ISWI Chapter 661-663

Chapter 661: Damn, That Was My Line!

Days passed.

Despite countless cleansing spells, Luo Bingling couldn't calm down. Not just the humiliation of being splashed. Ye Chen's actions were unbearable. He gave her Dao Charm Pills to Su Yuxuan. Then daily, more frequently than to her. Dao Charm Pills needed Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves. How many could Ye Chen have? Giving so many to Su Yuxuan—what about her?

Worse, his differential treatment. Cold to her, yet warm to Su Yuxuan, Gu Yunyun, An Miaoli, Lin Qingtan—women she'd seen at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

Why? Her status, cultivation, talent, figure, and looks surpassed them. Why this treatment? As a prideful prodigy, she'd never faced such disparity.

A competitive fire ignited. She didn't just want the Dao Cauldron now. She wanted Ye Chen's heart. When he was utterly smitten, she'd abandon him, letting him suffer forever…

…

Top female cultivators had pride. After such humiliation, yielding would be worse. Luo Bingling stayed put for half a month. Su Yuxuan finally poured out her longing.

"Senior Brother, I'm off to cultivate. Will you join me on the Immortal Path?"

Ye Chen shook his head. He had no suitable gift for her. His plan held: head to the Lan Clan in Central Continent, gift Lan Nuo the Minor Space Technique fragment, then seclude to cultivate. With the technique, he could retreat at the Holy Land until King. At peak Third Heaven, he'd gift Fan Qinghe, then become a Saint. His schedule was full—no time to wander with the Little Demoness.

She nodded, not clinging. Reluctantly sliding off, she kissed his face, smiled, left the array, and departed.

Ye Chen chuckled at her free-spirited nature. She gave her all when needed, then left cleanly. Eat and go—aptly said.

…

"Fellow Daoist Luo, I'm heading to the Lan Clan. Your War God Clan sent protectors—you're still valued. Go back and cultivate!"

Dismantling the array, Ye Chen spoke to Luo Bingling beside him, politely urging her off. She was useless. No critical hit, 4,000x was ordinary. Not as valuable as the Little Demoness's 2,500x, doubled to 5,000x with a one-day gifting cooldown. Tasteless but hard to discard—that was her.

Hearing this, Luo Bingling's dissatisfaction grew. Reluctant with others, but always eager to ditch her? She shook her head firmly, "I'm not going back!"

Ye Chen shrugged. If she wouldn't leave, fine—she'd be a backup. Without another word, he drove the chariot toward the Lan Clan.

Luo Bingling, moments later, smirked confidently. After Ye Chen dropped the array, she contacted her clan. Given Ye Chen's likely possession of the Dao Cauldron, they agreed to gift him the last Yellow Spring Water as a favor, deliverable in half a month.

She chuckled. Other women took from Ye Chen. She'd give him what he needed most—Yellow Spring Water. The difference was clear. Soon, he'd be smitten. But glancing at her untouched waist, she frowned, grabbing his hand to place it there…

…

The Lan Clan in the Central Continent was far from Immortal City. While Ye Chen and Su Yuxuan shared their longing, news spread: he was honoring his agreement to fight Lan Nuo at the Lan Clan. His Immortal Path feats—one against nine, eight dead—shocked the Lan Clan. He'd nearly wiped out the Central Continent's prodigies. His prowess was absurd, making them worry for Lan Nuo. Lan Nuo's parents and elders gathered at her cave mansion. When she emerged, they voiced their concerns.

Lan Nuo's beautiful face stayed calm. "The Heavenly Emperor's heir is strong, perhaps the greatest ever, but what's that to me?"

Her confidence reassured them, though worry lingered.

Inside, Lan Nuo's heart churned. Ye Chen was too terrifying. She couldn't win. She planned to dodge the fight, citing a breakthrough to Third Heaven—perfect for cultivators, unquestionable.

But before she could announce her retreat, her father suggested, "Nuonuo, his momentum's too strong. I don't advise fighting—it's too risky. Say you're in seclusion, delay the battle. No one will question it. Cultivation is paramount; fame is fleeting. He's delayed twice—you delaying once is fair…"

Everyone nodded.

Lan Nuo's face stiffened. If she'd spoken first, it'd be a genuine retreat. Her father's words made agreement look like cowardice. Her family would know!

Glaring at her father, her fists clenched.

Seeing her stern expression, rejecting their avoidance plan, they sighed in admiration. The clan ancestor patted her shoulder, pleased. "Our Phoenix Daughter's unyielding belief in victory makes me proud…"

Her parents, understanding, added, "If you insist, we won't stop you. We'll support you, setting up the battlefield. I'll invite allies to witness this top prodigy clash."

"…"

Chapter 662: Only Lan Nuo Makes Me Excited!

Watching her family prepare with festive zeal, Lan Nuo, with prodigy poise, said nothing and returned to her cave mansion. Her family nodded, seeing confidence in her retreating figure.

