Invincible Soul Emperor

”Liang Xiong, he killed my son! Are you really going to interfere now that I want to avenge him?”

Knowing it was impossible to kill Ye Qingchen on the spot with Liang Xiong in the way, Huan Yuehua halted his attack and glared fixedly at him.

Confronted with Huan Yuehua’s hostility, Liang Xiong sneered and responded, ”Huan Yuehua, you are a sect leader, after all. Setting up a life-and-death duel against a young martial artist like Mr. Chen was already shameless enough. Now you want to strike him before the duel has even begun? Are you trying to throw away all of the Huanyue Sect’s dignity?”

Huan Yuehua was at a loss for words. According to the rules, once a life-and-death duel was set, neither party could attack the other before it began. Any contest had to take place in the arena, and his actions were a clear violation of that rule.

Lin Lanxin, however, shrieked, ”The feud for our son’s murder is irreconcilable! Why should my husband care about the rules of some life-and-death duel when he’s avenging his own son?”

Hearing his wife’s words, Huan Yuehua straightened his back and declared righteously, ”Exactly! What I’m doing now has nothing to do with the life-and-death duel. Chen Qingye killed my son, so it’s only natural that I kill him with my own hands!”

Liang Xiong laughed heartily. The commotion had already attracted the attention of other sects, who were now gathering around to watch.

Seeing the crowd grow, Liang Xiong continued, ”Fine, fine! The shamelessness of the Huanyue Sect has truly opened my eyes today. Martial artists enter secret realms and must accept their own fates. Your son’s skills were lacking, so he died inside. Now you’re blaming Mr. Chen?

”By that logic, shouldn’t all the disciples from other sects who were killed by your Huanyue Sect disciples also seek revenge? Should they all come knocking on your door for retribution, Huan Yuehua?”

Liang Xiong’s barrage of questions earned nods of approval from the crowd. Everyone knew that venturing into a secret realm meant fighting for opportunities, and death was a common outcome. If every sect elder sought revenge after a disciple was killed over some treasure, would the Heaven Desolate Continent ever know peace? Besides, even if you wanted revenge, you should do it secretly. Making a scene in front of everyone was just asking for trouble.

Rendered speechless and facing public condemnation, Huan Yuehua and Lin Lanxin knew that staying would only incite the crowd further. Though unwilling, they realized they couldn’t kill Chen Qingye today and could only slink away in disgrace. Seeing the pair depart, the crowd of onlookers also dispersed.

Liang Fei had just finished comforting his mother. He felt a secret thrill of satisfaction as he recalled his father’s domineering rebuttal of Huan Yuehua and his wife. Walking over to Ye Qingchen, he boasted, ”How about that? My father is impressive, isn’t he?”

Ye Qingchen nodded, then bowed respectfully to Liang Xiong. ”Thank you for your help, Sect Leader Liang.”

Liang Xiong waved his hand with a smile. ”No need for such politeness, Mr. Ye. I saw everything just now. You’ve advanced to the Eighth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm and remained unharmed by Huan Yuehua’s furious strike. Even if I hadn’t intervened, I doubt he could have harmed you today.”

Ye Qingchen smiled and shook his head. Although Huan Yuehua had used nearly all his strength, he hadn’t summoned his Spiritual Artifact or Martial Soul. It was far from his strongest attack. If they were to truly fight right now, Ye Qingchen still had no confidence he could win.

Xiao Ruoli also approached, bowing slightly to Ye Qingchen. ”Benefactor, I remember you were only at the Sixth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm before entering the secret realm. Advancing to the Eighth Layer in such a short time is astonishing. Your talent is truly exceptional; your future achievements will surely be immeasurable.”

Hearing his mother praise Ye Qingchen, Liang Fei pouted. ”I even advanced to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm, but Mother, you didn’t even notice.”

This time, both Liang Xiong and Xiao Ruoli were stunned. The Labyrinth of Chaos hadn’t been open for long. If only Ye Qingchen had advanced, it could be chalked up to his extraordinary talent. But for their own son to also jump from the Eighth Layer to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm… that could only mean they had stumbled upon some great opportunity inside.

Seeing his parents’ astonished faces, Liang Fei grew even prouder. ”It was all thanks to Miss Qin Yue this time. If we hadn’t brought her into the Labyrinth of Chaos with us, we wouldn’t have had such a great opportunity. When you get right down to it, we were just riding her coattails.”

As Liang Fei spoke, he kept glancing at Ye Qingchen. I might have gotten your help, but I’m not about to thank you for it.

Ye Qingchen, of course, wouldn’t bother bickering with Liang Fei over such things, but Liang Xiong and Lin Lanxin were now even more confused.

Before they entered the secret realm, Qin Yue was only at the Fourth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. She had only been allowed to enter because Ye Qingchen had requested it. What help could someone at the Fourth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm possibly offer?

However, when Liang Xiong sensed Qin Yue’s aura, he exclaimed in shock, ”Miss Qin Yue, you’ve reached the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm? I can even sense the aura of the Martial King Realm from you!”

Qin Yue nodded without offering much of an explanation. ”Sect Leader Liang has sharp senses. I am indeed at the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm, and I can break through to the Martial King Realm at any time!”

Liang Xiong and Xiao Ruoli were beyond shocked. Qin Yue, who had been the weakest of the three, had transformed into the strongest among them. It was simply inconceivable.

However, Liang Xiong could tell that Qin Yue didn’t wish to discuss what happened inside the Labyrinth of Chaos, so he didn’t press the matter.

In truth, before the three of them had left the secret realm, Ye Qingchen had instructed Liang Fei not to reveal Qin Yue’s circumstances. The matter of reincarnation was far too shocking, and if someone with ill intentions were to hear of it, they could bring harm to her. Although Liang Fei was usually carefree, he had enough sense to handle serious matters. He had merely expressed his gratitude to Qin Yue without revealing anything that had transpired within the labyrinth.

Liang Xiong asked no more questions. He gathered the disciples of Thunder Valley, bid farewell to Ye Qingchen, and set off to return to Thunder Valley.

Qin Yue and Ye Qingchen also began walking toward Illusory Moon City.

”Qingchen,” Qin Yue said as they walked, ”you must be on guard. What Sect Leader Liang said about Huan Yuehua possibly trying to ambush you before the life-and-death duel is a real possibility.”

Ye Qingchen nodded. With Huan Yuehua’s character, he’s certainly capable of something like that. But I’ll cross that bridge when I come to it. Besides, Sect Leader Liang promised to personally station himself at Chen Yue Pavilion after settling matters back at Thunder Valley. With Liang Xiong around, Huan Yuehua shouldn’t be able to cause much trouble.