Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 98: Chapter 98: Crossing Hands with Li Susu

”Ye Qingchen, go die!”

Seeing Ye Qingchen in a daze, how could Li Susu pass up this golden opportunity? The distance between them was already short, and with her strength as a third-level martial master, she moved like lightning, closing the gap in an instant. A crazed smile spread across her face as she watched her dagger draw ever closer to Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen had been waiting for this very moment. With his Double Pupils fully active, he saw her every move with perfect clarity. The instant Li Susu attacked, he was already prepared.

Just as the dagger descended, Ye Qingchen spun around. He tapped his toes hard against the ground, and his body shot backward, dodging her fatal blow.

Li Susu was slightly taken aback. He dodged my killing blow? Could he have been prepared all along? But that’s impossible.

However, she was not discouraged. She continued to wield her dagger, shadowing his every move as she relentlessly pressed her attack.

Although Li Susu had reached the third-level martial master realm, her foundation was unstable. She had just used a Spirit Pill to break through and lacked any real combat experience, so she couldn’t truly threaten Ye Qingchen at first. Relying on his agile movement technique, Ye Qingchen continuously dodged her attacks while using his Double Pupils to search for an opening.

In truth, Ye Qingchen had several chances to subdue her. However, given that she had recovered from a ruined Dantian and reached the third-level martial master realm in such a short time, he feared she might possess other life-saving treasures. The exceptionally cautious Ye Qingchen would not take unnecessary risks. After dodging a few more of her attacks, he decided to test her strength and exchanged a palm strike with her.

Li Susu felt as if she had struck an iron plate. The immense rebounding force sent her staggering back two steps, while Ye Qingchen remained motionless.

”A second-level martial master? You broke through again?” Li Susu exclaimed in disbelief. Li Zongrui’s investigation had been perfectly clear: Ye Qingchen had only just reached the Martial Master Realm. How could he possibly have advanced to the second level so quickly?

”Who are you? Why are you trying to assassinate me?” Ye Qingchen asked, his gaze cold. Although he already knew her identity, since she had chosen to come masked, he saw no need to expose her. This way, even if he did kill her, he could claim self-defense if anyone investigated later.

Li Susu snorted, sheathed her dagger, and wasted no more words, lunging at him once more.

The Burning Moon Cotton Palm was a Xuan-rank low-grade martial technique taught to her by Elder Liu Qin. Combined with her six-star Vermilion Bird Martial Soul, it displayed formidable strength. Ye Qingchen felt the very air around him grow scorching hot from her palm wind. The strikes seemed to be a continuous, unending barrage aimed right at him.

As he retreated, Ye Qingchen used his Double Pupils to analyze her for flaws. The Burning Moon Cotton Palm was powerful, but Li Susu had clearly not practiced it for long and was far from flawless. Under the power of his Double Pupils, her movements appeared in slow motion.

Now!

His eyes lit up. Seizing a gap in her movements, he instantly executed the Picking Leaf Hand. His hand shot through her unrelenting palm wind and struck her heavily on the shoulder. The powerful force sent her stumbling back, and a sweet, metallic taste rose in her throat before she spat out a mouthful of blood.

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to press his advantage, his attention was drawn to a token at her waist. It shone with a brilliant gold. The front bore the emblem of the Qingyun Sect, and the back was engraved with a character meaning ”Direct.”

A Direct Disciple’s Token? Li Susu is now a Direct Disciple of the Qingyun Sect!

Ye Qingchen sighed inwardly and halted his pursuit. Instead, he feigned exhaustion, panting heavily. He was confident he could kill Li Susu, but the price for rashly killing a Direct Disciple was one he could not yet afford.

In his eyes, Li Susu didn’t even qualify as an opponent. It wouldn’t be worth it to let someone like her interfere with his plans. Besides, since they were both in the Qingyun Sect, there would be no shortage of opportunities to kill her in the future.

Li Susu clutched her shoulder, enduring the sharp pain as she glared at the panting Ye Qingchen. Though she was seething with unwillingness, she knew it was impossible to kill him with her current strength. She was lucky that Ye Qingchen was only a second-level martial master; otherwise, she would have been in mortal danger today.

Li Susu was a decisive person. Knowing she couldn’t kill Ye Qingchen, she turned and fled at top speed.

She knew that with Li Zongrui providing her with resources, her cultivation would improve by leaps and bounds. When I can completely crush Ye Qingchen, I’ll make him suffer a thousand cuts. For now, I’ll let you live a few more days!

Seeing Li Susu flee, Ye Qingchen didn’t give chase. He simply returned to his small courtyard.

Xiao Xiao was already back, excitedly starting a fire to cook. When she saw Ye Qingchen return, she beamed. ”Young Master, you’re out of closed-door cultivation! That’s great! Xiao Xiao has cooked something delicious. Please, sit down. It will be ready soon.”

Looking at her innocent and adorable expression, Ye Qingchen smiled knowingly. He decided not to tell her about Li Susu’s assassination attempt; it would only make the little girl worry.

”Xiao Xiao, I’m going to take a bath first. I stink after being in closed-door cultivation for so many days,” Ye Qingchen said in a relaxed tone as he walked toward the house.

A bath? The memory of accidentally walking in on Ye Qingchen while he was bathing flashed through her mind, and an unconscious blush crept up her cheeks.

Even when the food was ready, Xiao Xiao still didn’t quite dare to look him in the eyes. This prompted Ye Qingchen to fondly ruffle her hair, as if to comfort her.

「The next morning.」

Ye Ying arrived at Ye Qingchen’s residence in a great hurry and knocked on the courtyard gate.

”Who is it?” Xiao Xiao chirped, hopping over to the gate. Hearing Ye Ying’s voice, she quickly opened it.

”Xiao Xiao, where’s Qingchen?” Ye Ying sounded anxious, as if something urgent had happened.

”The Young Master is in his room—”

Before Xiao Xiao could finish, Ye Ying rushed toward Ye Qingchen’s room.

”Ah, but the Young Master hasn’t woken up yet...” Xiao Xiao muttered to herself.

BANG! BANG! BANG! Ye Ying pounded on the door. ”Qingchen, hurry up and get up! Something has happened!”

A drowsy Ye Qingchen emerged and asked, ”What’s wrong?”