Soul Emperor Martial God

Having acquired the Ice Armor, Xiao Yi made a bow and bid farewell to the Great Elder.

After leaving the Royal Capital, he found a secluded place on the outskirts to hide.

Not until then did he change his clothes and put on the Ghost Mask before returning to the Royal Capital.

Along the way, Xiao Yi pondered the matter of the Ice Armor.

It was a treasure of the Sect, and it surely wouldn't have been handed out lightly.

Xiao Yi had also asked the Great Elder about it.

And the Great Elder's answer was that it had always been a part of the Strongest Sword Master's inheritance.

And that it had always been in his possession, until now being passed on to Xiao Yi.

Honestly, Xiao Yi did not quite believe that answer.

He abruptly remembered the words spoken by the masked powerhouse he had encountered at Meteor County, who was also the Fourth Elder of the Sect.

"If it weren't for someone above looking out for you, do you think you'd still be alive to act recklessly in front of me?"

In Xiao Yi's mind, he always felt there should be something else he could connect to.

But he could never make the connection.

After a long moment, Xiao Yi shook his head and decided not to think about it any further.

...

A few hours later, Xiao Yi hastened to Medicine King Valley.

Outside Medicine King Valley, the guards hurried to notify their superiors.

Soon enough, a figure leaped out, and it was none other than Elder Mu.

Elder Mu had not even fully landed before a look of complaint covered his face.

"You cheeky boy, so you finally show up."

"I've been going to the Demon Hunting Hall every day looking for you, inquiring after your whereabouts every day."

"For half a month, there's been not a peep from you," Elder Mu complained in one breath.

Xiao Yi touched his nose awkwardly and said, "There were... other missions in the Demon Hunting Hall."

"I know that," Elder Mu waved his hand and said.

"You went off to Flame County, didn't you?"

"The news of what happened there reached the Royal Capital days ago."

"Truly living up to that rumor."

"Wherever there's a dangerous Beast Tide, there's Purple Flame Yi Xiao."

Xiao Yi smiled faintly and said, "That's an overstatement."

"That's no overstatement," Elder Mu said with an odd tone.

"General Executor Yi Xiao... no, it should be Branch Hall Master Yi Xiao now."

"The name Yi Xiao is now known throughout the Flame Martial Kingdom, isn't it?"

"Even the Blood Mist Valley Master, a peak powerhouse who chased after you, you managed to escape from."

"And even got the legendary Main Hall Master to personally come to your rescue."

"Now, even I, Old Mu, can't request your presence."

Xiao Yi chuckled awkwardly, "Elder Mu, you exaggerate. I truly had some urgent matters a few days ago."

"Humph," Elder Mu snorted coldly.

Xiao Yi changed the subject and asked, "Elder Mu has been looking for me so urgently, what's the matter?"

Elder Mu suddenly fell silent and pondered for a moment.

After a while, he finally replied, "It's nothing now, I've found someone else to handle it."

"Oh?" Xiao Yi frowned, "What was it..."

Elder Mu shook his head and said, "Since you were not involved in this, I cannot disclose it to you."

"Is it that mysterious?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.

"It's not about being mysterious," Elder Mu responded, "It's just that, at this time, it concerns Medicine King Valley."

"It was supposed to be a good thing, and there were plenty of benefits to be had."

"I thought of you first and went looking for you every day."

"Now that you've just arrived, the matter has already been resolved, and someone else has taken the benefits."

"Well," Xiao Yi chuckled a few times.

"Come, follow me into the valley," Elder Mu said.

"Although you're late, your timing is quite good."

"The Royal Capital's alchemy competition starts tomorrow."

"Tomorrow?" Xiao Yi showed a look of surprise, "So soon, so urgent?"

"Not soon," Elder Mu replied, "As we know, the alchemy talents eligible for this competition are all in the Royal Capital now."

"If we send out the message tonight, the contestants can rush here to compete tomorrow."

"Of course, if some contestants are unavoidably detained, we'll defer the competition for a few days."

"But, barring accidents, the competition will be held tomorrow."

"Stay as a guest in Medicine King Valley tonight, it just so happens that the Demon Beast Core I promised you before is ready."

"Hmm," Xiao Yi nodded.

Following Elder Mu, he entered Medicine King Valley.

Xiao Yi looked around the place.

Months ago, it was his first visit here for the alchemy competition.

Now looking back, it was indeed a good experience and memory.

