Soul Emperor Martial God

On the ten-mile plain outside the East Sea Fortress,

when Xiao Yi and his party arrived, the team from the Snow Winged Eagle Clan had already been waiting there.

In addition, there was also a referee from the Demon Hunting Hall, still the same one from the first round.

"The genius of Sword Sect, this time it will be this old man who judges for you again," the Demon Hunting Hall referee said with a smile.

"Thank you, elder," Xiao Yi nodded in response.

"Oh right," the Demon Hunting Hall referee continued, "The Royal Family's team has already set off."

"Outside the Flame Martial Fortress, only your Sword Sect team and the Snow Winged Eagle Clan's team remain."

Xiao Yi nodded.

He had known early on that the team led by Bai Mohan would not be traveling with them.

"Hm?" At that moment, Xiao Yi glanced at the team from the Snow Winged Eagle Clan and frowned.

"Where are Qin Feiyang and the others?"

At this time, in the Snow Winged Eagle Clan's team, there were only four clan members and Xu Xing.

The four clan members were led by Ye Hong.

The first time he met Ye Hong on the Snowy Sacred Mountain, he was merely at the Earth Origin Sixth Layer Cultivation.

Now, he had reached the Earth Origin Ninth Layer Cultivation.

The remaining three clan members were at the Earth Origin Eighth Layer Cultivation, slightly weaker than him.

At this moment, Ye Hong awkwardly said, "The Young Clan Chief said that with your character, in leading the team, you would definitely dawdle along, taking your time while allowing everyone to gain experience on the journey."

"So, they went ahead first."

"The Young Clan Chief said you would take good care of us."

"Uh." Xiao Yi was startled and then gave a wry smile.

He really hadn't expected that Qin Feiyang and the others would run off on their own but 'entrust' the four clan members to him.

"These guys," Xiao Yi cursed with a laugh.

Of course, Xiao Yi wasn't too worried.

Qin Feiyang, Lin Jin, and Liu Yanran's Martial Souls had growth potential even higher than Lingg Yu and the others.

After nearly half a year of strenuous cultivation, their strength had increased significantly.

Furthermore, setting aside strength, when it came to the ability to escape and preserve their lives, Qin Feiyang was definitely the strongest here aside from Xiao Yi.

The flight speed of the Purple Winged Eagle was unmatched by any martial artist at the same level.

At that moment, Xu Xing also gave a wry smile, "Miss Yanran forcibly took Miss Meng Luo with her."

"It's fine," Xiao Yi shook his head and said, "Qin Feiyang will take good care of them."

"Let's also get ready to set off."

"Hold on, before we depart, this old man will explain the rules for the second round to you," the Demon Hunting Hall referee suddenly said.

"The requirement for the second round is for each team to reach between three thousand and eight thousand miles away and slay demon beasts."

"The genius of the Sword Sect, you have previously slain a demon beast at the level of the Deep Sea Demon Wolf King."

"You should be aware of the danger in that range."

Xiao Yi nodded.

Beyond three thousand miles lay the territory of the Extreme Realm Demon Beasts.

And reaching eight thousand miles meant encountering demon beasts with the strength of the Extreme Realm Fifth Layer, which was quite dangerous.

The stronger the demon beast, the stronger its territorial instinct and the larger its territory.

Previously, within a three-thousand-mile radius, stronger demon beasts appeared every few hundred miles.

One-eyed Demon Fish, Human-faced Sea Demons, Black Sea Poison Scorpions, Demon Shadow Monsters... the demon beasts grew stronger and stronger.

And beyond three thousand miles, in the domain of the Extreme Realm Demon Beasts, stronger ones appeared every thousand miles.

Within four thousand miles, one would encounter demon beasts at the Extreme Realm Second Layer strength.

At five thousand miles, Extreme Realm Third Layer demon beasts.

Of course, demon beasts don't have such an exact measurement—it's merely a general distribution.

Countless demon beasts densely populated the Endless Black Sea.

And Xiao Yi, having already ventured out beyond seven thousand miles in the sea during the previous round, was naturally quite familiar with these conditions.

At that time, the Demon Hunting Hall referee said with a bitter smile, "The same advice as before, how far you decide to venture must be within your abilities."

"After all, this old man cannot guarantee your safety in that range of the sea."

"Elder, rest assured," Xiao Yi nodded.

"Good," the Demon Hunting Hall referee continued, "And the danger in the second round of the competition, apart from the endless and powerful demon beasts..."

"There is also the strife between the various teams."

"This round allows for teams to fight over achievements, even to the death."

"However," according to the rules, "if you find yourselves outmatched, you can immediately announce your resignation loudly."

"Our Demon Hunting Hall referees will follow and supervise from the air."

"As soon as the team leader announces resignation, no team may launch any further attacks."

"Violators will be considered to have committed the most severe infraction and will instantly lose their qualification to participate in the East Sea Festival."

"So, you need not worry too much."

Having said that, the Demon Hunter referee paused briefly before asking, "Do you have any questions for me?"

"If not, you may set out now."

"None." Xiao Yi shook his head and then led everyone on their journey.

Compared to the previous Sword Sect team, this time the group included four members of the Snow Winged Eagle Clan, as well as Xu Xing.

Once again, the group walked on the surface of the water.

This time, Xiao Yi did not make any special stops.

Instead, he led the group straight ahead for about 3000 li before stopping.

Roar... Almost the very moment the group stopped, a giant beast charged towards them.

Its massive body bellowed red warnings and intimidated all onlookers.

The attacking behemoth was a Black Sea Ghost Python.

Indeed, this area was prone to Extreme Realm First Layer strength demon beasts.

With a whoosh.

A Sword Qi flashed past, cleaving the approaching Black Sea Ghost Python into two.

It was Xiao Yi's action; he had no intention of wasting time here.

Continuing their journey, the group's pace was noticeably slower.

Xiao Yi specifically slowed down to allow everyone to acclimate to the environment.

After all, the further they traveled, the greater the crisis they would face.

Especially when entering a new sea territory, immediately they would face powerful demon beast attacks.

This made it impossible for Xiao Yi to lead the group directly to more distant waters.

Otherwise, the sudden increase in the demon beasts' strength and the level of danger would be overwhelming for the group.

Of course, as they moved slowly, the group also had the opportunity to kill demon beasts for experience and training.

Like at this moment, as a large number of Human-faced Sea Demons and Demon Shadow Monsters appeared ahead.

The number was definitely in the thousands.

Although this was already the 4000 li territory.

But, this did not mean there were no weaker demon beasts here.

It meant that extremely powerful Extreme Realm Second Layer demon beasts could appear in this territory.

And those weaker demon beasts, in large numbers, equated to the vassal beasts of the most powerful demon here.

Time slowly passed.

After four hours, Xiao Yi led everyone to the vicinity of 4900 li.

At that moment, Xiao Yi suddenly stopped.

His face turned grave as he turned to look at the group.

"Very soon, we'll reach the 5000 li territory, where we will encounter Extreme Realm Third Layer strength demon beasts."

"That territory belongs to the Single-Horned Demon Python."

The Single-Horned Demon Python, Extreme Realm Third Layer demon beast.

Its body was a kilometer long, with a horn on its head that wielded the power of thunder and lightning.

During the last round of competition, Xiao Yi passed through this sea region, and he encountered no fewer than dozens of Single-Horned Demon Pythons by himself.

The Single-Horned Demon Python usually attacked with surging black waters and rampant thunderstorms.

A single attack would render several li around it into a desolate death zone.

Xiao Yi, cautious to the utmost, led the group with extreme care.

...

The third update.