Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 646: Receiving Gifts Doesn't Mean Affection!

While growing increasingly disdainful of Ye Chen, Luo Bingling became even more convinced that he possessed the Dao Cauldron. His cultivation seemed careless, yet his progress was astoundingly swift. To reach his current realm in merely fifty or sixty years? Not even a Chaos Body could achieve such a feat. He absolutely must have some kind of cultivation accelerator, and the Dao Cauldron is the most probable candidate.

…

Two and a half months simply vanished like a blink of an eye.

Ye Chen gently patted Lin Qingtan’s shoulder.

“Is the Holy Son heading towards the Central Continent?” Lin Qingtan asked, dismounting with obvious reluctance.

Ye Chen released the tangible demonic patterns that had formed around her, nodding in response. “To investigate!”

He had actually broken through to the late First Heaven stage half a month prior. However, Lin Qingtan’s persistent enthusiasm, coupled with her newly developed demonic pattern techniques, had kept him there for an additional half-month.

Luo Bingling’s anxiety was palpable. Over these past two months, Ye Chen had gifted her twice more—treasures specifically useful for the Second Heaven realm. Unfortunately, none of these gifts triggered any critical hits. His expectations and goodwill towards her had plummeted dramatically.

This journey to the Central Continent represented her final opportunity. If she were to be ambushed by the War God Clan, or if gifting her the Space Divine Stone failed to produce a critical hit, he would undoubtedly abandon her. Times had certainly changed. While a 4,000-fold multiplier was impressive, it was no longer unique. He would feel no regret in eliminating her.

“Holy Son, perhaps you could stay for a few more days? I’ve devised a new technique—binding myself with demonic patterns…”

Lin Qingtan’s voice trailed off, filled with reluctance.

Ye Chen gave her a light pat. “Enough. I will not be lingering in the Central Continent for long. We shall do this another time!”

Lin Qingtan nodded, a wave of disappointment washing over her. “Come find me first when you return… Qingtan will always be ready to welcome you!”

Ye Chen offered a smile before departing the cave. He sent a message to Luo Bingling. In an instant, she flew from Guest Peak, looking visibly relieved. “Can we depart now?” she inquired, fearing he might employ a tactic similar to the Sword Sect’s—feigning departure only to remain for another half-month.

Ye Chen calmly nodded, summoning the bronze chariot. He was, indeed, leaving.

Luo Bingling, filled with elation, naturally boarded the chariot and took a seat beside him.

Ye Chen cast a glance at her. Given his disposition, three gifts presented without a single critical hit meant she wasn’t even worthy of pulling his chariot. Her value in his eyes had sunk to rock-bottom.

However, considering her high status as a War God Clan princess might explain the absence of critical hits, he refrained from dismissing her. Nevertheless, he boldly placed a hand on her waist. While it didn’t result in a critical hit, her skin felt exquisite. It was both soft and firm, brimming with vitality—a truly top-tier physique for intense cultivation maneuvers.

Luo Bingling, feeling his touch, widened her eyes and shot him a glare. How dare this mere human, after offering a few gifts, attempt to touch her? It was outrageous! His touch made her skin crawl, filling her with revulsion. Anyone else would have been obliterated on the spot. But Ye Chen was potentially useful. She flung his hand away. “Fellow Daoist Ye, I bear no ill will, but I must request that you respect personal boundaries!”

Ye Chen frowned, feigning a hurt expression. “I’ve bestowed so many gifts upon you, and you readily accepted them. Doesn’t that imply you harbor affection for me?”

Luo Bingling’s brows furrowed, her disgust intensifying. Accepting his gifts meant she liked him? How pathetic his thinking was!

Yet, with the strong possibility that he possessed the Dao Cauldron, she managed to suppress her temper. “I don’t accept gifts from just anyone,” she stated unhappily. “Accepting yours merely signifies that I don’t actively dislike you, not that I have developed romantic feelings…”

Ye Chen chuckled inwardly. *Accepting gifts doesn't equate to accepting me. A classic evasive maneuver!* His expectations for her had already hit an all-time low. Losing her now? It would be no loss at all. He stood up and pointed downwards. “If that is truly the case, then I have clearly misjudged you! You may disembark. I am no longer heading to the Central Continent. You may do as you please…”

Luo Bingling, fuming and mentally plotting to sever his hand a thousand times over, was utterly dumbfounded. Was he truly abandoning the Central Continent simply because she refused to let him touch her waist? Was he insane? Didn’t he care about cultivation at all? This was an opportunity involving the Space Divine Stone! The most potent treasure for achieving breakthroughs to the Third Heaven realm!

But observing his resolute expression, she fell silent. He wasn’t bluffing. She desperately wanted to leave—she had never experienced such profound humiliation before. Yet, her thoughts turned to the Dao Cauldron, the five months of diligent waiting, his Dao Charm Pills, and the other treasures…

Swallowing her immense pride, she spoke, “Fellow Daoist Ye, that’s not what I intended to convey. I am simply a bit shy. No one else’s gifts have been accepted apart from yours. I am not contemplating romantic relationships at this moment; my sole focus is on the Space Divine Stone. Once I successfully reach the King Realm, perhaps we can explore a closer connection…”

*Low-tier green tea manipulation. Not ready for romance now, but perhaps later?*

Ye Chen, thoroughly experienced, remained unimpressed and gazed pointedly away.

Luo Bingling’s teeth nearly ground themselves to dust. She grabbed his hand, attempting to pull him back to his seat. He continued to look away, remaining silent and refusing to drive. Her rage threatened to erupt, almost bursting from her ears. She longed to strike him dead, to scream at him, “Just go or don’t go!” But the prospect of the Dao Cauldron held her captive.

Feeling utterly humiliated, she placed his hand on her lower back, enduring the sensation of her skin crawling, and snapped, “Is this acceptable? Can we finally depart now?”

A slight smile played on Ye Chen's lips as his hand moved without restraint. With a mere thought, the chariot ascended, heading towards the exit of the Heavenly Evolution Holy Land. His hand continued its exploration, gathering a form of "interest" for the absence of a critical hit, though he dared not venture too far, keeping his touch at her waist. She could still unleash a critical hit, after all.

Luo Bingling urged herself to endure, her mind set on making him pay back with compound interest once she obtained the Dao Cauldron.

Time flowed onwards. As they hovered over the Endless Sea, she finally snapped, suppressing her fury, "Fellow Daoist Ye, not there!"