Invincible Soul Emperor-Chapter 373: The Mysterious Saint Heir

Meanwhile, after Huan Yuehua and Lin Lanxin returned to the Huanyue Sect, Huan Yuehua felt tremendous pressure and a sense of threat.

Chen Qingye's growth rate was simply too fast. When they had agreed to the life-and-death arena, he was merely a Sixth Layer Martial Spirit Realm cultivator whom she could easily manipulate. In just two or three months, he had reached the Eighth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm and already possessed the strength to stand on equal footing with her.

What frightened Huan Yuehua the most was just how many opportunities Chen Qingye might have obtained within the Chaotic Labyrinth. She couldn't forget that not only was Chen Qingye's combat ability terrifying, but he was also a Sixth Rank Pill King. If he had truly acquired some heavenly treasure in the labyrinth, with his level of Alchemy, who knew what incredible Spirit Pill he might concoct to strengthen himself? Wouldn't her odds of victory become even slimmer then?

With this in mind, the first thing Huan Yuehua did upon returning to the Huanyue Sect was enter closed-door cultivation.

Lin Lanxin, still consumed by grief over the death of her son, Huan Xinghe, saw Huan Yuehua seclude herself and immediately sought out Huan Donglong.

"Madam, what do you need?" Huan Donglong asked, greeting Lin Lanxin with a slight bow.

Lin Lanxin gestured for Huan Donglong to sit. "Chen Qingye of the Chen Yue Pavilion killed my Xinghe," she said viciously. "This is a blood feud! Go to the Chen Yue Pavilion at once and find a chance to kill him." 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

Huan Donglong shook his head, not immediately accepting the order. Lin Lanxin shot him a wicked glance and demanded, "What? Are you going to defy my orders now, too?"

Huan Donglong hurriedly stood up to explain. "Please do not misunderstand, Madam. I have heard about what happened to the Young Sect Master, and I am also aware that the Sect Master intended to kill Chen Qingye before the Chaotic Labyrinth. My concern is that Chen Qingye must be on his guard by now. If I make a rash move, the chance of killing him is slim. It would also give him an excuse to use against us. If he uses this assassination attempt as a reason to cancel the life-and-death arena, we would be in the wrong and couldn't do anything to him. Wouldn't that mean we'd lose our chance to kill him in the arena as well?"

After speaking, Huan Donglong bowed his head, not daring to look at Lin Lanxin. He feared the Sect Master's wife might have a moment of recklessness and insist he go after Chen Qingye anyway. If he were to fail or bungle the mission, Xi Jianwei's fate served as a stark warning. Huan Donglong knew his own status within the Huanyue Sect couldn't possibly compare to Xi Jianwei's in his prime.

Lin Lanxin furrowed her brow, pondering his words. She stood and began to pace back and forth while Huan Donglong remained silent, his head bowed.

This tense atmosphere persisted for an hour until Lin Lanxin finally spoke. "You are right. But that boy's strength is advancing by leaps and bounds. There are still three months until the life-and-death arena. If we let him continue to develop, my husband might not have full confidence in killing him. You may leave for now."

Greatly relieved, Huan Donglong nodded and quickly departed.

Lin Lanxin continued to ponder. The only reason Huan Donglong didn't dare to assassinate Chen Qingye was his lack of confidence. If she could find someone who could guarantee a successful kill, all their problems would be solved. But where could she find such a person? Her eyebrows twitched as a suitable candidate came to mind. However, enlisting the help of such a revered figure would certainly require a great deal of effort.

***

After Ye Qingchen and Qin Yue returned to the Chen Yue Pavilion, they discussed its recent business with Xi Jianwei. Having made some arrangements, Ye Qingchen then informed Xi Jianwei that he would have to trouble him to look after the Pavilion a while longer, as he needed to enter closed-door cultivation again before the great battle.

Once inside the cultivation chamber, Qin Yue spoke to Ye Qingchen, her voice filled with worry. "Qingchen, Huan Yuehua is, after all, a cultivator at the Fifth Layer of the Martial King Realm. She's also the leader of a three-star Sect with countless cultivation resources at her disposal. Although your strength is improving rapidly, you might still not be her match when the time comes."

Ye Qingchen sighed. "Yue'er, what you say is true. That's why I will remain in closed-door cultivation for these three months. I will strive for another breakthrough before the life-and-death arena begins."

Qin Yue caressed his resolute face, her voice tinged with heartache. "Don't push yourself too hard. You still have me, don't you? During this time, I plan to return to the Rising Sun Pavilion headquarters to seek some heavenly treasures that can aid your breakthrough."

Ye Qingchen nodded and pulled Qin Yue into his embrace. She buried her head in his chest.

The flickering candlelight in the secret chamber created an intoxicating atmosphere.

Ye Qingchen gently lifted Qin Yue's chin, gazing at her exquisite, porcelain-like face, which appeared even more enchanting in the candlelight.

Her vermilion lips parted slightly as she looked deeply at him. Then, she slowly closed her eyes and rose lightly onto her tiptoes. If Ye Qingchen still didn't know what to do at this point, he would be far too obtuse.

He kissed those lips deeply, wishing he could meld her into his very being as they held each other in a tight embrace.

For a time, an intimate scene unfolded within the chamber...

***

Lin Lanxin piloted the Spirit Boat at high speed, quickly leaving the territory of Chaoyun Country. She finally stopped before a vast Mirror Lake.

The lake was so clear that one could see straight to the bottom. Not even a breeze rippled its surface, which was as smooth as a mirror a beauty might use for her makeup—hence its name.

By the lake stood a bamboo forest, with several bamboo huts scattered before it. Against the backdrop of the Mirror Lake, the scene was utterly ethereal. However, the dense Spiritual Energy and drifting strains of celestial music were proof that the resident was no mere mortal.

Lin Lanxin carefully adjusted her clothes before cautiously approaching the bamboo huts.

"Stop right there!"

A stern shout rang out as a handsome figure blocked her path. The newcomer was a young man of about twenty, yet his strength had already reached the Martial King Realm. His neat attire gave him a sharp and heroic aura.

Lin Lanxin had lost all her usual commanding presence as the Sect Master's wife. Seeing the young man, she bowed respectfully and spoke with care. "I am from the Huanyue Sect. I have come to report something to the Saint Heir."

The youth's attitude remained icy. "No one may disturb the Saint Heir without his summons."

Lin Lanxin hurriedly explained, "Please, inform him that it concerns the Wordless Jade Bi."

The young man frowned slightly. "Wait here," he said coldly.