Immortality Starts With Investment

”Junior Brother, stay with me tonight…”

A woman, when moved beyond measure, willingly—even eagerly—wished to entrust herself entirely to the man she loved. Thus, when Ye Chen prepared to leave, Yao Xi gently grasped his hand, unwilling to let go.

Ye Chen, however, softly released her fingers. ”You might have taken the Foundation Establishment Pill, but you’ve still sustained serious internal damage. Rest and recover well. After the sect competition this year, you can attempt another breakthrough. I’m not in a hurry, so neither should you be.”

Having spoken thus, Ye Chen decisively turned and walked away.

Yao Xi lightly pressed her lips together, her eyes filled with tenderness. Her once empty heart now brimmed with Ye Chen’s sincere affection. She knew clearly that Ye Chen would absolutely refrain from touching her before she reached Foundation Establishment. And even after she succeeded, he would still worry about hindering her progress and try to distance himself. But by that time, would he truly be able to escape?

If he dared to avoid her again, then she would surely drag him into her little courtyard and thoroughly exhaust him for three days and nights, making certain he understood once and for all: That even after her breakthrough, her love for him would never waver.

…

During this week, Yao Xi’s failed breakthrough became the hottest topic in the sect. Some disciples expressed genuine regret. Others gloated quietly.

Meanwhile, the Middle Mountain Secret Realm was soon to open. On the flying ship heading toward the Secret Realm, the elder addressed the gathered disciples solemnly: ”The Middle Mountain Secret Realm lies exactly between our sect and the Misty Demon Sect. We have fought over it for countless years, yet neither side has managed to fully control it. Thus, the rule was established—ten disciples from each sect may enter.

”Beware: the disciples of the Misty Demon Sect cultivate dark and unorthodox methods, extremely bloodthirsty by nature. Once inside, you must remain vigilant. Support one another as fellow sect members. If you spot an isolated disciple of the Misty Demon Sect, kill without mercy. If you encounter an enemy beyond your capability, flee immediately.

”Ye Chen, as a direct disciple with the strongest combat prowess—and having already broken through to the ninth level of Qi Refining—please take care of your fellow disciples. But be especially cautious of the demon cultivator named Su Yuxuan!”

Ye Chen nodded upon hearing this. He already knew of the Misty Sect. The reason it was called the Misty Demon Sect was precisely because their cultivation techniques were twisted and sinister. They frequently crafted soul banners—though, of course, the Misty Sect preferred to call them Banners of the Human Emperor. Even their body cultivation techniques required repeatedly breaking and reforging the bones throughout the body.

In short, thoroughly evil, fully matching the public’s perception of demonic sects. But Ye Chen had strength on his side, and he was exceptionally equipped.

”I am invincible under Foundation Establishment!” Although a bit arrogant, this was essentially true. Thus, he felt utterly fearless. However—Su Yuxuan? Who was that?

Curious, Ye Chen immediately asked the elder.

The elder responded warmly to Ye Chen’s inquiry: ”Su Yuxuan is the most talented disciple of this generation in the Misty Demon Sect. Rumor has it she possesses a top-grade Blood Spiritual Root. Her spiritual root was only discovered at the age of twenty, after which she joined the sect. Astonishingly, within just three short years, she rose from a mere mortal to the ninth level of Qi Refining, defeating all direct disciples of her generation. The Sect Master of the Misty Sect has even made an exception by personally accepting her as his direct disciple.”

Hearing this, the disciples heading toward the Secret Realm exclaimed in amazement. To reach the ninth level of Qi Refining from mortality within three years, her talent was truly monstrous.

Yet, Ye Chen’s eyes lit up with keen interest. A female cultivator with extraordinary talent and a top-grade spiritual root. This was exactly the perfect template for a high-multiplier female cultivator!

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”Is this Su Yuxuan beautiful?”

This was a crucial detail. If practicing demonic techniques had turned her into some hideous creature, that simply wouldn’t do. After all, his system valued beauty above all else.

Upon hearing Ye Chen’s question, the elder’s lips twitched slightly. This was the enemy sect’s female cultivator. Instead of worrying about possibly being outmatched, Ye Chen actually asked whether she was beautiful?

Recalling recent rumors involving this direct disciple—A renowned golden couple within the sect had their relationship disrupted by Ye Chen, leading them to quarrel incessantly and threaten breakup daily.

