Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen struck. The leaf in his hand shattered into dust. Where the sword intent swept, only void remained.

Dugu Sheng’s pupils filled with terror. He felt death in Ye Chen’s strike. But as a sword Dao genius with an invincible heart, he didn’t cower. He raised his sword high.

Years of insight from the Dugu Nine Swords and Sword Grass Treasure Technique fragment fused into a blood-red sword intent, crashing down…

The clash stunned everyone.

”Boom, boom, boom…”

A terrifying shockwave roared, cracking the Sword Sect’s gate array. Disciples bled from their orifices. Without the Saint’s intervention to suppress the aftermath, the array might’ve shattered, killing countless disciples. Their attacks were too horrifying.

But then, gasps erupted. Dugu Sheng’s blood-red intent exploded on contact. Ye Chen’s sword intent slammed into the Azure Jade Radiant Sword.

Crack.

Fractures spread instantly.

In a blink, the sword—forged with Dugu Sheng’s century-long effort and the sect’s vast resources—shattered.

The fourth Holy Son’s strike destroyed a Extreme Dao Weapon?

Silence fell.

Everyone’s eyes brimmed with disbelief. Facing the unrelenting sword intent, Dugu Sheng stood frozen. He’d prepared to lose to Ye Chen. But to be so utterly crushed in his proudest sword Dao? His pride shattered, leaving him lifeless.

…

As the sword intent neared, the Sword Sect ancestor sighed. This strike’s terror would kill even a Second Heaven Dugu Sheng. Firm in stance, he couldn’t watch him die. He flicked a subtle sword intent, dissolving Ye Chen’s attack, calming the spatial chaos, restoring peace.

He glanced at Dugu Sheng. ”After today, know your place. This era has countless prodigies. You’re decent but nothing special. You may not reach immortality, but with the Immortal Path open, you could touch higher realms. Leave for the Immortal Path to hone yourself. Don’t return until you’re Third Heaven!”

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Fearing Ye Chen’s discontent, the ancestor sent Dugu Sheng away. It was protection. Dugu Sheng, surviving, realized he couldn’t block even Ye Chen’s leaf strike. He doubted his entire sword Dao. His eyes dazed, full of confusion.

The ancestor sighed—Dugu Sheng’s sword heart was likely broken. Without recovery, he’d stall at Second Heaven.

Amid countless gazes, Dugu Sheng looked at Ye Chen with a bitter smile, consoling himself. Losing to Ye Chen wasn’t shameful. He’d killed Mahayana experts at Unity stage.

Rumors said he used tricks, but feeling Ye Chen’s sword Dao terror, Dugu Sheng suspected he’d crushed them head-on. This steadied his crumbling sword heart. If he couldn’t win, he’d keep improving. He descended beside Luo Bingling.

Facing her striking, valiant beauty, he composed himself. ”Fellow Daoist Luo, sorry to disappoint. I couldn’t get the Dugu Wooden Sword to open the secret realm. But watching Ye Chen’s sword intent gave me new insight into the Sword Grass Treasure Technique. A few months in seclusion, and my sword Dao could advance, helping you open the secret realm!”

He planned to take her back to the Immortal Path. But Luo Bingling frowned. ”Who knows when the secret realm will be found? I can’t wait. Fellow Daoist, find a place to seclude yourself. The Heavenly Emperor’s heir’s sword intent is so strong—a mere leaf nearly split you. With the Heavenly Emperor Sword, he can easily open the secret realm. I’ll ask Fellow Daoist Ye to join me!”

Dugu Sheng, already battered, gaped.

This…

He wanted to argue, to fight for it.

Luo Bingling ignored Dugu Sheng. She strode toward Ye Chen, purple hair flowing, her waist’s perfect lines flashing with each step, vibrant and striking.

”Fellow Daoist Ye, I’m Luo Bingling, War God Clan princess! Your sword Dao is unparalleled. In the Immortal Path’s second realm, I found a sword cultivator’s secret realm, requiring top-tier sword Dao to open. It likely holds a Space Divine Stone. Refining it into your domain can elevate it to a cave-heaven, achieving Second Heaven. Help me open it, and we’ll split the gains equally!”

She spoke, suppressing her disdain. Ye Chen’s strength was shocking. But his womanizing, flashy ways and lowly human origins repulsed her. If not for the Dao Cauldron, she wouldn’t glance at any human here.

The air, thick with humans, felt stifling. She invited him, hoping alone time would reveal if he had the Dao Cauldron. If so, a little charm should secure it. If not, letting him touch her wasn’t out of the question. But the thought of Ye Chen seeing or touching her made her skin crawl.

…

Dugu Sheng despaired. Ye Chen glanced at the 4,000-fold alien. Advancing from Second to Third Heaven Mahayana required elevating a domain to a cave-heaven. A Space Divine Stone, rich in spatial laws, would ease and enhance the process.

The Immortal Path wasn’t a bad trip. But his master’s matter, long delayed, was finally at hand. Even a Space Divine Stone could wait. At First Heaven Mahayana, he wasn’t rushed. He’d seek it at peak Second Heaven.

Ye Chen landed calmly, asking, ”Is the secret realm opening soon?”

Luo Bingling, eager to leave, nodded. ”Very soon. We must go now, or others will claim it!”

She thought her invitation, offering closeness, would make Ye Chen jump at the chance. But, to her shock, he nodded. ”Then forget it. I’m busy. Take care, Fellow Daoist!”

In her stunned gaze, Ye Chen walked back to his master…