Facing the Heavenly Emperor's heir's record, her calm suggested unshakable belief in victory. But inside, her face fell, mood as heavy as a funeral. Disaster—Ye Chen was really coming!

She regretted her bold words. She couldn't beat him! Was she doomed to ruin? Then she thought—maybe not. Ye Chen might have feelings for her, holding back last time? He couldn't have misjudged her strength. Last meeting, he gifted her treasures, even insights from an ancient Heavy Pupils wielder. It screamed interest…

Lan Nuo admitted she liked him. His strength, and if he held back for her, it was like sacrificing his reputation to let her shine. Such a grand gesture showed true affection. His womanizing reputation didn't bother her…

But as the Lan Clan's sole heir, she couldn't marry out, and Ye Chen, the Heavenly Emperor's heir, wouldn't stoop to marry in. A dilemma.

Soon, she decided to cut through the mess. If Ye Chen arrived and held back again, it confirmed his feelings. For understanding her, preserving her reputation, and helping her shine, she'd repay him fully. No need for him to marry in—she'd be with him secretly.

As long as one child took her surname to inherit the Lan Clan, it'd work. But worry crept in. What if she was wrong, and he'd misjudged her? He one-punched the Firmament Overlord Body. One serious punch would kill her.

Death was fine, but failing to take a single hit after all her boasts would make future mockery unbearable. Even in death, she'd suffer. In her cave mansion, Lan Nuo couldn't cultivate, lost in anxiety.

…

Luo Bingling's mood soured. After realizing her haste, she stopped mentioning the Dao Cauldron. But Ye Chen's favoritism was blatant! The day after Su Yuxuan left, he gave Luo Bingling a bottle of Dao Charm Pills. She thought he'd gift daily, like with Su Yuxuan.

Instead, she waited a week for the next. Humiliated, her competitive spirit blazed. How was she lesser? Her feet?

Su Yuxuan's were fine, but hers weren't bad. Her golden war boots fell, and she lifted a jade foot, mimicking Su Yuxuan, placing it on Ye Chen's lap.

Ye Chen glanced, puzzled. What was with her? No critical hit, but always offering perks? Ridiculous.

Ye Chen, unceremonious, kept one hand on Luo Bingling's waist, the other on her foot, speeding toward the Lan Clan.

Luo Bingling, seeing him comply, smirked confidently. He touched when offered—proof he wanted it! But then she frowned. He kissed Su Yuxuan's feet—why not hers? Was he disdainful?

Her fists clenched. Once her cultivation soared, she'd make him regret it. She'd have him kneel, kissing her feet for a month!

…

After nearly half a month, Ye Chen and Luo Bingling reached the Lan Clan. As an ancient immortal family, their base was an immortal city. The inner city was exclusive to the clan; the outer city, built around it, thrived.

Knowing Ye Chen was coming to fight Lan Nuo in a top prodigy clash, the city buzzed with great powers and prodigies eager to watch. When Ye Chen's iconic chariot arrived, the city erupted. Countless figures rose, gazing at him.

Several Lan Clan members flew out, landing before the chariot, greeting politely, "We've long awaited the Heavenly Emperor's heir. Your reputation precedes you. If you're not in a rush, join us in the city for our specialty—Lan Clan beef. From top-grade spiritual cows with faint immortal blood, it boosts breakthroughs and potential. Less effective for Mahayana, but a rare delicacy…"

Though Ye Chen came to challenge their prodigy, the Lan Clan held no grudge. Lan Nuo had risen to fame on his name, boosting the clan's prestige and the city's commerce. He'd gifted her treasures. As the Heavenly Emperor's heir with immortal potential, he was worth befriending. The Lan Clan was courteous.

Ye Chen, fond of Lan Nuo, returned their politeness. But the fight was non-negotiable. His system's cooldown was complete. He needed to fight and gift now.

Facing them, he shook his head, "No need to eat! This generation's Central Continent prodigies are mere chickens and dogs, unworthy. Only Lan Nuo stands out, worthy of my challenge. This fight's long overdue. Delayed by issues. I can't wait—let's fight now."

His voice echoed through the city, words dripping with arrogance, all but calling everyone but Lan Nuo trash. Many prodigies smiled bitterly, unable to retort.

Ye Chen had nearly wiped out Central Continent's top tier—he earned that arrogance. But they felt resentment, looking to the city's center. Central Continent, so humiliated by an outsider? They hoped Lan Nuo would crush him, restoring their prodigies' glory!

In her cave mansion, Lan Nuo, trembling at Ye Chen's arrival, feared a real fight. But hearing his words, her eyes sparkled. Her hands steadied, her demeanor radiant.

No longer hesitating, she flew out. A cool voice came from her lips, "Fellow Daoist Ye, I've waited long too."

Chapter 663: How Did I Not Know About This?

