Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 159: Chapter 159: Mysterious Woman Appears

Ye Qingchen was lost in thought for a long while, quietly cheering himself on. I have to work hard at my cultivation. Otherwise, the gap between me and Xiao Xiao will only grow wider with time.

After all, Xiao Xiao possessed the talent of a Ten-Star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul. Even in a major sect like the Wuji Immortal Palace, she would be given the utmost resources and support.

After a brief tour, Vice Pavilion Master Liu led Ye Qingchen toward the most important place in the Alchemy Pavilion—the Pill Refining Room.

Even from a hundred meters away, Ye Qingchen could feel the scorching heat in the air. The Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra within him grew even more active in response, and even the Fen Tian Earth Fire began to stir restlessly.

Vice Pavilion Master Liu proudly introduced the area. ”This is the Pill Refining Room, where the most skilled Alchemy Masters of the Qingyun Sect gather. And this is where you will be spending most of your time for the next two months.”

As he spoke, he led Ye Qingchen inside. The moment he stepped into the Pill Refining Room, Ye Qingchen was stunned by the sight of hundreds of Alchemy Furnaces before him.

In front of each furnace, an Alchemist was intently focused on their craft. Their dazzling and complex techniques made Ye Qingchen realize for the first time just how crude his own alchemy skills were. Compared to these Alchemy Masters, my previous methods were practically a waste of medicinal herbs.

However, Ye Qingchen didn’t lose heart. I have the Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra and Old Man Fen Tian’s legacy, and now I even have the Fen Tian Earth Fire to help me. As long as I practice earnestly, surpassing these Alchemy Masters is just a matter of time.

Afterward, Vice Pavilion Master Liu showed Ye Qingchen the other important buildings in the Alchemy Pavilion, boasting about its prestige, before turning to him with a meaningful expression.

”Qingchen, you are the most talented disciple I have ever seen on the path of alchemy. I hope you remain humble and avoid arrogance. How much you can comprehend in these two months will depend on your own capabilities and fortune!”

Ye Qingchen nodded heavily. He understood that while Vice Pavilion Master Liu had nominally asked him to work in the Alchemy Pavilion for two months as payment for the herbs, his real intention was to give him an opportunity to hone his alchemy skills. This thoughtful gesture moved Ye Qingchen unexpectedly.

Vice Pavilion Master Liu then personally led Ye Qingchen to a residence that had been specially arranged for him. ”Since you’re injured, you should focus on recuperating here for now,” he instructed. ”When the Pavilion Master returns in a few days, I will come and notify you.”

After Ye Qingchen expressed his thanks, Vice Pavilion Master Liu turned and left.

Ye Qingchen pushed open the door to his room. The first thing that caught his eye was a row of bookshelves filled with the notes and insights of famous Alchemists. This must be another of Vice Pavilion Master Liu’s considerate arrangements, meant to smooth my path in alchemy.

At that moment, however, Ye Qingchen had no interest in reading those notes. He took out the Spirit Pill that Sect Leader Li Qingfeng had given him, swallowed it, and began to heal his injuries.

The effects of a third-grade Spirit Pill were truly potent. The moment he swallowed it, a surging medicinal power coursed through him, continuously repairing his damaged meridians and cells. Not daring to let his focus wander, he immediately circulated the Divine Wood Formula to better refine the pill’s energy.

「Three hours passed in the blink of an eye.」

Ye Qingchen opened his eyes, exhaled a deep breath of turbid air, and stood up.

After a quick internal inspection, he found that he had fully recovered. While silently marveling at the efficacy of the third-grade Spirit Pill, his thoughts couldn’t help but drift.

My unexpected outburst of astonishing power that day... It must be related to the mysterious woman who entered my body. There’s no other way to explain what happened.

With this in mind, Ye Qingchen scanned his surroundings. After confirming he was alone, he clasped his hands, bowed to the empty air, and spoke.

”Thank you, miss, for saving my life that day!”

Anyone who saw this would definitely think I was insane, talking to myself.

But Ye Qingchen was completely serious. After speaking, he bowed again and again, continuing to offer his thanks. Still, there was no response. Just as he was about to give up, a soft, giggling laugh suddenly echoed in his ears.

”Well now, little brother, you do have some conscience. To think you guessed it was your big sister who saved you. My efforts weren’t wasted after all.”

Hearing the mysterious woman’s voice, Ye Qingchen was overjoyed and quickly replied, ”Thank you for saving my life, miss. But I cannot accept a reward for nothing. How can I possibly repay you?”

The bell-like laughter rang out again. ”You’re an interesting little fellow. You’re not concerned about my origins, yet you keep insisting on repaying me.”

Ye Qingchen flushed with embarrassment. ”To say I’m not curious about your identity would be a lie, but I know the importance of repaying kindness.”

The mysterious woman’s voice returned. ”At least you have a conscience, kid. Don’t worry about it so much. I finally managed to escape the Heart Demon Tower. By residing in your body, I can absorb the Soul Power you generate during your daily cultivation to restore myself. You could say we have a mutually beneficial arrangement. When you’re in danger, I naturally won’t stand by and do nothing!”

Ye Qingchen nodded in understanding. No wonder so much of the Soul Power I’ve generated from Spiritual Energy recently has been inexplicably disappearing. It turns out she was absorbing it all.

Although this situation will slow my advancement considerably, the thought that she can save my life at a critical moment gives me peace of mind.

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to express his gratitude again, the woman’s voice sounded once more.

”However, helping you this time consumed a great deal of my Soul Power. I’m even weaker now than when I first got out. So you’d better cultivate harder, and if it’s convenient, let your big sister here absorb a little extra, hmm? Otherwise, I might not be able to help you next time.”

Faced with her teasing, Ye Qingchen scratched his head sheepishly and replied, ”Don’t worry, Sister. I’ll definitely work hard at my cultivation to keep you satisfied.”

Ye Qingchen smiled, but then a thought struck him, and he quickly asked, ”The Pavilion Master of the Alchemy Pavilion is returning tomorrow to inspect my body. Sister, the secret of you being inside me... it won’t be discovered by others, will it?”

Now that he understood her purpose, he began to worry. If the Pavilion Master finds out, I won’t have a good explanation.

His words, however, only elicited another string of laughter from the mysterious woman. When the laughter subsided, she spoke with haughty pride.

”Even in my weakened state, do you really think I could be detected by a bunch of Martial Spirit Realm ants?”

Ye Qingchen felt a wave of relief and continued to ask, ”May I ask how I should address you, Sister?”

He was, after all, extremely curious about the woman’s identity.