Immortality Starts With Investment

The voluptuous and mature Heavenly Desire Sect Leader hurried over with a group of elders. Seeing that Fan Qinghe’s primordial yin remained intact, she sighed in relief. But noticing Fan Qinghe’s cultivation, her eyes widened. ”You’ve already completed the second transformation ritual?”

Fan Qinghe nodded.

The Sect Leader frowned. Using the protector’s Yin-Yang Qi to boost cultivation instead of transformation was the least efficient choice. But what was done was done. With the Fourth Holy Son’s Yin-Yang Qi surely drained, and a Central Continent prodigy challenging him at the gate, how could he fight? Ye Chen was vital to Fan Qinghe’s path.

The Sect Leader spoke earnestly, ”Holy Son, you’ve just completed the ritual and must be depleted. Why not notify the Holy Land to send someone to retrieve you? Our sect’s ancestor can ensure no enemy dares enter. This isn’t avoidance—just biding your time. I believe when you step into Central Continent, no prodigy will be your match!”

Her words were considerate, preserving Ye Chen’s dignity.

But Ye Chen was already frustrated from failing to gift the Unity method due to his Holy Master’s unreliability. Now, being challenged because of the Heavenly Emperor Hall’s blame, and hearing he might be ”depleted,” his temper flared. This Central Continent prodigy came at the perfect time to vent his anger.

He waved dismissively. ”No need. The Divine Maiden didn’t drain me. Suppressing this foe will be effortless.”

With that, Ye Chen rose gracefully and flew toward the sect’s mountain gate array.

The Sect Leader and elders froze, staring at Fan Qinghe with disappointment. ”You didn’t drain him completely?”

How disappointing! Past Divine Maidens would squeeze their protectors dry, down to the marrow. Yet Fan Qinghe left so much behind. Was she truly smitten with Ye Chen?

”You’re the worst Divine Maiden our sect has ever had! What happened?” the Sect Leader fumed.

Fan Qinghe felt wronged. She had forcibly cut off the channel because she couldn’t handle more. Explaining the process and showing the still-unrefined Yin-Yang Qi, she left the Sect Leader’s mouth agape, mirroring her own earlier shock.

Staring at Ye Chen’s departing figure, the Sect Leader was incredulous, swallowing hard. ”To think such a formidable man exists! His Yin-Yang Qi pushed you from mid-Deity Transformation to its peak, and even after such immense consumption, you couldn’t drain him? He’s an absolute beast! Even the Heavenly Emperor, that freeloader, wasn’t this fierce!”

Hearing her master praise her protector, Fan Qinghe beamed. But the Sect Leader continued, ”Since you can’t handle it all, next time, bring me along. He’s not my protector, and my Nirvana Scripture practice would waste more, but I could still retain a tenth. You’re my disciple. Keep the benefits in the family. Hogging it all leads nowhere.”

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Fan Qinghe froze. Oh no, her master wanted to steal her protector! No way! She’d keep hogging it all!

Ignoring her master, Fan Qinghe flew up resolutely, following Ye Chen. ”Though I didn’t drain the Holy Son, his Yin-Yang Qi must be nearly depleted. Our paths are linked—if he falls, my path is ruined, unable to transform or advance. I must aid him in this battle!”

Her resolve was unshakable.

The Sect Leader’s smile faded. Her disciple had grown protective of her ”food.” She’d only been joking earlier, still haunted by her own protector’s memory. After draining him, he’d returned to rebuild, only to be betrayed and killed by a rival. Otherwise, she might have reached the Mahayana stage long ago instead of stagnating in Unity. The fate of a Heavenly Desire Divine Maiden was pitiful, tied to a man’s loyalty, survival, talent, and ability. Few in the sect’s history had reached Mahayana, let alone immortality.

She didn’t want Fan Qinghe to follow her broken path. But the challenger was the Star River King Body, a near-top-ten prodigy of Central Continent, defeated only by a narrow margin. This physique, which had produced two true immortals, wielded unparalleled star power and was among the strongest. Worse, the challenger was mid-Unity stage, far above Ye Chen’s realm, with his Yin-Yang Qi still low. How could he fight?

The Sect Leader decided to summon the ancestor to intervene and save Ye Chen.

Meanwhile, Ye Chen calmly stepped out of the sect’s mountain gate array. Above, a man in a starry robe stood proudly. Spectators gathered in the distance, drawn by the commotion. Ye Chen glanced at them briefly before frowning at the man. ”Who are you?”

The man’s face darkened. ”I am Chen Lingxiao, the Star River Clan’s King Body, a top-ten prodigy-level existence in Central Continent!”

Ye Chen’s frown deepened. ”Top-ten level? So, not even in the top ten?”

Unimpressive. Truly unimpressive. Ye Chen disliked fighting without gain. His Heavenly Emperor heir title drew too much attention. If a top-ten prodigy challenged him, he’d fight to showcase his strength and earn peace. But this Chen Lingxiao wasn’t even that. Killing him wouldn’t earn recognition, making the fight pointless. He’d give him a beating and let him go, since he hadn’t spouted nonsense.

Ye Chen’s disappointment was palpable, noticed by all. Chen Lingxiao, the mighty Star River King Body, was furious at being so belittled, even by the Heavenly Emperor’s heir.

Just then, Fan Qinghe floated to Ye Chen’s side, her perfect figure radiating Yin-Yang Qi and battle intent. Ye Chen was slightly surprised.

She smiled charmingly. ”I’m the Holy Son’s woman. Naturally, I stand with him, in life or death!”

Ye Chen grinned, his gaze softening. True or not, her words warmed him. Despite his apparent disadvantage, Fan Qinghe stood by him without hesitation, clear for all to see.

Chen Lingxiao’s eyes gleamed with admiration as he gazed at Fan Qinghe, her honeyed skin radiating a wild, sweet allure. Even in Central Continent, such a captivating woman was rare, especially with her primordial yin intact. No wonder Ye Chen came to the Heavenly Desire Sect. His anger faded, and he smiled. ”Fairy, once I crush this man, I’ll take you to the Central Continent to see its splendors. I’ll even reserve a spot for you in the Immortal Realm!”

Ye Chen, who hadn’t taken him seriously, sighed.

The onlookers from the Great Yan Continent perked up. Everyone knew you could insult Holy Son Ye, and his magnanimity might spare you. But coveting his woman? This battle would now be a fight to the death.