Immortality Starts With Investment

Ye Chen shook his head at the Holy Master's suggestion. The Golden Crow Princess had no feedback multiplier—keeping her as a pet was pointless. Better to find a suitable myriad race candidate later, one that could yield returns through feeding. The myriad races were just reemerging; their strength and situation were unclear. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land should observe before making enemies.

Feng Baiyu, convinced, dropped the ambush plan. Tang Valley had been thoroughly scavenged—even reusable palace walls and roofs were taken. With vengeance achieved and rich gains, Heavenly Evolution Holy Land was satisfied, ready to leave.

"Let's go, except Hua Yunfei!" Feng Baiyu waved. 𝗳𝐫𝚎𝗲𝚠𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝘃𝚎𝗹.𝗰𝗼𝗺

Ye Chen paused. "Senior Brother's not returning?"

Hua Yunfei smiled, his divine wheel gleaming. "The Holy Master gave me a task. But if you need me, Junior Brother, my clone's reviving and will soon reach the Holy Land."

Ye Chen was speechless. Senior Brother's mastery of the Moral Heavenly Venerate's technique was impressive.

Turning to Lin Qingtan, who followed him toward the ship, Ye Chen noted her Yin Nether aura had faded after cultivating the Great Yang Immortal Scripture. It was working. Without hesitation, he produced the golden Fusang root, coveted by the Golden Crows, and pushed it toward her. "Elder Lin, the Great Yang Immortal Scripture alone is too slow. Your constitution has delayed you long enough. Take this. Absorbing its Great Yang Holy Power will speed your mastery and resolve your issue."

His sudden gift stunned everyone—Lin Qingtan, Heavenly Evolution Holy Land elders, and scavengers waiting to pick over the ruins. A single tendril had fetched immense treasures, likely due to the Golden Crows' unique need, but the root's value was undeniable. They assumed Ye Chen would use it himself—its Great Yang Holy Power was a supreme treasure for early Deity Transformation, saving time and solidifying foundations. Yet he gave it to a female cultivator.

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Shocking. Absurd.

Lin Qingtan stepped back, her rune-covered face flustered. Her husky voice refused. "Holy Son, no! This is useful to you too. Your talent surpasses mine—how can I take it? Keep it to break through sooner and defeat prodigies on the immortal path!"

Her refusal wasn't coy—she genuinely meant it. The scripture alone overwhelmed her with gratitude. How could she dare want more?

Ye Chen's tone brooked no refusal. "You said my talent's high. Why need such trinkets? This root was taken for you. If you don't want it, toss it."

With that, he flew toward the rising ship, not sparing Lin Qingtan another glance. She stood stunned. Onlookers edged closer, hoping she'd discard it, ready to snatch it up. But she wouldn't. Seeing Ye Chen's resolve, she touched the root with her rune-covered hand, feeling its searing heat. The Yin Nether aura in her retreated under the Great Yang Holy Power. Refining it would resolve her constitution and advance her scripture mastery.

She recalled Ye Chen's sky-high price to secure the root, his battle against three Golden Crows to protect it, and his refusal to yield to the beautiful Princess, extracting a steep price for a mere tendril. Yet he gave the entire root to her without hesitation. Her heart surged, doubts born of insecurity vanishing. The Princess's beauty hadn't swayed him—proof he truly cared for her.

Lin Qingtan's gaze on Ye Chen's back hardened with resolve. Since he insisted, she'd accept. The sooner she fixed her constitution, the sooner she could devote herself to him.

She stored the root and hurried after him onto the ship, disappointing scavengers. Whispers spread, speculating Ye Chen's lavish gifts—scripture and root—were to hasten her recovery for his enjoyment. Other prodigies wouldn't prompt such thoughts, but Fourth Holy Son's reputation for womanizing preceded him. He'd shattered Yi Qingwu's clothes in a death match and, upon learning of an elder's death at Heavenly Intention Holy Son's hands, swiftly took the elder's orphan into his harem peak. Such lust was despicable, they said. Gifting the root for quick gratification? Typical.

On the ship, Ye Chen sensed eyes on him but saw nothing. Then, the system's voice rang out, shifting his focus.

"Congratulations, Host, gift successfully given…"

"Gift: Withered Fusang Divine Tree Root!"

"Thousandfold feedback activated!"

"Detected critical importance to recipient, causing intense emotional impact…"

"Top-notch critical reward triggered…"

"No living Fusang Tree exists, unable to extract…"

"Evolving now, please wait!"

Ye Chen raised an eyebrow. First time the system needed a delay. Was it growing a tree on the spot?