Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 666: Lan Nuo's Too Grateful!
Previously on Immortality Starts With Investment...
"No need for children..." Ye Chen stated plainly.
Lan Nuo's critical hit was indeed the gesture of a good girl. However, her method of showing gratitude—by offering children—was entirely unforeseen. She was simply too grateful.
Ye Chen harbored no such intentions. In his previous existence, the prospect of fatherhood held no appeal; in this life, with his path to near-immortality laid out, he desired it even less. Only Senior An was someone he found difficult to refuse. Others? They stood no chance. He politely declined Lan Nuo's heartfelt offer. Dropping her usual facade, she smiled, her delicate canine teeth adorning her jade-carved features with an adorable charm.
Ye Chen found himself growing fond of her. Even when she pressed the issue of multiple children, he demurred, concerned for her well-being and vitality. Lan Nuo, ever indebted, knew her clan possessed no treasures worthy of repaying him. This was her sole avenue. Her secrecy was tinged with a selfish motive: if their bond became public knowledge, Ye Chen's praise for her might not be taken seriously. Kept private, his encouragement amplified her own strength. Yet, with the matter of children settled, she felt a pang of unease, an imbalance in her inability to reciprocate fully.
After a moment's contemplation, she whispered, "Since you do not desire that, let us dual cultivate. I shall expel it afterwards..."
Ye Chen's lips twitched. Gratitude was commendable, but this was crossing a line into excess. Could it even work? Not a chance.
Yan Qingcheng possessed the highest multiplier, likely a consequence of her guilt regarding his fabricated heir status, which in turn triggered critical hits. However, she and the Heavenly Emperor Hall remained elusive figures, not readily available for daily blessings.
Below her, Lan Nuo and his fiancée held the highest multipliers. One resided in the Great Yan State, while the other was in the Central Continent. Both were crucial. Thus, a refusal was necessary.
Lan Nuo let out an internal sigh. He cherished her too much. Preserving her primal yin offered only a marginal boost to her cultivation, nothing significant. Yet, he refused to let her suffer any perceived loss.
His affection ran deep. But she felt compelled to offer something in return, lest she be consumed by an overwhelming sense of guilt. Lacking experience in such matters, she then declared earnestly, "Then... let's kiss!"
Ye Chen's lips twitched once more. Her innocent earnestness was truly touching. His fiancée, in a similar situation, would have likely pounced, perhaps offering up Osmanthus Spirit Liquid. Lan Nuo, however, proposed merely a kiss. It brought back memories of his first love, when a simple kiss could send shivers down his spine, a far cry from his later nonchalance. Revisiting that sense of purity wasn't entirely unwelcome.
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With a sigh, feigning helplessness, he conceded, "If you insist, then so be it. But ensure it does not interfere with your cultivation."
Lan Nuo's eyes lit up instantly. He cared for her deeply. Agreeing to a kiss was likely just to spare her feelings. Her heart began to pound erratically as she closed her eyes, anticipating the moment. Yet, after a prolonged silence, no Ye Chen. Opening her eyes in confusion, she saw him standing perfectly still, his own eyes shut.
Lan Nuo's face flushed crimson, but she grasped his intention immediately. Ye Chen was granting her the agency to lead—a profound sign of respect. She pressed her lips together, gathering her resolve, and stepped forward, positioning herself before him. Rising onto her tiptoes, she leaned in and planted a kiss upon him...
The instant their lips connected, an electrifying sensation coursed through her. In a moment of panic, she instinctively tried to pull away. However, Ye Chen's arms swiftly encircled her waist. Her eyes widened, her face burning with color. This was because Ye Chen's tongue...
After a timeless moment, Lan Nuo trembled, feeling lightheaded! His hands, seemingly acting of their own accord, roamed freely.
This...
She felt as if her bones had turned to jelly, melting into his embrace.
Finally, Ye Chen drew back, offering an apologetic tone. "My apologies, Fairy Lan. I lost myself and offended you! It is entirely my fault..."
He inwardly sighed. Youth was merely a trove of memories. He was no longer the innocent boy he once was. Both tongue and hands had acted on pure instinct. Nevertheless, he found himself relishing the experience. He had been too narrow-minded before. While grand gestures had their appeal, such delicate finesse possessed its own unique charm. That feeling of absolute control was delightfully unparalleled.
Lan Nuo, still blushing profusely, took a step back, remaining silent and shaking her head. She held no blame for him. His momentary lapse in control was a testament to his genuine affection. Yet, he had managed to stop himself at the crucial juncture. How could she possibly fault him?
Noticing a flicker of hesitation in his eyes, she moved closer again. "Fellow Daoist Ye, I do not mind. Do you desire more?"
Standing on her tiptoes, her face burning with a blush, she closed her eyes once more. That aura of purity, yet alluring temptation, rivaled the moment he first laid eyes on the Little Demoness.
Ye Chen found himself unable to resist, leaning in once more, savoring the moment with genuine intensity. Soon, his hands began to move with a will of their own again...
...
Seven days seamlessly drifted by.
Given his rapid cultivation speed, Ye Chen was keen on ensuring Lan Nuo kept pace. During their interspersed moments of calm, he earnestly shared his insights into the Minor Space Technique, facilitating her rapid advancement. He also entrusted her with managing the defensive array. Occasionally, she would intentionally trigger its vibrations, signaling an imminent battle, rather than anything else. Following a detailed explanation, he inquired, "Fairy Lan, have you understood?"
She nodded eagerly, her gaze fixed upon him with profound admiration. Ye Chen was truly remarkable. He had grasped the fragments of the Minor Space Technique with such speed. She felt utterly outmatched. Yet, he willingly played the role of her supporter. Her feelings for him deepened with each passing moment.
"What is it?" he asked, his curiosity piqued.
She replied with utmost seriousness, "Fellow Daoist Ye, you have spoken for so long, your mouth must be feeling quite dry..."
He blinked in surprise. Dry mouth? A powerhouse in the Mahayana stage experiencing a dry mouth? But then, Lan Nuo leaned in. All doubt vanished. His mouth, indeed, felt parched...