Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 238: Ninth-Grade Golden Cores Have Differences

Ye Chen sat cross-legged on the flying boat, cultivating the Eternal Cosmos Sutra while contemplating his journey to Divine Will City. Inside his storage bracelet lay a sword talisman. His master hadnʼt left back then, silently watching over him. The thought warmed Ye Chenʼs heart.

Unfortunately, this time, she had truly gone. With his Heavy Pupils, he could likely track her down if he tried, but after some thought, he decided against it. His master clearly needed space, and hounding her wouldnʼt help.

After breaking through to the Golden Core stage, Ye Chenʼs speed was astonishing. A journey that once took a week now required only half a day.

This trip to Divine Will City had several goals. He needed to replace his Foundation Establishment gear, upgrading to equipment suited for his new realm. He also planned to study Golden Core-level spells. While divine abilities and treasure techniques were powerful, the cultivation world wasnʼt all about fighting. Mastering more spells meant being prepared for a wider range of situations.

Then there were the six arts of cultivation. With third-grade alchemy and artifact refining insights in hand, he needed to find suitable female cultivators to gift them to. He also had to prepare treasures beneficial for Nascent Soul formation in advance. And, of course, he needed to figure out what was going on with his five-colored Golden Core.

Upon arriving in Divine Will City, Sun Ruoxinʼs eyes sparkled with excitement. She immediately offered to show Ye Chen some new moves sheʼd learned. But having just added Yao Xi to the systemʼs Dao Companion list—and still reeling from the recent ”review”—Ye Chen wasnʼt in the mood. He tossed her an Azure Hill Jade Bamboo Core and sent her off to refine it in seclusion.

Perhaps because someone was always watching, it wasnʼt long before a woman with striking red hair approached gracefully. Her breathtaking beauty and lofty aura drew countless glances from male cultivators, who stole looks from the corners of their eyes. But when they sensed the terrifying aura emanating from her, their faces paled. This woman was a Golden Core powerhouse.

”Congratulations to Fellow Daoist Ye on breaking through to the Golden Core stage,” Li Feihuang said with a smile as she entered the courtyard.

Ye Chen, observing her, was somewhat surprised. She had come in her true form, no longer hiding her identity? It was clear that Li Feihuang had also reached the Golden Core stage. Her red hair flowed even more vibrantly, and her stunning beauty, already breathtaking, had grown even more radiant after her breakthrough. The golden dress embroidered with phoenix patterns accentuated her curves, now rivaling the combined allure of Lu Jing and Yao Xi.

Could phoenix blood actually enhance oneʼs appearance and figure? If so, Ye Chen would need to find a way to acquire more phoenix blood for the female cultivators around him.

What shocked him most, however, was Li Feihuangʼs feedback rate. The systemʼs prompt rang in his mind: ”Li Feihuang: 500x!”

From 300x to 500x? This wasnʼt due to her Golden Core breakthrough—Ye Chen had already confirmed that mere cultivation advancements didnʼt increase feedback rates. It had to be her physique, elevated by the phoenix blood.

This reaffirmed the wisdom of his earlier decision. The phoenix blood was meant for Li Feihuang. Not only had it triggered the Ancestral Dragon Blood, but it had also boosted her feedback rate, making her the second 500x female cultivator heʼd encountered, after the Old Granny.

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Of course, the Old Granny was a soul entity with 500x feedback, far beyond Li Feihuangʼs level. Still, for Ye Chen right now, Li Feihuang was undoubtedly his most precious treasure.

”Thank you, Fairy Li. It seems youʼve gained greatly from your breakthrough as well,” Ye Chen replied with a smile.

Li Feihuang gave a reserved smile. After just a year apart, Ye Chenʼs joy at seeing her was so intense it was almost tangible, a clear sign of his infatuation.

”Fellow Daoist Ye also formed a ninth-grade Golden Core?” she asked, noting his aura.

Ye Chen nodded casually.

Li Feihuang wasnʼt surprised. Ye Chenʼs talent was exceptional—how else could he have defeated her? A ninth-grade Golden Core was expected.

But unlike before her breakthrough, she no longer felt the urge to spar with him. After her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body evolved into the Moon Phoenix Body, her strength had skyrocketed, several times greater than before. The Moon Phoenix Bodyʼs mysteries were extraordinarily formidable.

There was no need for a spar. Even if Ye Chen had formed a ninth-grade Golden Core, marking him as a top-tier genius, there was still a gap between geniuses and between ninth-grade Golden Cores. She had achieved a ninth-grade Golden Core because that was the limit of the Golden Core itself, not her own limit.

Li Feihuang let out a carefree laugh, the lingering resentment from her past defeat completely dissipating.

Unaware of her inner triumph, Ye Chen asked curiously, ”Why are you revealing your true appearance in public now?”

Li Feihuang smiled confidently. ”Now that Iʼve reached the Golden Core stage, thereʼs no need to hide. Unless that late-stage Golden Core champion king comes himself, none of his subordinates could kill me. Even mid-stage Golden Core cultivators would fall before me.

”As for the Divine Will Sect, Iʼve spoken with the sect master after my breakthrough. Once I ascend to the position of empress, Iʼll repay them a hundredfold. Weʼve also negotiated some future deals. So, thereʼs no longer any need for me to conceal myself.”

Ye Chenʼs lips twitched as he nodded. No more pretending after breaking through to Golden Core, huh? Showing her true colors at last?

Or perhaps this was simply Li Feihuangʼs true nature. As a royal daughter, such confidence seemed fitting.

”What brings Fairy Li here today?” Ye Chen asked casually, while mentally considering what gift to offer her.

Li Feihuang felt a twinge of embarrassment. She had rushed to see Ye Chen the moment she heard of his return, and indeed, she had a request.

She was out of resources.

After her Golden Core breakthrough and revealing her identity to the Divine Will Sect master, he hadnʼt demanded that she return the phoenix blood. But knowing she would eventually leave, he hadnʼt offered her an elder position or considered her resource needs.

When Li Feihuang had fled in haste, she brought little with her. Most of what she had was spent on the Phoenix Stone as a return gift for Ye Chen. Now, her resources were completely depleted.

Yet, having just reached the Golden Core stage, her need for cultivation materials was immense. So, she had come to borrow spirit stones from Ye Chen. His shop was thriving, and heʼd even gifted her Phoenix Blood Crimson Gold before—his wealth must be substantial. But as a royal daughter, asking a subordinate for a loan was a first for her, and it felt awkward.

Feigning composure, she said, ”After breaking through to Golden Core, I need to cultivate some spells, but I lack the materials. When I left in a hurry, I hid most of my resources in Great Chu, and itʼs inconvenient to retrieve them now. So, Iʼd like to ask Fellow Daoist Ye for help. Once I return to Great Chu, Iʼll ensure youʼre well rewarded.”

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. If it werenʼt for her 500x feedback rate, this would sound like a scam.

Li Feihuang, lacking resources? This was perfect for him. The more she needed, the easier it was to gift her treasures, trigger critical hits, and reap higher rewards. A 500x multiplier with a critical hit?

Ye Chen couldnʼt even imagine the potential feedback. He almost wished sheʼd stay broke forever—itʼd be his ticket to soaring success.