The Sect Master and the others were utterly stunned. Heaven-tier Alchemists, the supreme figures of the Southern Wilds, were mimicking a young disciple's technique? The spectacle was utterly unprecedented, a shockwave tearing through the cultivation world. It was simply too astonishing.
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor’s eyes glittered with starlight as he meticulously observed Ye Chen’s movements. “Who exactly is the person behind Ye Chen? This alchemy technique contains the essence of the Great Dao and flows with profound Dao and Essence—it is unfathomably subtle! Ye Chen must be backed by a Pill Emperor!”
A Pill Emperor!
A monstrous wave crashed through the hearts of Elder Mu and the Peak Masters. What other secrets did Ye Chen hold?
A moment later, the Sect Master pulled his gaze away, only for his face to darken instantly upon seeing Lu Xuan. “Lu Xuan is completely out of place.”
Lu Xuan was napping?
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor waved a dismissive hand. “Forget it. He’s only in the Qi Refining realm; don’t hold him to any standard. The fact that Lu Xuan managed to stay seated here and accompany Ye Chen is already a step forward.”
The Peak Masters exchanged speechless glances. Has the Old Ancestor’s bar for Lu Xuan really sunk this low? They couldn't even argue.
The Sect Master mentally transmitted to Lu Xuan, “Just stay put. It’s not like you could learn this alchemy technique anyway.”
Lu Xuan was taken aback. Talk about stepping on one person to lift another! Sect Master, why are you like this?
“Sect Master, I haven’t done anything wrong!” Lu Xuan replied via mental transmission.
The Sect Master gritted his teeth. “That’s exactly the problem! You haven’t done anything! Look at everyone else—they’re all immersed in comprehending Ye Chen’s alchemy technique, and you’re just sitting there, napping!”
The Cangxuan Old Ancestor interjected, “Let it go. Even if you asked him to comprehend it, he wouldn’t see any profound insights. Lu Xuan can’t learn this technique.”
Lu Xuan sighed internally. To be honest, I know this alchemy technique too! And mine is even more profound than Ye Chen’s. After all, I have the full inheritance of the Five-star Pill Emperor’s Memories.
It was perfectly reasonable for masters like Dan Xiangzi and Yao Baili to fall into enlightenment.
Just then, a sudden change erupted within the barrier.
Nangong Baixue transmitted a furious command to the disciples of the Supreme Profound Sect. “Now!”
The next instant, Nangong Baixue’s soul power surged out, forming a vast, shimmering lake that pressed down on Ye Chen. The other Supreme Profound Sect disciples immediately poured out their soul power as well, condensing it into physical forms.
Some manifested as a long sword, its chilling edge radiating lethal light. Others became a sea of Spirit Fire, its terrifying momentum capable of boiling oceans and scorching the sky.
One soul power!
Two soul powers!
...
Over a dozen solidified soul powers roared forth, converging from all directions to engulf the space around Ye Chen.
The sudden, violent fluctuation immediately alarmed the other alchemists inside the barrier.
A Pill Peak disciple cried out in shock, “They’re attacking Junior Brother Ye Chen!”
A grey-robed youth swept his divine sense over the scene. “It’s the Supreme Profound Sect! While Soul Combat is permitted, using a dozen soul powers combined—they’re trying to cripple Junior Brother Ye Chen!”
In an instant, the faces of the Pill Peak disciples turned ugly. “On the Grand Dao Sect’s territory, we won’t let outsiders bully one of our own!”
“Protect Junior Brother Ye Chen!”
With that shout, over a dozen Pill Peak disciples immediately unleashed their own soul power. Terrifying, boundless soul force, like a great river, surged from several directions and crashed into the space where Ye Chen was cultivating.
But it was too late.
The combined soul power of the Supreme Profound Sect disciples had already merged, forming a single, destructive force of overwhelming power. The soul power from Pill Peak rushed forward bravely but was instantly crushed.
Nangong Baixue’s face was a mask of malice. She sneered, “If you want to protect Ye Chen, then be crippled along with him!”
The river of soul power, with Nangong Baixue’s primary soul as its core, erupted with monstrous killing intent.
Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!
The dozen or so Pill Peak disciples spat out mouthfuls of vital blood and were sent flying backward. Their souls were severely wounded. Blood spurted from their seven orifices!
Seeing this, the remaining Pill Peak disciples roared in rage, their eyes bulging.
“No! No!”
“Quickly wake up Junior Brother Ye Chen! Any later, and he’ll suffer the same fate as us!”
In a flash of lightning, the remaining Pill Peak disciples desperately sent mental transmissions to rouse Ye Chen.
“Junior Brother Ye Chen! Wake up! They’re trying to kill you!”
“Nangong Baixue is trying to murder you! We can’t hold them off! Wake up!”
The next moment, a sharp, piercing soul force struck Ye Chen, instantly jolting him out of his profound alchemy state.
