Immortality Starts With Investment

With the ancient jade in hand, Ye Chen left without a second thought. First, he would help his Master break through.

As for himself? Ye Chen certainly hoped to break through to the Golden Core stage soon. But he wanted to make sure that every step he took was solid and perfect.

Thus, for his own breakthrough, he needed to obtain a top-tier spiritual object, something like the Phoenix Blood. Then, he would need at least several hundred times feedback, along with a critical strike. Only then would it be truly perfect.

Moreover, with Ye Chen's current strength, if he went all out, he felt that even Golden Core cultivators would pose no threat to him. So, with his current strength, he wasn't in a hurry.

Back in his courtyard, after giving a few instructions to the maidservants, Ye Chen headed to the External Affairs Hall. There, he accepted a task to go to Middle Mountain.

The Earthheart Python there had already been dealt with by a Divine Will Sect elder. They had even reached the core area. The dispute between Green Cloud Sect and Misty Sect was becoming more intense.

As for the little demoness, Su Yuxuan, Ye Chen had heard about her exploits a few times. It was said that her strength had become even more terrifying. Her notorious reputation was well known. Even the Peak Master of the Magic Peak had personally intervened, yet still failed to kill Su Yuxuan.

However, her notorious reputation didn't come from killing Green Cloud Sect elders or disciples. On the contrary, Su Yuxuan rarely attacked Green Cloud Sect members. Even when she did, she only wounded them.

It was said that Su Yuxuan had blood-sacrificed the entire family of several Misty Sect elders. And those elders had disappeared without a trace. This was how she earned her terrifying reputation.

Ye Chen, however, was going after Su Yuxuan. Upon arriving at Green Cloud Sect's outpost in Middle Mountain, Ye Chen exchanged a few words with the shocked Peak Master of the Law Peak before finally meeting his long-missed Senior Sister, Yao Xi.

To be honest, Ye Chen found it ridiculous that Senior Sister hadn't been called back yet. Had she offended the Peak Master of the Pill Peak? Ye Chen decided that when he returned to Green Cloud Sect, he would seek out the Pill Peak Elder and ask about it.

After chatting with Senior Sister about the eighteen uses of the Full Moon for the entire night, Ye Chen left a bottle of Glazed Purification Water the next morning and ventured into the remains of the Boundless Demon Sect to find Su Yuxuan.

Now, as a late Foundation Establishment cultivator, Ye Chen found the journey almost entirely smooth. However, perhaps because his spiritual sense had grown stronger, Ye Chen began to sense something strange about the Boundless Demon Sect ruins. It felt as though some great plan was unfolding. Could there still be remnants of the Boundless Demon Sect alive?

Ye Chen couldn't figure it out. But he decided, nonetheless, that it was better to avoid this place in the future. With his determination and the system, his path to immortality would surely be a grand one. In this case, there was no need to take risks in a place he couldn't fully understand.

With a cautious mind, Ye Chen spent several days exploring the ruins. It didn't take long before he ran into a Misty Sect elder. What was most striking was that the elder seemed quite familiar.

In an instant, Ye Chen remembered who the person was. This elder had been part of the group escorting disciples when Ye Chen had obtained the Earth-Dao Foundation Establishment technique.

When Ye Chen saw him, the elder also recognized him immediately. His pupils contracted, and he quickly summoned the Human Emperor Banner, his tone wary as he spoke, "Ye Chen, why are you here, instead of going to Divine Will Sect?"

The news of Green Cloud Sect's leader winning first place in the Divine Will Assembly had certainly spread to Misty Sect. Anyone who could win such an honor was no ordinary person. As a result he did not plan to take action.

Ye Chen smiled and immediately asked, "Where is Su Yuxuan?"

Without hesitation, the elder pointed in a direction.

Seeing the elder's genuine demeanor, Ye Chen couldn't help but smile. Why wasn't he cackling like the last time?

Ye Chen shook his head without hesitation. "I don't believe you!"

The elder's face immediately darkened. At this point, it was clear to him that Ye Chen was looking for trouble.

"Ye Chen, your victory in the Divine Will Assembly truly shows you're exceptional. But relying on the Divine Will Pool to break through to the late Foundation Establishment stage, you'll need at least a year, because the Earth Fiend Qi can't unleash its full potential. So I advise you not to court death… otherwise, my Human Emperor Banner will have another main soul!"

The elder's demonic aura erupted, creating a small, infernal domain around him. The Human Emperor Banner in his hand emitted rolling black smoke.

Ye Chen's eyes immediately lit up as he took out his own Human Emperor Banner. However, the black mist was obviously less intense than the elder's. "What a coincidence, I have one too! I just wanted to ask, can Human Emperor Banners merge? If I kill you, can I add your Banner to mine?"

Ye Chen asked with great interest. Ye Chen had always wanted a genuine critical strike on a real Human Emperor Banner, the purple-golden one, not just the pure black one he had been using.

But clearly, Ye Chen couldn't go around killing people and refining souls every day. If the Human Emperor Banner could directly steal the souls from other Human Emperor Banners, Ye Chen would be in for a treat.

