Soul Emperor Martial God

In the Scrolls Room, Lin Mu was stunned for a moment.

Then, he quickly realized what had happened and went to report to the Deputy Commander.

Xiao Yi also followed.

"What, the Flame Holy Sect has detained Lin Jin?" the Deputy Commander of Southwind County exclaimed, eyes widening with surprise.

Many of the Lin Family's disciples and Deacons were employed by the Flame Martial Guards.

And this Deputy Commander was also a Deacon of the Lin Family.

However, he was of a higher generation, an elder whose Cultivation had reached the Heavenly Origin Second Layer.

"Damn it, I had promised the Family Head that I'd take good care of Lin Jin," the Deputy Commander said, his face full of urgency.

After a moment, he ordered, "Lin Mu, report the situation back to the Royal Capital immediately."

"Have them send two... no, three True Commanders here."

"The Flame Holy Sect is notoriously troublesome."

"If they refuse to hand over the person, we'll have no choice but to break in by force."

Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and said, "This place is too far from the Royal Capital."

"It will take at least half a month for the message to be reported and for the experts from the Royal Capital to arrive."

"I'll go first to Flame County to investigate."

"See if there's a chance to infiltrate the Flame Holy Sect and rescue the person."

"You?" the Deputy Commander frowned.

Lin Mu explained, "This is Captain Xiao Yi, who has been patrolling all the way here."

"Also, he is the Northern Mountain Sword Master, the Strongest Sword Master of this generation from the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

"The Strongest Sword Master?" The Deputy Commander's brows briefly furrowed before he shook his head.

"No, the Flame Holy Sect has already issued an order."

"They forbid the Flame Martial Guards from entering."

"If something happens to you in Flame County, I won't be able to bear the responsibility."

"It's fine," Xiao Yi said gravely, "I have just arrived, so I'm an unfamiliar face."

"As long as I'm cautious, there should be no big problem."

"Furthermore, I'm merely going to gather information, not to forcefully snatch someone."

"This…" The Deputy Commander hesitated for a moment.

"Alright."

"The Flame Holy Sect probably wouldn't dare to kill the Strongest Sword Master."

"But accidents always happen, so you must still be careful."

"If it's not feasible, don't force it. It's also fine to wait safely for the experts from the Royal Capital."

"No matter what, our Southwind County stronghold owes you for this."

"If this matter is resolved, you'll be credited with a great achievement."

Just the fact that Xiao Yi had safely led nearly a thousand Flame Martial Guards and 16 Captains away from Flame County was a significant accomplishment.

Xiao Yi nodded, "This investigation could be quite dangerous."

"I'd like to leave my team members in Southwind County, and ask the Deputy Commander to take care of them for a few days."

"That's possible," the Deputy Commander nodded.

Xiao Yi nodded, then turned and left.

Inside the room, the Deputy Commander muttered to himself, "Back in the family, I remember Lin Jin mentioning he had a brother named Xiao Yi."

"And he comes from Northern Mountain County."

"If I'm not mistaken, this must be the Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"Oh?" Lin Mu looked surprised, "No wonder Captain Xiao Yi is willing to personally risk entering Flame County."

...

After saying goodbye to the Deputy Commander and Lin Mu.

Xiao Yi did not immediately leave the stronghold.

Instead, he went to the Scrolls Room.

He wanted to check what kind of task Lin Jin had taken on.

It was unlikely that the Flame Holy Sect would detain him for no reason.

At the Captain Level of the Flame Martial Guards, he could access the necessary information at various strongholds.

In the Scrolls Room, Xiao Yi soon found the recorded scroll.

"A missing person's task?" Xiao Yi's expression changed.

Over the past several months, there had been numerous disappearances of civilians in Flame County.

Among them, there were even powerful Martial Artists.

According to rough estimates, the number of missing persons was no less than several hundred thousand.

The range covered Flame City and over a dozen surrounding cities.

"Another massive disappearance of civilians, could it be..."

"No, that's impossible," Xiao Yi instantly dismissed the thought.

"The Flame Holy Sect might be domineering."

"But after all, it is a Martial Arts Holy Land, revered by Martial Artists from one side of the territory."

"It wouldn't commit such heinous acts."

Xiao Yi's brows were deeply furrowed, "It seems the matter needs to be thoroughly investigated."

Having said that, Xiao Yi's figure flashed, and he left the Scrolls Room.

After telling Zhou Ping and the others to wait there.

Xiao Yi left Southwind County.

He found a secluded place, set up a Prohibition, changed into a new set of clothes, and put on the Ghost Mask.

...

Half a day later.

In Flame County, within a major city several distances away from Flame City.

There stood a Demon Hunting Hall.

In the distant sky, a fiery red figure approached rapidly.

After a while, the figure landed and entered the Demon Hunting Hall.

Flame County might not have Flame Martial Guard strongholds or even official personnel.

But it would certainly have a Demon Hunting Hall.

As the oldest force on the entire continent.

Demon Hunting Hall, spread across every corner of the world.

The fiery red figure just now was naturally Xiao Yi.

At the Task Department, the staff member took the token and gave a bow.

"I need to access the Scrolls Room to check intelligence," Xiao Yi said solemnly.

"Yes, General Executor Yi Xiao, this way, please." The staff member nodded their head.

