Soul Emperor Martial God

Not far away, an object, rounded and massive in form, lay before them.

Thin wisps of black qi encircled it.

The staggering power it leaked, even just a thread, was enough to send chills down one's spine.

Specks of green light, covering the vicinity,

rendered it impossible to discern what it was.

Thus, Xiao Yi extended his senses, and upon perceiving it, his complexion drastically changed.

"Is that... a Demon Beast Core?" Xiao Yi's face was filled with shock.

"Indeed." The Hall Master nodded.

"What kind of demon beast would possess such a core?" Xiao Yi wondered in astonishment.

The power contained within the object before him, even at a trace, left him immensely alarmed.

If it truly were a demon beast's core, how powerful must the original beast have been?

The Hall Master's expression was grave as he shook his head, saying, "Unknown."

"We only know that this core comes from an Ancient Fierce Beast."

"But according to our speculation, it's at least at the Level 9 Peak or even stronger."

"Level 9 Peak and above?" Xiao Yi gasped.

A Level 8 Demon Beast was akin to a human Earth Extreme expert.

A Level 9 Demon Beast paralleled a Heavenly Extreme warrior.

Level 9 Peak and beyond, wouldn't that be...

The Hall Master spoke solemnly, "To slay this supreme fierce beast, over half of the Demon Hunting Hall's great powers perished or fell."

"Are these the Spiritual Tablets?" Xiao Yi's expression grew serious as well.

"Mm." The Hall Master nodded, saying, "These predecessors of great power also left their inheritance in the Demon Hunting Hall."

"It's just a pity that their inheritance can no longer be passed down."

"The Inheritance Power within has been contending with the core for tens of thousands of years, cleansing it of the demonic qi."

"Up to this day, after tens of thousands of years, the demonic qi is nearly cleansed, and the Inheritance Power has almost been exhausted."

Xiao Yi nodded.

The specks of green light on the giant core symbolized the Inheritance Power.

It was countering the wisps of black qi on the surface of the core.

The Inheritance Power left by countless greats of the Demon Hunting Hall, after tens of thousands of years, could almost entirely cleanse the demonic qi on its surface.

One could imagine how terrifyingly powerful that ancient beast must have been.

The Hall Master's gaze suddenly shifted to Xiao Yi.

"The demonic qi on this Demon Beast Core is almost cleansed,"

"Which means this Demon Beast Core can be refined and absorbed."

The tone of the Hall Master grew heavier.

"Refine... absorb?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows.

The amazing power contained within this core, if refined and absorbed, how much would his Cultivation improve?

Xiao Yi dared not contemplate.

"This core, I plan to give it to you," the Hall Master said gravely.

"Give it to me?" Xiao Yi was startled.

No wonder the Hall Master had brought him into the Main Hall.

This Demon Beast Core would be free of demonic qi in a few days and could be refined and absorbed.

Xiao Yi shook his head, saying, "The Hall Master should keep this core."

"The Hall Master has been trapped at a bottleneck for a long time, right? With this core, you would surely break through."

The Hall Master shook his head as well, saying, "What traps my Cultivation Realm is not a matter of Primordial Power, but Martial Arts Knowledge."

"I've been at this bottleneck for many years, and Primordial Power, I've long accumulated enough."

"If my understanding of Martial Arts Knowledge were to break through, I could do it at any time."

"If I can't comprehend the knowledge, absorbing this core would be a waste."

"Is the Martial Arts Knowledge at your level very difficult?" Xiao Yi asked, brow still furrowed.

"Heh," the Hall Master laughed, "You make it sound so easy, my boy. You'll understand when you reach my level."

"The Martial Arts I cultivate has already harnessed more than 99% of the Heaven and Earth Martial Arts Power."

"To break through, one must fully grasp the entire Martial Arts path."

"The entire Martial Arts path—my cultivated Martial Arts—is a complete path amid this vast world; how could it be so easily mastered?"

"Though only a thread shy, it's as hard as reaching the heavens."

"Furthermore," the Hall Master said with a smile, looking at Xiao Yi with satisfaction and anticipation in his eyes.

"You, the younger generation, are the hope."

"We old folks here, including the 15 Hall Masters, are all centuries old or more."

"This Demon Beast Core, in our hands, would only be a waste."

"Nevertheless, it can't be so easily handed to Yi Xiao," just at this moment, a voice rang out.

The speaker was the Heavenly Gold Hall Master.

His gaze fell on Xiao Yi, clearly unfriendly.

"The intentions of our 15 Main Halls should be quite clear to the Hall Master," the 15 Main Hall Masters looked at the Hall Master in turn.

The Hall Master furrowed his brow.

Heavenly Gold Hall Master turned to Xiao Yi and sneered, "Yi Xiao, this Demon Beast Core is among the greatest of treasures."

"The Hall Master plans to entrust it to you."

"However, our condition is that you must show us a level of talent and strength that satisfies all 15 Hall Masters."

"What is considered satisfactory?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.

"There is, for now, no set standard," said the Heavenly Gold Hall Master.

"In any case, you simply need to perform exceptionally well."

"Surely, you don't think we seniors would deliberately make things difficult for a junior like you?"

Xiao Yi furrowed his brow.

The 16 Hall Masters each paid their respects to the Spiritual Tablets before them.

The group then left the Inheritance Hall and the Main Hall, returning to the fortress.

Naturally, there was also an area and residences for the Demon Hunting Hall's powerful members within the fortress.

Inside the dwelling, the Hall Master looked at Xiao Yi seriously and said, "Rest assured, we know what the standard is."

"Tomorrow is the battle of the top eight. If nothing unexpected occurs, all competitions will end tomorrow, and the greatest Heavenly Talent will emerge."

"You return and rest well today; tomorrow, do not disappoint me."

"Rest assured, Hall Master," Xiao Yi nodded, gave a bow, and left.

The Demon Hunting Hall had also arranged accommodations for him here within the fortress.

Within his room, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged in cultivation.

Originally, he had thought about looking for an opportunity to strategically withdraw from the Demon Hunter assembly's contest to avoid the awkward situation of facing himself in the final battle.

But now it seemed impossible.

He must obtain that Level 9 Peak Demon Beast Core.

If nothing went amiss, that would be his hope for a breakthrough to the Extreme Realm.

But as for the final battle...

"Forget it," Xiao Yi shook his head, muttering to himself, "First, I need to secure the Demon Beast Core."

...

The next day.

Before the Soldier Inspection Platform, the spectator seats were early filled with powerful individuals.

The 16 Hall Masters, the Eight Great Commanders, the thirty-two commanders, the kings of various kingdoms, warriors from the Martial Arts Holy Lands, and numerous fortress powerhouses, and so on.

On the Martial Arts Arena.

The eight victors from yesterday were standing on their own.

Shangguan Xiyue and Bing Baifu were among them.

Bing Wuying asked from the side, "You eight are the top eight."

"Shortly, we will conduct a draw to decide each contestant's opponent and determine the top eight..."

"Wait," just at that moment, Xiao Yi interrupted Bing Wuying.

Bing Wuying's face twitched, "Purple Flame Yi Xiao?"

He thought he had anticipated what Yi Xiao was about to say.

"Got it, you think I talk too much, right?" said Bing Wuying helplessly, "I'll stop talking then, let's just start the draw."

"No," Xiao Yi said in a deep voice, "What I mean is, there's no need for a draw."

"Huh?" Bing Wuying frowned, "What do you mean?"

"What I mean is..." Xiao Yi's cold eyes swept over the seven individuals beside him.

"Let's not waste time. They can all come at me together."

...

The second update.