Lan Nuo's cool voice echoed through Lan Clan's Immortal City. A phoenix cry followed. A figure in a green dress, atop a golden chariot with a true phoenix spirit, rose slowly into the sky. The chariot gleamed like a sun, drawing all eyes.

The woman aboard was graceful, her figure perfect—slender waist, balanced curves, neither overpowering nor understated. Her oval face, like carved jade, glowed faintly pink, flawless. Her cold eyes carried an aloof distance. On the chariot, she seemed an ancient solar goddess.

The crowd erupted, many prodigies' eyes sparkling. This radiant woman was Lan Nuo, the Heavy Pupil wielder. Central Continent's last pride, the only prodigy Ye Chen acknowledged, able to rival him. She was their final hope.

Countless supporters wished she'd match him, curbing his arrogance. Defeating him? Few dared hope—his terror was too great; a draw would be enough.

…

Lan Clan members, urging Ye Chen to try their beef, stopped.

Seeing Lan Nuo, Ye Chen's interest piqued. "No beef!" he said, soaring skyward.

Above, an array glowed—the Lan Clan's sky battlefield, set for all to witness this epic clash.

Gazing at the jade-like, elegant, aloof Lan Nuo and her new chariot, Ye Chen sighed—she'd mastered showing off. Her flair was sharpening.

In high spirits, he smiled, "Fairy Lan, long time no see!"

Lan Nuo, sensing the volcanic power beneath Ye Chen's frame, felt fear. This wasn't about winning. One punch could kill her. But under countless gazes—prodigies, powerhouses, elders—she hid her turmoil, her calm eyes emotionless. "I've waited long too. Once, Heavy Pupils fell to the Heavenly Emperor's sacred body. This era, I'll change that, proving Heavy Pupils surpass it…"

As she spoke, she stowed her chariot, the phoenix spirit circling her as she stood in the void. Ye Chen, chariotless, thought it rude to stay seated. Her words earned his silent applause. Her showmanship was spot-on.

Perfect.

Another man saying this would've been punched dead mid-sentence. But Lan Nuo? Adorable. He faced her, voice candid, "I should've come sooner, but mundane matters delayed me. Two postponed fights, ten years absent, dragging this battle out! For other Central Continent prodigies, they should wait—facing me is their honor. But you're different, Fairy Lan, worthy of my personal visit! Before we fight, I'll gift you something as an apology."

His voice carried, clear to all.

Lan Nuo's eyes twinkled with a smile. Ye Chen dismissed all Central Continent prodigies but favored her. It felt amazing.

Spectators, used to his tone, couldn't retort, hoping Lan Nuo would uphold their pride.

Luo Bingling, just receiving Yellow Spring Water from her clan, frowned. Ye Chen's weekly gifting meant she was due for Dao Charm Pills today. But now, he'd gift Lan Nuo? Would her pills go to her? A War God Clan princess, outdone by everyone? Unacceptable. Then, her pupils shrank, eyes wide with disbelief, as if the sky had collapsed!

Above the sky, Lan Nuo heard Ye Chen praising her, boosting her prestige, and offering a gift. She was nearly certain Ye Chen had seen through her. She wouldn't be one-punched or have her persona collapse. But with him paving her path to glory, even using his invincible reputation, how could she accept more gifts?

She was about to refuse. Then Ye Chen produced a golden jade slip. A top-tier slip he'd prepared, infused with the Minor Space Technique fragment to elevate its value.

Presenting it, he spoke earnestly, "This is a secret technique I gained from Sword Saint Kong Ke's legacy in the Immortal Path's second realm. Called Minor Space Technique, from the Black Yellow World. Kong Ke obtained it from an enemy, using it to perfectly break through to King, forming a cave heaven.

"With it, he created the top-tier Instant Kill Sword Technique, rising from an ordinary prodigy to Immortal Path fame. Kong Ke said it derives from the Major Space Technique, one of the Immortal Realm's three thousand great Daos, holding ultimate space truths. Mastering it for a cave heaven surpasses the Space Divine Stone. Only flaw—it's a fragment. Seeing Friend Lan at peak Second Heaven, this will ensure an invincible cave heaven, reaching new heights…"

His public explanation stunned everyone, eyes wide. The Heavenly Emperor's heir was absurd. Gifting before a fight? Such a precious gift? He valued Lan Nuo that much?

Lan Nuo, words on her lips, was speechless. Her clan sought a Space Divine Stone for her, but its rarity forced her to plan to try her luck on the Immortal Path. Now, Ye Chen gifted her the Minor Space Technique, better than the stone!

This… it was her moment to shine. But her lips parted, unable to speak.

…

Most shocked, most incredulous, was Luo Bingling. Her face twisted, abs taut with anger. Minor Space Technique? Better than the Space Divine Stone? From Kong Ke's legacy! How didn't she know? Why didn't Ye Chen give it to her?