Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 266: Fight Senior Brother?

”Fellow Daoist Yeʼs strength is formidable, so heʼll take the second slot,” the Wang Clan patriarch outlined the strategy. ”Today, Wang Lun will face Su Yuxuan. If Wang Lun has energy left, heʼll take on the Flying Tiger General tomorrow. Even if heʼs outmatched, he can wear him down. Then, Fellow Daoist Ye can step in to easily crush the Flying Tiger General before facing Champion King. The Championʼs strength is profound and elusive. The more trump cards you force him to reveal, Fellow Daoist Ye, the greater Her Highnessʼs chances of victory.”

Wang Lun stood to the side, his heart icy. Ye Chenʼs overwhelming power stirred suspicion. Could Ye Chen have been the one who ambushed him that night? The timing aligned—his first encounter with Ye Chen had been that very day.

He hadnʼt considered it before, dismissing Ye Chen as insignificant, but now the pieces seemed to fit. With the ceremony looming, they needed Ye Chenʼs strength, so Wang Lun held his tongue. But afterward, this grudge wouldnʼt be forgotten.

Heʼd already schemed with his clan. Against Su Yuxuan, heʼd feign a hard-fought battle, claiming exhaustion or injury to skip the next fight, forcing Ye Chen to face the Flying Tiger General.

The General, now late Golden Core, would be a tough opponent—perfect for Ye Chen to handle. And exhausting Champion King? That was even riskier, so naturally, it fell to Ye Chen. Youʼre so loyal, Ye Chen? Then die for the princess.

Ye Chen, unfazed, saw through their petty plotting but didnʼt care. Heʼd half a mind to take the first slot, sweep all three days, and settle the contest single-handedly. But since Wang Lun was eager to fight Su Yuxuan, thinking her an easy target, Ye Chen let him have it. He was curious, too—how strong was Su Yuxuan now?

…

Before the Great Chu Empireʼs palace stood a vast plaza, teeming with spectators from major factions and countless curious cultivators. High atop the palaceʼs towering walls, a commanding figure sat on a throne, his wild hair dancing in the wind, exuding imperial dominance. His cold gaze swept the crowd, inspiring awe. This was Champion King.

Soon, a woman in golden palace robes appeared, a radiant phoenix soaring behind her, casting divine light. Her noble, breathtaking beauty drew gasps. Princess Li Feihuang, bearer of the Moon Phoenix Body, had arrived, her presence as extraordinary as expected.

Royal clan elders ascended into the sky, their thunderous voices echoing. ”Today, the Great Chu Empire selects its new emperor. The victor shall ascend the throne!”

With a shout, ”Chu Emperor Arena, rise!” a massive battlefield ascended into the heavens. Spanning hundreds of thousands of meters, it shimmered with divine runes and crackling lightning, its ancient aura overwhelming. First-time visitors gaped at the sky-bound arena.

Help support creative writers by finding and reading their stories on the original site.

Once stabilized, an elder boomed, ”Enter the arena!”

Wang Lun, smiling confidently, flew before the wall and bowed to Li Feihuang. ”Your Highness, I shall secure the first victory for you.”

Li Feihuang nodded calmly. Spectators viewed Wang Lun favorably—he was Great Chuʼs top young prodigy, surpassing most late Golden Core cultivators. His opponent, Su Yuxuan, floated up barefoot from the crowd, looking delicate and unknown. Rumors suggested she was a last-minute replacement for the injured Flying Dragon General. With Champion Kingʼs dominance, her strength seemed irrelevant. Most predicted an easy win for Wang Lun.

As both entered, the arena sealed, and the battle began.

Su Yuxuan, appearing frail, raised a hand. Dozens of blood pools materialized behind her, unleashing torrents of crimson divine light, relentless and ferocious. The sky arena drowned in a blood-red haze, obscuring vision.

Wang Lun squinted, countering with countless peach blossoms that formed a flowing stream, deftly blocking the blood light. Their clash reverberated with thunderous booms, captivating the audience. Contrary to expectations, Su Yuxuan held her own against Wang Lun, proving herself a top-tier prodigy. Such a rare duel thrilled the crowd.

The Wang Clan patriarch smirked. Wang Lun was playing it smart, keeping his edge hidden to stage a narrow victory. This would justify skipping tomorrowʼs fight against the late Golden Core Flying Tiger General, leaving Ye Chen to handle him.

As Wang Lun was knocked back several times, the patriarch nodded approvingly. Heʼd worried Wang Lunʼs pride might prevent him from appearing weak, but the young man was convincingly selling it—complete with spitting blood. Perfect acting.

But after a hundred more breaths, the patriarchʼs smugness turned to confusion. Wang Lunʼs arm was shattered—repairable, sure, but was the act going too far? Then his heart sank. Wang Lun was engulfed in a blood sea, struggling futilely as his aura weakened. This isnʼt acting. Heʼs losing.

A desperate cry rang out from the arena: ”I surrender!”

The crowd erupted in shock. Wang Lun had lost?

…

Su Yuxuanʼs expression turned bored as she waved her hand, dispersing the blood sea. Wang Lun emerged, his armor shattered, magic tools marred, and body a mangled, blood-soaked mess, corroded beyond recognition by the blood sea. The crowd gasped at his pitiful state.

Moments later, under countless eyes, Su Yuxuan spat a mouthful of blood, her face paling. With a weakened aura, she flew from the sky arena, found a spot, and sat cross-legged to heal.

A Great Chu elder stepped forward, sealing the arena. ”Todayʼs battle is concluded. Champion Kingʼs side wins. The contest continues tomorrow!”

The plaza erupted in fervent discussion, cultivators marveling at the intense duel.

…

In Su Yuxuanʼs mind, Manjusakaʼs puzzled voice sounded. ”Why pretend to be injured? With your strength, you couldʼve ended him in a hundred breaths.”

Su Yuxuan, still pale, responded inwardly, ”Winning once is enough. Iʼm not the one aiming for the throne—why bother exerting myself? Besides, tomorrowʼs against Senior Brother. Me, fight him? No way. Whether he can beat Champion King or not, I know I canʼt beat him. Let someone else deal with it. I won today, so if Champion King takes the throne, I get rewards. If he loses, Iʼll just beg Senior Brother. For now, Iʼll sit back and wait.”

…