Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 458: Family Scandal

Ye Chen emerged from the array moments later, disappointing spectators who'd hoped for scandal. Standing in the sky, he gazed at the sealed Tang Valley, smiling. Gifting the Diamond Ring to the Senior Brother was long planned.

First, Hua Yunfei was an ally who'd helped him immensely—strengthening him was beneficial. As the Moral Heavenly Venerate's heir, Hua Yunfei would wield the Diamond Ring better than Ye Chen, for whom it was no different from the Moon Palace.

Second, with Heavenly Intention Holy Land's retreat, the Fusang Tree and the Great Yang Immortal Scripture in Tang Valley were practically Heavenly Evolution's. Taking it all himself might seem greedy, even to the generous Hua Yunfei. But gifting the Diamond Ring ensured his support.

Lastly, Hua Yunfei's character guaranteed a return gift despite Ye Chen's protests. The Diamond Ring, a system reward, couldn't trigger gifting bonuses, but Hua Yunfei's reciprocation would—potentially yielding thousands-fold returns when regifted. Pure profit.

As Ye Chen mused, Hua Yunfei exited the array, which dissipated. He bowed to Ye Chen. "The Diamond Ring is incredibly useful, enabling me to study Dao and laws I couldn't before. Thank you, Junior Brother. I'll find a fitting treasure to return the favor."

Ye Chen grinned—exactly as expected. Sometimes, he thought, with Senior Brother's talent, gratitude, and generosity, it'd be great if he were a woman.

Waving it off, Ye Chen stepped forward.

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elders emerged from the void, bloodied from battle but elated, having avenged their loss by felling three foes.

Holy Master Feng Baiyu, the scholarly figure who'd personally killed the three—two mid-Unity, one early—stood at the forefront. Despite the elders' awe, he wasn't smug, waving casually. "Calm down. Even someone like Ying Tiansheng in my era would be overshadowed by me. Just casually killed two mid-Unity and one early-Unity elders—no big deal."

The elders, unimpressed by his boasting, ignored him and returned to the ship.

Feng Baiyu, unfazed, looked at Ye Chen with amazement. "Wounding Ying Tiansheng at Deity Transformation? Your talent is astonishing. Even I could barely do that back then. Given time, you'll surpass your Senior Brother. The next Holy Master is yours."

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Ye Chen's lips twitched.

'Holy Master, stop stirring trouble.'

Such words might turn other brothers against each other, but he and Hua Yunfei just exchanged a smile, unmoved. Feng Baiyu didn't care if his provocation worked. With the elders retreating to recover, only the three remained.

Feng Baiyu asked directly, "Ye Chen, your Heaven and Earth Manifestation—is it the legendary Pangu World-Opening Visualization?"

Ye Chen's eyes flashed with surprise. His embryonic Heaven and Earth Manifestation was so vague, like a mosaic—only a humanoid shape was discernible. Yet the Holy Master guessed it? His insight was impressive.

After a moment's hesitation, Ye Chen nodded calmly. Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's atmosphere was decent. Though Feng Baiyu loved to show off, disliked Senior Brother, and played dirty, he stepped up when it counted. No need to be too guarded.

Feng Baiyu, seeing the nod, sighed with awe. The Pangu World-Opening Visualization, the cultivation world's top visualization. He'd sought it across two lives, to no avail. Ye Chen's luck was astounding.

But then he shook his head—luck wasn't it. Ye Chen was born to the right parents. The Kua Fu clan was nearly wiped out by the Heavenly Emperor, and the Pangu Visualization vanished. The Emperor claimed ignorance, but it was obvious he took it. Now it was with Ye Chen. Who else could he be but the Emperor's son? Confirmed.

Feng Baiyu sighed. "I heard you're searching for your father's whereabouts. I'd say stop. Anyone who divines it dies. Your dad's definitely the Heavenly Emperor. That Heavy Pupils from the Kua Fu clan you met during your tribulation? Probably your mother."

Hua Yunfei nodded in agreement. Ye Chen's blessings screamed "chosen son."

Ye Chen, hearing the transmission, wore a baffled expression. He understood why Feng Baiyu said it, but it wasn't true. He had no connection to the Emperor. Everything he had was earned through effort. But seeing the Holy Master's certainty and Hua Yunfei's "I knew it" look, he knew explaining was futile. He gave up talking. His silence seemed like agreement to them.

Feng Baiyu pressed, "When you met your mother, was her expression complex? Did she hold back? Did she talk about the Emperor? Admire or hate him? When you erased her mark, did she cry?"

Hua Yunfei perked up, curious. The Emperor's life was legendary, full of mysteries only those close to him could clarify.

Ye Chen, facing their gossip-fueled stares, was exasperated.

"No, none of that! I'm not the Emperor's son, and that Heavy Pupils weren't my mom, got it?"

He fought his irritation to explain.

Feng Baiyu nodded quickly. "Right, right, not that… My fault for asking. Family scandals shouldn't…"

Ye Chen's fists clenched.

'Family scandal, my ass!'

His Holy Master was too infuriating. If he could win, he'd beat him senseless.