Invincible Soul Emperor

By now, Ye Qingchen understood.

The first step of the Central Celestial Academy’s assessment was to test a Martial Artist’s character. This corresponded to the queuing before entering the Secret Realm and the tension deliberately created within the fog. What followed was a test of a Martial Artist’s ability to adapt to sudden situations, represented by the Killing Formation that appeared just as they grew impatient.

After these trials, the assessment tested if a Martial Artist had the conviction to stay true to their own heart, which corresponded to the design of the Path to Heaven. The rewards after the Path to Heaven seemed like a simple prize, but they were also a balancing measure. Combined with the chaotic one-hour brawl and the subsequent Spiritual Qi Infusion, those who lacked sufficient strength were undoubtedly eliminated.

The palaces at the very end were a test of whether a Martial Artist could remain true to their heart when faced with temptation. After all, if one focused solely on seizing treasures, it would certainly delay their progress. Martial Artists who might have otherwise won could lose their opportunity simply because they couldn’t resist the allure.

Ye Qingchen even suspected that the news of the Treasure Weapon’s appearance had been deliberately released by the Central Celestial Academy, for the sole purpose of letting competitors know that there were indeed treasures to be found in the palaces.

These tests were not only unexpected but also intricately linked, spanning from before they even entered the Secret Realm right up to the very end. They thoroughly probed every aspect of a Martial Artist’s character and aptitude, seeking to enroll students with the most potential and value. As for the raw strength and innate talent that others prized, the Central Celestial Academy didn’t seem to place much emphasis on them.

Of course, for someone to stand out from tens of thousands of people before the age of thirty, how could their strength and qualifications possibly be poor?

Thinking of this, Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but admire the admissions head of the Central Celestial Academy for devising such a recruitment method.

Once I have news of Qin Yue, I’ll have to properly check out this Central Celestial Academy!

Ye Qingchen chuckled and shook his head, then stepped toward the final destination.

”Ye Qingchen! You’ve finally arrived!”

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to reach the finish line, Feng Yuan flash-stepped forward, blocking his path.

Feng Yuan?

Ye Qingchen was slightly taken aback. He had thought he was the first to arrive, but Feng Yuan was already waiting for him.

The finish line is just ahead, yet Feng Yuan isn’t rushing to complete the trial. Instead, he’s choosing to wait for me here... it seems he hates me to the very bone!

In fact, that was exactly the case. Feng Yuan had resolved to wait here for Ye Qingchen to appear. If Ye Qingchen had been late, Feng Yuan would have mercilessly slain anyone else who arrived first. After all, only the first two people to pass through the Secret Realm were qualified to become students of the Central Celestial Academy.

Feng Yuan’s goal was to annihilate Ye Qingchen just when victory seemed within his grasp; only then could he quell the hatred in his heart!

Sixth Layer of the Martial King Realm, not bad. It seems the Spiritual Qi Infusion for second place improved him quite a bit. But does he really think that after advancing, he’s qualified to fight me?

Ye Qingchen could see that Feng Yuan had advanced, but he himself had also reached the Second Layer of the Martial King Realm. Given Feng Yuan’s cowardly nature, it was out of character for him to be so impulsive as to seek revenge now. However, Ye Qingchen also noticed the long cudgel in Feng Yuan’s hand. It emitted a disquieting golden light, and he surmised that this weapon was the source of Feng Yuan’s newfound confidence.

Ye Qingchen’s words had once again struck Feng Yuan’s sore spot.

Feng Yuan glared menacingly at Ye Qingchen and snarled, ”I only received the second-place Spiritual Qi Infusion, and it’s all your fault! Are you bringing it up again just to humiliate me? Ye Qingchen, let me tell you. I’ve been waiting here for you for one reason: to make you lose your right to pass this trial at the very last step before the finish line!”

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a smile. He had no intention of humiliating Feng Yuan; he was simply marveling at the potency of the Spiritual Qi Infusion. As for humiliating Feng Yuan? In Ye Qingchen’s eyes, he wasn’t even worth the effort.

He mused that the first-place Spiritual Qi Infusion had only allowed him to advance one layer, while the second-place infusion had also let Feng Yuan advance one layer. There didn’t seem to be much of a difference between first and second place. It was common knowledge that cultivating in the Martial King Realm required exponentially more Spiritual Energy with each subsequent layer.

What Ye Qingchen didn’t know was that due to his exceptionally solid foundation, less than half of the massive amount of pure Spiritual Energy—an amount that would have been overwhelming for others—was absorbed into his Sea of Qi. The rest had gone to nourish his Martial Soul.

However, facing Feng Yuan’s misunderstanding, Ye Qingchen felt no need to explain. He just shrugged nonchalantly and said, ”I might as well tell you, you’ve advanced, but so have I. You’re still no match for me.”

Feng Yuan sneered and raised the long cudgel in his hand. ”And what if I add this to the mix?”

As his voice fell, Feng Yuan viciously swung the long cudgel at Ye Qingchen.

Terrifying Spiritual Energy swept out instantly. Ye Qingchen barely managed to evade it with his Mystifying Steps, but the swing still carved a three-meter-deep trench into the ground.

Ye Qingchen could tell that Feng Yuan hadn’t even used a Martial Technique. He had simply infused the cudgel with Spiritual Energy to produce such devastating power.

And the only thing that could amplify Spiritual Energy to such a degree is a Treasure Weapon!

”You found a Treasure Weapon? So the news about one appearing in the palaces was true?” Ye Qingchen asked, looking at Feng Yuan in surprise.

Seeing the astonishment on Ye Qingchen’s face, Feng Yuan couldn’t help but laugh out loud, boasting, ”That’s right! This is indeed a low-grade Treasure Weapon, and I’ve named it the Life-Ending Cudgel! With my strength at the peak of the Sixth Layer of the Martial King Realm, plus this Life-Ending Cudgel... Ye Qingchen, are you scared yet?”

Ye Qingchen shook his head nonchalantly. ”A low-grade Treasure Weapon with such power is indeed surprising,” he said. ”However, even with a Treasure Weapon to protect you, thinking you can defeat me is just a fool’s dream!”

Ye Qingchen had indeed been shocked by the Treasure Weapon’s power, but he wasn’t afraid.

At most, I’m just a little envious!

Feng Yuan, however, assumed Ye Qingchen was just putting on a brave face and acting tough.

”Since you insist on being so stubborn, I’ll just have to beat you into submission!” Feng Yuan roared. As he finished speaking, he began swinging the Life-Ending Cudgel again and again, sweeping it relentlessly toward Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen used his Mystifying Steps to dodge repeatedly. The Life-Ending Cudgel’s successive strikes bombarded the ground, and in just a short time, the flat earth was riddled with craters.

This gave Ye Qingchen an even deeper appreciation for the power of a Treasure Weapon. It looks like I’ll have to get my hands on one of these when I get the chance!

Although Feng Yuan’s attacks missed every time, seeing Ye Qingchen frantically dodging still gave him a secret thrill of satisfaction.