Soul Emperor Martial God

"Heh heh."

In response to Xiao Yi's cold questioning and the pointing sword edge, the elder emitted a heh heh laugh.

As the laugh faded, the elder's figure suddenly vanished.

When he reappeared, he was already in front of the swiftly retreating Xiao Yi.

"So fast." Xiao Yi's pupils contracted.

The sword in his hand swung instinctively.

Xiao Yi's sword technique was extremely skillful, a simple swing that ensured the sword body protected him while the sword edge threatened the enemy.

However, the elder's speed seemed even faster.

The elderly palm easily bypassed the defense of the sharp sword.

The palm, agile and cunning, actually caught Xiao Yi's wrist.

"What a brilliant hand technique." Xiao Yi's face showed shock.

The next second, the elder's palm moved, and a sinister voice sent shivers down one's spine, "Let go."

Xiao Yi only felt a pain in his wrist, and the Blizzard Sword in his hand flew out, seized by the elder.

The elder held the sword with one hand, and then gracefully executed a sword flower. As the sword flower descended, the sword tip aimed straight at Xiao Yi's chest.

"Not good." Xiao Yi's expression changed.

In the moment the elder seized and struck with the sword, all of Xiao Yi's escape routes were instantly blocked.

What seemed to be a simple strike left Xiao Yi with no way to dodge.

"Not good." Xiao Yi was shocked at heart but instantly reacted, coming up with a countermeasure.

A surge of momentum erupted from his hand, intending to summon the Cold Flame Sword.

This strike from the elder was unavoidable.

Xiao Yi only planned to endure this strike and then immediately counter with the Cold Flame Sword.

However, his thought of summoning the Cold Flame Sword lasted only a moment before it was dismissed.

Because, the sword that had earlier thrust forward stopped just an inch away from his chest.

The elder's sinister laugh was devoid of any killing intent, only filled with mockery.

This made Xiao Yi dismiss the thought of fighting to the death.

"Heh heh." The elder let out a cold laugh, "Young friend, you ask who I am, with vigilance and killing intent on your face."

"But I have told you now, if I wanted to kill you, you wouldn't stand a chance."

"This sword would already be in your chest, taking your life."

"May I ask who the senior is?" Xiao Yi calmed his inner shock and doubt, cupping his hands as he asked.

"Why deliberately tease me here?"

The elder before him possessed astonishing skills in formations, puppet techniques, hand techniques, and Sword Dao, all incredibly powerful.

Moreover, this person's aura made Xiao Yi extremely fearful.

Xiao Yi even felt that this person's aura was far superior to that of the Sky-reaching Peak Steward and Deacon Youu.

What did such a strong person want with him?

"Tease you?" The elder chuckled and said, "Not quite, just playing a little joke with you."

"As for why I sought you out, it's to ask if you're interested in joining the Black Cloud Academy."

"Black Cloud Academy?" Xiao Yi was momentarily dazed, pondering for a brief moment.

"Senior is from the Black Cloud Academy?"

Xiao Yi was aware of the Black Cloud Academy.

Like the Heavenly Hidden Academy, it's an institution for cultivating martial arts.

In the vast Central Region, there are countless forces and sects.

Thus, there is naturally more than one academy.

The Heavenly Hidden Academy is the foremost among them.

While the Black Cloud Academy, Xiao Yi had heard, ranks 12th among the many academies.

Though not even in the top ten, it was still quite renowned.

Among the countless academies, a hundred are recognized by the major forces in the Central Region.

That the Black Cloud Academy ranks 12th makes it a top-tier academy.

"Indeed." The elder answered, "I am the vice-dean of the Black Cloud Academy."

"I've reviewed your assessments at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, including the final battle with Wang Yue."

"For a supreme genius like you to be suppressed at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, without anyone trying to keep you when leaving, it's baffling."

"Heh heh, I must say, the people at the Heavenly Hidden Academy are all fools."

"Now, back to business. Are you interested in joining the Black Cloud Academy?"

Xiao Yi frowned and began to ponder.

The elder did not interrupt, simply waiting patiently for Xiao Yi.

After a moment, Xiao Yi stopped pondering and asked, "May I ask, how powerful are the martial arts elders within Black Cloud Academy?"

"Compared to the stewards of Heavenly Hidden Academy, are they stronger?"

This elder's strength was surely above all the stewards of the Heavenly Hidden Academy.

However, this elder was the vice-dean of Black Cloud Academy.

Then what about the ordinary stewards or elders within the Black Cloud Academy?

"Stronger." The elder responded decisively.

"Any martial arts teacher at Black Cloud Academy is no worse than those at Heavenly Hidden Academy."

This made Xiao Yi somewhat hesitant, as the elder's reply was too straightforward.

"Senior, may I take some time to consider?"

"I know where Black Cloud Academy is."

"If I decide to join Black Cloud Academy, can I go directly then?"

Xiao Yi said solemnly.

The elder's face turned cold, "Consider?"

"But by your expression, it seems you're not considering but rather stalling and intending to leave."

Xiao Yi's expression changed, for indeed, that was what he felt inside.

With cold eyes fixed on Xiao Yi, the elder said, "Boy, give me a reason and explanation."

"I personally sought you out to invite you to my Black Cloud Academy."

"Yet you immediately refused, without a thought of considering it."

"Do you, like others, think that my Black Cloud Academy is not a legitimate institution, and disdain joining it?"

The elder's tone became stern.

Xiao Yi narrowed his eyes, intending to say something.

The elder interrupted, "I want the truth."

"Yes." Xiao Yi nodded.

Having heard of the Black Cloud Academy's name, he naturally also knew of its reputation.

Despite being 12th in rank, the academy had a poor reputation across the Central Region.

The disciples within were a mix of different sorts, each acting recklessly and without regard.

The most notorious incident involved an outstanding disciple of the academy massacring an entire mid-tier sect within a major city.

Afterward, this disciple was pursued by the city lord.

But the result was that overnight, the major city was completely slaughtered, leaving rivers of blood.

The elder noted the changes in Xiao Yi's expression and nodded, "Well, since you don't wish to join, I won't force you."

"I suppose I wasted several days."

Saying this, the elder flicked his sword and flew away into the air.

Xiao Yi retrieved the Blizzard Sword and frowned.

The next moment, whoosh... his swift figure turned into a stream of light, chasing after.

Ahead, the elder halted and smiled, "Have you changed your mind?"

Xiao Yi nodded.

"Not afraid of my Black Cloud Academy's terrible reputation?" The elder asked playfully.

Xiao Yi shook his head, "Reputation means nothing, and besides, I have a question."

"What?" The elder, seeing Xiao Yi still had many questions, asked impatiently.

Xiao Yi asked solemnly, "Senior, during your days at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, you must have seen many outstanding talents."

"Why did you seek me out alone?"

Xiao Yi recalled that in the later assessments at the Heavenly Hidden Academy, a few assessors left after failing the Inner Sect challenge.

Though only a few.

The elder smirked arrogantly, "Simple, because the others are unworthy."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi frowned, wondering if the Black Cloud Academy's standards for recruiting disciples were higher than those of the Heavenly Hidden Academy?

After all, several of those who left could be considered supreme talents, not worse than Lih Fengxing and others.

The elder smiled playfully, "My Black Cloud Academy doesn't take talents... it only takes monsters."

...

Second update.