Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 488: Elder Mo Wants to Retire

Ye Chen opened the box. A purple eight-petal lotus floated inside, its core pulsing with misty spiritual qi. One whiff cleared his mind, stirring waves in his sea of spirit sense.

Over the past year, Ye Chen had studied top-tier herbs thoroughly for immortal root farming. He instantly recognized the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid, a rare treasure for healing origin injuries. It could resolve most cultivation dead ends, second only to legendary life-extending herbs. The Heavenly Emperor Hall had delivered something truly valuable.

He glanced at the memory talisman. Its contents were lackluster: urging him to head to Central Continent, spar with the Heavenly Demon Body and Heavy Pupils, and uphold the Heavenly Emperor heirʼs prestige. It promised life-extending herbs if he performed well.

Ye Chen tossed it aside, unmoved. Painting him a pie? Laughable. If the Hall claimed he was the Heavenly Emperorʼs heir, their treasures should be his by right. Using his own supposed inheritance as bait? Ridiculous.

The Hall might be shameless, but the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid came at the perfect time. The fiancéeʼs grandmother was injured—an ideal chance for gifting. Plus, he missed her, not for her unmatched beauty in the Great Yan Continent or any carvings. He just wanted to ask if sheʼd mastered the Movement Secret.

But gifting such a precious item posed a problem. It shouldnʼt pass through a third party—too risky. A mishap could mean no system feedback, a total loss. Yet, the fiancée was in Heavenly Intention Holy Land, a bitter rival. The holy master had recently killed three of their elders, making a direct visit inappropriate.

After some thought, Ye Chen flew to Dao Evolution Peak. Its peak master, Elder He, was once close to Yi Qingwuʼs grandmother and might have a direct channel. Arriving, he found Elder He and Elder Mo drinking tea. Both smiled and invited him to sit.

”Holy Son, what brings you here? If itʼs about deducing family ties, forget it—I canʼt do it!” Elder He preemptively refused, fearing Ye Chen wanted lineage tracing. Everyone believed Ye Chen was the Heavenly Emperorʼs descendant, not just his heir. Deducing such a lineage was a death sentence.

Ye Chen shook his head. ”Not for deduction. I just got a treasure herb.” He revealed the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid.

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Both eldersʼ eyes widened.

”Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid? Mo, youʼre saved!” Elder He exclaimed.

Elder Moʼs eyes flashed with joy, then sorrow. He sighed, shaking his head. ”Too late. If Iʼd gotten it when my Immortal Platform first shattered, it couldʼve helped. But now, with my deep dao injury, only an immortal root can save me.”

Regret filled his eyes—it was too late for him. But he was touched, marveling at Ye Chenʼs character. To bring such a vital treasure to him first exceeded his expectations. His admiration for Ye Chen grew.

Elder Mo looked at Ye Chen with deep gratification. ”Your strength grows rapidly, but my injuries worsen. In a year, Iʼll fall below Unity Stage. Iʼve made too many enemies; dropping below Unity, I wonʼt leave, lest I get killed. Next year, choose a new protector. With your talent, even late Unity elders would guard you—no need to worry.” He patted Ye Chenʼs shoulder, delivering bad news.

Ye Chen hadnʼt expected to meet Elder Mo here. He hadnʼt planned to give the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid to him—Mo didnʼt trigger critical hits. Gifting it to the fiancée, with her 2,500-fold multiplier, could yield an immortal root to heal Mo. That was the plan.

Hearing the orchid was useless for Mo, Ye Chen relaxed—explaining wouldʼve been awkward. He looked at Mo earnestly. ”Donʼt worry, Elder Mo. If the orchid wonʼt help, Iʼll find something better to restore you. Please donʼt give up.”

Ye Chen wouldnʼt let someone whoʼd helped him fall below Unity. Moʼs combat prowess was top-tier; during the fiancée incident, heʼd fought three-on-one while Elder He did little. If Mo reached Mahayana, Ye Chen would gain a stronger protector.

Mo smiled. The orchid was already rare; immortal roots were mythical, nearly impossible to find. But Ye Chenʼs sincerity touched him. He patted Ye Chenʼs shoulder firmly, resolved to protect him at all costs if danger arose.

Ye Chen stored the orchid and turned to Elder He. ”Since itʼs useless for Elder Mo, Iʼll gift it to Yi Qingwu.”

”What?”

Both eldersʼ eyes widened. They knew Ye Chen was generous, but gifting such a treasure to a female cultivator from a rival faction? Outrageous. It could tarnish his reputation in the Holy Land and anger the ancestors for aiding an enemy.

Seeing their expressions, Ye Chen knew he had to explain. He summoned a fragment of the Moon Palace from his brow, its terrifying aura spilling out.

”The Moon Palace is with you?”

As expected, they were even more shocked. Only Yi Qingwuʼs grandmother and Heavenly Intention Holy Son knew it was taken; the news hadnʼt spread. Heavenly Intention Holy Land couldnʼt afford the shame. This was their first time learning Ye Chen had it.

He lowered his voice. ”In our clashes, Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden secretly helped me. Knowing I was breaking through to Deity Transformation, she said the Moon Palace would aid me and lent it. The Battle Secret Stone Tablet? She gave that to me too.”

Their eyes widened further, stunned by his words.