Invincible Soul Emperor

Qin Yue nodded and buried her head in Ye Qingchen’s chest. Ye Qingchen cupped her face, and seeing her shy expression, he couldn’t help but lean in for another kiss.

AHEM! AHEM! AHEM!

A series of awkward coughs rang out, causing Ye Qingchen to stop. Qin Yue quickly pulled away from his embrace, her face flushed red with shyness.

”Ye Qingchen, can’t you be a little more mindful of your surroundings? After being apart for so long, I thought you might have matured a bit. I see you’re still as frivolous as ever. Sigh!”

As Li Zongrui shook his head and sighed, a smug smile appeared on his face as he walked toward Ye Qingchen.

By Li Zongrui’s side were the Qingyun Sect’s Master Li Qingfeng, Venerable Heize, and Pavilion Master Zhang Dingqiang. They were all smiling knowingly at Ye Qingchen and Qin Yue.

Embarrassed, Ye Qingchen scratched his head. Qin Yue, her face an even deeper shade of red, stealthily pinched his arm.

A little puzzled, Ye Qingchen looked at the group and asked, ”Master, Venerable, Pavilion Master Zhang, what brings you all here?”

Li Qingfeng sighed and said, ”Qingchen, I know you’re eager for revenge, but agreeing to a life-and-death duel so rashly was a bit too reckless.”

Venerable Heize also shook his head. ”We’ve heard all about your situation. How could we not come for such an important matter?”

Pavilion Master Zhang looked at Ye Qingchen and said, ”Qingchen, with your talent and aptitude, it won’t even take you a year to reach the Martial King Realm. Wouldn’t it be better to face Huan Yuehua then?”

Ye Qingchen shook his head and replied, ”Master, Venerable, Pavilion Master Zhang, don’t worry. I know what I’m doing. Besides, since it has come to this, I can only face the challenge!”

”What nonsense is this? You’re currently living in Chaoyun Country under the name Chen Qingye. Even if you break the agreement and leave, no one will know it was you. Wouldn’t it be better to come back for revenge after you’ve completed your training? Qingchen, I should have known something was amiss when you decided to come to Chaoyun Country, but I never expected you to be this impulsive!” Ye Changqing said, his voice laced with disappointment as he walked toward Ye Qingchen.

Accompanying him were the Rising Sun Pavilion’s Master Qin Zhantian, Xi Jianwei, and a group of other Pill Kings.

Ye Qingchen quickly bowed. ”Father, why have you come as well?”

Ye Changqing sighed. ”Yue’er told us everything about this major event. Qingchen, you’ve been far too impulsive! That Huan Yuehua is an expert at the fifth layer of the Martial King Realm. How could you possibly be his opponent right now?”

Qin Zhantian also chimed in earnestly, ”That’s right, Qingchen. The gap between each layer of the Martial King Realm is enormous. Just as your father said, there’s no shame in a temporary retreat. Where there’s life, there’s hope. Don’t you agree?”

Ye Qingchen shook his head. I absolutely cannot let this opportunity pass. Besides, my strength has already reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. I have more than enough confidence to kill Huan Yuehua.

Xi Jianwei spoke up with a smile, ”Everyone, please rest assured. Mr. Ye is a young hero who has already created many miracles. In this battle against Huan Yuehua, he is sure to emerge victorious.”

The other Pill Kings all nodded in agreement.

By now, they all knew that Chen Qingye was Ye Qingchen’s alias, so they addressed him respectfully as ”Mr. Ye.” During their six months at the Chen Yue Pavilion, these Pill Kings had studied the Pill Emperor’s Heart Sutra that Ye Qingchen had given them and had all progressed rapidly. As a result, they were convinced that Ye Qingchen must have an incredible background. Otherwise, how could he possess such an extraordinary alchemical scripture?

Qin Yue also stepped forward, speaking to Ye Changqing and Qin Zhantian. ”Grandpa, Uncle, you both know Qingchen’s character. Once he promises something, he’ll see it through. No amount of persuasion will work. Instead of arguing endlessly, we should hurry to the Life and Death Arena. If we’re late, the Huanyue Sect might think we’re scared!”

Ye Changqing and Qin Zhantian exchanged a glance and sighed, taking her words as their cue to agree.

Ye Qingchen smiled, took Qin Yue’s hand, and whispered, ”You understand me best.”

Qin Yue gave him a playful wink. ”Let’s go. It’s almost time for it to start.”

Then, Ye Qingchen led Qin Yue and the large group, heading majestically toward the Life and Death Arena.

The Life and Death Arena had been jointly constructed by the Huanyue Sect and the Chen Yue Pavilion. It was built on an open field just outside Illusory Moon City. Qin Yue had even personally reinforced the arena’s Defensive Array to prevent the battle’s aftershocks from harming innocent bystanders.

By now, the venue was surrounded by a sea of spectators, all gathered to witness this highly anticipated duel.

Both Huan Yuehua and Chen Qingye were now famous figures within Chaoyun Country. Huan Yuehua’s fame was a given; as the sect master of the three-star Huanyue Sect, it was impossible for him not to be well-known. As for Chen Qingye, he was the master of the Chen Yue Pavilion. With the Pavilion now monopolizing eighty percent of the Spirit Pill market in Chaoyun Country, his name had become a household one.

Moreover, everyone knew that Huan Yuehua was long-famous, while Chen Qingye was a rising star, rumored to be not even twenty years old. Therefore, while the crowd secretly cursed Huan Yuehua for being a shameless bully picking on a junior, they were also extremely curious about this mysterious young man.

The arena measured a hundred meters in both length and width and stood over a meter off the ground. On the east and west sides, two high platforms had been erected for the people from the Chen Yue Pavilion and the Huanyue Sect to use for spectating. No special seating was provided for the other spectators, as neither side had anticipated such a large crowd.

Ye Qingchen and his entourage ascended the high platform on the east side. The people from the Huanyue Sect had yet to arrive.

Ye Qingchen frowned at the sight of the massive crowd. But on second thought, if I can kill Huan Yuehua in front of everyone, the Huanyue Sect will have nothing to say. Having so many witnesses might not be a bad thing for me.

”Mr. Ye, forgive us for our late arrival!” Liang Xiong and his son, Liang Fei, apologized as they came up to the platform and greeted Ye Qingchen with a respectful bow.

Ye Qingchen returned the gesture with a smile and proceeded to introduce everyone to each other. After the introductions, they all took their seats.

Just then, the members of the Huanyue Sect began to arrive. However, they didn’t rush to ascend their platform. Instead, they stood respectfully at the side, as if waiting for some great personage to arrive. Even Huan Yuehua and his wife no longer showed their usual arrogance. Instead, they stood with heads bowed, waiting patiently.

Seeing the behavior of the Huanyue Sect, everyone grew curious. After all, no one in Chaoyun Country was known to command such deference from them.

At that moment, two figures slowly approached. The one in the lead wore a mask, but it could not conceal their noble aura.

Ye Qingchen recognized the other person: it was Li Rui, the man who had attacked him that day.