Immortality Starts With Investment

”Thank you, Senior Brother!” Ye Chen declared, his mind made up. If his gift triggered a critical hit and the system delivered what he wanted, he’d ensure Hua Yunfei lived a life of Enlightenment Tea Leaf abundance—one leaf for minor breakthroughs, two for major ones, and a couple to brew milk tea on a bad day. Carefully, he closed the jade box and stored it.

Hua Yunfei, in high spirits, chuckled. ”The Enlightenment Tea is nothing compared to you. I’ve heard your past exploits—you’re the one who gifts fearlessly. Are female cultivators really that important? We’re destined to stand tall and vie for the immortal path. How can we let women hold us back? If it works, fine. If not, move on decisively.”

Ye Chen’s rise to Holy Son meant his past was an open book, spreading across the cultivation world. That the Heavenly Evolution Holy Son had once been a simp shocked many, becoming a jest among prodigies. Hua Yunfei’s words were tactful, avoiding the term, but his intent was clear: he hoped Ye Chen would awaken and change.

Ye Chen, unfazed, grinned confidently. ”Senior Brother, you don’t get it. When I gift female cultivators, they’re not controlling me. I hold the reins. If I’m in a good mood, I gift. If not, I don’t. When I stop, they overthink—did they upset me? Do I no longer care? Did something happen to me? They’re the ones being controlled!”

Hua Yunfei, who mastered countless techniques with ease, felt his brain short-circuit. Opening his mouth, he hesitated, unable to find a response. Finally, he sighed, ”If Junior Brother’s resolve is firm, that’s good enough. I’ll visit the Sword Sect’s seniors, then we’ll head back to the Holy Land, yes?”

Ye Chen paused. ”Senior Brother, why don’t you go ahead? My master’s due to emerge from seclusion in a few days. I’d like to see her before leaving.”

He’d recently learned that the secret realm Gu Yunyun entered would open automatically after a year. By his calculations, it was just two or three days away.

Ye Chen wanted to meet her, gift her the Enlightenment Tea Leaf, and see if she’d awakened the Undefeated Sword Body—and how her multiplier might soar. The tea leaf was perfect for her, aiding in refining her sealed sword intent and comprehending the wooden sword’s swordsmanship insights.

The Undefeated Sword Body, originally called the Heavenly Aspect Sword Body, allowed each strike to harness the momentum of heaven and earth, its power boundless. It once stood between first-rate and top-tier physiques, falling short of supreme ones like the Divine King Body.

But Dugu Bubai’s emergence elevated it, pairing it with the Dugu Sword Scripture to rival top-tier physiques. Thus, it was renamed the Undefeated Sword Body, reflecting Dugu Bubai’s invincible legacy—seeking defeat his entire life, yet never tasting it.

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In short, Ye Chen wanted to wait.

…

Hua Yunfei nodded calmly. ”Understandable. I’m in no rush. I’ll visit the Sword Sect’s seniors and explore the Sword Valley left by a True Immortal. We can leave together afterward.”

His understanding nature shone through. Smiling at Elder Mo, he prepared to fly toward Sword Peak. Ye Chen couldn’t resist asking, ”Senior Brother, is this your true body or an avatar?”

Curious but hesitant to use his Heavy Pupils, Ye Chen posed the question. Hua Yunfei raised an eyebrow. ”Since you’re curious, Junior Brother, why not use your Heavy Pupils to see?”

With permission granted, Ye Chen didn’t hold back. His eyes swirled with chaotic qi, but as he peered, he frowned. His infallible Heavy Pupils couldn’t penetrate Hua Yunfei’s body.

The divine radiance was restrained, making it impossible to discern whether this was an avatar or the true body. This only confirmed Ye Chen’s suspicion—it had to be an avatar. The realization shocked him. An avatar at Deity Transformation had fought the Heavenly Intention Holy Son to a standstill for a year. How powerful was Hua Yunfei’s true body?

Gazing at his senior brother’s radiant figure, Ye Chen’s curiosity deepened. Hua Yunfei clearly didn’t cultivate the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture. What True Immortal’s legacy had he inherited to be so formidable? And with such wealth, casually gifting Enlightenment Tea Leaves—could he be the true heir of the Heavenly Emperor?

But Ye Chen knew asking about his avatar was already bold; inquiring about his legacy would cross a line. In the cultivation world, speculating privately was fine, but asking outright breached basic etiquette.

…

The arrival of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land’s First Holy Son, Hua Yunfei, stirred the Sword Sect. While Ye Chen’s potential was immense, his Nascent Soul realm paled beside Hua Yunfei, who neared Unity Realm with combat power rivaling veteran experts. Charismatic and courteous, Hua Yunfei was a figure everyone sought to befriend. He was treated as an honored guest, engaging daily in discussions with the sect’s powerhouses.

Ye Chen, having mastered the Indestructible Scripture and reached mid-Nascent Soul, didn’t slacken. He dove deeper into Sword Valley, cultivating daily. Hua Yunfei’s grave words about this era’s immortal path—potentially the last—echoed in his mind. The cultivation world was growing harsher.

In the Immortal Ancient era, Foundation Establishment cultivators lived a thousand years; in the Desolate Ancient era, five hundred; in the Near Ancient era, three hundred; now, a mere hundred fifty. Other realms faced similar declines.

The immortal path’s openings stretched from once every sixty years to a century, then a millennium, now eight thousand years since the last. It wouldn’t be surprising if it ceased entirely, barring future ascensions. Though the cause was unclear, urgency gripped all.

Even with his system, Ye Chen knew he had to cultivate diligently to break through swiftly. If some calamity like the Five Declines of Heaven and Man struck, wiping out those below a certain realm, he’d be at a catastrophic loss.

Three days later, emerging from Sword Valley, Ye Chen’s brows shot up as he gazed into its depths. The valley’s endless sword qi swirled into a massive vortex, shaking the entire Sword Sect. A red silhouette rose slowly from its center. Seeing that breathtaking face and a figure unmatched even in the immortal realm, Ye Chen’s lips curved into a smile.

His master had finally emerged!

Simultaneously, his system chimed, announcing an update to her multiplier…

…