Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 432 432: The First Place

Feng Yuan was absolutely furious. He knew that based on how the battle was going, he was destined to lose in the end, but to lose like this was undoubtedly the most humiliating way possible. He was a third-rank Array Master, yet he was now trapped in a formation set by Ye Qingchen. The most infuriating part was that Ye Qingchen was using the Ten Thousand Laws Formation Diagram he had snatched from him!

Feng Yuan had no idea that the Ten Thousand Laws Formation Diagram could instantly deploy a fourth-rank formation. If he had known, he would have guarded it with his life instead of abandoning it while fleeing in a panic, ultimately gift-wrapping it for Ye Qingchen.

After venting his fury, Feng Yuan began to calm down. This was no time to be angry with Ye Qingchen. The finish line was right in front of him, but he was stuck in a formation. If any other Martial Artist appeared now and crossed the finish line, the spot in Central Celestial Academy that was practically his would be snatched away. If that were to happen, Feng Yuan would literally die of rage.

My plan was to humiliate Ye Qingchen, but in the end, I just shot myself in the foot.

Fortunately, Feng Yuan was a third-rank Array Master. While he couldn't set up a fourth-rank formation, he wasn't completely helpless when faced with one. Having calmed down, Feng Yuan began to earnestly search for the formation core of the Seven Spirits Trapping Formation, preparing to break it.

「Meanwhile, outside the Secret Realm」

Ye Qingchen's figure appeared among the crowd. The battle inside the Secret Realm was still ongoing, so defeated Martial Artists were being teleported out periodically. Consequently, Ye Qingchen's appearance didn't attract much attention, as most people assumed he had also been eliminated. What they failed to notice, however, was that the eliminated Martial Artists were all sent out by a flash of white light, whereas Ye Qingchen had walked out of an energy vortex.

As the one in charge of admissions, Liu Changrun immediately noticed that someone had cleared the Secret Realm trial. He was profoundly shocked. According to the plan, the Secret Realm was supposed to remain open for ten days. Anyone who could emerge in seven or eight days would already be considered astonishingly talented. But now, the first person to exit the Secret Realm had done so in less than four days! Such a fast time would absolutely rank in the top five in the entire history of Central Celestial Academy's admissions.

An excited Liu Changrun flew down from the high platform. Feng Xiao and Xia Chengkai also stood up and followed him down.

"Young man, what is your name?" Liu Changrun flew before Ye Qingchen, offering what he surely believed was a kind smile. However, to Ye Qingchen, the expression on the old man's wizened face looked rather sleazy.

At this point, Feng Xiao and Xia Chengkai had also approached. Seeing Liu Changrun's warm demeanor toward Ye Qingchen, they instantly understood what had happened.

Xia Chengkai exclaimed in surprise, "Mr. Ye, you... you cleared the trial?"

Ye Qingchen nodded. He then clasped his fists in a salute to Liu Changrun and said, "I am Ye Qingchen."

Liu Changrun clapped Ye Qingchen heavily on the shoulder and laughed heartily. "Excellent, truly excellent! To clear the trial so quickly, your future accomplishments will surely surpass my own."

Ye Qingchen simply responded to Liu Changrun's praise with a polite smile.

My only purpose for entering Central Celestial Academy is to get closer to the ten great Ancient Clans. As for future accomplishments, I'll worry about that after I find Qin Yue.

Feng Xiao's expression, however, turned a bit unnatural. Logically, his son Feng Yuan was the strongest of all the participants. Combined with the intelligence he had gathered for him, Feng Yuan should have been the first one to emerge.

Now that Ye Qingchen has taken first place, what about Feng Yuan? Could something have happened to him inside the Secret Realm?

Even though Feng Xiao knew that Ye Qingchen and Feng Yuan were on bad terms, he couldn't help but ask with concern, "Mr. Ye, did you happen to see my son in the Secret Realm?"

Ye Qingchen nodded. He despised Feng Yuan's conduct, but he respected Feng Xiao as a person, so he replied, "I saw your son trapped by a formation near the finish line. However, with Young Master Feng's skill as a third-rank Array Master, I'm sure he'll get out soon enough."

In truth, Ye Qingchen had done this intentionally. He considered it a favor to Feng Xiao, which was why he hadn't dealt Feng Yuan a fatal blow.

Hearing Ye Qingchen's words, Feng Xiao finally felt a measure of relief. Just as Ye Qingchen said, Feng Yuan was a third-rank Array Master. Liu Changrun had also stated that the strongest formations in the Secret Realm were only third-rank. With Feng Yuan's ability, it shouldn't be a problem for him. As long as Feng Yuan emerged second, he would still have a chance to enter Central Celestial Academy.

What Feng Xiao didn't know, however, was that the formation trapping his son was not a third-rank one, but a fourth-rank one.

Liu Changrun's brow furrowed almost imperceptibly. I don't recall placing any formations near the finish line.

Nevertheless, Liu Changrun said nothing. Once the trial began, the final outcome depended on individual effort. His only job was to bring the top two finishers back to the Sect; the rest was none of his concern.

Just then, Feng Yuan burst out of the energy vortex, his face contorted with fury. Seeing Ye Qingchen looking at him with a smile, he could no longer contain his rage. Raising his Life-Ending Cudgel, he charged toward Ye Qingchen. "Ye Qingchen," he roared, "I'll stake my life against you!"

Facing the enraged Feng Yuan, Liu Changrun frowned. With a simple flick of his finger, he froze Feng Yuan in place.

The trial is over, yet he's still this furious? How on earth did he even pass the test?

Seeing his son's disgraceful behavior, Feng Xiao couldn't help but roar at him, "You worthless fool! Is this the place for you to throw a tantrum?"

Feng Yuan was full of grievances but couldn't utter a word. His body was completely restrained, and he was unable to even open his mouth.

Feng Xiao quickly bowed to Liu Changrun and said, "Elder Liu, my son has acted shamefully. I beg you to be lenient."

Liu Changrun nodded. With another flick of his finger, the invisible restraint on Feng Yuan vanished. Feng Yuan no longer dared to shout or attack, keenly aware that a person who could bind him so effortlessly could also kill him just as easily.

Only Ye Qingchen understood what had just happened. So this is the power of the Martial Emperor Realm—the ability to command nature's spiritual energy. To bind a mid-stage Martial King Realm expert with a mere gesture... That power is terrifying.

Liu Changrun glanced at Feng Yuan before turning to Feng Xiao. "In that case, I shall congratulate your son for achieving second place in this assessment," he said. "He and Mr. Ye will both receive the qualification to enter Central Celestial Academy."

Feng Xiao thanked him profusely, while Ye Qingchen and Feng Yuan both bowed to Liu Changrun in salute.

After that, Liu Changrun loudly announced the results to the entire crowd.