheart Python had not left on its own accord; it had been driven away by Ye Chen. Had it not been for Ye Chen's intervention, the consequences would have been unimaginable.

Now, An Yuyi regretted threatening Ye Chen earlier for the sake of a slot in the Divine Will Pool.

...

The image projected by the Water Mirror Technique continued. The next scene made An Yuyi and An Miaoli's eyes widen. After abandoning its attack on Ye Chen, the Earthheart Python did not simply descend the mountain. Instead, it turned back towards the lotus garden.

This sent a jolt through both of them. They both knew that An Yuyi was unconscious in the lotus garden at that moment.

An Yuyi's heart pounded. The Earthheart Python had returned to the lotus garden? How had she survived then?

With a mix of surprise and uncertainty, they watched on.

As the Earthheart Python turned around, the scene in the Water Mirror Technique shifted rapidly, and suddenly, Ye Chen appeared in front of the beast. He blocked its path back to the lotus garden.

Watching the furious and agitated Earthheart Python in the Water Mirror Technique,

An Yuyi was deeply shaken. So, her survival was not due to good luck or the Earthheart Python simply leaving. It was Ye Chen who had saved her?

Though Ye Chen's figure was not visible in the projection, An Yuyi could still imagine him standing resolutely in front of the Earthheart Python, not stepping back an inch.

Why did Ye Chen stand in front of the Earthheart Python? Was it not for her?

Recalling the words Ye Chen had spoken just before Fang Xi's death, An Yuyi felt her heart undergo an unprecedented shock.

Ultimately, the Earthheart Python retreated. It thundered down the mountain. And Ye Chen immediately entered the lotus garden, rushing to the side of her unconscious form. The image ended there...

...

As the Water Mirror Technique faded, A gentle look appeared in An Miaoli's beautiful eyes as she sincerely addressed Ye Chen, "It turns out that Fellow Daoist Ye saved Yuyi! Such a debt of gratitude is truly immeasurable!"

Meanwhile, An Yuyi, her face devoid of its earlier aggressive demeanor, bowed her head, feeling her face burn with heat.

Ye Chen had stood firmly in front of the Earthheart Python for her. After the Python left, he was the first to rush to her side. Ye Chen had protected her without regard for his own life.

Yet she had doubted him, accused him of stealing her Blood Sea Lotus Seeds, and used the incident with Fang Xi and Pei Ling to threaten him, trying to wrest his slot in the Divine Will Pool from him.

Was she even human?

An Yuyi's guilt reached its peak at that moment. She hung her head, her voice barely a whisper, "Ye Chen... I'm sorry, I didn't know you had done so much for me. I thought since I saved your life, you repaid me by stealing my Blood Sea Lotus Seeds! It turns out, I was the one who repaid kindness with enmity... I'm truly sorry! I will make it up to you!"

However, Ye Chen scoffed, "Now that you've seen it, I killed Fang Xi and Pei Ling—go report me to the Divine Will Sect!"

Ye Chen's attitude caused An Yuyi to hastily wave her hands in panic, "I won't report you, they deserved their fate. You've done nothing wrong! It was me who was wrong!"

Ye Chen still wore a cold, mocking smile.

"Didn't you want the Divine Will Pool slot? Go ahead and report me, it's yours if you do. Are you not curious how I managed to force the Earthheart Python to retreat? That's because I have a Golden Core sword talisman. Fellow Daoist An, I'm sure you want it too, don't you? Go ahead and report me. If I die, all the treasures will be yours!"

Ye Chen's words made An Yuyi feel even worse. With red eyes, she weakly tried to explain, "I didn't... I wasn't...”

Ye Chen's face contorted with disgust.

"What's wrong? Feeling guilty now? If you're not going to report me, then just leave!"

Ye Chen showed no mercy.

As she saw the undisguised disgust on Ye Chen's face, An Yuyi completely collapsed. Her actions had been far too much. She had driven Ye Chen, the man who would protect her at all costs, to despise her like this.

