Investing in My Crippled Wife: Every Return Makes Me Stronger

With Malakor going silent, Soren continued to write the list. He made sure not to go overboard and write things he really needed. Just as he finished and hit the send button, a familiar sound echoed in his mind, along with a series of messages.

Soren’s eyes lit up, but since he was expecting it, he managed to control his expression. He adjusted his position so it would still look like he was using his phone and started reading.

───────

[Investment detected.]

[Target: Nuelia vue Althara]

[Analyzing Investment...]

[Investment: You played a pivotal role in the target’s rescue and survival during a high-risk abduction crisis. You also gave her an elixir and guided her through critical moments of the competition, teaching her the fundamentals of cooking with open fire and without reliance on mana. Additionally, you advised her on her people’s discipline and conduct, helping her recognize their flaws and the importance of accountability.]

[Analyzing target response...]

[As a result of your actions, the target survived a life-threatening crisis and has regained a sense of stability following the traumatic events. She has developed genuine respect and trust in you, seeing you as both a mentor and a dependable figure. Your guidance has sparked a new awareness within her, igniting her desire to become more self-reliant and to lead her people with greater wisdom and strength. Her gratitude and admiration have deepened considerably.]

[Evaluating investment significance...]

[Evaluation complete.]

[Investment Grade: SUPREME]

[Calculating returns...]

[Calculation complete.]

[Applying Authority Modifier: Amplification (Passive) — Baseline bonus applied. Reward tier scaling upgraded.]

[Returns granted:]

[1. Sovereign Vitality Elixir x3]

[2. Ability Evolution: Life Force Resonance (B-Rank) -> Vital Harmony (A-Rank)]

[3. Ability Evolution: Perceptive Eyes (C-Rank) -> Nature’s Eyes (B-Rank)]

[4. Cooking Mastery +1]

[5. Life Force Restoration Soup Recipe]

[6. Basic Elven Culinary Book]

[Integration initiated...]

───────

Soren tapped as soon as the integration started.

Perhaps he was already in the 4th circle and had just broken through to the 3rd stage in his mental cultivation; he didn’t feel any discomfort. Or perhaps he had long become used to the sensation.

Either way, the process passed smoothly, and within moments, the notification message appeared.

[Integration complete!]

”Huff...”

Soren let out a long breath as he felt the changes settle into his body and mind. The world around him seemed clearer now, alive in a way that was hard to describe. His senses stretched easily, encompassing almost the whole street in a moment. He could also pick up faint pulses of life energy from nearby plants and people.

’This must be the new effect of the evolved Nature’s Eyes ability.’ Soren guessed as he played a bit more before deactivating it.

In short, this ability now granted him superior eyesight and night vision, and it further strengthened his existing ability to sense emotional baselines and sincerity. The new effect he’d just used was called Life Sense, and it let him perceive the flow of life energy around him. With it, he could detect living beings within a certain range and even gauge their general condition without needing to see them directly.

’This was definitely a good evolution.’ Soren thought as he barely stopped himself from grinning. ’It is much easier to sense malicious intent as well.’

He was more than satisfied with the returns he got from this investment.

’I got two extra for using one elixir on her. And improved my cooking knowledge, got a new recipe, and another elven book.’

However, the best return he got from this investment was undoubtedly the newly evolved Vital Harmony ability. Previously, Life Force Resonance had improved his stamina, accelerated his natural recovery, and continuously strengthened his overall life force. But now, those effects had grown significantly, and on top of that, it came with a new effect called Life’s Resonance.

It granted him an affinity to life force energy itself. He could now draw on ambient life energy and manipulate it to a certain extent. It also improved his recovery in natural environments and increased the effectiveness of any life force related skills, spells, or techniques he used.

’More importantly, I can easily learn and cook those life force-related dishes now!’

Fortunately, he wouldn’t have to ask Nuelia for another recipe, since he had already gotten one yesterday and one just now.

’All I need is time and practice.’

He knew he wouldn’t be able to succeed the first time, especially given the fact that he had yet to learn how to control his new affinity.

’...Come to think of it, I’ve received two affinities from returns so far, although one was indirect. But does that mean I can ’awaken’ even more affinities, or even upgrade or evolve them?’

That must definitely be possible; however, he would probably have to make the right investment and meet the conditions, if there were any.

’Let’s check my status while we’re at it...’

He hummed inwardly and summoned his status after closing the investment messages.

════════════════

[PERSONAL INFORMATION]

Name: Soren Everly

Age: 23

Circle Rank: Fourth Circle (Middle Stage)

Mental Cultivation: Sovereign Soul-Refining Scripture — Stage 2: Soul Tempered Core Stage

Potential: ???

Hunter Rank: C

[CORE STATUS]

Mana Capacity: 399,860 / 600,000

Mental Power Capacity: 67740 / 150000

Core Stability: Stable

Pathway Integrity: Excellent

Affinity: Ice (Grade 7 - S Rank) | Wind (Grade 5 - B Rank) | Life Force (Grade 5 - B Rank) Darkness (Sealed) | ??? | ???

[INNATE ABILITIES]

• Hyper Regeneration (S-Rank)

• Everfrost Tyrant Body (A-Rank)

• Sovereign’s Fortitude (S-Rank)

• Cold Resistance (A-Rank)

• Limit Break (S-Rank)

• Indomitable Soul (S-Rank)

• Intimidation (B-Rank)

• Fire Resistance (C-Rank)

• Vital Harmony (A-Rank)

• Nature’s Eyes (B-Rank)

• Core Purge (A-Rank)

...

[SPECIAL ABILITIES]

• Soul-Binding Symbiosis

• Guardian’s Resolve

[UNIQUE ABILITIES]

• Amplification

• Pathfinder

[TECHNIQUES & SKILLS]

• Glacial Emperor Scripture (Foundation Stage)

- First Star: Frost Palm Strike (100% Mastery)

- Second Star: Winter’s Barrier (100% Mastery)

- Third Star: Winter’s Reign (100% Mastery)

- Fourth Star: Winter’s Reign (100% Mastery)

• Glacial Edge Spear Arts

- First Form: Frost Piercing Thrust (100% Mastery)

- Second Form: Glacial Sweep (100% Mastery)

- Third Form: Glacial Descent (100% Mastery)

• Heaven-Treading Flash

- Quick Step (100% Mastery)

- Phantom Step (100% Mastery)

- Tread Step (76% Mastery)

• Dual Eclipse Arts (100% Mastery)

• Glacial Fang (79% Mastery)

• Pebble Among the Stars (67% Mastery)

• Binding Threads (B-Rank)

• Cooking Mastery (Advanced Lv. 7)*

[EQUIPMENT]

• Tether Bond (Bound to: Ethea Everly)

• Hunter’s License (Standard - Grade C)

• Ring Of Boundless Void

• Nightfrost

• ...

[INVENTORY]

[CREDITS]

[INVESTMENT TARGETS]

[ONGOING INVESTMENTS]

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