Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 436 436 Zhongtian Town

Ye Qingchen's goal in entering the Central Celestial Academy was to get close to the Ten Ancient Clans. He had already ascertained that once inside, he would have the opportunity to visit them.

In other words, as long as he entered the Central Celestial Academy, his goal would be achieved. Which specific college he studied at afterward was unimportant. Moreover, Liu Changrun had mentioned that no one had ever been eliminated for not being selected by a college.

I may not be invincible, but surely I'm not so bad that I'd be eliminated, right? With this in mind, Ye Qingchen had already started planning how to quickly obtain an opportunity to visit the Ten Ancient Clans once he was inside the academy.

Feng Yuan, however, asked with confusion, "Senior Liu, what exactly is this so-called entrance test?"

Liu Changrun glanced at Feng Yuan with irritation and said coldly, "Whatever the test is, you should be prepared to face it without fear. Look at Ye Qingchen. Has he worried about the entrance test? With such a timid disposition, how can you ever hope to achieve anything in the future?"

Feng Yuan's face flushed red from Liu Changrun's harsh reprimand. I was just curious. Isn't that a perfectly normal human reaction? How did that get twisted into timidity?

Moreover, Liu Changrun's way of praising one while putting down another only deepened Feng Yuan's dislike for Ye Qingchen. If one were to ask why Feng Yuan directed his dislike at Ye Qingchen when it was Liu Changrun who spoke the words, the answer would be simple: human nature. He didn't dare harbor any ill will toward someone as powerful as Liu Changrun.

After scolding Feng Yuan, Liu Changrun sighed and continued, "For so many recruitment cycles, the entrance test has always been a test of one's Martial Soul. It's the fastest and most efficient method. I imagine this time, it will be a test of Martial Soul strength as well."

Upon hearing this, both Ye Qingchen and Feng Yuan felt relieved.

Feng Yuan possessed an eight-star Martial Soul, while Ye Qingchen not only had a seven-star Willow Wood Martial Soul but also the Dual Pupil Martial Soul. Such talent was a rare sight in the Northern Region. How could passing the entrance test be anything but a piece of cake?

Seeing that the two had no further questions about the entrance test, Liu Changrun continued, "We are now heading to Zhongtian Town. There, we will wait for the disciples selected from other regions before you all take the entrance test together. By my estimation, we will need to wait for three days after we arrive. During that time, I will return to the academy to report. You two should find your own accommodations in Zhongtian Town. There will be an official announcement in town with the test time, so just make sure you attend. The next time we meet, it will likely be as teacher and student."

Liu Changrun gave Ye Qingchen a meaningful glance before warning both of them, "Zhongtian Town is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. It's not like the Northern Region where you could do as you please. I advise you to keep a low profile. While you might not be in life-threatening danger if you provoke the wrong person, it will certainly lead to endless trouble down the line."

Ye Qingchen and Feng Yuan nodded and thanked Liu Changrun for his advice.

After that, they traveled in silence. Under Liu Changrun's control, the Spirit Boat flew at a terrifying speed, almost becoming a blur. Even so, it took nearly ten days to reach the Zhongtian Town he had spoken of.

After the three of them disembarked from the Spirit Boat, Liu Changrun pointed to the tall city walls ahead and said, "This is Zhongtian Town. I must return to the academy to report. With the tokens in your hands and some Spirit Stones, you can find a place to stay."

Ye Qingchen and Feng Yuan bowed to Liu Changrun in farewell. Liu Changrun turned and flew in the direction opposite Zhongtian Town.

"This... this is the Zhongtian... Town that Senior Liu spoke of?" Feng Yuan stammered. He had expected that a town sharing the Central Celestial Academy's name would be special, but this was on another level. The so-called "town" before him was not much smaller than Northern Barrier City. And while it had less than a tenth of Northern Barrier City's foot traffic, its buildings were all incomparably massive.

Ye Qingchen also sighed inwardly. This is completely different from any town I've ever imagined. By his estimation, this Zhongtian Town was at least half the size of the entire Northern Desolate Country. He couldn't help but smile wryly and shake his head. His worldview had been challenged the moment he arrived in the Central Region. "Let's go," he said. "We can talk more once we're inside."

Feng Yuan had only cried out in surprise, but hearing Ye Qingchen speak to him now, he snapped irritably, "It's not your place to tell me where to go! Let me tell you, Ye Qingchen, from this moment on, we are strangers. If we see each other again, it's best we pretend we don't know one another!"

After saying this, Feng Yuan stormed into Zhongtian Town.

Ye Qingchen didn't take his words to heart. Fine by me. I'm actually glad for the peace and quiet.

Ye Qingchen walked to the city gate, presented his token, and was invited inside.

The wide streets could accommodate ten carriages driving abreast, so despite the constant stream of pedestrians, it didn't feel crowded. Shops lined both sides of the street, but Ye Qingchen only gave them a passing glance, unswayed by the dazzling array of merchandise. Instead, he asked a passerby for directions to the best inn nearby and headed there.

With three days until the entrance test, Ye Qingchen decided to stay put and rest peacefully at the inn. Liu Changrun was right. This town is full of crouching tigers and hidden dragons. My goal is to get to the Ten Ancient Clans, so there's no need to get involved with anyone else.

Following the directions, Ye Qingchen found an inn called Ruiyun Residence. A single night cost one hundred low-grade Spirit Stones, but the environment was elegant and quiet. That amount was negligible to Ye Qingchen, so he promptly asked the owner for a room and settled in.

The room was furnished with a tasteful, scholarly ambiance, and the understated decorations lifted his spirits. Nodding in satisfaction, Ye Qingchen lay down on the heated brick bed, planning to rest for three full days so he would be refreshed and full of energy for the entrance test.

Between his intense training and his constant worry over Qin Yue, Ye Qingchen hadn't rested properly in a long time. As soon as he lay down, he fell into a deep sleep.

He wasn't sure how much time had passed when urgent knocking at the door woke him.

He calculated the time; only a day or so had passed. He had specifically instructed the innkeeper to only wake him when the entrance test was about to begin. Why are they knocking on my door now?

Ye Qingchen frowned in annoyance, but still got up and opened the door, revealing an anxious Shop Assistant. With an apologetic tone, the man said, "Young Master, I'm truly sorry, but our inn has been fully booked by someone else. Would you please find another place to stay?"