Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 480: Hand Over the Observation Token

The Saint Heir frowned. The mere mention of Ye Qingchen’s name now filled him with uncontrollable loathing. Worse still, Xiao Xiao was calling Ye Qingchen "Young Master" so affectionately right in front of him.

So, without a second thought, the Saint Heir refused.

"I’m afraid I can’t help you with this matter! Although the Wuji Immortal Palace has an extraordinary relationship with the Ten Ancient Clans, we still have rules. How could we possibly bring an outsider in? Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, it’s not that I don’t want to help you, but I truly can’t."

Hearing the Saint Heir’s words, a hint of disappointment flickered in Xiao Xiao’s eyes. Given his status in the Wuji Immortal Palace, if he said no, then it was unlikely anyone else could make it happen, no matter who she asked.

Seeing the disappointment in her eyes, the Saint Heir felt a pang of heartache and tried to comfort her.

"Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, you’re still young and don’t yet have a clear understanding of how treacherous the world of Martial Artists can be. I may not know this Ye Qingchen, but for him to make such a request right after meeting you clearly shows he wants to use you. Can’t you see that? He sees your distinguished status within the Wuji Immortal Palace and is trying every trick to get close to you. In reality, he’s just a freeloader trying to ride your coattails!"

"I forbid you from speaking about the Young Master that way!" Xiao Xiao retorted, her voice rising with anger. "You don’t know him at all! What right do you have to slander him like this? If you’re unwilling to help with the matter of the Ten Ancient Clans, that’s fine. But now you’re badmouthing him? Senior Brother Saint Heir, let’s just pretend I never came to see you today!"

With that, Xiao Xiao stormed out in indignation. Once she was out of the living room, however, her heart grew heavier.

The Saint Heir shook his head as he watched her leave. I am selflessly trying to do what’s best for you, giving everything without asking for anything in return, while that Ye Qingchen only knows how to take. Junior Sister Xiao Xiao, when you’re older, you’ll understand who truly has your best interests at heart...

Xiao Xiao didn’t know how to explain the situation to Ye Qingchen. If the Wuji Immortal Palace can’t help, he’ll definitely look for other methods and might run into unexpected danger, she thought, worried. After mulling it over, it’s better not to tell him for now. If I can achieve a good result in the Sect’s newcomer competition, I can present Ye Qingchen’s matter directly to the Sect Elders and ask for their approval.

With this plan in mind, Xiao Xiao returned to her room and began closed-door cultivation to consolidate her power, hoping to perform at her absolute best in the upcoming competition.

Meanwhile, Ye Qingchen waited anxiously at the inn. Time passed, and as the start of the competition drew near, he still hadn’t received any word from Xiao Xiao.

Xiao Xiao must have her reasons, Ye Qingchen mused, deciding not to actively seek her out and inquire. Besides, with the competition so close, she must be busy preparing. I can’t be so selfish as to distract her and have her waste energy on my affairs.

Time flew by. On the day the competition was set to begin, Ye Qingchen left the inn early, intending to head to the venue to cheer for Xiao Xiao.

"You must be Ye Qingchen, right?" an arrogant voice called out. A tall, handsome man stepped forward, blocking Ye Qingchen’s path.

Ye Qingchen recognized him at once as the Saint Heir of the Wuji Immortal Palace. He just smiled, unfazed by the Saint Heir’s haughty and contemptuous tone. After all, the man before him was of noble status, while he was a mere nobody. Without Xiao Xiao, someone like the Saint Heir would never have given him a second glance.

Seeing that Ye Qingchen not only showed no deference but actually smiled, a flash of fury ignited within the Saint Heir. If not for the rule forbidding combat within Eternal City, Ye Qingchen’s disrespect alone would have been enough for the Saint Heir to kill him hundreds of times over. However, that was not his purpose for coming, so he didn’t dwell on such details. The anger was fleeting, and he continued to speak. "Ye Qingchen, you must be curious why Xiao Xiao hasn’t come to see you these past few days?"

The Saint Heir knew perfectly well that Xiao Xiao had been in closed-door cultivation, which was why he dared to make this claim.

Hearing that his words involved Xiao Xiao, Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but frown with concern. "Has something happened to Xiao Xiao?"

What a hypocrite, the Saint Heir sneered inwardly before saying aloud, "Xiao Xiao lost a competition Observation Token, which is a Sect treasure. This Holy Son suspects that you were the one who stole it!"

Ye Qingchen frowned, disbelieving. He tried to use his Dual Pupil Martial Soul to probe the Saint Heir’s thoughts, but it was like casting a stone into a vast ocean; he found nothing. Still, anything concerning Xiao Xiao was a serious matter he couldn’t afford to ignore. He immediately replied, "I do have an Observation Token, but it wasn’t lost. Xiao Xiao gave it to me! There must be a misunderstanding. Please, Saint Heir, could you take me to see Xiao Xiao so we can confirm this?"

The Saint Heir snorted, his voice turning righteous and severe. "You still have the gall to ask to see Junior Sister Xiao Xiao? Do you have any idea what has happened? Because she lost the Token, she’s been placed under house arrest by the Sect! Worse, she might be stripped of her right to participate in the competition! If that Token isn’t found right now, Ye Qingchen, do you realize that Junior Sister Xiao Xiao’s entire year of painstaking cultivation will be for nothing?"

Ye Qingchen froze. He knew that while Xiao Xiao was typically indifferent to fame and fortune, she had placed great importance on this competition. The thought of her being disqualified because of the Token, and the immense disappointment she would feel, was one he couldn’t bear. He would never allow anything he did to harm Xiao Xiao or cause her long, hard work to go to waste.

With Xiao Xiao’s future on the line, the moment the Saint Heir mentioned she might be disqualified, Ye Qingchen didn’t hesitate for a second. He took out the Token and handed it over. "Saint Heir, here is the Token. I’m returning it to you. Please, I beg you, do not take away Xiao Xiao’s right to compete!"

The Saint Heir snatched the Token and snorted. "So, it was you who stole the Token after all. However, seeing that you’ve repented and returned it voluntarily, This Holy Son will spare you this once. But let This Holy Son give you a piece of advice: stay away from Xiao Xiao from now on. Your very existence will only hinder her future development. Understand?"

With that arrogant pronouncement, the Saint Heir turned and walked away, feeling utterly triumphant.

The entire story about the Token was a complete fabrication. Xiao Xiao is a disciple designated by the Sect to compete. Forget a mere Observation Token—even if the issue were a hundred times more severe, I wouldn’t dare strip her of her right to participate. Besides, for a nine-star sect like the Wuji Immortal Palace, what is a single Token? We can have as many as we want! Only a country bumpkin like Ye Qingchen would fall for such a clumsy lie.

It wasn’t that Ye Qingchen was too naive; it was simply that the matter concerned Xiao Xiao, and he could not allow even the slightest possibility of her being harmed. After all, regardless of the reason, Ye Qingchen never wanted to see Xiao Xiao get hurt.

But now Ye Qingchen was in a difficult position. Without the Token, I can’t enter the competition venue, so I won’t be able to cheer for Xiao Xiao! Our one-year promise is due. I came all this way only to fail to keep my word at the last moment? Wouldn’t Xiao Xiao be heartbroken?