Soul Emperor Martial God

"Doesn't that mean that the Northern Mountain Sword Master has to face all of us alone?" the Fierce Tiger Sword Master said.

"This is unfair," the Meteor Sword Master commented.

People beside Xiao Yi all frowned.

Not because Xiao Yi's assessment was difficult.

But because they found it unfair.

An assessment where one candidate has to face all the other candidates?

Only if that candidate were inherently beyond the level of the assessment.

And the truth was, that candidate only had Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer Cultivation.

Conversely, some of the other candidates were in the Earth Origin Realm.

Everyone present was proud and ambitious.

They could handle fighting alone.

But to gang up and use their numbers against the few, they inherently felt the unfairness for Xiao Yi.

At this moment, in the elder's seat.

The Second Elder spoke, "Northern Mountain Sword Master, you can choose not to accept this assessment."

"But the title of Strongest Sword Master, for this generation, will remain vacant."

"And will no longer concern you."

At that moment, the pressure that weighed on Xiao Yi remained.

Xiao Yi straightened his back, took a step forward, and said, "I accept."

"Good, that's bold," the Second Elder chuckled. "Then let's begin."

Saying this, the Second Elder turned to an elder beside him and said, "Fifth Elder, please."

"Mhm." The Fifth Elder nodded and stood up.

Then with a sweeping gesture, a life-giving aura filled the entire Martial Arts Arena.

The Meteor Sword Master, Jie Mo, and others, who had been injured in previous fights, had their injuries healed immediately.

The Fifth Elder was one of the Ten Thousand Wood Hall Elders.

He was not an alchemist.

But he was a proficient pharmacist, especially in healing.

Although their injuries were healed, the faces of Jie Mo and others turned even darker.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, the Second Elder seems to be targeting you," Jie Mo said in a deep voice.

The life-giving droplets had fallen on everyone.

Everyone except Xiao Yi.

Though Xiao Yi was not injured, he had used a considerable amount of his True Qi during the earlier battles.

Meaning that now, everyone was in their prime condition.

Everyone except Xiao Yi.

This made the already unfair assessment even more skewed.

At this point, the other Sword Masters and new disciples all took their places.

Under the referee's arrangement, Jie Mo, the Meteor Sword Master, and others also took their positions.

Thirty-five Sword Masters and seventeen new disciples gathered.

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena, only Xiao Yi stood alone.

"Facing everyone?" Xiao Yi scoffed disdainfully.

He was never afraid.

His previous claim that 'Sea Covering Slash' was his strongest attack was merely a casual remark.

He had anticipated that his journey to the Sword Sect would be anything but straightforward.

At this moment, the referee shouted to start.

Several Sword Masters and new disciples, eager to try, were ready to make their moves.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, die," the Wanshan Sword Master laughed ferociously.

Among those eager to fight, naturally, the Wanshan Sword Master was the most agitated.

He felt the opportunity for revenge was at hand.

Unexpectedly.

With a clang.

A dagger blocked his sword.

It was Zhong Wuyou.

"What are you trying to do? Zhong Wuyou, are you defying the elder's orders?" the Wanshan Sword Master bellowed.

"None of your business," Zhong Wuyou retorted disdainfully.

However, he could block one person, but not everyone.

Nearly thirty Sword Masters and fifteen new disciples had already made their moves.

The Meteor Sword Master, the Fierce Tiger Sword Master, and Zhou Yueyao furrowed their brows.

And they immediately took action.

But they were faster.

They instantly surrounded Xiao Yi, preventing other Sword Masters from finding an opening to attack Xiao Yi.

"What's going on, Northern Mountain Sword Master?" the Meteor Sword Master asked.

The Fierce Tiger Sword Master also spoke, "Considering the Second Elder's earlier words."

"He seems to be targeting you intentionally."

Zhou Yueyao added, "Such an unfair fight, I can't believe the Second Elder suggested it."

These people had developed a certain friendship with Xiao Yi through not fighting previously.

Not wanting to participate in this unfair battle, they started to inquire.

"I don't know," Xiao Yi shook his head.

"Go ahead and strike, don't hold back."

The few of them furrowed their brows.

Especially the Meteor Sword Master, the Fierce Tiger Sword Master, and Jie Mo.

These three were among the top four contestants with Xiao Yi.

Even if they had lost to Xiao Yi in one-on-one fights.

They did not consider themselves much weaker than Xiao Yi.

They didn't believe Xiao Yi could win if they joined forces.

"Fight then," Xiao Yi waved his sword, saying solemnly.

The few looked at each other, nodded, and replied, "Alright."

"Though winning against you together wouldn't be glorious."

"But we want to see the extent of your ultimate strength."

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Come on then."

As his words fell, the few no longer surrounded Xiao Yi and immediately launched their attacks.

The chaotic battle erupted instantly.

"Wanshan Sword Seal," the Wanshan Sword Master was decidedly the most enthusiastic.

"Yun Shang Sword," the Anyun Sword Master was almost equal.

"Black Wind Moon Devour," the Black Wind Sword Master and the Black Moon Sword Master joined forces to release their martial technique.

"…"

Numerous dazzling attacks and surging True Qi.

All targeted the lone figure at the center.

"Sea Covering Slash," Xiao Yi shouted loudly.

...

Thirty-five Sword Masters, seventeen new disciples.

Among them, several were in the Earth Origin Realm.

But, for a while, they couldn't overpower Xiao Yi.

The battle intensely proceeded.

From a distance above, in the elder's seat.

The Martial Arts Arena was vast, hence, the surrounding spectator seats were quite far away.

The Elder's Seat, at the highest point in the spectator stands, was naturally even further.

