Immortality Starts With Investment

Yao Yuezhi had no inkling of her parents’ thoughts. But a flicker of anticipation crossed her eyes all the same. Ye Chen’s battle prowess terrified all who knew of it, and the Heavenly Emperor Hall loomed at his back. Could it be that, while she refined the Qiankun Cauldron, he had truly prepared for her a prodigy whose cave heaven exceeded ten thousand li—perhaps even reaching the hundred-thousand-li pinnacle? If so, then Ye Chen had poured his heart into her beyond measure.

In that instant, Yao Yuezhi even felt herself unworthy. From start to finish, after all, her intentions had run impure. At first, to spurn becoming the Celestial Prince’s handmaiden. Later, for a slot into the immortal realm. Ye Chen’s sincerity made her feel like the villainess, utterly undeserving of his profound devotion.

...

The crowd’s expectant stares told Ye Chen they had veered off course. He offered Yao Yuezhi a tender smile, then stroked her small head with indulgent affection. ”Silly girl, when it comes to cave heaven scale, no one stands shoulder to shoulder with me! So just draw from mine—no need to chase distant shores. My essence will restore you to your former self and carry you beyond.”

Ye Chen’s words landed like a thunderclap. Every eye in the hall bulged wide.

Yao Yuezhi, nestled in his arms, went rigid as a board. What had Ye Chen just said? The notion bordered on the ludicrous. The others had surmised, of course, that Ye Chen’s cave heaven must defy the heavens. Even with peerless killing arrays in play, swindling and slaying three peak Half-Saints demanded a domain of utmost quality. It had to match the extremes of Celestial Prince, the Seven-Crowned King, and their ilk.

But drawing from Ye Chen’s essence? Even Yao Yuezhi had never entertained it. For one, she doubted he’d agree. For another, it simply wasn’t worth it. A hundred-thousand-li pinnacle domain traded for a mere ten-thousand-li one? A staggering loss.

Ye Chen bore the makings of an immortal. On her? At best, quasi-immortal—and that with luck’s favor. No angle made it add up. The rest shared the sentiment. Yet none had dreamed Ye Chen would propose it himself.

This...

Though his love for Yao Yuezhi shone clear in countless acts, in this moment, they all wanted to cry out: Ye Chen’s affection had gone utterly blind! A loss—truly, a bloodbath of one! Even Yao Yuezhi’s parents, who doted on her beyond measure, shook their heads and tried to dissuade Ye Chen. ”Son-in-law, this is utter folly!”

”Yes, yes—should you ascend to immortality one day, just save one slot for her.”

”Your aptitude towers over hers; they’re not even in the same league. This is madness!”

”Come here to Mom, son-in-law. You don’t need to do all this—you’re already the best in her heart. Come, let Mom give you a hug!”

Yao Yuekong nodded vigorously, too. ”Exactly. Brother-in-law, don’t act rashly.”

Yao Yuezhi felt no upset at her family’s opposition. On the contrary, she fully endorsed their stance. She gazed earnestly at Ye Chen. ”Brother, you’ve long been my one true haven. The higher you climb, the brighter my own path becomes. My talent’s no slouch, but in this world, it barely scrapes by. Even with my cave heaven restored, I’d still fall short against the Celestial Prince down the line!

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”Not to mention the Seven-Crowned King lurking deep in the Immortal Path, or the top prodigies from other worlds vying for ascension—the children of destiny, the era’s heaven-defiers. This life’s full of them. So, I can’t accept this. Brother, I know you love me, but you can’t force me to draw from you. That sort of thing—it’s truly off-limits!”

Yao Yuezhi’s cleverness spared her blind folly; she knew her limits all too well. In a prior Immortal Path, she might have harbored real immortal potential. But this era? Freaks and anomalies sprouted like weeds. She simply couldn’t cut it—not even close enough to sniff the air. Her refusal rang with unyielding resolve, no coy pretense in sight.

Ye Chen chuckled. In that moment, he realized the little green tea’s conscience came as no surprise. This family was decent, all told. At least they could tell rice from chaff. For an ordinary soul, yes—this would bleed them dry. Trading an immortal-grade promise for a mere quasi-immortal shot? Losses without end.

But he wasn’t ordinary. Judging by the depth of Yao Yuezhi’s gratitude, a maxed-out critical hit was all but guaranteed. The feedback might not just expand his scale. It could layer in all sorts of wondrous functions, too. So, this gift had to happen.

Ye Chen smiled at the group—now calling him son-in-law—and turned back to Yao Yuezhi with grave sincerity. ”My cave heaven far exceeds your wildest dreams. Even yielding some essence to rebuild yours, with whatever damage it brings, I’ll still crush the Immortal Path single-handed and claim that sole immortal qi. Therefore, I know you doubt it. Let’s head to the cave mansion now—I’ll show you properly...”

Ye Chen brimmed with confidence. But Yao Yuezhi and the others only grew more touched. They took it as mere comfort from him. After all, in the cultivation world, a hundred-thousand-li cave heaven marked the absolute limit. To restore her former self, she’d have to drain him utterly. By then, Ye Chen might not even cling to his Third Heaven cultivation—let alone dominate the Immortal Path alone.

Yao Yuezhi started to shake her head again, but Ye Chen had already lost patience. Truth was, he could hardly wait any longer—he’d anticipated this far too long.

Ye Chen scooped under Yao Yuezhi’s knees, cradling her in a princess carry against his chest. ”What I give you, you must take! I don’t like disobedient women. If you refuse again, it means we’re fated no more. I’ll leave today, and we’ll part ways forever, no strings attached. Think it over carefully before you answer!”

His voice rang with unyielding gravity, laced with dominance—he clearly wasn’t joking.

Yao Yuezhi, who had begun to squirm in protest, froze rigid in his arms. But moments later, she pressed her lips tight, her eyes rimming red, guilt swirling deep in their emerald depths. How could Ye Chen, who loved her so fiercely, bear to sever ties and vanish from her life?

Yet for her sake, he could twist against his own heart and utter such heartless words. It proved his love ran deeper than she deserved. And what of her? She had schemed and used him from the start—she truly deserved to die.

Yao Yuezhi’s parents, overhearing Ye Chen’s ”threat” to their daughter, felt no anger—only swelling satisfaction and remorse. Even if it meant shattering his own immortal path, he insisted on restoring her to her peak. A man like that was the only one worthy of her lifelong trust. A few extra women? What did that matter in comparison?

They resolved in their hearts then and there. If their daughter ever rose in cultivation and grew cold toward him, scorning him, they would set her straight with a stern lesson. A son-in-law like this tugged at the soul too painfully.

...

In the heavy silence that followed, no one spoke a word. Yao Yuezhi voiced no further refusals.

Ye Chen, still holding her tight, swept into her cave mansion without delay—right before her parents’ eyes. His urgency only deepened their emotion.

Yao Yuezhi’s parents felt their earlier prejudices sting all the sharper with guilt. Once the mansion doors sealed shut, her father couldn’t hold back—he raised his hand and slapped himself hard across the face...

”I actually thought that way about Ye Chen before! I truly deserve to die!”