Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 685: Ye Chen Was No Fool!

A human cultivator, radiating an unparalleled and ferocious aura, unleashed his might. His black hair billowed as he wielded an Extreme Dao Weapon, a jade gourd, hurling it forward. The weapon rapidly expanded to the size of a mountain, its opening transforming into a black hole that spewed swirling black winds, aiming to swallow the Holy Prince. These winds were exceptionally fierce, top-tier astral gales.

Even distant observers found it difficult to remain steady, feeling as if their divine souls might be drawn in. Many onlookers watched with admiration, acknowledging the terrifying power of this Extreme Dao Weapon. Word of the Holy Prince's emergence had spread widely, and he had yet to engage in a true battle. Consequently, everyone was intensely curious about the strength of the Quasi-Immortal's son.

Confronting the imposing jade gourd descending upon him, the Holy Prince emitted a cold snort, clearly unaffected. Without even raising his black staff, his body blazed with brilliant golden light as he charged directly towards the gourd's black-hole-like maw. In the subsequent moment, he vanished into the gourd.

A sinister smile graced the human genius's face. Although his Extreme Dao Weapon was only of low-grade, it had been infused with countless varieties of astral winds and refined with stellar divine sand, granting it unimaginable destructive power. Any being below the Semi-Saint realm, let alone a mere King, would face severe injury and struggle for escape if they carelessly entered. He scoffed at the naivete of the myriad races.

However, in the very next instant, the human genius's expression shifted dramatically. The onlookers' eyes widened in astonishment. Thunderous, muffled impacts echoed from within the gourd, as if it were being battered from its interior. The colossal, mountain-sized gourd began to tremble violently.

The human genius's countenance turned frigid. He opened his mouth, spewing another stream of resplendent stellar sand into the gourd, followed by a sneer.

"This gourd of mine was meticulously forged from Yellow Spring Divine Jade—a treasure from the Nine Heavens—enhanced with Phoenix Immortal Gold. Even a Semi-Saint could not shatter it, and it possesses instant self-repair capabilities. Once you're inside, forget about ever getting out..."

Yet, before his boast could conclude, a sharp cracking sound pierced the air. A vast fissure ripped across the immense jade gourd's surface. Before the human genius could even process the event, the formidable jade gourd disintegrated into countless shards. Amidst gazes of utter shock, the Holy Prince erupted from the swirling divine sand and astral winds, reappearing directly before the human genius. The sand and winds had left him completely unharmed; not a single golden hair was out of place.

As disbelief contorted the human genius's features, the Holy Prince unleashed a punch. The human genius instinctively attempted a rapid retreat, desperately trying to evade the strike. Despite his incredible speed, he was merely grazed. This glancing blow, however, was enough to cause his body to explode in a gory spectacle, painting the sky with his blood.

Was the Holy Prince of the Victorious Fighting Ape clan truly this divine and formidable? Had he pulverized an Extreme Dao Weapon using only his physical strength?

Under the collective gaze of all present, the Holy Prince opened his mouth and inhaled. The former human genius rapidly diminished in size before being drawn into his maw, followed by a spray of blood.

A wave of dread washed over the onlookers, causing them to hastily fall back. The scene was undeniably brutal. Since the ascendance of the human race, few from the myriad races dared to consume humans openly. The area fell into a profound silence; no one else dared to step forward.

With blood still staining his lips, the Holy Prince surveyed the crowd with a chilling demeanor. The onlookers instinctively retreated further, acknowledging inwardly that the rumors were accurate. His innate talent was truly supreme, explaining why even a Quasi-Immortal had marveled at him and sealed him within a precious divine source.

Observing that no further challengers would dare to step forth, the Holy Prince returned to the summit of the divine peak to await the opening of the ruin. Before closing his eyes, however, he spoke in a calm tone.

"The ruin is expected to open in another year. Relay this message to Ye Chen: If he returns our clan's sacred weapon to me before I depart, his life shall be spared. Otherwise, upon acquiring the Stasis Secret, I will personally journey to confront him and suppress him, prior to entering seclusion to break through to the Semi-Saint realm."

These pronouncements ignited another wave of shock throughout the gathering. It was understood that the Heavenly Emperor's heir would never yield. Therefore, once the Holy Prince obtained a portion of the Stasis Secret, a confrontation with the Heavenly Emperor's heir on the Great Yan Continent was inevitable. Given the terrifying display of power the Holy Prince had just exhibited, such a battle would undoubtedly be world-shattering.

...

