Immortality Starts With Investment

”This is at least a fourth-grade defensive array disk, and it’s top-tier quality at that. Even a peak Nascent Soul cultivator couldn’t break it quickly!”

After killing Elder Lin, Han Feng turned his attention to An Yuyi. But despite his Nether Flame Triad Transformation, the fragile-looking golden barrier around her didn’t budge. Even his Nascent Soul protector, Elder Qin, struck it to no avail, forced to watch An Yuyi sit calmly within.

The black-robed Elder Qin spoke calmly. ”Young Master, we should leave. You’ve obtained Ancestor Lei’s heart-refining legacy, perfecting your spiritual sense, and a low-grade Heavenly Nascent Soul technique. Once you break through to Nascent Soul back at the sect, you’ll surely form an Immortal Soul, with a path to Deity Transformation ahead. There’s no need to waste time on a woman. We’re close to Divine Will Sect—their reinforcements could arrive any moment.”

Elder Qin sensed something unusual about An Yuyi. A mere Golden Core cultivator with a talisman capable of harming Nascent Soul cultivators and an array disk he couldn’t break? Her resources were too extravagant for a Nascent Soul sect’s disciple. It was wiser to retreat.

Han Feng’s face darkened, his eyes glinting with malice. ”This woman nearly killed me—how can I let her off so easily? I want her True Phoenix Treasure Technique and her essence. I’d like to see how long this array can hold. As for the Divine Will Sect’s reinforcements? A measly Nascent Soul sect with a dying early Nascent Soul ancestor? Even if he comes himself, what can he do? Elder Qin, with your mid-Nascent Soul strength, killing him would be effortless.”

Elder Qin hesitated but nodded. Divine Will Sect posed no real threat, and their early Nascent Soul ancestor was negligible. His real concern was encountering Heavenly Nether Sect’s enemies, given their sect’s domineering reputation and long list of grudges. But this place was far from Heavenly Nether Sect, and no one knew the Young Master had come for Ancestor Lei’s legacy. There seemed little to fear.

Both fell silent, coldly watching An Yuyi, waiting patiently.

An Yuyi, overhearing their conversation, felt a surge of panic. The protector was indeed mid-Nascent Soul.

Half a day passed, her mind in turmoil. Then, a boisterous laugh echoed. ”Who dares cause trouble in my Divine Will Sect’s domain?”

With a surge of bold aura, the Divine Will Ancestor arrived, riding a massive dragon conjured from spiritual qi. Despite his white hair and beard, his physique was robust, muscles like forged steel, exuding dominance. A single glance sized up the enemies. His spiritual qi dragon roared, charging toward Elder Qin.

He grinned at An Yuyi. ”It’s been over a decade, Yuyi—you’ve grown so much! Still remember your old ancestor? I held you when you were little!”

Seeing the Ancestor’s confidence, An Yuyi relaxed slightly. She’d heard he was a formidable fighter in his youth, earning a notable reputation. Though a minor realm below his opponent, he should hold his own.

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

Elder Qin, facing the charging spiritual qi dragon, remained impassive. He pointed a finger, and the dragon exploded. His black robes billowed as he advanced, unleashing a nether qi cage that crashed toward the Divine Will Ancestor.

The Divine Will Ancestor laughed heartily, turning to charge at Elder Qin. ”Once I suppress this fool, I’ll take you back to the sect!”

His spiritual qi surged like a waterfall, divine light flowing around him. His aura was ferocious, nothing like a man nearing his end. He clashed with Heavenly Nether Sect’s Elder Qin in a spectacular battle, spiritual energy roaring and the heavens trembling.

The Ancestor’s dominance reassured An Yuyi. Our Divine Will Sect’s Ancestor is no pushover! Should she lower the defensive array and strike at Han Feng to suppress him?

But her optimism shattered moments later. In just a few dozen breaths, the Ancestor was blasted from the sky, his robes tattered, blood spilling from his mouth. His body was corroded by nether qi, tinged green, and his aura had plummeted. He was clearly no match for his opponent.

An Yuyi sent a discreet transmission. The array opened a sliver, and the Ancestor slipped inside. Elder Qin noticed but was slowed by a desperate palm strike from the Ancestor, blocked by the array.

Safe within, the Ancestor began expelling the nether qi. An Yuyi’s heart sank with despair. After her final words to Ye Chen, she ended the transmission. The enemy was too strong—even the Ancestor couldn’t win. Ye Chen coming would only mean his death. With his talent, he’d surely reach Nascent Soul, maybe even Deity Transformation. He and her aunt could avenge her later.

The Ancestor, healing while grumbling, cursed, ”Youngsters have no honor! That nether qi even pierced my spiritual treasure. If it was a fair fight, I could’ve suppressed him despite the realm gap.”

”Who were you talking to, Yuyi? Why not call them for help?” he asked.

She shook her head. ”The enemy’s too strong. He’d die. I don’t want him to.”

The Ancestor, already poisoned by nether qi, nearly spat blood again, his face greening.

So my life’s expendable? My life matters too!

But he was magnanimous, healing as he studied Han Feng and Elder Qin. He transmitted to An Yuyi, ”Forget it. You’re one of us—dying to save you is my duty. Those two are from Heavenly Nether Sect, right? That kid’s talented, their Young Master? When the array weakens, I’ll rush out and try to kill him. His Nascent Soul protector will prioritize saving him. You run immediately. Tell your aunt to train hard and avenge me. Heavenly Nether Sect thinks they’re untouchable with a Deity Transformation ancestor? Our sect’s protective array can hold off a Deity Transformation for half a month. Let’s see if their base gets raided while they’re out here!”

An Yuyi’s eyes reddened, realizing the Ancestor was prepared to die.

He chuckled. ”Why cry? Miaoli and Magic Peak Master are both attempting Nascent Soul. Magic Peak’s probably doomed, but your aunt will succeed. As long as we have a Nascent Soul, our sect’s legacy endures. You were talking to that Ye Chen kid, right? Heard he’s strong. I planned to show off a bit to intimidate him and lure him to join us, but no time now. How long can the array hold?”

The array’s glow was visibly dimming. An Yuyi’s heart sank as she assessed it. ”Half an hour.”

The Ancestor nodded, swallowing a few pills. ”No delays then. Prepare to act…”

He surged up, ready to charge Elder Qin, planning to feint and then strike Han Feng to buy time. But before he could move, a far more terrifying aura approached. A figure at a thousand meters’ altitude radiated brilliant golden light, like a blazing sun. Despite the height, its overwhelming presence flattened trees below like dominoes.

The Ancestor’s rising aura faltered. Elder Qin and Han Feng narrowed their eyes, on high alert. Only An Yuyi’s eyes widened in recognition.