Without a solid foundation of soul power, Ye Chen almost failed to absorb the soul ring during this breakthrough. When he fell into the illusion, the painful memory of his mother's death kept replaying before his eyes — again and again, endlessly.
That relentless grief magnified in his heart. If Ye Chen had even the slightest thought of giving up, he would've been consumed by darkness forever.
What pulled him back was his mother's final words before she passed:
"Life is about carrying your burdens forward. As long as you never look back, nothing can truly defeat you."
That sentence reshaped Ye Chen's mindset, and the illusion crumbled before his newfound resolve.
It was also at that moment that Yan's attack arrived — not as a threat, but a push, like a spark that accelerated Ye Chen's awakening. He successfully absorbed the soul ring of the Azure Dragon Fox.
Looking up at the calm moon and stars, Ye Chen gazed toward the Papal Palace where a lone figure stood illuminated by golden light. He whispered:
"Wait for me."
---
Three days passed in a flash. The day Bibi Dong had set had finally arrived.
Before dawn, the lawn outside the west dormitory was already packed with hundreds — no, thousands — of challengers who had come for Ye Chen.
Some were just past level 40, while many others were well-known geniuses from the Spirit Hall Academy, most above level 50.
Inside Room 3, 10th Floor of the West Dorm:
"Go. I'll try to talk Master into letting you off," Hu Liena said quietly.
"Go where? You think I'd just leave you here alone?" Ye Chen looked at her seriously. "You're my woman. No matter what happens, I'm not abandoning you."
His words made her frown with worry.
"Do you even understand what you're facing?" she said, voice rising. "There are hundreds of elite students downstairs! These aren't your average sparring partners. Do you really think you can beat them all?"
Her concern was genuine, her voice shaky with emotion.
Ye Chen just smiled, gently took her hand, and headed toward the door.
"I know. But I'll fight — for you."
---
As the two walked out hand in hand, the scene instantly caused an uproar. Whispered conversations quickly turned into loud debates.
"Shameless! Just engaged, and now he's openly flirting with the Saintess?"
"Doesn't he fear Her Holiness the Pope cutting him down?"
"Still, isn't anyone else a little… jealous?"
"The Saintess! Beautiful and the Pope's personal disciple — who wouldn't want to be him?"
Gasps followed when Ye Chen casually wrapped his arm around Hu Liena's waist.
"Look at him! He just hugged her — this bastard!"
With mischief in his eyes, Ye Chen suddenly leaped onto the giant stone statue in front of the dorm, clutching Hu Liena close. He shouted,
"So, who's here to challenge me?"
Roars of rage echoed from below.
"What do you think?! We're here to duel, not to watch your public display!"
"Get down here! The Saintess belongs to me!"
Ye Chen looked down at the furious crowd and smirked. Then, in front of everyone, he turned and kissed Hu Liena full on the lips.
"This is my woman. And none of you can touch her."
"Son of a—he's too cocky!"
"Kill Ye Chen! Steal the Saintess!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!"
The chants turned deafening, but Ye Chen wasn't fazed. He raised both middle fingers in response and whispered to Hu Liena,
"Liena, will you help me out?"
"Huh? What do you mean?"
Before she could react, he puckered his lips and leaned in. It only took her a moment to realize what he wanted.
This wedding battle couldn't be avoided. If Ye Chen lost, she'd be forced to marry someone else. If that's the case… why not go all in?
Looking into the eyes of the man she loved, Hu Liena closed hers and kissed him back.
---
Under the gaze of a thousand witnesses, they kissed passionately atop the statue, holding each other tightly, unbothered by anyone's judgment.
It drove the crowd below mad with jealousy. To them, the sacred Saintess was being "defiled" — and they could only watch.
"Nooo! The Saintess is mine!"
"Ye Chen, you coward! Come down and fight!"
"I'll give you a head start — one soul ring advantage!"
"Hell, I'll give you two! Just come down!"
But Ye Chen didn't flinch. While the others screamed and cursed, he kept enjoying the moment, casually flipping the crowd off.
He loved seeing their frustrated faces — knowing they couldn't do a thing about it.
He wasn't just a contender.
He was the main character of this battle.
---
Among the crowd, a few people weren't shouting. Instead, they sat calmly on the grass, eyes closed, regulating their breathing.
Curious, Ye Chen scanned them with his soul sense — and was stunned. The weakest among them was at level 55. One woman, in particular, had reached the soul power of a graduate — a solid level 60 — though she hadn't yet absorbed her next ring.
What surprised him more was her presence here.
Why would a woman join a wedding battle?
Was it for political power within the Spirit Hall…
Or did she have other feelings for Hu Liena?
---
[End of Chapter]