Immortality Starts With Investment

The Star River King Body fell. The Feathered Divine Body joined, yet the six prodigies saw no hope of winning. Before entering, they were confident; now, despair crept in. Six against one, and still losing—humiliating, but not because they were weak. Ye Chen was simply too strong.

Then, the final graceful figure entered. Her round face, cold and aloof, sparked hope in Ba Wang and the others. The Heavy Pupil, Lan Nuo, specialized in her Heavy Pupil path, might tip the scales against Ye Chen. Though he had Heavy Pupils, his many top physiques might dilute his mastery compared to her. Onlookers, expecting her to skip the fight, now watched her closely, believing she could shift the battle.

Basking in the attention, Lan Nuo felt elated. Ye Chen’s ”center-stage” tactics worked—perhaps she’d arrive even later next time. Her sparkling eyes nearly curved into crescents, but she maintained her icy facade, scanning the scene. Seeing Ye Chen besieged, she was shocked but stood still, expressionless.

…

The six, anxious at her stillness, hesitated. Begging for help was unthinkable—six-on-one was shameful enough, losing worse, and asking for aid would be utter disgrace.

The Feathered Divine Body, less prideful, spoke up, ”Fairy Lan, join us! Ye Chen, this Great Yan cultivator, is terrifying. Even united, we Central Continent prodigies barely match him. Please act to secure victory and uphold the Central Continent’s might!”

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow—regional cliques, really? He held back, awaiting Lan Nuo’s choice. Even if she attacked, he wouldn’t kill her, but his attitude toward her would shift.

Lan Nuo, startled, thought: Six can’t beat one? Ye Chen’s that terrifying? She felt compelled to help—it was too absurd. But if six, with Ba Wang reduced to bones, couldn’t win, could she make a difference? Her gut said no.

Surrounding him would fail; challenging him alone would too. Why choose a doomed group effort over a bold, glorious solo defeat? Losing one-on-one wasn’t shameful—six had already failed. The shame would be theirs, while she’d be lauded for her invincible will, daring to face the Heavenly Emperor heir.

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In an instant, Lan Nuo decided. She shook her head coolly, stepping back from the battlefield. Under puzzled, shocked gazes, she said calmly, ”As a Heavy Pupil, I’ve never ganged up on anyone. If you can’t win, you’re too weak. I’ll act later to suppress him myself.”

Her words stunned the six. Six of us can’t win, and you think you can? Ye Chen’s not just Heavy Pupils—he’s got more. Do you have two and a half pairs of Heavy Pupils or what? Can’t you see the situation?

The Feathered Divine Body, frantic, roared at Lan Nuo, ”To become immortal, we must suppress Ye Chen now! No one stands a chance otherwise! You’re not joining—are you scared? Speak!”

Lan Nuo’s lips curved slightly, delivering her long-prepared line, ”As a Heavy Pupil, why should I explain my actions?”

The words silenced the crowd. Even Ye Chen glanced over. The reaction sent Lan Nuo’s satisfaction soaring—exactly the effect she wanted. Winning or losing was one thing; losing face was unacceptable.

…

Onlookers found Fairy Lan odd, unnatural—why not join?

The six prodigies cursed inwardly, lambasting the Lan Family for raising such a clueless heir. A Heavy Pupil with no sense of the bigger picture—utterly foolish.

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow, sensing a familiar vibe. This Heavy Pupil’s posturing was intense but felt forced. Still, her non-involvement pleased him. Her love for posturing wasn’t a flaw—if forced, it could be leveraged for gifting, boosting critical hit odds.

…

With Yan Qingcheng’s 7,000x and Lan Nuo’s 4,000x present, Ye Chen had no patience for these foes. Those meant to die would; those to be beaten would be. The battle, though brief, was overdue to end.

Boom…

His already surged aura exploded again. The six, still baffled by Lan Nuo’s antics, gaped in disbelief. That wasn’t his full strength? How could a Unity cultivator be this strong?

All were stunned, even Yan Qingcheng narrowing her eyes. Only Lan Nuo sighed in relief—she’d stayed out, preserved face, and hadn’t fully offended Ye Chen. If the six died in their siege while she survived a solo challenge, her reputation would soar.

…

Ye Chen activated the Battle Secret, unleashing killing techniques on Alkaid, Feathered Divine Body, and the others bombarding from afar. Previously, their combined efforts barely held against his divine arts. Now, they crumbled, gravely wounded, wretched.

Alkaid, ever elegant, used top-tier defensive arts, divine light pouring desperately, but to no avail—half his body was devoured, leaving a head, neck, and one arm, his most miserable state yet. The other three, spared Ye Chen’s full killing intent, weren’t as battered but lost all will to fight.

Alkaid’s face twisted, turning to flee. Ye Chen wouldn’t let him—his killing intent was the strongest.

As chaos qi swirled in Ye Chen’s eyes, ready to obliterate him, he suddenly frowned. A terrifying killing intent coalesced within the Cave Heaven…