Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 846: Chapter 846: Keeping Him for a Purpose

Wu Chang’s eyes bulged wide, as if they were about to pop out of their sockets, his face turning from pale to a livid green in an instant, cold sweat streaming down his forehead.

He could not believe his own eyes. Not only had Ye Qingchen not been devoured by the backlash of the Demonic Qi, he had actually managed to Refinement it; this completely overturned everything he thought he knew about Demonic Qi.

”This is impossible!” Wu Chang’s voice turned sharp and hysterical, his emotions utterly out of control, his face filled with rage and unwillingness. He struggled desperately, trying to break free of Xue Zhao’s restraints, but the Spiritual Power binding him was like iron chains, unbreakable.

Wu Chang’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared madly at Ye Qingchen, roaring, ”How could you possibly do that! You’re just an ordinary Cultivator, how could you possibly Refinement Demonic Qi! Impossible! You must have used some despicable trick!”

His voice was hoarse, practically a hysterical roar, the anger and hatred in his eyes nearly consuming him.

He refused to accept this reality—Ye Qingchen had actually succeeded; to him, this was a fatal blow.

Wu Chang’s heart was filled with a crushing sense of defeat; he could not understand.

Clearly their strength was about the same, so why could Ye Qingchen always accomplish what he thought was impossible.

His pride had suffered a tremendous blow, his entire spirit on the verge of collapse.

”You bastard! What the hell did you do!” Wu Chang shouted in fury, his voice brimming with despair and venom. ”How could you possibly Refinement Demonic Qi! You can’t be stronger than me! You can’t!”

Wu Chang’s voice echoed through the Valley; he screamed and raged for a long time, anger, venom, and unwillingness all tangled together.

As if he wanted to swallow the entire Valley.

Yet no matter how he ranted, Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao only looked at him coldly, not a ripple in their eyes.

Ye Qingchen stood where he was, hands clasped behind his back, his figure straight and tall.

His gaze was as cold and sharp as ice, carrying an unquestionable authority.

His eyes rested steadily on Wu Chang, as though looking at a jumping clown.

Xue Zhao stood beside Ye Qingchen, arms folded across her chest, her figure striking and graceful.

Xue Zhao’s gaze was just as icy, tinged with a trace of disdain and contempt.

She slightly raised one eyebrow, as if mocking Wu Chang.

The two of them did not move, as if time had frozen in that moment.

Their gazes were like two cold blades, silently stabbing into Wu Chang’s heart.

In their eyes, Wu Chang’s roaring and struggling was nothing more than a dying struggle, utterly meaningless.

Wu Chang’s voice gradually grew hoarse, his strength slowly fading. His voice grew weaker and weaker, until finally he stopped roaring altogether.

He panted heavily, his face pale, his whole body as if drained of all strength, collapsing limply to the ground.

A flash of anger and humiliation crossed Wu Chang’s face, but he knew he no longer had the strength to resist.

His eyes were filled with unwillingness and hatred, but even more with helplessness.

Only now did he understand.

He would never be a match for Ye Qingchen.

Wu Chang slowly lowered his head, the light in his eyes gradually dimming, his whole being seeming to lose all will to fight.

Xue Zhao walked to Wu Chang’s side, looking down at him from above, and said slowly, ”Ye Qingchen, we can’t kill this guy yet, he’s still useful. After we get out, we can use him to expose Xue Wei’s crimes. When his value is exhausted, it won’t be too late to kill him then.”

Ye Qingchen glanced at Xue Zhao, then nodded in agreement. ”Fine, we’ll do as you say. Let’s take him out first.”

Right now, there was no way Wu Chang could escape.

Besides, he had also agreed to help Xue Zhao deal with Xue Wei.

This was the perfect opportunity.

Ye Qingchen walked slowly up to Wu Chang, his gaze coldly fixed on him. ”Wu Chang, your only choice now is to behave yourself. Otherwise, your end will be even more miserable.”

Wu Chang glared viciously at Ye Qingchen, but in the end still lowered his head and no longer resisted.

He knew he had no choice left and could only temporarily submit to their arrangements.

Xue Zhao and Ye Qingchen exchanged a tacit glance, then together dragged Wu Chang and walked forward.

The Jiang Ancient Clan.

The Jiang Clan Great Elder’s residence was set within a tranquil and mysterious Valley, surrounded on all sides by lush ancient trees and murmuring streams.

Entering this peaceful place felt like stepping into an ancient landscape painting.

At the center of the Valley behind the Jiang Ancient Clan’s mountain, there stood a grand ancient building—this was the Jiang Clan Great Elder’s abode.

The structure was built of blue stone and redwood, with towering eaves and upturned corners, exuding an air of elegance and solemnity.

A bronze plaque hung over the main gate, bearing four bold, vigorous characters: ”Jiang Clan Ancestral Court.”

Passing through the gate, the first thing that met the eye was a spacious front courtyard, its ground paved with smooth stone slabs, both sides planted thickly with bamboo and ancient pines.

The air was filled with the fresh fragrance of bamboo leaves and pine needles, instantly clearing the mind and lifting the spirit.

In the very center of the front courtyard stood an antique stone-carved fountain; clear spring water gushed from the mouth of a finely carved stone dragon, producing a pleasant burbling sound.

Beyond the front courtyard lay the Great Elder’s main hall.

The main hall was broad and bright, with a massive redwood desk placed in the very center. A piece of ancient brocade was spread across it, upon which lay the clan genealogy, scrolls, and several old tomes.

The walls around the hall were covered with portraits of ancestors, each one vivid and lifelike, as though recounting the glorious history of the Jiang Clan.

On the left side of the main hall was a corridor leading to the rear courtyard, its sides hung with bundles of dried herbs and red prayer cords.

Walking through the corridor, the rear courtyard unfolded before the eyes. It was a secluded garden, planted with all kinds of rare flowers and plants; especially the century-old orchid in the central courtyard, which served as the garden’s crowning touch.

In the middle of the garden was a small pond, where several koi swam leisurely in the water, lotus leaves and blooming lotuses floating upon its surface.

The Jiang Clan Great Elder’s living quarters lay at the far end of the garden. Before the door was a flight of blue stone steps, moss-covered, giving a simple and tranquil air.

Pushing open the heavy redwood door, one was greeted by a simple yet elegant interior.

The bookshelves along the four walls were filled with ancient texts and medicinal herbs; in the middle of the room stood a plain, old-fashioned chair, beside it a delicate tea table, on which was placed a finely crafted tea set.

The Great Elder was sitting in the chair, an ancient book in his hand.

Seeing Jiang Qi enter, he immediately set down the scroll in his hand and rose to greet him.

He hurried forward, bending at the waist in salute, and said respectfully, ”Saint Heir, you’ve come!”

The Great Elder’s voice was full of deference, his brows and expression brimming with respect.

Seeing this, Jiang Qi strode into the room and sat down without hesitation on the seat atop the tatami, his posture casual yet confident.

He flicked his outer robe aside, revealing the luxurious garments beneath, and leaned back carelessly, as if this were his own domain.