Soul Emperor Martial God

Led by a Sect Disciple, a group of people left the Cold Ice Pool.

Then, they arrived at a forest on the other side of the Sect.

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect covered an extremely vast area.

Aside from one side bordering the Royal Capital,

the other was surrounded by mountains and a vast forest.

Inside, there were no demon beasts, only numerous wild animals.

The environment was very serene and comfortable.

At this moment,

once the group had arrived, they saw an elder who had already been waiting there.

"Greetings, Great Elder," the Sect Disciples hurriedly paid their respects.

"Mm," the elder nodded.

The Sword Masters, however, looked surprised.

Was just a Sect examination actually presided over by the Great Elder of the Sword Sect?

"Greetings, Great Elder," everyone also hurriedly paid their respects.

The Great Elder nodded and said, "No need for much courtesy."

Next, the Great Elder sized up the 36 Sword Masters before him.

He nodded with satisfaction.

"Not bad, truly worthy of being Sword Masters, the best Sword Dao talents from each county."

With the ability of the Great Elder of the Sword Sect, he naturally saw through everyone's Cultivation at first glance.

And he seemed relatively satisfied with the Cultivations of the Sword Masters present.

"This examination was supposed to be presided over by another elder."

"Unfortunately, that elder had a sudden Martial Arts epiphany and temporarily went into seclusion."

"With nothing else on my hands, I came to officiate this examination."

The Great Elder explained briefly.

"Thank you, Great Elder," all 36 Sword Masters thanked him with a bow.

The Great Elder nodded and with a serious look, said,

"You 36 Sword Masters, are all fully comprehending participants of the Martial Arts Inheritance Stele."

"Other disciples from various Sword Sects have also comprehended several parts."

"You all qualify to join the Sword Sect."

"Meaning, from the moment you registered at the Sect yesterday."

"You have already become disciples of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

"Thank you, Great Elder," the crowd revealed joy on their faces.

Being a disciple of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect was an honor in the Flame Martial Kingdom.

For countless Martial Artists and young talents, it was something they longed for.

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect, as a Martial Arts Holy Land,

has nurtured many powerful figures over countless years.

Each was a well-known individual capable of dominating a territory within the Flame Martial Kingdom.

The Great Elder continued, "This examination."

"Is not an entry test for the Sect."

"Rather, it's a competition among you Sword Masters, and even between counties."

"The 36 Sword Masters will be ranked."

"And..."

The Great Elder emphasized, "compete for the title of the Strongest Sword Master."

The Sword Masters instantly looked shaken.

The Strongest Sword Master was both a title and an honor.

It represented the strongest Sword Dao talent of the 36 counties, besides the Royal Capital.

Of course, a title was ultimately just that and held no real power.

However, the winner of this examination who would get the 'Strongest Sword Master' title would receive bountiful rewards.

After entering the Sword Sect, they would even get far more Cultivation Resources than other disciples.

Without a doubt, if one could obtain this title,

the Sword Master's path in Martial Arts would rise meteorically, achieving remarkable success.

The Great Elder of the Sword Sect, watching the expressions of the people, couldn't help but smile.

"Though they are Martial Arts talents, they are still young, and eager."

"Enough, I won't waste words."

"After explaining the rules, let's start the examination."

The Sky-splitting Sword Sect, although a power, places great importance on nurturing the younger generation of disciples.

Otherwise, they wouldn't have established Sword Sects of similar nature to Martial Arts Academies in each county.

The elders within the Sect, were generally very kind to the younger generation.

Before long, the Great Elder finished explaining the rules.

The rules were not complex.

The examination had three rounds.

The first round, a melee.

Each of the 36 Sword Masters, leading their own county's Sword Sect disciples, formed a team.

Each Sword Master had 100 sword points.

Each disciple had 10 sword points.

The 36 teams would spend seven days in the expansive forest.

During these seven days, they could use any method to seize other people's sword points.

By the way, each Sword Sect was actually a mini-version of the Sword Sect itself.

Thus, the rules within the Sects, including things like sword points,

were mostly derived from the Sword Sect.

Sword points were the points that the Sword Sect disciples used to exchange for Sect treasures.

Back to the main point.