An Miaoli, observing the scene, sighed quietly. Her niece had truly gone too far this time. She wanted to speak up to comfort Ye Chen, but after seeing what An Yuyi had done, she couldn't find the words.

After all, if she had done so much for someone, even saving their life, only for them to turn around and threaten her, she too would never forgive them… she might even be angrier than Ye Chen.

An Miaoli could only glance apologetically at Ye Chen. "Fellow Daoist Ye, I truly apologize for this. I will make amends with you later. Fellow Daoist, I can see you're upset, so we shall take our leave now. We'll come back to bother you another time."

She gently helped the tearful An Yuyi to her feet and began walking toward the courtyard exit. Before stepping out, An Yuyi looked back with hope, wishing Ye Chen would forgive her. But all she saw was Ye Chen's cold, indifferent back.

Chapter 181: You Came at the Perfect Time!

Hearing the sound of footsteps fading away, Ye Chen's cold expression finally disappeared. The VCR naturally could not continue playing. If it kept going, it would turn into a confession video.

Honestly, there wouldn't have been much of a problem if things hadn't gone this way. Green Cloud Sect had the 200-fold of his master. The Divine Will Sect had the 300-fold of Li Feihuang. The 100-fold of An Yuyi was truly unnecessary. It was like a side dish—insignificant. But her aunt, An Miaoli, was quite a different matter.

So, Ye Chen's earlier actions had nothing to do with An Yuyi; they were all for An Miaoli. As long as he could avoid making An Miaoli harbor any ill feelings toward him, that was all that mattered.

However, to his surprise, the VCR had an astounding effect. It not only made An Miaoli grateful to him, but it seemed that even An Yuyi, this little princess, was feeling a bit guilty.

Ye Chen would rather give away the Divine Will Pool slot than keep it for himself. However, having just given away the direct disciple slot to Li Feihuang, the system cooldown would take another week.

This gave Ye Chen a perfect opportunity to see how An Miaoli would thank him for saving her niece. It would be a good chance to build a relationship with her, making it easier in the future to bypass An Yuyi and deal directly with An Miaoli.

As Ye Chen pondered, there was a knock on his door. He initially thought it might be Li Feihuang or the An aunt and niece.

But when Ye Chen expanded his spirit sense, he smiled. The visitor was his guide, Caidie. He opened the door to see Caidie, with her delicate, graceful appearance, standing outside. Her gaze held a determined resolve, as though ready to take a chance. The month-long arrangement had technically ended today.

Ye Chen had told her the day before that she didn't need to come today. But Caidie was unwilling to let go of such a generous senior. Not to mention that she had witnessed Ye Chen sweeping through the Divine Will Conference, securing first place and becoming the revered direct disciple. She might even become a Golden Core powerhouse in the future.

Caidie asked herself, a senior with such a promising future could very well be the highest-level person she could ever come into contact with. If she missed this chance, it would be a regret she'd carry for the rest of her life. So, she had spent the entire afternoon preparing and now knocked on the door.

When Ye Chen saw the anxious yet hopeful expression on Caidie's face, he immediately understood what she was thinking. Ye Chen was someone who always cherished delicate beauty and couldn't bear to see a girl suffer from rejection.

Besides, this week's gift had already been given to Li Feihuang. Next week, he would most likely offer the Divine Will Pool slot to An Miaoli. In such circumstances, whether Caidie could return the favor no longer mattered.

Ye Chen gazed at Caidie and nodded calmly. "Since you've come, then please, come in."

Upon hearing this, a joyful expression immediately appeared on Caidie's face. She hurried to Ye Chen's side and hooked her arm around his.

However, just as Ye Chen was about to wave his hand to close the gate, his brows slightly furrowed. For the next moment, another graceful figure appeared at the entrance of the courtyard. It was none other than Yun Qianyue, who had previously guided Ye Chen.

Yun Qianyue had suspected something earlier. But Caidie remained vigilant, never allowing Yun Qianyue to discern anything.

