Invincible Soul Emperor

Jiang Qi listened with a wide smile, nodding repeatedly: "Xue Wei, you are too kind. I’m just fulfilling my duties. Being able to help you achieve greatness is my honor. When you ascend to the Saint Position, the Xue Family will certainly reach new heights under your leadership."

Xue Wei’s eyes flashed with a hint of cunning and he continued: "Jiang Qi, you are indeed strong, no wonder you can ascend to the Saint Position of the Jiang Ancient Clan. The things you’ve done for me, I’ll remember in my heart, and I’ll surely repay you generously in the future."

Jiang Qi was even happier upon hearing this, and patting Xue Wei’s shoulder, he said: "Xue Wei, with your words, I’m relieved. Rest assured, no matter what happens in the future, this Holy Son will fully support you."

Xue Wei nodded slightly, his smile growing more radiant: "With a partner like you, my confidence is even greater."

The two exchanged flattering remarks knowingly, creating a particularly harmonious and pleasant atmosphere.

Xue Wei felt secretly pleased, knowing he had secured Jiang Qi.

Jiang Qi was inwardly amused, thinking how worthwhile this trip was if it made the future Saint of the Xue Family so eager to impress him.

The two exchanged glances, each harboring their own thoughts, yet outwardly reaching a consensus. At this moment, the night deepened, and the candlelight in the courtyard flickered, seemingly casting deeper shadows on their plans.

Meanwhile, Ye Qingchen was fully focused on traversing the second challenge of the Ancient Temple—Storm Gorge.

This area had extreme conditions and treacherous weather.

Storm Gorge’s sides were steep cliffs, and the narrow path in the middle swayed under the strong winds.

The sky was covered with dark clouds, thunder and lightning filled the air, and torrential rain poured down as if it wanted to swallow all life.

Gales mixed with raindrops sliced across his face like knives, making every step difficult.

Ye Qingchen struggled through the gorge, the winds relentlessly attacking, each step required immense effort.

He gritted his teeth, his body tense, striving to maintain balance, yet he still couldn’t avoid the disturbances from the wind and rain.

Ye Qingchen’s steps faltered, almost stumbling several times.

Suddenly, a strong gust of wind swept up, catching Ye Qingchen off guard and causing him to stagger, falling to the ground.

Though he quickly got back up, his palm was cut by sharp rocks, and blood mixed with rainwater dripped down.

Ye Qingchen frowned slightly, taking a deep breath before continuing onward.

The path through Storm Gorge was exceptionally difficult, each step for Ye Qingchen faced the onslaught of wind and rain.

Suddenly, a lightning bolt struck, the thunder deafening, shocking Ye Qingchen, causing him to lose his footing and tumble again, rolling to a large stone and appearing disheveled.

Ye Qingchen quickly stood up again, a hint of displeasure flashing in his eyes, but he soon recovered.

He adjusted his breathing and continued forward.

This time, he learned to use nearby rocks to shield himself from the wind and rain, his steps remaining challenging but appearing more stable.

However, the trials of Storm Gorge were far from over.

Once more, the strong winds fiercely attacked, and Ye Qingchen tightly grasped a protruding rock to keep from being blown over.

But the wind and rain mixed with gravel struck his body, causing piercing pain.

Ye Qingchen gritted his teeth, persevering, his arm muscles aching from prolonged tension, yet he continued forward expressionlessly.

Just when he thought he might pause for rest, a strong airflow lifted him off the ground, causing him to slide several meters.

He fell painfully, nearly losing consciousness. Ye Qingchen gasped, stubborn light flashing in his eyes, leaning on the rock, standing up with difficulty and stepping forward once more.

Every step in Storm Gorge was a substantial test of willpower and endurance, yet Ye Qingchen never thought of retreat.

Only by persisting can he pass this difficult barrier and continue deeper into the Ancient Temple, searching for the answers he sought.

Rain washed over his face, lightning roared in his ears. Ye Qingchen trudged through Storm Gorge, his body utterly exhausted.

He halted, breathing heavily, looking up to realize he had only traversed a third of the way, with endless wind, rain, and lightning ahead. As time ticked away, anxiety crept into Ye Qingchen’s heart.

He furrowed his brows, secretly pondering: "At this rate, it’s impossible to pass through Storm Gorge on time. I must find a better strategy, otherwise I’ll be trapped here. Even using energy to protect myself hasn’t been particularly effective."

He scanned his surroundings, seeking terrain and resources he could utilize.

Observing the surroundings, he noticed that though the rocks on both sides of the gorge were steep, many had uneven surfaces which might offer some shelter from the wind.

He took a deep breath, calming himself, and began to carefully consider how to use the terrain to mitigate the storm’s impact.

Ye Qingchen carefully recalled every fall and slip, as well as changes in the surrounding environment.

He discovered that each time the wind speed increased suddenly, the storm concentrated in specific areas, typically the flatter, unobstructed places.

He decided to change his strategy, no longer moving in a straight line, but instead traversing along the gorge’s sides, avoiding the storm’s most intense zones.

Ye Qingchen cautiously chose a large rock, hiding behind it, using its shelter to avoid part of the wind and rain’s onslaught.

Indeed, this strategy made his progress somewhat smoother.

Then, Ye Qingchen continued along the rock’s edge, sticking close to the cliff, searching for spots where he could temporarily avoid the wind.

His pace remained slow but each step was more stable and strategic. During brief lulls in wind speed, he would quickly advance a distance, then seek new shelter points.

Simultaneously, Ye Qingchen began to notice the natural resources around him.

He found large branches and vines could be used to make simple walking sticks. Along with his own energy, they helped him maintain balance on steep terrain.

He found a sturdy vine and wrapped it tightly around his hand, using its support to reduce the chances of slipping.

Despite the storm’s ferocity, Ye Qingchen’s impatience gradually subsided.

Impulsiveness would only lead to more mistakes. Only by calmly responding could he find the best way forward. He kept adjusting his strategy, constantly observing the storm’s changes and the terrain’s characteristics, gradually figuring out a way to cope.

Ye Qingchen continued forward in Storm Gorge, soon noticing something amiss.

The gale and rain striking his body brought intense pain, yet he suddenly felt a strange energy infiltrating him with the storm.

Every time the wind whipped up and the raindrops cut his skin like knives, though he felt acute pain, a warm current rushed into him, strengthening his energy.