Soul Emperor Martial God

Several days later, far from Northern Mountain County, in the Royal Capital.

A significant tremor occurred.

And the source of the tremor was Blood Mist Valley.

Rumor had it that the Young Valley Master of Blood Mist Valley, the third-ranked supreme genius on the Flame Martial List, Xue Wushang,

had gone out on a trip.

After returning to Blood Mist Valley, he became insanely irritable, and his temper flared uncontrollably.

It was said to be because he was defeated by an unknown.

A Martial Arts talent named "Purple Flame."

In no time, the name "Purple Flame Yi Xiao" was known to everyone.

Some who dug deeper found out.

"Purple Flame Yi Xiao" had even created a sixth-grade Perfect Elixir during the Alchemy competition.

That is to say.

This Martial Arts talent, aside from having an extraordinary Martial Arts Talent,

was also a rare sixth-grade Alchemist.

...

As one of the two valleys of the Flame Martial Kingdom, such an event naturally shook the entire Royal Capital.

And that was just the news on the surface.

The real situation within Blood Mist Valley seemed even more severe.

Inside Blood Mist Valley.

Xue Wushang appeared to be in madness, his True Qi wildly agitated,

creating chaos throughout Blood Mist Valley.

Suddenly, a middle-aged man took action,

subduing and knocking him out.

The one who dared to do this, of course, was the Blood Mist Valley Master.

Simultaneously, an elder, also the Chief Pharmacist of Blood Mist Valley,

quickly began to examine Xue Wushang.

After a while, the elder stopped his examination with furrowed brows.

"How is it?" the Blood Mist Valley Master asked in a deep voice.

The elder shook his head and said, "The Young Valley Master has no serious issues."

"And he hasn't been attacked by any wicked or bizarre methods."

"Based on my guess, the Young Valley Master probably has developed a Heart Demon."

Upon hearing this, the Blood Mist Valley Master said gravely, "Without cause, how could he have developed a Heart Demon?"

"Besides, Wushang's Martial Arts Heart has always been steady as a rock."

The elder shook his head, "I do not know."

The Blood Mist Valley Master suddenly had a flush of blood pass over his body.

The blood enveloped Xue Wushang.

Soon after,

Xue Wushang woke up in a daze and recounted the incident with Xiao Yi in full detail.

Then, he fainted again.

This was one of Blood Mist Valley's secret techniques, the Blood Soul Technique.

"Damn it." The Blood Mist Valley Master was now wrathfully shaking.

"No wonder Wushang developed a Heart Demon."

"That guy actually left a shadow in Wushang's heart."

One of the elders spoke upon hearing this, "Valley Master, according to what the Young Valley Master just said,"

"this Purple Flame Yi Xiao's strength is not strong, at most around the Earth Origin Fourth Stage."

"But his mind is terribly deep and unfathomable."

The Blood Mist Valley Master nodded, "At such a young age, he has such a profound understanding of the way of the assassin."

"This youngster is no ordinary person."

"It's infuriating that he even deliberately mentioned it in front of Wushang."

"Every sentence was heart-piercing; every sentence overturned what Wushang believed all his life."

At this moment, Xue Wushang, although unconscious,

had only two sentences echoing endlessly in his mind,

"I will drag my enemies into the abyss, never to rise again."

"Believe me, you will die with your eyes wide open."

These two sentences, cold to the extreme, were like the words of a demon,

looping incessantly in his heart, impossible to dispel.

He felt as if he had fallen into an abyss of fear,

unable to free himself.

"With such a shadow, Wushang won't be able to overcome it," the Blood Mist Valley Master said solemnly.

"And with the shadow now a Heart Demon,"

"If he doesn't eliminate the Heart Demon quickly, Wushang's path in Martial Arts Dao will not recover."

"Send the orders down," the Blood Mist Valley Master suddenly said coldly.

"Assassins of Blood Mist Valley, at all costs,"

"capture Purple Flame Yi Xiao."

"He must be taken alive, brought back to Blood Mist Valley."

"And be personally killed by Wushang."

