Soul Emperor Martial God

"A bunch?" the Great Elder exclaimed with slight surprise, "Go to the main hall and explain clearly, you may step down first."

A group of people moved toward the main hall.

The Third Elder returned to the Martial Arts Arena to announce the results of the competition.

The victor was Xiao Yi.

Once he had made the announcement, he immediately began to heal Ye Ming and the others. In a short while, all nine awoke.

The remaining thousands of disciples still had faces full of shock and astonishment, staying in place for quite some time without leaving.

It took them a while to come to their senses.

"We won; Xiao Yi actually won."

"With his own strength, he truly managed to defeat the ten Chiefs of the Inner Halls, heaven!"

"And to think it was all within 10 minutes."

"..."

...

Inside the main hall, the elders, Elder Yi, and Nie Rushan took their respective seats.

Guu Changkong stood behind the Sword Hall Elders.

Xiao Yi, however, stood behind Elder Yi.

"Sit," Elder Yi said with a faint glance at Xiao Yi.

"There's no need," Xiao Yi shook his head, "The elders are seated; it's fine for the younger generation to stand."

"No," the Great Elder interjected, "You must sit, Xiao Yi."

"In the future, when you become the Sword Master, we will have to salute you."

"Although you're not one yet, it is still appropriate for you to sit on the same level as us."

All the elders, with the exception of the Sword Hall Elders, nodded their heads, indicating their recognition of Xiao Yi.

In their view, Xiao Yi was destined to be the strongest Sword Master in the history of the Sword Sect and deserved such treatment.

"Uh," Xiao Yi was somewhat embarrassed, as he was unaware of the elders' thoughts.

"If you don't sit down," Elder Yi said sternly, "the Great Elder and the rest will have to stand up to address you."

"According to the Sect Rules, the Sword Master stands on equal footing with the Sect Leader, above the elders."

There was a burst of bitter smiles from the Great Elder and others.

Xiao Yi also gave a wry smile and then sat beside Elder Yi.

He didn't really want to come to the main hall in the first place; it was the Great Elder who had strongly urged him to come.

Now, he also didn't want to bother with the troublesome matters Nie Rushan was going to raise, so he pretended to doze off.

In the entire hall, only Guu Changkong stood, his expression particularly ugly.

At that moment, the atmosphere suddenly turned solemn.

Nie Rushan was the first to speak, "Esteemed elders, the current situation in the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate is far from optimistic."

"I come on the Commandery Prince's order to request the Sword Sect's support, and I urge the Great Elder to make a decision quickly."

"Commandery Prince's order?" the Great Elder furrowed his brows and said, "You know our Sky-splitting Sword Sect has always stayed out of such affairs."

"For the Beast Tide, why not seek help from the Demon Hunting Hall?"

"Moreover, your Blood Blade Guard has many powerful Martial Artists in its own right."

"Surely, it's not so dire that it would trouble our Sky-splitting Sword Sect, is it?"

Nie Rushan said anxiously, "Great Elder, I've asked all that I could, and I've gone everywhere I must."

"In Northern Mountain County, out of the nine Demon Hunting Halls, eight Grand Deacons have already been dispatched."

"Only the Sub Hall Master remains in the county capital to hold the fort, and one Chief Steward is rushing about the entire county, handling the affairs of the various halls."

"Our Blood Blade Guard, out of the five Great Commanders, three have gone, and with me joining, there will be four."

"Furthermore, the major forces within the county, such as Shadow Tower, Northern Mountain Murong Family, Four Seasons City Bai Family, and others, have also sent out their Elite Martial Artists to provide support."

The Great Elder was startled and asked, "So many Mystic Breakthrough Realm Martial Artists have gone, and it's still not enough?"

The severity of the situation seemed beyond his expectations.

"Far from enough," Nie Rushan said, "Just the Mystic Breakthrough Realm Demon Beasts besieging Green Light City number no less than fifty."

"Among them, three have the strength of the Mystic Breakthrough Seventh Layer."

"And the number of other demon beasts is nearing three hundred thousand."

Nie Rushan reported urgently, "Most importantly, the number of demon beasts is still increasing daily."

"The situation has reached a point beyond our control."

"If Green Light City falls, the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate will be lost."

"Northern Mountain County will become a playground for demon beasts, a purgatory for humankind."

With these words, the faces of the elders instantly turned stern.

