Devouring Soul Emperor

"Tch, throw a tantrum? Would he dare?"

"Just half an hour ago, at the Great Xia Martial Palace, he was easily defeated by Chu Qingyun."

Easily defeated Deng Zhuxuan?

Housekeeper Qin frowned slightly. "Could he be a ninth-level Martial Artist? The Spiritual Pool has no effect on ninth-level Martial Artists, which is why only those below the ninth level can compete for it."

"I know. Chu Qingyun is only a seventh-level Martial Artist, and he... never mind. Anyway, he’s just really strong. He’s even earned the recognition of Qingshan City’s Great Xia Martial Palace."

Ye Qi had wanted to say that Chu Qingyun had even mastered the Sword Drawing Technique.

However, she remembered that her father had gone to great lengths to obtain the Celestial Sword Three Techniques for her.

If he found out she’d given them to someone else, she’d probably get an earful, so she kept quiet.

"Oh? Earned the recognition of the Great Xia Martial Palace."

A glint flashed in Housekeeper Qin’s eyes as he chuckled. "In that case, I’m rather interested to see him for myself."

「Two days later.」

Chu Qingyun, Ye Qi, and Housekeeper Qin traveled to the Spiritual Pool together.

The Spiritual Pool was located in a hidden spot in North City.

Whenever the Spiritual Pool became accessible, the security here would become extremely tight.

It wouldn’t be an exaggeration to say there was a guard post every ten steps and a sentry every five.

Part of the security detail consisted of men from the Blood Wolf Gang, identifiable by the gang’s insignia on their clothes.

The other part, however, was the City Guard Army, with their uniform weapons and attire.

But regardless of whether they were from the Blood Wolf Gang or the City Guard Army, upon seeing Chu Qingyun’s group of three, they all bowed respectfully, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

Chu Qingyun, of course, didn’t think they were bowing to him.

Because of this, he began to have some suspicions about Ye Qi’s identity.

’To command such respect from both the Blood Wolf Gang and the City Guard Army... in all of Qingshan City, there is only one family capable of that.’

Originally, Chu Qingyun had been a little wary about meeting the Blood Wolf Gang, but now, he felt much more at ease.

At the Spiritual Pool, members of the Blood Wolf Gang were already waiting.

"Haha, Chief Steward Qin! By my count, it’s been several years since we last met, hasn’t it?"

A burly, imposing man who radiated a powerful aura laughed heartily and strode forward to greet them.

"Gang Leader Qi, it’s been a few years. Your presence is even more impressive than before."

Housekeeper Qin also clasped his hands in a salute and replied with a smile.

Seeing that the Blood Wolf Gang’s leader had personally come and was waiting for them, Chu Qingyun’s suspicion turned into certainty.

’Ye Qi must be the daughter of Qingshan City’s City Lord.’

’And Housekeeper Qin must be the Chief Steward of the City Lord’s Mansion.’

"Not at all, not at all. I wouldn’t dare show off in front of you, Chief Steward Qin. Qi Fan, Liu Ming, come and greet Chief Steward Qin."

Gang Leader Qi said, waving his hand.

Two young men stepped out from the crowd of Blood Wolf Gang members.

One of them bore a slight resemblance to Gang Leader Qi, his face filled with an unconcealable arrogance and wildness.

The other, however, had a calm expression, his aura completely restrained.

But Chu Qingyun felt a faint sense of threat from him, which put him on his guard.

"Greetings, Chief Steward Qin, Miss Ye the Elder."

Qi Fan and Liu Ming both said with a slight bow.

"Good, good. The two representing us this time are Ye Qi and Chu Qingyun."

Chief Steward Qin nodded and stepped aside, leaving Ye Qi and Chu Qingyun in the open.

"A seventh-level Martial Artist? Hmph."

"Ye Qi, I know you hate that lapdog Deng Zhuxuan, but you don’t have to give up on yourself and drag some trash here just to make up the numbers."

Qi Fan said with a sneer, looking at Chu Qingyun without a shred of respect.

