Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 202: Chapter 202: Ye Qingchen Alone is Enough to Deal With You

However, Ye Qingchen chose to completely ignore Li Zongrui’s sarcastic remarks. This only infuriated Li Zongrui further, but finding no outlet for his anger, he could only turn his head away and sulk.

At this moment, Emperor Cai Wentao of the Northern Desolate Country also arrived at the royal pavilion, which had been specially constructed above the arena, and took his seat. Cai Wentao waved to the audience, and the eunuch beside him shouted again in his shrill voice, ”Everyone, you may rise.” The kneeling crowd, chanting ”Long live the Emperor,” rose and returned to their seats.

Ye Qingchen now had a moment to observe the most esteemed person in the Northern Desolate Country, Emperor Cai Wentao.

Cai Wentao appeared to be in his thirties. He had a square face that projected an intimidating authority without any hint of anger. His many years in a high position had also given him a formidable presence. Even when unintentional, this aura made people afraid to look at him directly.

Just then, Cai Yunji, who was in the center of the arena, turned to look at Cai Wentao. The emperor gave her a slight nod.

Understanding the gesture, Cai Yunji took two steps forward and began to speak. ”Thank you to all the sect elders and reclusive masters for coming to witness the grand Alchemy Dao competition.”

Although Cai Yunji was a princess with a cold exterior, her words were graceful and poised. A single sentence drew thunderous applause from the stands.

Cai Yunji paused for a moment before continuing, ”I’m sure you are all eager to see the wonderful performances of our Alchemy Masters. I won’t delay with pleasantries, but there is one matter that I must announce in advance.”

Her words silenced the venue. Everyone pricked up their ears, eager to hear what could be so important that the princess would announce it with such solemnity.

Pleased with the atmosphere, Cai Yunji smiled slightly and continued, ”This year’s Alchemy Dao competition is slightly different from previous years. The most significant change is that my Father, the Emperor, has greatly increased the rewards. For the sect competition, the champion will be awarded 200,000 low-grade Spirit Stones! The runner-up will receive 100,000 low-grade Spirit Stones. As for the newly added Loose Cultivator competition, the champion will receive a reward of 50,000 low-grade Spirit Stones, and the runner-up will receive 30,000 low-grade Spirit Stones!”

After Cai Yunji’s announcement, everyone in the venue was stunned.

A moment later, someone finally processed the news and said in disbelief, ”The rewards this year are double what they were in previous competitions!”

As if hearing their astonished murmurs, Cai Yunji smiled and continued, ”That’s right. The rewards have indeed been doubled compared to previous years. And it’s not just the champion and runner-up prizes—all subsequent ranking rewards have also been doubled!”

Her words once again plunged the audience into shock.

Everyone murmured in admiration. It was obvious the royal family was placing extraordinary importance on this year’s Alchemy Dao competition to be offering such generous prizes.

The contestants participating in the Alchemy Dao competition were also eagerly rubbing their hands together, ready to show their skills. The enthusiasm for the competition soared to an unprecedented high.

When Ye Qingchen heard that the first-place prize was 200,000 low-grade Spirit Stones, he too was astonished.

But I understand that the reward for the sect competition won’t belong to an individual. Still, if I can secure a first-place victory for the sect, the Sect Master’s reward will definitely be generous when I return. Cultivation Resources are what I lack most right now. Winning first place in this competition would be a godsend!

With this in mind, Ye Qingchen silently cheered himself on.

Then, at Princess Cai Yunji’s signal, both the Loose Cultivator Competition and the Sect Competition began simultaneously. The Sect Competition, however, started with the youth division’s matches.

After Pavilion Master Zhang and Vice Pavilion Master Liu gave a few more words of encouragement, Ye Qingchen and the dozen or so other young alchemists from the Qingyun Sect headed toward the competition area.

But just as they left the Qingyun Sect’s rest area, they ran into the contestants from the neighboring Heavenly Profound Sect.

The leader of the Heavenly Profound Sect’s youth division was, of course, Cheng Zhibin.

Seeing the Qingyun Sect’s lineup, Cheng Zhibin didn’t bother to hide the contempt in his eyes. He looked disdainfully at Ye Qingchen and said, ”This is the team from the number one sect, the Qingyun Sect? They couldn’t even send out a single fourth-grade alchemist. It seems the Qingyun Sect is really in decline. Who knows when they’ll run out of successors!”

Faced with Cheng Zhibin’s mockery, the disciples of the Qingyun Sect were filled with anger. But when they saw his fourth-grade alchemist badge, they were intimidated and could only bottle up their frustration, their faces flushing red as they were left speechless.

In contrast, the Heavenly Profound Sect’s disciples laughed wildly, continuing to taunt their rivals.

Ye Qingchen shook his head helplessly. The strong and the weak will be decided once the competition starts. There’s no need for this verbal sparring.

However, faced with the relentless taunts from Cheng Zhibin’s group, Ye Qingchen knew he had to say something. Otherwise, his fellow disciples’ morale would be crushed, which could affect their performance in the competition.

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to step forward, Li Zongrui, who had been in the Qingyun Sect’s rest area, could no longer sit still. He rushed up to Cheng Zhibin and said coldly, ”What are you yapping about? You talk as if the Heavenly Profound Sect has already won the championship.”

Cheng Zhibin, confident that no one would dare start a physical fight at the Alchemy Dao competition, retorted fearlessly, ”Whether we win the championship or not remains to be seen, but defeating a bunch of third-grade alchemists like you will be a piece of cake.”

Li Zongrui’s face flushed with anger. He stared at Cheng Zhibin and shot back, ”Hmph! So what if our Qingyun Sect only sent third-grade alchemists this time? Even without a fourth-grade alchemist, crushing you all will be a breeze. Just try not to cry when you lose!”

Li Zongrui’s words made Cheng Zhibin roar with laughter, as if he’d just heard the world’s greatest joke. The other Heavenly Profound Sect disciples joined in with unrestrained glee.

”What are you laughing at?” Li Zongrui said, displeased. ”What’s so funny!”

Clutching his stomach, Cheng Zhibin didn’t even try to contain his laughter. ”Crush us? A breeze? And who’s going to do it? You?”

Li Zongrui was at a loss for words. He could only curl his lip and say, ”I’m not an alchemist, so of course I can’t teach you a lesson myself. But...”

As he spoke, Li Zongrui pulled Ye Qingchen to his side. ”But you are definitely no match for Ye Qingchen! He alone is enough to take care of all of you!”

Ye Qingchen was left speechless.