Immortality Starts With Investment

Yi Qingwu had arrived half a month early for this auction, yet she was leaving empty-handed. Even someone as composed as her felt a deep sense of humiliation. Ye Chen had gone too far! Though confident she could strip him of everything once he left White Emperor City, the anger in her heart demanded release, lest it hinder her cultivation in the coming days.

As the final auction item came up, and Ye Chen bid, her stunning, aloof face lifted slowly. She calmly raised the price: ”One million five hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!”

She wasn’t truly competing with Ye Chen.

You want to ensure I gain nothing? You don’t care about wasting spirit stones? Fine, I’ll make you bleed more.

Facing her challenge, Ye Chen didn’t hesitate, immediately raising his bid. Yi Qingwu’s lips curved slightly, and she followed suit. The final item was a rare immortal treasure, valuable enough to be the primary material for an Extreme Dao weapon, drawing many powerful bidders.

The price soared to 3.2 million top-grade spirit stones in no time. At this point, even great powers hesitated. The price exceeded the item’s worth—further bids would be a loss.

Unsurprisingly, the 3.2 million bid came from Ye Chen. The cultivators in the hall marveled. The Fourth Holy Son had spent nearly twenty million spirit stones in this auction—a sum that would make even a Holy Land flinch.

Some cultivators’ eyes glinted darkly, but recalling Ye Chen’s status and his protector, their dangerous thoughts faded.

Hearing the 3.2 million bid, Yi Qingwu bit her lip lightly. Ye Chen’s wealth was staggering. But after he’d ruined so many of her opportunities, she was determined to teach him a lesson.

As the auctioneer made his final call, she bid without hesitation: ”Three million five hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!”

She was certain Ye Chen would raise again. The crowd gasped—the price was exorbitant, a clear loss.

Yet Ye Chen’s voice came swiftly, calm and resolute: ”Three million six hundred thousand!”

Yi Qingwu’s smile widened: ”Three million seven hundred thousand!”

She’d anticipated he’d keep bidding. He’d never backed down from any item he targeted, so he wouldn’t abandon this immortal treasure either. But she was cautious, planning to stop at four million to avoid getting stuck with it herself.

Ye Chen bid again: ”Three million eight hundred thousand!”

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This eased much of her frustration. Though she disdained such tactics, watching him spend more because of her felt satisfying. Her mood lifted, a smile gracing her face, captivating the two legacy disciples behind her.

She made her final bid: ”Three million nine hundred thousand top-grade spirit stones!”

Then, she planned to stay silent. Making Ye Chen spend an extra 700,000 spirit stones was enough to satisfy her. But soon, her expression shifted slightly…

Before, Ye Chen always countered her bids instantly. Now, several breaths had passed, and his voice hadn’t sounded. What was going on? Had he caught on?

Just then, his familiar voice rang out, briefly reassuring her. But his words turned her face pale.

”I didn’t expect the Holy Maiden to value this immortal treasure so much. A gentleman helps others achieve their desires, so I won’t compete with the Holy Maiden!”

???

Yi Qingwu shot to her feet. Her raven-black hair cascaded like a waterfall, shimmering with dark radiance. Her exquisite oval face, fairer than immortal treasures, gleamed with crystalline beauty. But her phoenix eyes blazed with killing intent…

She’d been played by Ye Chen. She’d won the immortal treasure at a price 1 million spirit stones above its value. Worse, her spirit stones weren’t enough to cover it.

Yet, even in this predicament, Yi Qingwu didn’t panic. Her icy gaze fixed on Ye Chen’s booth, brimming with cold fury. ”Ye Chen, you’ve truly enraged me!”

…

Ye Chen’s lips curved into a smirk. From Yi Qingwu’s earlier words, he’d sensed she might come for him later. Since mending ties was impossible, he didn’t mind offending her further.

As for when she’d make her move, he didn’t care. He was confident in his countless trump cards. Even with her Broad Cold Immortal Physique, if she dared confront him, he’d capture her. Once captured, he’d gift her the treasure. If it didn’t trigger a critical hit, he’d take it back and use it as fertilizer for his Enlightenment Tea Tree. Her final bid was too obvious.

Though gifting the item at four million would still yield a massive profit, Ye Chen chose not to indulge her. He’d offend her to the fullest, giving her every reason to come after him.

…

Putting Yi Qingwu out of his mind, Ye Chen turned to Fan Qinghe, whose arms still enveloped him. She seemed slightly dazed, but a gloating smile spread across her enchanting face as she watched Yi Qingwu suffer a major loss.

As a beauty herself, she harbored some resentment toward Yi Qingwu. In terms of looks and figure, she believed she far surpassed her rival. As for talent? Once her Nirvana Scripture reached great completion, she’d overtake Yi Qingwu too. The title of Great Yan Continent’s foremost female cultivator would be hers in the future.

But all this hinged on Ye Chen aiding her cultivation. His attitude stirred unease in her. Though he targeted Yi Qingwu, who’s to say it wasn’t a ploy to attract her? He seemed overly focused on her, even casually calling her ”fiancée.” To an outsider, it might seem like Yi Qingwu was actually his betrothed.

Fan Qinghe was self-aware. In terms of allure to male cultivators, her status paled compared to Yi Qingwu’s. Men loved conquering lofty fairies.

Ye Chen had won the visualization diagram but hadn’t given it to her. Was he saving it for Yi Qingwu?

This sparked urgency and a sense of crisis in her. She seriously considered planting the divine seed now, taking a gamble. Though the seed couldn’t control Ye Chen’s mind, it could subtly influence him, making him admire her, keeping her image in his heart, and deepening his infatuation.

At that moment, Ye Chen turned to her, a gentle smile on his face. He retrieved something from his storage ring and presented it to her…