Immortality Starts With Investment

Under countless shocked gazes, Ye Chen calmly collected the Little Stone Sovereign’s remnants. Then, with a sweep of his hand, vast Spiritual Qi surged forth. Like an invisible giant palm, it enveloped the remaining myriad races prodigies. He seized them all and refined them in an instant. At this moment, only one figure remained on the battlefield.

Shen Yu of the Divine Silkworm Clan—who had fled at the first opportunity when the Heavy Pupil Pure Land shattered. He raced desperately toward his ancestor’s position, heart pounding in panic.

The Divine Silkworm great power, seeing his clan’s prodigy escape death, rejoiced wildly. While other clans’ prodigies had fallen en masse, his had preserved the sole seedling.

In the coming Age of Dharma’s End, even if humanity grew too strong to contest directly, they could plunder resources from the other myriad races. Blood profit.

But in that instant, Ye Chen moved. Invoking the Movement Secret, his speed defied comprehension. He blurred into a phantom, cloaked in boundless pressure, thundering toward his target...

The Divine Silkworm great power’s face changed dramatically. Panic seized him as he prepared to charge forward and rescue Shen Yu.

Yet now, the other myriad races’ great powers had retreated far away. He stood alone against the overwhelmingly dominant human experts. An invisible pressure crashed over him like a quagmire—he could barely shift half a step.

Ask the other great powers for aid?

Joke. They wouldn’t block him if they were feeling generous.

Shen Yu sensed the torrential, blazing aura surging from behind and shuddered involuntarily. Ye Chen’s presence resembled a world-ending flood, moments from engulfing him.

But in the next heartbeat, Shen Yu halted. He drew a deep breath. Resolve flashed in his eyes as he turned decisively, facing the war-god-like descending Ye Chen head-on.

Ye Chen, hurtling forth, curved his lips at the sight of apparent desperate resistance. Yet as he raised his hand to end this most evasive prodigy, Shen Yu’s knees buckled with a thud. He dropped straight to the ground.

Arms raised high, he held the Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod overhead in both hands. His face twisted in terror and flattery as he bellowed, ”My lord, spare my life!”

Ye Chen’s raised right hand froze midair, his face etched with stunned disbelief.

The Divine Silkworm great power—who had squeezed his eyes shut, unable to bear watching his prodigy die horribly—snapped them open in shock. His mouth twitched uncontrollably. Under the bewildered stares of the surrounding great powers, his aged face flushed crimson.

This Shen Yu was utterly shameless. Better he had died!

Ye Chen rarely encountered a prodigy so devoid of pride—kneeling and surrendering without hesitation. Most prodigies carried arrogance, like the Little Stone Sovereign earlier, who would rather die than bend the knee.

This one was... interesting. But interesting or not, it changed nothing. Such a massive cluster of origin could not be wasted.

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Ye Chen waved his hand. The Compliant Golden-Hooped Rod flew into his grasp. Lost and regained—his lips curved in a faint smile. As he prepared to invoke the Armament Secret and refine the imprints within, he discovered the weapon was empty inside.

Clearly, the young Divine Silkworm before him had already voluntarily unbound it.

This... Truly a man who knew which way the wind blew!

But death remained death.

Just as Ye Chen moved to strike, Shen Yu transmitted again. This time, privately.

”Lord Ye Chen, my Divine Silkworm Clan boasts a peerlessly brilliant top existence named Shen Li! She has completed the eighth divine silkworm transformation and now possesses the mighty cultivation of the Great Saint realm. Shen Li is three generations my senior; I know little of her ordinarily.

”But if my lord spares me today, upon returning to the clan, I will surely inquire into all of Ancestor Shen Li’s preferences for my lord! Should my lord ever wish to take her as a concubine, I will serve tirelessly—front and rear—to help my lord claim her.

”My lord, behold—this recording stone contains Ancestor Shen Li’s imagery. Guaranteed to brighten your eyes.”

The transmission ended.

Shen Yu kept his head bowed low, arms raised high as he offered up a recording stone. Ye Chen’s outstretched hand paused once more.

To save his own skin, this guy was willing to sell out his ancestor? Even more outrageous than the Little Peacock King. But would Ye Chen care about such things?

Shen Li, though? The name sounded rather pleasant. Taking a look at her appearance wouldn’t hurt.

With a thought, the recording stone fell into his hand. His divine sense swept through it, and his eyes immediately lit up.

The woman within possessed bright, expressive eyes that sparkled with life. Her gaze was like brilliant stars—deep and captivating, with faint threads of golden light swirling within.

Long, lustrous black hair cascaded to her waist in alluring waves. Her figure was exquisitely curved—breathtaking contours.

Did the Divine Silkworm Clan’s nine transformations even evolve the body like this??

Her features, compared to the gentle Eastern beauty of the women around him, carried an exotic allure—like a rare bloom from foreign lands, uniquely enchanting.

An exotic beauty with long, wavy hair. She had something special. Just based on looks alone, if she triggered feedback, the multiplier surely wouldn’t be low.

At this thought, Ye Chen hesitated slightly.

Seeing Ye Chen’s hand stay raised, Shen Yu’s heart leaped with joy—he knew he had bet correctly. But noting the lingering hesitation, he grew anxious and hurriedly upped the ante.

From his storage ring, Shen Yu pulled another prepared recording stone and said urgently, ”My lord, our clan leader’s dao companion is also a vision of grace and perfection! If my lord is interested, I am willing to act as a matchmaker. Please, take a look at this recording stone!”

Ye Chen waved dismissively. Another’s dao companion held some appeal, perhaps. But Ye Chen wasn’t the type to steal what belonged to another. Even his occasional transgressions over the years had involved widows only!

Yet Shen Yu’s next words hooked him like a barb.

”The clan leader and his companion were childhood sweethearts, but later, due to differing talents, the gap widened. For the past hundred years, they have been estranged—mere appearances. The clan leader’s wife has cultivated alone. Fifty years ago, she completed the fifth divine silkworm transformation, breaking through to the Saint King realm. Each transformation in our Divine Silkworm Clan equates to rebirth in a new body. This current form, clearly, is untouched...”

At these words, Ye Chen’s casual demeanor vanished. His eyes blazed like stars. He had heard of the Divine Silkworm Clan’s supreme immortal scripture—the Nine Transformations Immortal Scripture. But he never imagined it held such wondrous effects. Even restoring a woman’s ”first blood” with each molt. So miraculous—would the system respond?

At this thought, Ye Chen’s interest surged. He took the recording stone and glanced within.

Hmm. The clan leader’s wife looked exceptionally... nourishing.

”Is the clan leader’s wife in the city right now?”

Unable to contain his eagerness, Ye Chen blurted out. His interest in this clan leader’s wife burned fiercely. He couldn’t wait to meet her—see if the system reacted, perhaps granting a delightfully high multiplier.

If transformed female cultivators like this triggered feedback, the possibilities expanded excitingly. The system’s utility would broaden immensely. If nothing else, the Heavenly Desire Divine Maiden Fan Qinghe’s master could offer even greater benefits.