Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 130: Chapter 130 Xiao Xiao Arrives

Just as Zou Mei had predicted, Ye Qingchen and Zhao Jiehui fought as they retreated, eventually reaching the passage she had destroyed. The aftershocks of their battle caused the passage to collapse completely, trapping them inside.

Fortunately, the collapse also restricted the Fire Rock Beasts’ space, so the two of them didn’t have to face so many at once.

Worried about Ye Qingchen’s strength, Zhao Jiehui took on eight Fire Rock Beasts himself, leaving Ye Qingchen to barely handle the remaining two or three.

After such fierce combat, Zhao Jiehui began to show signs of exhaustion. Although the Spirit Pills from Ye Qingchen could restore some of his stamina, the Fire Rock Beasts seemed endless—no sooner was one slain than another would take its place!

”Junior Brother Qingchen, it seems we’re destined to die here today!” Zhao Jiehui shouted. Despite the despair in his words, his voice held no trace of defeat, only a heroic, indomitable spirit.

Seeing Zhao Jiehui already covered in wounds, Ye Qingchen felt extremely anxious. He had never expected things to escalate to this point.

When Ye Qingchen didn’t respond, Zhao Jiehui spoke again, his voice now filled with guilt. ”Junior Brother Qingchen, I’m the one who got you into this. You don’t blame me, do you?”

Zhao Jiehui wasn’t afraid of death. However, he recalled how Zou Mei and the others had suggested leaving. It was his own insistence on exploring further that had led to this predicament and dragged Ye Qingchen down with him. The thought filled him with regret.

Hearing Zhao Jiehui’s words, Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but laugh heartily. ”What are you saying, Senior Brother Zhao? We’re on this adventure together, and you’ve taken great care of me the entire way. How could this be about blame? Besides, we aren’t without hope of survival yet!”

After speaking, Ye Qingchen fully unleashed his Dual Pupil Martial Soul and deliberately lured two Fire Rock Beasts toward himself, alleviating some of the pressure on Zhao Jiehui. Although he was only a second-level martial master, the enhancement from his Ice Armor allowed him to hold his own against the Fire Rock Beasts, whose attacks weren’t excessively powerful.

With Ye Qingchen taking on two of the beasts, Zhao Jiehui’s pressure was greatly reduced, and with a thunderous blow, he killed another Fire Rock Beast. However, Zhao Jiehui knew that even though Ye Qingchen was helping, he likely wouldn’t be able to hold on for long against so many. The worst part was that their stamina-restoring Spirit Pills were completely gone.

But when Zhao Jiehui saw Ye Qingchen fighting with increasing valor, showing no intention of giving up, he was deeply moved. Though it was almost certain they would die here today, experiencing such an exhilaratingly fierce battle before death felt like a blessing in its own way.

The two persisted for four hours, killing countless Fire Rock Beasts, yet there was still no end in sight.

At this point, Zhao Jiehui was on the brink of collapse. Not a single part of his body was unscathed, and his clothes were soaked in blood. Amid the already red Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire, he looked terrifyingly gruesome.

Ye Qingchen wasn’t faring much better. Zhao Jiehui handled most of the beasts, while Ye Qingchen had the protection of his Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the Ice Armor powered by mid-grade Spiritual Energy. Even so, he was still only a second-level martial master. Fighting a single fourth-level martial master Fire Rock Beast would have already been a testament to his exceptional talent; facing four at once was an entirely different challenge.

Are we truly destined to die here today?

The thought surfaced in Ye Qingchen’s mind. He had narrowly escaped the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire last time, but now, there wasn’t even a chance to run.

No! I refuse to accept this! I awakened the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and I’m a genius with Dual Martial Spirits! I’m destined to soar to the heavens and dazzle the world. How can I fall here?

With this internal roar, Ye Qingchen once again unleashed his full potential, driving back the Fire Rock Beasts attacking him. However, this burst of power couldn’t last. Faced with the endless horde, despair began to creep back into his heart.

Just then, Zhao Jiehui finally succumbed. Struck by a Fire Rock Beast, he was thrown violently to the ground, unable to get back up.

”Senior Brother Zhao!”

Unable to check on Zhao Jiehui’s injuries, Ye Qingchen rushed over to block the beasts that were about to tear into his body. Even if they were to die, Ye Qingchen refused to watch Zhao Jiehui become fodder for the Fire Rock Beasts before his very eyes.

Without Zhao Jiehui to fend them off, Ye Qingchen now faced ten Fire Rock Beasts alone. Despite the protection of his Ice Armor, he was beaten back again and again, coughing up blood.

Xiao Xiao, it looks like your young master isn’t making it back this time. I hope you can cultivate well in the Wuji Immortal Palace and one day stand at the pinnacle of this world.

With his parents gone, Xiao Xiao had always been by his side. Though she was his maid in name, Ye Qingchen had long since come to see her as a sister.

”Young Master! Young Master!”

Xiao Xiao’s voice suddenly echoed in his ears. After a brief daze, Ye Qingchen shook his head with a wry smile. I must be too worried about Xiao Xiao to be hearing things.

”Young Master, are you in there?”

Her voice came again. This time, Ye Qingchen was certain it wasn’t a hallucination. Chaos had erupted at the rear of the Fire Rock Beasts, and the ones attacking him seemed to sense a new danger, their assault losing some of its ferocity.

”Xiao Xiao? What are you doing here?” Ye Qingchen exclaimed, a surge of joy mixing with anger. It was so dangerous here. Why would Xiao Xiao leave the safety of their home to come to the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire?

Perhaps spurred on by his worry for Xiao Xiao, Ye Qingchen gathered all his spirit and unleashed his potential once more. He attacked the Fire Rock Beasts, trying to break through to her. However, there were simply too many in his path. He tried to charge through several times, only to be beaten back, gaining several new wounds in the process.

Meanwhile, behind the swarm of beasts, Xiao Xiao had summoned her Vermilion Bird Holy Soul and was wreaking havoc.

What Ye Qingchen didn’t realize was that the narrow passage had made the horde seem endless. Thanks to the continuous slaughter by him and Zhao Jiehui, their numbers had already been greatly reduced. Xiao Xiao herself was a fourth-level martial master, and bolstered by her Vermilion Bird Holy Soul, it didn’t take long for her to slaughter the few remaining beasts upon her arrival.

When the last Fire Rock Beast fell, Xiao Xiao finally saw the young master she had been so worried about.

But at that moment, Ye Qingchen, just like Zhao Jiehui, was covered in blood.