Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 288: Chapter 288: Breakthrough to the Fourth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm

To Ye Qingchen’s delight, once the Willow Wood Martial Soul and Dual Pupil Martial Soul had absorbed enough Spiritual Energy, they would in turn feed back a wisp of Pure Energy to enhance his Soul Power.

Soul Power was the energy required to sustain a Martial Soul. For an Alchemist like Ye Qingchen, it was also a tremendous supplement. Only with sufficiently powerful Soul Power could he attempt to reach higher realms of Alchemy.

Back at the Spirit Vein Vortex in Dragon Tiger Mountain, Ye Qingchen had absorbed enough energy to reach the peak of the Third Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. After his recent training and the combat experience from the past few days, breaking through to the Fourth Layer was a natural progression. If not for his two Martial Souls absorbing a considerable amount of extra Spiritual Energy, he would have likely achieved this breakthrough even sooner.

Even so, six hours later, Ye Qingchen finally completed his breakthrough, reaching the Fourth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm.

He didn’t stop cultivating, however. He continued to absorb Spiritual Energy to strengthen his Martial Souls while simultaneously practicing his Martial Soul techniques in his mind. He spent the entire night cultivating and only stopped the next morning when Li Qingfeng knocked on his door.

Sensing the more powerful aura emanating from Ye Qingchen, Li Qingfeng couldn’t help but ask joyfully, ”Qingchen, did you break through?”

Ye Qingchen nodded. ”I reached the Fourth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm last night.”

”Good, good, good!” Li Qingfeng exclaimed happily. ”Today, we face the Yuhua Sect, a top contender for the championship. With your newfound strength, our chances of winning have improved!”

Although Li Qingfeng was brimming with smiles, Ye Qingchen could still detect a hint of concern in his eyes. The Yuhua Sect was widely favored to win, as their sect was filled with powerful experts. Encountering them in the team competition was hardly a stroke of good fortune.

Ye Qingchen didn’t say much. No matter how formidable they are, I will overcome every obstacle to claim victory!

Upon entering the venue, Ye Qingchen noticed that the number of spectators had nearly doubled from the previous days. Since it was the final day of the team competition, the sects that had been eliminated had joined the crowd to watch. Only one stage remained open for the matches, and the contestants from the Qingyun Sect and the Yuhua Sect ascended it for the first match of the day.

”Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, the Yuhua Sect is not to be underestimated,” Ling Xiaoyu remarked with a smile from the judges’ stand, observing the Yuhua Sect’s lineup. ”I’m afraid your young master’s journey ends here today.”

The Yuhua Sect’s five competitors consisted of two at the Ninth Layer, two at the Eighth Layer, and one at the Seventh Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. In contrast, even if Ye Qingchen’s strength could rival that of a Ninth-Layer expert, the Qingyun Sect was still at a stark disadvantage.

Xiao Xiao kept her gaze fixed on the stage, ignoring Ling Xiaoyu’s comment, though the subtle worry in her eyes did not escape his notice.

”Qingchen, you must go all out today,” Venerable Heize said earnestly. ”If we win this match, our points will put us in the top five. Even if we lose the subsequent matches, it won’t matter.”

Ye Qingchen nodded and replied, ”Sect Master, Venerable Heize, I’ll hold off one of the Ninth-Layer Martial Spirit Realm experts. If I can end the fight quickly, I’ll come to assist you. Please be careful.”

Heize nodded. ”I’ll take on the other Ninth-Layer expert. Sect Master, it’ll be tough on you. If you can tie down their two Eighth-Layer experts until Ye Qingchen and I are victorious, we’ll win!”

Li Qingfeng nodded solemnly, while Pavilion Master Zhang sighed. ”Everyone, I’m the one holding you all back.”

Li Qingfeng patted Pavilion Master Zhang on the shoulder to comfort him. ”Don’t think like that, Pavilion Master Zhang. We are all doing our best for the sect. Just give it your all!”

Elder Wujue also nodded, his gaze fixed on the Seventh-Layer Martial Spirit Realm expert from the Yuhua Sect.

I’m confident I could keep both Ninth-Layer experts occupied, but to win this match, I have to end my own fight quickly. That’s why I’ll target one of them first.

As the bell signaling the start of the match rang, both sides moved to engage their designated opponents according to their pre-arranged strategy.

”Kid, your Willow Wood Martial Soul is peculiar, but it’s useless against me!” the Ninth-Layer Martial Spirit Realm expert facing Ye Qingchen sneered. He had watched Ye Qingchen’s battles over the past two days but was thoroughly unimpressed. This was because he himself possessed the Seven-Star Phoenix Martial Spirit.

The Phoenix Martial Spirit was a Fire Attribute soul, a natural counter to Wood Attribute Martial Souls. This made the expert exceptionally confident.

Knowing that time was short, Ye Qingchen wasted no words and immediately used his innate skill, Bind. A dozen vines instantly shot out to envelop his opponent.

However, the expert’s claim was not unfounded. The moment the vines rose, a phoenix wreathed in flames materialized from thin air and burned them to ash.

”Kid, I told you your Martial Soul is useless against me!” the expert said coldly, the disdain in his eyes growing.

Ye Qingchen returned the sneer. ”Is that so? When it comes to playing with fire, I’ve never been afraid of anyone!”

As he spoke, his Willow Wood Martial Soul transformed again, shooting a willow branch as thick as a water urn toward his opponent. Simultaneously, Ye Qingchen activated both his Fen Tian Earth Fire and Ancient Jade Spiritual Fire, fusing them with the branch.

The willow branch instantly became a hissing fire serpent that lunged at the Ninth-Layer expert.

The expert had been dismissive of the fire serpent, but his expression changed drastically when he felt its terrifying temperature—it was even hotter than his own Phoenix Martial Spirit. He immediately began executing a frantic movement technique to dodge the attack.

But Ye Qingchen was prepared for a decisive battle. After launching the fire serpent, he immediately drew his Qingfeng Sword and unleashed Sword Dusting the Wind, slashing toward his opponent.

However, the Yuhua Sect truly deserved its reputation as a favorite to win. Its experts not only possessed high cultivation realms but also extensive combat experience. Using his movement technique, the expert barely managed to dodge the fire serpent. At the same time, his Phoenix Martial Spirit shot into the air to block Sword Dusting the Wind.

After intercepting the sword attack, the Phoenix Martial Spirit’s form dimmed noticeably, and half of its flames extinguished. Clearly, blocking Ye Qingchen’s attack had taken a greater toll on the expert than he let on.

Ye Qingchen frowned. My combination attack failed. Achieving a quick victory is going to be difficult now. My opponent’s combat strength is far greater than I anticipated!