Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen shortened the second lecture to twenty minutes. He then selected the three female disciples with the highest potential for questions. Once the session concluded, he permitted the two thousandfold-potential female disciples to join Holy Maiden Peak, gifting them Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves.

But despite the crowd’s expectant gazes, Ye Chen didn’t choose a lucky recipient for a gift. Instead, he soared into the sky, heading toward the firmament.

…

In the void above, the mature, aloof female elder, who had arrived early, listened to Ye Chen’s lecture with deepening frowns. It wasn’t that his teachings were flawed—on the contrary, every word was profound, offering her fresh insights into cultivation. But as the Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Ye Chen must be as despicable as Feng Baiyu. How could he genuinely help Heavenly Intention Holy Land’s disciples improve, even gifting treasures like Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves? There had to be a larger scheme.

As she pondered, her brows twitched, a flicker of panic crossing her face. Ye Chen was flying toward her. His double-pupil eyes had clearly spotted her. Steeling herself, she revealed herself, glaring coldly, ready to see what he’d do. If he questioned her spying, it would confirm his guilt.

But Ye Chen stopped before her, his face warm with a friendly smile. ”Greetings, Elder Ling!”

She blinked, caught off guard. ”You know me?”

She’d been in seclusion for over thirty years since reaching the Mahayana Stage, rarely stepping outside. Ye Chen smiled. ”Holy Maiden Peak lacks elders, so I inquired about potential candidates. I heard Elder Ling is profoundly skilled, with keen insight into cultivation. More than that, you’re said to be not only beautiful but exceptionally patient. I doubted such a perfect female cultivator could exist, but seeing you now, I realize the praise wasn’t exaggerated—you’re even more remarkable, unforgettable at first sight.”

Elder Ling was stunned. Despite her deep hostility toward Ye Chen, his flood of compliments disarmed her. Coming from a top-tier prodigy like him, the praise carried weight. A smile tugged at her lips, but she quickly forced a stern expression. ”I’m not interested in being an elder for Holy Maiden Peak. I was just passing by to observe. Find someone else.”

In her heart, she began to doubt her suspicions. Ye Chen didn’t match the rumors. Perhaps he was untainted, unlike Feng Baiyu. Maybe she didn’t need to keep watching him.

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Ye Chen’s face turned apologetic. ”My apologies for the presumption, Elder Ling. Please accept this as amends for my offense.”

Elder Ling’s mature features froze. Was the Fourth Holy Son really this courteous? Offering a gift just for asking a question? She’d misjudged him. Her friend’s death surely had nothing to do with Ye Chen—it must be Feng Baiyu’s fault.

But when she saw what Ye Chen presented before her, her captivating eyes widened. She couldn’t help but exclaim, ”This is…”

Ye Chen smiled. ”This is the Domain Divine Light. For a Mahayana Stage cultivator at the peak of the first level, integrating it into your domain will raise its power ceiling and boost its effects. When you break through to the second level, uniting domain, soul, and body, your strength will be far more formidable.”

Elder Ling’s captivating eyes couldn’t look away. She murmured, ”Domain Divine Light is incredibly rare, said to form only in the resting place of a half-saint. Ten years ago, a single strand appeared at White Emperor City’s auction, sold for twelve million top-grade spirit stones.”

Ye Chen nodded, still smiling. ”Exactly, that very strand.”

Though absent from the cultivation world then, Ye Chen had leveraged Heavenly Evolution Holy Land’s influence to acquire useful items at auctions. This light was perfect for the Mahayana Stage, a realm he was destined to reach. His elders had secured it at that astronomical price, storing it in the Holy Land’s treasury. Upon his return, it was promptly delivered to him. Now, with Elder Ling at the peak of the first Mahayana Stage, it was the ideal gift.

”It’s too precious. I can’t accept it,” Elder Ling said, embarrassed. Twelve million spirit stones’ worth—she coveted it but couldn’t justify taking it.

Ye Chen chuckled softly. ”Don’t overthink it, Elder Ling. I simply wish to befriend a prodigy like you. If you have time, perhaps visit Holy Maiden Peak occasionally to lecture the disciples. Surely a talent like you isn’t so indecisive?”

His sincerity was disarming. Seeing her hesitation, Ye Chen gently took her smooth hand, placing the jade box containing the Domain Divine Light in her palm. With the treasure already in her grasp and his words so earnest, Elder Ling couldn’t refuse. She lowered her head, grateful. ”Thank you, Holy Son. I’ll make time each year to lecture at Holy Maiden Peak.”

Clutching the jade box, her heart swirled with mixed emotions, tinged with guilt. She’d come with such malice, yet Ye Chen had admired her and gifted her this priceless treasure. She shouldn’t have compared him to Feng Baiyu.

Ye Chen, seeing her acceptance, smiled as the system’s voice echoed in his mind: ”Congratulations, host, gift successfully given. Gift: Domain Divine Light. Two-thousandfold feedback triggered. Critical hit reward activated. Reward: Unity Flower.”

The Unity Flower, a divine bloom from the immortal realm, could be consumed by a peak first-level Mahayana cultivator to elevate the limits of domain, soul, and body simultaneously. Breaking through to the second level required uniting these three; the stronger they were, the more powerful the breakthrough. The flower’s effect was extraordinary.

Ye Chen’s gaze toward Elder Ling softened further, brimming with warmth. Feeling his gentle look, her guilt deepened. All the fault lay with Feng Baiyu. The Fourth Holy Son was surely innocent.