"This..." The elder hesitated for a moment.

"Northern Mountain County is Yi Madman's hometown..."

"Do not fear," the Blood Mist Valley Master said, "I've received news that Yi Tianxing has already left Northern Mountain County."

"He seems to have come to the Royal Capital, but his whereabouts are unknown."

"Send someone to Northern Mountain County to lie in wait."

"As far as I know, Purple Flame Yi Xiao must go to the Royal Capital to participate in the Alchemy competition."

"That will be the opportunity to strike."

"Yes," the elder nodded, accepting the command.

Just as he was about to leave, he suddenly said, "Valley Master, there is one more thing."

"What is it?" the Blood Mist Valley Master asked with a frown.

The elder replied, "Do you remember that disciple that the Second Elder took two years ago?"

"Murong Jiao'er?" the Blood Mist Valley Master frowned, "The girl has good talent."

"What about it, does the Second Elder plan to give her some real power?"

"That's not it." The elder shook his head, "She seems to have some grudges with Northern Mountain County as well."

"And the one with the grudge is the Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"I heard that the Northern Mountain Sword Master destroyed her family."

"Of course, there was enmity between them already."

"The Second Elder plans to send someone to Northern Mountain County to assassinate the Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"And to destroy the family behind him, seeking revenge for her."

"It's just, the family behind the Sword Master has the protection of the Demon Hunting Order."

"It's a bit troublesome."

"Northern Mountain Sword Master?" The Blood Mist Valley Master's face darkened slightly.

"Right now, capturing Purple Flame Yi Xiao alive is of utmost importance."

"We shouldn't create unnecessary complications."

"Furthermore, this involves the Sky-splitting Sword Sect and the Demon Hunting Hall, which is even more problematic."

"Instruct them to tell the Second Elder to put aside these trifles for now."

"After the matter with Purple Flame Yi Xiao is settled, we can make a decision."

"Yes." The elder nodded and turned to leave.

...

The small tremor in the Royal Capital did not reach the distant Northern Mountain County.

Meanwhile, in Northern Mountain County,

although Xiao Yi was unaware of the happenings in the Royal Capital,

he had confidence in himself.

Just as he had told the Sub Hall Master, he was certain the assassins of Blood Mist Valley would come again.

And the person they would be after had to be him, Yi Xiao.

Xiao Yi was never one to act without certainty.

He was never one to indulge in idle talk during battle.

His chattiness, a clear sign he was preparing something.

Just like last time against the Old Monster Yougu, he plotted every move meticulously,

securing for himself a sliver of survival.

This time, facing Xue Wushang, every word aimed to wound the soul,

even at the risk of revealing himself as a killer with exceptional means.

All to cast a shadow over Xue Wushang,

and draw the attention of the Blood Mist Valley.

Long before his encounter with Xue Wushang, he was prepared for any outcome.

If Xue Wushang was left unrescued,

his death would surely provoke the Blood Mist Valley's pursuit.

If someone did come to his aid, he would instill a Heart Demon in Xue Wushang.

Either way, the Blood Mist Valley would not let him off.

...

Now, Xiao Yi had already reverted to his true identity, returning to the Xiao Family.

These past few days, he hadn't been cultivating.

Instead, he spent every day with Xiao Chong, Xiao Lihuo, and others, chatting about everything under the sun and sharing meals together.

Though it was a simple thing,

it held immeasurable warmth for Xiao Yi.

And for Xiao Chong and the others, having the usually busy Xiao Yi spare time

to chat and dine with these old folks was equally precious.

Several days later,

Xiao Yi bid farewell to Xiao Chong and the other elders.

The elders seemed to have anticipated this day's events,

not detaining him, but smiling knowingly,

with a few parting words of advice.

"Yi'er, your journey to the Royal Capital,"

"and your joining the martial arts holy land of the Flame Martial Kingdom, the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, is indeed a major blessing."

"Once at the Sword Sect, you must cultivate diligently and heed the words of your sect's seniors."

"Understand?"

Xiao Chong said earnestly.

Xiao Lihuo laughed, "Xiao Chong, do you still see Yi'er as the boy he was before?"

