Immortality Starts With Investment

Above, the elders waited patiently, their high Mahayana composure unshaken. Yet, they occasionally glanced below, curious about what their Holy Son was up to.

A week after crushing the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, was he really entangled with the Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden? And the Fifth Nether Maiden—was she involved too? Even if so, a week seemed excessive. Was it that captivating?

The two Nether God Holy Land elders grew increasingly anxious, especially under the gaze of Heavenly Evolution’s Supreme Elder, whose scrutiny unnerved them.

…

Within the array, a week passed, and Ye Chen had finished his ”business.” Yi Qingwu shot Su Yuxuan a displeased glance, then said to Ye Chen, ”I’m leaving. Next time we meet, pick a time without interruptions for deeper… exchange.”

The ”interruption” was clearly Su Yuxuan, who smirked, clinging to Ye Chen’s arm. ”Senior Brother, Nether God Holy Land can’t compare to being by your side. I’m staying with you forever, never leaving your side.”

Her words made the usually haughty Yi Qingwu roll her eyes. Ye Chen knew why she was upset.

For the entire week, Su Yuxuan, despite shifting tactics and ”knowledge,” never budged an inch, denying Yi Qingwu any chance to ”ascend the throne.”

Yi Qingwu, one step from being the ”main wife” with her marks, was frustrated, nearly lashing out in the final days. But, too proud to lose composure, she stayed, stubbornly holding her ground, punishing Ye Chen’s silence by pressing down harder.

Ye Chen, thoroughly ”sated,” stayed out of it. One, it was entertaining. Two, he welcomed the dynamic. Su Yuxuan’s 2,500x multiplier, now capped at double (5,000x), couldn’t critical hit.

But Yi Qingwu’s 2,500x could, making her his prime focus. He anticipated gifting her origins to boost his physique. The Innate Sacred Body Dao Embryo was strong, but sharing the spotlight with the Chaos Body irked him. With a system, he shouldn’t be rivaled—his physique needed to be unique, perhaps an Innate Chaos Sacred Body or an Immortal Body. Crushing others was his style; parity wasn’t.

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Before sweeping the cultivation world, he didn’t want Yi Qingwu to lose her critical hit potential. Her refining Ying Tiansheng’s origin would boost her physique and multiplier. Her current 2,500x hadn’t risen because she hadn’t fully refined the origin before rushing to feed him osmanthus spiritual liquid.

Once refined, Ye Chen estimated her multiplier would hit at least 3,000x. Nurturing her to an Acquired Chaos Body could push it to 5,000x or more. With such prospects, he didn’t want her cultivation disrupted. Su Yuxuan’s actions aligned perfectly with his goals, earning his silent applause.

Hearing the fiancée’s words, Ye Chen frowned. ”With so many Supreme Elders and the Heavenly Intention Holy Son dead, you’re still returning to Heavenly Intention Holy Land? I’m worried they’ll resent you. Stay at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. I guarantee you’ll get ten, a hundred times the resources.”

He didn’t want her to go back. Her betrayal was blatant. Losing five Mahayana elders was a crippling blow to any holy land—they’d be furious.

Yi Qingwu, despite her frustration with Ye Chen’s indecision and failure to push away the barefoot Su Yuxuan, smiled at his concern, shaking her head. ”My clan is at Heavenly Intention. I can’t betray them. Nor do I need to. You and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land killed the elders and Ying Tiansheng. I survived because you coveted my beauty and spared me. I’ll tell the Holy Land that Ying Tiansheng passed me the Devouring Heaven Demon Art and his origin before dying. I’ll cultivate diligently to avenge him. With him gone, no one in Heavenly Intention rivals my talent. To compete for the immortal path, even if some suspect me, they’ll have to rely on me. All resources will flow to me first. I must return.”

Her words were calm, logical. Ye Chen nodded after a moment’s thought. She was clever; he needn’t worry. The holy lands were close—if he craved her or had gifts, they could meet in Great Shang Immortal City. Their secret rendezvous wouldn’t be exposed—everyone knew he adored her.

But then, his expression froze. With Ying Tiansheng dead, would others think he killed him to steal Yi Qingwu? Her returning to vow revenge would paint him as a desperate, spurned suitor. The more he thought, the likelier it seemed. Sighing, he braced for the blame.

…

Yi Qingwu glanced at Su Yuxuan, smirking. ”You say Ye Chen gave you his eyes, heart, and Golden Core? When he reaches Mahayana, why not ask for his Immortal Platform too?”

Su Yuxuan laughed. ”If my Immortal Platform shatters, Senior Brother would give me his.”

Yi Qingwu scoffed, mocking her stubbornness. Glancing at Ye Chen, who silently stared at the sky, she didn’t press him to clarify. With a meaningful chuckle, her white robes fluttered, hair swaying, figure shrouded in moonlight as she drifted away.

Above, Heavenly Evolution’s elders saw her but stayed silent, letting her leave. Who didn’t know she was their Holy Son’s beloved?