Soul Emperor Martial God

"Is there anyone who wishes to challenge?" the judge from the Demon Hunting Hall loudly asked on the Martial Arts Arena.

"Yes." Wan Zuolang, who had been defeated by Xiao Yi earlier, shouted and leapt onto the Martial Arts Arena.

"Whom do you wish to challenge?" the judge from the Demon Hunting Hall asked.

Wan Zuolang's gaze swept over the faces of the eight victors currently standing.

Xiao Yi simply ignored him and pretended to sleep.

He knew Wan Zuolang would not choose him.

"Great Wilderness Kingdom, Tuoba Ao," Wan Zuolang shouted loudly.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi opened his eyes in surprise.

Surprised murmurs echoed around him as well.

Logically speaking, Wan Zuolang should have chosen the weakest among these eight victors to challenge.

Because there was only one chance to challenge.

If he won, he would directly enter the top eight.

Yet, Tuoba Ao was not the weakest among the eight; on the contrary, he was very strong.

While everyone was still in shock, Tuoba Ao did not even take the stage but instead shouted from the spectator seats, "I concede."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi was puzzled.

Wan Zuolang directly advanced to the top eight.

And Tuoba Ao lost his qualification to advance.

Subsequently, other Heavenly Talents issued challenges, but all resulted in defeat.

That meant, among the original top eight, except for Tuoba Ao, there were no other changes.

Here, the battle for the top eight had effectively concluded.

The final top eight was confirmed.

From the Great Wilderness Kingdom, Dugu Kuang of the Wild Martial Sect; from Qianmiao Kingdom, Lin Qing'er of the Thousand Eyes Sect.

From Skywind Kingdom, Eldest Prince Feng Jueqing; from Red Rock Kingdom, Eldest Prince Huangfu Ya.

From Black Wood Kingdom, Wan Zuolang of Ten Thousand Poisons Sect; from Ice Martial Kingdom, Eldest Prince Bing Wujiang.

From Flame Martial Kingdom, Xiao Yi of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect; from Flame Martial Kingdom, the Royal Family's Bai Mohan.

At this moment, the competition temporarily drew to a close.

The judge from the Demon Hunting Hall also left the Martial Arts Arena.

In the spectator seats, many Martial Arts experts and younger generations of Heavenly Talents waited and rested.

Xiao Yi glanced at the Flame Martial Kingdom's spectator area, where Bai Mohan was speaking with the King and others.

Speaking of which, Bai Mohan's talent was truly remarkable.

In terms of heritage and inheritance, the Sky-splitting Sword Sect was no less than other countries' Martial Arts Holy Lands, even stronger.

However, the Sky-splitting Sword Sect had seen a decline due to a break in the presence of strong figures over the past hundred or so years.

In terms of Cultivation Resources and Martial Arts guidance from powerful figures, it was far behind other Martial Arts Holy Lands.

You must know, the strongest Heavenly Talents from other Holy Lands were at least guided in Martial Arts Cultivation by warriors from the Extreme Realm Middle Stage or above.

Previously, the best guidance the Sky-splitting Sword Sect had was from the Sect Master at the Peak of Heavenly Origin Realm.

The difference was clearly significant.

Yet even so, Bai Mohan was still able to enter the top eight today.

And he outperformed many Heavenly Talents from other Martial Arts Holy Lands.

The eight who had lost earlier were the team leaders from the eight other countries.

Several had challenged him, but they all failed to defeat him.

Bai Mohan was once considered the next hope for the Sky-splitting Sword Sect and the Flame Martial Kingdom, and not without reason.

To return to the matter at hand.

At this time, Senior Swordswoman beside Xiao Yi said, "The individual ranking battle has ended."

"The ranking among all the Heavenly Talents from the 47 teams, no, 22 teams, has also been determined."

"Only the top eight remain undecided."

"And these top eight will compete in a team format."

"Oh?" Xiao Yi looked puzzled.

The woman explained, "Next, is the Kingdom ranking battle."

"Currently, the eight people who have won represent their own Kingdoms."

"The ranking of the Kingdoms will also be the final individual ranking for you eight."

Xiao Yi realized and said, "That means, next, it is a ranking battle among seven Kingdoms."

Although eight people have won today, there are actually only seven Kingdoms.

Bai Mohan and Xiao Yi both belong to the Flame Martial Kingdom.

"Exactly," the woman nodded. "The upcoming ranking is of utmost importance."

"Moreover, there won't be a second chance in a decisive battle."

"Additionally, although the East Sea Fortress is a dangerous place, it also houses a multitude of rare items."

"Every hundred years, the fortress allocates certain cultivation items to various Kingdoms and the Martial Arts Holy Land."

"After all, the strong ones stationed at the fortress are the elder predecessors from various Kingdoms."

"But how much is allocated depends entirely on this ranking."

"Next, is the real crux of the matter."

Xiao Yi nodded.

This area, the Endless Black Sea, is the most dangerous Demon Beast Land on the continent.

The endless abyss demon beasts alone, just from killing them, the number of inner cores obtained is astronomical.

Furthermore, beneath the deep sea, there are also large amounts of rare cultivation items.

This is why many previous Heavenly Talents who attended the East Sea Festival generally don't leave.

The East Sea area is an excellent place for cultivation.

Of course, this time, since the East Sea Festival involves the fortress's significant figures searching for successors,

those participating Heavenly Talents are even more eager.

Once the successors for various positions are determined, they will receive vigorous cultivation from these significant figures.

Time passed gradually.

Several hours later, the judge from the Demon Hunting Hall appeared at the Martial Arts Arena.

That signaled that the competition was about to begin again.

The woman beside said, "The upcoming battle belongs to a team melee."

"Seven Kingdoms, their main teams and sub-teams, will all go on the field together."

"A melee battle will decide the ranking of the seven Kingdoms."

"The ranking is determined by all martial artists of a Kingdom either leaving the arena or surrendering."

"If, aside from the team leader, all martial artists of a Kingdom leave or surrender, then it is considered a defeat."

"The first to have all their members out or surrender will be ranked seventh."

"The rest will follow in that order."

"Until martial artists from the remaining six Kingdoms are defeated, leaving the martial artists of one Kingdom, who will then be ranked first."

Xiao Yi nodded, understanding Senior Swordswoman's meaning.

But he also frowned, "Aside from the team leader?"

"Yes," the woman smiled and said, "That means, just your own strength isn't useful."

"You need to protect your main team members and your sub-team members."

"If they all are defeated, even if you are strong enough to fight everyone on your own, it will be useless."

"You will be directly deemed a failure."

"You must know, the upcoming competition and the previous ones are related to the succession of positions at the fortress."

"A qualified commander, aside from being able to kill greatly, must also ensure the safety of his companions in battle."

Xiao Yi nodded.

"Don't be careless," warned the woman with a stern voice. "The upcoming contest brings you no small trouble."

"Oh?" Xiao Yi raised his eyebrows.

"Hmph," the woman said with a cold laugh, "You've killed so many of their sub-teams, the main teams won't let you off easily."

"Ah," Xiao Yi gave an awkward smile, but his face showed complete confidence.

...

Second update.