Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 127: Chapter 127 The Passage Collapses

As they delved deeper, Fire Rock Beasts appeared more and more frequently. At first, the beasts appeared one by one, but now they came in groups of three or four. At this point, Ye Qingchen could no longer just stand by and would join the others in the fight.

Whether intentionally or not, the other three would always leave one Fire Rock Beast for Ye Qingchen to face alone. Initially, after finishing his own fight, Zhao Jiehui would still help Ye Qingchen. But as more Fire Rock Beasts appeared, Zhao Jiehui had to face two or three at once and naturally couldn’t look after Ye Qingchen anymore.

As for Zou Mei’s trio, even if the three of them were fighting just two Fire Rock Beasts, they would never help Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen didn’t mind this. He was only facing a single Fire Rock Beast, and although it was extremely fast, he had the boost from his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. Paired with the Mystifying Steps movement technique, the Fire Rock Beast’s speed advantage was completely nullified.

After half a day, the five of them had lost count of how many Fire Rock Beasts they had slain. They had also obtained more than twenty fire essences, an amount that could be exchanged for a considerable sum of sect points at the Sect Main Hall.

”Senior Brother Zhao, if we venture further, I’m afraid we’ll encounter even more Fire Rock Beasts. We’ve already had a decent harvest. What do you think about heading back?” Zhou Quan finally asked Zhao Jiehui, prodded by Zou Mei’s constant urging.

In fact, it wasn’t just Zou Mei; Zhou Quan and Wang Tao had also been wanting to retreat for some time. The Fire Rock Beasts now appeared in groups of eight or nine. If it weren’t for Zhao Jiehui, a fifth-level martial master, taking on multiple beasts at once, the group would have been overwhelmed long ago. Zou Mei’s trio already found it challenging to face a single Fire Rock Beast each, so they feared for their lives at the thought of going any deeper.

Hearing Zhou Quan’s words, Zhao Jiehui couldn’t help but frown. Seeing that Wang Tao and Zou Mei wore the same expression, Zhao Jiehui realized they had probably already discussed this in private.

Zhao Jiehui then turned to look at Ye Qingchen, who was also frowning back at him. Their eyes met, and they instantly understood each other’s intentions.

”We’ve worked hard to get this far,” Zhao Jiehui said to Zhou Quan. ”It’s the perfect opportunity to hunt Fire Rock Beasts. Wouldn’t it be a shame to retreat now?”

Hearing Zhao Jiehui’s words, Zhou Quan didn’t know how to rebut and just stammered, unable to form a coherent sentence.

What a useless oaf, Zou Mei inwardly cursed. She then said to Zhao Jiehui, ”Senior Brother Zhao, we’re already facing nine Fire Rock Beasts at a time. If we go any deeper, their numbers will probably increase. We want to retreat because we’re afraid of someone getting killed.”

Zhao Jiehui gave a somewhat disdainful smile. ”Junior Brothers, Junior Sister, you are all fourth-level martial masters, after all. Junior Brother Ye is only at the second level, and even he hasn’t flinched. How is it that you three are the first to lose your nerve?”

Faced with Zhao Jiehui’s taunt, the trio’s faces burned with embarrassment. However, they didn’t dare show any disrespect toward him, so they could only redirect their anger toward Ye Qingchen.

”Kid, don’t think you’re in some paradise just because Senior Brother Zhao is protecting you!” Wang Tao was the first to lose his patience, pointing a finger at Ye Qingchen as he shouted. ”If we really keep going, you won’t even know what hit you when you die!”

Ye Qingchen was rendered speechless. These people really do bully the weak and fear the strong. Zhao Jiehui was the one who insulted them, yet they’re taking it out on me. But if they think I’m an easy target, they’ve picked the wrong person!

Ye Qingchen naturally had no intention of retreating now. His goal was the Fen Tian Earth Fire. Although he was already deep within the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, he was still a long way from its location. If he turned back now, all his previous efforts would be for naught.

Seeing Ye Qingchen’s silence, Wang Tao assumed he was feeling guilty and turned to Zhao Jiehui. ”Senior Brother Zhao, actually, the three of us are fine. We’re just worried that if we go deeper, Junior Brother Ye’s life might be in danger given his strength.”

”Thank you for your concern, Senior Brother Wang, but I believe I can protect myself. I suggest to Senior Brother Zhao that we press our advantage and continue forward.” Hearing Wang Tao use him as an excuse to persuade Zhao Jiehui, Ye Qingchen didn’t hold back and directly stated his position.

Ye Qingchen’s words made Wang Tao’s expression turn ugly. Just as he was about to berate Ye Qingchen, Zhao Jiehui stopped him. ”That’s enough. If you want to leave the team, then according to our initial agreement, your share of the loot is halved. I won’t force you. Those who wish to continue with me, we leave now. Those who don’t, we’ll divide the spoils and part ways here.”

Zhao Jiehui knew their type; they were all greedy. With Ye Qingchen’s contribution, their haul had been substantial, and he knew they would never willingly leave and forfeit half their share.

Sure enough, after Zhao Jiehui spoke, the expressions on the trio turned foul. Before entering the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, they had indeed agreed that anyone who voluntarily left the team would have their share halved.

In fact, Zou Mei had been the one to propose the rule, and Wang Tao and Zhou Quan were the first to agree. At the time, they had assumed that someone with Ye Qingchen’s meager strength wouldn’t last long and would be the first to quit. That way, they could openly dock his share, leaving him bitter but unable to complain.

They never imagined that the very rule they created to trap Ye Qingchen would now become a cage for themselves. They had truly lifted a rock only to drop it on their own feet!

Just as Zhao Jiehui predicted, the three were unwilling to give up half their share. After he finished speaking, Zou Mei was the first to declare her position, ”Since Senior Brother Zhao wishes to continue exploring the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, then we will naturally risk our lives to accompany you.”

Once Zou Mei spoke, Zhou Quan and Wang Tao hurriedly echoed their agreement.

Zhao Jiehui just smiled and shook his head without saying more. He started moving deeper, and Ye Qingchen followed right behind him.

The trio exchanged glances and reluctantly followed, but they deliberately kept some distance from Zhao Jiehui and Ye Qingchen. That way, if real danger appeared, the two of them would bear the brunt of it, while the three of them could escape at the first sign of trouble.

Another hour passed. After hunting two more groups of Fire Rock Beasts, the five were preparing to continue when the passage began to shake violently. Large chunks of rock fell from the sides, and deep within the tunnel, more than a dozen fiery red eyes began to glow.

”Look out! The passage is collapsing! Run!”

”Danger! Retreat!”

Zou Mei’s trio didn’t hesitate for a second, turning and sprinting back the way they came!

Ye Qingchen was about to flee as well, but in the next moment, his brow furrowed. He realized that a dozen or so Fire Rock Beasts were rapidly converging on him and Zhao Jiehui, cutting off their escape route.