Immortality Starts With Investment

The members of the myriad races were in high spirits, their faces glowing with broad smiles. Setting everything else aside, simply selling off their clan treasures had already filled their coffers to overflowing. And in the days to come, they could seize those same treasures back. A truly risk-free, boundless profit.

Ye Chen, however, felt a touch of gloom. This time, his overwhelming joy had heightened his bodily sensitivity to an extreme degree, causing him to lose a measure of control. In the past, he had never been like this.

Yet Yao Yuezhi, ever considerate, had already used a transmission talisman to contact her mother and request a pot of potent restorative soup. For a man, this was utterly mortifying—an indelible stain on his pride.

Ye Chen resolved that upon returning, he would show Yao Yuezhi his true prowess. Thus, after completing the handover for the Black Tortoise Realm-Protecting Armor and the Ethereal Jade Marrow Essence, he hurriedly led her from the auction house and raced toward the Heavenly Demon Clan’s residence. His slightly awkward expression did not escape the myriad races’ notice, only amplifying their delight.

Clearly, the Heavenly Emperor’s heir had suffered a massive loss this time. While they had struck it rich beyond measure, it still wasn’t enough. They wanted everything he possessed. They wanted this monstrous human genius to fall completely.

”We can’t give Ye Chen too much time, or I’m afraid he’ll truly recover some strength.”

”Ten days from now—the plan begins!”

They had long ago settled on the timeline. Now, through divine sense exchanges, they finalized it. Upon receiving the news, the myriad races’ heavenly prodigies burned with fighting spirit. The Ye Chen of old had been far beyond them. But the current Ye Chen, bereft of his origin, was mere prey in their eyes.

The mere thought of suppressing this generation’s Heavenly Emperor heir sent thrills of excitement through them. They could barely wait to strike.

...

With the treasures now in hand, Ye Chen organized them carefully. He planned to linger in Myriad Races Immortal City for a few more months, personally delivering every item suitable as a gift into Yao Yuezhi’s hands. Only then would he depart.

Of course, before any of that, his first priority was to prove himself to her.

In the blink of an eye, four days passed. The resentment in Yao Yuezhi’s eyes had nearly solidified into substance.

In truth, she had deliberately provoked him earlier, hoping to goad him into proving himself. And Ye Chen had taken the bait exactly as she wished. But what man proved himself like this? He was utterly incorrigible.

Ignoring the perfectly good front door, he instead... Still, Ye Chen gave her little time for stray thoughts.

The auction had lasted three days, and now another four had gone by. The system cooldown had finally ended. He presented her with the treasures he had long ago carefully selected.

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Yao Yuezhi’s eyes widened at the sight. It was the Myriad Woods Spiritual Root.

”Brother...”

She immediately moved to refuse.

Ye Chen smiled, gently patting her head as he interrupted softly, ”Your cave heaven already holds many supreme spiritual plants. Plant this Myriad Woods Spiritual Root within. It can draw upon the power of all the others to safeguard your cave heaven. Then I won’t have to worry about it shattering again. After all, in my current state, I can’t let you absorb from me a second time!”

At these words, the lingering resentment in Yao Yuezhi’s heart vanished without a trace, replaced by overwhelming tenderness. Her brother thought of her in every moment. By comparison, what did a slightly embarrassing quirk even matter? And truthfully, that sensation had felt rather wonderful.

”Brother, are you sure you’re still not feeling quite well? Mother’s restorative soup is truly delicious! Even Father sneaks drinks of it often, saying it’s not that he can’t—it’s just that he needs a little time... All men are like that. It’s nothing to worry about.”

Yao Yuezhi offered no words of thanks. After accepting the Myriad Woods Spiritual Root, she simply hugged his arm and swayed it gently, as though deeply concerned for his health.

Ye Chen’s face darkened at once. What did she mean, all men are like that? They were them, and he was himself! He, Ye Chen, had never once been inadequate.

...

Yao Yuezhi’s provocation had been far too effective, causing Ye Chen to ”waste” another three days. Finally, he sent her off to plant the Myriad Woods Spiritual Root. Only then did he turn his attention to the system prompts ringing in his mind.

”Congratulations, Host, on successful gifting...”

”Gifted item: Myriad Woods Spiritual Root!”

”Calculating 6,000x feedback...”

”Detecting gifted item...”

”Critical feedback triggered!”

”Feedback reward: Ancestral Wood Spiritual Root!”

”Ancestral Wood Spiritual Root: When planted at the core of a cave heaven, it connects to all spiritual roots within, granting amplification power...”

”It can be used for offense, defense, and stabilizing the cave heaven.”

”The more spiritual roots present, and the higher their quality, the more formidable its strength becomes!”

”At the same time, it nourishes spiritual plants, accelerating their growth, imparting sentience, and offering a chance for them to revert to their ancestral forms...”

Seeing that it was merely a standard critical hit, Ye Chen was not surprised. No matter how capable little green tea was, she couldn’t deliver maximum criticals every single time. Otherwise, even the deepest wells would eventually run dry.

Compared to the original Myriad Woods Spiritual Root, this Ancestral Wood version offered far greater amplification to spiritual plants—and, crucially, could be wielded as a weapon. Its most miraculous property, however, was the ability to trigger ancestral reversion in plants.

It was said that in the Ancient Desolate Era, the effects and functions of spiritual plants had been vastly superior to those of the present day. But as ambient spiritual qi dwindled across the world, environments shifted, and immortal qi vanished, many plants had degenerated.

Their potency now paled by hundreds or thousands of times compared to their ancient counterparts. Some had changed so thoroughly they might as well be different species altogether. Under these circumstances, if the spiritual plants within his own cave heaven could revert to their ancestral states, the benefits would be beyond measure.

...

Ye Chen tossed the Ancestral Wood Spiritual Root into his cave heaven. An immense transformation swept through it in an instant. The upheaval startled Luo Bingling, who had been deep in cultivation. Once she learned there was no danger, however, she relaxed.

Seeing that Ye Chen still showed no intention of leaving Myriad Races Immortal City—and had once again declined her invitation for dual cultivation—she felt a flicker of disappointment, but soon settled back into meditation.

Watching the scene, the corners of Ye Chen’s mouth curved upward. Luo Bingling truly loved cultivation. She had the makings of a genuine cultivation maniac. When the time came, he would toss Lu Jing into the small world as well. One slacker, one relentless grinder—he wondered what sort of sparks those two would strike.