Immortality Starts With Investment

Watching her family prepare with festive zeal, Lan Nuo, with prodigy poise, said nothing and returned to her cave mansion. Her family nodded, seeing confidence in her retreating figure.

Facing the Heavenly Emperor’s heir’s record, her calm suggested unshakable belief in victory. But inside, her face fell, mood as heavy as a funeral. Disaster—Ye Chen was really coming!

She regretted her bold words. She couldn’t beat him! Was she doomed to ruin? Then she thought—maybe not. Ye Chen might have feelings for her, holding back last time? He couldn’t have misjudged her strength. Last meeting, he gifted her treasures, even insights from an ancient Heavy Pupils wielder. It screamed interest…

Lan Nuo admitted she liked him. His strength, and if he held back for her, it was like sacrificing his reputation to let her shine. Such a grand gesture showed true affection. His womanizing reputation didn’t bother her…

But as the Lan Clan’s sole heir, she couldn’t marry out, and Ye Chen, the Heavenly Emperor’s heir, wouldn’t stoop to marry in. A dilemma.

Soon, she decided to cut through the mess. If Ye Chen arrived and held back again, it confirmed his feelings. For understanding her, preserving her reputation, and helping her shine, she’d repay him fully. No need for him to marry in—she’d be with him secretly.

As long as one child took her surname to inherit the Lan Clan, it’d work. But worry crept in. What if she was wrong, and he’d misjudged her? He one-punched the Firmament Overlord Body. One serious punch would kill her.

Death was fine, but failing to take a single hit after all her boasts would make future mockery unbearable. Even in death, she’d suffer. In her cave mansion, Lan Nuo couldn’t cultivate, lost in anxiety.

…

Luo Bingling’s mood soured. After realizing her haste, she stopped mentioning the Dao Cauldron. But Ye Chen’s favoritism was blatant! The day after Su Yuxuan left, he gave Luo Bingling a bottle of Dao Charm Pills. She thought he’d gift daily, like with Su Yuxuan.

Instead, she waited a week for the next. Humiliated, her competitive spirit blazed. How was she lesser? Her feet?

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Su Yuxuan’s were fine, but hers weren’t bad. Her golden war boots fell, and she lifted a jade foot, mimicking Su Yuxuan, placing it on Ye Chen’s lap.

Ye Chen glanced, puzzled. What was with her? No critical hit, but always offering perks? Ridiculous.

Ye Chen, unceremonious, kept one hand on Luo Bingling’s waist, the other on her foot, speeding toward the Lan Clan.

Luo Bingling, seeing him comply, smirked confidently. He touched when offered—proof he wanted it! But then she frowned. He kissed Su Yuxuan’s feet—why not hers? Was he disdainful?

Her fists clenched. Once her cultivation soared, she’d make him regret it. She’d have him kneel, kissing her feet for a month!

…

After nearly half a month, Ye Chen and Luo Bingling reached the Lan Clan. As an ancient immortal family, their base was an immortal city. The inner city was exclusive to the clan; the outer city, built around it, thrived.

Knowing Ye Chen was coming to fight Lan Nuo in a top prodigy clash, the city buzzed with great powers and prodigies eager to watch. When Ye Chen’s iconic chariot arrived, the city erupted. Countless figures rose, gazing at him.

Several Lan Clan members flew out, landing before the chariot, greeting politely, ”We’ve long awaited the Heavenly Emperor’s heir. Your reputation precedes you. If you’re not in a rush, join us in the city for our specialty—Lan Clan beef. From top-grade spiritual cows with faint immortal blood, it boosts breakthroughs and potential. Less effective for Mahayana, but a rare delicacy…”

Though Ye Chen came to challenge their prodigy, the Lan Clan held no grudge. Lan Nuo had risen to fame on his name, boosting the clan’s prestige and the city’s commerce. He’d gifted her treasures. As the Heavenly Emperor’s heir with immortal potential, he was worth befriending. The Lan Clan was courteous.

Ye Chen, fond of Lan Nuo, returned their politeness. But the fight was non-negotiable. His system’s cooldown was complete. He needed to fight and gift now.

Facing them, he shook his head, ”No need to eat! This generation’s Central Continent prodigies are mere chickens and dogs, unworthy. Only Lan Nuo stands out, worthy of my challenge. This fight’s long overdue. Delayed by issues. I can’t wait—let’s fight now.”

His voice echoed through the city, words dripping with arrogance, all but calling everyone but Lan Nuo trash. Many prodigies smiled bitterly, unable to retort.

Ye Chen had nearly wiped out Central Continent’s top tier—he earned that arrogance. But they felt resentment, looking to the city’s center. Central Continent, so humiliated by an outsider? They hoped Lan Nuo would crush him, restoring their prodigies’ glory!

In her cave mansion, Lan Nuo, trembling at Ye Chen’s arrival, feared a real fight. But hearing his words, her eyes sparkled. Her hands steadied, her demeanor radiant.

No longer hesitating, she flew out. A cool voice came from her lips, ”Fellow Daoist Ye, I’ve waited long too.”