Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 136: Chapter 136: The Three-Month Deadline Arrives

”Zhao... Senior Brother Zhao, you’re still alive?” Zhou Quan’s voice stammered when he saw Zhao Jiehui. He had never imagined that Zhao Jiehui could still be alive.

Wang Tao was even worse off. Paralyzed with fear, he collapsed to the ground, exclaiming, ”I’ve seen a ghost! I’ve seen a ghost!”

Zou Mei stared at Zhao Jiehui, her mind racing. She hadn’t expected that both Ye Qingchen and Zhao Jiehui could have survived the siege of so many Fire Rock Beasts unscathed. Originally, I assumed that for Ye Qingchen to escape, Zhao Jiehui must have stayed behind to fight the beasts alone. I figured Ye Qingchen had then abandoned him and fled, just like we did. Yet, from what Zhao Jiehui just said, it seems Ye Qingchen was the one who saved him. How is that possible? Ye Qingchen is only a second-level martial master! How could he possibly save Zhao Jiehui, a fifth-level martial master, when it would be difficult enough for him just to survive?

But the facts were right in front of her, and this wasn’t the time to ponder the details. Thinking this, Zou Mei said to Zhao Jiehui in a saccharine voice, ”Senior Brother Zhao, it’s so wonderful that you’re safe! You have no idea, I’ve spent every day since our return in tears, so worried about you!”

Zhao Jiehui sneered and walked toward the trio. ”Worried about me? In tears? If I recall correctly, when the Fire Rock Beast swarm erupted, the three of you ran without so much as a backward glance, didn’t you?”

At this point, Zhao Jiehui was still unaware that Zou Mei had not only been the first to flee, but had also sabotaged the passage on her way out, which nearly led to his death in the Heavenly Pond Sea of Fire. If he knew the truth, he likely would have been unable to restrain his rage and would have torn the three of them to pieces.

However, Zhao Jiehui was, after all, a kind-hearted person. Despite his profound disgust for the trio, he considered their bond as fellow sect members and didn’t rebuke them too harshly. He merely gave them a cold warning.

”I will let your actions slide for now. But, as per our original agreement, anyone who abandons their teammates to save their own skin forfeits their share of the rewards.

”And I’m warning you, Junior Brother Qingchen saved my life. If any of you dare to harbor ill intentions toward him, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Fearing Zhao Jiehui, Zhou Quan and Wang Tao nodded in frantic agreement. Zou Mei wanted to argue, but knowing she couldn’t win the argument alone, she kept her mouth shut.

”Go on, get out! I don’t want to see any of you right now!” Zhao Jiehui waved his hand in disgust. The three of them didn’t dare to linger and quickly left Ye Qingchen’s courtyard.

”Junior Brother Qingchen, do you have anything to say about how I handled that?” Zhao Jiehui asked tentatively, worried that Ye Qingchen might be displeased with his lenient treatment of the trio.

Ye Qingchen just smiled and shook his head. Instead of answering, he took out a storage ring and handed it to Zhao Jiehui. ”Senior Brother Zhao, these are our spoils from this trip. I’ve already divided them into two equal shares. This is yours.”

Zhao Jiehui tried to refuse, but seeing the resolute look in Ye Qingchen’s eyes, he had no choice but to accept. He also understood that Ye Qingchen was not a petty person and thus wouldn’t say anything more about how he had handled the situation. With this thought, Zhao Jiehui bid Ye Qingchen farewell and left the small courtyard.

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a wry smile. Not wanting to dwell on the matter, he walked toward the house to check on Xiao Xiao. Zhao Jiehui has been awake for so long. Xiao Xiao, with her ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul, should be almost fully recovered by now!

Just as Ye Qingchen reached the door, Xiao Xiao ran out of the house. She threw herself into his arms and began to sob. ”Young Master, Xiao Xiao thought she would never see you again!”

At the time, Xiao Xiao had been prepared to die protecting Ye Qingchen. Even when he saved her, she still thought she was dreaming. Now that her injuries were fully healed, she could no longer restrain her emotions and cried her heart out in his embrace.

Ye Qingchen gently stroked Xiao Xiao’s trembling back, softly comforting her.

”Ahem! It seems I’ve come at an awkward time,” a pleasant voice broke the moment.

Recognizing the voice as Yao Yue’s, Xiao Xiao quickly pulled away from Ye Qingchen’s embrace. Blushing, she looked at Yao Yue and said, ”Sister Yao Yue, what brings you here?”

Yao Yue smiled, her gaze shifting from Xiao Xiao to Ye Qingchen. She nodded in approval. ”Not bad at all, Ye Qingchen. Merging with an Earth Fire is a life-or-death ordeal, yet you succeeded. This is truly cause for celebration!”

Ye Qingchen wasn’t surprised that Yao Yue could tell he had merged with the Fen Tian Earth Fire. After all, she came from the Wuji Immortal Palace, a Nine-Star Sect, so she was naturally well-informed.

Yao Yue walked over to Xiao Xiao and took her hand before turning back to Ye Qingchen. ”Ye Qingchen, the three-month period we agreed upon for Xiao Xiao has ended. Now that you’ve successfully merged with the Fen Tian Earth Fire and have some ability to protect yourself, I think it’s time for you two to part ways.”

Ye Qingchen’s brow furrowed slightly. He was aware of the three-month agreement. Although he was reluctant to part with her, he knew their separation was inevitable. Xiao Xiao, possessing the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul, can only receive the best training at the Wuji Immortal Palace. Keeping her anywhere else would undoubtedly be a waste of her talent.

Ye Qingchen was not a selfish person; he wouldn’t let his own reluctance hinder Xiao Xiao’s future. He nodded at Yao Yue and said, ”Since we already agreed, I have no objections.”

After speaking, he walked over to Xiao Xiao and gently stroked her hair once more. Her tear-filled eyes gazed up at him, a thousand words left unspoken.

Ye Qingchen smiled and playfully tapped her cute nose. ”Xiao Xiao, once you get to the Wuji Immortal Palace, you must train diligently,” he said comfortingly. ”As soon as I’ve settled things here, I will definitely visit you. If I find out you haven’t been practicing properly, I’ll be angry, you know!”

Fighting back her tears, Xiao Xiao nodded obediently. Then, with a determined gaze, she said, ”Rest assured, Young Master. Xiao Xiao will train diligently. You have to take good care of yourself too.”

Ye Qingchen nodded and turned away, as his own eyes were beginning to well up with tears.

Xiao Xiao then turned to Yao Yue. ”Sister Yao Yue, could we leave tomorrow instead? I have something important to do tonight!”

Yao Yue was about to refuse, but seeing the resolute look in Xiao Xiao’s eyes, she couldn’t help but relent. ”Alright. I’ll come to pick you up early tomorrow morning.”

With that, Yao Yue left.