Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 216: Chapter 216: Shy Qin Yue

Vice Pavilion Master Liu faced the outcome with considerable frustration and guilt. In this Experts’ Tournament, it was entirely possible for him to have claimed the championship if not for the problems with his own mindset. If he had won, the Qingyun Sect could have secured the overall title in the sect competition.

Pavilion Master Zhang approached Vice Pavilion Master Liu and offered words of consolation. ”Vice Pavilion Master Liu, there’s no need to blame yourself. Victory and defeat are a natural part of any contest. Besides, there’s still the mixed tournament ahead. The final victor has yet to be decided.”

”But, alas! Pavilion Master Zhang, I knew full well that those bastards Xiong Bin and Xiong Hai were intentionally provoking me, but why couldn’t I just hold back!” Vice Pavilion Master Liu sighed deeply and forcefully smacked his own head.

Naturally, Pavilion Master Zhang wouldn’t allow him to self-harm in his presence. He reached out to stop him and continued, ”Vice Pavilion Master Liu, you are well aware of your own issues. Self-reproach is useless now. Moreover, I believe that as long as you can overcome your mental block, you will undoubtedly make further progress on your path of the Alchemy Dao.”

Vice Pavilion Master Liu nodded blankly, and Pavilion Master Zhang led him toward the Qingyun Sect’s rest area. The recent loss in the competition also left the Qingyun Sect disciples dispirited, and each of them looked dejected.

Pavilion Master Zhang understood that this was not the time to boost morale. There were still three days until the mixed tournament began. He decided it would be better to first help Vice Pavilion Master Liu resolve his mental block; once that was done, the other disciples’ spirits would naturally improve.

Pavilion Master Zhang gestured, preparing to lead the Qingyun Sect disciples back, but a group from the Heavenly Profound Sect blocked their path.

”Zhang Dingqiang, today was just a small lesson for your Qingyun Sect. In three days, our Heavenly Profound Sect will surely make you lose face completely!” Xiong Bin said with a cold laugh.

”Bastards! What nonsense are you spouting? If it weren’t for your despicable tricks today, do you think you could have won?” Li Zongrui couldn’t stand their provocations. As the young master of the Qingyun Sect, he paid no mind to the man’s status as a Pill King of the Heavenly Profound Sect.

Humiliated in public by a junior, Xiong Bin’s face flushed with anger. But when he noticed the icy gaze of Elder Wuji, he restrained himself. With a cold snort, he led the Heavenly Profound Sect disciples away, flicking his sleeves. As the First Elder of the Qingyun Sect, Elder Wuji’s reputation was widespread. Xiong Bin dared not provoke him easily and could only swallow his anger.

Watching the dejected figures of the Heavenly Profound Sect members retreat, Li Zongrui had no intention of stopping and continued to hurl insults at them.

Ye Qingchen shook his head with a smile. That Li Zongrui... though he’s unreliable most of the time, he has his merits when it comes to matters of principle.

This little episode passed, and upon returning to their lodgings, Pavilion Master Zhang specifically took Vice Pavilion Master Liu into his room, clearly intending to offer some guidance. The other disciples also returned to their own rooms, and Ye Qingchen was no exception.

Although they had lost the competition that day, Ye Qingchen had gained a great deal from observing the alchemy processes of more than twenty Pill Kings. So, from the moment he returned, he shut himself in his room and did not emerge, concentrating on assimilating the insights into the Alchemy Dao he had gained.

On the third day, Qin Yue knocked on Ye Qingchen’s door, prompting him to pause his contemplation and open it.

”Ye Qingchen, I heard that you locked yourself in your room as soon as you got back from the alchemy competition. Are you all right?” Qin Yue asked with some concern.

Ye Qingchen shook his head but didn’t tell her he was contemplating the Alchemy Dao. Instead, he changed the subject. ”Miss Qin, is there something you need from me?”

Qin Yue’s face turned slightly red, and she stammered, ”Well, Ye Qingchen, my grandfather sent me to ask you to come over.”

Ye Qingchen found it somewhat amusing. Is this really the same Qin Yue I first met? The decisive, swift, and resolute leader of the Rising Sun Pavilion? Now she’s like a sweet, innocent girl from next door!

Of course, Ye Qingchen wasn’t foolish enough to ask her why she was acting this way. He simply nodded and followed her toward the Rising Sun Pavilion.

The two walked in silence. Qin Yue wanted to say something but couldn’t think of a topic, inwardly cursing her own clumsiness. She couldn’t understand why her face would flush and her words would become hesitant whenever she faced Ye Qingchen. He, on the other hand, was too preoccupied with contemplating his insights into the Alchemy Dao over the past two days to initiate any conversation.

Thus, they made their way in silence until they entered Qin Zhantian’s room, where the atmosphere finally returned to normal.

”Young Master Ye, I had some urgent matters the other day and had to leave early. I didn’t get the chance to congratulate you in person. I hope you don’t mind!” Qin Zhantian’s laughter was hearty, his voice booming like a bell, making it hard to associate him with the critically ill old man Ye Qingchen had first met.

While returning the polite gesture, Ye Qingchen observed Qin Zhantian’s complexion and said with a smile, ”Elder Qin, you seem to be recovering well. Since I’m here today, it’s a good time to remove another portion of the Fire Poison for you!”

Qin Zhantian laughed heartily and waved his hand. ”No rush, no rush. Yue’er, pour some tea for Young Master Ye.”

Only then did Qin Yue react. She hurriedly poured tea for Qin Zhantian and Ye Qingchen and said, ”Ye Qingchen, this is my grandfather’s treasured, high-grade Dragon Well tea. He rarely even drinks it himself. He was only willing to bring it out today to celebrate your victory in the youth division.”

Ye Qingchen nodded with a smile and said to Qin Zhantian, ”Then I must thank Elder Qin for his kindness.”

Qin Zhantian waved his hand dismissively, picked up the fragrant tea, and took a light sip before speaking. ”Young Master Ye, to reach the realm of a fourth-rank Alchemist at such a young age is an incredible feat! In the entire Northern Desolate Country, such talent is truly unparalleled. Your future accomplishments will undoubtedly be limitless.”

”Elder Qin, you praise me too highly,” Ye Qingchen responded humbly.

Qin Yue, smiling brightly at the side, added, ”You don’t know this, but my grandfather never praises anyone lightly. If he says you’re remarkable, then you most certainly are.”

Ye Qingchen smiled, unsure how to reply. After they chatted idly for a while longer, he again offered to continue removing the Fire Poison for Qin Zhantian.

This session involved extracting Fire Poison from the internal organs. It was a dangerous process, as the slightest misstep could provoke a violent outbreak of the poison and damage Qin Zhantian’s organs. However, Ye Qingchen’s skill in wielding his Soul Power had improved significantly after the alchemy competition, so he felt very confident about this particular removal session.