Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 660: Chapter 660: Corpse Refining Technique

"Of course, there’s a solution. An old friend of mine in the Wuji Immortal Palace is a renowned Alchemist. It seems we must make a trip there."

Elder Yang’s words reassured them both.

"Elder Yang, isn’t the Corpse Refining Technique from the Demon Clan? Why would Jiang Qi know such a skill?"

Ye Qingchen sensed the flow of energy within his body but found nothing unusual. If Elder Yang hadn’t discovered it in time, he likely wouldn’t have known until the symptoms appeared. What’s more, he hadn’t noticed anything strange when he fought Jiang Qi either. How on earth did Jiang Qi manage to use the Corpse Refining Technique on him?

Elder Yang seemed to see his doubts. "Heh, I suspect that boy from the Jiang Clan has gone down a wicked path. As long as you’re on good terms with the Demon Clan, mastering that technique isn’t difficult. It’s possible that guy has had connections with the Demon Clan for a long time."

"The Corpse Refining Technique doesn’t require any complicated methods. As long as he can touch you, he can successfully poison you. A person afflicted by this technique won’t notice anything at first. But when the time comes, the moment the caster exerts their will, you will become their puppet, completely unable to resist. Gradually, the Energy in your body will be devoured by Demonic Qi, and in the end, you’ll be reduced to a mere walking corpse."

After Elder Yang’s explanation, both of them nodded solemnly.

"Elder Yang’s words make sense. When Jiang Qi held me captive, I vaguely felt something was off," Qin Yue suddenly spoke up, recalling her time by Jiang Qi’s side. It seemed Jiang Qi would occasionally go meet with someone, and he would never allow anyone else to be near him during those meetings.

"Qingchen, you need to be careful. Jiang Qi is vengeful. He’ll probably make another move against you," Qin Yue warned.

Ye Qingchen nodded thoughtfully.

"Junior Brother! Junior Brother! That’s great, you’re back!"

"Haha, I knew our Junior Brother would be fine."

"Hey! Qin Yue is back too!"

Suddenly, Cheng Lu and the others excitedly squeezed into the room. Seeing Ye Qingchen sitting unharmed inside, they all breathed a sigh of relief.

Ye Qingchen nodded at them and recounted the issue with the Corpse Refining Technique.

Their smiling faces instantly fell.

"Damn it! Junior Brother, you should have let us go in with you!"

"That’s right! That Saint Heir of the Jiang Clan is just too arrogant! He clearly doesn’t take us seriously at all!" the group fumed.

Ye Qingchen slowly stood up. "Senior Brothers, Senior Sister, don’t blame yourselves for this. Elder Yang said he’ll take me to the Wuji Immortal Palace to find an antidote. Qin Yue has suffered for so long by Jiang Qi’s side. I’d like my senior brothers and sister to look after her."

Their gazes turned toward Qin Yue.

Qin Yue hurriedly shook her head. "Qingchen, this is all my fault. I want to go with you to find the antidote!"

Seeing this, Li Nian’er quickly stepped forward. "Qin Yue, how could this be your fault? Besides, if you went along, our Junior Brother would only worry more. Just stay here and rest peacefully for a while."

"Exactly. Being by that guy’s side, you were on edge every day. Your nerves have been stretched to their limit. You should get some proper rest so you don’t wear yourself out," Cheng Lu added.

Watching them go back and forth, Qin Yue couldn’t help but look at Ye Qingchen, who gave her a reassuring look.

"Qin Yue, I need you to wait for me here."

Qin Yue didn’t speak but stepped forward and hugged Ye Qingchen, her voice slightly choked. "Alright. I’ll wait for you to come back with the antidote, safe and sound!"

Elder Yang, standing by, couldn’t help but cough lightly. "Ahem, well, it’s quite late. Everyone should get some rest. We’ll set out for the Wuji Immortal Palace early tomorrow morning."

After speaking, Elder Yang walked outside and vanished in the blink of an eye.

Ye Qingchen escorted the others to the door and glanced around, suddenly realizing something was amiss. "Huh? Wait, where’s Xiao Xiao?"

Ye Qingchen was puzzled. Come to think of it, he hadn’t seen Xiao Xiao at all since they left the Jiang Ancient Clan.

Cheng Lu was unconcerned. "Xiao Xiao? Hasn’t she been following us this whole time?" He turned around, but after a quick search, he couldn’t see her anywhere.

"Huh? Xiao Xiao? Where did Xiao Xiao go?!"

The others also turned to scan their surroundings.

"Hey, that’s not right. We saw her right behind us when we got back. How did she just vanish?" Li Nian’er was on high alert. A whole person had disappeared from right under their noses, and they hadn’t even noticed!

Ye Qingchen’s expression immediately turned grim.

Xiao Xiao is missing. Could this be Jiang Qi’s doing? If Jiang Qi dares to touch a single hair on her head, he’ll pay!

Just as Ye Qingchen was about to say something, a figure suddenly rushed over and hugged him tightly. Startled, the others drew their weapons.

"Young Master! Young Master! You’re finally back!" Xiao Xiao sobbed, clinging to Ye Qingchen.

Ye Qingchen smiled and ruffled her hair. "You silly girl, where did you run off to? Your senior brothers and sister were worried sick."

A flicker of disgust crossed Xiao Xiao’s eyes. "Ah, Young Master, I ran into a bit of trouble on the way back and didn’t get a chance to tell them."

No one knew what she had encountered, but seeing her return safe and sound, everyone breathed a sigh of relief.

"As long as you’re back, that’s what matters. Well, our Junior Brother is going to the Wuji Immortal Palace for an antidote tomorrow, so let’s not disturb him any longer," Li Nian’er said, dispersing the crowd.

Xiao Xiao’s expression, however, turned serious. "Young Master, an antidote? Are you... are you alright?"

Facing Xiao Xiao’s earnest question, Ye Qingchen briefly explained the situation, though he omitted the severe consequences of the Corpse Refining Technique.

Xiao Xiao seemed to know Ye Qingchen was downplaying it to comfort her. She stepped to the side and declared solemnly, "Young Master, since you’re going to find an antidote, I must go with you!"

Before Ye Qingchen could speak, Xiao Xiao covered his mouth. "Young Master, don’t even think about refusing. Tomorrow, I’m going with you, no matter what!"

Seeing her determination, Ye Qingchen knew he couldn’t change her mind. "Alright then. Just be sure to stick close to me and don’t get separated."

「Elsewhere, at the Jiang Ancient Clan.」

Jiang Xiaoyi slowly woke from his coma. The middle-aged man beside him saw his eyes open and excitedly hurried over.

"Xiaoyi! You’re awake! That’s great! How do you feel?"

Jiang Xiaoyi parted his cracked lips and said in a hoarse voice, "Uncle, I feel horrible... It’s as if my entire body has been crushed."

The middle-aged man’s heart clenched. "Xiaoyi, don’t be afraid. I’ve already sent people to deal with that guy. I’m sure by now he’s on his knees, begging to give us the antidote!"

The middle-aged man spoke with confidence, but Jiang Xiaoyi was still uneasy.

He had a feeling that this time, he was well and truly done for.