Of course, the towering Medicine Tower always gave Xiao Yi a slight shock.

...

Elder Mu, as one of the four elders of the valley, held immense power.

He had arranged a very comfortable courtyard for Xiao Yi to rest in for the night.

Afterward, Elder Mu retrieved the 60,000 demon beast cores he owed and chatted idly with Xiao Yi before departing.

After all, the alchemy competition was tomorrow, and he had many matters to prepare for.

Xiao Yi smiled faintly, it was clear that Elder Mu took good care of him.

This courtyard was exactly where the two of them had sat on the ground the last time, with Elder Mu teaching him about alchemy by that small lake.

Xiao Yi smiled again and sat down cross-legged on the spot, beginning his day's normal cultivation practice.

The 60,000 demon beast cores were only from sixth-level demon beasts.

Back when he was at the Mystic Breakthrough Realm, he needed cores of this level.

Because sixth-level cores are one level higher than his own cultivation, their effect was tremendous.

Now that he had reached the Earth Origin Realm, the sixth-level cores were at the same level as his own cultivation.

Therefore, their effect was not as great.

The Pure Earth Origin Pills he refined couldn't possibly compare to the effects of Heavenly Origin Pills.

Xiao Yi did a rough calculation.

Even if he refined all these demon beast cores into elixir pills tonight.

And consumed all the elixir pills, he estimated that he might only improve by two or three layers of cultivation.

After some thought, Xiao Yi decided to refrain from refining for now.

After all, this was Medicine King Valley, where many strong characters resided, far surpassing his own realm.

If someone with intentions deliberately spied on him, it could cause quite a bit of trouble.

Thus, Xiao Yi simply engaged in pure sitting meditation.

...

A night passed without incident.

Early the next morning, Xiao Yi woke up from his meditation.

He looked outside at the scenery, touched by the gentle breeze, which was quite pleasant.

At the same time, lively noises came from outside.

The Medicine King Valley had announced the time for the alchemy competition last night.

Today, all the top talents were probably here.

Just then, Elder Mu came walking leisurely with a smile on his face.

"Tsk tsk, Yi Xiao Branch Hall Master," teased Elder Mu, "did you sleep comfortably last night?"

Xiao Yi smiled awkwardly and said, "Elder Mu, please don't make fun of me."

"Humph," Elder Mu laughed, "I am really looking forward to today's competition."

"I expect to see how you'll embarrass yourself."

"Oh?" Xiao Yi smiled slightly.

Elder Mu said proudly, "The characters coming to participate this time are all very famous."

"At least in terms of alchemy, many of them have a reputation not inferior to yours."

"They are the true top talents from the various powers of the Royal Capital."

"As I recall, the last time at the Medicine Tower, you were quite boastful."

"Today, I want to see if you truly have that skill."

Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Elder Mu, just wait and see."

"Let's go, kid. Be cautious, and don't be careless," Elder Mu chuckled.

"After all, you were once under my guidance."

"Don't discredit me."

Xiao Yi pursed his lips and remained silent.

The two headed for the competition venue.

The location was still in front of the Medicine Tower.

By this time, the place was already bustling with activity.

Apart from those already famous big shots,

The most dazzling were the youthful and proud faces of the young alchemy geniuses.

Xiao Yi recognized at first glance that the top 5 contestants from the last alchemy competition were all present.

Jie Mo, Black Wind Sword Master, Black Moon Sword Master, and Ye Ming.

These individuals had all been accepted into the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

Each one was accompanied by the elders of their respective sects.

Of course, Ye Ming was alone.

The others were the geniuses from the various forces within the Royal Capital.

Xiao Yi had heard of nearly all of them.

In total, there were a dozen or so. Among them, two were the most famous.

The first was the son of the Blood Mist Valley Master, and the most outstanding alchemy genius of Blood Mist Valley, Blood Flame.

This year, he was only in his twenties, but he was already a seventh-grade Alchemist.

The second...

When Xiao Yi saw her, even he was slightly shocked.

It was none other than the daughter of the King, the current little princess, Yue Fenwu.

This year, at just 16, she was already a seventh-grade Alchemist. The name of a prodigal alchemist had long spread throughout the Flame Martial Kingdom...

If the alchemy competition for the entire Flame Martial Kingdom was an event,

The alchemy competition in the Royal Capital, gathering all the strongest talents of the Kingdom, undoubtedly filled everyone with the most anticipation.

...

The third part.