Invincible Soul Emperor

Ye Qingchen was momentarily stunned, then shook his head and said, ”Xiao Xiao is busy preparing for the Sect Competition. I’m almost certain I can defeat Huan Yuehua now, so it’s best not to distract her. After this is resolved, we can go find her together. We’ll just have to coax her a little then.”

Qin Yue nodded in agreement.

Afterward, Ye Qingchen kissed Qin Yue one more time before leaving alone for the secret chamber to enter closed-door cultivation.

It wasn’t that I was slow on the uptake. When Qin Yue suddenly took out the Black Jade Bi, I knew that in the past, I definitely would have inquired about its origin. But the current Qin Yue has integrated the memories of her past life. Judging from the sheer magnificence of the Chaotic Labyrinth, her past identity must have been extraordinary. Therefore, nothing that comes from her hands now seems strange to me. Moreover, she and I are now connected heart-to-heart, sharing life and death. She would certainly never harm me. If she wanted to talk about it, she would tell me without me having to ask. If she didn’t want to, wouldn’t my persistent questioning just make her uncomfortable?

Upon reaching the secret chamber, Ye Qingchen eagerly took out the Low-grade Spirit Stones and began to meditate and cultivate.

This time, he didn’t rush to absorb the Spiritual Energy into his Dantian. Instead, he guided the Spiritual Energy into his Sea of Consciousness to nourish the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the gray jade bi.

Earlier, the spontaneous absorption of his Spiritual Energy by the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the gray jade bi had produced a trace of a special substance. Ye Qingchen now wanted to verify whether this substance was produced only during the fusion of the jade bi, or if it could be generated continuously as long as he kept nourishing them.

This is very important for my future cultivation.

At the moment, the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the gray jade bi were like two thirsty sponges, indiscriminately accepting all incoming Spiritual Energy.

Delighted, Ye Qingchen increased the refinement speed of the Spirit Stones, allowing more Spiritual Energy to flow into both of them.

After about an hour, the rate at which the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the gray jade bi absorbed Spiritual Energy finally slowed. At the same time, more of the special substance began to continuously emerge from the gray jade bi and enter Ye Qingchen’s body.

Ye Qingchen was overjoyed. I can really produce this special substance continuously! This means I’ll no longer have to worry about breakthroughs in the future.

Although the amount of the special substance being produced was still small, it was enough to support his current breakthrough.

Ye Qingchen quickly composed himself, calmed his mind, and circulated the Divine Wood Art. After refining the Spirit Stones, one portion of the energy entered his Dantian while the other went to nourish the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the gray jade bi.

Just like that, Ye Qingchen began his life of closed-door cultivation. Apart from periodically opening the secret chamber to receive the Low-grade Spirit Stones delivered by Ma Chunsheng, he never stepped out again.

Qin Yue knew that Ye Qingchen needed to concentrate on preparing for the life-and-death battle. She temporarily left Chaoyun Country, asking Ma Chunsheng to pass a message to Ye Qingchen that she was going to the Rising Sun Pavilion to handle some affairs and that he shouldn’t worry.

「In the blink of an eye, two months passed.」

By this time, Ye Qingchen’s strength had broken through to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. Thanks to the nourishment from the mysterious substance, his foundation had become even more solid. He even felt that he could step into the Martial King Realm at any moment!

With ten days left until the life-and-death battle, Ye Qingchen ceased his intensive cultivation and began to focus on studying martial techniques and Martial Soul skills.

The battle with Li Rui had opened Ye Qingchen’s eyes to a new way of using Martial Soul skills. Not only could they be fused, but the Martial Soul itself could also be manifested on one’s body.

Back then, in terms of martial techniques, Li Rui had only used one superior Xuan-rank martial technique and one Earth-rank martial technique. However, his combat strength was definitely the greatest Ye Qingchen had ever seen among those at the first layer of the Martial King Realm.

What Li Rui relied on was his development of his Martial Soul—that was the source of his astonishing combat power.

I have the Heaven-Burning Ancient Jade Spirit Fire, the Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul, and the Ten-Star Dual Pupil Martial Soul. I’m also cultivating a Divine-level Cultivation Technique. My innate talent far surpasses Li Rui’s. If I can master Li Rui’s techniques for using his Martial Soul, my combat power will likely multiply several times over.

Ye Qingchen activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, earnestly recalling every move Li Rui had made during their battle and ceaselessly attempting to imitate his actions.

Ye Qingchen was himself a sixth-rank Pill King with Soul Power far stronger than Li Rui’s. Therefore, even though he didn’t know the specific method Li Rui used, he still managed to painstakingly replicate his combat techniques with the aid of the Dual Pupil Martial Soul and the support of his own formidable Soul Power.

To my disappointment, I can currently only manifest the Willow Wood Martial Soul. It differs greatly from the Suan Ni Martial Soul in terms of attributes, and their combat techniques are worlds apart. This means Li Rui’s combat techniques aren’t actually suitable for me.

But Ye Qingchen was not disheartened in the slightest. As long as I grasp the method, I can definitely figure out a set of Martial Soul techniques unique to me through dedicated research.

Ye Qingchen’s mind raced, his Dual Pupil Martial Soul continuously running deductions and evolutions in his Sea of Consciousness to test his various hypotheses.

Having just gone through the experience of internalizing Li Rui’s combat techniques, I now have many ideas about using the Willow Wood Martial Soul. All that’s left is to test these ideas and find the path that suits me best!

Although the repeated failures were disheartening, Ye Qingchen relished the challenge.

After every failure, I can clearly feel my control over my Soul Power and Martial Soul reaching a new level. I know the day of my success is not far off!

「Soon, the day of the life-and-death battle arrived.」

Ye Qingchen had already adjusted his state and stepped out from the secret chamber. He stood in the backyard of Chen Yue Pavilion, breathing in the long-missed fresh air and feeling utterly exhilarated.

Nearly three months of closed-door cultivation had not only brought his strength to the peak of the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm, but his control over his Martial Soul had also become far more adept.

Compared to three months ago, my combat strength has grown by more than tenfold!

”Qingchen, you’re out of seclusion?”

Qin Yue had intended to personally greet Ye Qingchen as he emerged from his cultivation. To her surprise, she ran right into him as she arrived and happily hurried to his side.

Ye Qingchen smiled, took Qin Yue into his arms, and said, ”I’m out, and I’ve gotten stronger!”