ISWI Chapter 657-658

Chapter 657: Changing Faces So Fast!

Luo Bingling's reversed generosity made Ye Chen connect the dots. She was after the Dao Cauldron. But the Dao Cauldron? Non-negotiable.

With the Enlightenment Tea Tree, his physique's cultivation boost, and relentless effort, it was his expressway to immortality. Plus, it couldn't be shared—impossible to gift. Not even for a 10,000x multiplier, let alone her 4,000x.

Ye Chen didn't mind women scheming. He only cared if they were grateful. He'd lost most interest in Luo Bingling. The Space Divine Stone was precious—perfect for breaking through to a Third Heaven King, forming a cave heaven. He'd planned to gift it to Lan Nuo, also at peak second-tier, nearing King. Give her a chance to show off, and a critical hit was guaranteed.

But now, with the Minor Space Technique, far superior, the stone was dispensable. Perfect to test Luo Bingling one last time. At 4,000x, she deserved another shot. A critical hit, and she's a good girl—past forgiven, a fresh start. Maybe she could dip into the Dao Cauldron's benefits. No critical hit? She's useless. Back where she came from.

So, facing her, Ye Chen took the Space Divine Stone without hesitation.

"Thanks, Fellow Daoist Luo!"

Luo Bingling, stunned by his swift acceptance, showed surprise on her striking face. Given Ye Chen's usual generosity, shouldn't he have pushed back? She'd planned to feign reluctance, say touching words to sway him, maximizing the effect. Why did he just take it?

"I'm relieved you accepted. After this, I'll return to the War God Clan. Cultivation's so hard without the Dao Cauldron—I'll never reach higher realms. I might stay stuck at third-tier King, unable to climb peaks with you or fight alongside. Gazing up at you is enough. Don't seek me later. You'll be a Saint, Saint King, or Great Saint, and I won't be worthy…"

Her mournful words fell flat.

Ye Chen thought her acting was subpar—worse than Lu Jing or Lin Ke'er. Taking the stone, he handed it back.

Luo Bingling froze.

Ye Chen said, "Fellow Daoist Luo gifted me the stone, so I gift it back! You're at peak Second Heaven, perfect for it. I'm not close to Third Heaven yet. Keeping it would be a waste."

Luo Bingling was about to refuse and perform her act. But Ye Chen flicked the Space Divine Stone toward her, then took the jade mat, saying calmly, "Don't refuse, Fellow Daoist Luo. My gifts don't return. This suits you better—how could I snatch it? The jade mat fits me, so I'll take it."

Luo Bingling's mouth hung open.

Ye Chen floated up, flying out of the cave heaven. His voice drifted back, "I'm touched by your kindness, Fellow Daoist Luo! But if you refuse, leave it for another fated one…"

Luo Bingling was speechless. Her gaze on Ye Chen's back was complex. She'd doubted rumors of his lavish gifting. But now, seeing him toss the Space Divine Stone and leave without hesitation, she was convinced. Such boldness was stunning. Strength and magnanimity.

She sighed—if not for his many Dao companions, against War God Clan tradition, she might've truly fallen for him. Soon, she cleared her chaotic thoughts.

Looking at the Space Divine Stone, she reached out. Since Ye Chen accepted her gesture and was so resolute, she'd take it. Without needing to approach him, she'd have claimed it anyway. It was just returning to its owner. Twice as large as her clan's stone, it'd be far better for forming a cave heaven.

Smiling, she said, "Since you insist, I'll accept!" She thought Ye Chen would pause, waiting for her. But after she took it, his figure briefly halted—then flew faster...

Luo Bingling was stunned. Now was the time to press her advantage, lamenting her cultivation struggles. Ye Chen, swayed by her beauty and waist, gave her the stone—he wouldn't bear her suffering. If he had the Dao Cauldron, he'd hint at it. Stowing the stone, her golden armor gleaming, she chased after him…

…

"So fast for the Heavenly Emperor's heir?"

"Way too quick!"

In the Immortal Path's second realm, cultivators guarding the relic were shocked Ye Chen emerged so soon, marveling at his speed.

Seeing the 4,000 Space Divine Stones, Ye Chen felt unsurprised. This woman was done. But the Minor Space Technique fragment was better. He summoned his bronze chariot, heading for the second realm's teleportation array to find Lan Nuo in Central Continent.

"Where are you going, Fellow Daoist Ye?" Luo Bingling, emerging, was shocked to see him ready to leave.

Ye Chen glanced coolly. "To fight Lan Nuo! Aren't you returning to the War God Clan? Go!"

His earlier warmth turned cold, baffling her. Was her acting flawed? Return to the War God Clan? No way. Staying with Ye Chen meant at least Dao Charm Pills, boosting her cultivation. Leaving now would waste months. Unacceptable! But what was with him? This dog man—changing faces so fast?