Yet today, upon hearing the name of the top performer at the Divine Will Assembly, Yun Qianyue realized that Ye Chen had arrived. And with a moment's thought, it became clear to her that Caidie's employer was Ye Chen. Thus, Yun Qianyue quietly followed Caidie to this place.

At this moment, Yun Qianyue's heart was filled with unease. She feared that Ye Chen didn't wish to see her at all. Perhaps he might even ignore her completely.

Right now, Yun Qianyue looked at Ye Chen, who had his arm around Caidie's, and the hope in her eyes instantly dimmed.

"Ye... Ye Chen... Sorry, I might have come at the wrong time."

Ye Chen heard her words and immediately smiled. "No. You came at just the right time."

With that, he extended his hand toward Yun Qianyue.

Yun Qianyue's face brightened with joy, and without a second thought, she ran over and grabbed Ye Chen's other arm, not caring that Caidie was already beside him.

Ye Chen's thoughts stirred. The gate closed on its own.

The two women didn't return to the sect for the next few days. Instead, they stayed at Ye Chen's side, serving him. The feeling of both joy and cultivation improvement was simply too delightful. Not to mention that Ye Chen was truly generous with his gifts. He casually gave out pills and magic tools, all of the highest quality. This directly led to the two women, though disciples of the Divine Will Sect, willingly staying by Ye Chen's side, acting as his maidservants.

On the third day, Ye Chen gently sipped his spiritual tea. Yun Qianyue massaged his legs. Caidie propped up his head with a pillow. Life was certainly very comfortable.

However, on this day, a visitor arrived at the small courtyard. Yun Qianyue immediately stood up to open the door. But when she saw the visitor's face, her eyes widened in surprise. "Senior Sister An?"

The visitor was none other than An Yuyi.

An Yuyi glanced at Yun Qianyue and frowned slightly. She could sense Ye Chen's aura on Yun Qianyue, as well as the aura of another woman. What this implied was obvious.

This discovery made An Yuyi quite unhappy. But recalling that her purpose for coming today was to seek Ye Chen's forgiveness, An Yuyi suppressed her anger and coldly spoke, "I'm here to see Ye Chen."

Yun Qianyue naturally recognized An Yuyi, as she was the niece of the Grand Elder.

However, before Yun Qianyue could announce her arrival, Ye Chen's cold voice sounded. "I don't want to see her!"

Yun Qianyue was immediately shocked upon hearing this. After all, An Yuyi was the Grand Elder's niece with a powerful background. Ye Chen had such an attitude?

What shocked Yun Qianyue even more was that, despite being so rudely turned away, An Yuyi didn't show any signs of anger. Instead, she lowered her stance and spoke softly. "Ye Chen, I truly know I was wrong! The things that happened before were indeed my fault!

"But when I thought about it, I realize it can't all be blamed on me; you were wrong as well! If you had saved me, then why hide it? Why not just tell me directly? But you chose to keep it hidden, making me overthink everything. If not for that, how could I have treated you like that? We both have faults in this matter. How about we just let it go?"

Yun Qianyue's mouth hung open in shock. Senior Sister An Yuyi was actually admitting her mistake to Ye Chen? This was truly astonishing…

Ye Chen, who was inside the courtyard, couldn't help but laugh upon hearing this. An Yuyi was being a bit outrageous.

"I admit I'm wrong, but don't you have even the slightest bit of fault?"

The more Ye Chen thought about it, the less he cared to entertain An Yuyi. He simply waved his hand. The courtyard gate slammed shut.

An Yuyi was left standing outside, not even seeing Ye Chen's face. She pouted in frustration. But she still shouted loudly, "Ye Chen, I know you're still angry with me. It's fine, I can wait. But you don't have to do things like that, just to spite me, by randomly picking a few female cultivators for such things. Promise me, don't do it again, okay?"

Ye Chen couldn't help but twitch the corner of his mouth as he heard her.

This An Yuyi—her logic was already absurd, but was her self-perception really this good?

"Please, just leave. Let your aunt come instead!"