Even Xiao Yi, who feigned sleep, opened his eyes with a grave expression.

He had experienced the horror of the beast tide firsthand and knew the ferocity of the demon beasts all too well.

Once the demon beasts penetrated the heart of Northern Mountain County, trouble would indeed be immense.

The Great Elder tapped on the desk and said with a deep voice, "Given the gravity of the situation, our Sky-splitting Sword Sect will certainly not stand idly by."

"Second Elder, Third Elder, Fourth Elder, Fifth Elder, Eighth, Ninth, and Tenth Elders, the seven of you, can you make a trip to Eastern Desolate tomorrow?"

"Yes," the seven of them said, clasping their hands in acknowledgment.

"In addition, the Chief of the Inner Ten Halls will also go to provide assistance. I will send another three hundred disciples to help."

"Will that be enough?" the Great Elder asked, looking at Nie Rushan.

"Enough, quite enough," Nie Rushan promptly replied, "With the assistance of seven elders, the crisis of this beast tide will surely be averted."

"Good, then it's settled," the Great Elder declared in a heavy tone.

"All elders, go back and select your disciples."

"Tomorrow, we head to Eastern Desolate to defend Green Light City, to slaughter the demon beasts," the Great Elder barked.

"Thank you, elders," Nie Rushan said, his gratitude evident.

The elders received their orders and prepared to depart.

The Great Elder and Elder Yi also prepared to leave the grand hall.

At this moment, Nie Rushan, with a smile plastered on his face, approached Xiao Yi and asked, "Little brother, whose esteemed disciple of the elders are you?"

"At such a young age, your strength is so remarkable."

As Xiao Yi followed Elder Yi out, he ignored him altogether.

Just now, if it weren't for Nie Rushan's reckless charge, Guu Changkong would have been killed long ago.

Seeing Xiao Yi ignoring him, Nie Rushan's face turned a few shades of embarrassed.

"Little brother, I've never seen such a formidable talent like you in my entire life. Oh no, you're the second one."

"You must have heard of the name 'Purple Flame,' the most celebrated talent warrior in our Northern Mountain County right now."

"Based on what I know of him, he will definitely come to assist in this beast tide."

"I have some acquaintance with him, and when we go to Eastern Desolate, I might introduce you two."

Nie Rushan thought arrogantly, surely, this high-and-mighty talent warrior would be keen to meet his kind, you Xiao Yi can't possibly ignore me, can you?

However, no sooner had he finished speaking.

The expressions of the elders changed dramatically, and nine pairs of eyes suddenly turned towards him.

"Nie Rushan, Xiao Yi isn't going to the Eastern Desolate, so shut your mouth," the Great Elder scolded.

"Huh? He's not going?" Nie Rushan asked in confusion, "This little brother's strength is extraordinary; if he goes, he would be a significant force."

"All the Chiefs of the Inner Ten Halls are going, and I am not?" Xiao Yi himself was taken aback.

The Great Elder said solemnly, "It has been centuries since the Sky-splitting Sword Sect has had a Sword Master at full mastery. You cannot have an accident."

Had it been in the past, the elders would certainly not value Xiao Yi this highly.

But today, after witnessing Xiao Yi's five hundred zhang Qi Spring and an unknown yet mighty Taoist Body,

each one regarded Xiao Yi as precious as treasure, unwilling to let him face danger.

"On the contrary, I think it's fine for the lad Xiao Yi to go," declared Elder Yi abruptly.

"Have you lost your mind, Shiyi?" the Great Elder exclaimed in surprise, for he thought Elder Yi would be the most opposed to Xiao Yi's journey to the Eastern Desolate.

Unexpectedly, Elder Yi was the first to agree.

"I'm not crazy," Elder Yi rolled his eyes and retorted, "Xiao Yi's talents are strong, no, freakishly so. But by not letting him go out and gain experience, always guarding him against danger,

how is that different from hindering his growth?"

"The most powerful talents are useless if they don't mature."

"This time, with seven elders accompanying, Xiao Yi's safety will not be an issue."

"This..." On hearing this, the Great Elder hesitated.

"Let me think about it. I'll decide tonight whether Xiao Yi goes to the Eastern Desolate or not."

He dared not make a hasty decision.

With such a dangerous beast tide, where all major forces in Northern Mountain County rallied their martial artists, the situation's severity was self-evident.

He genuinely feared an accident.

...

...

The fourth update, a long-awaited burst of action.