The elder's face turned completely grim at that moment. "You're asking for death…"

In an instant, several pitch-black, cold, bone-like chains shot out from the black mist with fierce speed.

Ye Chen smiled faintly. "If you won't tell me, I'll find out myself."

...

Several dozen breaths later, the scene fell silent. In Ye Chen's hand, the Human Emperor Banner now had the faces of Kong Xiangli and the Black Soul Elder, along with a new main soul.

"Su Yuxuan is in that direction. It's about half a day's journey. There's a ruined hall there…"

Ye Chen once again asked for Su Yuxuan's location. When he confirmed with the main soul, the direction it pointed to was still the same.

Ye Chen felt a bit guilty. He had wronged the elder after all. But since the person was dead, his guilt didn't matter anymore. He could only return the Human Emperor Banner and let it continue to torture and accumulate resentment.

As for the elder's Human Emperor Banner, it did have the ability to directly inherit all the souls within. However, it would take some time. So, Ye Chen decided to deal with that later.

After gathering his spoils, Ye Chen flew toward Su Yuxuan's location.

This story has been stolen from Royal Road. If you read it on Amazon, please report it

...

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Explosions of spiritual energy echoed outside a grand hall.

"Su Yuxuan! Do you really think you'll end well? The day you form your core will be the day you die!"

A mid-stage Foundation Establishment elder from the Misty Sect, now reduced to nothing but a disembodied head, screamed in despair. But Su Yuxuan remained expressionless, not even sparing him a glance. She brought her foot down.

Boom!

The head exploded into pieces. Her delicate foot remained untainted by a single speck of filth. Without pause, she lifted her leg to step into the hall.

Just as she was about to enter, Su Yuxuan suddenly paused. She turned her head slightly, surprise flashing in her eyes. In the distance, a handsome male cultivator was looking at her with clear distaste. To be precise, he was eyeing her foot with disdain.

That look instantly brought back memories. Su Yuxuan recalled the last time she had been trapped in this very hall, when she had begged Ye Chen to give her his eyes, and all the things she'd done to get them.

Now, staring into those bright eyes that held nothing but contempt, Su Yuxuan ground her teeth. Ever since Black Soul Elder failed to return to the sect, she had known Ye Chen was still alive. Later, she even heard he had taken first place at the Divine Will Assembly.

That only confirmed Su Yuxuan's suspicion: Back then, when Ye Chen had kept his eyes closed, he had been faking blindness all along.

Ye Chen definitely had some kind of spell to regrow his eyes. It might even be an innate divine ability tied to the eyes themselves. Once again, she had been played by him!

And to think she'd truly believed he was dead. She had even gone so far as to blood-sacrifice the entire clans of those elders who had contributed to that illusion. And suffered heavy punishment because of it.

At that thought, the memories she had tried to bury came flooding back. That disgusting taste still seemed to linger on her lips. Her dainty foot felt strangely uncomfortable as well. Turning her head, she refused to even look at Ye Chen and made to leave.

…

Ye Chen, however, smiled in satisfaction as he watched Su Yuxuan. She had already reached mid-stage Foundation Establishment. With the help of the Glazed Purification Water, she could break through to the late stage in one go. Then, he could pass the ancient jade to her.

So, with a cheerful grin, Ye Chen flew over and called out: "Last time we met, you were so eager for my eyes that you said you'd stay by my side for life. But the moment you got them, you ran off without looking back and left me behind. I almost got beaten to death because of that. And now, not only do you not feel guilty, you pretend like you don't even recognize me. Don't you think that's a little heartless?"

Su Yuxuan ground her teeth, her charming, doll-like face full of irritation.

"Then why don't you tell me—what's up with your eyes now?"

Ye Chen replied matter-of-factly, "Destruction breeds creation! I didn't expect that after giving them to you, I'd actually grow a new pair. And they're even stronger."

Su Yuxuan curled her lips in disbelief. She didn't believe a single word coming from Ye Chen anymore.

"Then give them to me again?"

Ye Chen immediately laughed.

You're dreaming.

Give them again, and he really would be blind. He changed the subject without hesitation.

"Believe it or not, that's on you. I came to this ruin just to find you. I have something good to give you."

As he spoke, Ye Chen took out a jade bottle.

Su Yuxuan looked at him with deep suspicion. She knew Ye Chen's nature far too well. He was practically a demon when it came to manipulating people's hearts. If the Misty Sect had a proper Holy Son, they'd be the laughingstock of the cultivation world. But if it were Ye Chen in that role, he would've been the perfect fit.

Ye Chen did like her, that much was clear. And he was indeed willing to give her good things. But it was always after tormenting her a little—or a lot.

Now he was handing something over without a price? She didn't believe it for a second.

…

Seeing Su Yuxuan's guarded expression, Ye Chen could only sigh inwardly. This little demoness is way too defensive. He had given her his eyes, and she still didn't trust him?

Ye Chen glanced at the hall nearby and said, "Let's talk inside. It really is a treasure."

With that, he stepped in first.

After a moment of hesitation, Su Yuxuan followed.

Once inside, Ye Chen tossed down an array disc that prevented outside detection, then casually threw the jade bottle to her.

