Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 732: Chapter 732: Grab the Treasure

"Watch out, he’s going to self-destruct!" Ye Qingchen exclaimed, quickly retreating. His opponent’s accomplices took advantage of the moment to flee. But just as Ye Qingchen stepped back, the red glow enveloping the man’s body vanished.

"Hahaha! You’re still too green, kid," the man taunted with a hearty laugh. "I was just bluffing! But even if we can’t touch you, you’re definitely not going to have an easy time after this!" Taking advantage of Ye Qingchen’s momentary confusion, the man made a quick escape.

Ye Qingchen watched them run off without giving chase, puzzled by the man’s parting words. As he was lost in thought, another powerful aura suddenly emerged in the distance. Ye Qingchen furrowed his brow and looked toward its source. A moment later, an old man appeared right in front of him.

"My God! That guy actually showed up!" the men who hadn’t gotten far exclaimed upon seeing the figure.

"That’s a Hermit expert from our outer city, Old Cui! Back in the day, he was invincible here! He hasn’t shown his face for so many years; I can’t believe he’s appeared today!"

"It seems the temptation of the treasure was extraordinary!" the men remarked, their voices a mixture of awe and envy.

"Old Cui has probably reached the Eighth Layer of the Martial Emperor Realm by now, right? Looks like that treasure is out of our reach!" they lamented, sighing in resignation.

Ye Qingchen, on the other hand, did not recognize the old man before him. Seeing him dressed in a sharp training outfit, he couldn’t help but ask, "Who might you be?"

"You don’t need to know who I am," the old man boomed. Although he looked ancient, his voice was loud and clear, not at all like that of someone his age. "I’ll give you one chance. Hand over the treasure you took from the Zheng Family, or don’t blame me for being discourteous!"

Hearing this, Ye Qingchen let out a cold chuckle. "So it’s about the Zheng Family’s treasure. Could it be that the Zheng Family Head doesn’t want me to have it, so he sent someone to take it back?"

Ye Qingchen knew the Zheng Family Head wouldn’t let things lie, but he hadn’t expected them to act so quickly. He had only just left.

Old Cui snorted. "Stop guessing, boy! Who knows how many people want the treasures you’re carrying. I don’t know if the Zheng Family has made a move, but I can assure you, there won’t be a shortage of people coming for you tonight!

"Kid, you won’t be able to keep those items safe. You’re better off handing them over to me. Consider it a favor you’re owed by Old Cui!"

Ye Qingchen was so incensed by Old Cui’s sanctimonious words that he almost laughed. "Old man, if you’re going to rob me, just rob me. There’s no need to dress it up as a favor. Besides, how do you know I can’t protect these things myself?"

From Old Cui’s words, Ye Qingchen finally understood the situation. The Zheng Family had likely not only acted on their own but had also spread the news that he possessed their treasure, inciting outsiders like this man to make a move against him. When these outsiders acted, the Zheng Family could sit back and reap the benefits. If one of them really did manage to steal the items, the Zheng Family could righteously claim them back. Of course, once "reclaimed," the treasure would certainly never return to Ye Qingchen’s hands.

The Head of the Zheng Family really knows how to play his cards!

Ye Qingchen had originally thought the matter with the Zheng Family was settled. But now that they had staged this scheme, he would show them no mercy.

"Kid! I advise you to consider carefully! Without my help, you won’t be able to protect those treasures, no matter how capable you are!" Old Cui snorted coldly.

Ye Qingchen replied indifferently, "Then you needn’t worry about it. I’d rather throw these things away than give them to you."

"Fine, fine! Such arrogance! In that case, I don’t need to be so polite!"

As Old Cui’s voice fell, the entire space seemed to be enveloped by a powerful Earth Element force. Countless tiny pebbles surged from all directions like a raging flood, bearing down on Ye Qingchen with immense pressure. His heart tightened. He immediately realized this old man was no ordinary opponent. The next second, he took up a fighting stance without hesitation, his eyes firm and calm. He took a deep breath, mobilizing the wood element throughout his body, ready to defend against Old Cui’s attack at any moment.

The force of the Earth Element howled like a violent wind, carrying grit and gravel that whipped Ye Qingchen’s clothes. He stood his ground, his hands crackling with intense wood element, his eyes showing an unwavering determination.

A sly glint flashed in Old Cui’s eyes. He waved his walking stick, muttering a low spell that directed the Earth Element to assault Ye Qingchen. The raw power coalesced, forming dozens of sharp Sand Blades that sliced through the air with a mournful whine. Ye Qingchen watched the approaching Sand Blades, his expression growing extremely serious as he sensed a powerful danger.

Just as the Sand Blades were about to pierce him, his right hand shot out.

DING!

With a sharp ring, he impossibly caught all of the incoming blades. Then, with a firm stomp, he soared into the air.

SWISH!

Thrusting out his left fist, Ye Qingchen gathered a brilliant wood element around it. It condensed into a massive, spectral fist that he sent crashing toward the incoming Sand Blades.

BAM!

With a muffled groan, Ye Qingchen was blasted several meters back. His arm was numb, and a sharp pain shot through the web of his thumb. He glanced at his fist in surprise. The old man’s cultivation really is as formidable as I imagined. His own attack had barely inflicted any damage.

But Ye Qingchen knew he couldn’t let his guard down. The old man hadn’t even used his full strength yet. If he got serious, things would become very troublesome.

Seeing Ye Qingchen sent flying, a smirk curled Old Cui’s lips. "You’re pretty strong, I’ll give you that. Too bad you couldn’t even handle one of my moves."

Ye Qingchen’s brows furrowed. "Old man, isn’t it a bit early to be so confident?"

"Is that so?" Old Cui snorted coldly. "Do you really think I’ve gone senile?"

As his words fell, Old Cui’s body blurred into an afterimage, rushing swiftly toward Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen’s pupils shrank. "Not good!"

The old man’s speed was astonishing. In the blink of an eye, he was right in front of him. Of course, Ye Qingchen wasn’t about to just stand there; when it came to speed, he was much faster than Old Cui. With a sudden shift of his feet, he dodged to the side.

However, though Old Cui was fast, Ye Qingchen was even swifter. He dodged the attack, and in the next instant, his own body blurred into an afterimage as he charged straight at Old Cui.

Seeing this, Old Cui’s expression changed dramatically, and he inwardly cursed. How careless!