Invincible Soul Emperor-Chapter 312 We Are the Closest Siblings

Liang Fei simply didn’t believe Xiao Xiao’s words and continued, "Your Young Master is too weak to protect you. Besides, I’m the one who’s truly sincere."

Xiao Xiao pursed her lips and retorted irritably, "You don’t know the first thing about him! My Young Master is incredible. If it weren’t for him, you’d have been turned into twice-cooked pork by now."

After speaking, Xiao Xiao quickened her pace, came to Ye Qingchen’s side, and said with a grin, "Young Master, I see it now. You’ve saved an ungrateful wolf."

Ye Qingchen had been listening to their conversation the whole time. Only now do I realize that while I’ve always treated Xiao Xiao like a sister, she might not see me as a brother in her heart. Xiao Xiao has grown up. Ever since we met again, her every action has been that of a young woman in the first bloom of love. It’s clear she sees me as the object of her affection. And now that she’s said it out loud, I have no choice but to consider this seriously.

He felt troubled. I already have feelings for Qin Yue, and Qin Zhantian has told everyone more than once that I’m his future son-in-law. If I get entangled with Xiao Xiao, I’ll only be holding her back.

Thinking of this, Ye Qingchen steeled his resolve and said to Xiao Xiao, "Xiao Xiao, there’s something I’ve been meaning to tell you."

Seeing his serious expression, Xiao Xiao felt a bad premonition bubble up inside her, but she still nodded for him to continue.

Ye Qingchen chose his words carefully before speaking again. "Xiao Xiao, you need to understand that I’ve always seen you as a little sister. I did in the past, and I will in the future. Our bond isn’t that of siblings, but it’s even deeper—you’re my dearest family. Do you understand what I’m saying?"

Ye Qingchen sighed. After saying everything in one breath, he didn’t dare look at her expression and just kept walking forward alone.

I can’t bear to see her look so heartbroken. But some things must be dealt with swiftly and decisively. I can’t let her continue down this wrong path! If I’m ambiguous and let her misunderstand, she’ll only get more deeply entangled. That would be completely irresponsible of me!

Hearing Ye Qingchen’s words, Xiao Xiao froze on the spot. Tears began to well up in her charming eyes, glistening as they fell. She had never expected her Young Master to be so resolute. The moment she heard him say they were like brother and sister, her heart shattered. At that moment, Xiao Xiao didn’t want to face anyone or hear another word. Crying, she turned and ran off by herself.

Liang Fei tried to stop her, but there was no way he could. He could only shout at Ye Qingchen, "Ye Qingchen, that was too cruel!"

Ye Qingchen finally snapped out of it. He stopped in his tracks and spun around. Seeing that Xiao Xiao was already far in the distance, he realized the gravity of the situation. He quickly said to Liang Fei, "Quick, let’s split up and find her."

With that, Ye Qingchen activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul, searching for Xiao Xiao’s aura to track her down.

I regret this so much. I can’t believe I said those things to her. How could I not have understood her feelings for me? My words must have hurt her so deeply for her to run off alone like this.

The image of her grief-stricken face made him even more anxious, and he couldn’t help but increase his speed.

Xiao Xiao was fast, but Ye Qingchen was no slouch. About an hour later, he sensed he was getting closer to her position. However, he was surprised to find her aura was now exceptionally weak, which gave him a bad feeling.

Passing through a dense part of the forest, Ye Qingchen saw Xiao Xiao surrounded by a group of lesser demons. The area was thick with smoke, and he frowned. As a fourth-grade Alchemist, how could he fail to recognize that the smoke was poisonous? He could tell that this toxic smoke temporarily prevented a Martial Artist’s Spiritual Energy from circulating, which explained why Xiao Xiao was powerless. Otherwise, with her strength, she would never have been in any danger.

The lesser demons were brandishing their weapons at Xiao Xiao. Without a second thought, Ye Qingchen drew his Qingfeng Sword and unleashed a Sword Dusting the Wind slash at them.

Although these lesser demons were only at the Martial Spirit Realm, a green energy barrier manifested around them, surprisingly blocking his Sword Dusting the Wind.

Ye Qingchen was shocked. He had lashed out in fury, and normally, even a ninth-layer expert of the Martial Spirit Realm would have had to evade the blow. But these lesser demons are only at the fifth or sixth layer of the Martial Spirit Realm. How could they possibly withstand my Sword Dusting the Wind? This is strange. It must have something to do with that energy barrier they conjured.

Ye Qingchen quickly used his Dual Pupil Martial Soul to examine the energy shield. He was astonished to discover it wasn’t formed from Spiritual Energy, but from life force. These were Wood Attribute Tree Demons, and their attribute was most noted for its tenacious life force. What he hadn’t expected was that they could convert this life force into an energy shield to block attacks.

A thought struck him. My Seven-Star Willow Wood Martial Soul is also a Wood Attribute, and its grade is definitely higher than these Tree Demons. Does that mean I can use the same skill?

With this idea in mind, he couldn’t resist trying it out. He channeled his Soul Power into his Willow Wood Martial Soul while continuing to observe the demons’ energy shields with his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. As he urged his Soul Power onward, he could feel the life energy within his Willow Wood Martial Soul being mobilized, bit by bit, slowly materializing around his body.

Overjoyed, Ye Qingchen poured all his Soul Power into the effort until a verdant green shield formed around him. Shielded, Ye Qingchen took several attacks from the lesser demons head-on. He was surprised to find that his new shield not only weakened their attacks but could also block all attributes. And it’s fueled by the life energy stored in my Willow Wood Martial Soul! This means that as long as my life energy holds out, the shield can remain active indefinitely. For someone like me who lacks any Defensive Martial Techniques, this is a massive upgrade!

Ye Qingchen named this newly mastered Martial Soul skill Willow Curtain Drooping Green.

After testing his new skill, Ye Qingchen went on the offensive. He swung his Qingfeng Sword relentlessly, unleashing Sword Dusting the Wind again and again. Eventually, the lesser demons’ energy shields could no longer hold and were shattered by his blade. Without their shields, the lesser demons were no match for Ye Qingchen and were easily dispatched.

After dealing with the demons, Ye Qingchen rushed to Xiao Xiao’s side, gathering the weakened girl into his arms.

Sensing his familiar presence, Xiao Xiao slowly opened her eyes. Upon seeing Ye Qingchen, endless joy filled her beautiful eyes. She threw her arms around him, pressing herself tightly against his body.

"Young Master, I knew you wouldn’t abandon me!" she cried, her voice muffled against his chest. "Just as my heart will always be with you!"