Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 604: Immortal Qi Is Too Precious!

As Ye Chen recalled the departing silhouette of the Heavenly Desire Sect's Supreme Elder, he sensed her aura matching that of Fan Qinghe and the Sect Master, leading him to question, "Was she once a divine maiden?"

Fan Qinghe gave a nod. "Yes, she's my master's master—my grandmaster."

Grasping her master's intentions, the Sect Master murmured gently. "When Master reached Mahayana First Heaven, her protector vanished in the Endless Sea, leaving no trace… No matter her cultivation efforts, she remained bottlenecked at Mahayana Third Heaven. After all, every three heavens in Mahayana demands a transformation for breakthrough."

Ye Chen comprehended the Supreme Elder's wish. Cultivation stood above all for cultivators. The arrangement suited him well too. Next time, the Sect Master alone might prove insufficient. An additional partner could ease the burden. However, Ye Chen refrained from speaking. No matter her impeccable figure, it lacked a multiplier. Therefore, he'd persist in gifting Fan Qinghe. She would need to plead personally.

Ye Chen remained quiet. The Sect Master, wishing to advocate for her master, felt a pang of regret. Yet, as a beneficiary herself, she lacked the standing to request anything from Ye Chen.

Unaware of the undercurrents, Fan Qinghe gazed at Ye Chen with reluctance. "Holy Son, you battled fiercely. Are you injured? Do you require more rest?"

Ye Chen nodded. Slaying three Mahayana cultivators had been swift. The next gifting session lay a week ahead. He planned to recuperate until then, following the spear's presentation.

Fan Qinghe's face lit up at his agreement. With a radiant smile, she wrapped around his arm, soaring back to her cave dwelling.

Learning Ye Chen would linger longer, the Sect Master dismissed concerns for her master. Her master possessed her own destiny. She turned her attention to personal gains. Shifting to Ye Chen's opposite side, she too latched onto his arm.

Strength captivated women, and Ye Chen's might left her stunned and impressed. Still, her aims ran deeper. Human greed knew no bounds. Long stalled at Unity, Mahayana had once seemed a distant dream. Now achieved, she craved further advances. She yearned to transform anew at Mahayana Third Heaven, ascending to loftier heights. Hence, currying favor with Ye Chen was essential to secure future shares. Thus, under the elders' knowing glances of the Heavenly Desire Sect, the three entered the cave.

…

Ye Chen suffered no wounds. No recovery was necessary. Fan Qinghe naturally commenced her indulgence. The Sect Master, anticipating scraps next round, participated to ingratiate herself. Soon, Fan Qinghe yielded her position without resistance. Noting Ye Chen's acceptance and her disciple's non-interference, the Sect Master descended her lithe waist with poised impatience…

Fan Qinghe observed with gleaming eyes, paused briefly, then settled into a comfortable nook. For an instant, harmony filled the cave. Unfazed by their play, Ye Chen savored the nectar-sweet spiritual liquid, turning his focus inward to inspect the system rewards from gifting Fan Qinghe the Law Qi. The prizes diverged from his anticipations.

"Congratulations, host, for successful gifting…"

"Gift: Law Qi!"

"2,500x feedback in progress…"

"Detected: Gift is extremely important to recipient…"

"Triggered max critical hit reward."

"Feedback: One-time round-trip passage to a small world…"

"Feedback: Immortal Qi Condensation Method!"

"This small world maintains a faint connection to the Immortal Realm. Over billions of years, it has accumulated enough Immortal Qi to forge one Immortal Platform!"

"Immortal Qi Condensation Method: Using an immortal artifact as a catalyst to attract and condense ambient Immortal Qi…"

The prior gift hadn't delivered the sought Immortal Qi directly. Rather, it provided a single-use portal to another realm and a technique for condensing Immortal Qi. Evidently, personal effort was required.

Initially puzzled, Ye Chen quickly discerned the reason. Immortal Qi proved far too valuable. The gift's worth fell short. Even Fan Qinghe's 2,500x multiplier combined with a maximum critical strike couldn't equate to Immortal Qi's price. Thus, the system offered a compromise: access to an Immortal Qi-rich world for self-condensation.

A twinge of letdown struck Ye Chen—it demanded effort. Yet, this highlighted Immortal Qi's scarcity. The seventy-two Law Qis already ranked as supreme treasures, reserved for elite prodigies.

Though Fan Qinghe's 2,500x multiplier trailed Central Continent's peak geniuses, it marked the pinnacle in Great Yan Continent. Even so, it failed to procure Immortal Qi outright, underscoring its extraordinary worth.

The Immortal Platform earned its name through reliance on Immortal Qi. Only then could a flawless one emerge. Structures from assorted laws fell short of true Immortal Platforms, differing vastly in talent, battle prowess, advancement pace, and prospects ahead.

Hence, despite the inconvenience, Ye Chen resolved to employ Immortal Qi for his Immortal Platform. He remained uncertain about the small world's nature or lurking perils.

At last, Ye Chen's frame quivered faintly, his fist tightened, before he released a profound breath…

…

Seven days flew by swiftly.

With the system cooldown ended, Ye Chen softly nudged away the unwilling Sect Master and the sulking Fan Qinghe. Stretching contentedly, he declared, "Thanks for your care in healing me. I'm back at my peak, so I'll take my leave."

Though hesitant, the women refrained from urging him to remain. Eager to finalize their transformations and advance to Mahayana, the temptation overwhelmed them.

Ye Chen lifted his hand, drawing the wall-leaning spear as golden radiance into his palm. Amid the women's intrigued stares, he presented it to Fan Qinghe. "I'll be cultivating seriously for a while, so I may not be here to celebrate your Mahayana breakthrough. This spear is my gift for your breakthrough, given in advance!"

His words dropped, widening both women's eyes in astonishment…