Immortality Starts With Investment

For two full days, Ye Chen deeply understood the saying, ”Don’t challenge a professional with your hobby.”

He felt as if he’d glimpsed the secrets of ascension. Halfway through, he even considered that Fan Qinghe’s feedback multiplier could still improve. Becoming dao partners would double the benefits—not bad at all. Why chase perfection? Why not seize the moment and let Fan Qinghe disrupt his cultivation?

Fortunately, his dao heart held firm, and he stayed true to his path. Still, for Fan Qinghe to make him waver for two days spoke volumes about her prowess. She pushed him to his limits, repaying all his efforts with her undeniable skill.

”Phew…” Ye Chen exhaled, unclenching his fists and mentally noting techniques to share with the fiancée, Senior An, and his master next time. If he ascended, he’d bring everyone to his small world in the Immortal Realm. Fan Qinghe could start a training class to pass on her expertise.

Checking the time, Ye Chen decided not to test his weaknesses further. He handed Fan Qinghe a jade slip. She took it, stunned, then immediately returned it. She knew Ye Chen cared for her, but having been won over completely, she didn’t want to seem greedy. Except for essentials during nirvana, she wanted nothing.

”Holy Son,” she said earnestly, ”these two days of indulgence were the greatest gift. I need nothing more. Please take it back.”

Ye Chen smiled. ”No need for formalities. What’s mine is yours. This is a high-grade Dual Charm Unity method, blending the True Self Dao and the Heaven and Earth Dao. It includes annotations from the Chaotic Ancient True Immortal, greatly boosting cultivation and yielding immense gains in the Unity Stage.”

He echoed the Holy Master’s introduction of the method, but Fan Qinghe frowned. ”Chaotic Ancient True Immortal? I heard his insights on Dao and laws were mediocre among true immortals. Many who reach immortality lack the foundation or insight to create their own immortal scriptures. Chaotic Ancient True Immortal, though strong in combat, was weak in this. He didn’t plan to leave a scripture, but since those without one rank lower, he cobbled one together, copying parts of the Great Emperor Scripture and Western Emperess Scripture. Their descendants even called him out. His annotations seem… meaningless.”

Due to the Heavenly Desire Sect’s nature, they had access to many secrets, even about true immortals, all recorded and passed down. Ye Chen was taken aback. The Chaotic Ancient True Immortal’s biography he’d read mentioned none of this.

Fan Qinghe, ever perceptive, caught his expression and smiled. ”Those biographies were written by his allies, naturally omitting the messy details. Most are exaggerated. People think Chaotic Ancient True Immortal was invincible before ascension, but he lost many battles, suppressed by prodigies, nearly killed a few times. He wasn’t weak, but not the strongest either. His ascension shocked his era. After immortality, though, it’s a different story.”

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She shared these secrets, then, fearing Ye Chen might think she was rejecting his gift, added, ”Also, our Heavenly Desire Sect has a high-grade Dual Charm Unity method, equal in rank to yours. Our Heavenly Desire Sect’s inheritance is naturally more suitable for me when the Unity methods are of the same rank!” Fan Qinghe said, pulling out her sect’s jade slip to prove her point.

Ye Chen felt a pang of frustration. His Holy Master was indeed unreliable. Chaotic Ancient True Immortal’s annotations, far from being a bonus, were a detriment in the eyes of those in the know. Unbelievable… this Unity method wouldn’t be gifted to the Divine Maiden after all.

Disappointed, Ye Chen felt the moment lose its spark. He rummaged through his storage bracelet, searching for something suitable to gift, determined to use today’s gifting opportunity. Then, he’d find his master or another female cultivator to gift this Unity method and obtain the Triple Charm Unity method the Heavenly Emperor had ruined.

As he searched, Fan Qinghe lowered her head, a glint in her eyes. She loved watching the Fourth Holy Son struggle and hesitate. Keep this up, and he might lower his standards without waiting for her ascension.

Ye Chen’s focus waned. As the ritual neared its end, he considered grabbing anything to gift and conclude it. If this ”feast” continued, even his steadfast dao heart might crumble—a massive loss.

But at that moment, the entire Heavenly Desire Sect shook violently. Women’s startled cries echoed outside the cave. Fan Qinghe wiped her mouth, her once-fluid gaze turning serious. ”That’s the sect’s mountain protection array under attack!” she declared.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. He knew some were upset after he cleared the field earlier. Could they be so humiliated they brought a powerhouse to wreck the place? This wasn’t the time for indulgence.

Fan Qinghe deactivated the cave’s array, ready to investigate. Just then, a voice brimming with battle intent boomed: ”Ye Chen, heir of the Heavenly Emperor, I know you’re in there! Since you won’t come to Central Continent, I’ve come for you. Face me now!”

The terrifying voice reverberated through the sect. Fan Qinghe’s face filled with worry. A Central Continent powerhouse challenging the Fourth Holy Son? After she’d drained his Yin-Yang Qi, his strength was depleted—he couldn’t even summon the Heaven and Earth Manifestation. How could he fight? Avoiding the challenge would tarnish his reputation.

Having felt Ye Chen’s sincerity, Fan Qinghe fretted for him, wondering if the sect’s sole ancestor should intervene. But Ye Chen showed no concern, only frowning slightly.

So it wasn’t an angry guest but a Central Continent prodigy picking a fight? His title as the Heavenly Emperor’s heir drew such intense enmity? The Heavenly Emperor Hall, making him take the blame, was utterly deplorable.

He’d record every battle from now on. One day, he’d make the Heavenly Emperor Hall pay back every bit, with interest, showing them just how costly his appearances were!