Chương 553: Chapter 552: Two Lives As One

Domain Divine Ability! In an instant, Ying Tiansheng realized, his heart trembling. Only prodigies could wield a Domain Divine Ability, and it was notoriously hard to manifest. Most required reaching the later stages to fully develop it. But Ye Chen? How long had he been in the Unity realm? And he already had a Domain Divine Ability? Utterly absurd. Worse, this ability humiliated him. Was it inspired by splitting him last time?

Ying Tiansheng gritted his teeth, activating the Healing Secret, a supreme healing technique. Being split was a minor injury. But then, he froze in shock. He could feel his body halved, each part just twenty centimeters apart. Yet trying to merge them felt like bridging an unimaginable chasm. How was this possible? Panic set in. Even with Unity realm's robust vitality, staying split too long meant death. He frantically cast divine techniques from both halves, trying to reconnect.

Ye Chen didn't act, calmly observing. Ying Tiansheng's weakness made him perfect for testing the Domain Divine Ability's effects. After twenty breaths, Ying Tiansheng managed to pull his halves together. The Healing Secret fused them, but a bloodline lingered from brow to torso, unhealed. Gritting his teeth, he charged at Ye Chen again. Ye Chen spoke, "Two lives as one!" Domain power surged. Ying Tiansheng's barely fused body split again, as if cleaved by an axe. His face paled. Ye Chen kept watching.

This time, Ying Tiansheng fused faster—ten breaths—but his origin was clearly damaged. As he prepared to try again, Ye Chen opened his mouth. Ying Tiansheng, split once more, was on the verge of tears. He'd considered losing to Ye Chen but never imagined such humiliating, suffocating defeat. A Domain Divine Ability consumed immense power. Three times was likely Ye Chen's limit. So, he gritted his teeth, pulling his body together again. Ye Chen, meanwhile, noted the ability's heavy toll on domain power.

Even with his foundation—ten thousand times stronger than peers—he could only use it three to four thousand times in a battle. Now, he understood the "Two Lives as One" ability's effects. A divine skill. It couldn't fully isolate enemies—they could recover—but the long recovery window gave him ample time to kill them ten times over. Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road. Ying Tiansheng finally recovered.

Seeing Ye Chen cease using his Domain Divine Ability, he assumed Ye Chen was spent. Activating the Movement Secret and Battle Secret, he charged forward, desperate for a sliver of victory. But Ye Chen countered with his own Battle Secret, throwing a punch. Instantly, half of Ying Tiansheng's body exploded, sending him flying. His eyes widened in terror. Both used the Battle Secret, yet Ye Chen's was leagues stronger. He'd studied it for a decade; Ye Chen, barely any time. Why?

Even his resolute will crumbled into despair. How long had the fight lasted? Split thrice, shattered once. How could he fight? Ye Chen seemed invincible. Continuing meant certain death. Above, only one of his Supreme Elders remained, surrounded by Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's forces. He had one path left. Gritting his teeth, his body glowed as he used the Healing Secret to heal rapidly. Pushing the Movement Secret to its limit, he fled Ye Chen's domain, darting behind Yi Qingwu.

"Qingwu, I don't want to die! Beg Ye Chen for me. I'll dissolve our engagement! You can be his woman!" His eyes pleaded. Ye Chen was stunned. Ying Tiansheng, always protective of Yi Qingwu, was acting like this at death's door? Yi Qingwu had been reeling from Ye Chen's prowess. He'd killed a Mahayana cultivator—unbelievable. His strength set her heart ablaze, her symbol trembling. His words splitting Ying Tiansheng thrilled her.

But she never expected the proud, aloof Holy Son to beg, offering to end their engagement and give her to Ye Chen for survival. Any lingering hesitation in her heart turned ice-cold. She stared at him, raising her chin.

"Didn't you say you'd die for me? Now you're giving me away?" Ying Tiansheng bowed his head in shame. Handing over his woman was unbearable, but he didn't want to die. With the Devouring Heaven Demon Art, he'd surpass Ye Chen someday. Survival was everything.

"Qingwu, it's just temporary…" he muttered. She laughed.

"Letting me go to live, like when you ambushed my father, devouring his origin to boost your physique and seize the Holy Son title?" His eyes widened, face pale with shock and fear. He thought his act was flawless, unsuspected. Yet Yi Qingwu knew. Though he couldn't fathom how, her expression killed any hope of denial. Desperate to live, he groveled further.

"Qingwu, that was a moment of folly… But my love for you is flawless. I gave you everything, no secrets. For all my years of devotion, help me!" Her lips curved, her voice like a melody.

"No, you don't love me—just guilt. Like how you devoured my father, who treated you like a son, for Holy Son title. Now, to survive, you'd hand me over without hesitation. You only love yourself. And you don't need to give me away—I'm already Ye Chen's!" Her words fell, and she ignored him, drifting toward Ye Chen. Ying Tiansheng, exposed and pierced by her final words, felt guilt, shame, and rage. Killing intent flared.

"I overlooked everything you did with Ye Chen, and you still want more?" Activating the Movement Secret, he lunged to seize her, hoping to hold her hostage for a chance at survival. If he stalled, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's reinforcements might save him. Noticing his move, Yi Qingwu didn't dodge, stopping to stare coldly. From afar, Ye Chen's eyes flashed, unleashing a beam of destructive divine light…