Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 101: Chapter 101: The Alchemy Family

Time flew by, and a week passed in the blink of an eye. After a week of closed-door cultivation, Ye Qingchen finally emerged from his room. Although he had yet to personally concoct an elixir, he was fully confident about the upcoming Alchemist Apprentice Competition.

”Young Master, Xiao Xiao believes you will definitely emerge victorious this time. Go for it!”

Xiao Xiao had been waiting at the door since early in the morning. Seeing Ye Qingchen emerge, she hurried over to cheer him on. In her heart, her Young Master was an omnipotent figure. It didn’t matter that the Alchemist Apprentice Competition had been moved up a week; she believed he would win the championship no matter the circumstances.

Ye Qingchen fondly stroked Xiao Xiao’s head and said with a smile, ”Then I’ll take my little Xiao Xiao’s auspicious words to heart.”

Xiao Xiao squinted, clearly enjoying the gesture. ”Young Master, I’ve prepared a meal for you. There’s still an hour before the Alchemist Apprentice Competition begins. Please have something to eat first.”

Ye Qingchen nodded, and Xiao Xiao quickly went to set the table and serve the dishes.

Just as he sat down, Ye Ying hurried over in a fluster. She called out from outside before Xiao Xiao could even open the door, ”Qingchen, are you up? The Alchemist Apprentice Competition is about to start! We need to get going!”

Hearing Ye Ying’s voice, Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but shake his head, a warmth spreading through his chest. Although Ye Ying was always so direct, he knew everything she did was out of consideration for him.

As soon as Xiao Xiao opened the courtyard gate, Ye Ying rushed inside. Seeing Ye Qingchen calmly eating his meal, she said anxiously, ”Qingchen, how are you still in the mood to eat? I just passed by the main square, and it was already packed with people! Why aren’t you worried?”

Ye Qingchen smiled. ”Don’t worry. The competition lasts for a full day. If I don’t replenish my energy, I won’t be able to hold out.”

As he spoke, Ye Qingchen tore off a chicken leg and handed it to Ye Ying. She took it without hesitation and started gnawing on it, completely unconcerned about her image.

While eating heartily, Ye Ying said, ”Qingchen, I’ve already made some inquiries for you. There are three favorites to win the Alchemist Apprentice Competition this time. Two of them are Inner Sect Disciples, Wang Cong and Wang Peng. Both possess immense Alchemic Talent, but because they were previously obsessed with cultivation and didn’t properly hone their alchemy skills, they haven’t yet reached the standard of a First-Grade Alchemist.”

Xiao Xiao handed Ye Ying a bowl and chopsticks and asked curiously, ”Ye Ying, I thought only Outer Sect Disciples could participate in the competition. Why are Inner Sect Disciples joining in?”

Ye Ying sighed and explained, ”Xiao Xiao, you have no idea. The top three finishers get promoted to Inner Sect Disciple, but that’s just a minor benefit. The most coveted prize is the generous reward from the Sect Master himself.

”In the Qingyun Sect, cultivation resources are what everyone desires most. Although the monthly stipend for Inner Sect Disciples is generous, the competition among them is equally fierce, so they naturally won’t pass up any opportunity to acquire more.”

Ye Ying explained this while still working on the chicken leg, occasionally picking up pieces of meat with her chopsticks and placing them in Ye Qingchen’s bowl.

Ye Qingchen nodded, not particularly concerned about Wang Peng and Wang Cong. Even though they’re Inner Sect Disciples with access to alchemy resources a hundred times better than any Outer Sect Disciple, I have the Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra and the inheritance from Elder Fen Tian. Those are beyond comparison. Though I’m still an Outer Sect Disciple, I have no reason to fear them.

Ye Ying seemed to remember something. She put down her chopsticks and continued, ”Qingchen, there’s one other person you need to watch out for. He’s the acknowledged favorite to win—it’s almost a foregone conclusion that he’ll be this year’s champion.”

Hearing this, Ye Qingchen asked curiously, ”What’s his background? How did he become the top favorite in a place as full of talent as the Qingyun Sect?”

It was no wonder Ye Qingchen was curious. To surpass Inner Sect Disciples like Wang Peng and Wang Cong and become the top favorite meant this person’s status and abilities could not be underestimated.

Ye Ying put down her bowl, wiped the grease from the corner of her mouth, and explained, ”His name is Liu Ming, and he comes from a renowned alchemy family in the Northern Desolate Country. He possessed exceptional Alchemic Talent from a young age and was specially recruited by the Qingyun Sect as an Inner Sect Disciple. But Liu Ming is proud and ambitious. He refused the offer to become an Inner Sect Disciple directly, insisting on working his way up to become a Core Disciple of the Qingyun Sect through his own efforts.”

Ye Qingchen nodded. The Liu Family was the most famous alchemy family in the Northern Desolate Country, and that reputation alone meant Liu Ming could not be underestimated. Whether in terms of alchemical prowess or the sheer breadth of his knowledge, Liu Ming, who has been immersed in it since childhood, is definitely my strongest rival for the championship title.

Xiao Xiao, however, was unfazed. In her eyes, as long as her Young Master competed, he was guaranteed to win. After Ye Ying finished speaking, she declared, ”It doesn’t matter if they’re Inner Sect Disciples or from some alchemy family! As long as the Young Master competes, he’ll defeat them all.”

After all, Xiao Xiao knew he had spent his week of closed-door cultivation comprehending the Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra. While she didn’t fully understand what level of alchemy the sutra entailed, the fact that Yao Yue had presented it with such gravity meant it was no ordinary technique.

Xiao Xiao’s remark settled Ye Ying’s nerves considerably. Seeing Xiao Xiao’s brimming confidence, she couldn’t help but add, ”Qingchen always manages to work miracles. I believe he’ll win the championship this time and be promoted to an Inner Sect Disciple for sure.”

The three of them chatted leisurely as they devoured every last bite of food on the table. Ye Qingchen rubbed his slightly full stomach. Xiao Xiao’s cooking skills have really improved lately; her dishes are getting more and more delicious.

”Ye Ying, Xiao Xiao, let’s go,” Ye Qingchen said, standing up and heading for the door.

Ye Ying and Xiao Xiao exchanged a glance and followed him out.

As the Qingyun Sect’s grand annual event, the Alchemist Apprentice Competition drew everyone’s attention. Most disciples had already rushed to the venue early to claim a good spot as close to the stage as possible. Consequently, Ye Qingchen’s group barely encountered anyone else on their way there.