News of the Immortal Path's happenings spread like wildfire across the entirety of the cultivation world. In the Myriad Races Immortal City, Yao Yuekong, having suffered a devastating defeat previously, had completely abandoned attending the Immortal Path. He now spent his days indulging in food and drink within the city, currently sharing a drink with some friends from various races. Upon hearing the latest tidings, his eyebrows immediately shot up.

"Isn't this fellow trying a bit too hard to be a tough guy? And he's setting his sights on Ye Chen? Isn't that just rushing headlong into his own demise?"

Yao Yuekong had personally borne witness to Ye Chen's terrifying prowess. What was most astonishing was the feeling that Ye Chen hadn't even unleashed his true power that day. Back then, Ye Chen had already reached the late stage of the first heaven in the Mahayana realm; now, he was likely at the second heaven. While the incremental gaps between realms grew wider with higher cultivation stages...

Yao Yuekong genuinely found it impossible to believe anyone could contend with Ye Chen. However, his companions held a different perspective. The Holy Prince, after all, was the scion of a Quasi-Immortal, whose astonishing talent had even drawn praise from his Quasi-Immortal parent—this couldn't be mere fabrication. His innate gifts might genuinely rival that of the Heavenly Emperor's heir. Coupled with his cultivation advantage...

They were convinced it wouldn't be an issue. All of them believed Yao Yuekong's Dao heart had been irrevocably shattered by Ye Chen, rendering him incapable of seeing anyone else as a worthy opponent. Yet, out of consideration for their friendship, they refrained from causing him embarrassment. After a brief period of placation, they dispersed and went their separate ways.

Yao Yuekong also made his way back to his clan's ancestral grounds, where he happened to encounter his younger sister.

Yao Yuezhi had also received the news, and her eyes sparkled with interest.

"The Stasis Secret—one of the paramount spatial-temporal arts of the human race. Even a mere fragment would significantly bolster my comprehension of the laws of time. A true pity. The Victorious Fighting Ape clan maintains a rather strained relationship with our clan! Should I attempt to seize it, I wouldn't necessarily fear them, but a decisive victory might prove elusive. I could inadvertently clear the path for another."

The Victorious Fighting Ape clan stood as a quintessential ancient faction among the myriad races, actively pursuing resurgence. Their perpetual ambition was to revert to the era when the myriad races held dominion, reinstating the subjugation of the human race. In contrast, the Heavenly Demon clan adopted a more pragmatic stance, aligning with the faction advocating for coexistence. Having emerged earliest, they had cultivated and maintained cooperative relationships with numerous human powerhouses.

"Brother, do you truly believe the Heavenly Emperor's heir stands a chance against the Holy Prince?"

Yao Yuezhi tilted her delicate head, lost in thought as she posed the question.

Upon hearing this, Yao Yuekong offered a firm nod.

"I believe Ye Chen will prevail!"

Having uttered this declaration, he cast a glance at his sister, his expression earnest.

"Ye Chen is truly formidable. To this day, no one has ever witnessed him face a truly arduous battle. Therefore, it is imperative to avoid provoking him. If you find him disagreeable, simply steer clear of him in the future—but never, under any circumstances, make him an adversary."

Yao Yuezhi's exquisite eyes shimmered with contemplation. She playfully shot her brother a mischievous glance.

"Brother, Ye Chen is the Dao companion you selected for me. How could I possibly provoke him? On the contrary, I intend to offer my wholehearted support to my future Dao companion. Ye Chen showed you leniency for my sake. Requesting him to grant me the Stasis Secret as a betrothal gift should hardly be considered excessive, right? At worst, I will simply remain by his side from this point forward."

The corners of Yao Yuekong's lips involuntarily twitched...

Their progenitor was exceedingly pragmatic, convinced that their current generation possessed no plausible path to immortality and thus sought to align themselves with the Undying Celestial Phoenix clan. The so-called Undying Celestial Phoenix was a rare species of ancient phoenix possessing immense prestige, revered even as nobility amongst the myriad races. The heir of the Undying Celestial Emperor boasted an even more formidable lineage. Although he had not yet formally reached his full potential, numerous races had already sworn their allegiance. Consequently, their ancestor harbored a genuine desire to bestow his sister's hand in marriage to him. However, judging by her current disposition, it was evident she was far from willing.

Yao Yuekong, however, considered his sister's outlook to be excessively optimistic. Ye Chen was certainly no fool. The Stasis Secret was an artifact of immense value. Even if he were to acquire it, how could he possibly consent to its unconditional dissemination? Let alone courting the ire of the Undying Celestial Phoenix lineage for the sake of a woman! Such an action could only be conceived by a complete simpleton.