Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 500: Ye Qingchen Makes a Mistake

Xiao Xiao seemed oblivious to Ye Qingchen’s intentions, continuing to vigorously control the flames attacking him. After all, simultaneously controlling hundreds of strands of flame was exceedingly demanding on one’s spiritual power.

Ye Qingchen’s body twisted and turned. Although he had pushed the Fire Spirit Charm Shadow to its limits, some flames still managed to catch up with him. This forced him to stop and use the Wind Blade Sword Technique to contend with them. He was less than a hundred meters away from Xiao Xiao, but this short distance felt as long as a century.

He didn’t know how much time had passed, but he eventually closed in on Xiao Xiao. Seizing the opportunity, he instantly used an afterimage technique and vanished from the arena.

However, Ye Qingchen didn’t know that although Xiao Xiao was only at the Ninth Layer of the Martial King Realm, manifesting the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul also granted her a portion of the Vermilion Bird’s power, including its perception. The Vermilion Bird was known as a saint beast, so even a sliver of its perception was extremely formidable in Xiao Xiao’s possession.

The moment Ye Qingchen disappeared, the flames on the arena instantly converged and surged toward Xiao Xiao.

Even though Ye Qingchen’s afterimage continued to move, Xiao Xiao already knew his true form was no longer there. Aware of his elusive swordsmanship, she was extremely vigilant. The flames gathering around her formed a powerful Flame Shield.

It’s better to gather the flames around myself than to waste spiritual power searching for him. When he finally attacks, these flames can not only block his assault but also create an opportunity to counterattack!

Xiao Xiao’s judgment was indeed sound. A few seconds later, Ye Qingchen’s figure suddenly appeared to her left, but she did not attack recklessly.

I can’t feel his attack coming yet. Acting rashly now might expose a weakness.

Sure enough, a few seconds later, Ye Qingchen’s figure reappeared on Xiao Xiao’s right, followed by three powerful Sword Intents that instantly materialized around her. The Sword Intents arrived abruptly and from very tricky angles, but Xiao Xiao’s body was already enveloped in the Vermilion Bird’s flames, making it impossible for them to reach her without passing through the fire.

BOOM! BOOM! BOOM!

With three loud explosions, the flames around Xiao Xiao soared and detonated. The floor of the arena was now cracked and shattered, and the terrifying aftershock of the battle caused the Defensive Array on the arena to quake incessantly. Strangely, the flames automatically dissipated upon touching Xiao Xiao’s body, and the Energy she had just expended was also slowly recovering as the flames vanished.

Ye Qingchen had already used his movement technique to dodge to the other side of the arena, but he still had to periodically strike out to block the blasts of Energy coming his way. He knew his strike had failed. However, the attack was not entirely fruitless. The Vermilion Bird in the sky dimmed slightly before gradually merging back into Xiao Xiao’s body.

Silence fell as the flames on the arena receded, and the audience fell into another stunned silence. Everyone had seen how tricky Ye Qingchen’s attacks could be during Chi Jianbai’s match. Yet, Xiao Xiao had just withstood the same kind of assault from Ye Qingchen without a scratch. Moreover, judging by her current condition, she was still at her peak. In contrast, nobody believed Ye Qingchen could launch many more attacks like that.

"Goddess Xiao Xiao, you’re amazing! I love you!"

"That’s my goddess! So strong!"

"The ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul is terrifyingly powerful!"

Following the brief silence, the crowd once again erupted into a tsunami of cheers, all in praise and adoration of Xiao Xiao.

Ye Qingchen had long grown indifferent to this scene. He knew that no matter how well he performed, he would never gain the support of these people.

They’re just looking for any reason to cheer for Xiao Xiao.

However, Ye Qingchen was also somewhat surprised. He knew Xiao Xiao was strong, but he hadn’t expected her to be *this* powerful.

"Given Xiao Xiao’s strength, I don’t think I’d stand a chance against her," Zi Xing said, shaking his head with another bitter smile as he watched the fight on the arena. The power of the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul far exceeded his expectations. Although he could still be considered Xiao Xiao’s equal for now, Zi Xing knew it wouldn’t be long before he couldn’t keep up with her pace.

For once, Xue Zhao didn’t offer a rebuttal; the power of the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul was undeniable. With such a Holy Soul, Xiao Xiao was indeed an opponent who could not be ignored.

As the dust settled on the arena, Xiao Xiao proudly tilted her chin up at Ye Qingchen and said, "How about it, Young Master? Were you shocked by my power?"

If they weren’t on the arena, seeing her adorable expression right now, he wouldn’t have been able to resist ruffling her hair.

Still, Ye Qingchen smiled and said to her, "Very good. It seems you’ve made significant progress developing the ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul this past year. That move just now was quite unexpected."

Hearing his praise, Xiao Xiao grew even more pleased and said, "So when are you going to stop holding back, Young Master? I don’t need you to go easy on me."

Ye Qingchen smiled and nodded. "Alright then, I’ll fight you with everything I have."

"Great! If you can defeat me, I’ll cook chicken for you. I guarantee it’ll be a hundred times more delicious than before!" Xiao Xiao declared triumphantly. During her time in the Wuji Immortal Palace, her greatest source of pride wasn’t her improvement in Cultivation, but the great strides she’d made in her cooking!

Their conversation was clearly heard by everyone in the audience. When they heard Ye Qingchen say he would fight Xiao Xiao with all his might, they all sneered inwardly.

You, Ye Qingchen, might be impressive, but you’re still just a third-layer Martial King Realm cultivator. It’s already enough to be proud of that you managed to withstand one move from Goddess Xiao Xiao. How dare you boast that you haven’t used your full strength? Aren’t you afraid that the louder you boast now, the more humiliating it will be when she defeats you?

Xiao Xiao, however, was ecstatic. She could finally force out all of her Young Master’s strength! To her, this was more exhilarating than being declared the winner.

Then, amidst the crowd’s doubt and Xiao Xiao’s excitement, the nascent form of flames began to slowly appear around Ye Qingchen’s body. As the flames gathered around him, the pressure from the Vermilion Bird Holy Soul that had been suppressing him began to recede.

The flames on Ye Qingchen’s body could actually rival the true fire of the Vermilion Bird! This was simply too shocking!

That’s the Vermilion Bird we’re talking about! Even if Xiao Xiao can’t fully unleash its power yet!