Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 82: Has My Simp Been Stolen?

At that moment, Ye Chen understood everything in an instant. The Senior Sister, seemingly warm-hearted, was actually very calculating. It was possible that the attendant was in cahoots with her, intentionally waiting there to stage the scene. The reason for all of this was most likely related to the rumors about Ye Chen being a simp. Perhaps the Senior Sister was trying to see if she could profit from him.

However, she had handled it quite delicately. Her intentions were not overtly obvious. Her skill level was far beyond that of the opportunistic girls from his past life.

Once Ye Chen figured it all out, he couldnʼt help but smile even more. For him, it wasnʼt that he feared the opponent being an opportunistic girl trying to take something from him.

On the contrary, he would rather face such a person. What truly terrified him was encountering a high-level, unattainable female cultivator, one with no desires. A woman he could see but never touch.

Besides, the Dragon Grasp spell sounded quite useful and versatile. He couldnʼt help but wonder how much more potent it would be after the thirty-fold amplification.

With that thought in mind, Ye Chen immediately flicked his wrist and retrieved ten mid-grade spirit stones from his storage ring.

”Iʼll take the Dragon Grasp.”

The attendant stared at the spirit stones in surprise.

Yao Xi, too, immediately turned around and, with a smile, said, ”Junior Brother, you wish to acquire this spell as well? Thatʼs wonderful! Iʼd much rather have you buy it than let it fall into the hands of my competitors!”

Ye Chen clicked his tongue and nodded in approval. Such acting skills were no worse than Sun Ruoxinʼs.

As expected of the Senior Sister of Green Cloud Sect, she was quite something. He shook his head, taking the jade slip from the attendantʼs hand with a smile. ”Senior Sister, what are you saying? Taking what others cherish is not the way of righteous cultivators like us.

”What this junior sister said is true. Cultivators climb step by step, and every misstep could cost us dearly. Losing this technique may even cause you to miss your chance for Foundation Establishment. So please, accept it, Senior Sister.”

Upon hearing these words, the beautiful face of Yao Xi, full of youthful vitality, was filled with surprise.

”No, no…” she shook her head. ”Weʼve only just met, Junior Brother. How can I accept such an expensive gift from you? This is absolutely not possible.”

Ye Chen smiled and stepped forward, taking Yao Xiʼs delicate hand in his own and gently placing the jade slip into her palm.

”The moment I laid eyes on you, I felt like we were old friends. Youʼve been so patient with me, helping me understand the sect and showing me around. In my heart, I already consider you the closest person to me. This gift is just a token of our first meeting. If you refuse, it would mean you donʼt see me as a friend. In that case, Iʼll stop troubling you in the future, and weʼll act like strangers.”

While speaking, Ye Chen didnʼt let go of her delicate hand. Her hand was soft and tender, as fragile as if it were made of jelly. No wonder she walked with such a bounce.

Yao Xiʼs face turned slightly red at his words, and she lowered her head, feeling a bit embarrassed.

“...The first time I met Junior Brother, I also felt something special, like we were close. Among the male disciples in the sect, youʼre the only one I feel this way about! So… well, then Iʼll shamelessly accept it. In a few months, Iʼll return the spirit stones to you!”

Ye Chen shook his head, a playful smile on his lips. ”Senior Sister, if you say that, it means you still donʼt see me as a friend.”

Yao Xi was at a loss for words this time. She could only smile awkwardly and say, ”If thatʼs the case, thank you, Junior Brother.”

At that moment, however, a familiar sound rang out in Ye Chenʼs mind.

”Gift successfully given!”

”The gift is ʼDragon Graspʼ!”

”Feedback in progress!”

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”Thirty-times feedback….”

”Reward: ʼHeaven-Destroying Hand.ʼ”

”Detected that the gift given by the host to the recipient, Yao Xi, is of great importance to her and exceeds her expectations. Her emotional state has fluctuated significantly, triggering a critical hit reward!”

”Reward: One-day private tuition from the Ancestor of the Chen familyʼs phantom. ʼHeaven-Destroying Handʼ is an ancient family technique of the Chen family. The host can now learn related knowledge of the technique from the phantom!”

Listening to the systemʼs rewards, Ye Chen couldnʼt help but show a satisfied smile on his face.

The name ”Dragon Grasp” already sounded imposing. But once ”Heaven-Destroying Hand” appeared, it became even more terrifying.

But an ancient technique of the Chen family?

Though Ye Chen had never heard of it before, any technique with the term ”ancient” attached to it must belong to a power far greater than Green Cloud Sect, likely countless times stronger. Such a family legacy technique would undoubtedly be no disappointment in terms of power.

So this was the result of the thirty-times female cultivator feedback? Even ancient techniques were popping out. He was absolutely in love! Not to mention, the critical hit reward had been triggered. Such a treasure could not be missed. He would have to make the most of it.