The elder rubbed his temples, feeling a throbbing headache coming on. ”I don’t really know, but she should be rather attractive. But you must remember clearly, Ye Chen—our sect and the Misty Demon Sect are sworn enemies, locked in eternal conflict. Currently, this is merely a temporary truce. The two of you would absolutely not be suitable! If you allow yourself to be seduced by her, it would constitute severe treason against the sect. Even the Peak Master himself would hunt you down relentlessly, to the bitter end.”

The elder expressed deep worry over Ye Chen’s possible reaction, hurriedly emphasizing the gravity of the situation. He feared that Ye Chen might indeed be tempted by this female demon cultivator. If it had been any other disciple, he wouldn’t be this concerned. After all, what normal person would betray their sect merely because they were charmed by an enemy female cultivator?

Yet this direct disciple was different. Whenever a beautiful woman appeared, he completely lost his self-control. Nor was he particularly devoted; he fell in love easily and frequently. If he truly fell under the spell of a demonic beauty and betrayed the sect, even the elder himself would inevitably suffer the consequences.

The elder’s earnest warnings, filled with stern seriousness, along with the peculiar gazes from the other disciples, left Ye Chen feeling rather helpless. Would he really betray the sect just for a woman? Was he that kind of man? He had merely been curious—nothing more.

Forget it, he’d stop asking. He’d see her clearly enough once they arrived at the Secret Realm. Once the system activated, everything would become crystal clear…

…

”Direct Disciple Ye, After entering the Middle Mountain Secret Realm, could you perhaps yield the spiritual fire to me? With my unique Fire Spiritual Root, the spiritual fire would provide extraordinary benefits—it’s incredibly important to me. If Direct Disciple Ye can aid me, my Master will surely offer substantial compensation. Additionally, I would owe you a personal favor, and you may request anything of me.”

As they approached the Secret Realm, Fa Zhen quietly approached Ye Chen, whispering his request.

Ye Chen glanced at him regretfully. This young man was undeniably handsome. He had a refined presence. And possessed a fire spiritual root. His only flaw, unfortunately, was that he was male. Had he been a woman, Ye Chen was sure his multiplier would have been quite significant.

Ye Chen sympathetically patted Fa Zhen on the shoulder, shaking his head with a sigh. ”If you were a woman, I would certainly agree! What a pity you’re a man… Keep dreaming!”

Ye Chen’s blunt words left Fa Zhen’s lips twitching involuntarily. For the first time in his life, he felt the sharp sting of discrimination simply for being a man.

At this moment, the flying ship landed atop the mountain. The Middle Mountain Secret Realm had officially been reached.

”Jie jie jie! Old man Deng, I thought your Green Cloud Sect was too timid, afraid of sacrificing your disciples, and wouldn’t dare come.”

Dozens of people already waited at the mountain peak. An elderly man in blood-red robes, his entire bearing eerily sinister, sneered coldly.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, about to remark sarcastically whether demon sects were incapable of normal laughter.

Just then, a familiar voice rang abruptly inside his head.

”System match detected.”

”Su Yuxuan: Fiftyfold!”

Ye Chen’s eyes immediately widened in astonishment.

Fiftyfold? A full twentyfold higher than Yao Xi!

Ye Chen’s gaze brightened instantly, quickly scanning through the Misty Sect’s gathered disciples. Soon, his eyes settled on a female cultivator leaning idly against a large tree, casually examining her nails in boredom. She wore an elegant white gown that delicately traced her alluring figure down to her slender calves. Her flawless, jade-like feet were bare, exquisitely sculpted, enticing one to gently caress them in admiration.

Though Ye Chen wasn’t someone with a particular fondness for feet, even he had to objectively admit that these small feet alone easily deserved a twentyfold rating. Perhaps sensing Ye Chen’s gaze upon her, the young woman slowly lifted her head, returning Ye Chen’s stare with a sweet, charming smile.

Ye Chen reciprocated with a warm smile of his own. She had a delicate, petite face that radiated an innocent charm. Yet what truly drew Ye Chen’s attention were her lips. In his previous life, many women underwent procedures to enhance the fullness of their lips, attempting to cultivate a more seductive appearance. Yet such artificially enhanced lips often appeared unnatural and awkward.

However, this female cultivator before him possessed naturally luscious lips, far surpassing most others in fullness, yet entirely natural in appearance. Her innate purity combined effortlessly with her sumptuous lips, creating an enticing blend of innocence and irresistible sensuality, truly worthy of a demoness of the demonic sect; the simultaneous aura of purity and allure was genuinely extraordinary. A fiftyfold multiplier was definitely not undeserved.

In short, at the very first glance of Su Yuxuan, Ye Chen knew for certain this trip to the Secret Realm had been absolutely worthwhile…