Invincible Soul Emperor-Chapter 308 Vermilion Bird High God

Xiao Xiao nodded matter-of-factly and didn’t pursue the topic. Instead, she set up a pot to boil water, ready to show off her culinary skills.

The shock in Ye Qingchen’s heart was beyond measure. He had worked tirelessly, honing himself through countless battles, experiencing numerous fortuitous encounters, and undergoing non-stop closed-door cultivation, yet his strength had only reached the fifth level of the Martial Spirit Realm. Even so, everyone already considered his progress miraculous, far surpassing that of any genius. However, Xiao Xiao only needed to circulate her Cultivation Technique twice and cultivate for four hours each day to reach the Ninth Layer of the Martial Spirit Realm in such a short time! Comparisons are truly the thief of joy!

What Ye Qingchen didn’t know was that Xiao Xiao possessed a ten-star Vermilion Bird Holy Soul and was being specially nurtured by the Wuji Immortal Palace. The Cultivation Technique she was taught was naturally top-tier. Coupled with the abundant resources of a nine-star sect and the incredibly dense Spiritual Energy, it was only natural for someone with her talent to achieve so much.

After an hour of bustling activity, Xiao Xiao finally prepared a lavish meal. She pulled Ye Qingchen to sit down, served him his food, and watched him wolf it down with glee, her heart filled with happiness.

The two of them enjoyed their meal so much that neither noticed a slender tentacle slowly inching toward the pot. The food Xiao Xiao had prepared was gradually being stolen by this tentacle, yet Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao remained completely oblivious.

"Young Master, you’re eating so fast! It seems you really were starving. These sea fish weigh several hundred pounds altogether, and you’ve finished them all?" Xiao Xiao exclaimed in surprise when she moved to serve Ye Qingchen more food, only to find the pot completely empty.

Ye Qingchen frowned. While Xiao Xiao’s cooking was delicious and he had indeed eaten a lot, it certainly wasn’t several hundred pounds’ worth.

Just as Ye Qingchen was feeling puzzled, the small island suddenly began to move. His expression changed instantly. He quickly grabbed Xiao Xiao’s hand, and the two leaped onto their small boat. Only then did they realize that the island was slowly rising from the water.

As the island continued to ascend, Ye Qingchen was shocked to discover that it wasn’t an island at all, but the head of a gigantic squid. It wasn’t until the head rose twenty to thirty meters above the surface that a pair of enormous eyes, each two meters in diameter, were revealed. The eyes slowly opened, fixing their gaze on Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao.

"Was it you who disturbed this emperor’s slumber? That delicacy moments ago was indeed quite good. This emperor has forgotten how many years it’s been since my last meal. That paltry amount wasn’t even enough to fill the gaps between my teeth. Since you have disturbed me, you shall become my next meal!"

The massive voice sent ripples across the sea’s surface. At the same time, an even greater terror seized Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao’s hearts. This squid was a Demon Emperor! A Demon Emperor’s strength was comparable to a human martial artist’s in the Martial Emperor Realm, a stage above the Martial King Realm.

Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao were only in the Martial Spirit Realm. Facing this Demon Emperor, their chances of survival were slim to none.

The Squid Demon Emperor was clearly famished. As soon as it finished speaking, it swung a colossal tentacle, attempting to ensnare their boat. As the tentacle whipped through the air, it stirred up a thousand-meter-high wave.

Xiao Xiao and Ye Qingchen attacked in unison, trying to fend off the Demon Emperor’s attack. However, the disparity in their strength was simply too vast. Xiao Xiao was knocked back repeatedly, while Ye Qingchen was sent flying by a single blow, blood spewing from his mouth.

The Squid Demon Emperor didn’t relent. Another tentacle swung toward them, and they could only barely manage to defend. After five or six more strikes, Xiao Xiao had also sustained serious injuries, while Ye Qingchen was grievously wounded. If he were struck again, his life would be in grave danger.

Seeing Ye Qingchen’s haggard state, Xiao Xiao grew frantic, knowing they were no match for the Demon Emperor. Gritting her teeth, she summoned her Vermilion Bird Holy Soul. An enormous Vermilion Bird materialized instantly above the sea, its body wreathed in flames so intense they scorched a massive crater into the ocean’s surface. The once-arrogant Squid Demon Emperor froze. The moment it saw the Vermilion Bird, its very bloodline began to tremble. This was an intimidation born from its bloodline’s memory, a fear awakened when facing a superior being. Even though it had reached the Martial Emperor Realm, it felt as though a single breath from the Vermilion Bird could reduce it to ash.

Xiao Xiao held onto Ye Qingchen and leaped onto the Vermilion Bird’s back. The great bird beat its wings, which spanned twenty to thirty meters, and soared away into the distance.

Only after the Vermilion Bird had long since vanished did the Squid Demon Emperor dare to raise its head, its eyes still filled with utter shock and disbelief.

The Squid Demon Emperor composed itself for a moment before hastily sending out a mental message. Before long, a middle-aged man dressed as a handsome scholar appeared before it.

This scholar was strikingly handsome with a tall, straight posture, exuding a unique charm that was instantly likable. What was peculiar, however, was the nine fluffy white tails trailing behind him.

Seeing the scholar, the Squid Demon Emperor’s panic subsided. "Mr. White Fox, something unbelievable has happened! I just saw the Vermilion Bird High God!"

The man, known as Mr. White Fox, was a Nine-Tailed White Fox and the strategic mind of the Demon Race. Hearing the Squid Demon Emperor’s words, he too was profoundly shaken. Incredulous, he demanded, "Squid, tell me everything from beginning to end!"

The Squid Demon Emperor dared not delay and recounted the entire story in full detail—how it was lured by the delicious food, how it attacked Ye Qingchen and Xiao Xiao, and the subsequent appearance of the Vermilion Bird.

Mr. White Fox still found it hard to believe. Only after questioning the squid repeatedly did he slowly accept the reality of the situation. Frowning, he mused aloud, "Could it be that in the earth-shattering battle all those years ago, the Vermilion Bird High God didn’t actually perish? If the Vermilion Bird High God is still alive, then the rise of our Demon Race is imminent!"

「...」

The Vermilion Bird’s speed was incredible. With it carrying them, Xiao Xiao and Ye Qingchen quickly left the sea region behind. Xiao Xiao retracted her Vermilion Bird Martial Soul and helped Ye Qingchen find a secluded cave to hide in.

She took out healing Spirit Pills from her storage ring, fed one to Ye Qingchen, and then took some herself to recover from her own injuries.

Ye Qingchen’s injuries were severe, but with Xiao Xiao’s Spirit Pills, he slowly regained consciousness. Once he was conscious, his body began to recover quickly, aided by his own prowess as a fourth-grade Alchemist.

They recuperated in the cave for two days. After confirming they had both fully healed, they left.

Ye Qingchen hadn’t expected to encounter a legendary Demon Emperor so soon after arriving in the Demon Region. The creature’s strength was immense, far beyond what he and Xiao Xiao could currently handle.

After discussing their options, he and Xiao Xiao decided to first find some minor demons and inquire about the Demon Region’s situation before planning their next move. Wandering blindly was too dangerous. If they encountered another Demon Emperor, they might not be so lucky a second time.