Invincible Soul Emperor

Chapter 647 Comprehension Successful

The cacophony of voices from all walks of life made Ye Qingchen’s ears ache. It was just a matter of comprehending the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map, so why was there so much trouble? One by one, they popped up like clowns seeking attention.

Kuang Tie took a deep look at Ye Qingchen and spoke slowly. "Did you hear what I just said? Can you comprehend it within a quarter of an hour? I’m the one who changed the time limit, so you have the right to refuse."

"That won’t be necessary."

As soon as those words left Ye Qingchen’s mouth, everyone present drew a sharp, cold breath. They had never seen such a brazen person. How dare he speak so audaciously in front of Kuang Tie!

Everyone knew Kuang Tie was considered to have exceptional cultivation talent among the outer circle of the Jiang Ancient Clan. Even his own family held high hopes for him, wishing to use his talent to curry favor with the Jiang Ancient Clan. Yet this upstart, who had appeared out of nowhere, actually agreed without hesitation that he could comprehend the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map in just a quarter of an hour.

A hint of shock flickered across Kuang Tie’s face as well. It was the first time he had seen someone answer with such decisiveness. He glanced at the smug Jiang Xiaoyi, then crossed his arms and deliberately took a step back. "In that case, be my guest."

The people in the innermost circle, who were all trying to comprehend the map, looked to Kuang Tie for direction. Seeing him step back, they all hurriedly made way to watch the show.

Under the watchful gaze of the entire crowd, Ye Qingchen turned to face the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map in the center. It was an exquisitely detailed long scroll, encompassing vast mountains and rivers, its magnificent grandeur hidden within the finest details. Ye Qingchen simply circled it once and activated his Dual Pupil Martial Soul. Instantly, the subtle energies hidden within the scroll were drawn into his eyes.

As he followed the contours of the mountains and the flow of the rivers, he felt the energy within his body begin to surge upward of its own accord, as if being pulled by some external force.

Ye Qingchen’s face showed a trace of surprise. He had only recently broken through to the second level of the Martial Emperor Realm after the bloody battles on the Demon Clan battlefield. Now, under the map’s influence, that cultivation bottleneck was beginning to loosen. The currents of energy in his body surged the moment he laid eyes on the map, gathering bit by bit at a single point, as if accumulating power for a breakthrough.

Standing at the edge of the crowd, Jiang Xiaoyi was ready for a good show. Seeing Ye Qingchen pretend to enter a Meditative State, as if he had already achieved comprehension, he couldn’t help but feel a wave of disdain. He sidled up to Kuang Tie and muttered, "Young Master Kuang, look at this guy putting on an act. We’ve been contemplating this thing for three days and nights without any results. You really think this kid can figure it out just by standing there?"

Kuang Tie didn’t speak, his gaze fixed on Ye Qingchen, his brow slightly furrowed.

Jiang Xiaoyi immediately changed his tune, adopting a fawning tone. "Young Master Kuang, don’t you worry. If this kid really does comprehend something, I’ll make sure he spits it all out for you to reap the benefits. And if he fails, I’ll give you everything I win from him!"

Kuang Tie remained silent. His eyes were locked on Ye Qingchen, his gaze darting between the young man and the painting with increasing frequency. His slightly furrowed brow had now tightened completely, and his expression darkened.

Jiang Xiaoyi assumed Ye Qingchen had touched a nerve and felt even more smug. What a blind fool. He didn’t just offend me. With Young Master Kuang here, he’ll definitely be taught a lesson he’ll never forget!

Ye Qingchen, however, paid him no mind, his focus entirely on channeling the energy circulating within him. Following the flow of the painted mountains and rivers, the energy coiled and tumbled through his body, gathering and condensing. In a mere moment, he felt a certain tranquility within him shatter with a sudden SNAP.

He fell completely into a Meditative State. He tried to struggle out of it but found himself utterly powerless. By the time he regained control and could stand steady, he opened his eyes to a startling realization: his consciousness had been completely immersed in the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map.

The world within the map sprang to life, and the mountains and rivers surged toward him with crushing force. Ye Qingchen panicked, hastily trying to dodge, but his limbs felt as if they were shackled by an immense weight, rendering him immobile. He watched the mountain bear down on him, watched the river surge to engulf him.

He could only watch helplessly. But in the instant he squeezed his eyes shut in the vision, his physical eyes suddenly snapped open.

A pure, clear stream of energy overflowed from his Dantian!

The power radiating from his body was so distinct that everyone present felt it with perfect clarity.

"The third level of the Martial Emperor Realm?!"

"That kid actually broke through to the third level of the Martial Emperor Realm!"

Exclamations of shock rippled through the crowd, one after another, each filled with utter disbelief. Who could have imagined that the boastful brat from a moment ago had actually managed to comprehend something from the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map! Comprehending something was one thing, but to instantly raise his cultivation by an entire level was another matter entirely.

"What kind of monster is this? If I’m not mistaken, from the moment he started until his cultivation advanced, not even half an incense stick’s worth of time has passed!"

"Don’t say it. I’m starting to think my three days and nights were a complete waste. I almost thought the map was broken!"

"Save your breath! The map isn’t the problem, we are!"

"Advancing a level in half an incense stick’s time... even within the Jiang Ancient Clan, that’s a rare sight. What family does this kid belong to to be this formidable?!"

The crowd chattered excitedly, seemingly forgetting all about the earlier bet.

Kuang Tie stood frozen in place, his eyes wide as he stared intently at Ye Qingchen, as if trying to see through him.

Nearby, Jiang Xiaoyi’s face alternated between pale and green. His gaze shot toward Ye Qingchen as he clenched his teeth in hatred. He unconsciously clutched his belt. This damned brat, he actually managed to comprehend it! The money I brought was everything my family has. I had intended to make some connections and mooch off the Jiang Ancient Clan for a while. And this kid had to come along and ruin everything!

Ye Qingchen reined in his aura, glanced once more at the Mountain and Rivers Sheji Map, and silently committed the flow of its mountains and rivers to memory. Being able to advance a level under everyone’s watchful eyes is already remarkable enough. I’ve just arrived at the Jiang Ancient Clan and don’t know the situation. I can’t rashly reveal my full capabilities, or I’ll end up like a fish on the chopping block.

He turned his head to look at Jiang Xiaoyi, who was shrinking back into the crowd.

"Jiang Xiaoyi, wasn’t it?" he asked, his voice pausing with a mocking tone. "You were the one who wanted to make a bet, weren’t you? You said that if I could comprehend it, you’d give me all the money on you. And the most, most, most, *most* important thing... you also agreed to call me ’Grandpa,’ right?"

The teasing, drawn-out way he spoke was practically begging for a punch. Yet Ye Qingchen, a man who feared neither heaven nor earth, simply looked at the flustered Jiang Xiaoyi, his smile growing even wider.