His eyes instantly cleared, and his divine sense swept the surroundings. He immediately saw Nangong Baixue and the other Supreme Profound Sect disciples, their combined soul power forming a roaring river, its waves surging as if ready to unleash a thousand-fold tsunami.
Nangong Baixue’s face, floating within the soul river, was icy cold and filled with murderous intent. She let out a chilling laugh. “Ye Chen, die!”
The terrifying killing force, manifesting endless destructive weapons and fueled by the combined soul power of over a dozen Profound Sovereign realm disciples, slammed toward Ye Chen.
At the same time, Ye Chen noticed the Pill Peak disciples were already severely injured. Their cauldrons, now uncontrolled, exploded in a series of deafening blasts.
In that critical moment, Boom!
A terrifying, explosive shockwave erupted, like the ocean rolling backward, stirring up colossal waves. The shattered cauldrons and raging Spirit Fire tore apart the small pocket of space, creating a scene of utter devastation.
Ye Chen’s eyes were bloodshot. He gritted his teeth and roared, “No!”
With a thunderous cry, immense spiritual energy surged from Ye Chen’s body. His turbulent, boundless soul power swelled rapidly, condensing into a colossal, towering figure.
But it was too late.
With a massive explosion, the dozen or so Pill Peak disciples were swallowed by the raging sea of fire.
Tears streamed down Ye Chen’s face, his eyes burning crimson.
“Aaaaah! Aaaaah!”
Ye Chen’s white robes billowed wildly in the gale, his long hair flying. He had fallen into a state of pure, terrifying madness!
His Senior Brothers had been engulfed by the terrifying power of the exploding cauldrons while trying to protect him! He hadn’t saved them!
How could this happen?
How could this happen?!
Why hadn’t he anticipated Nangong Baixue would attack him?
Consumed by this thought, Ye Chen roared, “I will have you all die!”
In a flash, Ye Chen’s soul power surged out of his body like a dam breaking, an endless, inexhaustible torrent.
“Desolate! Heaven! Art!”
Ye Chen’s face was twisted in a savage snarl as he unleashed the entirety of his soul power.
A colossal figure slowly materialized within the barrier, vast enough to span Heaven and Earth, its aura swallowing mountains and rivers. This was the vision of the Desolate Heaven Emperor, its star-like eyes burning with endless fury. It reached out a massive hand.
The figure instantly crushed the Supreme Profound Sect’s river of soul power.
Boom!
The combined attack of the Supreme Profound Sect disciples was annihilated with a single palm strike!
The next instant, Ye Chen’s enormous hand swept toward Nangong Baixue and the remaining disciples’ souls.
Nangong Baixue and the others were frozen in shock.
How is this possible?!
Their minds went blank with terror, and their scalps tingled. Ye Chen’s soul power alone was several times stronger than their combined force!
The palm condensed by Ye Chen’s soul power was vast, shadowing the sky, like a falling continent or a descending star.
Nangong Baixue and the others immediately spat blood.
“Retreat!” they screamed.
Their combined soul power, under Ye Chen’s devastating attack, was nothing more than a stationary target!
But Nangong Baixue activated her core soul power. She knew that if the other disciples withdrew their soul force, she would be the first to die!
Nangong Baixue’s face was hideous. “You can’t leave!”
She ruthlessly activated a secret art, forcing the soul power of the other Supreme Profound Sect disciples to the front line.
Ye Chen’s palm descended!
CRASH!
One Supreme Profound Sect disciple’s soul was instantly extinguished, dead!
The next one, dead!
Another one, dead!
In his current state, Ye Chen’s killing intent was boundless, and nothing could stop him!
The remaining Supreme Profound Sect disciples were consumed by endless fear. They tried to flee, but Nangong Baixue’s secret art had bound them together.
They screamed in desperation, “Nangong Baixue, I curse your ancestors! Let me go, you bitch!”
“Nangong Baixue! I curse your whole family!”
Nangong Baixue was spitting blood and had reached her limit, but she couldn’t allow their soul power to retreat!
Seeing this, the Supreme Profound Sect disciples began to beg Ye Chen for mercy.
“Ye Chen, please show mercy!”
“This has nothing to do with us! Nangong Baixue forced us to act with a Saint Soldier!”
But Ye Chen ignored them completely.
He swept through them like a gale scattering fallen leaves, like a storm tearing through the clouds.
The Supreme Profound Sect disciples unleashed endless secret arts to resist, but it was useless!
Useless!
Annihilated!
Annihilated!
Annihilated!
One after another, they perished, their bodies and souls utterly destroyed!
At this moment, Ye Chen’s monstrous soul power had alerted the entire barrier.
The other geniuses who had been refining pills were jolted awake.
They stared in utter shock at Ye Chen’s massive soul-power phantom. The towering figure was like a small mountain, and merely probing it with their divine sense caused their hearts to seize up in terror.
