Soul Emperor Martial God

The moment the old man appeared, the 16 fortresses boiled over instantly.

Millions of human warriors soared into the surrounding area, each paying their respects.

In the eyes of all the powerful figures, there was nothing but deep reverence.

It was a respect that came from the heart.

In the entire field, only two people remained upright.

One was naturally the old man; the other was the woman standing beside Xiao Yi.

The woman, as usual, lazily yawned and stood with her hands behind her, showing little emotional fluctuation despite the old man's arrival.

At that moment, the old man descended from the sky to the very top of the spectators' seats.

The Eight Emperors hurriedly stepped back a few paces.

"Divine Martial King," the Seven Emperors said as they bowed.

"My King," only Emperor Yee used a different title.

The Divine Martial King, the monarch of the Flame Martial Kingdom from hundreds of years ago.

Now the Supreme Commander of the East Sea Fortress, above the Eight Emperors.

"Hmm," said the old man, who was also the Divine Martial King, with a nod.

"Wasn't the Divine Martial King in seclusion?" Emperor Yee, showing a look of surprise and curiosity, asked with a bow.

The Divine Martial King glanced at him sternly, "What? Just because I was in seclusion, you thought to drive away my successor?"

"We dare not," the Eight Emperors hurriedly protested.

Golden Emperor said gravely, "Your Majesty, Xiao Yi must not be affirmed as the successor; this man has a nature of slaughter..."

"I know all of it," Divine Martial King waved his hand, interrupting Golden Emperor's speech.

"You know all?" Golden Emperor was stunned, and his face subtly changed.

"Within the East Sea Fortress, what matter can be concealed from me?" Divine Martial King's authoritative gaze made it impossible for others to look him in the eyes.

Golden Emperor couldn't help but lower his head even further.

Divine Martial King, with his hands behind his back, stepped forward and his gaze swept over the commanders and strong figures of the fortress below.

"You, based solely on Xiao Yi's killing of 25 teams, have deemed him to be murderously inclined, don't you think that's too arbitrary?"

The majestic voice spread throughout the spectator seats.

"In a contest, there are disputes, killings, injuries, and deaths."

"In a true life-and-death struggle, who would hold back? Do you expect your opponents to tie their hands and let you beat them?"

Below, the numerous strong figures did not dare to retort.

"And you," Divine Martial King's stern gaze shifted to the Eight Emperors.

"Let me ask you, what is the main purpose of holding this East Sea Festival?"

Ice Emperor and the others answered, "Firstly, it is to test the level of the Heavenly Talents; secondly, to allow some long-standing powerful figures to step down for a new generation to take over."

"Wrong," Divine Martial King scolded sharply.

The faces of Ice Emperor and the others changed, but they did not argue back, instead they listened attentively.

Divine Martial King said solemnly, "Allowing the younger generation to take over is to let them start dealing with the affairs of the fortress."

"The true purpose is to have them be able to protect this fortress one day and safeguard the countless lives of the humanity behind it."

"If their strength is not good and they die here today, what difference does it make if they die in the mouths of demon beasts another day?"

Divine Martial King's voice grew louder.

The gaze was no longer specifically on the Eight Emperors but on everyone present.

"There hasn't been a large-scale Beast Tide for a hundred years, have you all forgotten how harsh this land on the East Sea Coast is?"

"Have you forgotten how many human warriors were buried in the Endless Black Sea during each massive Beast Tide?"

"And have you forgotten, each time the Abyss Demon Beasts were repelled, how the dark Endless Black Sea was stained red with the blood of our human warriors for thousands of miles?"

"The only qualification to survive here is the word 'strength'."

"The more brutal the competition and trial, the more it can select the true Heavenly Talents."

"And now, Xiao Yi, who has emerged from all kinds of brutality, with overwhelming talent, is regarded by you as a murderously inclined individual?"

"After three rounds, as seniors, you pressed hard at every step, yet he was able to protect his companions from any injury. Such a person is regarded by you as one without virtue?"

"Majestic and icy words made all the Martial Artists present lower their heads in shame."

The Divine Martial King paused before speaking again.

"In the first round, he led a group into the Endless Black Sea, more than four thousand miles deep, without a single casualty."

"In the second round, he stood against twenty-five teams, faced two Commanders head-on, sustained serious injuries himself, but his companions were unharmed."

"The third round was the same."

"I ask you all, could you have achieved the same at his age?"

No one answered, including the Eight Emperors.

For they all knew very well that at the age of Xiao Yi, they could not have done this.

"Xiao Yi, having come first in all three rounds of the competition, will become my successor. Do any of you have objections?" the Divine Martial King's voice resonated throughout the entire fortress.

"The Divine Martial King teaches well, we have no objections," the various strong figures said, bowing in respect.

"Hmm," the Divine Martial King nodded majestically, his gaze then turned toward Xiao Yi and the Senior Swordswoman.

"Come with me."

...

In the Divine Martial King's conference hall within the Flame Martial Fortress, Commander's residence,

The Divine Martial King's originally majestic gaze softened considerably when he looked at Xiao Yi.

When he looked at the woman, however, his face bore a wry smile.

At the moment, the woman's face was as cold as frost, and her expression was gloomy.

Xiao Yi, on the other hand, looked indifferent and remained silent.

The atmosphere was somewhat eerie.

In the end, it was the Divine Martial King who broke the silence first, turning to Xiao Yi, he said, "Xiao Yi, you are the successor I have chosen..."

The woman beside him coldly cut him off, "Stop there. Is the Divine Martial King mistaken about something?"

"Designating Xiao Yi as the successor was your idea."

"But he himself has not agreed to you."

"The seven Commanders under your command don't welcome us much, and we are prepared to leave."

The Divine Martial King replied with a wry smile, "Swordswoman girl, when you were young, from the Kingdom's treasury to the fortress's treasury, have I ever denied you anything you wanted?"

"Why must you be angry with me?"

The woman spoke coldly, "I wouldn't dare to be angry with the Divine Martial King."

The Divine Martial King replied with a wry smile, "Xiao Yi came first in all three rounds, naturally he is my successor..."

"Stop again," the woman said coldly. "There were only two rounds he came first."

"The ranking of the third round has been invalidated by your Commanders."

Resigned, the Divine Martial King said, "Alright, my East Sea Fortress is to blame. What compensation do you want?"

"Direct," the woman said, her grim face instantly turning into a triumphant smile.

"Firstly, I want double the reward for Xiao Yi's first place."

"It is possible," the Divine Martial King chuckled softly and nodded.

"Secondly," the woman said with a smile, "since you want Xiao Yi as your successor,"

"As an elder, you should give some sort of gift."

"Naturally," the Divine Martial King laughed, about to take out something.

The woman timely said, "I think, a gift from the Divine Martial King would not be too shabby, right?"

"Oh, by the way, just a reminder."

"Xiao Yi already possesses the Top-grade Elemental Artifact, the Blizzard Sword, as well as Protective Armor of the same top-grade tier."

"As for Cultivation Techniques, he has the Ice Sword Gang which is enough."

"In terms of Martial Arts, as you, Senior Divine Martial King, do not practice the Cold Ice Dao, I'm afraid you don't have any Cold Ice Attribute High-level Martial Arts."

"So, the Divine Martial King can give whatever gift you please, a mere token will suffice."

The Divine Martial King immediately let out repeated wry smiles, "That's more than just a reminder, isn't it?"

...

First update.