Immortality Starts With Investment

On this day, Ye Chen officially entered seclusion. Upon hearing the news, the Divine Will Ancestor smiled with satisfaction. In its eight-thousand-year history, the Divine Will Sect had never boasted more than two Nascent Soul cultivators at its peak. Now, three peak Golden Core cultivators—Ye Chen, An Miaoli, and the Magic Peak Master—were attempting to break through to Nascent Soul, an unprecedentedly grand event.

Even if the Magic Peak Master’s chances were slim, An Miaoli and Ye Chen were certain to succeed. An Miaoli could inherit the mantle as Ancestor, while Ye Chen, though unwilling to formally join the sect, was tied to An Yuyi, making him a powerful ally.

With the looming threat of Heavenly Nether Sect’s retaliation, an additional Nascent Soul cultivator meant greater strength. If Ye Chen could slay a mid-Nascent Soul cultivator as a Golden Core, wouldn’t he effortlessly crush late-Nascent Soul foes once he broke through?

The Ancestor held high expectations for Ye Chen. He deliberately claimed credit for killing Han Feng and Elder Qin—not for vanity, as he had only a couple of decades left to live and cared little for fame. His goal was to protect and foster goodwill with Ye Chen.

An early Nascent Soul defeating a mid-Nascent Soul was impressive but plausible; a Golden Core doing so was outright shocking, likely drawing unwanted attention and potentially deadly threats to Ye Chen’s life due to his presumed heaven-defying opportunities. By taking the blame, the Ancestor shielded him.

Of course, he planned to privately inform Ye Chen of his efforts, ensuring the young man knew the favor owed and would aid Divine Will Sect in the future.

There was another reason for his deception. He feared the sect’s elders, dreading a Deity Transformation cultivator’s wrath, might foolishly hand Ye Chen over to Heavenly Nether Sect in a misguided attempt to appease them. Such a move would be idiotic—Heavenly Nether Sect wouldn’t spare Divine Will Sect, and they’d alienate a prodigy capable of slaying across realms. By claiming responsibility, the Ancestor ensured no one would dare suggest betraying him, their own Ancestor.

Three months passed in the blink of an eye.

Divine Will Sect continued its orderly preparations, amassing vast supplies. Most external resources were left with minimal guards, with the rest withdrawn. Geniuses like An Yuyi were kept within the sect unless absolutely necessary.

The Divine Will Ancestor traveled far to hire a fifth-grade array grandmaster, paying a steep price to upgrade the mountain gate’s formation. It could now withstand even a peak Deity Transformation cultivator’s assault for ten to fifteen days.

Though costly to build and requiring maintenance every century at no small expense, it was a worthy investment. Even if Heavenly Nether Sect didn’t attack, a strong gate array was essential for the sect’s enduring legacy.

As the Ancestor surveyed the gate, marveling at the sect’s progress, his brows suddenly twitched. Dark clouds gathered above Magic Peak, crackling with thunderous energy.

”A tribulation?”

The entire sect stirred, all eyes skyward. Soon, thunderbolts struck Magic Peak, rumbling loudly. After nine sparse bolts, the tribulation clouds dispersed, and the skies cleared. A hearty laugh echoed through Divine Will Sect, accompanied by the terrifying pressure unique to a Nascent Soul cultivator, instilling instinctive fear in Golden Core cultivators.

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The Magic Peak Master had broken through!

The Ancestor flew over, finding the Magic Peak Master charred, his hair singed off. Genuinely surprised, he asked bluntly, ”How did you manage that?”

The Magic Peak Master grinned. ”Thanks to Fellow Daoist Ye…” Though he’d only formed the lowest-grade Mortal Soul, with no hope of further advancement, the five-hundred-year lifespan of a Nascent Soul cultivator was more than enough.

A new Nascent Soul was a monumental event for Divine Will Sect, sparking widespread celebration.

Two months later, thunderclouds gathered above Quiet Wonder Peak, vast enough to darken half the sect. The crowd’s expressions shifted—Elder An was breaking through.

The tribulation descended, its terrifying bolts leaving onlookers trembling. Nine strikes fell, each more devastating than the last, as if to shatter the heavens. Compared to this, the Magic Peak Master’s tribulation seemed like a jest.

When the ninth bolt ended, a white-robed figure rose gracefully, shrouded in ethereal immortal qi, as if ready to ascend through celestial gates. Her overwhelming pressure made even the Magic Peak Master, a fellow Nascent Soul, feel inferior.

An Miaoli had officially broken through.

”Greetings, Ancestor!” An Miaoli bowed to the Divine Will Ancestor.

He laughed heartily. ”Ancestor? Call me Fellow Daoist! Such a spectacle—did you form an Immortal Soul?”

An Miaoli nodded. ”By luck, I formed a high-grade Immortal Soul.”

The Ancestor’s eyes widened. A high-grade Immortal Soul? Even Holy Land direct disciples couldn’t guarantee such a feat. Did this mean she had a real shot at Deity Transformation? But he knew her aptitude wasn’t that exceptional. Unable to resist, he asked, ”How did you do it?”

An Miaoli smiled at the question. How did she form it? Naturally, because of Ye Chen.

Though she hadn’t reached a Heavenly Spirit Root, she was just a sliver away. During her Golden Core stage, she’d comprehended fragments of an immortal scripture, gaining immense benefits.

The Kunpeng Heart Refining Art had honed her spiritual sense to its peak. On top of that, Ye Chen had gifted her various spiritual items that aided in forming a Nascent Soul. Without him, even a low-grade Immortal Soul would’ve depended on luck. Her high-grade Immortal Soul was entirely his doing.

Yet, despite his immense contributions, Ye Chen had never asked for anything in return. Her gaze softened at the thought.

”Fellow Daoist Ye helped me greatly in forming this high-grade Immortal Soul,” she said with a smile.

The Divine Will Ancestor was stunned. Ye Chen again? First the Magic Peak Master, now An Miaoli. Recalling how Ye Chen casually gifted a precious low-grade Heaven-tier Nascent Soul technique to An Yuyi without a second glance, even the Ancestor couldn’t help but wonder: what kind of fortune did Ye Chen possess?

He harbored no greed, though. Having been outmatched by Ye Chen himself, coveting his secrets would be suicidal. Instead, the Ancestor was more curious about what kind of Nascent Soul Ye Chen would form.

A Golden Core cultivator who could slay a mid-Nascent Soul foe forming a top-grade Immortal Soul seemed only logical. With such a Nascent Soul, Ye Chen might actually become a Holy Son at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land.

With An Miaoli and the Magic Peak Master elevated to Ancestor status, Divine Will Sect now boasted three Nascent Soul cultivators, its prestige soaring and future bright. Ordinary disciples walked with pride, feeling honored by the sect’s strength.

But the joy didn’t last long. Half a month later, a late-Nascent Soul powerhouse arrived at the sect’s gate, his voice booming like thunder. ”Slaying our Heavenly Nether Sect’s Young Master is a crime deserving of death! Hand over the culprit, offer your life tablets, and submit to the Heavenly Nether Sect, and your Divine Will Sect’s legacy may endure. Otherwise, when our Sect Master arrives, a Deity Transformation’s wrath will leave millions dead! Your sect will be utterly annihilated!”

The terrifying voice echoed through the mountain gate. Many Golden Core elders paled, unable to withstand the pressure.

Heavenly Nether Sect had finally come for revenge.