What kind of soul power was this?!
The geniuses of the Yao family turned pale. It was the first time they had witnessed such terrifying soul power in a cultivator of the same realm!
Yao Huanhuan’s jaw dropped, and she covered her mouth with a trembling hand. She felt utterly incapable of fighting Ye Chen. How is this possible? I’m supposed to be the most talented soul cultivator of the Yao family’s younger generation!
Now, Ye Chen had single-handedly annihilated the entire group of Supreme Profound Sect disciples! What terrifying combat power!
Up in the sky, Dan Xiangzi, Yao Baili, and the others who had been in enlightenment suddenly awoke.
Pill Saint Yunyang looked into the barrier, his face contorting in shock. What had happened? He had been so engrossed in comprehension that he hadn’t paid attention to the barrier! Why had Ye Chen and the Supreme Profound Sect erupted into conflict?
The next instant, Pill Saint Yunyang froze. The Supreme Profound Sect disciples, save for Nangong Baixue, were all dead, their life force extinguished! Only Nangong Baixue was barely clinging to life!
A monstrous killing intent erupted from Pill Saint Yunyang. He gritted his teeth. “Ye! Chen!” His figure instantly vanished from his spot.
Meanwhile, Ye Chen’s soul-power hand, like a small mountain, was squeezing Nangong Baixue.
Nangong Baixue was bleeding from her seven orifices, a truly pitiful sight. She laughed hysterically, like a madwoman. “Hahaha! Go on, kill me! Qin Xiao will avenge me!”
Ye Chen scoffed and prepared to crush Nangong Baixue’s body.
A terrifying force exploded!
But...
He crushed empty air.
Pill Saint Yunyang had intervened just in time. The Heaven-tier Alchemist had saved his disciple.
“You!” Pill Saint Yunyang roared, his eyes blazing with murderous intent as he caught Nangong Baixue, who was on the verge of death. He glared at Ye Chen.
Ye Chen’s massive soul-power phantom slowly dissipated, leaving him standing alone, his white robes stained with the blood of his enemies, his eyes cold and devoid of emotion. He had achieved his goal.
“System, did I get the first kill of the competition?” Lu Xuan thought, still half-asleep.
[System: Host, the competition has not officially started. However, the Host’s disciple has successfully eliminated the main antagonist’s faction. Reward: Host’s Martial Dao cultivation advances to Profound Sovereign Stage Five. Congratulations, Host!]
Lu Xuan yawned, feeling a warm, comfortable surge of power flow through his meridians. Nice. Five stages in one go. My disciples are truly the Congenital Worker Saint Body.
He opened his eyes, ready to enjoy the show. He was now a Profound Sovereign Stage Five cultivator, and the entire venue was silent, save for the furious roar of Pill Saint Yunyang.
“Ye Chen! You dare to commit murder in the Grand Dao Sect?!” Pill Saint Yunyang screamed, his voice shaking the entire venue.
Ye Chen merely glanced at him, his expression one of utter contempt. “She tried to kill me first. And she crippled my Senior Brothers. She got what she deserved.”
“You—” Pill Saint Yunyang was speechless.
“Yunyang, calm down,” Yao Baili said, stepping forward, his expression grave. “The rules of the younger generation competition allow for Soul Combat. While the outcome is tragic, Ye Chen’s actions were in self-defense, and the Supreme Profound Sect disciples initiated the attack.”
“Self-defense? He annihilated them!” Pill Saint Yunyang spat.
“He is a genius,” Yao Baili said simply, then turned to Ye Chen, his eyes filled with a complex mixture of awe and familial recognition. “Young Master Ye, your talent is truly peerless.”
Ye Chen ignored the praise, his gaze fixed on Nangong Baixue, who was being healed by Pill Saint Yunyang.
“Master, I’m ready for the next round,” Ye Chen said via mental transmission to Lu Xuan, his voice calm, the madness gone, replaced by cold resolve. “I will win first place.”
Lu Xuan smiled internally. That’s the spirit. My Second Disciple is truly a protagonist template.
“Go for it, Second Disciple,” Lu Xuan replied casually, giving him a thumbs-up. “Just don’t forget to cook me a Spirit Chicken Family Bucket when you get back.”
Ye Chen nodded, his eyes blazing with renewed determination. He would win this competition, not just for himself, but to vindicate his Master's profound Dao.
The entire venue was silent, utterly shocked by the swift, brutal annihilation of the Supreme Profound Sect disciples. The younger generation alchemists looked at Ye Chen with a mixture of fear and awe. The Heaven-tier Alchemists, having just been jolted from their enlightenment, were now faced with a bloody scene that redefined the stakes of the competition.
The Sect Master, watching from his seat, felt a massive headache coming on. I told him not to cause trouble! he roared internally. This is worse than I could have ever imagined!