Immortality Starts With Investment

Chapter 475: Return

Ye Chen's spirit sense confirmed the ship had returned to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. Elders were already disembarking, gathering at the bow. Time pressed, so he abandoned guessing where Lin Qingtan hid his name, pulling her to join them.

The seasoned elders, seeing Ye Chen's spirited demeanor and Lin Qingtan's radiant aura, understood what had transpired. No surprise—only knowing looks. Lin Qingtan, an elder of Harem Peak, had received lavish gifts; of course, the Holy Son would claim her. As long as it wasn't forced, it was merely his style, not their concern.

They noted her transformation. This journey had skyrocketed her potential. She might not rival Ye Chen or Hua Yunfei, but she could walk the immortal path, reach Mahayana, and become an ancient sect leader. All thanks to Ye Chen's gifts. They'd be just as willing in her place.

Back at the Holy Land, elders dispersed. Lin Qingtan tilted her head, winked, and flew gracefully to Holy Son Peak. Ye Chen, pained by the elders' unsurprised reactions, felt misunderstood. He was the one coerced, not the aggressor.

As he prepared to leave, Feng Baiyu signaled him to wait. Expecting Heavenly Emperor Hall news, Ye Chen approached, but Feng Baiyu hesitated. "For the Holy Land's reputation, maybe send that elder's orphan to my Holy Master Peak."

Ye Chen's mouth twitched. "Holy Master, I'm not that kind of man! It's—"

Feng Baiyu cut him off. "I know you're not. You win people with lavish gifts, subtle and grand. I get it, but outsiders don't. Promise me: don't touch that orphan for a century, even if she initiates. Otherwise, send her to me for training."

Ye Chen, speechless, walked away. Flying to Ascension Peak, he dismissed reputation concerns. Why explain himself?

His first task was visiting Senior An to check on her. An Miaoli's soul and An Yuyi's body were intriguing, but he wasn't overly eager. His body felt off after so long away. But at An Miaoli's cave, he frowned. Her restrictions once granted him access, open or not. Now, they repelled him—his permissions revoked.

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With An's free-spirited nature, this was odd. An accident? Or a critical seclusion barring all disturbances?

As Ye Chen pondered, An Yuyi arrived, beaming. Seeing his confusion before the sealed restriction, she explained with a smile, "Senior Brother, no need to worry. Two months ago, Aunt left with some elders to explore a ruin. She gained much and broke through to late Nascent Soul upon return. She's now in secluded cultivation to reach Deity Transformation, aiming to aid you, Holy Son. The process is risky, so she revoked both our permissions to avoid disturbance. Before secluding, she told me to assure you she'll have a surprise when she emerges."

Ye Chen frowned slightly. Something felt off. An Miaoli reached mid-Nascent Soul after he gifted the Enlightenment Tea Tree, just three to four years ago. Late Nascent Soul was already astonishingly fast—now aiming for Deity Transformation? Despite gifting her the Visualization Diagram, this pace seemed rushed, unlike her usual calm demeanor. Had her ruin exploration yielded massive gains?

He hesitated, eyeing the restriction but ultimately did nothing. Disturbing a critical seclusion could be disastrous. He'd wait for her to emerge and clarify.

"Holy Son, are you unwell? Is the nether poison acting up?" An Yuyi, petite with a youthful face, radiated charm despite her domineering figure—a striking contrast. She carried the black iron greatsword he'd gifted, taller than her, slung horizontally across her back, the quintessential heavy-sword loli.

Unwilling to rebuff her with her aunt absent, Ye Chen nodded at her expectant gaze, leading her to his Holy Son residence to guide her swordsmanship. Grateful, An Yuyi repaid him with gentle, thorough detoxification.

A day later, she left, brimming with sword insights. Ye Chen began his seclusion, expecting it to be brief. Between cultivating with Lin Qingtan and refining Phoenix Immortal Fire, his foundation was over-nourished, indirectly boosting his cultivation. A month at most, and he'd reach mid-Deity Transformation.

He also planned to use some Phoenix tail feathers to craft Dao-grade robes for Senior An, his master, and Senior Sister. Raw feathers wouldn't trigger feedback, but finished items might yield Extreme Dao Weapons. He'd given the Diamond Band to his Senior Brother, and the Moon Palace would return to Yi Qingwu for an immortal weapon burst.

Weapons weren't always better stronger—Extreme Dao Weapons were usable, unlike immortal ones, which only quasi-immortals could wield freely. Holy Lands used arrays or costly bloodline methods to activate them partially. Unless he obtained the Nine Secrets' Armament Secret, immortal weapons were mere collectibles, less practical than Extreme Dao Weapons for now. More Extreme Dao Weapons were the reliable choice.