Immortality Starts With Investment [XIANXIA LITRPG]

Ye Chen could've pulled out more treasures, but the four cultivators' ignorance dulled his enthusiasm. Feeling uninspired, he opted for a swift end, giving them a grand send-off.

A beam of destructive divine light shot from his eyes. His heart conjured a celestial calamity ray. The Myriad Star Fire formed a blazing beast, striking with a single claw. The Western Empress Scripture's secret technique, Passing Self Art, erupted with a deafening boom.

In the midst of the four rogue cultivators' furious roars, it was over.

Stepping out of the array, Ye Chen resumed his leisurely journey. The final roar of one cultivator echoed in his mind: "Two top-tier Divine Abilities, a seventh-grade spiritual fire, and you're cultivating an immortal scripture—you're definitely a Holy Land's Holy Son! You bastards from major sects hog all the resources, leaving us no choice but to form turbid cores, and now you play pig to eat the tiger? You deserve to die!"

Say what you will, the guy's skills were lacking, but his guess was spot-on. Ye Chen was a Holy Son.

The last battle before his breakthrough felt bland. The cultivation world's knowledge barriers were to blame. Major sects hoarded secrets, leaving rogue cultivators and minor sect disciples clueless. Ye Chen vowed to change that. He'd ensure everyone in the cultivation world could read, and no one would cultivate without studying first.

Speeding up, he returned to Green Cloud Sect in just two days. He planned to head straight to Sword Peak to find his master but was stopped by the old sect leader fishing by the pool at the sect's gate.

Ye Chen marveled at the old sect leader. Ever since his master entered seclusion to form her core, and the Misty Sect—Green Cloud's old rival—crumbled into history's dust, the old sect leader had grown increasingly relaxed, not unlike the carefree retirees with pensions from his past life.

"How many fish have you caught, old sect leader?" Ye Chen leaned over, curious to peek into the fish basket.

The old sect leader subtly sank the basket into the pool. "You're caught up in appearances," he said sagely. "It may look like I'm fishing, but I'm actually comprehending the heavens and earth. Whether I catch many or few is mere illusion."

Ye Chen nodded with an understanding look. Got it—comprehending the Dao meant no fish caught. A Golden Core cultivator waxing poetic about the heavens?

Typical fishing nonsense. When anglers landed a catch, they'd boast without prompting. When they didn't, they'd spin some lofty excuse. It was like men in his past life: young and virile, they'd skip the chatter and sweep their lover off to bed. When the vigor faded, they'd lecture their wives with nonsense, buying time for the medicine to kick in.

"You're back to break through to Golden Core?" the old sect leader asked, his voice carrying an air of immortal grace.

Ye Chen nodded. "I'll visit Master and Senior Sister, then go into seclusion for the breakthrough."

The old sect leader's face lit up. "How confident are you of forming a high-grade Golden Core?"

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Ye Chen shook his head. "I'm not sure."

He genuinely wasn't. With the Ancestral Dragon Blood, who knew what kind of core he'd form?

The old sect leader frowned. "Your talent is exceptional, and you're only in your twenties—there's no rush. Settling for less than a top-tier, or even a ninth-grade Golden Core, would be a waste. Don't form your core yet. I have a friend, an elder in a major sect, who's nearing the end of his days. When your master emerges from seclusion, I'll swallow my pride and ask him for a favor. We might secure better core-forming treasures. With your master and me backing you, a top-tier Golden Core is certain—maybe even a ninth-grade!"

Ye Chen's brow furrowed. A ninth-grade Golden Core? Wouldn't that make this whole trip pointless? And why was his master still in seclusion? Nearly a year had passed. Surely their deep connection didn't mean a single kiss had sparked some epiphany—or, absurdly, a pregnancy?

After a brief chat, Ye Chen thanked the old sect leader for his kindness and drifted off toward Sword Peak. As expected, his master hadn't emerged. Perhaps she was still gaining insights from the Sword Peng Bone? He lingered, gazing at the peak for a long while, before turning to his small courtyard.

With a sweep of his spiritual sense, he found Lu Jing alone inside, everything in perfect order. She was in the kitchen, dressed in loose robes, preparing a spiritual meal.

"Mmm… so spicy, but there's a hint of fragrance in the heat. Quite unique," Lu Jing murmured, tasting her creation. "Dried Fire Tiger Fruit makes an excellent seasoning. Combined with the other spices I've tested… when Young Master returns, this will definitely surprise him. He loves spicy food. And those body-strengthening spiritual meals? He'll love those too."

She poured out the fragrant dish, stepped out of the kitchen, and sat alone in the courtyard. Popping a fasting pill into her mouth, she gazed at the sky, her delicate face tinged with boredom as she muttered, "When will Young Master return? It's so dull without him."

Outside the courtyard, Ye Chen listened to Lu Jing's words, a quiet pensiveness settling over him. Her cultivation hadn't progressed an inch since he'd left. Clearly, she'd been slacking, spending her days alone in the courtyard experimenting with new spiritual dishes and idly awaiting his return. The thought left him silent.

Perhaps it was time to consider a portable abode—or even a small world. As his cultivation advanced, Green Cloud Sect was increasingly inadequate for his needs. Divine Will City would soon follow. His path would only take him farther afield. With higher realms came longer seclusions—potentially decades in the future. Could he really leave Lu Jing waiting in Green Cloud Sect all that time?

A portable abode or small world, where others could reside and cultivate, was rare. Ye Chen had never seen one, only read of them in ancient texts. Some, rumored to exist in the higher Immortal Realm, could even manipulate time flow. Such treasures weren't about cost but availability. Yet, with his system, if he gifted strategically, a critical hit might just yield one.

Pushing open the gate, he stepped inside. At the sound, Lu Jing's face lit up. In all of Green Cloud Sect, only a handful could freely enter Sword Peak, and only one would barge into her young master's courtyard unannounced.

"Young Master, you're back?" she exclaimed, her voice bubbling with joy. "Have you eaten? Want something to eat? How long are you staying this time? The Internal Affairs Hall sent over a Foundation Establishment-stage Sky Boar's meat—it's preserved in my storage bag. Oh, and the sect delivered treasures looted from the Misty Sect. I've also learned to brew wine—would you like a cup?"

Moments ago, she'd been bored and listless, but now, seeing Ye Chen, her smile bloomed like a flower, her words tumbling out in a cheerful stream.

Ye Chen gazed at her radiant face, a smile tugging at his lips. "No food for now," he said.

Lu Jing's expression dimmed slightly, disappointed. She'd prepared so many new recipes, eager for his feedback. But then, Ye Chen's arm slid around her slender waist, ripe with curves. "Let's start with something else," he murmured, his breath warm against her ear.

A flush of sunset hues spread across Lu Jing's gentle face.