On the opposite side, Yao Xi felt Ye Chenʼs fiery gaze, as if he were looking at an extraordinary treasure, and her delicate face turned crimson. Though she had sensed Ye Chenʼs interest in her from their first meeting, she had never imagined his feelings would burn so intensely. It left her heart somewhat stunned.

After a long pause, Yao Xi finally spoke in a shy voice, ”Junior Brother, Iʼve already accepted the gift... How about... you let go of my hand now?”

Since giving her the jade slip, Ye Chen hadnʼt let go of her hand. Ye Chen snapped back to reality upon hearing her words and feigned embarrassment, reluctantly releasing her small hand. The embarrassment was an act, but the reluctance was real.

Yao Xiʼs hand truly felt like it came from the heavens. Such hands were a shame to be wasted on anything other than alchemy.

”Junior Brother, letʼs go.”

Ye Chen nodded and followed Yao Xi as they made their way out.

...

After casually wandering around for a while, Yao Xi turned to Ye Chen with an apologetic smile. ”Itʼs time for my alchemy session, so Iʼm afraid I canʼt accompany you any longer. Letʼs do this another time.”

Ye Chen nodded in understanding.

When a woman wants to distance herself from a man she doesnʼt quite care for, especially one she finds unappealing, she usually buys what she wants, eats, and then finds some excuse to leave.

Ye Chen also wanted to return and study the technique the system had just rewarded him with, so their thoughts aligned perfectly. They parted ways soon after.

On the way back, Yao Xi looked at the jade slip in her storage pouch, her thoughts swirling. Ever since hearing the rumors that Ye Chen, the new direct disciple, was a simp, Yao Xi had begun to entertain other thoughts.

So today, she decided to put those rumors to the test, curious to see if they were true. She didnʼt expect the reality to be such a shock.

Ye Chenʼs generosity towards female cultivators far exceeded her expectations. A technique worth ten middle-grade spirit stones, and he gave it to her without even batting an eye. How wealthy could he possibly be?

At that moment, Yao Xi couldnʼt help but feel intense emotions. She was genuinely moved. In the Green Cloud Sect, the disciples with the greatest strength were often supported by powerful families. The more talented a disciple was, the more resources their family would provide.

But Yao Xi was different. She had no family support behind her. She had to rely entirely on herself. Her journey had been incredibly difficult. Due to a lack of resources, she was always slightly behind others, and when great opportunities presented themselves, she often missed them by a hair.

The prospect of reaching Foundation Establishment seemed like an unattainable dream. Yet the appearance of Ye Chen, this elite simp, had given Yao Xi a glimmer of hope.

Lost in thought, she was suddenly interrupted by the sight of Sun Ruoxin. The moment Sun Ruoxin spotted Yao Xi, a bright smile spread across her face, and she quickly walked over to greet her cheerfully.

Yao Xi, however, felt a bit awkward. After all, in some ways, she was competing for the attention of the same simp. Her elders had told her to look out for Sun Ruoxin, to take care of her. But now, in a twist of fate, she was in the position of possibly taking the simp from right under Sun Ruoxinʼs nose.

Although cultivators typically didnʼt care much about face or pride, and many close brothers had turned on each other without hesitation over opportunities, Yao Xi still felt a little guilty. So, she merely nodded coldly and left, not sparing much time for pleasantries.

As Yao Xi walked away, Sun Ruoxinʼs face quickly clouded with displeasure.

”Whatʼs the big deal with being an outer sect senior sister?” she muttered under her breath. ”Sheʼs just at the ninth level of Qi Refining, whatʼs there to be so proud of? Hmph, Ye Chen adores me. Heʼs a direct disciple, far stronger than her!

”Though, I canʼt believe he didnʼt tell me about this last time we met. He had a chance to become a direct disciple, but he still gave me just a regular Green Cloud token. He kept all the good things for himself. What kind of love is that? If he doesnʼt give me enough gifts next time we meet, Iʼm not going to forgive him!”

Sun Ruoxin smiled to herself as she thought of Ye Chen. She felt secure in her position and believed her future was bright. However, when Sun Ruoxin arrived at the Mission Hall, hoping to find a task suited to her, she overheard some gossip from nearby disciples about the new direct disciple.

It seemed that the new direct disciple had fallen head over heels for Senior Sister Yao Xi at first sight and had taken her to the Green Cloud Market, where he bought her a technique worth ten middle-grade spirit stones as a greeting gift.

To give such an expensive gift right off the bat? The rumors had completely confirmed Ye Chenʼs simp status.

Hearing this, Sun Ruoxinʼs face immediately darkened.

”My simp went to fawn over someone else?”

This couldnʼt be possible!