Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 230: Seclusion! Breakthrough!

”Young Master, why not call Keʼer back?” Lu Jing said the next morning, serving Ye Chen a meticulously prepared breakfast while putting in a good word for Lin Keʼer. ”I canʼt keep up with you alone. When Keʼer visited me a while back, she was crying her eyes out, begging to return to your side.”

When the other two maids had been sent away, leaving her alone, Lu Jing had been thrilled to have Ye Chen to herself. But his stamina was overwhelming. She was struggling. That morning, sheʼd downed several cups of water just to feel normal again, and it was clear Ye Chen hadnʼt been fully satisfied either.

So, she figured it was best to bring Lin Keʼer and the others back. Sure, Keʼer sometimes pushed her to hurry up or used tricks to cut her turn short, but that didnʼt matter. As long as Ye Chen was happy, heʼd come back more often.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow but nodded. ”Itʼs a small matter—handle it as you see fit. Just make sure to cultivate diligently afterward.”

Green Cloud Sectʼs market was small, its business modest. Sending a trusted disciple to manage things was enough. The sect would eventually belong to his master, which meant, indirectly, it was his. No need to worry.

Lu Jing shook her head. ”My spirit root is too poor. Reaching Foundation Establishment was already a stroke of luck, all thanks to your favor and the treasures youʼve given me. I donʼt dare hope for higher realms. Iʼve taken an appearance-preserving pill, so serving you for three hundred years is enough for me.”

Lu Jing knew the value of contentment. Living in a major sect like Green Cloud, with even elders treating her respectfully when she went out, was a life sheʼd never dared dream of before.

Ye Chen felt a twinge of admiration for her simple satisfaction. She spoke the truth. With a fourth-grade spirit root, breaking through to Foundation Establishment was a fluke. Even with various elixirs, her cultivation speed would never be impressive.

Ye Chen gave a light smile and pulled out an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core, handing it to Lu Jing. ”Three hundred years isnʼt enough. Stay by my side always.”

Lu Jing held the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core, feeling its vibrant life force pulse through it, her eyes wide with confusion. She had no idea what it was.

”This might elevate your spirit root to Earth-grade,” Ye Chen explained casually. ”Even if it doesnʼt reach that level, itʼll at least become an attribute spirit root.”

Lu Jingʼs eyes widened in shock.

”Go refine it,” he added. Lu Jingʼs unassuming, contented attitude genuinely pleased him. He wasnʼt stingy.

As Ye Chen drifted away, Lu Jing stared at the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core, her heart swelling with one thought: following Young Master was the best decision sheʼd ever made.

Cultivation was effortless, resources were never lacking, and now, even a legendary treasure that could enhance her spirit root was casually bestowed upon her. Even an attribute spirit root was precious enough to breeze into a sect like Divine Will and possibly become a direct disciple.

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A Golden Core breakthrough wasnʼt out of reach. Such a priceless treasure, and Young Master had given it to her without a second thought. Staying by his side was, without doubt, the wisest choice of her life.

...

After leaving the courtyard, Ye Chen glanced up. His master was still in seclusion. He flew toward Pill Peak, but mid-air, a graceful figure approached—his Senior Sister.

”Junior Brother, youʼre back?” Yao Xiʼs face lit up with joy upon seeing him.

Ye Chen didnʼt hold back, wrapping an arm around her as they flew to Pill Peak. Yao Xiʼs courtyard was expansive, filled with blooming flowers and herbs, a breathtaking scene alive with fluttering spiritual bees and butterflies.

”Want some nectar water, Junior Brother?” Yao Xi asked, turning to mix a drink with hundred-flower honey. ”Itʼs refreshing and even clears your eyes.”

As she bent over, her figure—already as full and radiant as a harvest moon—curved even more enticingly. Ye Chen chuckled. Ever since his Senior Sister had noticed something, sheʼd taken to doing things with her back to him. Did she think he was that kind of guy?

Pulling her into his arms, he felt no resistance, but Yao Xi shot him a resentful look. ”If youʼre going to be like that again, Junior Brother, donʼt touch me.”

Even her good-natured patience was wearing thin from his antics.

Ye Chen grinned, pulling out a jade box containing an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core and handing it to Yao Xi. ”Use this, and I wonʼt be like that anymore.”

Yao Xiʼs face flushed. Her Junior Brother was getting worse by the day. Making her use something for that? She wasnʼt interested in the slightest! Sheʼd heard Divine Will City had shops run by the Heavenly Desire Sect, full of risqué items. Was this something heʼd bought there? Blushing, she cautiously opened the box. Her eyes widened in shock—not at some strange garment or odd prop, but at a bamboo core radiating vibrant green life.

”This is an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core,” Ye Chen explained. ”It can enhance your aptitude, potentially up to an Earth Spirit Root, depending on luck. Once your aptitude improves, Senior Sister, you can break through to mid-Foundation Establishment soon, then use the Glazed Purification Water to reach the late stage. I planned to fulfill your ʼgrudgeʼ after you formed your core, but since youʼre so eager, Iʼll take care of it after I come out of seclusion.”

Yao Xi huffed, ”Iʼm not eager!” Her heart raced at the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Coreʼs potential, but his next words startled her. ”Junior Brother, youʼre going into seclusion to form your core already?”

Ye Chen nodded with a smile. ”Yes, so hurry and refine this Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core to catch up to my cultivation.”

His words stirred memories in Yao Xi. When they first met, he was only at the seventh layer of Qi Refining. In the blink of an eye, he was on the verge of Golden Core. Her heart swelled with joy and a touch of awe. But she also realized how far behind sheʼd fallen. This precious treasure was likely his way of helping her close that gap.

”Are you going into seclusion now?” she asked.

Ye Chen nodded. ”Yes, itʼs time.”

With his master still in seclusion, heʼd proceed with his breakthrough. Yao Xi shifted closer. ”Can you wait a bit, Junior Brother, and give me a chance to thank you properly?”

How could Ye Chen refuse such a grateful Senior Sister? He leaned back comfortably in a rocking chair, letting it sway gently.

...

Hours later, Ye Chen left Yao Xiʼs courtyard, refreshed and invigorated. He returned to his own, where Lu Jing was already in seclusion, refining the Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core.

After sending a message, he entered his seclusion chamber, set up an array disc, and sat on a jade marrow bed. With great care, he retrieved a jade vial containing the Ancestral Dragon Blood from his storage bracelet. He poured it out, letting the blood, etched with divine patterns, hover in the void before him.

The chamber filled with a terrifying dragonʼs might, faint roars echoing. Ye Chen closed his eyes calmly and began the process of forming his Golden Core.

...

At the sectʼs gate, the old sect leader smiled upon hearing of Ye Chenʼs seclusion. Two Golden Cores in the sect—no, three. The Green Cloud Sect was truly flourishing under his watch!

But glancing at his fishing rod, motionless for days, he frowned. ”Not a single bite? Iʼve been chumming the water for days!” Muttering, he tossed another handful of spiritual pills into the pool.