Immortality Starts With Investment

As the crowd parted, a towering man over two meters tall strode forward. His eyes gleamed like those of an eagle, pupils shimmering with a golden hue. Beside him stood a spirited female cultivator, exuding a heroic air.

Zhang Pengfei was at the Deity Transformation stage, while the woman was at the Nascent Soul stage. Both radiated a formidable aura, causing the onlookers to lower their heads in awe. They whispered to each other through divine sense.

”The Little Roc King, with his Sword Roc Body. Those eagle eyes see through everything—illusions, movements, nothing escapes him.”

”His speed is said to be astonishing, rivaling even the Kun Peng Treasure Technique. And his swordsmanship? Divine.”

”Isn’t that a bit exaggerated? Since when does a Sword Roc compare to a Kun Peng?”

”That’s just what people say.”

”That woman beside him—she’s probably the daughter of the Sky Roc Sect’s grand elder, right?”

”Rumor has it, when Zhang Pengfei was vying for the position of chief disciple, he had a strong rival. So he won over the grand elder’s daughter, gained her support, forcibly awakened his Sword Roc Eyes, and soared to prominence.”

”Tch, climbing up through a woman, huh? No wonder he’s splashing fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones on a bracelet for her.”

”Exactly. A friend of mine says his partner loves making him sprout wings during dual cultivation, tugging on his roc feathers from behind…”

”But the Little Roc King’s strength is undeniable. He’s never been defeated!”

The onlookers maintained respectful expressions, but their private transmissions were full of gossip.

”Zhuzhu, what do you think of this bracelet?”

Zhang Pengfei asked tenderly, playing the part of a doting gentleman.

The woman nodded. ”It’s alright.”

Zhang Pengfei smiled. ”As long as you like it.”

With that, he turned to the stall owner with a commanding sweep of his gaze. ”I’ll take it for fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones.”

The stall owner froze. The Little Roc King, who’d risen by cozying up to women, wasn’t even going to raise the bid? He wanted to haggle for more but didn’t dare provoke Zhang Pengfei.

Hesitantly, he looked at Ye Chen. ”This Fellow Daoist already offered fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones…”

The stall owner silently prayed Ye Chen wouldn’t back down.

Zhang Pengfei turned to Ye Chen, saying nothing but letting his gaze carry a heavy pressure, as if urging Ye Chen to step aside. A mere late Nascent Soul cultivator wasn’t worth his attention.

Ye Chen met his stare calmly. ”If you want it, bid. If not, move along. Why’re you staring at me?”

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His words stunned the crowd. Was Ye Chen this bold?

Sure, fighting was forbidden in White Emperor City. But making an enemy like this—who could guarantee they wouldn’t be targeted later?

Zhang Pengfei’s round, predatory eyes locked onto Ye Chen, brimming with anger. His gaze was like that of a hawk sizing up prey, perfectly fitting his reputation. Everyone could see he’d lost face in front of his woman.

Zhang Pengfei was truly furious. He opened his mouth, ready to hurl a threat.

But Ye Chen’s lips curved into a smirk. ”Don’t your eyes see through illusions? I suggest you take a good look at who I am before you start talking tough. Saves you the trouble of eating your words later.”

Ye Chen was just here to buy a gift, not to pick a fight. Unless there was something to gain, he wasn’t interested. His illusion technique wasn’t particularly advanced—most prodigies could see through it.

Zhang Pengfei swallowed his threat. If this guy recognized him and still spoke so boldly, could he have a big backing?

Golden light gleamed in Zhang Pengfei’s eagle-like eyes as he peered at Ye Chen. The moment he saw through the illusion, his pupils contracted. It was that Fourth Holy Son?

He recognized Ye Chen. Instantly, he felt like backing off. For one, Ye Chen’s Heavy Pupils made his combat strength unpredictable. Plus, with his Kun Peng Treasure Technique, what if Zhang Pengfei, despite being a realm higher, couldn’t match his speed? Wouldn’t that expose his earlier boasts as empty? He’d always fought only those he could read, maintaining his undefeated reputation.

On top of that, the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land wasn’t something he could afford to provoke. But turning tail and leaving would cost him face. What would people say about him?

So, Zhang Pengfei forced a smile and declared loudly, ”So it’s the Fourth Holy Son himself! Since Your Excellency has taken a liking to this item, I, Zhang Pengfei, will naturally step aside.”

His words sent another shock through the crowd. This guy was the Fourth Holy Son? The people around Ye Chen quickly backed away, staring at him in astonishment.

Zhang Pengfei continued his grand posturing. ”I’ve long heard that Your Excellency’s Heavy Pupils can sweep the cosmos. I possess the Sword Roc Divine Eyes. If we get the chance, I hope you’ll indulge me with a spar.”

With his face-saving words delivered, Zhang Pengfei calmly led the female cultivator away, maintaining the perfect poise of a prodigy without a hint of backing down.

Ye Chen glanced at the guy, feeling a twinge of irritation. If they crossed paths again, he’d definitely give him a thrashing.

Then, Ye Chen turned calmly to the stall owner. The stall owner’s heart sank. He couldn’t afford to offend the Little Roc King, and now the Fourth Holy Son? Even less so. He didn’t dare call for more bids, looking at Ye Chen with awe.

Ye Chen remained unfazed. He casually pulled out fifty thousand top-grade spirit stones and tossed them to the stall owner. After receiving the Diamond Bangle and confirming it was genuine, he drifted away.

The gift was secured, and his identity was exposed. Time to leave. He’d wait for the divine maiden’s debut.

…

Meanwhile, Zhang Pengfei and his companion had walked some distance. The female cultivator asked with a hint of regret, ”Was that really the Fourth Holy Son of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land? I kinda liked that bracelet.”

Zhang Pengfei nodded calmly. ”It was indeed Ye the Fourth. His illusion technique was no match for my divine eyes. But he deliberately revealed his identity to avoid clashing with me. He’s not that strong—probably on par with Yao Gu—but he’s backed by a behemoth like the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. So, I let him have his way. As for the bracelet, I’ll find you a better one later.”

The woman looked at Zhang Pengfei with admiration, thinking her man was truly formidable. Even the Fourth Holy Son didn’t dare provoke him, taking the initiative to avoid a fight.

Zhang Pengfei met her gaze with warmth in his eyes, but inside, he was annoyed. He preferred delicate, clingy women, not someone who, even in the bedroom, tugged at his wings and shouted about loving his Sword Roc.

But he had no choice. He still needed her father’s support to secure resources and vie for the immortal path. He’d have to endure it. In a couple of days, though, he planned to slip away incognito to the Pure Moon River. He wanted to see what this so-called most outstanding divine maiden in ten thousand years looked like. If he could win her favor and spend a night with her on a skyship, that’d be perfection…

With that thought, Zhang Pengfei’s expression grew even gentler. He led his partner forward slowly.