Chapter 578: I Owe You!

Yan Qingcheng's eyes widened at Ye Chen's words. He met the Heavenly Emperor's imprint during his tribulation? She'd never encountered it herself, but given Ye Chen's displayed prowess, it was plausible.

What shocked her was Ye Chen knowing her identity yet harboring no resentment, even offering the longevity medicine and Heavenly Emperor Fist imprint. How could someone repay malice with kindness?

"You… don't blame me?" she transmitted. "The Heavenly Emperor heir title was forced on you by the Heavenly Emperor Hall, drawing so much attention and hostility."

Ye Chen's eyes dimmed briefly. "Honestly, I was angry and hurt at first," he transmitted. "The title's benefits are immense—even I'm not immune to its allure. Believing it true, only to have that hope shattered, was painful. But I realized, perhaps I owe you. I've gained so many of the Emperor's relics and legacies by chance. Bearing the pressure as his false heir might be my fate. Why blame you? I feel I owe you. Without me, you might've claimed those legacies yourself. I may have stolen your opportunities."

Yan Qingcheng's eyes grew wider. She never imagined the falsely crowned heir would feel no grudge, but guilt toward her. Absurd. She knew the Heavenly Emperor Hall's ways. Since an ancestor forced their son as heir, every subsequent heir was either a Yan or their son-in-law. Ye Chen hadn't stolen her opportunities—the Yan family had taken his.

"You…" Words failed her, guilt and indebtedness overwhelming, nearly spilling out.

"You don't owe me. Keep the Heavenly Emperor Fist insights," she said. "Its Six Paths Reincarnation Intent is vital for post-Mahayana cultivation."

Ye Chen smiled. "It's useless to me—I don't know the fist. It's best for you, the true heir. I don't know why you hide, but you must have reasons. Keep hiding; I'll bear the heir title and ensure no one suspects you."

Her heart ached. Because of her, the world saw Ye Chen as the heir, yet he lacked the Emperor's famed fist.

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"I'll teach you the Heavenly Emperor Fist," she transmitted.

Ye Chen turned away. "That's yours. I've taken enough of your opportunities—I won't take the fist."

Yan Qingcheng fell silent, staring at him, as if memorizing his face. After a long pause, she said, "Thank you, Friend Ye. I'll repay you someday!"

Ye Chen waved, about to speak, but she vanished from the Cave Heaven. He raised an eyebrow, unsure what her "repayment" meant. But he was certain this true heir was a woman of gratitude. Women might deceive his senses, but not the system.

Ye Chen's mind buzzed with system prompts.

"Congratulations, host, gift successful…"

"Gift: Heavenly Emperor Fist Insight Imprint."

"7,000x feedback processing…"

"Detected: Gift is highly significant to the recipient."

"Triggered maximum critical hit rewards…"

"Reward: Complete Heavenly Emperor Scripture…"

"Reward: Heavenly Emperor's full insights on the Scripture…"

"Reward: Complete Heavenly Emperor Fist…"

"Reward: Heavenly Emperor's full insights on the Fist…"

"Reward: Overlord Fist…"

"Reward: Insights of Overlord Fist..."

"Reward: Heavenly Emperor Finger…"

"Reward: Insights of Heavenly Emperor Finger..."

"Reward: Eight Steps to Dao Extinction Supreme Divine Art…"

"Reward: Insights of Eight Steps to Dao Extinction Supreme Divine Art…"

The relentless cascade of rewards stunned Ye Chen. He knew 7,000x was absurd, and a critical hit would be more so, but this was beyond imagination. A single fist insight imprint yielded the entire Heavenly Emperor Scripture. Renowned, especially its Mahayana chapter, it was hailed as the ultimate scripture, blending myriad strengths with the Emperor's invincible will. Ye Chen had planned to seek it at Mahayana—now, he had it, with insights.

The Heavenly Emperor Fist, the cultivation world's top fist art, followed: one punch like the Emperor's descent, its imperial might suppressing the irreverent, limiting foes to 70% strength. Other Emperor techniques, like the Overlord Fist—born from slaying countless Overlord Bodies—and the Eight Steps to Dao Extinction, a supreme art, came too, all with insights for instant mastery.

These would boost Ye Chen's combat power further. More crucially, deeper foundations now would make his future Dao terrifying at Mahayana. This haul was colossal.

Gazing where Yan Qingcheng vanished, Ye Chen's eyes brimmed with reluctance. High multipliers were too potent. He regretted not asking her to take him to the Heavenly Emperor Hall—staying by her side would've been a rocket to ascension. Not knowing when he'd see her again, he felt a pang of loss.

…

Outside, Yan Qingcheng glanced back with a divine art, catching Ye Chen's wistful look. Her gaze grew even more complex.