Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 39: Is the Rival Watching?

”Fellow Daoist Lin, my sister has exited her seclusion. She has instructed me to inform everyone to start preparing. We will depart three days from now, at dawn!”

Jin Wuqing had come to notify Lin Keʼer about the upcoming expedition.

Upon hearing this, Lin Keʼer furrowed her brow. If this had been before, she would have eagerly agreed to go into the mountains to gather herbs. After all, the rewards were indeed high, and it would allow her to acquire more resources.

But this time, after her trip to the mountains, her house had been robbed. She had lost a spell, a storage bag, and a high-grade magic tool. When she added up the losses, it was enough to bankrupt her. If she went into the mountains again, by the time she returned, Lu Jing might have already started preparing for a child with Ye Chen.

Lin Keʼer could not, and would not, allow such a thing to happen. Therefore, with a regretful expression, Lin Keʼer shook her head. ”Fellow Daoist Jin, Iʼm afraid I canʼt join the expedition. Iʼve encountered a problem in my cultivation and need to remain here. Please convey my apologies to your sister.”

Jin Wuqing was taken aback. Lin Keʼer wasnʼt going? He had been thinking of using this trip to the mountains to get closer to her, maybe even employ some subtle tricks to win her over. Perhaps start with a heroic rescue, followed by some comforting, then maybe even slipping her some medicine to make everything fall into place. But now Lin Keʼer wasnʼt going at all.

A worried look appeared on Jin Wuqingʼs face. ”Is there an issue with your cultivation, Fellow Daoist Lin? Should you be taking a break? If thatʼs the case, why donʼt you take some time off? Iʼll speak with my sister and make sure your spot is saved. You can join us next time.”

However, Lin Keʼer firmly shook her head. The benefits of going into the mountains were indeed considerable. But when compared to Ye Chen, the difference was too vast. Plus, there were risks involved in the expedition. With Ye Chen, the most she would face would be a little bit of trouble here and there. So Lin Keʼerʼs resolve was strong. She wasnʼt going.

”Sorry!”

At her core, Lin Keʼer was extremely indifferent. She only showed warmth to those who were useful to her. For those who served no purpose, she couldnʼt be bothered to give them the time of day. Since she wasnʼt going into the mountains, Jin Wuqing had no further use for her. So after saying a simple apology, she swiftly closed the door.

On the one hand, Lin Keʼer didnʼt want to waste time. On the other hand, she was cautious about Ye Chen seeing this interaction and misinterpreting it. This was a critical moment in repairing her relationship with Ye Chen. If Jin Wuqingʼs visit interfered with that, she would be at a loss.

Jin Wuqing stood before the closed gate, a mix of shock and rage on his face.

Lin Keʼer had truly turned her back without hesitation. She wasnʼt going to the mountains, and she couldnʼt even be bothered to invite him in for a seat.

He recalled the hopeful and expectant expression Lin Keʼer had shown when she first opened the door to him. Now, she had coldly shut him out.

Jin Wuqing couldnʼt help but speculate. Perhaps Lin Keʼer had already arranged to meet someone else today. And most likely, that someone was a man.

A bitter thought crossed his mind. Who was this man who had taken Lin Keʼer from him so decisively? The woman who had acted so distant and aloof towards him, yet was now so warm and affectionate with this other man that she was even willing to skip a valuable opportunity like the herb-gathering expedition.

After a long pause, Jin Wuqing silently stepped away from the gate, moving to a nearby corner where he could wait quietly. He stood there for over an hour, growing increasingly impatient. Just as he was about to give up and leave, Lin Keʼer finally appeared.

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Jin Wuqing quickly followed her at a safe distance, making sure to stay hidden in the shadows. Before long, Lin Keʼer arrived at the entrance of a tavern.

Jin Wuqing watched from afar as she waited at the door. Soon, a tall but otherwise unremarkable male cultivator approached. The moment Lin Keʼer saw him, her usual cool demeanor melted away. She greeted him with a bright, radiant smile.

Seeing the two of them chat and head into the tavern together, Jin Wuqingʼs expression darkened into a deep frown. He thought for a moment, then turned away and walked off. But not long after, he returned, a lecherous middle-aged man now by his side.

The meal stretched on for more than an hour. When Ye Chen and Lin Keʼer finally emerged from the tavern, Lin Keʼerʼs face was flushed, and her eyes carried a slightly dazed look. The scent of spiritual wine clung to her, blending with her natural fragrance, making her seem even more intoxicating.

