Immortality Starts With Investment

Gazing at the system feedback, Ye Chen reflected with satisfaction. Gifting a treasure publicly might seem foolish, but with his strength, no one dared covet it. The onlookers’ awe and envy provided immense emotional value, potentially elevating the system’s rewards to new heights. Well worth it.

Fan Qinghe, fresh off the maximum critical hit, had misty, enchanting eyes, her honeyed beauty breathtaking. She noticed the elders’ envious stares, some wishing to take her place. Even her master, though composed, betrayed her desire with subtle throat-clearing. Panic struck—her perfect protector was so coveted, even her master wanted him! With her master’s mature allure and Mahayana suitors unbothered by her past protector, the threat was real.

Clinging to Ye Chen’s arm, Fan Qinghe cooed, ”Thank you, Holy Son, but I don’t understand this Unity method. Please join me in my cave to explain it.”

In high spirits, Ye Chen indulged her with a gentle nod. Like divine lovers, they floated back to her cave. Once they left, the envious Heavenly Desire Sect elders erupted in chatter, praising Fan Qinghe’s luck. She’d found a protector with unmatched foundation, overwhelming generosity, and invincible strength—the luckiest Divine Maiden in history.

The previous Divine Maiden, now Sect Leader, agreed. Ye Chen enabled perfect nirvana, with so much Yin-Yang Qi Fan Qinghe couldn’t drain it even near bursting. His dominance crushed peers, ensuring his survival, and his generosity gifted treasures just to see her smile. He surpassed all the sect’s past protectors combined. Compared to him, her own protector’s memory faded.

A bold idea struck the Sect Leader. Fan Qinghe only used a fraction of Ye Chen’s vast reserves. When he reached Unity’s peak, could she borrow some to break through to Mahayana, avoiding a dead-end at Unity?

The catch: Fan Qinghe couldn’t hoard it all. Knowing her disciple’s possessiveness, the Sect Leader planned to play the emotional card. She wasn’t stealing Ye Chen—just borrowing what Fan Qinghe couldn’t use for a breakthrough. Surely her dear disciple wouldn’t deny her pitiful master’s request! Intent on monopolizing Ye Chen, Fan Qinghe had no other way to express her gratitude but to double down on her devotion.

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Cultivation, nirvana, breakthroughs? No rush. With her protector, she’d saved decades of grueling effort and even gained a top-tier Unity method. She was confident that after this nirvana, she’d join the top prodigy tier, at least matching the top female immortal, Yi Qingwu, in talent. In beauty and figure? She was leagues ahead. Yi Qingwu, dreaming of stealing her man? Keep dreaming!

Driven by rivalry, Fan Qinghe poured in more effort. If Ye Chen weren’t so protective, denying her chances, she’d unleash every trick to show him what a Heavenly Desire Divine Maiden could do, binding him completely.

A week later, they emerged from seclusion. Ye Chen was prepared to leave.

At the Heavenly Desire Sect’s gate, Fan Qinghe was visibly reluctant. Ye Chen, savoring her caramel-like sweetness, felt a rare pang of attachment. In all his years, only she had swayed his dao-seeking heart with her skill.

As he departed, the Sect Leader and elders came to see him off. The elders put on their best faces, hoping to leave an impression. Ye Chen’s habit of ”hunting” in sects meant a future visit could bring opportunity.

The Sect Leader, with her own ambitions, was especially courteous, gifting Ye Chen a storage ring packed with the sect’s specialties—secret dual cultivation techniques, artifacts, and robes.

Ye Chen scanned the gifts, marveling at how the cultivation world outdid Earth in certain areas. He thanked the Sect Leader earnestly, then glanced at Fan Qinghe’s reluctant face and smiled gently. ”Don’t be sad. When I reach Unity’s peak, I’ll return for you. It’ll be soon. You don’t need to push too hard—wait for me.”

Normally, saintesses cultivated diligently to refine their protector’s gains at their peak. But Ye Chen’s foundation was so vast, gifting it all this time was a stretch. Next time, it’d be harder—people could literally explode. He hoped Fan Qinghe would slack off like Lu Jing, not cultivating after Unity, relying on his gifts to boost her realm for maximum effect.

Fan Qinghe didn’t overthink it, assuming he wanted her to rely on him without pressure. Such chauvinism wasn’t favored by female cultivators, but Ye Chen’s overwhelming strength left her only joyful, convinced of his love.

Then, Ye Chen drew out a shimmering Star River, its countless twinkling stars flowing in his hand. ”If you miss me, look at this. I’ve refined its divine sense. In a year, it’ll fully restore to perfection. With it, no one below Mahayana can harm you. I gift it to you to protect you in my place. Refine it when you break through to Unity.”

As he spoke, the elders’ eyes reddened with envy. They’d seen the top-tier dao weapon’s power, yet Ye Chen gave it to Fan Qinghe. All his battle gains went to her—such doting! The crowd seethed with jealousy.

Fan Qinghe’s eyes widened, her gaze brimming with deeper admiration and emotion.