Immortality Starts With Investment [XIANXIA LITRPG]

An Miaoli's ethereal eyes narrowed slightly. "My interactions with Ye Chen have always been for your sake. Our relationship is purely that of fellow Daoists, with no ulterior motives. How could I possibly become his Dao partner?"

An Yuyi clung to her aunt's arm, swaying it. "Aunt, that's not what I meant. When I was rescued, I rode in Senior Brother's war chariot. It was so cool, like sitting in the sun—blazing, warm, and incredibly comfortable. I lingered on purpose, but he remained unmoved and even rejected me. I've always known Senior Brother likes you. Though his attitude toward me has softened, he still can't let go of you, which is why he didn't respond to my advances. If he became my Dao partner, how could he face you afterward?"

An Miaoli understood. Indeed, if Ye Chen paired with An Yuyi, approaching her would become impossible. She'd never compete with her niece for a man—her heart wouldn't allow it.

As An Miaoli pondered, An Yuyi continued. "But if you and Senior Brother became Dao partners, it'd be different. He'd have no reservations, and if I took the initiative, I could get what I want. Or you could invite me to join. Then we'd never be apart, living together forever. Isn't that the best outcome? Besides, Aunt, you don't truly feel nothing for Senior Brother, do you?"

An Yuyi's big eyes fixed on her aunt. An Miaoli's lashes fluttered, and she averted her gaze, unwilling to meet her niece's stare. The logic was flawed, but that final question left the usually free-spirited An Miaoli speechless.

"With a great battle looming, I need to stabilize my realm and study my techniques. We'll discuss this later." An Miaoli evaded the topic and drifted away.

An Yuyi watched her aunt's hasty retreat, a sly smile crossing her cute face. She called out, "A while back, the Ancestor invited Senior Brother to stay, but he declined, saying he'd go to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land after reaching Nascent Soul. The Ancestor said outsiders have no chance there, but I disagree. Senior Brother's so amazing—even Holy Land Holy Sons or elders would be smitten. With his small world, immense wealth, and generosity, he'll thrive. If he really leaves, we'll lose our chance!"

An Yuyi had long noticed her aunt's feelings for Ye Chen. It was understandable. Ye Chen was handsome, powerful, talented, and unimaginably wealthy, with a small world containing thirty-six floating peaks, the Star Pool, and Soul-Swaying Mountain. What female cultivator wouldn't be charmed?

These past few days, An Yuyi occasionally dreamed of Ye Chen swooping in to save her, her heart racing with excitement. It was no surprise her aunt was smitten. But An Miaoli, likely out of concern for her niece, had never taken a step forward. In this case, An Yuyi felt she had to push her aunt to seize the opportunity. Only if An Miaoli secured Ye Chen would it be her turn.

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Hearing that Ye Chen planned to head to Heavenly Evolution Holy Land after reaching Nascent Soul, An Miaoli's slender figure paused briefly. She said nothing and quickly departed. Back in her cave abode, she let out a long sigh. Deep down, she'd always known Ye Chen would leave—his talent was far too great for Divine Will Sect to contain. Yet, the confirmation stirred a sense of loss.

Her niece's words echoed in her mind. Though absurd, they weren't entirely illogical. An Miaoli didn't care much for herself, but An Yuyi had been eagerly hoping for so long. If Ye Chen went to the Holy Land, even seeing him again would be difficult. How could she let An Yuyi spend her life pining?

Should she, for An Yuyi's sake, take a step closer to Ye Chen?

But soon, An Miaoli gave a bitter smile. With the Heavenly Nether Sect's looming threat, survival was uncertain. The priority now was cultivation. The immortal scripture was formidable—if she could deepen her comprehension, her combat power would surge, perhaps offering a chance to turn the tide.

She entered deep cultivation, a divine furnace phantom hovering above her head, casting rays of sacred light. Bathed in its glow, An Miaoli looked ever more like a goddess descended to the mortal realm.

...

The arrival of a Heavenly Nether Sect powerhouse sent shockwaves through Divine Will Sect. Despite their three Nascent Soul cultivators teaming up, they were soundly defeated and fled in disarray.

Rumors spread that among the trio, only the Magic Peak Master was truly weak. The Divine Will Ancestor's poor performance was attributed to lingering injuries from slaying a mid-Nascent Soul enemy, while An Miaoli, newly broken through, displayed mid-Nascent Soul strength, which was remarkable.

Yet, the outside world held no faith in Divine Will Sect's survival. Heavenly Nether Sect had a Deity Transformation cultivator, after all. Heavenly Evolution Pavilion's abrupt closure and evacuation from Divine Will City further signaled imminent danger.

Holy Lands always had the best intelligence, and Heavenly Evolution Holy Land never erred in warning its members of impending conflicts, often urging them to take precautions or flee. Their departure confirmed that Tian Mingzi, the Deity Transformation Sect Master, was likely coming himself.

Panic ensued. Divine Will City, once bustling, emptied as cultivators fled. Smaller factions, previously loyal to Divine Will Sect, grew bold, seizing the sect's external resource points. Rogue cultivators proliferated, and chaos engulfed the sect's territory, with order collapsing and countless cultivators dying daily. It seemed Divine Will Sect was truly doomed.

Amid the external turmoil and betrayal, Divine Will Sect remained silent, recalling all disciples and elders, sealing the mountain gate array, and adopting an eerie stillness.

Three months later, an enormous skyship, vast enough to blot out the sun, descended slowly from the sea of clouds. A massive flag emblazoned with a terrifying nether beast—the emblem of Heavenly Nether Sect—fluttered atop it, striking fear into onlookers.

More shocking still, dozens of smaller skyships followed, each bearing distinct emblems. Other sect powerhouses, jaws dropping, realized Heavenly Nether Sect had rallied its vassal sects' forces. They intended to leave Divine Will Sect utterly annihilated.

Given Heavenly Nether Sect's ruthless reputation, onlookers lamented in their hearts: the eight-thousand-year legacy of Divine Will Sect was finished.