Immortality Starts With Investment Chapter 697: Perfect Performance!

Ye Chen could distinctly perceive the murmurs of the onlookers. A transformation, was it? He certainly wouldn't resort to a sneak attack. How long had their battle even been underway? He was determined to prolong this engagement for a full three days, no less.

The possibility of the ape achieving a level of strength post-transformation that could lead to his defeat? Utterly unthinkable. Even setting aside all other factors, the moment he initiated the Multiplier Secret, the very first strike would be a critical hit. That alone would be enough to make the Holy Prince gasp in shock.

Thus, Ye Chen feigned being ensnared, patiently awaiting the completion of the transformation. Ever since his transmigration to this cultivation world, encounters with enemies capable of transformation invariably brought to mind the manga he'd consumed in his past life.

Villains, it seemed, possessed an inherent fondness for dramatic pauses, allowing the hero to conclude their transformation without interference, only to be brutally vanquished thereafter. In those days, he'd dismissed it as poor storytelling. Ye Chen, however, had come to a different understanding.

It was akin to dedicating an entire year to grinding levels in a game, culminating in a confrontation with the final boss. A single blow, and the boss was already grievously wounded. How dull. Then, the boss would declare, "Hold! I still possess a secondary form! My power can increase further!" Would one not wait?

If he were in that situation, Ye Chen mused, he would likely wait as well. While his mind drifted through these tangential thoughts, he casually raised a hand, feigning a struggle. Before him, the three-headed ape had already assimilated the quintessence of lunar radiance.

In that precise instant, its eyes blazed with heightened savagery. The original golden luminescence transformed into a visceral crimson. A maddened aura erupted outwards. Simultaneously, its already formidable three-meter stature began to expand anew. Muscles contorted and swelled. Its golden bones emitted a grating sound, like divine metal resisting immense pressure.

The ape's colossal form surged skyward, its trio of heads grotesquely enlarging. Its six arms ballooned, resembling nascent mountain ranges. The golden fur grew with astonishing speed, extending like untamed vegetation in a tempest, its hue shifting from radiant gold to the deepest black. Only upon reaching a staggering height of one hundred meters did the transformation finally subside.

At this juncture, the Holy Prince's three gargantuan heads recoiled and unleashed a sound that echoed across the heavens. Its six massive arms began to rhythmically pound its chest in a frenzied display. The sheer sonic force alone caused the entire celestial battlefield to convulse.

The present manifestation of the Holy Prince was the terrifying embodiment of a world-ending demonic beast descending upon the mortal realm. Its presence inspired a dread beyond mortal comprehension!

Ye Chen observed, the corner of his lips curling subtly. This entire transformative sequence struck him as remarkably familiar.

The transformation was now complete. Its strength had increased tenfold. Very well, the simian now possessed a modicum of capability.

Ye Chen, who had been restraining himself for an extended period, could finally afford to exert himself slightly, unburdened by the concern of accidentally pulverizing the ape with a casual gesture.

"Formidable… truly formidable. This beast must not be permitted to live. Henceforth, I shall be compelled to unleash my ultimate power!"

Ye Chen proclaimed with gravitas, then launched himself forward with the speed of divine lightning. A barrage of countless Treasure Techniques emanated from his palms. In a movement too swift for the eye to follow, he materialized beside the floating stone stele, seized it with a single hand, and instantly refined it using the Armament Secret. He then deposited it within his internal world.

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The Holy Prince, now a colossal, primeval demonic ape, witnessed Ye Chen's audacity in pilfering its treasure. It unleashed a roar that shook the very foundations of the world. An arm, as thick as a mountain range, descended upon Ye Chen with cataclysmic force.

In stark contrast to the hundred-meter colossus, Ye Chen appeared no larger than an ant. Yet, his blood qi surged like a tempestuous ocean. He met each crushing blow head-on, as if his life depended on it. Every exchange resulted in a perfect equilibrium. Then, astonishingly, he began to seize the initiative. A single punch sent one of the ape's three immense heads careening sideways.

…

Beyond the confines of the battlefield.

The assembled spectators were utterly astonished by the Holy Prince's metamorphosis into a demonic ape. The diverse array of races present felt a resurgence of hope, believing that this time, the Heavenly Emperor's heir would inevitably be subdued!