Su Yuxuan didn't catch it with her hands, but used spiritual energy to hold it mid-air, then opened the lid. The moment the scent reached her, her pupils contracted. Just from a single whiff, she could feel her spiritual power starting to boil. Her spiritual sense surged as well.

Could this really be a treasure?

Seeing the look on her face, Ye Chen calmly explained: "Glazed Purification Water. Ever heard of it? Sacred water of the Buddhist sects. It can raise your cultivation, strengthen your spiritual sense, improve your Core Formation success rate, and may even increase the quality of the resulting core. I got it by chance after breaking through to the peak Foundation Establishment with the help of the Divine Will Pool. I thought of your blood feud that still hasn't been settled, so I came to give this to you. Don't hesitate. Find a spot and start refining it."

His words only shocked Su Yuxuan even more.

Glazed Purification Water? Ye Chen actually managed to get his hands on something like that, and he was just… giving it to her?

It was almost unbelievable. And seeing her stunned little expression, Ye Chen felt a wave of regret.

What a pity the system can't trigger chain rewards. Otherwise, who knew what kind of treasure he might have pulled from this Glazed Purification Water?

"Is this really Glazed Purification Water? You're seriously letting me use it?"

Su Yuxuan's little heart thumped wildly in her chest. Her doll-like face flushed red, the color blooming like watercolor in clear spring water—breathtakingly beautiful. For a cultivator, concealing one's expression was a trivial matter. Which only made her current excitement all the more apparent.

After all, Su Yuxuan had a genuine, burning desire to increase her cultivation as quickly as possible. These past few years, she had practically lived in the ruins. Even during the time when the Earthheart Python occupied the site, she had clenched her teeth and remained, stubbornly continuing her exploration.

On one hand, the inheritances and treasures hidden within the ruins were beyond her master's knowledge—only by acquiring those could she one day strike back. On the other, the blood crystals produced by the Bloodfiend aura in the ruins were incredibly beneficial to someone with a Blood Spirit Root like her. Her obsession with cultivating stronger was clear as day.

And this Glazed Purification Water could potentially save her years—or even decades—of painstaking effort, directly pushing her to the peak of Foundation Establishment. How could she not be thrilled?

Seeing the look on her face, Ye Chen once again sighed at the pity that his system couldn't stack rewards like nesting dolls. Still, he nodded. "Yes, this is indeed Glazed Purification Water. And yes, I'm giving it to you. But… I do have a tiny little condition."

At those words, Su Yuxuan finally relaxed a bit. If Ye Chen hadn't named any conditions, that would've made her uneasy. With conditions, at least it's normal.

But when she saw Ye Chen's eyes glance at her little feet again, she ground her teeth.

Once, twice… and now again. What's a third or fourth time?

They weren't exactly "clean" anymore anyway. Might as well let it happen again.

However, when Ye Chen finally spoke, she froze. Because Ye Chen's expression was completely serious as he said: "Promise me—if you're going to kill someone, just kill them. Don't go stomping their heads with your foot anymore. I know nothing really sticks to you, but it really kills the mood for me."

Su Yuxuan couldn't stop herself from grinding her teeth again.

You sure didn't have a problem when you were using them, and now you're complaining? Fine, I'll keep doing it. I'll stomp heads till you can't even look at a foot again!

Still, despite muttering curses in her heart, Su Yuxuan put on a serious face and nodded.

"I promise I won't step on anything ever again…"

Over the years in the ruins, Su Yuxuan had gained many inheritances from the ancient Boundless Demon Sect. And with Ye Chen's eyes, she'd even awakened top-tier ocular arts. Her combat strength had become absurdly powerful. Even late-stage Foundation Establishment elders in the Misty Sect dared not provoke her.

But when facing Ye Chen, Su Yuxuan still had a clear understanding of her limits. Perhaps if they were at the same stage, she might stand a chance. But Ye Chen was now already at late-stage Foundation Establishment.

An entire realm above her—she couldn't win. So, whatever condition he raised, she would agree without hesitation. Because she had to obtain the Glazed Purification Water. With it, her path to vengeance would draw that much closer.

Ye Chen didn't really care whether the little demoness was being sincere or not. As long as she used it and triggered a reward for him, that was enough. So he pointed to a corner of the grand hall. "Mhm, I believe you! Just use the Glazed Purification Water here. If anyone finds out, the Buddhist sects might come running to 'cleanse evil and subdue demons'—they'd love to purify a little demoness like you."

Su Yuxuan frowned slightly. She didn't like cultivating while someone was nearby. It made her feel unsafe. But with Ye Chen insisting, and considering he was the one who had given her the water in the first place, she had no room to refuse. And Ye Chen was far stronger than her now. He wouldn't need to sneak around to harm her.

So after a brief pause, Su Yuxuan decisively sat cross-legged, uncorked the jade bottle, and downed the contents in one go. Ye Chen watched as she began refining the water, nodding with satisfaction. He didn't waste time either. Taking out two Human Emperor Banners, he began the process of fusing them. Dark energy surged through the grand hall, roiling like storm clouds.

Su Yuxuan couldn't help but twitch her brow.

You're still trying to say you're not from the demonic path?