Soul Emperor Martial God

Leaving the Main Hall, Xiao Yi headed outside the Royal Capital.

Finding a secluded spot in the outskirts, he finally took off his mask and changed his clothes.

Then, in his true identity as Xiao Yi, he returned to the Royal Capital.

Xiao Yi did not plan to head to Medicine King Valley immediately; instead, he intended to visit the Sect first.

He would claim his reward for the Deputy Commander assessment, and then it wouldn't be too late to find Elder Mu in Medicine King Valley.

After all, Elder Mu had been looking for him for so long, a day or half a day longer wouldn't matter.

Afterwards, once the affairs in Medicine King Valley were settled, he would leave to continue his cultivation.

Several hours later, Xiao Yi returned to the Sect.

At the gate, the two guarding Deacons were visibly startled upon seeing Xiao Yi.

"Northern Mountain Sword Master Xiao Yi? How have you returned?" the two guarding Deacons asked in confusion.

"Do you know about the mission the Sect assigned you?"

"And are you aware that this Sect's words are laws unto themselves?"

"If you are not yet the Vice Commander of Flame Martial Guards, we cannot let you enter."

Xiao Yi's expression was icy as he produced the Flame Martial Token.

The two guarding Deacons glanced at it and their faces transformed instantly.

"The Command Token for the Vice Commander of Flame Martial Guards?"

"How is that possible? You've only left the Sect for a few months."

"How could you possibly rise from being a mere team Captain to a Deputy Commander, second only to the five True Commanders?"

"And given that Elder Wan Jianyi was suppressing you..."

One of the gatekeeping Deacons suddenly realized that his words were inappropriate and promptly shut his mouth.

"Heh," Xiao Yi sneered coldly, unconcerned by their reaction.

He entered the Sect on his own, and the two Deacons no longer attempted to stop him.

At this moment, the complexions of the two Deacons changed slightly as they clenched their teeth and took out the registration book.

They planned to erase the recorded departure time for Xiao Yi from the book and then report to the Second Elder that Xiao Yi had returned.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Yi suddenly stopped walking and glanced at them.

"Coolly, he said, "No need to erase the time."

"I'm only back for a short visit and will leave shortly."

Before long, Xiao Yi found the Great Elder.

The Great Elder was also surprised by Xiao Yi's return.

But upon seeing Xiao Yi's Flame Martial Guard Token, he was first shocked and then overjoyed.

"Lad, impressive, truly remarkable," the Great Elder praised heartily.

"The missions of the Flame Martial Guards are notoriously dangerous and difficult."

"To complete a single mission often takes a considerable amount of time."

"To amass the achievements necessary for Deputy Commander requires countless such missions."

"You've only been away from the Sect for a few months, yet you've already accumulated enough achievements."

"Lad, what exactly have you been doing these past months?"

In fact, the Sect received regular reports on disciples who went to train with the Flame Martial Guards.

This was to keep the Sect Elders informed about the disciples' status at all times.

The one in charge of this within the Flame Martial Guards was none other than Wan Jianyi.

Wan Jianyi had already sent back to the Sect the news of Xiao Yi becoming the Deputy Commander, as well as the details of his exploits over the months.

However, this information reached only the hands of the Sect Master.

The Sect Master had kept all these messages to himself.

Thus, the Great Elder was not aware of Xiao Yi's training progress.

At this time, Xiao Yi briefly recounted the events of the past months.

Upon hearing this, the Great Elder's expression subtly changed, as if he was contemplating something.

After a moment, the Great Elder scolded angrily, "You really have some nerve."

"You even dared to investigate the Mountain God Sect and offended a powerful figure like the Wanshan Prince."

"And the Flame Holy Sect, that's the Martial Arts Holy Land of the ten counties to the south."

"A place where strong practitioners are as common as the clouds, and you dared to infiltrate it on your own?"

Xiao Yi simply smiled and said, "See, I'm fine now, aren't I?"

Xiao Yi originally wanted to mention his encounter with the Fourth Elder in the Flame Holy Sect.

But considering that he met the Fourth Elder as Yi Xiao, which was somewhat complicated to explain,

And besides, the whole situation remained rather tangled.

It would be better to wait and clarify the underlying reasons before discussing it further.

"Fine?" At that, the Great Elder taught, "Three True Commanders of the Flame Martial Guards were dispatched, of course, you're fine."

"Otherwise, how could you have possibly escaped?"

Xiao Yi curled his lip and chose not to explain.

Seeing this, the Great Elder dropped his scolding demeanor, smiled faintly, and said, "What? Too proud to be criticized by an old man?"