Within these seven days, those whose sword points were taken would be eliminated immediately.

After seven days, the first round of the examination would end.

Rankings would be decided by the number of remaining team members.

If the number of participants is the same, they will be ranked by sword points.

"Any questions?" the elder of the Sword Sect asked.

"None," the crowd replied.

The elder nodded and announced loudly, "Thus, the first round of the assessment begins immediately."

As soon as he finished speaking,

36 teams immediately entered the forest,

and quickly dispersed from each other.

At this moment, the 36 Sword Masters became competitors.

This assessment was somewhat similar to the entrance exam of the Sword Sect in previous years.

However, back then, it was a free-for-all individual competition.

As long as one was capable, no matter the means, it was only important to be the last one standing.

But this time,

not only did the Sword Masters need to have the ability to fight enemies,

they also had to protect and lead the disciples of the Sword Sect.

Undoubtedly, this assessment was more difficult.

It was also easier to suffer total decimation in a battle,

and miss out on the title of "Strongest Sword Master."

Within the vast forest, the 36 Sword Masters had already scattered apart, creating distance.

After two hours, the 36 teams were thoroughly dispersed.

Somewhere in the forest,

Xiao Yi led Ye Ming and others, wandering.

"Junior Brother Xiao Yi, should we discuss some strategies?" Ye Ming asked first.

Yui Rulong also commented, "It's just the beginning, and everyone has cautiously separated."

"The other teams must be discussing strategies too."

"We must be prepared."

The title "Strongest Sword Master" could only be claimed by a Sword Master.

But if the Sword Master led his team to a high ranking,

the disciples of the Sword Sect could also receive substantial rewards.

"How about we ally with other Sword Masters?" Yui Rulong suggested.

"That's not acceptable," Ye Ming objected first,

"Allying would be disgraceful even if we ended up winning."

The two argued for a few moments.

Finally, Ye Ming looked at Xiao Yi and said, "Junior Brother Xiao Yi, you decide, we'll follow your lead."

Xiao Yi nodded slightly and said indifferently, "Let's first find a cave to hide in."

"Hide?" everyone looked puzzled.

"Yes," Xiao Yi nodded, "Whether to discuss further strategies,"

"Or to temporarily avoid combat,"

"Finding a concealed refuge is undoubtedly the best choice."

Everyone nodded after hearing this.

But suddenly, Ye Ming realized something and looked at Xiao Yi earnestly.

"Junior Brother Xiao Yi, you want to act alone again, don't you?"

"Finding a concealed refuge is really just to have us hide temporarily for these seven days."

"Then you would go alone to seize sword points."

"Uh," Xiao Yi frowned.

Ye Ming guessed correctly; this was indeed his plan.

Among the 36 teams, his was undoubtedly the weakest.

If a battle occurred,

Ye Ming and the nine others' sword points could easily be seized.

Xiao Yi would rather have them hide first and himself go to seize sword points from other teams.

Ye Ming might not be worldly wise,

but he was not foolish, in fact, he was exceptionally intelligent.

He had once been a known prodigy in the Northern Mountain Ranking.

Although he was just a bit too rigid.

At this moment, Yui Rulong and others, hearing this, shook their heads.

"Xiao Yi, this is a team melee, and everyone needs to contribute."

"We can't let you face other teams alone."

"If we hide, even if we win in the end, we won't feel at ease about the rewards."

"You're all right," Mu Miaomiao spoke, "Xiao Yi, let us stand and fight alongside you."

"This…" Xiao Yi's brow furrowed slightly.

While Xiao Yi was contemplating.

Suddenly, a series of whooshing sounds approached from not far away.

A group of people instantly appeared in front of them.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, hand over your sword points obediently."

It was the team of the Anyun Sword Master.

Xiao Yi stepped forward, shielding the nine others behind him.

Anyun Sword Master sneered, "Northern Mountain Sword Master, you are strong; I admit I'm not your match."

"But your ordinary disciples can't withstand us."

As soon as he finished speaking,

Anyun Sword Master suddenly shouted, "Three of you, follow me to stall the Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"The rest of the seven, take all those weaklings' sword points."

Anyun Sword Master, without further ado, made his move instantly.

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