Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 231: 231

Elder Yang, a Ninth-Layer martial master, lived up to his reputation. Despite Ye Qingchen seizing the initiative from the start, forcing him to frantically defend against the Leaf Blade Storm and immediately face Sword Dusting the Wind, he managed to withstand the assault, retreating only a few steps.

It should be noted that both Leaf Blade Storm and Sword Dusting the Wind were profound high-grade Martial Techniques. Furthermore, Ye Qingchen’s attacks were enhanced by his Fen Tian Earth Fire and Ancient Jade Spiritual Fire. Against an ordinary high-level martial master, such a combination wouldn’t be fatal, but it would certainly be enough to leave them severely wounded on the ground.

And yet, even after using nearly every trick in his book, Ye Qingchen had only managed to push Elder Yang back a few steps. He understood that while he seemed to have the upper hand, it was only because he had struck first. If Elder Yang managed to recover and counter, the tables would turn instantly.

Therefore, Ye Qingchen dared not pause, continuously unleashing various high-level Martial Techniques. A series of sonic booms echoed as Elder Yang neutralized each of his attacks one by one. By now, the elder was gradually seizing the initiative.

Alarm surged through Ye Qingchen. Is this the strength of a Ninth-Layer martial master? If this keeps up, defeat is inevitable.

At this thought, Ye Qingchen immediately activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul to search for Elder Yang’s weaknesses. To his dismay, while the Dual Pupil Martial Soul allowed him to spot flaws in the elder’s defense, the speed of a Ninth-Layer martial master was simply too great. Any opening was fleeting. Under the immense pressure Elder Yang was exerting, it was impossible for Ye Qingchen to actually strike at those vulnerabilities. His only thought was to escape, but getting away under these circumstances would not be easy.

As he fought, he wracked his brain for a strategy. In the blink of an eye, they had already exchanged over a dozen moves. Meanwhile, Elder Yang grew more astonished with every blow.

He’s improved this much in just half a day? How is that possible?

Elder Yang had tailed Ye Qingchen for a full day and night, constantly observing his fights, so he had a clear understanding of his strength. This was why he had been so confident in attacking. By his estimation, even at full power, Ye Qingchen shouldn’t have been able to last three moves against him.

Yet, in just a few hours, Ye Qingchen had not only traded more than a dozen blows with him but had even managed to suppress him at the beginning of the fight. Although he had now gradually gained the initiative, Elder Yang knew that killing Ye Qingchen would require dozens of deadly exchanges.

Elder Yang sighed inwardly. This kid’s strength is advancing so rapidly. If I give him more time, he might even surpass me. Killing him then will be next to impossible! I have to end this quickly. Delays will only breed more trouble. Since I’ve already decided to kill him, I absolutely cannot give him time to grow, or the consequences will be endless!

With this resolve, Elder Yang’s attacks grew even fiercer. His spear thrust out, leaving streaks of black, chilling light in its wake. Explosions rang out everywhere it passed. The pressure on Ye Qingchen intensified dramatically. As he struggled to block Elder Yang’s assault, he began to reveal more and more openings.

”Now!” Elder Yang roared, seizing a flaw Ye Qingchen had exposed. He launched a punch straight toward Ye Qingchen’s chest.

But at that moment, a faint smile touched Ye Qingchen’s lips. This opening was a trap he had intentionally set to lure Elder Yang in.

Elder Yang also noticed the change in Ye Qingchen’s expression. But, bold due to his superior skill, he wasn’t willing to let this opportunity go. He gritted his teeth, and his fist continued its trajectory, aiming to punch straight through Ye Qingchen.

BOOM!

In an instant, the temperature in front of Ye Qingchen surged as a roaring blaze materialized out of thin air, blocking Elder Yang’s fist.

”Bind!”

Ye Qingchen shouted, instantly unleashing the innate ability of his Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul to trap Elder Yang.

Under normal circumstances, having fallen for the binding technique once before, Elder Yang would never have been caught a second time. However, the flames Ye Qingchen had just released took Elder Yang by surprise, leaving him no time to react to the binding technique. Besides, Elder Yang knew the bind itself couldn’t harm him. It was the flames that made him truly wary.

Of course, Ye Qingchen also knew the bind wouldn’t hold Elder Yang for long. The moment the vines formed, he manipulated his flames to ignite them. This wasn’t because he had suddenly mastered the Fire Attribute; the flames he used were simply his Fen Tian Earth Fire being released from his body. The method was remarkably similar to how he had drawn out the Fire Poison for Qin Zhantian.

However, this method only allowed the Fen Tian Earth Fire to radiate heat on its own, so its actual destructive power wasn’t very great. But Ye Qingchen’s goal wasn’t to defeat Elder Yang with the Fen Tian Earth Fire. All he needed to do was create a distraction and buy himself more time to escape.

As the Fen Tian Earth Fire spread to the vines, the fire intensified—just as wood fuels a flame. The temperature rose rapidly, completely engulfing Elder Yang.

Without a second thought, having done all this, Ye Qingchen turned and fled. He knew these tricks wouldn’t cause any real harm to a Ninth-Layer martial master like Elder Yang. If he waited for the elder to break free, he would be defenseless.

This time, Ye Qingchen was smarter. He activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul and used Mystifying Steps to flee at top speed, all while searching for a suitable hiding place. Soon, he found a cave. After entering and sealing the entrance, he concealed his aura and used his Dual Pupil Martial Soul to observe the situation outside.

Thanks to the Fen Tian Earth Fire, the binding technique held Elder Yang for a full several minutes before he finally broke free.

By now, Elder Yang was seething with rage. He couldn’t believe he had been trapped twice with the same tactic by a low-level martial master. If word of this got out, his reputation would be in tatters!

”Ye Qingchen, you can’t escape!”

After spitting out the curse, Elder Yang sped off in the direction Ye Qingchen had fled.

With the help of the Dual Pupil Martial Soul, Ye Qingchen remained undetected even when Elder Yang passed right by the cave. However, Ye Qingchen prudently kept his Dual Pupil Martial Soul active. He reasoned that this Elder Yang, who had managed to track him all the way to the bottom of the cliff, must be an extremely cautious person. Even though he had left, there was a chance he might suddenly double back.

Just as Ye Qingchen predicted, ten minutes later, Elder Yang returned. He scanned the surroundings with a puzzled expression before shaking his head helplessly and leaving once more.