The soot formation and oxidation mechanisms of laminar ethylene diffusion flames have been experimentally studied at the presence of inner flames. The inner flame was either an inverse diffusion flame (IAF) that is attached at the center nozzle or a lifted premixed flame (ILF). The soot volume fraction profiles were obtained by a laser light extinction technique with an Abel inversion. The soot particle temperature profiles were measured by a modulated LII technique. The flame/soot particle temperatures were increased due to the presence of inner flames for both IAF and ILF cases. However, soot volume fraction at the center region was increased at the presence of an IAF while they were decreased with an ILF. The additional soot particles and PAH's that are supplied due to the nature of an inverse diffusion flame of IAF and the increased temperature for the soot formation region could be main reasons for the increase soot volume fraction. The additional soot oxidation region due to the nature of a premixed flame of ILF at the center region and the increased temperature at the soot oxidation region could be responsible for the decreased soot volume fraction.