Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen stared at the dense, seemingly endless descriptions in the system prompt. Shock numbed him from head to toe. A tempest raged in his heart.

Primordial Cave Heaven? The dawn of worlds? Could he truly have drawn something like this?

Even with Yao Yuezhi’s multiplier now at six thousandfold. Even with a maxed-out critical hit. Ye Chen still found it utterly absurd. He had braced for subpar feedback, since Yao Yuezhi hadn’t drained him fully. Perhaps just an expansion in scale. Instead, it had yielded an unbound Primordial Cave Heaven?

Others’ domains, once formed, locked like cast molds—unchanging in size or capacity. His, though? Infinite, brimming with endless potential? And the heavens and myriad realms—all born from the Primordial Cave Heaven’s evolution? Didn’t that mean he too could one day derive heavens and realms of his own? If this world ever soured, he could simply spawn a new one? A bit ridiculous.

Yet the surging power within him, and the rapid metamorphosis of his domain, stood as irrefutable proof.

Beyond that, Ye Chen clearly felt his cultivation climb like bamboo shoots after spring rain—steadily, relentlessly—brushing the peak of early Third Heaven in a blink. One more step, and mid-stage awaited.

All told, this feedback far eclipsed Ye Chen’s wildest expectations. It left him itching to explore his new domain’s wonders. And perhaps punch through to mid-stage Third Heaven while at it. But first, he needed to usher Yao Yuezhi out. Wait—this was her cave mansion. Better for him to relocate instead.

Ye Chen gazed at Yao Yuezhi, his face alight with tender warmth. This little green tea truly deserved the world’s every treasure. Especially now, at six thousandfold. She outshone Lan Nuo entirely, trailing only Chaos Physique Yan Qingcheng by a hair.

Yao Yuezhi, radiant yet unable to hide her pallid cheeks, lay limp and spent beside him. She felt Ye Chen’s gaze, brimming with affection, settle softly upon her. A blush crept across her face at once, like peach blossoms in spring’s first warmth. Feigning shyness, she murmured, ”How about Brother waits a moment for me?

”That cave heaven essence’s rush was too fierce earlier. I need a bit to regain my strength. Once I’m recovered, we can do... other things here in the mansion. After all, Brother knows a cave mansion isn’t just for cultivation.”

”...”

Ye Chen chuckled at her words, planting a gentle kiss on Yao Yuezhi’s smooth forehead.

Having a child? Nice try.

Even at five thousandfold before, he hadn’t been willing—let alone now at six.

”Those matters can wait for another day! First, let’s go see your parents and share the good news of your recovery. It’ll put their minds at ease!”

Ye Chen deftly changed the subject. Yao Yuezhi nodded in agreement. Indeed, her parents must be fretting outside; sharing this news first would reassure them. So, Ye Chen carried the still-too-weak-to-walk Yao Yuezhi out of the cave mansion...

...

Over twenty days had passed.

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Yao Yuezhi’s parents and brother had waited vigil outside the doors all that time. The longer they lingered, the deeper their worry grew. What on earth was happening inside? Even if she finished drawing essence and they wanted a child, she should have conceived by now, right? Her physique posed no issue—could it be Ye Chen who fell short?

Lost in such wild speculations, their brows furrowed tighter, anxiety plain on their faces. But on this day, the long-sealed cave mansion doors rumbled open at last. Their eyes lit up, and in the next breath, they saw Ye Chen cradling Yao Yuezhi as he emerged slowly.

Seeing Ye Chen’s upright posture and unchanged Third Heaven aura, relief washed over them as long as their daughter hadn’t heedlessly drained him dry. Otherwise, guilt would have consumed them. Shifting their gaze, they turned to Yao Yuezhi in his arms—exhausted yet radiant. That was the aura of the fourth heaven.

Yao Yuezhi had truly recovered—and more than that. All three sensed her presence now outstripped her former self. Even her father, a Saint realm powerhouse, felt a twinge of alarm gazing upon her now. Had Yuezhi’s domain not just restored itself? Had some other fortune befallen her too? But how could that be?

Yet regardless, seeing their daughter renewed, the three exhaled in profound relief, smiles breaking across their faces. But eyeing Yao Yuezhi’s utter limpness—even her fingers seemed too weak to lift—their expressions grew complicated once more.

What had transpired?

Yao Yuezhi looked as if she couldn’t muster the strength to stand. This left her father with an instant tangle of emotions. Her cultivation’s return was a blessing, all thanks to Ye Chen.

A man and woman alone, sparks flying amid overflowing gratitude—any resulting intimacy made sense. But one had to know limits. Especially Ye Chen, with all his experience. Didn’t he know to spare Yuezhi some tenderness?

Yao Yuezhi’s mother felt a pang of sorrow too. Her daughter couldn’t even walk. How exhausted must she be?

Yao Yuekong stayed silent, but he thought the grand tonic soup prepared for Ye Chen might suit his sister better. But no matter what, the joy sparkling in Yao Yuezhi’s eyes made it clear she was happy.

Yao Yuezhi shared the essentials of the absorption process with her parents in concise terms. She skipped the details but explained that she hadn’t just returned to her former state—she had risen from the ashes, surpassing her past self. And all of it was Ye Chen’s doing.

In that moment, the three gazed at Ye Chen with even deeper gratitude. Though he hadn’t fallen realms, for her domain to eclipse her old one, even if his own vastness knew no bounds, he must have yielded at least eighty percent. It amounted to a rebirth’s grace. Their looks toward Ye Chen now mirrored those for kin. Guilt crested to new heights within them.

Whatever Ye Chen asked for in the future, they would grant without question. His favor toward them was unrepayable—truly beyond reckoning!

Ye Chen sensed their fervor and felt a touch helpless. He exchanged a few polite words, waiting until Yao Yuezhi could barely stand on her own. Only then did he set her down. He mentioned a sudden insight and the need to seclude himself for a breakthrough.

Yao Yuezhi tried to speak. But Ye Chen gave her no chance, flying straight to his own cave mansion.

...

Watching Ye Chen’s hasty departure, the four all sighed. Drained as he was, how could he possibly break through? And after such a fierce drawing, dark wounds surely lingered. He merely masked it all, unwilling to let others see his weakness!

”Ye Chen truly is a fine son-in-law!”

”Yuezhi, you must marry him—or you’re no daughter of mine!”

”I disown you as a sister too!”

The three spoke in unison to Yao Yuezhi.

Yao Yuezhi eyed Ye Chen’s sealed cave mansion doors, worry flickering in her gaze. But at her family’s words, she couldn’t help smiling. ”Of course. Brother Ye’s been so good to me—everything I am belongs to him already. I’m not just going to marry him. I want to bear his child, the fruit of our love! If he wants it all, I’ll give it gladly!”

Earlier, Yao Yuezhi had meant to invite Ye Chen back into the mansion for... other pursuits. Pity he had left too swiftly. But Yao Yuezhi merely smiled. After all, the rest of her life bound her to Ye Chen. No need to rush a day or two. She stretched lazily, feeling her strength nearly return.

Yao Yuezhi prepared to seclude herself too, to delve deeper into her transformed domain. She sensed the changes went beyond mere numerical boosts. Something extraordinary surely lay hidden. After all, it had consumed so much cave heaven essence.

But at that moment, Yao Yuezhi’s parents furrowed their brows and spoke...