Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen glanced at He Qiu, who was brimming with eagerness. With a helpless shake of his head, he reached out to pat her head, about to say something when Elder He leaned forward. Shooting He Qiu a stern look, he pulled her back behind him before turning to Ye Chen with a mix of curiosity and astonishment. ”To be honest, I thought you’d broken through to the Deity Transformation stage…”

Elder He was genuinely shocked. The spiritual sense fluctuations Ye Chen had emitted earlier were terrifying—beyond even the Deity Transformation stage, perhaps rivaling the Unity stage. He’d genuinely believed Ye Chen had secretly broken through. Yet now, seeing him, it was clear he hadn’t. That made it all the more astonishing.

Ye Chen smiled faintly, glancing upward where Elder Mo was concealed in the void, watching him. ”Just a small gain, nothing more. Elder He, when do we return to the Holy Land?”

Ye Chen had learned that Fan Qinghe had left White Emperor City for the Heavenly Desire Sect. With her gone, there was little reason to linger. Next time they met, he’d let her absorb something else. Spiritual sense was a one-time offering; next would be something different. His only curiosity was what multiplier Fan Qinghe had achieved this time.

Nirvana wasn’t just about enhancing spiritual sense—otherwise, the Heavenly Desire Sect wouldn’t be so renowned. But Ye Chen wasn’t in a rush. He’d find out when they met again.

Elder He nodded. ”After the auction ended, we should’ve left already. But since you were in seclusion, we waited a bit longer. If you’re done with White Emperor City, we can leave now.”

Ye Chen agreed, ”Let’s do it.”

With a wave of Elder He’s hand, a shadowy figure descended from the void. Elder He led the disciples onto the ship, and Ye Chen followed. Just before departure, Elder He cast a reluctant glance toward the Heavenly Intention mansion. He’d heard Yi Qingwu would be there and had hoped her grandmother might show up too—a chance to reminisce about past regrets. But she hadn’t come. A pity.

With another wave, Elder He set the massive Heavenly Evolution Holy Land ship soaring through the clouds toward their home.

At the same time, in the Heavenly Intention mansion, Yi Qingwu opened her eyes. Her grandmother had sent word: the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land had departed. A flicker of killing intent passed through her gaze as she rose calmly.

...

On the ship, Ye Chen sat at the bow, facing Elder Mo. The elder studied him with a hint of wonder. When Ye Chen had been entangled with the Heavenly Desire Divine Maiden, Elder Mo had cautioned him. But Ye Chen had told him not to worry, so Elder Mo had held his tongue. After all, a prodigy like Ye Chen had his own reasons for his actions.

Others thought Ye Chen had taken advantage of Fan Qinghe, but Elder Mo had seen the truth. When Fan Qinghe left, her spiritual sense had surged uncontrollably, while Ye Chen had been utterly drained of his. He’d truly been sapped dry. Yet now, Ye Chen’s spiritual sense was surging once more, clearly due to some profound mystery.

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”Could this be the same ’break and rebuild’ opportunity the Heavenly Emperor seized back then?” Elder Mo asked, a rare eagerness in his voice.

Ye Chen understood the elder’s urgency, but his situation wasn’t what Elder Mo imagined. He wasn’t even truly the Heavenly Emperor’s heir. Explaining that would be tricky. Still, he appreciated Elder Mo’s loyalty—fearless in the face of any opponent, though perhaps a bit too eager for chaos.

Ye Chen looked at Elder Mo earnestly. ”I know what Elder Mo needs. But my method won’t work for you. Still, I promise—if I find a way to help you rebuild your Immortal Platform, I won’t hold back.”

Elder Mo’s face broke into a smile. From anyone else, such words might sound like empty promises. But Ye Chen was different—too extraordinary. Elder Mo, once a prodigy himself, had seen countless talents, yet none like Ye Chen. So, he chose to believe. ”In that case, thank you, Holy Son.”

Ye Chen grinned. ”No, I should be thanking you for protecting me. Without you, I’d probably have been beaten to death by now.”

As the two exchanged compliments, a majestic aura suddenly surged toward them.

”Ye Chen, come out and face me!”

Ye Chen’s brow arched. That voice was familiar—the fiancée. He glanced up to see a figure in white descending gracefully from the sky. When his eyes settled on her, even he, accustomed to beauties, couldn’t help but be struck. This was his first time seeing the fiancée in person, having only heard her voice before.

The woman atop the firmament was otherworldly, like a banished immortal. Clad in snow-white robes, she moved with ethereal grace. Her oval face was flawless, as translucent as fine jade, without a single blemish. Her long, dense lashes framed eyes that sparkled with life. Her slender figure, draped in a white dress, revealed skin so fair it seemed to glow with moonlight. Her dark hair cascaded down, radiant and captivating.

She was the opposite of Fan Qinghe’s allure, yet capable of outshining every female cultivator in the world. Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, marveling that she truly lived up to her reputation as the foremost female immortal. Elder Mo, stroking his chin, muttered his approval of her beauty. Elder He, who had appeared at the ship’s bow unnoticed, gazed at Yi Qingwu with awe and a hint of nostalgia.

The fiancée had arrived. Ye Chen’s initial surprise gave way to a grin. Perfect timing—she’d come just in time for a gift. If he could land a critical hit, great. If not, he’d beat her and take it back. Either way, he wouldn’t lose.

The Heavenly Evolution Holy Land’s ship halted. Yi Qingwu stood calmly in the distance, her serene gaze fixed on Ye Chen, showing no overt hostility. She spoke evenly. ”Your matters with the Holy Son have nothing to do with me. If you hadn’t crossed my path, I wouldn’t have sought you out. But as the Holy Son’s fiancée, now that we’ve met, how can I not act? Otherwise, others will question whether our hearts are aligned. So, Holy Son Ye, come and fight me.”

Her voice was soothing, like celestial music, making even a challenge feel unoffensive, yet it carried an unshakable resolve, like the soft cry of an immortal phoenix. Elder He frowned slightly. The gap in their cultivation was too vast—this battle was meaningless.

Elder Mo, though silent, shared the sentiment. Yi Qingwu wasn’t an ordinary Deity Transformation cultivator. With her Broad Cold Immortal Physique and the Moon Palace’s inheritance, plus a full major realm above Ye Chen, even a prodigy like him was unlikely to win. Losing would only tarnish his reputation, with no benefit to gain.

Yet, to their astonishment, Ye Chen’s eyes lit up. He stood without hesitation. ”Since the fiancée has come, how could I disappoint her?”

The two elders exchanged a glance, falling silent. They knew their Holy Son’s weakness for beautiful women had kicked in.

Yi Qingwu’s gaze deepened, her voice still magnetic but now laced with a sharp edge. ”The Fourth Holy Son is truly confident. I’m starting to look forward to our battle.”

The edge in her tone clearly stemmed from Ye Chen’s teasing mention of ”fiancée.”