Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 346: The Battle for Sect Leader!

The Hundred Flowers Immortal was a solitary cultivator from ancient times, unlike other prodigies who carved out an invincible path. Her journey was remarkably smooth, with few enemies. Her breathtaking beauty, said to captivate the three realms, earned her the title of the era's foremost goddess.

With the aid of countless male prodigies, she spent five thousand years ascending to True Immortal. Her talent wasn't unparalleled, but she reportedly created her own immortal scripture, one that accelerated cultivation and ultimately led to her immortality.

Named the Hundred Flowers Immortal Scripture, it was the dream of countless female cultivators. Yet, as a solitary cultivator who never took disciples, she left no legacy, a regret mourned by many in the cultivation world. That Ye Chen had somehow obtained this scripture was nothing short of astonishing.

Elder He, who had once scoffed at tales of Ye Chen's extraordinary luck and divine favor, now believed them wholeheartedly. He couldn't help but speak up. "I hear your Protector is Senior Mo. He's getting on in years, and his cultivation is waning—any day now, he might drop below the Unity Realm. But I'm different, in my prime and at mid-Unity. Why don't you discuss with Senior Mo and let me take his place as your Protector?"

Ye Chen chuckled. Elder He's shift from disdain to deference was almost too seamless. But Ye Chen had no intention of replacing his Protector. Senior Mo had been recommended by his senior brother, so there was little chance of betrayal. Besides, Elder He cultivated the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture—hardly a match for Senior Mo in a real fight. Ye Chen politely declined.

At Elder He's insistent urging, Ye Chen took his granddaughter, He Qiu, back to Ascension Peak, instructing Mo Yuzhu to arrange a cave abode for her. As for the Hundred Flowers Immortal Scripture and the True Phoenix Treasure Technique, Ye Chen would naturally impart them once Qiuqiu reached the Golden Core stage. He genuinely liked the girl's kind-hearted nature. Despite her admiration for him, she hadn't pressured her grandfather into risking a dangerous divination on his behalf. That alone earned his respect.

Moreover, with Elder He so devoted to his granddaughter, Ye Chen knew that nurturing her well would ensure the elder's future assistance. It was like a parent entrusting their child to a kindergarten—if the teacher asked for a small favor, could the parent refuse?

Divination was undeniably useful, and Ye Chen might need it someday. But he had no interest in cultivating the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture himself. Predicting fortune and misfortune was far less thrilling than achieving personal invincibility, and the scripture's limitations were too restrictive.

However, he'd heard that the Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture was derived from the Foresight Secret, one of the legendary Nine Secrets. It was said that the Holy Land's founder, the Heavenly Evolution True Immortal, had obtained half of the Foresight Secret and used it to create the scripture.

The true Foresight Secret was far more formidable, capable not only of divining fortune but potentially glimpsing the future. At its peak, it allowed one to predict an opponent's moves and weaknesses in the heat of battle, effortlessly countering every strike. Its power was unimaginable.

The Heavenly Evolution Immortal Scripture paled in comparison. Unless Ye Chen could obtain something like the Foresight Secret, he had no interest in it.

The Nine Secrets were supreme techniques passed down from ancient times, originally a single entity. However, due to their heaven-defying nature, they were deemed intolerable by the Great Dao and split into nine distinct secret arts. Each secret represents an ultimate ability, granting its master extraordinary power. They were the pinnacle of human secret arts, capable of rivaling the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques while taking a different path. So rare were they that most cultivators had never even heard of them, and some existed only in legends, their very existence uncertain.

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Ye Chen, however, wasn't worried. As long as they truly existed, his system could produce them. For now, he would focus on cultivating and seeking out the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques. The Nine Secrets could be collected in time.

The Heavenly Emperor had once said that if one gathered all the Ten Vicious Treasure Techniques and fused them with supreme insight, an unparalleled Treasure Technique could emerge. If Ye Chen could then fuse the Nine Secrets into it, wouldn't that make him utterly invincible?

But those were matters for the future. After Mo Yuzhu arranged a residence for He Qiu and reported back, Ye Chen instructed her to head to the External Affairs Peak with his Holy Son token to gather information on the Sword Sect and his master.

As a Holy Son, Ye Chen wielded significant authority in the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, and his prodigious talent made most eager to curry favor with him. Mo Yuzhu returned swiftly, informing him that the External Affairs Peak would deliver detailed information within a week.

Ye Chen nodded, returned to his cave abode, and resumed his cultivation, planning to retrieve his master once her exact location and situation were confirmed.

...

In the southern region of the Great Yan Continent lay the Sword Sect. Unlike most sects with towering peaks and ethereal immortal vistas, the Sword Sect was distinct. Aside from a single main peak, it was surrounded by vast plains.

At the heart of these plains stretched an immense, flat canyon, ten thousand miles long and unfathomably deep, as if it pierced through to the underworld. Known as Sword Valley, it was said to have been carved by the sect's founder, Sword Lord Dugu, during a test of his blade. Even after nearly a million years, the valley brimmed with lingering sword intent. Sword Sect disciples could harness this sword qi to refine their own swordsmanship, and their cave abodes were built along the valley's edge.

In one such abode at the outermost edge, a figure in a red dress sat cross-legged on a jade mat, her stunning silhouette radiating grace. She cradled a jade sword, its aura as cold and deep as a still lake, and cultivated in serene silence. Sword intent flowed around her, circulating into the jade sword and back, each cycle purifying it further. Within the cave, a spiritual spring bubbled, forming a clear pool. Beside it grew a peach tree, its branches swaying with lush green leaves, though its blossoms had yet to bloom.

After an indeterminate time, a faint tremor stirred the cave abode as a transmission talisman at the entrance activated. A voice echoed through: "Fellow Daoist Gu, pardon the intrusion. It's Lin Qian."

The sword qi swirling around the woman gradually subsided. Her exquisite phoenix eyes opened, and she gently drew the jade sword into her dantian. With the soft chime of a wind bell, she rose and stepped out of the cave.

Outside, a refined man awaited, his demeanor gentle and jade-like, exuding the charm of a cultured gentleman. "Greetings, Elder Lin Qian," Gu Yunyun said softly.

Lin Qian gazed at her, a flicker of infatuation in his eyes, quickly replaced by concern. "The matter of the Sect Leader's Arena has been settled by the elders, and the Supreme Elder has given his approval. It's set for one month from now. I tried to argue on your behalf, but it was no use. Dugu Yue is already at the late Nascent Soul stage, while you're only at the early stage. It's unfair.

"Worse, Dugu Yue has a dao companion, and per Sword Sect rules, they can ascend the arena together. Her companion is a late Nascent Soul legacy disciple from the Heavenly Intention Holy Land, on the verge of Deity Transformation. Facing them alone is too dangerous, Fellow Daoist Gu. If you're willing, I'll stand by your side in the arena. I have a sword, nurtured for two hundred years—even that legacy disciple may not be my match."

Lin Qian's eyes burned with resolve. But Gu Yunyun's stunning face showed little emotion. She shook her head gently. "Thank you for the warning, Elder Lin. I will attend the arena. But I won't trouble you, Fellow Daoist."

With that, she offered a calm salute and turned back to her cave. As the protective barrier resealed the entrance, Lin Qian's eyes dimmed. They had known each other for years, their cave abodes not far apart, yet she always felt distant, like a star beyond reach. He had never even seen her smile. With such a beautiful face, her smile must be breathtaking, he thought.

His expression soon hardened with determination. No matter the cost, he would do everything in his power to help Gu Yunyun claim the Sword Sect's leadership—even if it meant his life.