Chapter 658: Damn, I Was Too Hasty!

"I'm not returning to the War God Clan. They're unfair, giving my resources to that revived Divine Son. I left after a big fight. Fellow Daoist Ye, I've nowhere to go. Only by your side do I feel warmth. Can I stay?"

Luo Bingling couldn't abandon Dao Charm Pills or the Dao Cauldron—returning was impossible. She gave an excuse, not entirely false. Without cultivation speed boosts, she'd be a foil to the Divine Son, resources prioritized for him. She'd stay on the Immortal Path with the Dao Cauldron, cultivating until she surpassed him, then return triumphantly to curse the blind clan elders. As she spoke, she naturally boarded the chariot, sitting beside Ye Chen, her big eyes showing reluctance.

Ye Chen glanced calmly, not driving her off. Finding Lan Nuo would take half a month. If she insisted on following, he'd keep the 4,000x multiplier's feedback. Not critical, but useful. He calmly activated the chariot, heading for the teleportation array.

Spectators' eyes widened at his words. The Heavenly Emperor's heir challenging Lan Nuo was huge. He'd nearly swept all prodigies. Lan Nuo was the Central Continent's last hope. Her loss would mean this generation's total defeat. The battle's significance was immense. Too late to watch, but many sent messages via communication tools…

…

The chariot's divine wheels blazed, leaving fiery trails.

Onboard, Ye Chen ignored Luo Bingling. Seeing the 4,000 Space Divine Stones in his small world, he frowned. Too many to distribute. Sell some? A few were fine, but too many would devalue them. He stored most in his small world's vault. Then he pondered gifting.

From Kong Ke's description, the Major Space Technique was precious. The Minor Space Technique fragment, with a 4,000x critical hit, should yield the full version. But the Major Space Technique? Even a top critical hit wasn't guaranteed.

The best recipient was Yan Qingcheng, the true Heavenly Emperor's heir, at 7,000x. But Ye Chen didn't know Heavenly Emperor Hall's location, let alone how to find her. With a Chaos Body's cultivation speed, she was likely at Second Heaven already, diminishing the technique's value. Lan Nuo was the best choice. Whether it'd critical hit into the Major Space Technique depended on luck.

Noticing Luo Bingling's interest in his Heavenly Emperor's chariot, an idea sparked. He'd repair it and gift it to Yan Qingcheng next time. The feedback would be exceptional.

Ye Chen pondered, while Luo Bingling grew increasingly uneasy. What was wrong with him? Since boarding, he hadn't glanced at her. His hand, once glued to her waist, stayed away. Even her navel seemed to bore him.

She was baffled. What happened? She hadn't said anything offensive. What was with this dog man? After hesitating, she grabbed his hand, placing it on her toned waist.

Ye Chen gave her an odd look but didn't pull back. If she insisted, he'd indulge—nothing else to do. He rubbed her waist, sometimes firmly, causing her pain and irritation. But sensing his coldness, she endured. Angry and confused, she tried sparking conversation.

He barely responded—one reply for her ten questions. Even his touch lacked its former care. What was going on? Was he tired of her? Did men change so fast? He'd only touched her waist, not had her.

Luo Bingling was stumped, then a flash of insight hit. She'd been too hasty, mentioning the Dao Cauldron too often. He sensed her impure motives. Men, especially woman-obsessed ones like Ye Chen, hated women who approached for treasures, not love. That explained his coldness.

Worse, he might fear the Dao Cauldron's existence leaking. An immortal artifact boosting cultivation speed would spark chaos if known. Hence his distance.

Realizing this, she cursed her impatience. But he let her stay and touched her waist—proof he was still smitten. She had a chance to fix this. How to regain his trust and ease his displeasure?

After pondering, her eyes lit up. Ye Chen was at late First Heaven, nearing Second Heaven. Breaking through required soul, body, and domain uniting perfectly—the better the fusion, the stronger the result.

The cultivation world's top fusion treasure was the legendary Yellow Spring Water. It perfected the fusion. But it was rare—nonexistent in the current cultivation world.

In ancient times, when Jianmu connected the cultivation world to other minor worlds, it was prosperous, with trade. Yellow Spring Water, a precious item from one such world, was traded. After Jianmu's collapse, connections ceased. Only during the Immortal Path's opening did prodigies from other worlds occasionally appear, but trade was nearly impossible.

Yellow Spring Water vanished. Her War God Clan, due to a past opportunity, had stored much of it. Generations of prodigies used it, leaving two portions. She used one. One remained—likely the cultivation world's last. Gifting it to Ye Chen would thrill him…