Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 141: Chapter 141 Entering the Heart Demon Tower

Three days passed quickly. When Ye Qingchen emerged from his secret chamber, Wang Qiang and Hong Yan were already waiting in the courtyard.

To Ye Qingchen’s surprise, the three of them—Wang Qiang, Hong Yan, and Hei Ze—were sitting around a dining table, feasting merrily.

Could it be that Hei Ze’s culinary skills had improved so much in just three days?

Full of curiosity, Ye Qingchen walked over, immediately drawn in by the fragrant aroma of the delicious food. He had barely eaten since Xiao Xiao’s departure. Although his current constitution allowed him to go several days without food or drink, the love of good food was human nature.

Ye Qingchen didn’t stand on ceremony and sat down, tucking in with gusto.

By then, Wang Qiang and Hong Yan had already eaten their fill. As new Inner Sect Disciples, they were naturally qualified to participate in the climb of the Heart Demon Tower. While Ye Qingchen ate, they began to explain its rules.

The annual climb of the Heart Demon Tower was a major event for the Inner Sect Disciples and for the Qingyun Sect as a whole. It served not only as an opportunity for the disciples but also as an important channel for the Sect to select its most outstanding members. To show its importance, Sect Master Li Qingfeng personally presided over the event every year.

The climb was used to assess the aptitude of the Inner Sect Disciples and select the most exceptional among them. Outstanding disciples would also receive generous rewards:

Those who reach the sixth level will be awarded three Low-grade Spirit Stones!

Those who reach the seventh level will be awarded ten Low-grade Spirit Stones!

Those who reach the eighth level will be exceptionally promoted to True Disciple of the Sect!

Those who reach the ninth level may become a Direct Disciple of the Sect Master, receiving his personal instruction!

Hearing their explanation, Ye Qingchen nodded repeatedly. Although he never stopped eating, he occasionally interjected with a question or two.

”Isn’t the Heart Demon Tower said to have twelve levels? If reaching the ninth level is enough to become the Sect Master’s Direct Disciple, what are the rewards for climbing even higher?”

Wang Qiang explained with a smile, ”Junior Brother Qingchen, you might not know this, but since the founding of our Qingyun Sect, the highest anyone has ever climbed is the ninth level. No one has ever reached the tenth. As for the eleventh and twelfth levels, no one knows what lies within.”

After all, Wang Qiang was just a newly promoted Inner Sect Disciple. He knew very little about the Sect’s secrets and couldn’t offer much more of an explanation.

Hei Ze, who was sitting to the side, knew more, but his status made it inappropriate for him to reveal too much. He only hinted, ”I’ve heard it said that even the Sect Master himself only managed to reach the ninth level back in his day. If someone can climb higher, they will definitely receive the Sect’s utmost attention. Ye Qingchen, you must do your best.”

What Hei Ze didn’t mention was that he too had once reached the ninth level. As for what lay beyond, truly no one knew. Recalling the horrors of the Heart Demon Tower, a shiver of lingering fear still ran through him.

But Hei Ze had immense confidence in Ye Qingchen. He believed Ye Qingchen could work a miracle. After all, hadn’t he been the one to obtain the divine-level Cultivation Technique that no one else could?

Hearing Hei Ze’s words, Wang Qiang and Hong Yan nodded in agreement. Hong Yan added, ”Hei Ze is right. Climbing higher than the Sect Master would prove you have even greater talent than he does. You would surely receive the Sect’s full support and soar to great heights.”

By now, Ye Qingchen had devoured the food on the table like a whirlwind. Wiping his mouth, he said with a smile, ”The Heart Demon Tower, as its name implies, is a place for challenging one’s Heart Demons. It tests the firmness of one’s will, which has little to do with aptitude or talent. The three of us must all strive to do our best. Let’s aim to become Direct Disciples of the Sect Master!”

Wang Qiang and Hong Yan both smiled, recognizing that Ye Qingchen was giving himself a pep talk. After all, reaching the ninth level of the Heart Demon Tower was no easy feat.

After their meal, the four of them headed toward the Heart Demon Tower together.

The Heart Demon Tower was located on the back mountain of the Qingyun Sect. When Ye Qingchen arrived, he was immediately awestruck by the towering structure piercing the clouds. Amidst the overlapping peaks, the black and mysterious giant tower stood tall, its top lost in the sky, shrouded in swirling mist. At a glance, it resembled a giant sword thrusting straight into the heavens—a magnificent and awe-inspiring sight.

Mysteriously, the tower was invisible from a distance, only appearing when one was within a few hundred meters of it on the back mountain.

”What a magnificent black tower!” Ye Qingchen murmured, looking up at the tower whose peak was lost to sight.

Wang Qiang said excitedly, ”Junior Brother Qingchen, that is the Heart Demon Tower.”

Ye Qingchen nodded and walked toward it with Wang Qiang and Hong Yan.

Over a thousand disciples had already gathered there, each wearing the Token of an Inner Sect Disciple. It seemed they were all newly promoted this year. After registering, the three of them joined the crowd.

Despite the large number of people, no one spoke. Everyone waited in silence for the Heart Demon Tower to open.

An hour later, as nine sonorous bell tolls echoed through the air, Sect Master Li Qingfeng appeared before the crowd.

He glanced over the disciples and nodded in satisfaction. There were far more disciples participating in the trial this year than in previous years. I hope some promising prospects emerge this year!

Finally, Li Qingfeng’s gaze landed on Ye Qingchen in the crowd. Their eyes met, and Ye Qingchen felt a sense of encouragement from the Sect Master’s expression.

Li Qingfeng shifted his gaze, his authoritative voice filling the venue and reaching every person’s ears. ”I imagine you are all aware of the rules of the Heart Demon Tower, so I will not elaborate further. I now declare the Heart Demon Tower officially open!”

As his words faded, he quickly formed a series of hand seals, sending a stream of pure Spiritual Energy shooting toward the Heart Demon Tower. The ancient, imposing structure began to glow brightly, emitting a captivating cyan light.

Moments later, the great doors of the first level of the Heart Demon Tower slowly swung open, and the Inner Sect Disciples gathered for the trial began pouring inside.

Ye Qingchen entered the Heart Demon Tower along with the crowd.

From a distance, Li Zongrui, who had been watching Ye Qingchen’s every move, saw him enter the tower. He turned to the girl beside him and said viciously, ”Su Su, I just saw that kid Ye Qingchen go in. He’s definitely a dead man today!”

Beside him, Li Susu also watched the direction where Ye Qingchen had disappeared with a venomous gaze.

Li Susu had experienced the Heart Demon Tower’s trial herself when Li Zongrui first brought her to the Qingyun Sect, so she was keenly aware of its horrors. Both she and Li Zongrui had reached the eighth level, a testament to their mental fortitude. Li Susu believed Ye Qingchen’s willpower would get him there as well. At that point, facing the terrifying Heart Demons, he would surely be unable to cope. And given his competitive nature, he wouldn’t give up easily, which would seal his doom.

Thinking of this, a malicious smile flickered across Li Susu’s face before vanishing. She turned and said to Li Zongrui in a sweet, delicate voice, ”This time, I must thank Brother Zong Rui for his help. Otherwise, Su Su wouldn’t know when she could finally have her revenge!”