Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 478

As the crowd was reveling in their scornful laughter, a voice suddenly rang out, filled with pleasant surprise.

"Young Master. It really is you, Young Master."

A figure clad in red almost became a streak of light as she hurled herself into Ye Qingchen’s embrace.

It was none other than Xiao Xiao. She had also just arrived in Eternal City and had spotted Ye Qingchen from a distance. The moment she confirmed that the man before her was the young master she daydreamed about, she paid no mind to her status and uncontrollably ran to him, throwing herself into his arms.

"I’ve missed you to death, Young Master!"

After a year apart, Xiao Xiao had grown considerably taller. Her figure was now slender, and she had shed her previous immaturity. Like a butterfly emerging from its chrysalis, she had blossomed into a stunning and captivating beauty. Ye Qingchen finally understood that when people spoke of the "Beauty of the Northern Region," they were referring to his very own Xiao Xiao.

Hearing Xiao Xiao’s coquettish words, Ye Qingchen couldn’t resist affectionately ruffling her hair. Her head was now almost level with his own.

"Silly girl, didn’t I tell you to stop calling me Young Master?" he teased. "There are so many people watching, aren’t you embarrassed?"

Hearing Ye Qingchen’s words, Xiao Xiao’s face turned a bashful red as she stepped out of his embrace, but the happiness in her eyes was unmistakable.

Xiao Xiao had been eagerly looking forward to this meeting, so she had trained diligently for the entire year. She wanted to display her strength in front of her young master to show him that she was no longer the little girl who only knew how to cry. Yet, the moment she saw Ye Qingchen, she couldn’t help but shed tears. These were tears of joy, of longing, and they were proof that her feelings for him had not changed in the slightest.

Ye Qingchen tenderly wiped away her tears. Activating his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, his gaze fell upon her as he spoke in astonishment, "Xiao Xiao, you’ve actually reached the Ninth Layer of the Martial King Realm. It’s true what they say; one must really look at you with new eyes after being apart for a while."

"Of course!" Hearing Ye Qingchen’s praise, Xiao Xiao proudly lifted her chin. His words meant that her year of hard work had not been in vain.

Their intimate display left the disciples of the Central Celestial Academy speechless with amazement.

Xiao Xiao was simply too beautiful, her looks rivaling even Sister Zi Xing’s. For such a gorgeous woman to so willingly throw herself into Ye Qingchen’s arms... what kind of incredible luck did he have to enjoy such a romantic windfall?

"Xiao Xiao?"

From their conversation, Zi Xing deduced the girl’s identity.

Although I’ve never seen her, that stunning face and the formidable strength of the Ninth Layer of the Martial King Realm... who else could it be but Xiao Xiao of the Wuji Immortal Palace?

"What? Sister Zi Xing, are you saying this beautiful lady is the one they call Miss Xiao Xiao, the Beauty of the Northern Region?" Liu Feng exclaimed in shock, refusing to believe it. But seeing the confirmation in Zi Xing’s expression, he had no choice but to accept the truth.

The other disciples from the Central Celestial Academy felt the same way. At first, they had merely sighed over Ye Qingchen’s dumb luck, but they never imagined the beautiful woman was actually the real Xiao Xiao. This meant Ye Qingchen hadn’t been lying; he really had come to watch her competition. Furthermore, seeing their intimacy, it was clear their relationship was far more profound than mere friendship.

In an instant, Liu Feng and the others felt as if they had swallowed flies; the discomfort in their hearts was palpable. Their earlier words of mockery now felt like a series of vicious slaps across their own faces.

Ye Qingchen, however, paid no mind to their expressions. Xiao Xiao was busy pulling him close, chattering away incessantly as if to pour out the entire year’s worth of longing all at once.

Besides Liu Feng and his companions, there was one other person who felt just as bitter: the Saint Heir of the Wuji Immortal Palace.

The Saint Heir had been arriving with Xiao Xiao and the others, but she had suddenly quickened her pace and rushed ahead. At first, he paid it no mind, simply following her from a distance. But then he saw Xiao Xiao throw herself into Ye Qingchen’s arms. Now, she was holding his hand without any regard for onlookers, a blissful, joyful expression on her face.

Xiao Xiao had never shown him such an expression. When she faced him, she was always polite, but he knew it was merely the courtesy owed between fellow sect members.

I have always shown her the utmost care. Whether it was Martial Techniques, Cultivation Techniques, or Miraculous Elixirs, I spared no effort to find them for her. I did it all to win her favor, hoping she would one day see me differently. As the Saint Heir of the Wuji Immortal Palace, I am among the most prestigious people in the world. I have always been confident in my talent, strength, status, and appearance. I believed that, with time, Xiao Xiao would surely come to understand my feelings. Though she has always been dismissive, I just thought of it as a young maiden’s coyness, believing that my sincerity would eventually win her true affection.

But seeing Xiao Xiao and Ye Qingchen together today, the Saint Heir finally understood. In Xiao Xiao’s heart, there was likely only room for this ’Young Master’ of hers. It was obvious she was deeply in love with him.

I don’t understand how Ye Qingchen won her heart without doing a thing, but I know this much: as long as he exists, there will never be room for me in her heart. If I want Xiao Xiao to accept me, then Ye Qingchen, this stumbling block, must be removed!

Xiao Xiao, however, was oblivious to the Saint Heir’s almost murderous gaze. In her eyes, there was only Ye Qingchen.

Sensing Ye Qingchen’s power, Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise, "Young Master, you’ve also reached the third level of the Martial King Realm! That’s really impressive."

When we last parted, he was only in the Martial Spirit Realm. In just one year, he’s already reached the third level of the Martial King Realm. His cultivation speed isn’t that far behind my own!

Ye Qingchen nodded. Indeed, many things had happened over the past year. But having just reunited with this little girl, I have no intention of telling her how tough or exhausting it has been. That would only make her worry and add to her troubles.

After a bit more idle chat, Xiao Xiao’s expression became slightly unnatural. "Young Master, why didn’t you bring Sister Qin Yue with you this time?"

Ye Qingchen sighed. He hadn’t intended to ask Xiao Xiao about this just yet, but since she had brought up Qin Yue, he decided to speak. "I came here not only to watch your competition," he said, "but also to ask for your help with something."

Xiao Xiao nodded firmly. "Whatever it is, just say it, Young Master. Your matters are my matters!"