With his strength as an eighth-level Martial Artist, he might have a tough fight if he faced Deng Zhuxuan.

But dealing with a mere seventh-level Martial Artist would be effortless.

"Silence! You arrogant brat, how dare you be so insolent in front of Chief Steward Qin!?"

"However, Housekeeper Qin, this participant of yours is a bit too weak. How about this: you just say the word, and the two spots for the Spiritual Pool will go to my son Qi Fan and Miss Ye the Elder."

Gang Leader Qi said to Housekeeper Qin with a smile.

Housekeeper Qin shook his head and said, "The rules were set by the City Lord himself. No one can change them lightly. Let’s begin the competition."

Since Housekeeper Qin had spoken, no one else dared to say another word.

The competition began. First up were Ye Qi and Qi Fan.

However, Ye Qi didn’t even move. "I forfeit!" she declared, then looked at Chu Qingyun.

’I knew it would be like this... ’

Chu Qingyun shook his head with a sense of resignation and walked forward.

"Qi Fan, son of the Blood Wolf Gang’s leader."

Before the fight, Qi Fan first announced his background and looked at Chu Qingyun.

This actually surprised Chu Qingyun a little.

’This Qi Fan isn’t as reckless and arrogant as he first appeared.’

’At least he knows to inquire about his opponent’s origins before a fight.’

"Chu Qingyun, from Chu Family Village outside the city."

Chu Qingyun clasped his hands and said in a low voice.

"Chu Family Village?"

Qi Fan tilted his head. He seemed to have heard that name somewhere in the last few days.

But he couldn’t recall where, so he paid it no mind. ’Judging by the name, it’s just some backwater village.’

"In that case, don’t blame me for what happens next."

Qi Fan sneered, a savage glint flashing in his eyes.

If he were facing Deng Zhuxuan, he might have held back a little out of consideration for the Deng Family.

But against Chu Qingyun, there was absolutely no need for that.

"Blood Wolf Claw!"

Qi Fan let out a low shout and immediately used a Soul Technique.

A small, blood-colored wolf appeared in front of him. The wolf howled at the sky, and a ray of bloody light shot out from the Martial Soul, converging on Qi Fan’s hand.

Qi Fan formed his right hand into a claw and swiped at Chu Qingyun.

A giant, blood-red claw over a meter in diameter flew from his hand, carrying a foul, metallic wind as it shot straight for Chu Qingyun.

Once this move was unleashed, the faint smell of blood enveloped a large area.

"He used that move right off the bat! Even if that kid is lucky enough to survive, he’ll be half-dead."

"Tsk tsk, the Young Gang Leader’s application of Martial Soul Power is truly far beyond that of an ordinary person." 𝓯𝙧𝓮𝓮𝒘𝓮𝙗𝙣𝒐𝒗𝒆𝓵.𝓬𝓸𝒎

The surrounding members of the Blood Wolf Gang all clicked their tongues in praise.

Chu Qingyun’s expression also became extremely serious.

He had to admit, Qi Fan’s control over his Martial Soul Power was definitely among the best he had ever seen in an opponent.

The previous eighth-level Martial Artist, Zhu Yuanzhi, could only coat his hand in Martial Soul Power when he used the Iron Eagle Claw Soul Technique.

But this Qi Fan could condense his Martial Soul Power into a Soul Technique and launch it at Chu Qingyun from a distance. His control over his Martial Soul Power was clearly a huge step above Zhu Yuanzhi’s.

However, to think he could defeat Chu Qingyun in a single move with just this was far too arrogant.

"Profound Celestial Divine Pattern!"

"Dawn Wind and Waning Moon!"

Facing the reeking Blood Wolf Claw, Chu Qingyun drew his longsword and used his most powerful move aside from the Sword Drawing Technique.

The dark gold divine pattern on his right arm lit up. An astonishing, several-meter-long sword aura erupted from his longsword, cleaving down toward the giant, blood-red claw.

At the same time, Chu Qingyun injected another, equally strong surge of Primordial Power into his own Five-Star Vine Soul.