Immortality Starts With Investment

”Unstoppable. Completely unstoppable!”

As the crimson divine light shot from Ye Chen’s eyes, Li Feihuang’s mind was consumed by a single thought.

Neither the shield of Southern Radiant Fire, the innate Divine Ability of her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body, nor her protective magical treasure could withstand it. The beam’s pure, overwhelming aura of annihilation obliterated everything in its path.

In an instant, searing pain tore through her as the light pierced her abdomen. It only detonated after slamming into the hall’s edge, sending ripples through the protective array like waves on a pond. The entire hall shuddered from the impact.

Li Feihuang clutched her wound, her face pale. Ye Chen had held back. If that divine light had exploded inside her, she’d be nothing but ashes now.

But her mind wasn’t on that. Her eyes, wide with disbelief and shock, locked onto Ye Chen—specifically, his eyes. Those misty, unfathomable eyes that seemed impossible to meet directly. Her own widened to their limit.

This was undoubtedly a natural Divine Ability. Ye Chen, beyond his staggering talent, possessed a top-tier Divine Ability—one even stronger than her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body. She hadn’t even been able to block a single strike.

Biting her lip, Li Feihuang struggled to accept it. Back on the arena, she’d thought her loss was due to holding back her trump cards, that she could’ve easily crushed Ye Chen otherwise. But now? It was clear he’d been hiding his own ace.

So why, when she’d revealed her Fire Phoenix Spirit Body, had he stayed silent? Was he like those Divine Will Sect cultivators, whispering about the Great Chu Dynasty, mocking her behind her back? The Phoenix Blood was within her grasp, yet at this final moment, Ye Chen had delivered a crushing blow.

Her hand trembled over her wound. But a tiger, even defeated, doesn’t lose its pride. As a scion of the Great Chu royal family, she could accept defeat, but never disgrace. Though her heart burned with unwillingness and she still had the strength to fight, Ye Chen’s calm, effortless demeanor told her she stood no chance. She wouldn’t humiliate herself further.

Raising her chin proudly, her red hair flowing like flames, Li Feihuang spoke with dignity. ”Since you’ve won, the Phoenix Blood is yours.”

With that, she moved to another spot, sat cross-legged, and popped a healing pill into her mouth, beginning to mend her injuries.

...

On the other side, An Yuyi was practically vibrating with excitement. She’d known Ye Chen was strong, but this? This was beyond her wildest expectations. A natural Divine Ability—a mark of a top-tier prodigy. Even Li Feihuang, with her special physique, couldn’t withstand a single blow. Ye Chen’s talent was staggering.

And the best part? This unparalleled genius was about to become her cultivation partner. The thought sent a flush of exhilaration across her face, her cheeks glowing red.

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Ye Chen, however, showed no trace of pride after defeating Li Feihuang. He’d already slain Golden Core cultivators—beating her was no cause for celebration. Calmly, he turned and walked toward the hall’s depths, where a wooden table stood like an altar. Soon, he held the jade bottle containing the Phoenix Blood in his hand.

Li Feihuang forced herself not to look, but her eyes betrayed her, drawn to the bottle. Longing and despair swirled within her. That blood was the key to her perfect Golden Core, to evolving her physique, to her future as empress, cloaked in imperial glory. Now, it was slipping away.

Her ancestor didn’t care who took the throne. Without a ninth-grade Golden Core and the Moon Phoenix Body, she’d never surpass the Champion King. Her dream of restoring her dynasty’s honor was crumbling. The key to everything was right there, yet out of her reach. She could only watch as Ye Chen prepared to hand the priceless Phoenix Blood to An Yuyi—a wasteful, unworthy recipient.

Her lips paled, and her clenched fists drew blood, her heart roiling with turmoil.

As Ye Chen turned back, bottle in hand, An Yuyi’s face lit up with eager anticipation. Ye Chen was a supreme prodigy. Though her aunt hadn’t revealed his spiritual root, it had to be extraordinary. And beyond that, he wielded a natural Divine Ability. Yet this genius freely gave her treasures, filling her heart with sweetness.

As he approached, An Yuyi felt an uncharacteristic shyness. Blushing, she extended her hand. ”Ye Chen, I understand your heart,” she said softly. ”This Phoenix Blood means so much. I’ll cherish it as our betrothal token. And don’t worry—my aunt will surely prepare a treasure for you in return! When we both reach the Golden Core stage and become partners, our union will be the grandest event in the Divine Will Sect…”

Her words trailed off. She looked up, stunned, as Ye Chen walked past her without a glance, heading straight for Li Feihuang.

What… was happening?

An Yuyi stood frozen, utterly bewildered.

...

Li Feihuang’s gaze lingered on Ye Chen with reluctant longing, her heart aching as she braced for him to hand the Phoenix Blood to An Yuyi, that unworthy fool. But then she noticed—he didn’t stop in front of An Yuyi. Instead, he walked straight toward her.

He came to a halt before her.

After toying with her for so long, making her believe he was her loyal ally only to betray her at the critical moment, what was he doing now? Was this another attempt to humiliate her?

Humiliation surged in Li Feihuang’s chest. Her voice was icy as she snapped, ”You’ve got the Phoenix Blood. What are you doing standing in front of me? Take your prize and go!”

She wouldn’t trust a single word from Ye Chen again, nor give him another chance to mock her.

But then, his voice cut through her thoughts. ”No, this is your Phoenix Blood.”

What?

Li Feihuang’s eyes snapped open, sensing the truth in his words. There he was, not looming over her with condescension but crouching before her, a gentle smile on his face. The jade bottle containing the Phoenix Blood was held out to her, close enough that she could take it with a single motion.

What was going on?

Shock and suspicion swirled in her mind. Was this another of Ye Chen’s games? But as he met her wary gaze with that same soft smile, he reached out, gently took her hand, and placed the bottle in her palm.

Her hand trembled. Despite her doubts, the Phoenix Blood—the treasure she’d dreamed of—was now in her grasp. Unable to resist, she opened the bottle. The pure, radiant energy within sent her bloodline thrumming with joy, erasing all skepticism. This was, without question, the Phoenix Blood.

But why?

Ye Chen had deceived her, struck her down at the crucial moment, and left her with a grievous wound. The destructive aura from his attack clung to her like a parasite, one that would take weeks to heal. His betrayal had been resolute, his strike ruthless. So why, now, was he handing her the Phoenix Blood?

Confusion churned within her. Staring at Ye Chen with a mix of shock and wariness, her voice came out hoarse. ”Why are you doing this?”