Soul Emperor Martial God

Swoosh... Swoosh... Swoosh...

Around the square, over a hundred red-clad Martial Artists leapt out in an instant.

All were Deacons from within the Flame Holy Sect.

The weakest among them was at Mystic Breakthrough Ninth Layer, with a few dozen at the Earth Origin Realm.

Simultaneously, two old men with surging auras, stood beside Elder Huo.

Both, astonishingly, were Heavenly Origin Realm Martial Artists.

Elder Huo's face revealed a hint of mockery, as well as pride.

But more so, there was an unparalleled dominance.

"Joining our Flame Holy Sect, glory and riches will come without needing to be mentioned."

"By then, all of the county's Cultivation Resources will be under our Sect's control."

"Members of our Sect will see their Cultivation and strength surge by leaps and bounds each day."

"Refuse, and today, you'll have to report to King Yan ahead of schedule."

"How you choose, I believe you all understand very well."

Elder Huo laughed sardonically.

The Martial Artists all clenched their teeth, engulfed in fierce contemplation.

Right at this moment, a challenging voice rang out.

"Flame Holy Sect, although you are a Martial Arts Holy Land."

"But, openly rebelling, you're surely unable to withstand the King's wrath."

"I suppose if the Flame Martial Guard's Great Commander brought the five True Commanders, he would be able to annihilate your Flame Holy Sect."

"Even if you really capture the Flame County Prince, how long can you bask in success?"

The speaker was one of the five Half-step Heavenly Origin Martial Artists.

This person was a family Martial Artist from the county.

And this family itself was a supporter of the Commandery Prince.

"Hahaha..." Elder Huo laughed wildly.

"That, you don't need to worry about."

"Whatever you can think of, our Flame Holy Sect has also considered."

"No need for further nonsense."

"Either take the Scorching Fire Pill, or die, choose one."

Elder Huo appeared utterly fearless.

"Scum!"

At this moment, an angry shout emerged.

Zhang Huo angrily slammed the table and stood up, "Flame Holy Sect, what audacity you have."

"To forcefully detain Demon Hunting Hall members and even attempt to control them."

"You do not fear the wrath of the Flame Martial Guard."

"The fury of the entire world's Demon Hunting Hall, I wonder if you can bear it."

Upon hearing this, Elder Huo's face changed.

The two elders beside him also had slightly unsightly expressions.

"Hmph." Elder Huo sneered, "The Demon Hunting Hall members, we certainly won't kill."

"But, you all also have your own rules."

"Not to intervene in any disputes between forces."

"Today, the Demon Hunting Hall members just need to take the Scorching Fire Pill, and they can leave."

"Once this matter is over, we will naturally provide you with the Detoxification Elixir."

"If you dare to spread the word prematurely, that would be violating the Demon Hunting Hall's rules."

"At that time, don't blame our Flame Holy Sect for being ruthless."

"And don't even dream of getting the Detoxification Elixir."

"You..." Zhang Huo, unable to contain his anger, was about to take drastic action.

Suddenly, someone beside him grabbed him.

It was Xiao Yi.

"Don't be impetuous." Xiao Yi whispered, "I can neutralize the Scorching Fire Pill."

"Let's just wait and observe for now."

Xiao Yi's voice was kept very low, and he cautiously created a faint barrier a meter away.

Limiting the sound from spreading outward.

"Oh?" Zhang Huo's eyes lit up.

Only then did he suddenly remember that Purple Flame Yi Xiao was not only a powerful Martial Artist.

But also the top-ranked Alchemy genius in the entire Flame Martial Kingdom's Alchemy competition.

Universally recognized as a Seventh-grade Alchemist, and also one with formidable methods at that.

Zhang Huo's heart rejoiced, but he still maintained an angry expression and grudgingly sat down.

At this moment, with three Heavenly Origin Realm Elders from the Flame Holy Sect threatening,

And a great many disciples and Deacons of the Flame Holy Sect outside,

The group of Martial Artists really had no choice.

Gritting their teeth, they eventually chose to take the Elixir first and temporarily submit.

The Scorching Fire Pill wouldn't take effect immediately; from the time of consumption, it would take at least several days to become effective.

Of course, by then, the poison would be deeply rooted and difficult to eliminate.

Xiao Yi, without any hesitation, took the Elixir as well.

He had been silent all along and had been thinking.

At this moment, he suddenly awoke.

Everything was a trap.

The Flame Holy Sect had been plotting step by step all along.

From the time they forcibly expelled the Flame Martial Guard, the plan had already begun.

First, using a trumped-up reason to create a conflict with the Flame Martial Guard.

That way, they had an excuse to drive away the Flame Martial Guard and prevent the guards from the two nearby strongholds from entering Flame County.

