Soul Emperor Martial God

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, be careful," warned the Meteor Sword Master as he gripped his sword, his aura surging dramatically.

"This will be my ultimate attack, 'Meteor Soul Shaking.'"

The sword, a High Grade Spiritual Artifact, was the Flying Star Sword.

In terms of power, it could rival a top-grade Spiritual Artifact.

The martial technique was of Peak Earth-rank.

Legend had it that it was created by the first-generation Meteor Sword Master and its power was immense,

barely comparable to a Low-level Heavenly rank.

The combination of the two—

Although the Meteor Sword Master's Cultivation was only at Earth Element First Layer,

his power was sufficient to defeat any martial artist at Earth Element Fifth Stage.

Clearly visible above his head, was a terrifying vortex of Spiritual Energy gathering at this moment.

Beneath the vortex, the winds and clouds surged wildly.

A surging, scorching aura gradually condensed.

Some weaker disciples of the sect couldn't even maintain their footing under this turbulence,

and even those who stood their ground felt a scalding heat all over.

The entire Sect Square seemed to have turned into a blazing furnace.

On the other side, Xiao Yi was also stern.

"Meteor Sword Master, you need to be careful as well."

"My strongest attack is the 'Sea Covering Slash.'"

With one hand on his sword, a domineering presence naturally arose from Xiao Yi.

Sword sounds like a tidal wave gradually condensed behind him.

A towering tidal wave seemed to loom behind him, surging forward ferociously.

The previously pervasive scorching aura gradually cooled down beneath these towering waves.

It was neither actual tidal waves nor the presence of moisture.

That hint of coolness was the domineering sound of the sword so formidable it could obliterate any obstacle.

The watching crowd already had expressions of shock and disbelief, some doubting their own eyes.

"Are these the contenders for the title of the Strongest Sword Master?"

"Are these the two most outstanding Sword Masters of this generation?"

"Both so young, yet possessing such strength and presence!"

"How extraordinary must their talents be?"

Up on the Martial Arts Arena, Xiao Yi and the Meteor Sword Master did not heed these words.

In each other's eyes, only the opponent mattered.

"Let's decide the victor," the Meteor Sword Master shouted.

"Meteor Soul Shaking."

"As you wish," Xiao Yi also shouted decisively.

"Sea Covering Slash."

As soon as their words fell,

the two overwhelming forces descended in an instant, colliding with each other.

The Meteor Sword Master struck with his sword,

releasing a surging sword sound that roared continuously like a meteor shower.

'Meteor Soul Shaking' wasn't the actual release of meteors—

it was a sort of sword sound.

Scorching hot and swift, a relentless and endless onslaught.

Xiao Yi's 'Sea Covering Slash' was also a sword sound.

Like the sound of tides, icy and domineering.

Upon collision, the entire vast Martial Arts Arena instantly crumbled.

"Break for me!"

"Break for me!"

Both men shouted simultaneously.

From a distance, it looked like a clash between towering waves and endless meteors.

In the Elder's Seat, all the elders displayed looks of anticipation.

"Meteor Soul Shaking, a martial technique of the first-generation Meteor Sword Master."

"Sea Covering Slash, a martial technique of the Sword Demon ancestoral figure."

"The martial techniques of both are of Peak Earth-rank, yet they can compete with Low-level Heavenly rank."

"Who will be the stronger one?"

At that moment, next to the Great Elder, an elder's expression was extremely grim.

It was the Second Elder.

"The Sky-splitting Sword Demon ancestoral figure was the strongest in the history of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

"His martial technique is considered the strongest among its rank."

"If the Northern Mountain Sword Master cannot defeat the Meteor Sword Master, it will be a joke."

"Hmm?" The Great Elder raised his eyebrows in surprise.

"I don't think so."

"The Northern Mountain Sword Master is of Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer Cultivation."

"The Meteor Sword Master is of Earth Element First Layer Cultivation."

"The difference seems only a single layer, but it is actually a vast gap between great realms."

"If the Northern Mountain Sword Master loses, there's a reasonable excuse."

"If he wins, it proves his extraordinary combat strength."

"No," chimed in another elder, shaking his head.

"The Great Elder is mistaken."

"The Inheritance Stele of the Sky-splitting Sword Demon was placed in the Northern Mountain County."

"The stele contains a sliver of power left by him."

"The more completely one comprehends it, the more power they receive."

"The Northern Mountain Sword Master comprehended it fully to ten percent."

"He must have gained a substantial amount of power, causing a surge in his cultivation."

"And yet, he is still only at Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer?"

This was said by the Third Elder.

"What the Third Elder says is very true," another elder spoke up—this was the Fourth Elder.

"I observe both the Northern Mountain Sword Master and the Meteor Sword Master to be of similar age."

"If their talents are also similar, their cultivation should be equal."

"Yet, the cultivation of the Northern Mountain Sword Master is actually lower."

"This is still under the condition of having comprehended the Ten-Percent Extreme Boundary Stele."

"Without that comprehension, wouldn't my cultivation be even lower?"

Upon hearing this, the surrounding elders nodded in agreement.

"Do you have objections to that boy?" the Great Elder's brows furrowed even more.