"He is a powerhouse in his own right now."

"Does he need your nagging?"

"It's fine," Xiao Yi said with a smile. "The elders will always be my superiors."

"It's proper for you to give me advice."

"Yi'er, you've always been wise beyond your years," Xiao Lihuo said.

"We old folks don't need to say much."

"We trust you to have your own discretion."

"We don't know when you will return from this journey,"

"so we'll look after the Xiao Family in your stead."

"When you come back next time, you must not refuse the position of Patriarch of the Xiao Family again."

Xiao Yi smiled wryly.

After the goodbyes,

Xiao Yi departed.

He was not leaving Northern Mountain County, but heading to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

...

Two hours later, Xiao Yi arrived at the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

The Great Elder and others were slightly surprised.

"Xiao Yi, why have you come today?" the Great Elder asked.

"I plan to head to the Royal Capital today," Xiao Yi replied.

"Today?" The Great Elder frowned slightly.

Then he said, "Well, that's good, the assassins of the Blood Mist Valley attempted to attack you a few days ago."

"Fortunately, the Northern Mountain County King, Sub Hall Master, and the trio of Purple Flame intervened."

"Leaving for the Sword Sect earlier will be safer for you."

"Considering the time, the other ten disciples should also be setting off."

"I will have them called here right away."

"Wait," Xiao Yi suddenly said, "Great Elder, I prefer to proceed immediately."

"Ye Ming and the others can set off two days later without any issue."

"Alone? That is utterly inadvisable; it's far too dangerous," the Great Elder said gravely.

Xiao Yi shook his head, smiling, "If I travel with Ye Ming and the others, encountering Blood Mist Valley assassins would only implicate them."

"Moreover, traveling alone would be more inconspicuous and less likely to be discovered."

The Great Elder pondered for a moment, then conceded, "Indeed."

"With your capabilities and cultivation, if you act prudently, setting off alone is indeed better."

"Alright, go ahead."

What the Great Elder did not know was that the Blood Mist Valley now had no interest in Xiao Yi, the Northern Mountain Sword Master.

Instead, they were fully committed to capturing Purple Flame Yi Xiao.

Though both identities pertained to the same person,

Xiao Yi himself facing the assassins of the Blood Mist Valley,

he believed that as Yi Xiao, he could do much more.

And be prepared for more unforeseen variables.

At least, it would not involve those he aimed to protect.

After bidding farewell to the Great Elder,

Xiao Yi sought out Liu Yanran.

Hearing Xiao Yi's words, Liu Yanran's mood instantly fell.

"Xiao Yi, I've been waiting here for so many months, and now you tell me you're going alone."

Liu Yanran stamped her foot in frustration.

Xiao Yi chuckled, "You leave with the Sword Sect disciples."

"There will be Sword Sect elders accompanying you."

"The assassins of the Blood Mist Valley wouldn't dare attack the elders."

"You'll be safe as well."

"As for me, going alone will be safer, too."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yanran said, "Fine, if going alone is safer for you,"

"I'll listen to you."

"Take this with you."

Saying this, Liu Yanran took out an item.

It was the protective item she had used against the Blood Mist Valley assassins and her brother, Xue Wushang, which seemed quite powerful.

Xiao Yi shook his head, not accepting it.

"Keep it for yourself, I won't have any trouble," Xiao Yi said with a smile,

and then, in a flash, he was gone.

"You…" Liu Yanran wanted to say more but was too late.

Her beautiful eyes followed Xiao Yi's departing figure from a distance.

A look of melancholy crossed her face, but soon she smiled knowingly.

...

Elsewhere,

Xiao Yi had already left the Sword Sect,

donning the Ghost Mask and black robe.

With the Purple Flame Wings spread, he flew towards the Royal Capital.

He would face each assassin from the Blood Mist Valley, ensuring they would have no opportunity to reach Liu Yanran.

Little did he know,

from this day forth,

the name Purple Flame Yi Xiao would become legendary throughout the entire Flame Martial Kingdom.

...

...

Second update.