"Second Elder, I remember the Sword Master title doesn't have this kind of assessment," said the Great Elder with a grave voice.

"Great Elder, didn't I just mention it?" replied the Second Elder.

"The Northern Mountain Sword Master is a Ten-Percent Extreme Boundary Stele Comprehender and should face a higher difficulty in the assessment."

The Great Elder shook his head and said, "We have been in the same sect for many years."

"I know very well which of your words are true and which are false."

"You don't need to deceive me."

The Second Elder's face changed slightly, and he said, "Great Elder, believe if you will; if not, I can't help it."

The Great Elder, with a stern face, responded, "This assessment you added on your own will have no decision-making effect."

"It's not within the rules of our sect."

"Even if the Northern Mountain Sword Master loses, he will still obtain the title of the Strongest Sword Master."

"No," said the Second Elder, "the rules are the rules."

"But if all the Elders decide on something, even the rules must change."

"What do you mean?" The Great Elder's brows furrowed tightly.

The Second Elder said, "Among the Ten Elders, aside from you, everyone acknowledges this assessment."

"The other casual Elders will also approve."

"Hmm?" The Great Elder's expression turned stern as he glanced at the other Elders around him.

He noticed that they all avoided his gaze.

"What exactly is going on?" The Great Elder, gritting his teeth, looked displeased at the Second Elder.

The Second Elder spoke gravely, "Blame it on the fact that this young man is from Northern Mountain County."

"What do you mean?" The Great Elder pressed further.

This time, the Second Elder remained silent, merely shaking his head.

The Great Elder, as if realizing something, looked even more displeased.

But after a long moment,

when his gaze moved toward the Martial Arts Arena below, his eyes suddenly lit up.

"Ha ha," the Great Elder laughed, "Second Elder, I'm afraid the difficulties you set won't be of any use."

"The Northern Mountain Sword Master is going to win."

"Hmm?" The Second Elder narrowed his eyes.

...

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena below,

Xiao Yi held his sword horizontally, continuously emitting sword sounds like a tide.

True Qi inside him was rapidly depleting.

But before all opponents fell defeated,

his sword sounds would not dissipate.

Thirty-five Sword Masters and seventeen new disciples were all resisting with full effort.

Some released Advanced Martial Techniques; others used their True Qi to defend.

But the might of the Sea Covering Slash was not so easily blocked.

In just over ten minutes, more than thirty Sword Masters and over ten new disciples were all knocked back by the sword sounds.

Each one of them was pale-faced, spitting blood.

On the field, only a few people could still withstand;

Among them were Meteor Sword Master, Wanshan Sword Master, Jie Mo, among others.

Yet, after a few more minutes,

these few also could not hold on any longer and were sent flying while spitting blood.

...

In the Elder's Seat, the Second Elder was shocked.

"What's going on? How is this possible?"

"One person defeating all Sword Masters and new disciples?"

"Hmph," the Great Elder sneered, "The inheritor of the Sky-splitting Sword Demon will not be easily defeated."

...

Around, deacons and disciples were watching the Martial Arts Arena in surprise.

One thing they found strange:

Those defeated Sword Masters and new disciples were not only injured but also had panic on their faces.

That kind of panic was definitely not feigned.

It was a mix of helplessness, fear, and trembling.

Overall, their expressions were somewhat distorted.

But without exception, in their eyes,

a brief reflection of a huge wave appeared.

In the center of the Martial Arts Arena, Xiao Yi was gasping for breath.

He seemed to have defeated everyone in a short time.

But, the power from 'Ice Mountain Fire Sea' within him had almost exhausted.

Even the power within the Blood Slaughter Sword had been mostly drawn out by him.

"Second Elder, does this assessment count as passed?" Xiao Yi steadied his fluctuating breath,

Proudly looking toward the Elder's Seat.

"It's passed," said the Second Elder from the Elder's Seat.

"But, the title of the Strongest Sword Master will always elude you."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi frowned tightly.

"Why?"

The Second Elder grinned, "It's simple. The title of the Strongest Sword Master requires the strongest talent."

"According to records on each Sword Master Token."

"You seem to have the Fire Control Beast Martial Soul."

"Heh, reputed to be the worst Martial Soul in the whole world."

"Do you think it's worthy of the title of Strongest Sword Master?"

As he spoke, the atmosphere in the arena shifted dramatically.

"What? Fire Control Beast Martial Soul?"

"The Northern Mountain Sword Master has the Fire Control Beast Martial Soul?"

Surrounding disciples buzzed with conversation.

"Ha ha, I thought the Northern Mountain Sword Master was some heavenly talent."

"Turns out to be trash with a red Martial Soul."

"Oh no, even among those with red Martial Souls, it is the worst."

Wanshan Sword Master and others loudly mocked.

"You have the Fire Control Beast Martial Soul?" Meteor Sword Master, Fierce Tiger Sword Master, Zhou Yueyao, Sword Master Xingmo, among others, all showed different expressions.

In this world, the strong are revered; it's a principle accepted by everyone.

Looking down on the weak is everyone's instinctive reaction.

"Is there a problem?" Xiao Yi glanced at them.

'Deserving?' 'Deserving?' These words reverberated repeatedly in his ears.

"Heh," Xiao Yi suddenly laughed.

The words echoing in his ears dispersed.

"If the Sect does not want to give me this title, there are plenty of reasons."

"Even making up a charge out of thin air is easy."

Xiao Yi laughed out loud without concern.

The Elders, hearing this, became angry, "Northern Mountain Sword Master, what are you saying?"

"Do you realize that you are showing contempt for the Sect, disrespecting your superiors?"