Soul Emperor Martial God

In the blink of an eye, more than ten days had passed.

Xiao Yi, as promised, returned to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

Today was the final comprehensive assessment of the entire Sword Sect competition.

All the disciples within the sect were eagerly rubbing their hands together, striving to achieve excellent results.

The attractive hefty rewards were unquestionable.

Most importantly, today's competition would be attended by all nine elders of the Sword Sect.

If one could gain the favor of the elders and become a top disciple under their tutelage,

That would be the greatest fortune.

In the elder's seat, Xiao Yi sat shoulder to shoulder with the other elders.

"Xiao Yi, how about you go down and compete?" the Great Elder asked with a smile.

"Hehe," Xiao Yi chuckled, "I'll pass."

The Third Elder teased, "This young man, he even made the Earth Origin Realm's Xue Tu burst into a bloody face."

"Would there be any suspense if he went down to compete?"

The highest cultivation among the disciples on the field was Ye Ming, who was at the Half-step Breaking Profound Cultivation.

It indeed would be like oppressing the weaker if Xiao Yi went down to compete.

Of course, Xiao Yi had already been designated as the chief of the entire sect.

Actually, in each county, the Sword Masters were both the chief and the Sword Master, holding dual identities.

However, others would first become the chief, the leader of the disciples,

And only later become the Sword Master, a position higher than the elder.

Xiao Yi, however, frequently encountered unexpected events and directly became the Sword Master.

...

The battles on the martial arts arena were still spectacular.

After all, people like Ye Ming, Miao Qianhuo had all returned.

In the end, unsurprisingly, the top ten were all chiefs of the Inner Sect.

Each disciple also had their ranking established.

Then, they received several tips from the deacons.

This competition lasted for three full days.

After that, the Great Elder held a grand ceremony for Xiao Yi as the new Sword Master and then announced it throughout the county.

It was only at this point that some of the Sword Sect's outer disciples realized that the Sword Sect had a Sword Master.

A Sword Master had not been seen for hundreds of years.

Even the disciples within the Sword Sect were unaware, let alone outsiders.

"Xiao Yi, in a few days, your status as Sword Master will be known throughout the entire county," the Great Elder said.

"At the same time, you also need to elect the Sect Leader position swiftly."

"Alright," Xiao Yi nodded.

The Great Elder said sternly, "I mean that you should take the position of Sect Leader."

"Me? Forget it," Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Managing the Sword Sect is no small matter and very busy; I really don't think I'm capable."

The elders laughed, "You, kid, the position of Sect Leader of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect is something others beg for!"

"And here you are, acting as if it's beneath you."

Xiao Yi gave a bitter smile, "It's not that I'm disdainful, I really don't know how to manage."

"Let the Great Elder continue in the position of Sect Leader."

Xiao Yi knew well that the Third Elder, who managed two halls, was already busy every day.

Being the Sect Leader, managing ten halls, would surely be exhausting.

He certainly wouldn't engage in such tedious tasks.

"You cheeky brat, don't think I don't know what you're thinking," the Great Elder scolded with a smile.

"You just find it too troublesome."

"How about this, since you are soon heading to the Royal Capital and won't stay at the Sword Sect,"

"I'll temporarily take the position of Sect Leader."

"Once you return from the Sword Sect, the position of Sect Leader will be passed to you. How about that?"

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "I'll follow the Great Elder's orders."

Xiao Yi pondered with a smirk inside, agreeing now didn't mean he would agree later.

...

After the Sword Master ceremony concluded, Xiao Yi then left the Sword Sect.

He traveled by controlling the air, preparing to return to the Xiao Family.

Unexpectedly, just as he approached Baiwu City, he sensed a violent aura not far away.

There were also sounds of a fierce battle shaking the heavens.

"Hmm? Such a powerful momentum," Xiao Yi frowned, "it must be at least the Mystic Breakthrough Realm, even possibly the Half-step Earth Element."

When had such martial artists appeared near Baiwu City?

Curious, Xiao Yi followed the aura and sped towards it.

Soon, he arrived at the location of the battle.

Looking down from the sky above, it was just as he had expected.

Indeed, a group of martial artists were fighting.

The weakest were at the Mystic Breakthrough First Layer, and the strongest reached the Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer.

There were a total of nine people.

However, they were all strangers to Xiao Yi.

Eight people were attacking a young woman.

The woman was not old, about 18.

The woman had already fallen into a disadvantage, no, to be precise, she was not on par at all.

However, it seemed she had a treasure protecting her body, and she persisted stubbornly.

When Xiao Yi saw the woman's face clearly, he was suddenly startled.

"Yanran?" Xiao Yi was surprised and without hesitation, he immediately took action.

Clang… Clang… Clang…

He struck out with eight swords, easily repelling those eight people.

"Yanran, are you alright?" Xiao Yi approached Liu Yanran and asked.

"Xiao Yi." Liu Yanran's eyes widened.

In her beautiful eyes, there was disbelief.