Indeed, at Lin Keʼerʼs insistence, the two of them had shared a drink of spiritual wine. It had cost a whole half of a low-grade spirit stone. From the way Lin Keʼer had gone to such lengths, it was clear she was serious in her efforts to win him over.

Outside the door, Lin Keʼer was half-supported by Ye Chen, her steps unsteady.

”Fellow Daoist Lin, it seems youʼve had a bit too much to drink. Let me walk you home.”

Although Lin Keʼer was blushing deeply, her beauty was undeniable, making her seem like a goddess.

But Ye Chen, despite the allure of the moment, had no intention of taking advantage. He was set on sending her home, nothing more. After all, he had yet to access the fifteen-fold reward, and only had two ten-fold rewards at the moment.

Acting on impulse and taking Lin Keʼer for himself might be tempting, but if something went wrong with Lu Jing leading to him losing the high-reward feedback, it would be a major loss. In the grand scheme of things, one fleeting moment of pleasure couldnʼt compare to the long-term benefits of resources.

Ye Chen had made up his mind: resources always came first. But just as he was about to escort Lin Keʼer back, she suddenly stopped, refusing to move. She tilted her head back, her eyes half-open, as she gazed at Ye Chen.

”Why do you still call me Fellow Daoist Lin?” her voice was a little hazy from the alcohol. ”I want you to call me ʼFairy Linʼ from now on! I donʼt want you to call Lu Jing ʼFairy Luʼ anymore. Only me, Ye Chen. You can only call me Fairy Lin.”

Ye Chen furrowed his brow, pondering whether Lin Keʼer was drunk or just throwing a tantrum under the influence of alcohol. Before he could respond, she rose onto her toes, her soft lips brushing his cheek in a fleeting kiss. The sensation was cool and delicate, but it left an intense impact on Ye Chen. Her eyes locked with his as she asked with a hint of childishness, ”Is that alright, Ye Chen?”

Ye Chen hadnʼt expected this move at all. Truthfully, being looked at like that, with her lips so close to his cheek, combined with Lin Keʼerʼs pure and alluring appearance, made his heart race wildly, even though he knew who Lin Keʼer truly was. Beauty was indeed the deadliest weapon.

Ye Chen was about to speak when his heightened senses, amplified by the refining of his internal organs, detected a gaze full of murderous intent locking onto him. He immediately furrowed his brows.

Subconsciously, he slowly turned his eyes to the source of the killing aura, catching a glimpse of a young man standing next to a middle-aged man. The young manʼs eyes burned with fury as he glared at Ye Chen.

A romantic rival?

Ye Chen was certain Lin Keʼer didnʼt have a Dao companion yet, because if she did, it would contradict the systemʼs feedback conditions. So, this person was most likely a rival. It was clear that the young man was enraged by the kiss Lin Keʼer had just given Ye Chen. He was probably contemplating violence.

Ye Chen, however, wasnʼt someone who was easily intimidated.

You want to watch, do you? Then let me show you something even more exciting.

A slight smirk tugged at the corner of Ye Chenʼs mouth, and without a momentʼs hesitation, he gazed deeply into Lin Keʼerʼs eyes. With unspoken determination, he answered her, ”Alright.”

As Lin Keʼerʼs expression shifted to one of surprise, Ye Chen cupped her face with both hands and kissed her firmly on the lips.

Lin Keʼerʼs face instantly froze in shock. But Ye Chen was too fast. She didnʼt have time to react. In a blur, her first kiss was stolen away. And Ye Chen didnʼt just touch her and let go. No, this was a kiss full of passion.

As Lin Keʼerʼs mind caught up, she instinctively tried to push him away, even thinking of biting him. She wasnʼt prepared for this at all. But then, she remembered the high-grade magic tool from the day before. She recalled what Ye Chen had said about the things his father had sent. She had already been kissed like this. If she pushed him away now, he might misunderstand. Wouldnʼt that make everything pointless?

With that thought in mind, Lin Keʼer slowly lowered her raised hand. If she couldnʼt resist, sheʼd just have to close her eyes and enjoy it. The feeling was… strangely delightful.

In the distance, Jin Wuqing watched the passionate kiss unfold. His fists were clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white. His eyes burned with fury, a murderous intent so thick it seemed to radiate from him, as though he would kill at any moment.