Immortality Starts With Investment

”Congratulations, Host, on successfully gifting the Enlightenment Tea Leaf! Gifted item: Enlightenment Tea Leaf! 1,700x feedback in progress…”

”Detecting significant emotional fluctuation in the recipient…”

”Triggering critical hit reward…”

”Reward: Newborn Enlightenment Tea Tree!”

”The Enlightenment Tea Tree: A unique immortal root, with only one existing at a time. This is a newborn tree grown for 200,000 years in the chaos…”

”Detected that the Host possesses a small world. The system reward has been automatically placed in the Host’s small world.”

The system’s announcement lit Ye Chen’s eyes with delight. He’d hoped—guessed even—that a critical hit might yield an Enlightenment Tea Tree, but its actual appearance thrilled him.

This was an immortal root, a supreme cultivation treasure. With it, his cultivation speed would surge several-fold, and comprehending various Daos and laws would become effortless. Its value far surpassed immortal roots that merely doubled lifespan. Though his progress was swift, he lagged behind this era’s top prodigies. The tree would let him close the gap in realm sooner.

The system’s description also confirmed a truth: the original Enlightenment Tea Tree was indeed destroyed by the Heavenly Emperor. Ye Chen had half-suspected the Emperor hid it, given cultivators’ penchant for half-truths—being crushed was ”slightly inferior,” suppressed was ”caught off guard,” defeated was ”evenly matched.” This skepticism extended to historical accounts, but now the Emperor’s infamy seemed credible.

Ye Chen had even wondered if Hua Yunfei, with his generosity in gifting tea leaves, was the Emperor’s heir, secretly inheriting the tree. Now, he knew he was mistaken. His tree was new, proving the old one was gone. This only highlighted Hua Yunfei’s magnanimity—gifting rare leaves despite having few himself. Truly admirable.

…

Ye Chen was itching to inspect the newborn Enlightenment Tea Tree immediately, but gazing at his master, the thought of their impending separation tugged at his heart. It had nothing to do with the critical hit reward—he simply couldn’t bear to part with her. For safety’s sake, the final step was off-limits, but other possibilities remained. She’d hinted at her willingness—surely she wouldn’t refuse?

With that, Ye Chen embraced her commanding figure again, whispering in her ear. Gu Yunyun initially expected a repeat of last time—her wrists dancing, wind bells chiming like butterflies.

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But Ye Chen’s new request caught her off guard: to use her domineering presence in a different way. This… how could that be? She recalled overhearing similar notions during Ye Chen’s heart-tempering at Green Cloud Sect’s Sword Peak, never imagining he’d turn the idea on her. Her stunning phoenix eyes glared at him, flushed with shy indignation.

Yet, the thought of his departure, his selfless refusal earlier to protect her, and his gaze—now burning not just with treasure-like adoration but as if beholding a Holy Land’s vault—softened her resolve. She couldn’t refuse. True to form, she neither agreed nor spoke, closing her eyes in silent protest.

Ye Chen read her stance and acted without waiting for words. Self-reliance brought its own rewards.

…

The next day, Ye Chen prepared to leave. Hua Yunfei had waited long enough, and Ye Chen couldn’t delay further. Before the cave abode, Gu Yunyun looked at him with reluctance. Despite his repeated invitations, she declined to join him at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. The Supreme Elder who’d passed had treated her like family, pouring everything into her—how could she abandon the sect after such grace?

Moreover, her path as a sword immortal was best pursued in the Sword Sect. Above all, her identity as his master gnawed at her, preventing her from accepting his protection. She yearned to remain his guardian, shielding him in the future.

Thus, she spoke no tender words, only smoothing his collar with care. ”Cultivate diligently back at the Holy Land. I’ve read the Sword Sect’s records—the cultivation world’s environment worsens. Spiritual treasures vanish, lifespans shrink.

Even Mahayana cultivators predict an Age of Dharma Decline in ten thousand years. Seize this era’s immortal path to become a True Immortal and transcend this realm, or there may be no further chance.”

Ye Chen smiled, unperturbed. Whispering confidently in her ear, ”Don’t worry, Master. I’ll open the immortal gate and take you to the immortal realm. More than the immortal path, I look forward to our next meeting—when you guide me with your hands, not just your spiritual power.”

Her domineering presence was already breathtaking, but her hands guiding him personally would be even more thrilling. Gu Yunyun’s face reddened, recalling last night. Her phoenix eyes glared at her rebellious disciple, but she held her tongue.

Ye Chen handed her a storage ring, transmitting, ”Master’s physique and comprehension are top-tier, but your Earth Spirit Root holds you back. This ring contains a hundred Soul-Swaying Divine Stones, stackable to enhance your spirit root. If they suffice for a Heavenly Spirit Root, perfect. If not, I’ll bring more next year.”

Gu Yunyun was stunned. Ye Chen slipped the ring onto her finger and ascended gracefully. As high-level cultivators, each had their path. With decisions made, there was no need for lingering theatrics.

Under countless Sword Sect gazes, he boarded Hua Yunfei’s summoned skyship, standing at its prow beside him. Hua Yunfei’s divine halo crowned him like a god-king; Ye Chen’s flowing aura was striking. Together, the two prodigies dazzled. Amid reluctant stares from female sword cultivators, the skyship tore through the void, vanishing.

The Sword Sect elders exhaled in relief. Gu Yunyun, gazing at the ring on her finger, softened with tenderness…

…