Immortality Starts With Investment

Great Shang Immortal City, a bustling hub tied to a major sect, teemed with cultivators. The cultivation world’s focus was on the Central Continent’s emerging prodigies, and even Great Shang’s cultivators buzzed with the same topic.

At the city’s heart stood the hundred-meter-high Immortal Ascension Pavilion, offering views of the roaring river outside—a grand sight. Local young cultivators often gathered there to admire the scenery and discuss the dao.

Today, a few prominent youths, surrounded by female cultivators, arrived for a gathering. Intending to book the top floor, they were stopped. The attendant apologized, ”Sirs, the top floor’s reserved!”

The lead youth, dashing and proud, eyes glinting with arrogance, frowned. ”Do you know who I am?” He was the sect leader’s son, gifted with a Heavenly Spirit Root and a special physique, already at Golden Core peak, on the verge of Nascent Soul.

The crowd watched, expecting drama—perhaps a fight, or maybe a resolution over drinks, as the cultivation world balanced conflict with diplomacy. The attendant whispered, ”I know your identity, but the top floor’s truly booked.”

The youth’s face darkened. As the sect leader’s son, he saw Great Shang as his domain. This was a loss of face. Before he could retort, the attendant leaned in, whispering a name. The youth shuddered, his expression softening. ”If it’s reserved, so be it. Here’s my Azure Flower Brew, meant for today’s feast. Send it up as an apology.” He turned and left.

His entourage was stunned. Who was upstairs to make the sect leader’s son flee and send tribute? Was it a reclusive ancestor? A top prodigy? Speculation ran wild.

At that moment, a jade carriage descended from the sky, radiating moonlight, carving a glowing path. The crowd’s brows rose. Great Shang forbade flight below Deity Transformation. Who dared arrive so boldly?

The carriage’s pearl curtains parted, revealing a breathtakingly unreal face. The crowd fell silent, afraid to disturb her. Only after she glided to the top floor did they dare speak.

”Is that Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden? Why’s she in Great Shang?”

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”Who’s on the top floor to summon her?”

”No wonder the sect leader’s son left. Even his father couldn’t afford to offend her.”

”Could it be Heavenly Intention Holy Son?”

Speculation swirled, many guessing the top floor held Heavenly Intention Holy Son.

On the third floor, Ye Chen had been waiting for some time. Seeing the fiancée arrive, a bright smile spread across his face. Still as stunning as ever.

Yi Qingwu, her expression icy, noticed his joy and felt a flicker of emotion, though she hid it. She spoke coldly, ”Ye Chen, you know my grandmother is gravely ill, luring me here with the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. If you have demands, state them now. As long as they don’t betray my fiancé or violate immortal ethics, I’ll agree.” Her voice, clear as a celestial chime, was deliberately loud, echoing outside.

The cultivators below were shocked. Not Heavenly Intention Holy Son, but Heavenly Evolution’s Fourth Holy Son? From her words, it seemed she came reluctantly, needing his treasure herb. Why did he insist she come in person?

Recalling rumors about the Fourth Holy Son, they speculated wildly. Was he using the herb to coerce her compliance? Some, too curious, nearly probed with spiritual sense to see what was happening upstairs.

Ye Chen’s lips twitched. The fiancée was practically dropping hints. But this time, he had no such intentions—gifting for feedback was his goal. He took out the jade box and approached her. ”Holy Maiden, why think so poorly of me? I only want to help, nothing more.” He opened the box, presenting it to her. The Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid radiated misty spiritual qi, its extraordinariness undeniable.

Yi Qingwu’s eyes locked onto Ye Chen. Though she’d suspected as much, his unconditional gift overwhelmed her. Gratitude surged within, nearly bursting forth. Compared to Heavenly Intention Holy Son, Ye Chen truly cared for her.

The onlookers, hearing his words, were stunned. They could understand if he’d used the herb to manipulate her—Heavenly Intention Holy Maiden was breathtaking. But to gift it freely?

Some realized: the Fourth Holy Son didn’t just want her body; he wanted her heart, aiming to steal her entirely from Heavenly Intention Holy Son. His reputation as a woman-chaser was well-earned. They listened in silence.

Upstairs, Yi Qingwu, emotions tangled, finally took the jade box. But she said, ”Ye Chen, don’t think this will sway my feelings for my Holy Son. I’m devoted to him. Your efforts are futile. In my heart, you’re not worth a single hair of his.” Her tone was resolute, as if unmoved by the gift, still scorning Ye Chen.

The crowd marveled. What virtue! Even accepting such a treasure, she remained unshaken, firmly rejecting the Fourth Holy Son. Let this scheming scoundrel’s plans fail.

Ye Chen, unfazed by her words, knew the fiancée’s tendency to say one thing and mean another. Then, the system’s voice rang in his mind, confirming his view.

”Congratulations, Host, gift successful…”

”Gift: Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid!”

”2,500-fold feedback in progress…”

”Due to…”

”Triggered top-notch critical reward…”