Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 625: All the Blame Falls on Feng Baiyu!

Ye Chen shortened the second lecture to twenty minutes. He then selected the three female disciples with the highest potential for questions. Once the session concluded, he permitted the two thousandfold-potential female disciples to join Holy Maiden Peak, gifting them Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves.

But despite the crowdʼs expectant gazes, Ye Chen didnʼt choose a lucky recipient for a gift. Instead, he soared into the sky, heading toward the firmament.

…

In the void above, the mature, aloof female elder, who had arrived early, listened to Ye Chenʼs lecture with deepening frowns. It wasnʼt that his teachings were flawed—on the contrary, every word was profound, offering her fresh insights into cultivation. But as the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Ye Chen must be as despicable as Feng Baiyu. How could he genuinely help Heavenly Intention Holy Landʼs disciples improve, even gifting treasures like Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves? There had to be a larger scheme.

As she pondered, her brows twitched, a flicker of panic crossing her face. Ye Chen was flying toward her. His double-pupil eyes had clearly spotted her. Steeling herself, she revealed herself, glaring coldly, ready to see what heʼd do. If he questioned her spying, it would confirm his guilt.

But Ye Chen stopped before her, his face warm with a friendly smile. ”Greetings, Elder Ling!”

She blinked, caught off guard. ”You know me?”

Sheʼd been in seclusion for over thirty years since reaching the Mahayana Stage, rarely stepping outside. Ye Chen smiled. ”Holy Maiden Peak lacks elders, so I inquired about potential candidates. I heard Elder Ling is profoundly skilled, with keen insight into cultivation. More than that, youʼre said to be not only beautiful but exceptionally patient. I doubted such a perfect female cultivator could exist, but seeing you now, I realize the praise wasnʼt exaggerated—youʼre even more remarkable, unforgettable at first sight.”

Elder Ling was stunned. Despite her deep hostility toward Ye Chen, his flood of compliments disarmed her. Coming from a top-tier prodigy like him, the praise carried weight. A smile tugged at her lips, but she quickly forced a stern expression. ”Iʼm not interested in being an elder for Holy Maiden Peak. I was just passing by to observe. Find someone else.”

In her heart, she began to doubt her suspicions. Ye Chen didnʼt match the rumors. Perhaps he was untainted, unlike Feng Baiyu. Maybe she didnʼt need to keep watching him.

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Ye Chenʼs face turned apologetic. ”My apologies for the presumption, Elder Ling. Please accept this as amends for my offense.”

Elder Lingʼs mature features froze. Was the Fourth Holy Son really this courteous? Offering a gift just for asking a question? Sheʼd misjudged him. Her friendʼs death surely had nothing to do with Ye Chen—it must be Feng Baiyuʼs fault.

But when she saw what Ye Chen presented before her, her captivating eyes widened. She couldnʼt help but exclaim, ”This is…”

Ye Chen smiled. ”This is the Domain Divine Light. For a Mahayana Stage cultivator at the peak of the first level, integrating it into your domain will raise its power ceiling and boost its effects. When you break through to the second level, uniting domain, soul, and body, your strength will be far more formidable.”

Elder Lingʼs captivating eyes couldnʼt look away. She murmured, ”Domain Divine Light is incredibly rare, said to form only in the resting place of a half-saint. Ten years ago, a single strand appeared at White Emperor Cityʼs auction, sold for twelve million top-grade spirit stones.”

Ye Chen nodded, still smiling. ”Exactly, that very strand.”

Though absent from the cultivation world then, Ye Chen had leveraged Heavenly Evolution Holy Landʼs influence to acquire useful items at auctions. This light was perfect for the Mahayana Stage, a realm he was destined to reach. His elders had secured it at that astronomical price, storing it in the Holy Landʼs treasury. Upon his return, it was promptly delivered to him. Now, with Elder Ling at the peak of the first Mahayana Stage, it was the ideal gift.

”Itʼs too precious. I canʼt accept it,” Elder Ling said, embarrassed. Twelve million spirit stonesʼ worth—she coveted it but couldnʼt justify taking it.

Ye Chen chuckled softly. ”Donʼt overthink it, Elder Ling. I simply wish to befriend a prodigy like you. If you have time, perhaps visit Holy Maiden Peak occasionally to lecture the disciples. Surely a talent like you isnʼt so indecisive?”

His sincerity was disarming. Seeing her hesitation, Ye Chen gently took her smooth hand, placing the jade box containing the Domain Divine Light in her palm. With the treasure already in her grasp and his words so earnest, Elder Ling couldnʼt refuse. She lowered her head, grateful. ”Thank you, Holy Son. Iʼll make time each year to lecture at Holy Maiden Peak.”

Clutching the jade box, her heart swirled with mixed emotions, tinged with guilt. Sheʼd come with such malice, yet Ye Chen had admired her and gifted her this priceless treasure. She shouldnʼt have compared him to Feng Baiyu.

Ye Chen, seeing her acceptance, smiled as the systemʼs voice echoed in his mind: ”Congratulations, host, gift successfully given. Gift: Domain Divine Light. Two-thousandfold feedback triggered. Critical hit reward activated. Reward: Unity Flower.”

The Unity Flower, a divine bloom from the immortal realm, could be consumed by a peak first-level Mahayana cultivator to elevate the limits of domain, soul, and body simultaneously. Breaking through to the second level required uniting these three; the stronger they were, the more powerful the breakthrough. The flowerʼs effect was extraordinary.

Ye Chenʼs gaze toward Elder Ling softened further, brimming with warmth. Feeling his gentle look, her guilt deepened. All the fault lay with Feng Baiyu. The Fourth Holy Son was surely innocent.