Immortality Starts With Investment

Heavenly Intention Palace fell silent. The exchange between Ye Chen and Yi Qingwu was bizarre, sparking wild speculation. Everyone knew Ye Chen killed the Heavenly Intention Holy Son, making Yi Qingwu his enemy. Yet, their greeting felt nothing like enemies meeting. Instead, it was as if long-separated lovers feared for each other’s safety.

Ye Chen’s gentle ”I’m here. I’ve always been here” left the crowd stuffed with awkwardness, feeling like outsiders.

Wang Teng had the ugliest expression. Ignored by Yi Qingwu and now Ye Chen, treated like air, he glared at Ye Chen, voice icy. ”Heavenly Emperor’s heir, answer me!”

Ye Chen glanced at him. In an instant, he moved.

Under countless shocked gazes, Ye Chen vanished, reappearing before Wang Teng like a flash, his trajectory invisible. A domineering fist shot out.

Wang Teng’s face twisted. Ye Chen was too fast—he couldn’t activate his physique or channel his laws. The fist slammed into his chest.

Boom!

Wang Teng’s limbs and head exploded, his body pierced through, sent crashing into the divine spring around the pavilion, unleashing a massive wave.

The immortal city quaked, its grand array flaring in response.

Everyone’s eyes widened in disbelief. The Mahayana Stage’s gaps between heavens were vast, yet Ye Chen had crippled a Second Heaven King Body with one punch? His talent seemed even more monstrous than before.

Rumors of his origin injuries or dao backlash were forgotten. His absence wasn’t what they’d thought.

...

Ye Chen didn’t spare Wang Teng a glance. With a wave, he seized the two treasures Wang Teng had flaunted, still floating in the air. His voice rang out, calm but commanding. ”Before the Heavenly Intention Holy Son died, he said I was stronger, more worthy of being Qingwu’s man, and entrusted me to care for her. I keep my promises, so of course, Qingwu’s affairs are mine to handle. Who approves? Who objects?”

The crowd was stunned. Ye Chen’s story was absurd—killing someone, then claiming they entrusted their fiancée to him? Did he believe his own nonsense?

But his terrifying presence silenced even the Star River Clan. No one dared object, yet none agreed.

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Noticing the awkward silence, Ye Chen turned to the prodigy who’d championed Wang Teng and Yi Qingwu’s match, grinning. ”Tell me, am I right? Do you approve?”

The prodigy, pinned by Ye Chen’s gaze, felt his power freeze. Fearing a fist like Wang Teng’s, he nodded frantically, blurring with speed.

Ye Chen turned to the crowd. They nodded in unison, their haste stirring a whirlwind in Heavenly Intention Palace.

Satisfied, Ye Chen’s black hair danced in the vortex. Reputation mattered, and he’d maintain it. Weighing the two treasures, he strode to Yi Qingwu.

Yi Qingwu brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, tilting her head at Ye Chen’s approach. ”Why come to me right after seclusion? You killed my fiancé. No matter what he said, you’re my enemy. Once I reach Mahayana, I’ll kill you!”

The nodding crowd froze, minds reeling. Moments ago, their gazes were tender, almost dripping with affection. Now threats? Was this love-hate drama?

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. His fiancée was putting on an act again. When she fed him osmanthus spirit liquid, her words were far sweeter. But he wouldn’t expose her.

Looking at the fiancée, he only wanted to give her a gift. Her multiplier had soared since their last meeting. His system’s voice echoed in his mind: ”Detected gift target Yi Qingwu multiplier update… Yi Qingwu: 3,500 times!”

The multiplier thrilled him—only 500 less than Heavy Pupil Lan Nuo. Her surge wasn’t surprising. The Heavenly Intention Holy Son had devoured many, amassing immense origin. Yi Qingwu, refining it with the Indestructible Heavenly Art, naturally boosted her multiplier.

Facing her threat, Ye Chen nodded perfunctorily. ”I emerged yesterday and rushed here upon hearing the news. Of course, I missed you.”

Yi Qingwu’s gaze softened.

Not giving her a chance to speak, Ye Chen raised the two wooden boxes. ”Which one do you want?”

The crowd fell silent again. The Star River King Body lay half-dead, and Ye Chen was already gifting his treasures? Yi Qingwu had rejected them once, dismissing them with disdain while vowing to kill him. Would she accept now?

To their shock, Yi Qingwu propped her flawless chin, pondered, then pointed at the Law Qi box. ”I want that one.”

Ye Chen asked, ”Important to you?”

She nodded.

Without hesitation, he offered the box containing the 108-Law Qi. Though her expression remained cool, joy sparkled in her eyes.

Simultaneously, the system’s voice rang in Ye Chen’s mind:

”Congratulations, host, gift successful…”

”Gift: Law Qi with 108 laws! 3,500x feedback processing…”

”Detected significant emotional impact on target…”

”Critical reward triggered!”

”Reward: A strand of immortal qi sufficient for forging an Immortal Platform!”

Ye Chen’s smile widened. His fiancée delivered. Gifting Fan Qinghe, even at max critical, hadn’t yielded Immortal Qi directly—he’d had to gather it himself. Now, Yi Qingwu’s gift triggered it instantly. Though this gift was more valuable, her potency was clear, nearly matching Lan Nuo’s multiplier.

Ye Chen had amassed ample origins, including three from Mahayana cultivators. The third-generation Star River King Body, as suspected, practiced the Devouring Heaven Demon Art—Ye Chen’s Indestructible Heavenly Art sensed it. From obscurity to prodigy, he’d devoured plenty.

Soon, Ye Chen would extract his origin, merge it with his stockpile, and purify it through the Devouring Heaven Demon Jar. He’d gift it to Yi Qingwu, boosting her multiplier further. His own physique might climb higher with this gift.