Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 459: More Symbols

Ye Chen clenched his fists, tempted to ask Senior Brother if they could team up to thrash the Holy Master. If they couldn't win, forget it…

In the distance, another immortal peak's seal broke open. With Heavenly Intention Holy Land gone and Hua Yunfei's clothes unchanged, spectators lost interest and resumed fighting for treasures, clashing fiercely.

Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's elders watched from above. Though powerful, a Holy Land couldn't claim everything—greed would spark resentment. Thus, they focused only on Tang Valley.

Ye Chen's Heavy Pupils spotted intriguing ancient relics, perfect for gifting female cultivators to trigger rewards. As a Holy Son, he could join the fray, but that'd be beneath him. Instead, he stood in the void, using his Heavy Pupils to scan the peaks.

When a treasure caught his eye, he'd transmit an offer to its finder, far exceeding its value, even allowing trades for non-spirit stones. Few could resist. Soon, cultivators flocked to him with treasures, asking what he'd trade or even making wish-like requests.

Astonishingly, Ye Chen often had what they wanted. Spectators were dumbfounded. They'd seen wealthy cultivators, but none like Ye Chen. Like Feng Baiyu and Hua Yunfei, they grew convinced he was the Heavenly Emperor's heir. The Emperor had razed factions, leaving their treasuries bare. Ye Chen's wealth must be his inheritance—nothing else made sense.

Meanwhile, Heavenly Intention Holy Land's mood was grim. Three fallen elders were a blow, but their Holy Son's defeat stung more. Despite the battle's surprises, Ying Tiansheng's failed ambush on Ye Chen, getting wounded by him—a mere Deity Transformation cultivator—and then by Hua Yunfei, followed by his frantic escape with the Holy Maiden, was undeniable.

Being injured by Ye Chen, a full realm below, was especially hard to swallow. A true prodigy shouldn't be harmed across such a gap. When news reached the Holy Land, disciples and elders struggled to accept it, buzzing with discussion, eyes turning to the Holy Son's peak.

In the peak's grand hall, Ying Tiansheng, freshly returned, seemed unfazed by the loss, his expression calm. But his palm bore a gaping wound, unhealed. Across from him, Yi Qingwu, in her palace gown, sat three meters away, eyeing his injury with concern.

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"Still can't heal it?"

Ying Tiansheng glanced at the wound, shaking his head calmly. "Ye Chen's Heaven and Earth Manifestation is peculiar, its killing force immense, laced with a trace of law power. It lingers in the wound, hard to dispel, so it won't heal. But it's fine—some time will restore it. Be cautious of this if you face him again."

Looking at Yi Qingwu, he added, "Qingwu, your intent to save me touched me, but next time, leave immediately—that's the real help. Without the Movement Secret's finesse to exploit the domain's flaw, I might not have saved you easily. Hua Yunfei and Ye Chen are ruthless. If we'd both been trapped, the outcome would've been dire."

Yi Qingwu's guilt showed as she lowered her stunning face, blaming herself for hindering Ying Tiansheng. Seeing her like this, Ying Tiansheng felt a pang of heartache. Recalling past events, he asked, "I haven't asked—during your fight with Ye Chen, were you hurt?"

Her hesitant expression made his mood heavy, though his face remained gentle. "Qingwu, we may not be wed, but as partners, we're one. Your father entrusted me to care for you before he died. Tell me anything—I won't blame you, only cherish you."

Mention of her father sparked a cold sneer in her heart, but her face stayed neutral. She summoned her rainbow primordial spirit. "In the Broad Cold Divine Realm, I could've suppressed Ye Chen, but he offered to return the Moon Palace. Skeptical but tempted, I tried to take it back, knowing it'd aid your cultivation. But he was despicable, setting a trap. I lost in the domain, and he marked my spiritual sense again… I didn't tell you then, fearing it'd distract you from fighting Hua Yunfei."

Her primordial spirit's brow opened, revealing the marks to Ying Tiansheng. His face froze. Last time, it was two symbols; now, two more, plus a "I." His fists clenched, golden blood dripping.

His fiancée marked again, right under his nose while he fought outside. Veins bulged in rage—utter humiliation. Yet, she'd acted to aid his cultivation, making blame impossible.

Yi Qingwu continued, downcast. "Later, in the array, I initially suppressed Ye Chen with the tablet. But seeing you struggle against Hua Yunfei's true body, I got anxious, wanting to quickly defeat Ye Chen to help you. That let him outsmart me. It's my fault. If not for that, I could've aided you, and Heavenly Intention Holy Land wouldn't have suffered such a loss."

Ying Tiansheng's already grim face darkened further. Her distraction was because of his disadvantage? Unacceptable. He wondered—if he'd been stronger, would she have avoided being exposed to Ye Chen? It was all his fault for being too weak. After a long pause, he suppressed his killing intent, vowing, "Next time, I'll easily crush them both."

Yi Qingwu showed no doubt, only trust, but cautioned, "Don't push too hard. Hua Yunfei has the Moral Heavenly Venerate's legacy—a top-ten human immortal. Losing slightly isn't shameful. Ye Chen, though lower in realm, has the Heavy Pupils, Supreme Heart, and maybe the Emperor's lineage. A narrow defeat means nothing. No matter what others think, you're the best to me."

Her words were sincere, but Ying Tiansheng's face grew stiffer.