Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 626: I Was in Seclusion, Not Dead!

In the days that followed, Ye Chen maintained a consistent schedule: cultivation, teaching sessions, and bestowing treasures. Holy Maiden Peak became bustling with disciples, drawing even elders beneath the Mahayana Stage to his classes. His lessons, though short, brimmed with deep insights, every single word like a priceless treasure. Within two months, the female disciples' eyes lit up more vibrantly when they looked at him.

However, the male disciples sensed something amiss. During lectures, they got pushed to the rear and were never picked for queries. Even elite male cultivators who offered to join Holy Maiden Peak faced rejection. Ye Chen was clearly favoring women over them!

This resentment built up among them. They huddled together, muttering that Ye Chen cared only for females and would meet his doom because of it. Some claimed he was exploiting Heavenly Intention Holy Land to assemble a harem, mirroring what he allegedly did at Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. Others whispered ominously that he aimed to stir conflict between men and women, aiming to split the Holy Land apart.

The female disciples caught wind of this and sharply scolded them. In their eyes, Ye Chen outshone the Heavenly Intention Holy Son. A harem? If that was the case, they thought: what a fantastic chance! Put me at the front of the line!

…

Two months later, one day, inside Yi Qingwu's private cave dwelling, she gradually opened her eyes. The massive moon at her back shone more intensely, now surrounded by swirling chaotic qi, giving her a mystical, godlike presence—like the authentic Moonlight Divine Maiden, enigmatic and dazzling. Her aura had clearly advanced.

A gentle smile formed on her lips as she looked to the side, but it quickly turned into a frown. Where was Ye Chen? Had he departed, grown impatient with waiting? Her happiness faded.

Yet, as she swept out her divine sense, her eyebrows knit tighter. Holy Maiden Peak, previously peaceful and still, now swarmed with crowds. Ye Chen's energy lingered there too. Her chest tightened. Had he stirred up the masses' fury? Mahayana Stage elders were even there.

She rushed out without delay. Should Ye Chen have confronted her Holy Land and faced peril, she would support him unwaveringly.

But upon arriving at the crowded slope, bewilderment filled her lovely eyes. The sight didn't match her fears. More than ten thousand disciples had assembled, elders she recognized sitting alongside. Ye Chen floated mid-air, his voice ringing like heavenly music, captivating everyone. After listening a bit, Yi Qingwu understood: he was giving a lecture—profound words that were easy to grasp and cut straight to the Dao's core. She found herself pulled in too.

The session wrapped up swiftly, leaving her yearning for more, her teeth pressing together in mild irritation. When Ye Chen started picking disciples for questions, a smile eased across her gorgeous face. She had worried needlessly. Ye Chen held no grudge against her Holy Land; instead, he forged bonds, winning over both disciples and elders.

Stolen novel; please report.

All this for her sake. Prior to entering seclusion to temper her origin, she had requested that, for her benefit, he avoid conflicts with Heavenly Intention Holy Land. Obviously, Ye Chen, who cherished her so much, refused to complicate things for her.

Yet shortly after, her phoenix-like eyes narrowed with a cold edge. Ye Chen kept selecting only female disciples—each one exceptionally stunning. One elegant and tall, one passionate and bold, another overflowing with charm. Was he intentionally mentoring the beauties?

Yi Qingwu nearly soared over right then but restrained herself, observing from afar while nibbling her lip, deep in contemplation. The individual questionings concluded soon. Disciples and elders beyond Holy Maiden Peak offered deep bows to Ye Chen, shouting together, "Thank you, Holy Son, for your teachings!" then scattered.

Yi Qingwu stood stunned. After two months in isolation, everything felt transformed. Ye Chen, previously despised across Heavenly Intention Holy Land, now commanded reverence like its true Holy Son—surpassing Ying Tiansheng's esteem. How much had he invested just for her? The frost in her gaze thawed into tender warmth.

But with the masses dispersing, more than twenty female disciples plus a few female elders remained, clustering around Ye Chen.

"Holy Son, I heard you enjoy sweet water. This comes from fragrant spirit fruits I gathered from the rear mountains. Have a taste!"

"Holy Son, with the Holy Maiden in seclusion, don't you feel lonely?"

"Holy Son, my cave at Holy Maiden Peak feels spooky, with odd water noises at night. I'm frightened. You're so mighty—could you inspect it tonight?"

"Holy Son, I'm struggling with a cultivation bottleneck. If you came to guide me personally, I know it would break through entirely."

Upon hearing their overtures, Yi Qingwu's soft expression hardened to ice, her teeth clenching. While secluded, had Ye Chen gathered followers for her? Good motives maybe, but why solely women? All gorgeous, voluptuous, or dainty—every one a captivating vision. Even the elders ranked among the Holy Land's famed stunners. Was this for Holy Maiden Peak, or Ye Chen's own harem?

Following each lecture and gift presentation, Ye Chen would hang around the female disciples, claiming to guide them and oversee the peak in her stead. That was all. No "thorough breakthroughs" or similar nonsense—merely instruction.

Yet abruptly, Ye Chen detected an icy gaze. His spirit sense extended outward, triggering a system notification in his mind. The warm smile he showed the female disciples hardened into severity. "Why aren't you cultivating? What are you all doing here? I've said before, I'm not that kind of man. My heart belongs only to Qingwu! I'm going to her cave to accompany her. If you keep this up, I'll expel you all from Holy Maiden Peak!"

This abrupt sternness shocked the playful female disciples. He bolted toward the peak's crest as though even a moment's wait for Yi Qingwu might destroy him. They froze in bewilderment. Just before, he'd devoted hours to reading their palms for fortunes on their immortal journeys until darkness fell. What caused the shift?

Suddenly, one peered upward, noticing Yi Qingwu's frosty look from above. Hush descended. The Holy Maiden had exited seclusion. Dread rushed through them—they resembled concubines discovered by the principal wife.

Yi Qingwu cast a look at the female disciples, reining in her desire to banish them entirely, and glided back to her cave. She'd simply been in seclusion, not deceased! Only two months passed, and Ye Chen was already forming a harem. Absolutely scandalous!