Chapter 418: Exhausted!

"Who is this young man? He doesn't seem very old, but he's quite bold!"

"Yeah, he's only at the first level of the Sea of Transformation, yet he dares to challenge Ji Qing. Isn't that a bit overconfident?"

"I don't think so! This young man's eyes are sharp and full of fighting spirit. He doesn't seem foolish. Maybe he really has some backing or something!"

Xu Qing's appearance drew quite a bit of attention. Those who came later were increasingly stronger, reaching the third level of the Sea of Transformation.

But Xu Qing was only at the first level. If he didn't have some kind of support, he would be nothing but a fool.

Ye Yuan sized up Xu Qing and suddenly smiled, saying, "So you're a soul martial artist. No wonder you're so confident."

Xu Qing's expression tightened upon hearing this. "Brother Ji, your eyes are as sharp as a torch. Truly impressive! Indeed, I am a soul martial artist."

"What? He's a soul martial artist! No wonder he dared to challenge Ji Qing!"

"In our Hurricane Realm, soul martial artists are extremely rare. The one who reached the pinnacle in this field is none other than the Western Mountain Emperor! But he has been missing for decades."

"Since the Western Mountain Emperor, we haven't heard of any soul martial artists. I didn't expect another one to pop up today! I wonder how strong this young man is compared to Ji Qing."

"But then again, Ji Qing can also be considered a soul martial artist. It's just that his identity as an alchemist makes everyone overlook this fact."

A so-called soul martial artist is essentially a martial artist who primarily cultivates the soul.

Soul martial artists are not skilled in martial techniques but in soul secret arts, which are extremely peculiar and powerful.

Most martial artists cultivate the Yuan force system, and the martial techniques they release are mostly based on Yuan force. But the attack methods of soul martial artists rely entirely on the soul.

This kind of soul attack is both powerful and difficult to defend against, and it is extremely dangerous.

It is normal for a martial artist to get injured. As long as the soul is not harmed, most injuries can be healed.

However, the attack methods of soul martial artists directly affect the soul. Once the opponent is injured, it is often difficult to heal. On the basis of soul injury, even if the opponent does not die, it will have a great impact on their future cultivation.

That is the horror of soul martial artists!

So when Xu Qing admitted to being a soul martial artist, it caused quite a stir.

A soul martial artist at the Sea of Transformation level is already very formidable!

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Using your soul power at the quasi-Dan King level against my soul power at the Great Alchemist level—isn't that a bit bullying?"

Xu Qing's expression froze, and he forced a smile. "Brother Ji, don't joke. Just based on the techniques you displayed earlier, I'm not confident I can defeat you. How can I be bullying you?"

Ye Yuan laughed heartily. "Alright, today I'll witness the skills of a soul martial artist! Come on!"

"Forgive my impertinence!"

As soon as Xu Qing finished speaking, Ye Yuan felt countless needles stabbing toward his soul!

"Soul power materialization, impressive!" Ye Yuan was rarely surprised.

This soul power materialization is completely different from Yuan force martial techniques.

The so-called materialization only makes the attack tangible, but it is completely invisible to the naked eye. It can only be sensed through the soul.

It can be said that this is a duel between souls!

An invisible duel!

This duel is extremely dangerous, yet to the outside world, no signs of turmoil can be seen.

However, those flying needles pierced deep into Ye Yuan's soul, yet Ye Yuan made no defense at all!

Ye Yuan closed his eyes, a pained expression on his face, looking very unwell.

Xu Qing had prepared for a hard battle, but never expected such an outcome.

"You're too arrogant! Soul-force flying needles cause permanent damage to the soul. Even a mid-stage Sea Transformation martial artist would be severely injured by this strike, yet you didn't even defend. You're truly seeking death!" Xu Qing shook his head and was about to step off the arena.

Struck solidly by his attack, even if Ye Yuan didn't die, he would be gravely injured.

He had only come on stage to see Ye Yuan's skills, not for Xiao Ruyan.

But Ye Yuan was so easily defeated, which disappointed him greatly. It seemed that Ye Yuan's earlier sweep of Sea Transformation martial artists relied on a single trick.

"Leaving already? You don't think that's enough to win, do you?" Just as Xu Qing was about to step off the arena, Ye Yuan's voice drifted over faintly.

Xu Qing shuddered, turned around and looked at Ye Yuan in disbelief, exclaiming, "You... you're completely fine? How is that possible?"

Ye Yuan smiled and said, "Trying to defeat me with such petty tricks as soul-force flying needles—you underestimate me! Use whatever means you have, or once I make a move, you'll have no chance."

Xu Qing was stunned for a long time, unable to imagine how Ye Yuan had neutralized his soul-force flying needles!

Ye Yuan's soul force hadn't fluctuated at all, meaning he had taken the soul attack head-on.

But... unscathed?

Is this a joke?

"How is that possible? I don't believe it! Blade Light and Sword Shadow!"

Xu Qing gritted his teeth and launched another soul attack at Ye Yuan!

Yet again, it was like a stone sinking into the sea—Ye Yuan showed no sign of being attacked, still looking at him calmly.

Xu Qing refused to accept it and unleashed almost all his techniques, soul secret arts one after another.

But no matter what he tried, he couldn't cause the slightest damage to Ye Yuan's soul!

With a crash, Xu Qing fell to the ground.

Xu Qing lay on the ground, looking haggard, clearly showing signs of soul force depletion.

This Xu Qing had actually exhausted himself!

The shock in the crowd was beyond words—what was going on?

Wasn't a soul martial artist's soul attack supposed to be incredibly powerful? How was Ye Yuan seemingly immune to soul attacks?

"What kind of freak is this Ji Qing? That soul martial artist used all his skills, yet didn't harm him at all? Is this a joke?"

"Exactly! Back then, the Western Mountain Sovereign was the most troublesome sovereign-level expert in the royal city; other sovereigns didn't want to provoke him. That shows how terrifying a soul martial artist can be. But this Ji Qing didn't even move, and his opponent exhausted himself!"

"Did you notice? Many of the soul secret arts Xu Qing shouted were exactly the same as those of the Western Mountain Sovereign. Could it be..."

"No way?"

Looking at Xu Qing, who lay on the ground completely exhausted, Ye Yuan casually tossed him a pill and said, "Take it; it will help restore your soul force."

Xu Qing caught the pill, hesitated for a moment, then swallowed it.

Soon, as if a sweet rain had irrigated his soul, Xu Qing's soul force rapidly recovered!

At this moment, Xiao Changfeng suddenly rose and gracefully descended from the arena, cupping his hands toward Xu Qing and said, "Sir, might you be a disciple of Senior Western Mountain?"