Immortality Starts With Investment

Yan Qingcheng gazed at the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade in Ye Chen's hand. Then she looked toward the distant half-saints who kept being drawn by the commotion yet remained exceptionally calm, watching from afar. A sigh rose in her heart.

Generation after generation on the Immortal Path had seen countless treasures emerge. Almost every time a supreme treasure appeared, it was accompanied by rivers of blood and storms of slaughter. Let alone something as rare as a Dao-Entrust Treasure.

Historical records described several past appearances. Half-saints in the fourth realm had fought until their heads split open; even saints had severed their own cultivation to join the fray—all for the sake of securing it for their sect's prodigies.

One account claimed an entire stretch of the fourth realm had been reduced to ruins, with over a hundred half-saints perishing before ownership was finally decided. Such was the irresistible allure of a Dao-Entrust Treasure.

Yet now, with Ye Chen present, not a single person dared to make a move. His dominance was plain for all to see.

Looking at the oval stone, its surface continuously flowing with faint light, Yan Qingcheng naturally felt a trace of longing.

Severing Dao carried risks; reversing the Great Dao carried even greater ones. The Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade not only dramatically increased the success rate of severing Dao, but it also vastly enhanced a cultivator's combat power after becoming a saint, far surpassing peers at the same realm. Its benefits extended deep into future cultivation as well. Still, longing was one thing.

Yan Qingcheng felt no greed, nor any thought of breaking her word. Ye Chen had given her so much. She would naturally keep her promise and repay him in full. Of course, even if she wanted to go back on her word, it would be impossible. She was simply no match for him.

And given Ye Chen's generous nature, she might have been able to leverage his goodwill and persuade him to yield the treasure willingly. But how could she ever bring herself to do such a thing?

While she was lost in thought, she noticed Ye Chen turn toward her, the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade still held in his grasp.

Yan Qingcheng immediately made her stance clear, unwilling to let him feel even the slightest pressure: "This treasure rightfully belongs to you, fellow daoist! It is far too precious. Please first circulate your Dao-severing method and fuse it with the treasure. Otherwise, once you leave the Immortal Path, you may be targeted by powerful old monsters."

Though the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade was not as attractive as a saint-grade spirit root, it could still allow a top-tier prodigy to undergo a complete transformation—elevating both combat power and future prospects to an entirely new level. That alone was enough to make many ancient monsters willing to burn their remaining lifespan just to seize it for their own prodigies.

Ye Chen smiled at her words. With a gentle flick of his finger, the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade transformed into a streak of flowing light and flew straight toward Yan Qingcheng.

Yan Qingcheng's pupils contracted sharply.

In the distance, the eyes of every onlooker widened. Though some had already guessed what might happen, when the scene actually unfolded, the entire crowd erupted in an uproar.

The Heavenly Emperor's heir… he was doing it again…

The last time Ye Chen had gifted a saint-grade spirit root had also been in the fourth realm. Not even two years had passed since then. Most of the current onlookers were the same ones who had witnessed that event. Now they watched as, following the saint-grade spirit root, the Heavenly Emperor's heir was once again bestowing a Dao-Entrust Treasure upon a female cultivator.

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Their emotions were indescribably complex. For the sake of his women, the Heavenly Emperor's heir really was willing to part with anything valuable. Yet somehow, no matter how many supreme treasures he gave away, his own strength only grew more and more despair-inducing.

…

Yan Qingcheng's pupils tightened. Shock flashed through her eyes, but she quickly regained her composure. Ignoring the treasure floating before her, she frowned and spoke gravely: "What is the meaning of this, fellow daoist? Did we not already agree that this treasure belongs to you? Do you think I am the sort of person who says one thing and means another—who goes back on her word? The treasure is precious, yes, but my Dao heart is equally firm. Even without a Dao-Entrust Treasure, it will have no impact on my ability to sever Dao. Please take it back!"

Seeing how serious she looked, Ye Chen laughed softly. Then he answered earnestly: "Fairy Yan, you worry too much… Of course, I have no intention of accusing you of going back on your word. This Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade already belongs to me. But the Dao-severing method I cultivate is somewhat special. It has no need for a Dao-Entrust Treasure. You can tell just by looking at how golden my hair is becoming. A Dao-Entrust Treasure is useless to me. So now that I have obtained one, the most reasonable thing to do—for the sake of putting it to its best use—is to gift it to Fairy Yan. It is perfectly logical and fitting…"

Yan Qingcheng raised an elegant brow. She didn't believe a single word. Though Ye Chen's hair really had turned noticeably golden, she refused to accept that any Dao-severing method could possibly function without a Dao-Entrust Treasure. He was clearly just trying to give the treasure to her.

The realization left her emotions in utter turmoil. She gazed deeply at Ye Chen and shook her head with solemn resolve.

"Fellow Daoist Ye, I understand your intentions! But I have no need for you to make such sacrifices. Even without a Dao-Entrust Treasure, I have my own path to walk. Therefore, I will absolutely not accept this treasure. Still… I have received your sincerity, and I will remember it deeply and forever. Later, once you have fused with the Dao-Entrust Treasure, if you have the time, please accompany me to the Heavenly Emperor Hall. There are some things I would like to show you."

Her attitude was unyielding: I am grateful. I am moved. But I refuse. You must keep it for yourself.

Ye Chen felt a touch of helplessness. But this Dao-Entrust Treasure absolutely had to be given away. Yan Qingcheng stood on the verge of severing her dao—she was the perfect recipient. She would trigger a top-notch critical hit based on her genuine need and emotional fluctuations. If he didn't give it to her, he would waste far too much time. So his expression grew equally firm.

"This treasure is useless to me. Forcing it would even diminish the effectiveness of my Dao-severing. I came to the fourth realm of the Immortal Path for two reasons only: to fulfill the task my senior brother entrusted to me. And to meet Fairy once more, so I could return the restored Heavenly Emperor War Chariot to you. I harbor not the slightest greed for this Dao-Entrust Treasure. It rightfully belongs to you. After all, if I had not come, with your strength you would surely have defeated Dantai Xuan and Ling Yu in battle and claimed it for yourself!"

Yan Qingcheng didn't believe a word of it. Before Ye Chen arrived, he couldn't possibly have known she was here. She had never announced her presence. So everything he said was pure fabrication—just to make her accept the gift.

Without a word, she turned her head away. She was deeply grateful for his kindness. But precisely because of that, she could not accept it. She refused to take advantage of his good nature and continually snatch away opportunities that rightfully belonged to him.

"I won't take it…"

Her words were brief and resolute.

Ye Chen matched her firmness.

"This treasure is useless to me. If Fairy Yan refuses to accept it, then I'll simply give it to someone else."

Yan Qingcheng's beautiful eyes blinked once. How could she not see through him? He was only saying that to pressure her into taking the Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade. But she was determined: she would not accept it. He had to keep it for himself. She believed that if she remained steadfast, Ye Chen would eventually have no choice but to retain it for his own use.

Yet in the very next moment, Ye Chen flicked his finger lightly. The Heavenly Will Dao-Entrust Jade transformed into a streak of light and shot straight toward the crowd of distant onlookers…

Yan Qingcheng's pupils shrank sharply. She almost reached out instinctively to intercept it. Then she stared at Ye Chen in disbelief. He… was actually serious?