Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen placed the plucked Enlightenment Tea Leaf into the jade box and didn’t linger in his small world. Hua Yunfei had helped him immensely and gifted generous treasures; staying secluded right after boarding wasn’t courteous.

Besides, Ye Chen had two rare fruits, potent even for Unity Realm cultivators, boosting blood qi and physique—nearly extinct now. They’d make perfect return gifts. Taking without giving wasn’t his style.

Exiting the small world, Ye Chen returned to the cabin and strode out. Hua Yunfei stood at the ship’s prow, hands clasped behind him, gazing at the rolling clouds. His divine halo cast golden light, dyeing half the cloud sea gold, exuding a divine king’s aura.

Ye Chen sensed a trace of natural Dao in his presence—standing there, yet seemingly fused with all creation. His senior brother’s realm was unfathomably profound.

Noticing Ye Chen, Hua Yunfei turned with a light smile. ”Junior Brother’s out? Good timing—I have some things to warn you about.”

Ye Chen nodded, retrieving a top-grade spiritual treasure tea set from his storage bracelet, placing two jade cushions, and brewing spiritual tea with sacred spring water. They sat at the prow, sipping tea and talking. Ye Chen avoided using his new Enlightenment Tea leaves. Though fresh tea warranted sharing, serving it right after receiving Hua Yunfei’s leaf would raise questions. Better to lay groundwork and gift some in a few years—safer that way.

Hua Yunfei marveled at the tea set, crafted from exquisite jade—a lavish, almost wasteful choice even for Deity Transformation cultivators. The spring water carried a Buddhist glaze-like aura, clarifying the mind. The tea, too, was exceptional, aiding cultivation, nearly top-tier despite not matching the Enlightenment Tea Leaf. ”Junior Brother’s fortunes are enviable. Such wealth—I’m far outmatched,” he remarked.

Ye Chen chuckled. ”How can I compare to Senior Brother? Ancient stars, Enlightenment Tea Leaves—you gift them without blinking. One leaf outvalues my entire set.”

After some mutual flattery, Hua Yunfei’s tone grew serious. ”The Heavenly Intention Holy Son is in seclusion. Even if he breaks through, he’ll need time to comprehend Unity Realm’s Dao and laws, so you’re safe from him for now. But Heavenly Intention Holy Land has several Deity Transformation prodigies, comparable to our Second and Third Holy Sons. Their talent is just a step below ours, and their strength isn’t to be underestimated. Be cautious of their retaliation.”

Ye Chen nodded, though inwardly unconcerned. With his system and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land’s resources, he lacked for nothing. He could stay put, cultivating under the Enlightenment Tea Tree. By his next emergence, even the Heavenly Intention Holy Son wouldn’t faze him, let alone mere prodigies. A trivial matter.

Hua Yunfei didn’t dwell on those prodigies, merely cautioning. His expression turned graver. ”Those prodigies are manageable, but one person demands your attention: Heavenly Intention Holy Land’s Holy Maiden, the Heavenly Intention Holy Son’s fiancée. They’re set to become dao companions after reaching Mahayana Realm. Her name is Yi Qingwu, said to possess the Broad Cold Immortal Body, a physique of the ancient Broad Cold Palace’s Fairy Chang’e. Her talent is exceptional, hailed as the Great Yan Continent’s foremost female cultivator, the First Female Immortal. Even the late Yao clan Holy Maiden fell to her, suppressed in both strength and beauty, driving her to seek opportunities in the Endless Sea, where she perished. Since you destroyed the Heavenly Intention Holy Son’s avatar, Yi Qingwu may target you. She’s at peak Deity Transformation, but her combat power far exceeds that. Be on guard.”

…

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, a flicker of intrigue crossing his face. The Heavenly Intention Holy Son had a fiancée? A Broad Cold Immortal Body? It sounded formidable. He wondered about her multiplier. A faint thrill stirred within him, though not overwhelming.

After a moment’s thought, Ye Chen dismissed Yi Qingwu from his concerns. With his system, his immortal path diverged from traditional prodigies. He didn’t need to roam, fight, or chase opportunities. Staying in Heavenly Evolution Holy Land sufficed. No matter how many enemies eyed him, it was irrelevant. What could they do? Storm the Holy Land? No one would dare court such death.

…

Hua Yunfei, noting Ye Chen’s lack of worry, smiled. His junior brother’s boldness was remarkable—having destroyed the Heavenly Intention Holy Son’s avatar, he clearly wouldn’t fear Yi Qingwu.

Ye Chen spoke up. ”Thank you for the warning, Senior Brother. You’ve helped me so much, and I can’t repay you enough. Please accept these two Tyrant Blood Dragon Fruits.”

He presented the fruits, and Hua Yunfei’s eyes widened. ”Tyrant Blood Dragon Fruits?”

These ancient body-refining treasures, beneficial even to Unity Realm cultivators, had long vanished due to environmental changes. Only a few transplanted trees reportedly survived in a Central Province Holy Land, inaccessible to outsiders. Yet Ye Chen possessed them.

”Junior Brother truly is heaven’s favored son, even obtaining Tyrant Blood Dragon Fruits,” Hua Yunfei marveled. ”They’re perfect for refining my Deity Transformation avatar. I won’t refuse—thank you, Junior Brother.”

Hua Yunfei’s generosity in giving matched his graciousness in receiving. With a sweep of his sleeve, he accepted the fruits. Ye Chen, noting the system’s silence, felt relieved, his gesture complete.

They shifted to discussing cultivation insights, with Hua Yunfei, the higher-realm cultivator, sharing profound perspectives that enlightened Ye Chen. Their exchange stretched nearly ten days—rest was irrelevant at their level.

Eventually, the conversation turned to their Holy Maiden’s technique. Even Hua Yunfei, typically composed, showed worry and wariness when mentioning her. ”The Supreme Scripture is too sinister. Even switching techniques didn’t help. Ten years ago, she sensed the danger and tried to address it. But last year, I noticed she no longer cared, showing no interest in fixing it. She believes the scripture is flawless. It relentlessly erases her true self, birthing a new one, warping her mind. If this continues, she’ll forget who she was, becoming utterly emotionless.”

…