With that, the Great Elder gestured and said, "Never mind, follow me to the treasury to claim your reward."

Xiao Yi nodded.

The two of them headed to the treasury.

In front of the treasury, the same two guardians stood watch.

When the Sect conducted its assessment, Xiao Yi had interacted with these two.

The Great Elder presented the Token and explained the purpose of his visit.

Unexpectedly, the two guardians shook their heads and said, "Great Elder, as well as the Northern Mountain Sword Master, please leave."

"The reward has been canceled."

"What do you mean?" the Great Elder furrowed his brows.

Xiao Yi also slightly furrowed his brows.

The two guardians glanced at Xiao Yi and with a look of pity whispered, "This is the intent of the Sect Master."

"Nonsense," the Great Elder erupted in anger, "Does the Sect Master wish to suppress the Northern Mountain Sword Master again?"

"Can the Sect Master be so arbitrary and unreasonable? I will go to him and demand an explanation."

"It's better for the Great Elder not to go," the two guardians advised.

"The Sect Master is currently in the Council Hall with the other elders discussing matters."

"Moreover, this time the Sect Master's cancellation of the Northern Mountain Sword Master's reward is justified."

"Should the Great Elder go, I'm afraid it would only be in vain."

Saying so, the guardians shook their heads.

"What does 'justified' mean?" the Great Elder bellowed angrily, "How can such suppression of a junior disciple be considered 'justified'?"

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, come with me."

"I'll get you justice."

Having said that, the Great Elder pulled Xiao Yi toward the Council Hall.

As Xiao Yi walked, he frowned.

Considering his previous understanding of the Sect Master and people like the Second Elder,

These individuals, with their superior cultivation, were incredibly domineering.

They were not ones to use the words 'justified.'

Something was amiss.

Shortly after, the two arrived at the Council Hall.

Outside the Council Hall, deacons stood on guard.

"Great Elder, please halt," the two deacons blocked the way, "The Sect Master and the other elders are in discussion and cannot be disturbed."

Even in the presence of discussions with the other elders, the Great Elder retorted angrily, "Why would my entering be considered a disturbance?"

"Make way."

The Great Elder's power and authority in the entire Sect were second only to that of the Sect Master.

However, he had chosen to save Xiao Yi.

This undoubtedly put him at odds with the entire Sect.

Of course, not all disciples and deacons in the Sect were opposed to Xiao Yi.

But the Sect Master, along with the nine elders apart from the Great Elder, and a host of other idle elders could represent the entire Sect.

That group renowned among the upper echelons of the Flame Martial Kingdom, the powerful beings of the Heavenly Origin Realm,

Were, without a doubt, determined to suppress Xiao Yi.

"The Great Elder, please do not make it difficult for us," the two deacons expressed with troubled looks on their faces.

Just at that moment, an authoritative voice rang out from inside the Council Hall, "Let them in."

The one who spoke was the Sect Master.

Only then did the two deacons step aside.

The Great Elder indignantly led Xiao Yi into the Council Hall.

Upon entering, they realized the Council Hall was filled with formidable individuals.

Aside from the Sect Master and the nine elders apart from the Great Elder, as well as several tens of idle elders,

There were also numerous deacons in charge of Sect affairs.

"Great Elder, Northern Mountain Sword Master," the Sect Master said with a mocking smile, "What brings you here?"

"Sect Master," the Great Elder spoke in anger, "I've come to ask you."

"Northern Mountain Sword Master, you've already suppressed him and put him to the test."

"Why have you canceled those rewards?"

"That is the reward Xiao Yi rightly deserves."

People such as the Second Elder frowned and said, "Great Elder, this is the Council Hall, keep your shouting in check."

The Sect Master waved his hand dismissively and said, "No matter, Great Elder, I was just about to inform you of this matter."

"Now that you're here, I will tell you now."

"Three days ago, Elder Bai succeeded in comprehending 33 of the Martial Arts Steles from past Sect Masters."

"His cultivation soared, and he broke through Martial Arts bottlenecks."

"Now is a critical moment."

"Therefore, the Sect Master and all the elders have decided. For one year, the Sect will fully support Elder Bai."

"All Cultivation Resources within the Sect will provisionally be used to assist Elder Bai in comprehending the Martial Arts Inheritance Stele."

"As for the Northern Mountain Sword Master Xiao Yi," the Sect Master said with a cold sneer,

"Since his talent cannot compare to Elder Bai's, it is not appropriate to waste the Sect's Cultivation Resources on him."

....

Third update, (from yesterday's third update.)

The update for today will follow shortly.