Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 67: Chapter 67: Torturing Liu Wenzhuang

Facing Yang Boyu’s attack, Ye Qingchen stood motionless, appearing as if he were scared stiff. Seeing this, the surrounding Outer Sect Disciples couldn’t help but scoff.

”Yang Boyu is moving too fast. That loser Ye Qingchen can’t even react!”

”Ye Qingchen is pathetic! He doesn’t even know how to dodge!”

”What a shame Yang Boyu beat me to it. Otherwise, I could have dropped Ye Qingchen with one punch, and his Cultivation Resources would be mine!”

”...”

Amidst the disciples’ chatter, Yang Boyu’s fist was already less than a foot from Ye Qingchen’s face. At that moment, Yang Boyu was already celebrating internally, fantasizing about how he would use Ye Qingchen’s Cultivation Resources once he got them.

However, in the next instant, the fist he had aimed at Ye Qingchen’s face struck nothing but air!

It missed? How is that possible?!

A look of disbelief spread across Yang Boyu’s face. An instant later, his vision blurred as a fist shot straight toward him.

BANG!

Yang Boyu had no time to dodge. The punch connected squarely, and he collapsed to the ground, out cold.

A one-punch knockout! Seeing this, all the Outer Sect Disciples fell dead silent. Many of them hadn’t even seen how Ye Qingchen had moved. Several Outer Sect Disciples who were familiar with Yang Boyu couldn’t help but swallow hard.

Yang Boyu was a Fifth-layer Martial Artist, the champion of their town’s trial. His strength was formidable. Yet, Ye Qingchen, who had moved second, knocked him out with a single punch. Just how powerful was he?

Is this the same loser Liu Wenzhuang was talking about?

At that moment, they finally understood. Liu Wenzhuang had completely misled them.

After knocking out Yang Boyu with one punch, Ye Qingchen’s gaze swept over the Outer Sect Disciples. ”Is there anyone else who wants to challenge me?” he asked coldly.

Instantly, all the Outer Sect Disciples took an instinctive step back. They were bold enough to bully a soft target, but they wouldn’t dare provoke an iron plate. No one dared to accept Ye Qingchen’s challenge.

Many Outer Sect Disciples even felt a secret thrill. Thank goodness I didn’t rush to challenge him. Otherwise, I’d be the one on the ground right now, lying there like a dead pig!

”I’m just passing by!”

”The weather’s turning; I need to go get my laundry!”

”I’m heading to the Sect Martial Technique Pavilion. Little San, want to come with me?”

The Outer Sect Disciples scattered in a flash. Two of them hastily carried the unconscious Yang Boyu away. Soon, only a handful of people remained at the courtyard entrance. It wasn’t that they weren’t afraid of Ye Qingchen, but that their reactions were a beat slower than everyone else’s, and they hadn’t managed to slip away yet.

Just then...

SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE, SHUFFLE...

The sound of footsteps heralded the arrival of Liu Wenzhuang, who was leading Huang Xiaoshuai and several other Outer Sect Disciples.

Upon seeing Liu Wenzhuang, Ye Qingchen greeted him as warmly as a long-lost relative. ”Brother Liu Wenzhuang, I was just about to look for you, but you beat me to it! You must be here to deliver my Cultivation Resources. I’m truly moved that you keep your promises!”

Hearing this, Liu Wenzhuang’s face burned hot. ”Ahem, let’s not rush to talk about the Cultivation Resources. I’m here to propose another bet with you!”

”Another bet? What is it? Tell me,” Ye Qingchen said, blinking.

Liu Wenzhuang announced, ”A one-on-one duel between you and me! If you lose, our previous wager is canceled!”

Hearing this, the few Outer Sect Disciples who hadn’t left yet looked at him with immense pity. Having just witnessed Ye Qingchen’s prowess, they didn’t think Liu Wenzhuang stood a chance of defeating him.

”And what if I win?” Ye Qingchen asked with a smile.

Liu Wenzhuang shook his head, his face a mask of confidence. ”It’s impossible for you to win!”

Ye Qingchen shook his head in turn. ”That’s not a sincere offer. Let’s just forget it. I don’t like wasting my time on things with no reward.”

Seeing Ye Qingchen refuse, Liu Wenzhuang grew anxious and turned to Huang Xiaoshuai. ”Huang Xiaoshuai, give me your Cultivation Resources! I’ll use them as the stake for my duel with Ye Qingchen!”

Without a moment’s hesitation, Huang Xiaoshuai shook his head like a rattle-drum. ”Liu Wenzhuang, I think we should just forget it!”

Huang Xiaoshuai was all too aware of Ye Qingchen’s combat strength and didn’t believe a Fifth-layer Martial Artist like Liu Wenzhuang could defeat him. If he lent Liu Wenzhuang his Cultivation Resources and he lost, it would be a long time before he got them back, if ever. That would put him in a terrible position.

”What’s there to be afraid of?” Liu Wenzhuang declared with supreme confidence. ”I’ve already broken through to the Sixth Layer of the Martial Artist Realm! My strength has soared, and dealing with Ye Qingchen will be a piece of cake! After I win, I’ll give you a tenth of the spoils as a reward!”

”The Sixth Layer! Alright then!” Huang Xiaoshuai’s attitude changed immediately. Liu Wenzhuang’s cultivation is a layer higher than Ye Qingchen’s, and he promised me a tenth of the winnings. This might be worth the risk!

Taking Huang Xiaoshuai’s Cultivation Resources, Liu Wenzhuang brandished them in front of Ye Qingchen. ”I’ll bet these against you. Do you dare to accept? If you wimp out, that’s fine too. Our previous wager will just be voided!”

Ye Qingchen grinned. ”A bet? Why wouldn’t I bet? These resources may not be much, but even a mosquito’s leg is still meat!”

Ye Qingchen threw Liu Wenzhuang’s own words right back at him.

Hearing this, the corner of Liu Wenzhuang’s mouth twitched violently. He clenched his fists, and without even a word to begin, he threw a heavy punch straight at Ye Qingchen.

Facing the surprise attack, Ye Qingchen didn’t even bother to dodge. He simply reached out, caught Liu Wenzhuang’s fist, and, with a surge of immense power, squeezed hard.

CRACK! CRACK! CRACK! CRACK!

The sickening sound of splintering bone echoed as Liu Wenzhuang shrieked in pain, his face a mask of utter horror. ”You... your cultivation is... the Seventh Layer of the Martial Artist Realm!”

The moment Ye Qingchen struck, Liu Wenzhuang had sensed his opponent’s true Cultivation Realm, and terror flooded his heart. He never imagined that Ye Qingchen, the person he considered utterly worthless, would possess a cultivation a full layer higher than his own. The reality was far beyond his wildest expectations.

Huang Xiaoshuai could no longer stay calm. His cultivation has jumped two layers in such a short time! How is that possible?! His heart pounded with shock, which quickly gave way to a sharp pang of regret. Looks like Liu Wenzhuang is doomed to lose his bet with Ye Qingchen again!

”It hurts! It hurts! Let go! If you don’t let go, my hand will be crippled!” Liu Wenzhuang shrieked, drenched in a cold sweat from the agony.

”Produce what you owe, and I will naturally let go,” Ye Qingchen said indifferently.

”Fine! I’ll give it! I’ll give it!” Liu Wenzhuang tremblingly took out the Cultivation Resources from his robes with his other hand, ready to hand them over.

However, just as he did...

”What kind of skill is there in bullying the weak? Boy, let go of my brother’s hand at once! Otherwise, I’ll be the one to cripple yours today!”

A cold voice rang out as a young man dressed in Inner Sect Disciple attire confidently strode forward.