Soul Emperor Martial God

"Rewards? A task?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows.

According to the hall's regulations, becoming a Sub Hall Master, indeed came with a reward.

The reward, barely qualified as generous.

A top-grade Spiritual Artifact, a multitude of Elixirs ranging from sixth to seventh grade.

A Martial Technique of high-level Earth Rank or peak skill, depending on the Sub Hall Master's strength at the time of his promotion.

These rewards, for the average Sub Hall Master, were considered extremely generous.

For Xiao Yi though, they were barely passable.

However, as far as he knew, these rewards did not require completing any tasks.

They were entirely a gift from the Demon Hunting Hall to a Sub Hall Master with accumulated merits, upon initially taking office.

The Hall Master, noticing Xiao Yi's countenance, asked, "What's the matter?"

Xiao Yi mused for a moment and then candidly expressed his doubts.

A person of the Hall Master's status should not be so petty as to bicker with a junior like him.

To his surprise, the Hall Master burst into laughter upon hearing this.

"You lad, are indeed as the Sub Hall Master from Northern Mountain County described."

"Not only interesting, but also someone who refuses to suffer losses easily."

The Hall Master said with a smile, "Your reward is not a gift from the Demon Hunting Hall, but from me."

"As long as you complete the task I set."

"Within the Royal Capital Main Hall Treasure Vault, any Demon Beast Essence Blood Core you can take in the tens of thousands."

"Even Primordial Artifacts, Heavenly Rank Skills, various precious Subspirit Artifacts, Treasures, etc."

"You are not restricted, can choose any three items."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi was taken aback.

Then, with a hiss, he gasped in astonishment.

The Hall Master said with a smile, "With such rewards, do you think you still don't need to complete a task?"

"Of course, it's needed," Xiao Yi replied, then furrowed his brows again.

"It's just, Hall Master you..."

Xiao Yi hesitated.

The Hall Master asked with a smile, "Why do I show special favor to you?"

"Um," Xiao Yi nodded and earnestly said, "I have met you for the first time, and we are neither kin nor friends."

"Yet you traveled all the way to Anyun County and personally saved me."

"Now, you also bestow upon me such a tremendous reward."

"I can't understand it and I dare not accept it."

The Hall Master chuckled, "You are very cautious, and that's good."

"But you might be too cautious."

"Um?" Xiao Yi's brows tightened.

The weathered fingers of the Hall Master tapped on the desk, and his profound gaze locked onto Xiao Yi.

"Someone of your supreme talent, what power wouldn't covet you, what old fellow wouldn't want to take you as a disciple?"

"Of course, I also entertained the idea."

"However, the Demon Hunting Hall is too busy with affairs. If I took you in, there would be no time for guidance."

"It's better not to take on the title of master."

"But that doesn't hinder the Demon Hunting Hall from valuing you."

"With the talent you've displayed so far, you could easily crush the Six Heavenly Pride of the Royal Capital."

"Being under 20 and already achieving so much."

"Looking across the entire Flame Martial Kingdom, no one can surpass you."

"The only one who might be comparable, is perhaps only the former number one of the Six Heavenly Pride, Bai Mohan."

"You should have heard of Bai Mohan's name."

"How much the Sky-splitting Sword Sect values him, you should also be aware."

The Hall Master explained, then smiled and said, "Now, do you still feel the need to be cautious?"

"That reward, will you take it? If not, it will save me some trouble."

No sooner had the Hall Master's words fallen than Xiao Yi immediately bowed and said, "I thank the Hall Master for the gift; I will complete the task as soon as possible."

"You lad," the Hall Master said with an understanding smile.

A genius, especially a supreme talent, will be valued wherever they go.

Nurtured.

That was an easily foreseeable matter.

But through the years, Xiao Yi's rise had been fraught with peril.

He had grown accustomed to navigating the dangers of this world.

He had to be careful at every step, afraid to let his guard down even for a moment.

He was more accustomed to standing on his own, relying on his own hands to obtain Cultivation Resources, opportunities, and growth.

Yet, he had forgotten that he was still a young man.

He also bore the title of a talented Demon Hunter.

Back to the matter at hand.

At that moment, the Hall Master said, "Lad, don't be too happy yet."

"You will have to complete three tasks, and these tasks are not simple."

"Please speak, Hall Master," Xiao Yi bowed and said.

To say nothing of those Heavenly Rank Techniques or Primordial Artifacts.

Just tens of thousands of Demon Beast Cores and Essence Blood alone was enough to propel his growth to an incredibly frightening level.

The Demon Hunting Hall has inherited countless years.

Inside the treasure vault, there definitely are sufficient Seventh-level Demon Beast Essence Blood and Cores, and even those of Level 8.

"The first mission," the Hall Master said.

"Make a trip to Medicine King Valley, and find Elder Mu to receive the mission."

"Elder Mu?" Xiao Yi's face showed a puzzled expression.

"Yep," the Hall Master shrugged. "Although I also don't know what it's about."

