Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 625: All the Blame Falls on Feng Baiyu!

Ye Chen cut his second lecture short, limiting it to just twenty minutes. Next, he picked out the three female disciples showing the most potential to field their questions. After wrapping up, he allowed the female disciples with two thousandfold potential to ascend to Holy Maiden Peak, presenting each with leaves from the Enlightenment Tea Tree.

Yet, even as the crowd fixed hopeful stares on him, Ye Chen skipped selecting any fortunate soul for a special gift. With that, he rocketed skyward, streaking toward the heavens.

…

High in the empty void overhead, the mature and distant female elder—who had shown up ahead of time—listened to Ye Chen's lecture while her frowns grew ever deeper. His instruction held no faults; quite the opposite, every phrase brimmed with depth, granting her novel perspectives on cultivation. However, as Holy Son of Heavenly Evolution Holy Land, Ye Chen surely ranked as vile as Feng Baiyu. Why would he sincerely aid disciples of Heavenly Intention Holy Land in their growth, even bestowing treasures such as Enlightenment Tea Tree leaves? Some grander conspiracy had to lurk beneath.

Her thoughts churned when suddenly her brows jerked, a flash of alarm sweeping her features. Ye Chen flew directly her way. Those double-pupil eyes of his had unmistakably locked onto her. Composing herself, she materialized into view, her glare icy and unyielding, braced to witness his reaction. Should he challenge her for spying, it would seal his culpability.

Yet Ye Chen came to a halt right in front of her, his expression kindled by a genial smile. "Greetings, Elder Ling!"

She blinked in surprise, thrown off balance. "You know me?"

Having entered seclusion for more than thirty years after attaining Mahayana Stage, she seldom ventured out. Ye Chen smiled warmly. "Holy Maiden Peak is short on elders, so I sought out promising options. Rumors say Elder Ling possesses profound expertise and sharp cultivation discernment. Beyond that, you're renowned as not just stunning but remarkably forbearing. I figured no such flawless female cultivator existed, yet beholding you confirms the acclaim fell short—you surpass it, memorable from the very first glance."

Elder Ling froze in shock. Though harboring intense animosity toward Ye Chen, his torrent of praise melted her defenses. From a supreme genius like him, such words held true power. A smile nearly broke through, but she swiftly hardened her face into sternness. "I'm not interested in being an elder for Holy Maiden Peak. I was just passing by to observe. Find someone else."

Inside, she started questioning her own doubts. Ye Chen didn't fit the whispers at all. He might well be pure, nothing like Feng Baiyu. Perhaps no further surveillance was needed.

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Ye Chen's features shifted to regretful apology. "My apologies for the presumption, Elder Ling. Please accept this as amends for my offense."

Elder Ling's refined countenance stiffened. Could the Fourth Holy Son truly be this polite? Handing over a gift merely for posing a question? She'd wronged him entirely. Her companion's death bore no link to Ye Chen—it had to stem from Feng Baiyu.

But the moment she glimpsed what Ye Chen held out to her, her mesmerizing eyes flew wide. An involuntary cry escaped her lips. "This is…"

Ye Chen smiled. "This is the Domain Divine Light. For a Mahayana Stage cultivator at the peak of the first level, integrating it into your domain will raise its power ceiling and boost its effects. When you break through to the second level, uniting domain, soul, and body, your strength will be far more formidable."

Elder Ling's mesmerizing eyes refused to shift away. She whispered, "Domain Divine Light is incredibly rare, said to form only in the resting place of a half-saint. Ten years ago, a single strand appeared at White Emperor City's auction, sold for twelve million top-grade spirit stones."

Ye Chen nodded, his smile unwavering. "Exactly, that very strand."

Though absent from the cultivation world at the time, Ye Chen had tapped Heavenly Evolution Holy Land's clout to claim valuable auction lots. This light proved ideal for Mahayana Stage, the stage awaiting him inevitably. His elders had snapped it up for that sky-high sum, locking it away in the Holy Land's vault. The instant he returned, it came straight to him. Now, perfectly suited for Elder Ling at the pinnacle of first-level Mahayana.

"It's too precious. I can't accept it," Elder Ling said, her cheeks coloring with embarrassment. Twelve million spirit stones' worth—she yearned for it yet couldn't bring herself to claim it.

Ye Chen let out a gentle chuckle. "Don't overthink it, Elder Ling. I simply wish to befriend a prodigy like you. If you have time, perhaps visit Holy Maiden Peak occasionally to lecture the disciples. Surely a talent like you isn't so indecisive?"

His earnestness melted her resistance. Noticing her reluctance, Ye Chen softly grasped her delicate hand and set the jade box holding the Domain Divine Light into her palm. With the treasure now in her possession and his words ringing true, Elder Ling couldn't turn it down. She bowed her head in appreciation. "Thank you, Holy Son. I'll make time each year to lecture at Holy Maiden Peak."

Gripping the jade box tightly, a whirlwind of emotions churned in her heart, mixed with remorse. She had arrived harboring such ill will, yet Ye Chen had shown her admiration and presented this invaluable treasure. She shouldn't have likened him to Feng Baiyu.

Noting her acceptance, Ye Chen smiled as the system's voice resounded in his mind: "Congratulations, host, gift successfully given. Gift: Domain Divine Light. Two-thousandfold feedback triggered. Critical hit reward activated. Reward: Unity Flower."

The Unity Flower, a celestial blossom from the immortal realm, enabled a peak first-level Mahayana cultivator to raise the boundaries of domain, soul, and body all at once. Advancing to the second level demanded fusing these three; the greater their strength, the mightier the breakthrough. The flower's potency was unparalleled.

Ye Chen's look toward Elder Ling turned even gentler, filled with tenderness. Sensing his warm gaze, her guilt intensified. The blame fell entirely on Feng Baiyu. The Fourth Holy Son was certainly guiltless.