The next second, joy burst forth unexpectedly.

"Xiao Yi." Liu Yanran threw her arms around Xiao Yi, the excitement was overwhelming.

"I thought you were dead, I didn't expect you to be alive again."

Liu Yanran was so excited that she was incoherent and even somewhat nonsensical.

Her pretty face, wet with tears, evoked pity in others.

Feeling her soft and graceful form, Xiao Yi's heart raced.

Xiao Yi quickly snapped back to reality and gently pushed Liu Yanran away.

He smiled wryly, "I was never dead, what do you mean alive again?"

"I'm just glad you're not dead, just glad." Liu Yanran wiped her tears awkwardly.

Then, a harsh shout came.

"Who are you? Let go of Yanran, or I will chop off your hands."

The speaker was a man, about thirty years old.

He was the Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer Martial Artist.

He had not made a move from the start.

"Yanran, who is this?" Xiao Yi asked, "Why did he attack you?"

"How dare you address her as Yanran?" the man yelled angrily.

Xiao Yi ignored him and looked towards Liu Yanran.

Liu Yanran seemed still to be in shock over seeing Xiao Yi alive and was sobbing.

"Alright, stop crying," Xiao Yi said softly, comforting her, "Did they bully you?"

Liu Yanran had not yet spoken.

The man was already furious, "Ah, such intimacy, looks like you are lovers."

"Shameless woman, no wonder you refused to marry my brother, you already had a lover."

"Shut your mouth," Xiao Yi's voice turned icy cold.

"Say one more word, and I will take your life."

A dense killing intent filled the air.

Even the man's eight Mystical Breakthrough First Layer followers involuntarily trembled.

"Romantic entanglement?" Xiao Yi looked at Liu Yanran and asked lightly.

"No, it's just our families arranging a marriage," Liu Yanran gradually composed herself, her face wan.

"An alliance marriage between powers?" Xiao Yi asked.

"Yes," Liu Yanran nodded, "I have never met his brother, nor do I know him."

"I see." Xiao Yi remembered, back in Purple Cloud City, the alliance marriage between the Xiao Family and the Murong Family.

He and Murong Jiao'er were just the same.

Their marriage was arranged by their elders when they were children, growing up to be together.

Such marriages always aimed to unite and strengthen family powers.

Of course, back then, the Murong Family from Purple Cloud City purely wanted to take over the Xiao Family.

"You don't wish to marry?" Xiao Yi asked quietly.

Liu Yanran shook her head.

"Understood," Xiao Yi nodded.

"You have ten breaths to leave," Xiao Yi looked coldly at the nine men before him.

"Insolent boy, you dare to meddle in my affairs?" The man's face turned cold, and he gestured with his hand, "Kill him."

"Xiao Yi, be careful," Liu Yanran exclaimed. She was well aware of how strong the Martial Artist before her was.

The weakest was at the Mystic Breakthrough First Layer.

The strongest was even mightier than ordinary elders of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

Though Liu Yanran hadn't seen Xiao Yi for several months.

But she did not believe Xiao Yi could match them.

After all, Xiao Yi's Cultivation had previously only been at the Mysterious Profundity Ninth Layer.

"Don't worry." Xiao Yi grinned confidently, and the Blood Slaughter Sword appeared.

"Sea Covering Slash," Xiao Yi murmured.

With a tidal wave of sword energy, the eight rushing attackers were immediately turned to mush, dead bodies strewn about.

"What? Eight Mystic Breakthrough Realm Martial Artists instantly killed?" Liu Yanran gasped.

The sword energy then surged towards the Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer Martial Artist.

"Thud, thud, thud..." The man staggered back several steps, spitting out mouthfuls of blood with each step.

Three steps later, the man's face was deathly white, nearly dead.

However, it seemed he had a life-preserving item on him.

A flash of light flared across his body, blocking the sword energy, then he quickly fled.

"How strong," Liu Yanran watched Xiao Yi in amazement.

The next second, Liu Yanran suddenly dropped her shock and asked sternly, "You help me like this without even asking who I am? Who I am arranged to marry?"

"Aren't you afraid of bringing trouble upon yourself?"

Xiao Yi shrugged, said lightly, "No need to ask."

"Do you remember that night, we got completely drunk?"

"I told you, whoever bullies you, Lin Jin and I will hang them up and beat them, to vent your anger."

Liu Yanran brightened up at first, but then her face turned pale.

For she suddenly understood Xiao Yi's meaning.

That night, not only had Xiao Yi promised to teach those who bullied her a lesson…

He also rejected her, telling her they were just friends, very, very good friends.

And that was truly what Xiao Yi meant by those words.

"Heh," Liu Yanran laughed bitterly, "I always stayed, thinking of taking revenge for you, to kill Guu Changkong."

"Now, it seems unnecessary."

"I belong to one of the Four Great Families of the Royal Capital, the Liu Family, my affairs are troublesome, you shouldn't meddle."

With that, Liu Yanran forced a smile, her figure flashed, and she disappeared instantly.