Immortality Starts With Investment

She was rejected?

Luo Bingling was stunned. Which cultivator, hearing of a Space Divine Stone, wouldn’t jump at the chance? Rushing to claim it, fearing a minute’s delay? Yet Ye Chen, told it was opening soon, just gave up? What could be more important than a Space Divine Stone? Did he have any heart for the Dao? Did he think talent let him do anything?

Dugu Sheng, battered, perked up at Ye Chen’s refusal. ”The fourth Holy Son is busy. I’ll go with you, Fellow Daoist!”

But Luo Bingling ignored him, fists clenched, forcing herself to speak. ”Fellow Daoist Ye, a Space Divine Stone is rare beyond measure. Unless it’s critical, you should go. We’ll handle it quickly and you can return.”

Ye Chen, now by his master’s side, grinned at her, not turning. ”What I’m doing next is the most important!”

Gu Yunyun blushed.

Dugu Sheng tried again. ”Looks like Fellow Daoist Ye’s truly busy. I’ll go with you, Fellow Daoist Luo…”

Luo Bingling gritted her teeth, unsure how to persuade further. What was Ye Chen’s deal? Was it really such bad timing? She came for him, not the secret realm. If he stayed, so would she.

Though Ye Chen was only First Heaven Mahayana, his breakthrough to Second Heaven was imminent. A Space Divine Stone was critical. Gu Yunyun, knowing the stone’s value, spoke up.

”You don’t need to rush here. I’ll stay in the Sword Sect. Come back when you’re done.”

But Ye Chen didn’t hesitate. ”No, I’ve waited decades… I can’t wait another moment!”

Gu Yunyun’s head dropped, nearly hiding in her figure, fearing others might guess.

Ye Chen, open and bold, took her hand, heading for the cave.

Everyone was stunned. They didn’t know what he was doing, but it looked urgent. Decades in waiting? Clearly vital.

Dugu Sheng, elated, stepped before Luo Bingling. ”Fellow Daoist Luo, the fourth Holy Son’s seclusion could take ages… Let’s go. I have sword cultivator friends who might—”

Unauthorized duplication: this tale has been taken without consent. Report sightings.

She seemed deaf to him, addressing Ye Chen’s back. ”Then handle your business, Fellow Daoist Ye. I’ll wait in the Sword Sect, and we’ll go to the Immortal Path together. Please hurry!”

Ye Chen, puzzled, glanced back. Wasn’t it urgent? Now she could wait? Something was off with this alien. Was she targeting him? The War God Clan, hit hard by the Heavenly Emperor, might want revenge. And ”hurry”? Sorry, he was built to last!

Already uninterested despite her 4,000-fold multiplier, Ye Chen’s suspicion of her motives killed any remaining curiosity. Too lazy to say more, he led his blushing master into the cave. He didn’t even bother greeting the Sword Sect’s Saint ancestor, purely out of spite.

As the cave door shut, silence fell. The ancestor noticed Ye Chen’s lack of initial courtesy. It wasn’t about saving Dugu Sheng—Ye Chen likely saw him as nothing. It was the ancestor’s insistence on keeping Gu Yunyun. What choice did he have? He decided to scour the Sword Sect’s treasures, giving Gu Yunyun anything useful. Keep her happy, and Ye Chen would likely be fine.

Dugu Sheng, ignored so long, shut down completely…

Over the next few days, the Sword Sect ancestor, annoyed by Dugu Sheng’s presence, ordered him to leave. Dugu Sheng, reluctant, repeatedly sought Luo Bingling. But she was resolute, waiting for Ye Chen to emerge.

Dugu Sheng shut down completely. When he left the Sword Sect, dazed, the cold wind howled, bleak and desolate. He’d returned with a beauty, poised to claim the Dugu Wooden Sword, full of vigor.

Now, leaving? No sword. No beauty. Even his Extreme Dao Weapon shattered! His barely intact sword heart now truly broken…

…

”Why do you know the Sword Grass Treasure Technique? When did you cultivate sword Dao?”

Back in the cave, Gu Yunyun pursed her lips, asking softly.

Ye Chen chuckled. Over the years, he’d shown many anomalies, but she’d never questioned. Now, asking wasn’t a change in nature. She was nervous.

Pinning her against the cave wall, he grinned. ”Master, are you nervous?”

Gu Yunyun stiffened, glaring with shy anger. She closed her eyes, scoffing. ”Rebellious disciple! I shouldn’t have gone to Green Cloud City for you…”

Ye Chen laughed, recalling their first meeting. Back then, a Foundation Establishment master in red robes, she’d stunned the small cultivator he was. Years later, the moment of reaping had come. Even he, used to immortal maidens, felt a rare thrill, heart racing. But he didn’t rush.

Leaning to her ear, he teased, ”Master, are you willing to be bullied by this rebellious disciple?”

Her thin skin made teasing her privately irresistible, unlike the guilt-free Senior An.

Gu Yunyun, angrier, bit her lip. ”You rebellious, master-defying disciple, so strong you can shatter an Extreme Dao Weapon with a leaf. Does a Unity-stage weakling like me have a choice?”

A Unity-stage weakling?

Ye Chen’s smile widened, pulling her into his arms. ”If you weren’t a Unity-stage weakling, would you be willing?”

Her face burned red. Mumbling, she stayed silent.

Ye Chen understood her heart. With a wave, he lifted her gently, a spatial rift appearing. One step, and they vanished from the cave.