I, Thanks To My Unlimited Investment, Am Admired By All Races

In a secret chamber.

A figure bathed in divine light sat cross-legged, seemingly immersed in cultivation. Around her, dragons soared and white tigers stomped the ground, creating an extraordinary sight that cloaked the entire chamber in a veil of mystic brilliance.

Behind her, two figures dressed in black robes stood silently, motionless, emanating no aura whatsoever. They appeared like shadows, quietly standing guard.

Knock, knock! 

At this moment, a knock echoed through the room.

The meditating figure abruptly opened her eyes. Her radiant gaze, sharp as lightning, illuminated the entire chamber.

“Come in,” said a neutral voice, impossible to identify as male or female.

Creak

The chamber door opened.

The third princess entered, her long gown trailing the floor, her elegance unmatched. She moved gracefully, like a celestial maiden descending from the moon palace.

Her beautiful eyes scanned the figure meditating in the chamber, carrying a hint of curiosity. This person had been staying in her estate for some time now, yet she still could not discern their true nature.

In fact, she didn’t even know if the figure was male or female, what they looked like, or how powerful they were. The only thing she knew was that the figure claimed to be a successor of the ancient Heavenly Puppet Sect and possessed a Life and Death Pill, proposing a transaction with her.

“Third Princess, have you considered my proposal?” The cross-legged figure studied the princess in turn and spoke slowly.

“The Phoenix Origin Secret Realm isn’t so easily entered. First, there’s the age requirement. Entrants must be under 25 years old. Anyone older will be detected by the array at the secret realm’s entrance,” said the princess meaningfully.

“I, myself, cannot enter the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm,” she continued. Her age had long surpassed 25, making entry impossible. She said this only to probe the mysterious figure for more information.

“That’s not something the Third Princess needs to worry about,” the figure replied calmly, exuding confidence. The royal family’s Phoenix Origin Secret Realm seemed inconsequential to her.

“Oh, really?” The princess covered her mouth with a soft laugh, a sharp glint flashing in her eyes. If her guess was correct, the figure’s age must be under 25, making them a prodigy among the younger generation.

However, the figure’s purpose for entering the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm remained unclear.

After all, the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm was vast, like a small world. Even as a member of the Great Zhou royal family, she couldn’t be certain of all the treasures it held.

“What exactly does the Daoist friend need? Perhaps I can acquire it for you in advance. After all, my Great Zhou Empire rules over myriad nations and commands wealth from all seas. There’s nothing our treasury lacks,” she offered.

“Why take the risk of entering the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm?”

“Third Princess, this is merely a transaction between us. Today, you seem to be asking too many questions,” the figure replied coldly.

“Very well.”

The princess’s charming smile vanished, replaced by the composed demeanor of an icy beauty. Her regal air was so commanding that it deterred direct gazes. Her eyes carried a condescending sharpness as she said faintly, “Since you’ve said so, let’s get down to business.”

“As I’ve stated, allow me to enter the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm. Once I return, the Life and Death Pill will be yours,” said the figure in a tone devoid of fluctuation, as though discussing an ordinary matter.

Neither party trusted the other.

If she handed over the Life and Death Pill beforehand, who knew if the princess would still help her enter the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm? If the princess decided to go back on her word, she would be powerless against her.

After all, the princess had the backing of not only the Great Zhou Empire but also a top-tier demonic sect. Neither was something she could afford to provoke at her current level.

“Heh.”

Unexpectedly, the princess sneered, her eyes flashing coldly. She said indifferently, “You’re far too confident. Do you think the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm is so safe?”

“Not to mention the geniuses from various sects entering it, the secret realm is filled with countless ferocious beasts. If you fall there, I’ll gain nothing in return.”

“Let me remind you, once inside the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm, your two puppet guards will be useless!”

The princess glanced at the two black-robed figures behind the mysterious figure.

Though she couldn’t discern the figure’s cultivation level, those two black-robed entities couldn’t escape her scrutiny.

They were clearly not living beings but two puppets at the Life and Death Realm.

Coupled with the figure’s claim of being a successor of the ancient Heavenly Puppet Sect, everything seemed to align perfectly, leaving no room for suspicion.

“What does the Third Princess propose?” the mysterious figure asked.

“Hand over the Life and Death Pill, and I will naturally send you into the Phoenix Origin Secret Realm.”

“No!”

The princess had barely finished speaking when the figure flatly refused.

This was her bottom line—under no circumstances could she relent. If she handed over the Life and Death Pill, her future would no longer be in her own hands.

“There are many ways to enhance one’s strength. Surely you don’t think that without the Life and Death Pill, I have no other options?”

The third princess chuckled softly. With a flick of her delicate hand, a jade bottle appeared in her palm, emanating an aura of Dao, so profound it invigorated the spirit of anyone in its presence.

“The Enlightenment Pill?”

The mysterious figure’s voice carried a hint of astonishment.

In her memory of the original timeline, the third princess never possessed an Enlightenment Pill. Why, then, had this princess suddenly revealed such a precious item today?

The Life and Death Pill was undoubtedly valuable, but its primary function was merely to slightly increase the chances of breaking through to the Life and Death Realm.

Whether or not someone could ultimately succeed still depended on their own destiny.

Throughout history, there were many examples of individuals consuming multiple Life and Death Pills, only to fail to break through to the Life and Death Realm.

The Enlightenment Pill, however, was an entirely different matter.

Upon consumption, it could instantly multiply one’s comprehension ability several times over. While its effects lasted, the speed of cultivating spiritual energy or comprehending the truths of heaven and earth would increase exponentially.

For someone like the third princess, consuming an Enlightenment Pill wouldn’t directly elevate her to the Life and Death Realm. However, it might allow her to grasp the mysteries of the Life and Death Realm.

Once she understood its intricacies, achieving the breakthrough would become a matter of course. At that point, the Life and Death Pill would hold little meaning in her eyes.

‘Where did the third princess acquire an Enlightenment Pill? Could it be that the original timeline has undergone changes I’m unaware of?’

Outwardly, the mysterious figure appeared calm and unshaken, like an immovable mountain in the face of an avalanche.

But in truth, waves of turmoil raged within her heart, refusing to subside.