The nearby elders suddenly fell silent.

Whether it be the comprehension of the Extreme Boundary Stele or the Origin World Stele.

One would obtain the power left by the predecessors on the stele, using it to enhance cultivation.

The stronger the Inheritance Stele, the more immense the power contained within.

The more the comprehender understands, the quicker the cultivation increases.

Like Guu Changkong in the past, who only comprehended half, not even a full ten percent.

Yet he advanced several cultivation layers.

But for Xiao Yi, with an overly vast Qi Spring, even after comprehending ten percent,

it appeared that his cultivation hadn't increased by much.

...

On the Martial Arts Arena, the clash between the two, from an initial deadlock,

soon showed a growing disparity.

Sea Covering Slash is a stronger martial technique than Meteor Soul Shaking.

Xiao Yi had already mobilized more than half of the 'Fire Sea' power within his body.

The sound of the tide-like swords gradually suppressed the searing sword noises.

One minute later, the searing sword noises had dissipated entirely.

The tide-like swords' prowess diminished slightly, but their power remained formidable.

It struck directly on the body of Meteor Sword Master, blasting him back.

"Spit... Spit... Spit..."

Meteor Sword Master staggered backward nine steps.

With each step, a mouthful of blood was spat out.

Each step seemed like he was being smacked by a massive wave.

After nine steps, Meteor Sword Master stopped retreating.

But he was seriously injured and had no fight left.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, I am defeated," declared Meteor Sword Master, wiping the blood from the corner of his mouth.

"Not only does Northern Mountain County possess a heavenly talent like Purple Flame Yi Xiao,"

"but also a supreme genius like you, Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"I am completely convinced by my defeat."

"From today on, I no longer acknowledge the title of 'weakest' for Northern Mountain County."

Saying this, Meteor Sword Master gave Xiao Yi a bow.

Xiao Yi returned the gesture, saying, "I am flattered."

The judge loudly declared, "This battle, Northern Mountain Sword Master, wins."

The fight had thus concluded.

The three rounds of assessment had also finally come to an end.

Several figures leaped onto the Martial Arts Arena, extending their congratulations.

It was Zhou Yueyao, Jie Mo, Fierce Tiger Sword Master, and others.

Jie Mo said with a light laugh, "Congratulations, Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"Although I have not crossed swords with you,"

"the fact that you thoroughly defeated Meteor Sword Master has proven that your strength is indeed above mine."

"I have competed with Purple Flame Yi Xiao and witnessed his prowess."

"As Meteor Sword Master said,"

"from today on, I too will not acknowledge the 'weakest' title for Northern Mountain County."

Fierce Tiger Sword Master gave a bow with a smile, "Ever since you defeated Wanshan Sword Master with a single stroke,"

"I knew that the title of Strongest Sword Master belonged to no one else but you."

"Ah, had I known this earlier, I wouldn't have sparred with you back then."

"I could have spared myself the toothache."

"Ha ha ha," laughed everyone present upon hearing this.

On the side, Zhong Wuyou remained silent, merely staring intently at Xiao Yi with a face full of fighting spirit.

Zhou Yueyao then said with a smile, "Truly worthy of being Yanran's beloved."

"Only the Strongest Sword Master is a fitting match for a lady of such great power from the Royal Capital."

Xiao Yi glanced at her, about to say something.

Suddenly, a commanding voice fell.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, it seems a bit early to celebrate now."

The voice carried an oppressive force.

Xiao Yi felt as if a great mountain was pressing down on him.

"Hm?" Xiao Yi frowned and looked towards the Elder's Seat.

Next to the Great Elder, one of the elders was looking at him with a dark expression.

"What does the elder mean by this?" asked Xiao Yi.

"Elder?" the elder spoke sternly, "Don't you know which elder I am?"

"Before you entered the Sword Sect, did no disciple introduce you to the Inner Ten Halls elders?"

"No," replied Xiao Yi honestly.

"Hmph," the elder snorted coldly, "Still daring to talk back?"

"If you don't know, why not ask? Instead, you directly addressed me as elder?"

"Do you understand what it means to respect the master and honor his teachings?"

As his words fell, the pressure on Xiao Yi suddenly increased.

Xiao Yi gritted his teeth and bowed, "May I ask which hall's elder you are?"

The elder said with mocking laughter, "You may call me Second Elder."

"Second Elder," Xiao Yi nodded slightly in a bow.

"Mm," said Second Elder, "you are the Sword Master of the Ten-Percent Extreme Boundary Stele."

"When the Sword Master Token awoke, its might was astonishing."

"You have gained the martial techniques and Sword Dao knowledge of the predecessor Sky-splitting Sword Demon."

"Having an advantage over other Sword Masters is a given for you."

"If you want to earn the title of Strongest Sword Master, you must undergo a more rigorous assessment."

"What kind of assessment?" asked Xiao Yi.

Second Elder said, "Defeat a combined assault from thirty-five Sword Masters and seventeen newly initiated disciples."

"What?" Xiao Yi's companions changed their expressions.

Zhou Yueyao even declared outright, "This isn't an assessment; it's downright lethal."

Xiao Yi's brows furrowed.

...

...

Second post.