Arriving in the Scrolls Room.

The staff member said, "General Executor Yi Xiao, please feel free to look around as needed, and you can call me at any time if you require assistance."

Having said that, the staff member withdrew.

Xiao Yi quickly began searching through the dense stacks of scrolls.

He planned to look up the basic information about the Flame Holy Sect.

Two hours later, Xiao Yi stopped his search.

At the same time, his brows were deeply furrowed.

According to the information, the Flame Holy Sect had a very good reputation more than a dozen years ago.

They had numerous interactions with various powers and were on good terms with many.

However, in recent years, they had gradually started to act more overbearingly.

They even came into conflict with official personnel from Flame County.

The most sensational issue was the dispute between the Flame Holy Sect and the Flame County Prince a few years back.

The specifics were not detailed in the scrolls.

Given Xiao Yi's limited authority, he was unable to dig deeper into those reports.

But in any case, both parties had become hostile to each other.

The Flame Holy Sect prohibited the Flame Guards under the Prince's command from entering Flame City and the surrounding dozen cities.

The Prince, too, forbade disciples of the Flame Holy Sect from entering the county seat.

All the changes within the Flame Holy Sect began more than a dozen years ago.

Back then, the Flame Holy Sect somehow produced a Saint Child.

"Saint Child?" Xiao Yi frowned deeply, lost in thought.

He remembered, during his time in Wanshan County.

Fang Hu had mentioned that the Mountain God Sect once had a very good reputation for safeguarding peace in the region.

But after producing a sect heir more than a dozen years ago, the Mountain God Sect gradually started engaging in sacrificial activities.

"The two figures must be related, or even possibly the same person," Xiao Yi speculated.

"Saint Child, who exactly are you?" Xiao Yi's eyes narrowed slightly.

After a while, Xiao Yi put down the scroll in his hand and left the Scrolls Room.

Just as he was about to leave the Demon Hunting Hall to head to Flame City,

suddenly, several members of the Law Enforcement Team rushed into the Demon Hunting Hall in a frantic hurry.

"Where is the Chief Steward?" The Law Enforcement Team member looked towards the staff at the Task Department.

The staff member was startled and replied, "In the back hall, what's wrong? Why the urgency?"

"There's been an incident," the Law Enforcement Team member said, "a Beast Tide has erupted in Fire Cloud City."

"It's massive, with Sixth-level Demon Beasts possessing Earth Origin Realm strength covering the sky."

"The situation is grave."

"Quickly inform the Chief Steward to gather Martial Artist forces for protection."

"Additionally, send a message to the county seat to see if the Commandery Prince can send Flame Guards to assist."

"But…" the staff member quickly said, "didn't the Flame Holy Sect say that they won't allow Flame Guards near this area?"

"There are priorities and weight to every matter," said the Law Enforcement Team without delay.

"Fire Cloud City has not experienced a Beast Tide for more than a decade."

"This sudden severity is unforeseen; we don't know what has happened."

"In any case, quickly report to the Chief Steward. The Chief Steward will make the decision."

"I must immediately organize Demon Hunters to protect Fire Cloud City."

Having said that, the Law Enforcement Team quickly departed.

Aside, Xiao Yi's brow furrowed, and with a flash, he too immediately headed towards Fire Cloud City.

Fire Cloud City was only a few large cities away from Flame City.

It was nearby.

Flame City, named for its proximity to Flame Sacred Mountain.

Indeed, it was because of Flame Sacred Mountain, not the Flame Holy Sect.

The Flame Holy Sect's lineage isn't very long.

Whereas Flame Sacred Mountain has existed in the world as a mountain of flame for countless years.

The entire mountain range is incredibly vast and wrapped in flames.

There, it's almost a Forbidden Land; ordinary Martial Artists can hardly withstand the flames, let alone approach it.

It is rumored there lies an Earth Fire Source Vein stretching out from that place.

Centuries ago, the first Sect Hierarch of the Flame Holy Sect discovered this Earth Fire Source Vein.

Only then did he establish the Flame Holy Sect next to Flame Sacred Mountain.

Returning to the point at hand.

Flame City faces directly toward Flame Sacred Mountain, about a hundred miles distant.

Fire Cloud City, on the other hand, is situated on another side of Flame Sacred Mountain, about several hundred miles away.

And beyond Fire Cloud City, there lies a boundless forest.

Hence, outside the city the wind rushes and the sky towers high, with white clouds stretching in succession.

These white clouds, under the blazing fires of the distant Flame Sacred Mountain, present a spectacle of fiery clouds.

Incredibly splendid and awe-inspiring.

Thus, the name Fire Cloud City was derived.

...

With Xiao Yi's speed, it didn't take long for him to arrive at Fire Cloud City.

At this moment, Fire Cloud City was already filled with Martial Artists.

There were Demon Hunters as well as City Guards.

Outside the city, looking out into the distance, was a dense mass of demon beast armies.

The demon beasts, mostly Fire Attribute beasts, were ablaze with fire.

Beneath the crimson clouds, the demon beasts appeared as if they had donned colorful clouds.

Though beautiful, everyone knew that beneath this fiery red veneer...

Lurked dangers and Killing Intents capable of engulfing the entire Fire Cloud City.

...

Third update.