Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 143: Chapter 143: Stunning Everyone

After all, since the first layer was so formidable, the second layer was bound to be even more perilous.

Just as Ye Qingchen had anticipated, no sooner had he stepped onto the second layer than he found himself ensnared in an Illusory Realm, even before he could make any preparations.

Outside the Heart Demon Tower, the spectators could clearly see Ye Qingchen’s name appear on the screen marking the second layer.

”Who is this Ye Qingchen? How did he reach the second layer so quickly?”

”Although the first layer is relatively simple, it’s also the first step into the Heart Demon Tower. Many disciples struggle to adapt, so their progress is slow.”

”This Ye Qingchen is too reckless. By now, plenty of disciples have seen through the first layer’s illusions, but they are taking time to consolidate what they’ve learned and accumulate experience before attempting the second layer. Yet this Ye Qingchen charged straight in—he’s bound to suffer for it!”

The spectating Qingyun Sect Elders, upon seeing Ye Qingchen’s name appear on the second layer, also began to discuss the matter among themselves.

Li Qingfeng nodded imperceptibly. How could someone who obtained a Divine-Level Cultivation Technique waste time on the first layer? After all, to those truly exceptional prodigies, the first five layers of the Heart Demon Tower are virtually meaningless!

If those disciples who had been eliminated on the first layer knew what the Sect Leader thought of the first five layers, they would surely be furious enough to spit blood.

We can’t even pass the first layer, yet you say the first five are virtually meaningless? What does that make us? Trash?

To everyone’s surprise, Ye Qingchen spent almost no time on the second layer. After only about five minutes, he entered the third layer of the Heart Demon Tower.

”What? So fast? Only two or three Inner Sect Disciples have even made it to the second layer, and this kid is already on the third?” an Elder cried out in shock, seeing Ye Qingchen’s name light up on the third layer.

However, no one mocked him for overreacting, as such a rapid ascent was unprecedented in the history of the Qingyun Sect.

”I remember now! Isn’t this Ye Qingchen the same youngster who won the championship at the recent Provisional Alchemist Grand Competition?” an Elder finally recalled the name and spoke up.

As soon as the Elder finished speaking, his words elicited agreement from the others.

”Indeed, I have a deep impression of this lad. He started the competition last but still managed to overpower all his rivals and seize the championship! Truly stunning!” a Qingyun Sect Elder praised with a satisfied smile.

”I never expected it. Not only does Ye Qingchen possess exceptional Alchemic Talent, but his mental strength and will are also incredibly firm. This young man will surely achieve great things in the future!”

Pavilion Master Liu, the Vice-Master of the Alchemy Pavilion, was also full of praise. When Ye Qingchen studied alchemy under him, Pavilion Master Liu could already tell that the young man’s future achievements in the Alchemy Dao would far surpass his own. However, he had never expected Ye Qingchen’s mental fortitude to be just as exceptional.

While mental fortitude might not directly equate to power, it is a crucial indicator of how far a Martial Artist can ultimately go! For an Alchemist, it is even more important!

Elder Liu Qin also gazed at Ye Qingchen’s name, wanting to say something derogatory, but his impressive performance left her speechless.

At this moment, Pavilion Master Liu could no longer restrain himself. He walked straight up to Li Qingfeng, saluted, and said, ”Sect Leader, I intend to take Ye Qingchen as my Direct Disciple! I hope for your gracious approval!”

Pavilion Master Liu was convinced that Ye Qingchen was a rare talent, and he was determined to take the young man under his wing before anyone else could react.

What Pavilion Master Liu hadn’t anticipated, however, was that every Elder of the Qingyun Sect was as cunning as a fox. Upon hearing his words, how could they not react?

Thus, a crowd of Qingyun Sect Elders gathered before Li Qingfeng, each demanding to take Ye Qingchen as their Direct Disciple!

Normally, one would only have the chance to become a Direct Disciple after reaching the eighth layer of the Heart Demon Tower, and even then, it depended on whether the Elders were willing to accept them. For someone like Ye Qingchen to be fought over by a crowd of Elders after reaching only the third layer was completely unprecedented in the long history of the Qingyun Sect.

At that moment, the Elders seemed terrified that Ye Qingchen might be snatched away by another.

Elder Liu Qin curled her lip, finally finding an opportunity to speak. ”It’s just a fluke he reached the third layer; other disciples are reaching it now too,” she said disdainfully. ”Such behavior is unbecoming of your status as Elders, isn’t it?”

Everyone could hear the unmistakable jealousy in Elder Liu Qin’s words, but no one paid it any mind. These Elders not only valued Ye Qingchen’s mental fortitude but also coveted his Alchemic Talent.

After all, the status of an Alchemist was already extremely high. In a world where strength commands respect, an Alchemist who also possessed great martial prowess was considered nearly perfect!

Ye Qingchen now possessed such potential, which was why the Elders were clamoring for him, completely disregarding their own status.

Li Qingfeng shook his head with a wry smile. He could easily see through the Elders’ intentions. However, he held even greater hopes for Ye Qingchen. He hoped the young man could reach the ninth layer and become his own disciple—or perhaps even reach the legendary tenth layer, a feat no one had ever accomplished!

But as the leader of the Sect, Li Qingfeng would not easily reveal his thoughts. Facing the Elders’ clamor, he simply waved his hand and said, ”The rules of the Sect cannot be broken. According to Sect regulations, one cannot be accepted as a True Disciple without reaching the eighth layer of the Heart Demon Tower.”

Li Qingfeng’s words left the Elders somewhat disappointed, but he continued, ”Back then, Elder Liu Qin took a liking to that girl, Li Susu. It was only after Li Susu reached the eighth layer of the Heart Demon Tower that she was accepted as a True Disciple. So, everyone, please be patient. Let’s just see how far this young man named Ye Qingchen can go!”

After speaking, Li Qingfeng no longer responded to the Elders, instead focusing his attention on the situation inside the Heart Demon Tower.

Knowing the Sect’s rules, the Elders sighed and said no more.

At this point, all the disciples on the first layer of the Heart Demon Tower had moved on; some had entered the second layer, while others had been directly eliminated. But what pleased Li Qingfeng was that only half of the disciples had been eliminated from the first layer!

”It seems the quantity and quality of this year’s Inner Sect Disciples far exceed the usual!” Li Qingfeng mused.

He clearly remembered that in previous Heart Demon Tower trials, two-thirds of the participants were typically eliminated on the very first layer. Challenging the Heart Demon Tower was no easy feat.