Then, infiltrating the Demon Beast Forest to severely injure the Purple Flame Lion King.

Enraging the Purple Flame Lion King with hate for human Martial Artists, which triggered the Beast Tide.

With such a massive Beast Tide, it would surely force most of the powerful Martial Artists in the county to rush to defend against it.

Without the help of the guards from the two strongholds.

Both sides were bound to end up with mutual destruction.

It was more likely that a mighty figure from the Flame Holy Sect would appear in time to save the human martial artists.

This would achieve the effect of winning over hearts and minds, and later on, compelling a group of powerhouses to join the Flame Holy Sect would be much easier.

Of course, his own appearance, having dissuaded the Purple Flame Lion King, caused their scheme to fail.

However, this was ultimately still within the plans of the Flame Holy Sect.

These tens of thousands of martial artists were almost all elite warriors from the Flame County.

Among them, many were from families that supported the Commandery Prince.

The Flame County Prince, an able ruler of his domain, had his share of supporters.

Now, forcibly recruiting all these martial artists into the Flame Holy Sect was not merely about increasing its strength.

It was about a relationship of mutual growth and decline.

With one side gaining and the other side losing, the disparity widened in an instant.

And now, observing Elder Huo's expression, it was clear he was confident about overtaking the Prince Mansion without fearing any repercussions.

This meant that there were a series of unknown plans to follow.

Who exactly had orchestrated this flawless conspiracy?

Xiao Yi was very curious.

At least in his view, the arrogant and domineering Elder Huo in front of him didn't have the capability.

Nor did he seem like a person with sufficiently deep schemes.

Yet, there was still one thing that Xiao Yi remained puzzled about.

That was the current Scorching Fire Pill.

The Scorching Fire Pill wasn't an elixir that could control others.

Its poison was set to activate at specific times.

Unless the Flame Holy Sect intended to trap these warriors forever.

Otherwise, among these martial artists, some loyal to the Commandery Prince.

When the poison didn't act up, they might go to the Prince Mansion to inform.

Or, during combat, they could turn coat at a critical moment.

If so, the Flame Holy Sect's plan would be utterly meaningless.

Should the Flame Holy Sect fall, these martial artists could likewise obtain the Detoxification Elixir.

Xiao Yi wondered.

But soon, his doubts were resolved.

Because in front of Elder Huo, a masked elder appeared out of thin air.

Upon this man's appearance, others felt nothing.

Xiao Yi's face changed dramatically.

Because this person was the masked elder who had rescued Huo Di in Meteor County.

His true Cultivation was unfathomable.

Just Xiao Yi's initial estimation placed him at least at the Mid-stage Heavenly Origin or higher.

As expected, as soon as the masked elder appeared.

The haughty Elder Huo, and the two elders beside him, immediately bowed and greeted him.

The masked elder nodded slightly and said indifferently, "By the Saint Child's command."

"Deliver the Devouring Essence Pill."

The masked elder produced a Qiankun Bag.

"Yes," Elder Huo respectfully received the Qiankun Bag.

Then he took out a large number of elixirs and, with a grand gesture, precisely delivered them to each of the martial artists' hands.

"Devouring Essence Pill?" The faces of the martial artists changed drastically again.

Even Xiao Yi turned pale.

The Devouring Essence Pill, a seventh-grade elixir, also acted as a poison.

The elixir bore the maker's essence.

Once consumed, the maker could use that essence to forcefully erode the consumer's Inner Strength.

Originally, these pills were meant to significantly weaken the enemy during battle.

But now, in combination with the previously administered Scorching Fire Pill...

The Devouring Essence Pill, during the erosion of Inner Strength, could also trigger the hidden Scorching Fire Pill Poison.

This would make the outburst of the Scorching Fire Pill's toxicity controllable.

In other words, this group of elite martial artists would fall completely under the control of the Flame Holy Sect.

Should they dare to disobey.

Elder Huo and the others merely needed to enforce the Prohibition to make their lives worse than death.

"Crack, crack, crack." Xiao Yi's fists clenched with a snapping sound.

"The Devouring Essence Pill must not be taken."

"Otherwise, our lives will no longer be in our own hands."

Zhang Huo and the others nodded gravely.

"Being controlled for a lifetime is no different from being dead."

The five Half-step Heavenly Origin predecessors also nodded.

The rest of the martial artists clearly chose not to compromise.

"We dare to defend against the Beast Tide without fear for our lives."

"Are we afraid of you, Flame Holy Sect?"

"We will fight our way out."

Roars of anger erupted one after another.

"Stubborn fools." Elder Huo uttered coldly, then waved his hand broadly.

The people from the Flame Holy Sect immediately made their move.

The battle between the two sides erupted instantly.

...

First update.