Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 497: The Powerful Ouyang Wuqing

If it had been Xue Zhao who said this, Ye Qingchen might have wondered if the girl was up to some new mischief. But Zi Xing was always composed. Ye Qingchen could tell that she possessed a deep-seated pride; she would never joke about her own victory or defeat.

But what level of strength would it take to defeat Zi Xing so effortlessly?

Ye Qingchen grew curious. According to the competition rules, he was bound to face such an opponent sooner or later.

Ye Qingchen knew he shouldn’t ask, out of consideration for Zi Xing’s feelings. However, this concerned his final ranking and the chance to enter one of the Ten Great Ancient Clans, so he finally brought himself to ask her, "Sister Zi Xing, who on earth could defeat even you? Tell me his name, and I’ll get revenge for you and give him a good beating!"

At that moment, the match between Xiao Xiao and Xue Zhao had also ended. The two of them had planned on complaining that Ye Qingchen hadn’t watched their match, but seeing Zi Xing’s dejected mood, they surprisingly said nothing.

Perhaps women truly do understand each other better. Although the two girls didn’t ask, they had a good idea of what had happened. They silently walked over to Zi Xing and gave her a warm hug.

Ye Qingchen realized that asking such a question right now was highly inappropriate. He immediately regretted it and hastily tried to explain himself.

"Sister Zi Xing, don’t worry about it. The competition uses a point system. Even though you didn’t get any points in the first match, your ranking will definitely be high as long as you do well in the later rounds."

But as soon as Ye Qingchen finished speaking, the previously silent and heartbroken Zi Xing’s shoulders began to tremble. She started sobbing, and aggrieved tears streamed down her cheeks.

Xue Zhao glared fiercely at Ye Qingchen, and even Xiao Xiao said with a tone of exasperated disappointment, "Young Master, you should just focus on the matches. We’re here with Sister Zi Xing. She’ll be alright."

Only then did Ye Qingchen understand the meaning of the phrase, "a woman’s heart is a needle at the bottom of the sea." He had intended to comfort Zi Xing, but somehow, he had only made her feel worse.

What Ye Qingchen didn’t know was that Zi Xing was naturally a very proud person, with an innate confidence in her own strength. After watching Ye Qingchen’s matches, Zi Xing had faintly felt that she was inferior to him. Now, to be defeated by someone else in the very first match of the finals was a blow she found incredibly difficult to accept.

Ye Qingchen’s attempt at comfort, mentioning the point system, only served to remind her that she would likely lose to him if they fought later. This meant that not only would she rank below Ye Qingchen, but she might even be left far behind by Xiao Xiao and Xue Zhao.

How could Zi Xing possibly accept such an outcome?

But how could a straightforward man like Ye Qingchen ever consider such delicate matters of the heart?

Just then, a commotion broke out in the contestants’ rest area.

"What? The organizers actually agreed?"

"He doesn’t need to rest? Isn’t he a bit too arrogant? He clearly looks down on all the other contestants."

"Hey, keep your voice down! That one is a disciple from a Nine-Star Sect, and his cultivation has reached the Peak of the Martial King Realm. Just now, he sent even Miss Zi Xing, the Beauty of the Central Region, flying off the stage with a single move."

"What? He’s that strong? And he didn’t even show a beautiful woman like Miss Zi Xing any mercy? Is he even a man?"

The hushed discussion caught Ye Qingchen’s attention. He was especially astonished when he heard that Zi Xing had been defeated in a single move.

Could Zi Xing’s strength not even withstand a single move from her opponent?

Ye Qingchen followed everyone’s gaze toward the third arena.

On the stage, the announcer was proclaiming loudly, "On Arena Three, the disciple Ouyang Wuqing from the Nine-Star Asura Sect has decided to forgo all rest periods! The organizers have approved his request, so the competition will continue now! Let’s welcome our next contestant, Liu Boheng from the Heavenly King Sect!"

As the announcer finished, the contestant named Ouyang Wuqing spoke with a sneer, "You’re all too weak. None of you can even withstand a single move from me. My time is precious. It would be best if you all came at me together. That might make this fight a little more enjoyable!"

Ye Qingchen focused his gaze on him. This Ouyang Wuqing was at least two meters tall and rippling with muscles that exuded a sense of explosive power.

Moreover, Ouyang Wuqing made no attempt to conceal his cultivation. He unleashed the full aura of the Peak of the Martial King Realm, as if demonstrating his power to the crowd.

The other contestant, Liu Boheng, was also at the Peak of the Martial King Realm, but he came from a mere eight-star Sect. Standing before Ouyang Wuqing, he looked like a child, with no imposing aura whatsoever.

After the referee announced the start of the match, Liu Boheng was about to give Ouyang Wuqing a customary salute, but Ouyang Wuqing attacked instantly.

"So fast!"

Even Ye Qingchen, who had activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, couldn’t help but exclaim in admiration. His speed was nearly instantaneous, almost like teleportation. It was hard to believe Ouyang Wuqing was only at the Martial King Realm.

What was most terrifying was that Ye Qingchen saw clearly with his Dual Pupil Martial Soul that Ouyang Wuqing hadn’t mobilized any Spiritual Energy at all. He had achieved such terrifying speed using only the strength of his physical body.

Then, without using any Martial Technique, Ouyang Wuqing simply smashed his casserole-sized fist toward Liu Boheng.

Liu Boheng lived up to his rank as a Peak Martial King Realm cultivator, reacting quickly to the sudden attack. He drew his low-grade treasure weapon and met Ouyang Wuqing’s fist head-on.

Faced with the weapon, one would have expected Ouyang Wuqing to dodge. Instead, he acted as if he didn’t even see it, punching straight at the low-grade treasure weapon.

Liu Boheng sneered inwardly. What a brute. Trying to block a low-grade treasure weapon with his bare flesh? He’s courting death. With an intellect like that, he dares to challenge all of us? It’s a joke.

But in the next instant, Liu Boheng could no longer laugh.

The moment his low-grade treasure weapon made contact with Ouyang Wuqing’s fist, he felt an overwhelming force, like a collapsing mountain or a crashing tsunami, surge relentlessly through the weapon and into his body.

Liu Boheng barely lasted a second before the low-grade treasure weapon was torn from his grasp. His body was sent flying backward, eventually tumbling off the stage.

"What? How is he so strong?"

"He defeated a Peak Martial King Realm cultivator holding a low-grade treasure weapon with just his physical strength? Is he even human?"

"He’s a humanoid war machine! How is anyone supposed to fight that?"