Investing In My Crippled Heavenly Empress Wife Gets 100,000x Returns

[A/N: Posting 3 extra Chapters today because of all the positive feedbacks :D]

Early in the morning, Chen Chuan headed to the Mission Pavilion to receive his Alchemy tasks for the day.

After receiving the tasks, Chen Chuan did not return directly to the Pill Hall but instead walked towards the registration office for the Outer Sect Disciple competition assembly.

The registration office was set up in a spacious plaza, which was already bustling with hundreds of Outer Sect Disciples.

Those who came here to register were, without exception, the cream of the crop among the Outer Sect.

Chen Chuan’s gaze swept across the crowd; the weakest Cultivators present had reached the Ming Quan Realm.

The majority of them were Furnace Realm Disciples.

Most of the Ming Quan Realm Disciples came with the intention of honing themselves and accumulating combat experience, not holding much hope for a high ranking.

Chen Chuan quietly stood at the end of the line, his ears filled with various discussions.

”Look, Senior Brother Xiao and the others are here!”

”All five Geniuses have arrived! This Grand Competition is truly going to be a Dragon-Phoenix struggle!”

”Which five? Senior Brother, I just came out of seclusion. Tell me about it,” a simple and honest Disciple asked curiously.

A warm-hearted Disciple immediately leaned over, explaining excitedly:

”Oh, you don’t know this? They are the recognized top five of our Outer Sect.”

”The one leading them, Senior Brother Xiao Tianci, has an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root and is at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm! He was first in the last Grand Competition.”

”The one next to him, looking unconvinced, is Senior Brother Lin Feng, also with an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root and at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm.”

”In the last finals, Senior Brother Lin Feng lost to Senior Brother Xiao by half a move and has been holding a grudge, wanting to get his revenge.”

”And that Senior Sister, Su Wan, has an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root. Don’t let her gentle appearance fool you; when she fights, she’s like surging waves, also at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm.”

”The big guy over there, Shi Man, has an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root. The Cultivation Technique he Cultivates has the strongest defense in the Outer Sect, and he’s also at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm.”

”Finally, the cold one is Han Bing, with an Ultimate Grade Spiritual Root. She Cultivates ice-attribute Cultivation Techniques, and her Ice Cold Art can freeze one to the bone. She’s also at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm.”

”Good heavens, five Ultimate Grade Spiritual Roots, five at the Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm,” the honest Disciple gasped. ”What’s there to compete for? First place is definitely Senior Brother Xiao Tianci’s.”

The discussions of the crowd naturally reached the ears of the five Geniuses.

Lin Feng’s expression was somewhat grim.

He snorted coldly, his gaze burning as he looked at the composed Xiao Tianci beside him:

”Xiao Tianci, this time, I will definitely defeat you and reclaim my glory!”

Xiao Tianci didn’t even lift an eyelid, merely replying indifferently:

”A defeated opponent. What’s there to boast about?”

His understated attitude seemed to imply he didn’t consider Lin Feng a worthy opponent at all.

The other three also spoke up upon hearing this.

Su Wan covered her lips and chuckled. ”Senior Brother Lin, Senior Brother Xiao, first place might not necessarily be yours yet.”

Shi Man thumped his chest with a booming voice. ”I also think I can contend for it!”

Although Han Bing didn’t speak, the chill emanating from her body intensified, her attitude self-evident.

Seeing that all five Geniuses were determined to win first place, the surrounding onlookers became even more excited.

”Fight! Fight!”

”Hehe, I love watching Geniuses fight; the scene is always amazing.”

”I think Senior Brother Xiao will definitely be first again, after all, his strength is undeniable.”

”I see Senior Brother Lin is very confident; perhaps he can defeat Senior Brother Xiao this time.”

The atmosphere was incredibly lively, and almost everyone believed that the champion of this Grand Competition would emerge from these five favored children of heaven.

Chen Chuan looked at those five figures, feeling a sudden surge of pressure in his heart.

Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm, and all with Ultimate Grade Spiritual Roots; their combat power was definitely far superior to others at the same stage.

If he wanted to win first place and obtain those ten thousand contribution points and the Barrier Breaking Pill, he would have to earn more gold tickets in the next eight days and forcefully raise his Cultivation to the Furnace Realm, or even higher.

Finally, it was Chen Chuan’s turn to register.

The Elder responsible for registration took his identity Token, swept it with his Divine Sense, and immediately showed a strange expression:

”Chen Chuan? A new Disciple? Burning Lamp Realm Seventh Level?”

He looked up, carefully scrutinized Chen Chuan, and confirmed, ”Are you sure you want to register for the Outer Sect Grand Competition? This isn’t Alchemy; fists and feet have no eyes.”

Chen Chuan calmly nodded. ”Yes, Elder.”

Their conversation wasn’t loud, but everyone present was a Cultivator, sharp-eared and keen-eyed, immediately attracting the attention of those around them.

”What? Burning Lamp Realm? Did I hear that right?”

”Is that Chen Chuan, the one who’s great at Alchemy? He actually came to sign up for a martial arts competition?”

”Pfft! A Burning Lamp Realm Disciple participating in the Outer Sect Grand Competition? Did this kid’s brain get caught in a Pill Furnace?”

”He must have gone crazy from Alchemy, thinking this is child’s play?”

”Commendable courage, haha, truly commendable courage! I bet he won’t even last the first round!”

”Maybe he wants to experience being instantly killed?”

Mockery and doubt surged like a tide.

Among the uniformly Ming Quan and Furnace Realm Disciples, Chen Chuan’s Burning Lamp Realm Cultivation was particularly conspicuous.

Facing the ridicule from all sides, Chen Chuan didn’t get angry, merely smiled faintly, and said loudly:

”If a person has no dreams, what’s the difference between them and a salted fish?”