Some harbored internal sneers: the Heir had committed the gravest transgression in the cultivation world—allowing an adversary to complete their transformation. A display of utter foolishness.

Conversely, the human onlookers grew increasingly apprehensive. However, their expressions soon shifted once more, tinged with bewilderment. For within the celestial arena… yes, the Holy Prince was undeniably more ferocious now, exchanging blows in a furious onslaught. Yet, inexplicably… the Heir still maintained the advantage?

His raw physical confrontations were in no way inferior; an absurdity in itself. At opportune moments, he would even send one of the ape-like creature's heads spinning or snap an arm with a clean break. While it was true the Holy Prince regenerated instantly, preventing a fatal outcome, the Heir undeniably projected an image of complete composure with every exchange. Of course, absolute dominance wasn't maintained throughout the entire bout.

Occasionally, he would feign a 'misstep,' allowing the ape to land a surprise strike that sent him hurtling away. After all, the monstrous ape possessed numerous powerful limbs. These unexpected blows appeared entirely plausible in the heat of battle.

Yet, every single observer could discern that something was amiss. Firstly, the Heir possessed the Heavy Pupils; how could he possibly be 'caught unaware'? Secondly, he had mastered the Movement Secret and now even manipulated the fabric of space itself; how could he possibly fail to evade? Thirdly, each time he was sent flying, his body remained conspicuously unmarred, yet the quantity of blood he expelled was so prodigious it could form a crimson deluge.

The pretense wasn't just slight; it was a complete fabrication across the board. And with every tumble through the air, the Heir would still utter exclamations of praise such as, "Your cranial protrusions have grown ever sharper!" or "The Holy Prince's might is truly beyond compare!" If this wasn't sheer mockery, then what was?

The Heavenly Emperor's heir was not engaging in a serious fight. He was outright toying with the Holy Prince, akin to a feline predator playing with a crippled rodent.

After a prolonged period of observation, the visages of the onlookers representing the myriad races grew dark, etched with disbelief and profound apprehension. Had the Heir simply obliterated the Holy Prince in a single, overwhelming assault as was his usual modus operandi, the shock would have been immense but not existentially shattering. Such was the familiar, albeit formidable, manner of the Heir's combat. But to toy with the Holy Prince as if strolling with a pet… even to the extent of fabricating injuries…

The sheer magnitude of power concealed beneath that playful exterior was what truly instilled a chilling dread. Just how monstrous had the Heir's cultivation progressed? Despite being an entire realm beneath his adversary, he treated the Holy Prince as if dealing with a mere child. Allowing his foe to fully transform, only to then manipulate him within the confines of his palm – this was the genuine essence of being 'terrifying beyond all description'!

Yao Yuezhi's eyes blazed with a brilliance surpassing the stars.

Yao Yuekong’s expression conveyed an air of, 'As I anticipated all along.'

Prince Lu Ya, belonging to the Golden Crow clan, sank deeper into gloom with each passing second, a tempest of killing intent swirling within his gaze…

The Little Peacock King, in contrast, was utterly dumbfounded. He harbored no confidence in his ability to defeat the Holy Prince in his current Demonic Ape form. This implied that conquering Ye Chen would be an even more insurmountable task. If the Holy Prince were to fall subsequently… should he still intervene?

Refusing to step into the fray would be an unbearable humiliation. He had vociferously boasted earlier, a fact heard by a significant portion of the Endless Sea. To retreat now would invite universal condemnation, painting him as a coward.

For a fleeting moment, the Little Peacock King's heart was ensnared in a web of conflicting emotions. Naturally, he harbored no fear of Ye Chen. He simply… felt a pang of longing for his aunt!

…Within the arena of the sky.

Ye Chen was thoroughly enjoying himself. He perceived his strategy as flawless—having masterfully constructed the perfect illusion of a grueling, hard-fought draw. Maintaining this charade for three full days, followed by the decisive defeat of the Holy Prince. The external world would undoubtedly believe he had triumphed by the narrowest of margins, perhaps even assuming he was at his absolute limit. Prodigies brimming with animosity would surely seize the opportunity to challenge him.

Contemplating the imminent, boundless influx of origin essence, Ye Chen's spirits soared. And now that the Stasis Secret stele was securely housed within his inner world, he engaged with even greater fervor. He proceeded to vomit an even more copious amount of blood.

…