Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 428 428: Breakthrough to the 2nd Layer of Martial King Realm

Feng Yuan was, after all, a powerhouse at the Fifth Layer of the Martial King Realm and was publicly acknowledged as the foremost expert entering the Secret Realm this time. But to think he actually submitted to Ye Qingchen just like that? He didn't even have the courage to fight him? For a moment, everyone found it utterly unbelievable. However, when they saw Feng Yuan obediently hand over his spot, they had no choice but to accept this fact.

True to his word, Ye Qingchen gave his second-place spot to Feng Yuan. He then found a place to sit down cross-legged and await the descent of the rewards.

After their initial shock, no one dared to bother Ye Qingchen anymore. The reason was obvious. Although Ye Qingchen was only at the First Layer of the Martial King Realm, he had scared an expert at the Fifth Layer into submission. Who else in this Secret Realm could possibly be his match?

Meanwhile, those who had been eager for action saw that the spots could indeed be exchanged. Their ambitions stirred, and they began forming secret alliances to snatch spots from others.

Feng Yuan's face flushed red. He lowered his head and found a secluded corner to hide in. Describing his current state as a fate worse than death would be no exaggeration.

I thought that after consuming the Heavenly God Fruit, my strength would reach the Fifth Layer of the Martial King Realm, giving me the power to fight Ye Qingchen. This time, I was lucky enough to get first place on the Heavenward Path. After the Spiritual Qi Infusion, I believed I could defeat Ye Qingchen at will. On top of that, Father arranged for so many helpers to follow my command. But why did it end like this?

Indeed, when Ye Qingchen had slain over a dozen Fourth Layer Martial King Realm experts with a single sword strike, Feng Yuan had been truly terrified. It was a fear that stemmed from the depths of his soul, one that robbed him of even the courage to face Ye Qingchen directly.

Now, I've really become a laughingstock. In the future, everyone in Northern Barrier City will say that I was scared out of my wits by Ye Qingchen... even though it's the truth…

In fact, Ye Qingchen was fully capable of eliminating Feng Yuan directly. However, he considered Feng Xiao to be a fairly righteous man, and due to Feng Xiao's relationship with Xia Chengkai, eliminating Feng Yuan would inevitably cause conflict between them. Ye Qingchen didn't wish to create trouble for Xia Chengkai. Besides, a mere clown like Feng Yuan posed no threat to him. That was why Ye Qingchen chose to humiliate Feng Yuan this way while still allowing him to remain in the competition.

Time ticked away. Fights erupted continuously on the grasslands, and quite a few Martial Artists were eliminated. However, everyone tacitly kept their battles at a great distance from Ye Qingchen, for fear of unwittingly provoking this god of slaughter. Ye Qingchen was content with the peace and quiet as time slipped by unnoticed.

"Time's up! The ten students who have qualified for the Spiritual Qi Infusion, step forward and prepare to receive it. All other students who did not qualify may proceed to the next trial."

A voice floated down from the sky, and the fighting below ceased instantly. The Martial Artists who had obtained the qualification for the Spiritual Qi Infusion waited with faces full of excitement to receive the legendary infusion.

Ye Qingchen also stood up, shaking his head with a small smile as he muttered to himself, "You win some, you lose some. Gaining the qualification for the Spiritual Qi Infusion has delayed my start time compared to the others."

Upon hearing they could proceed, the Martial Artists who hadn't qualified for the Spiritual Qi Infusion did not linger. Leaving early meant a better chance of victory, and if one was lucky enough to earn a spot at the Central Celestial Academy, that would be a hundred times more beneficial than a mere Spiritual Qi Infusion.

When only Ye Qingchen's group of ten remained, beams of light descended from the sky, enveloping each of them.

Ye Qingchen could feel that the Spiritual Energy within the beams was terrifyingly pure, even surpassing the energy filtered by his Fen Tian Earth Fire. Without wasting a moment, he sat down cross-legged and began absorbing the energy using his Divine Wood Technique.

The other qualified Martial Artists did likewise. Additionally, an Energy Shield appeared around each of them, apparently to block any outside disturbances. After all, the Heavenward Path was established to reward these Martial Artists. If they were disturbed while receiving their reward, it could lead to cultivation deviation in a minor case, or prove fatal in a severe one.

Time slowly passed. The Martial Artists with lower rankings finished their Spiritual Qi Infusions, each increasing their strength by at least one layer. With envious glances at those still absorbing the energy, they turned and left to proceed with the next test.

In the end, only Feng Yuan and Ye Qingchen remained on the grassland.

Feng Yuan's Energy Shield gradually dissipated. As he opened his eyes, they shone with undeniable excitement. This Spiritual Qi Infusion had allowed him, who had just broken through to the Fifth Layer of the Martial King Realm, to reach the peak of the Sixth Layer. In the process of comprehending the Spiritual Qi Infusion, Feng Yuan had even begun to grasp the ability to manipulate nature's spiritual energy.

I never expected the Spiritual Qi Infusion to grant me such a significant boost! If I could take it one step further, I would reach the high ranks of the Martial King Realm! Feng Yuan sighed, his gaze involuntarily falling upon Ye Qingchen, who was still undergoing the infusion. This sight made Feng Yuan even more jealous. This opportunity should have been mine! If I had received the first-place Spiritual Qi Infusion, I might have already reached the Seventh Layer of the Martial King Realm! But it was all because of Ye Qingchen. Not only did he make me miss this chance, but he also humiliated me in front of everyone.

Clenching his teeth, Feng Yuan tore his gaze away from Ye Qingchen and, like the others, proceeded toward the next trial.

By now, Ye Qingchen had reached the Second Layer of the Martial King Realm. The Spiritual Energy within him underwent another qualitative change, but his absorption speed had slowed considerably. Seeing the vast amount of Spiritual Energy still unabsorbed, Ye Qingchen naturally refused to let it go to waste. He activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, absorbing the excess energy to nourish it. The gray jade disc that had been dormant around the Dual Pupil Martial Soul became active upon contact with this Spiritual Energy.

About a day passed before the Energy Shield around Ye Qingchen began to disperse, and he emerged.

"The Spiritual Qi Infusion is truly amazing!" Ye Qingchen mused to himself excitedly. "Not only did it help me reach the Second Layer of the Martial King Realm, but my Dual Pupil Martial Soul and Willow Wood Martial Soul also became more condensed thanks to its nourishment."

What Ye Qingchen didn't know was that the duration of everyone else's Spiritual Qi Infusion was much shorter than his, yet their improvement was far greater. After all, the purity of his own Spiritual Energy was already at an inhuman level. Although the energy from the Spiritual Qi Infusion was purer, it was only a slight improvement for him. Therefore, this influx of energy could not elevate his cultivation by much. It was a different story for the others. For them, suddenly absorbing such pure energy and experiencing a rapid surge in strength was perfectly normal.