Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 498 Ye Qingchen’s Opponent is Xiao Xiao

Seeing Liu Boheng blasted off the platform in a single move, everyone, including the other contestants, let out a chorus of gasps. The spectators were all captivated by the competition. After all, the thrilling impact of such visceral, fist-to-flesh combat was far more effective at stirring the primal fervor in people’s hearts.

No one had expected Ouyang Wuqing to be a Body Cultivator!

The path of Body Cultivation was known to be incredibly arduous. While other cultivators stored Spiritual Energy in their sea of qi, Body Cultivators absorbed it to temper their physical forms. This process was not only difficult but also excruciatingly painful.

Even if a Body Cultivator reached a high level of mastery, they held little advantage against a regular Martial Artist. This was because Martial Artists could use various Spiritual and Treasure Artifacts, as well as long-range Martial Techniques, to wear them down. It was fair to say that Body Cultivation was a path of thankless, grueling effort.

Yet, this underappreciated path had given rise to an anomaly like Ouyang Wuqing. His advantage was magnified in an arena battle, where space and distance were severely limited. Everyone now understood why Ouyang Wuqing didn’t need to rest. Since his attacks consumed no Spiritual Energy, he naturally didn’t need to specifically recover.

However, Ye Qingchen, who had been observing the battle with his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, had seen something else entirely. The moment Ouyang Wuqing swung his fist, the surrounding nature’s spiritual energy was almost instantaneously absorbed into it, concentrating at a single point. Then, amplified by his fist, this spiritual energy was unleashed in an instant, blasting Liu Boheng’s low-grade Treasure Artifact away. With his defense shattered, Liu Boheng was unable to resist Ouyang Wuqing’s next punch and was hammered off the platform.

This entire process happened in the blink of an eye. Without the aid of his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, Ye Qingchen would never have noticed it.

This Ouyang Wuqing is definitely not as simple as he appears. Otherwise, with the physical strength of a Martial King, not even a Body Cultivator could contend with a low-grade Treasure Artifact!

Ye Qingchen now understood why Zi Xing had been defeated so quickly. That guy... no wonder he was able to defeat Senior Sister Zi Xing. For a competition like this, such strength is completely off the charts. A powerful physique combined with the ability to control nature’s spiritual energy—a feat only those in the Martial Emperor Realm should be able to manage... I estimate that Ouyang Wuqing could probably even hold his own against a low-tier Martial Emperor!

Ye Qingchen couldn’t help but shake his head. It seems this Sect’s Newcomer Competition is full of hidden dragons and crouching tigers. If I were to face Ouyang Wuqing, I’d be in for a bitter fight.

At this moment, Zi Xing had mostly recovered. Though her eyes were still red from crying, it only seemed to add to her charm. The three women approached Ye Qingchen, and Zi Xing spoke first. "Be careful of that Ouyang Wuqing," she said to the group. "He’s very strong."

Ye Qingchen nodded gravely. It’s not just me. If Xiao Xiao or Xue Zhao were to face him, they’d also be in for a fierce fight.

Xiao Xiao and Xue Zhao didn’t say anything, but their eyes were also filled with solemnity.

"On Platform Five, we invite the next contestant, Little Girl Xiaoxiao from Wuji Immortal Palace!"

As the host spoke, it was once again Xiao Xiao’s turn. She nodded to the group, then leaped onto the platform with a single bound.

The host continued, "And her opponent is the contestant from Central Celestial Academy, Ye Qingchen!"

Hearing the host’s words, Ye Qingchen froze for a moment. My match is against Xiao Xiao? I knew I’d have to face her eventually, but I didn’t think it would be this soon—in just the second match.

Nevertheless, Ye Qingchen did not hesitate and leaped onto the platform as well.

The match between Xiao Xiao and Ye Qingchen once again captured everyone’s attention. It was clear to all that this man named Ye Qingchen had an unusual relationship with Xiao Xiao, the renowned beauty of the Northern Region. Moreover, Xiao Xiao’s strength was universally acknowledged as formidable. A ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul was the mark of a true prodigy.

Everyone was eager to see how Ye Qingchen would handle himself after being defeated by Xiao Xiao, and what his attitude toward her would be in the future. At this thought, they couldn’t help but grow excited.

Although Ouyang Wuqing’s match was captivating, the crowd’s longing for the beautiful Xiao Xiao and their jealousy toward Ye Qingchen made them unhesitatingly shift their focus to Platform Five.

"If Xiao Xiao fights seriously, she should be able to force Junior Brother Ye to use his full strength, right?" Hearing that Ye Qingchen was to fight Xiao Xiao, Zi Xing couldn’t help but remark. After all, everyone said Ye Qingchen had held back during his fight with Chi Jianbai, so she had always been curious about the true extent of his power.

Xue Zhao spoke nonchalantly, "Although Xiao Xiao is formidable, she probably won’t be willing to hit him too hard. I’m afraid it’ll just turn into a friendly match in the end."

Zi Xing knew Xue Zhao held a grudge against Xiao Xiao and had said that deliberately, so she simply shook her head without retorting. After all, both of them knew that even though Xiao Xiao was completely obedient to Ye Qingchen—always addressing him as "Young Master" and acting as his maid—she was the one who most wanted to display her true strength in front of him.

Furthermore, Xiao Xiao had a mysterious, unshakable confidence in Ye Qingchen; she believed he could never lose, no matter the circumstances. For that reason, she was even less likely to hold back. Deep down, she had probably already accepted that even at her full strength, she would be no match for him.

"Little Girl Xiaoxiao, don’t go easy on that pretty boy! We support you!"

"Goddess Xiao Xiao, don’t pull any punches! A pretty boy like that isn’t worthy of your attention!"

The spectators below, seeing Xiao Xiao and Ye Qingchen face off, all began to cheer for Xiao Xiao. From their cheers, it was clear they all assumed Ye Qingchen stood no chance.

Although Ye Qingchen had defeated Chi Jianbai, a Ninth-Layer Martial King, Xiao Xiao—also a Ninth-Layer Martial King—was clearly of a higher caliber. First off, Xiao Xiao came from the nine-star sect Wuji Immortal Palace, which ranked among the very top of its class. Most importantly, she possessed the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul!

The ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul amplified the Fire Attribute to its absolute limit. In contrast, Ye Qingchen possessed the seven-star Willow Wood Martial Soul, which was inherently countered by the Fire Attribute.

Comparing the two, anyone with a discerning eye could see that Ye Qingchen’s defeat was certain.