"However, he has been looking for you for a long time."

"He even issued a task in the Demon Hunting Hall to find your whereabouts, repeatedly increasing the bounty."

"It seems he's quite urgent to find you."

"Find me?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and asked, "Could it be about the alchemy competition throughout the Flame Martial Kingdom?"

"No," the Hall Master shook his head. "There's still some time before the next alchemy competition."

"At least, the Medicine King Valley hasn't set the date yet."

"Elder Mu must be seeking you out for another important matter."

Hearing this, Xiao Yi gave a wry smile, "The three missions are the trials you've given me, Hall Master."

"For this first mission, even the Hall Master isn't clear on the specific details, yet you're asking me to complete it."

"If I haven't guessed wrong, Hall Master, the tasks you've given me are an impromptu decision."

The Hall Master gave an embarrassed smile and replied, "That's correct."

"Indeed, Elder Mu is quite a figure among the upper echelons of power in the Royal Capital."

"Even he has been repeatedly and urgently seeking you out – this proves that the matter he needs your help with is definitely not simple, and very difficult."

"Thus, it became your first mission."

"As for the second mission, you need to breakthrough to the Heavenly Origin Realm."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi's face suddenly tensed.

The Hall Master waved his hand and said, "Kid, there's no need to hide it; you can't deceive me."

"Although you have defeated Martial Artists of the First and Second Layer of the Heavenly Origin Realm."

"Your Cultivation is definitely not at the Heavenly Origin Realm."

"That's just a display of the combat ability expected of a supreme talent like you to fight across levels."

Xiao Yi's heart surged with joy.

He knew that since the Hall Master had spoken these words, it meant that the Hall Master was also unable to discern his true level of Cultivation.

Even less able to sense his real aura.

This credit goes to the Ghost Mask.

Back in Northern Mountain County when he was at the Mysterious Profundity realm,

Bai Family Master, who was at the Mystic Breakthrough realm, couldn't see through his Cultivation level and aura.

At that time, Xiao Yi began to suspect that the Ghost Mask was anything but simple.

It wasn't until a few days ago when he made a breakthrough to the Earth Origin Realm at Flame Sacred Mountain that Xiao Yi truly understood.

The Ghost Mask is not a Subspirit Artifact, nor is it a Spiritual Artifact, but a Primordial Artifact.

It requires the infusion of Primordial Power to unleash its true effects.

Once triggered by Primordial Power, the true effects of the Ghost Mask ensure that once it's worn,

No one in the world can sense one's aura, no matter how much higher their level of Cultivation.

Unless, of course, he were to take off the mask.

However, Xiao Yi still had no idea what level of Primordial Artifact the Ghost Mask truly was.

Whether it was the Furious Flame Ring or the Frost Sword, these Primordial Artifacts all possess offensive or defensive characteristics, containing extremely clear and immense power.

While the Ghost Mask is purely functional, with no offensive or defensive capabilities, and only serves to conceal one's aura.

Hence, the power contained within is not strong and very vague.

Xiao Yi was also unable to determine its grade.

Of course, Xiao Yi didn't dwell on this, knowing that its effect of concealing one's aura was astonishingly good was enough for him.

Even now, Xiao Yi felt somewhat fortunate.

He was lucky that when he first arrived in the Royal Capital, he didn't go to the Main Hall.

Otherwise, his identity as Yi Xiao, even with the mask, might have fooled many of the older generation experts, even the Blood Mist Valley Master.

But he would definitely not have escaped detection by a Legendary Expert like the Hall Master.

That is to say, his true aura would have been truly exposed in front of the Hall Master.

No matter what, Yi Xiao's identity has brought him considerable convenience.

Unless absolutely necessary, Xiao Yi had no intention of revealing it.

Of course, to ensure caution, Xiao Yi still asked one more question.

"Hall Master, are you so sure that I have not reached the Heavenly Origin Realm just based on your guess?"

The Hall Master let out a scoff and replied, "You are one of the supreme talents, inherently possessing the ability to fight beyond your level."

"If you were already at the Heavenly Origin Realm, could those Martial Artists in Flame County—who, at most, are at the Mid-Stage Heavenly Origin—have managed to force you into Flame Sacred Mountain with only a few moves?"

"It's not a matter of whether you could defeat those at the Mid-Stage Heavenly Origin."

"If you truly had the Cultivation of the Heavenly Origin Realm, you would most certainly have had the capability to escape, rather than be subdued."

It was clear that the Hall Master had done his research on Xiao Yi.

"Uh," Xiao Yi touched his nose awkwardly and asked, "And the third task?"

The Hall Master smiled and said, "The third task, once you complete the second one, that is when you become part of the Heavenly Origin Realm, come find me."

"Understood," Xiao Yi nodded.

"Alright, you can now go and complete the first task," the Hall Master stated, indicating that Xiao Yi could leave.

Xiao Yi nodded, performed a salute, and then turned to leave.

...

The second update.