Previously on Immortality Starts With Investment...
Ye Chen let the Holy Prince fully transform into a monstrous demonic ape before he began his true assault. To deceive the onlookers, Ye Chen feigned a difficult battle, deliberately taking 'hits' and coughing up blood while still gaining the upper hand. He even managed to snatch a vital treasure during the staged struggle.
Boom! Boom! Boom!Three days vanished without a trace.Ye Chen observed the increasingly ferocious, Super-Saiyan-like monkey and a gratified smile touched his lips. It was sufficient. Three entire days. The world outside's assessment of him had undoubtedly diminished. However, exaggerating the 'weak' charade would lead to repercussions, so it was time to conclude this.The sole predicament was how precisely to end it. A single strike? The assembled crowd would immediately suspect he had been holding back this entire time. Defeating him with punch after punch? A tad too savage, wouldn't you agree?As his gaze swept over the black-furred, enraged ape, Ye Chen's eyes settled upon its mountain-sized tail. An idea materialized. The corners of his mouth curved upward. He surged forward like lightning, all the while loudly narrating for the spectators. "Your Demonic Ape form isn't indestructible! After three full days of combat, I have finally pinpointed your critical vulnerability… Perish!"The words uttered, Ye Chen materialized behind the gargantuan ape. He effortlessly parried the twin mountain-shattering fists hurtling towards him, then grasped the ape's colossal tail. His physical might erupted. With a ferocious heave, he ripped the tail clean away!Dark blood cascaded like a waterfall. The Holy Prince's enraged bellow reverberated through the skies. The countless spectators stood utterly bewildered.Ye Chen's grin widened. "Just as I suspected—once the tail is severed, your physical strength drastically declines!"In the very next instant, his speed propelled to its ultimate limit. He charged directly towards the ape's heads, unleashing the Multiplier Secret. A single fist descended like thunder. Confusion flickered across the Holy Prince's frenzied countenance. Since when was my tail the weak point? How could I have been unaware? But contemplation was no longer an option. Ye Chen moved with blinding speed—his six arms were incapable of intercepting in time. The fist landed.Across all six eyes, the Holy Prince's vision plunged into darkness. That solitary blow obliterated his three massive heads, along with his shoulders, transforming them into an expansive cloud of blood mist. Even the firmament of the aerial battlefield was stained a somber black with gore.Under such a cataclysmic impact, the Holy Prince could no longer sustain his transformed state. His enormous physique commenced a rapid contraction. The additional four limbs receded into his torso. Nevertheless, the Holy Prince possessed a monstrous constitution, and the Nine Revolutions Mysterious Art imbued him with astonishing vitality. Even after that devastating injury, life still clung to him.Ye Chen prepared to deliver the final blow. Yet, before striking, he helpfully elucidated, "You see? Without your tail, you cannot even withstand a single punch from me!"The subsequent moment, he propelled himself forward to deliver the finishing strike. Ye Chen felt exceptionally content with his execution. The external world would certainly not perceive him as vastly superior to the Holy Prince. They would only surmise that he triumphed due to ingeniously exploiting the ape's "fatal flaw"…Innumerable onlookers registered his words. Their expressions adopted a profoundly contemplative hue.Ye Chen surveyed the quiet assembly—no gasps, no exclamations of astonishment. Perfect. A satisfied grin spread across his face. Naturally, they weren't surprised. He had prolonged the confrontation for three complete days. This display had been impeccable. Henceforth, the number of cultivators queuing to offer their lives (and their inheritances) would undoubtedly surge.The spectators, meanwhile, found themselves devoid of further commentary. The instant the Holy Prince morphed into a demonic ape and was still manipulated like a mere puppet, the conclusion had ceased to be uncertain.No one had anticipated such a turn of events. The Heavenly Emperor's heir had toyed with his adversary for seventy-two consecutive hours! And brazenly claiming the tail as the weak point?A weak point, indeed. The tail's detachment had no discernible effect. It was evident that Ye Chen's power had simply surged explosively, and a single punch had nearly annihilated the ape! As anticipated, one must never approach the Heir's women.Still, everyone had long grasped a singular truth: the individual capable of toying with the Holy Prince as if he were a mere child possessed a might vastly, immeasurably exceeding his. Consequently, when the Holy Prince's three heads were annihilated into a bloody fog and he reverted to his original form, not a single person exhibited surprise.Numerous prodigious talents from the myriad races shifted their gazes towards Prince Lu Ya and the Little Peacock King. Prior to their departure, both had vocalized grand pronouncements: should the Holy Prince fall, they would intervene. But now, confronting such a terrifying Heir—one who annihilated both body and pride. Did they still possess the courage?Prince Lu Ya's visage was grim as he observed Ye Chen advance to finish the Holy Prince, yet a fiercer killing intent ignited in his eyes. He had never conceived that Ye Chen could wield such formidable power.
Still, the possibility of the Fusang Divine Tree being with Ye Chen was exceptionally high. And Ye Chen's cultivation speed was unbelievably swift. He absolutely could not be permitted to advance further, lest the opportunity to reclaim the tree vanish forever. This was the precise moment to act.
Ye Chen held the Holy Prince in such utter contempt that, upon delivering the final, fatal blow, his focus would be exclusively on the monkey. In that fleeting instant, Lu Ya planned to materialize on the battlefield. Then, unleashing the Immortal-Slaying Gourd, a single, decisive strike would be enacted.
While Ye Chen's physical body was indeed monstrous, his regenerative capabilities defying the heavens, the blade within the Immortal-Slaying Gourd was no common artifact. One severing blow from it, and even the profound Healing Secret would find recovery a daunting task. Should Ye Chen's head be severed, ending his life would be child's play. Thus, Prince Lu Ya observed the unfolding battle with a grim countenance, his patience unwavering.
The Little Peacock King's visage was frigid, yet his heart churned with sheer panic. There was no hope. Absolutely none. He resolved to watch Lu Ya's actions first. Should that foolish youth refrain from moving, so too would he. In this manner, even if they were to suffer humiliation, it would be a shared experience.
Mutual disgrace offered a measure of solace. And surely, none would possess the audacity to confront them directly about it. If any malicious gossip reached his ears, he swore he would crush the perpetrators. After all, even if he stood no chance against Ye Chen, he could certainly defeat everyone else!