”As a person, you always need a dream. What if it comes true?”

As soon as his words fell, they immediately drew even louder laughter.

”Dreams? Hahahaha, I’m dying of laughter. He calls this a dream? This is wishful thinking!”

”Brother, having dreams is good, but they also need to be realistic!”

”Even if a salted fish flips over, it’s still a salted fish. Can it turn into a Dragon?”

Even the five Geniuses cast their gazes over.

Xiao Tianci’s eyes were indifferent.

Lin Feng’s lips curled into undisguised mockery.

Su Wan’s eyes held a hint of curiosity.

Shi Man scratched his head, looking utterly simple-minded.

Han Bing, meanwhile, maintained her perpetual ice-cold face.

In their eyes, Chen Chuan’s words were nothing short of a fool’s delusion.

The registering Elder shook his head but still recorded Chen Chuan’s name and returned the Token to him.

Chen Chuan took the Token, ignored the various meaningful gazes behind him, and calmly left the registration area.

...

Returning to the Pill Hall, Chen Chuan immediately immersed himself in today’s Alchemy tasks.

Just as he finished refining a batch of Medicinal Pills, a delicate figure rushed in angrily. It was Ye Linger.

”Chen Chuan! You arrogant fellow!” Ye Linger stood with her hands on her hips, puffed cheeks, and wide, beautiful eyes, glaring:

”You actually went and signed up for the Outer Sect Grand Competition?”

”Do you know what kind of place that is?”

”That’s the arena where Furnace Realm Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters contend! What are you, a Burning Lamp Realm Disciple, doing joining the fun?”

”Do you think just because you gained a little fame in Alchemy, you don’t know your own limits anymore?”

Chen Chuan unhurriedly tidied his Pill Furnace, glancing at her. ”I have my reasons for participating, naturally.”

”Reasons? What reasons? Reasons to go get abused?” Ye Linger was like a kitten whose tail had been stepped on:

”Even I, at the Ming Quan Realm, wouldn’t dare to sign up, fearing embarrassment. But you, you actually proactively offer yourself up to be laughed at.”

Chen Chuan’s tone remained calm. ”I won’t be embarrassed. Perhaps I might even make a name for myself and bring back first place.”

”Pfft! Cough, cough!” Ye Linger almost choked on her own saliva.

She extended her slender, jade-like finger, pointing at Chen Chuan, both annoyed and amused:

”First place? Chen Chuan, I think you either have water in your brain or got caught in a door.”

”Do you know what Cultivation Xiao Tianci and Lin Feng have?”

”Ninth Level of the Furnace Realm, and Ultimate Grade Spiritual Roots.”

”What will you use to compete with them? Your Pill Furnace?”

Ye Linger’s eyes darted around, a glint of cunning flashing within them.

She suddenly leaned closer to Chen Chuan, her tone slightly provocative:

”Hey, I think you’re just envious of the first-place reward, aren’t you? And those ten thousand contribution points and the Barrier Breaking Pill?”

Chen Chuan openly admitted, ”That’s right.”

”As expected, a guy who’s only after money,” Ye Linger clapped her hands, as if she had caught Chen Chuan by his weakness. ”Since you’re so confident, dare you make a bet with me?”

”Bet what?” Chen Chuan became interested.

”We’ll bet on whether you can get first place,” Ye Linger lifted her fair chin. ”If you really can get first, I’ll give you a thousand contribution points!”

Chen Chuan’s eyes instantly lit up. Contribution points delivered to his doorstep—why refuse? ”Is that true?”

”I, Ye Linger, always keep my word!” Ye Linger puffed out her chest, which was indeed not particularly ample.

She then gave a sly smile:

”But if you lose and don’t get first place, then you’ll have to be my obedient little follower from now on. If I tell you to go east, you can’t go west.”

”How about it? Do you dare to bet?”

She felt this bet was a sure win for her.

This was a good opportunity to subdue this annoying guy and have him exclusively refine Medicinal Pills for her in the future.

Just thinking about Chen Chuan being ordered around by her, Ye Linger felt thrilled.

Chen Chuan looked at Ye Linger’s smug little expression, secretly chuckling to himself.

On the surface, he pretended to ponder, then nodded solemnly:

”Alright! It’s a bet! But you’re not allowed to go back on your word later. Whoever goes back on their word, well, they’ll have no chest and no butt.”

”You!” Ye Linger stomped her foot in anger, her cheeks slightly flushed:

”Hmph! What I, Young Miss, say, is like a team of four horses that cannot be overtaken. Just wait to be my follower.”

Watching Ye Linger turn and leave like a proud little peacock, Chen Chuan’s lips curved into an arc.

This girl thought she had gained such a huge advantage, but little did she know, she was completely sending warmth to Chen Chuan.

Chen Chuan was confident he could raise enough gold tickets in the coming time, which was why he agreed to Ye Linger’s bet.

Without Ye Linger’s interruption, Chen Chuan began to focus on refining Medicinal Pills.

After refining all the task Medicinal Pills, Chen Chuan took them to submit the task.

He arrived at the Mission Pavilion and submitted his Alchemy tasks.

Chen Chuan, with his newly earned contribution points and exchanged medicinal ingredients, prepared to return to his residence to continue his great endeavor of earning money and leveling up.

Halfway there, he saw a small crowd gathered ahead, with faint sounds of argument.

He frowned slightly, because he saw a familiar figure in the crowd.

His younger brother, Chen Ping.

Standing opposite Chen Ping, arrogantly pointing at Chen Ping’s nose and yelling, was a luxuriously dressed young man.

From the content of their argument, Chen Chuan learned that the young man was Feng Zhixian’s younger brother, Feng Tianming.