Soul Emperor Martial God

"Senior." Xiao Yi entered the residence and came to the lady's room to pay his respects.

The lady, as usual, was lazily sipping tea at her desk.

"Uh-huh." The lady nodded her head, "You're quite prompt."

"May I ask why Senior has summoned me?" Xiao Yi inquired.

"It's nothing too important." The lady casually set down her teacup and said, "In ten days, a feast will be held at the fortress."

"I plan for you to attend."

"A feast?" Xiao Yi frowned.

"Uh-huh." The lady nodded, saying, "A grand banquet of the entire East Sea Fortress, with all the elites and heavenly talents from the 16 fortresses attending."

"The feast lasts for three days, and it is extremely grand."

Xiao Yi asked in confusion, "With the attack of the Abyss Demon Beasts imminent, does the fortress still have the mood to hold a feast?"

The lady shook her head gently and said, "Each century, before the attack of the Abyss Demon Beasts, the fortress would host a grand banquet."

"It's sort of a military pledge ceremony for the fortress's warriors, or a send-off."

"After the feast, millions of warriors from the fortress will gather at the Soldier Inspection Platform and begin their total defense against the incoming Abyss Demon Beast."

"I see," Xiao Yi realized.

A grand army was to depart, and an oath-taking ceremony preceded it.

The lady suddenly let out a light chuckle and said, "Calculating the time, the last day of the feast happens to be when your final battle with that heavenly talent from the Demon Hunting Hall begins."

"That is to say, on that day, you will face Purple Flame and determine the winner under the scrutiny of thousands."

Xiao Yi said with a wry smile, "With the great battle against the Abyss Demon Beasts looming, I would think that instead of having the elite warriors of the fortress waste their time watching our final battle,"

"it would be better for the elite fighters to rest and build up their strength in preparation for battle."

"Perhaps, the battle between Purple Flame and me can be settled in private, much like the one between the Divine Martial King and the Hall Master years ago."

"That's different," the lady said earnestly. "The Divine Martial King and the Hall Master were already friends, having sparred many times with each other, ending in draws."

"So, their final battle had been anticipated."

"As for you and Purple Flame, well, no need to mention Purple Flame, always elusive."

"And you've not been much better, disappearing every other day back in the Sword Sect."

"No one can predict the outcome between you two."

"Right now, the fortress is buzzing with discussions about the final battle between you and your twin spirit."

Xiao Yi chuckled ruefully, "Instead of worrying about our final battle, they should be concerned about the impending attack of the Abyss Demon Beasts."

"What's there to worry about?" A relaxed smile crossed the lady's face.

"How do you think the Divine Martial King and the Hall Master came to command such imposing authority within the fortress?"

"The attacks of the Abyss Demon Beasts are indeed serious, with each battle resulting in rivers of blood on the side of human warriors."

"But ever since those two took over, the tide has turned dramatically, casualties have greatly reduced, and no demon beast has ever crossed the Heavenly Gold City Wall."

"The Rock Army led by Emperor Yee is even more formidable; for five hundred years, not a stretch of ten miles has been crossed by any Abyss Demon Beast."

Before Emperor Yee came to the East Sea Fortress, he was already a talented military leader in the Flame Martial Kingdom under the Divine Martial King.

Later, he came to hold an important position in the East Sea Fortress together with the Divine Martial King.

The lady scoffed, "In the past few centuries of Abyss Demon Beast invasions, each ended with a swift collapse of the demon beasts."

"The Abyss Demon King has repeatedly been gravely injured or even slain by the Divine Martial King and the Hall Master."

"If only they couldn't always flee back to the Endless Black Sea to cling to their lives, the trouble for the East Sea would have long been settled."

"The East Sea Fortress gathers nearly 90% of the elite warriors from the entire continent, possessing fearsome combat strength."

"So, you don't need to worry about the demon beast attack."

"Your final battle with Purple Flame is inescapable, even if the sky falls down."

"The battle of successors for the two Supreme Commanders cannot be taken lightly; it will definitely be the focus of everyone's attention."

Listening to this, Xiao Yi's heart filled with even greater distress and helplessness.

"Additionally, there is one more crucial point," the lady continued.

"The Divine Martial King and the Hall Master intend, after the final battle, to begin having the two of you lead the two factions' forces."

"No matter the outcome, you will lead the fortress's forces to confront the Abyss Demon Beasts."

"Likewise for Purple Flame, he will lead the forces from the Demon Hunting Hall."

"So soon?" Xiao Yi was taken aback.

"Not soon," the woman waved her hand and said, "Though you two are young, the strength you have shown surpasses even the weaker among the thirty-two Commanders."

"Only the Eight Great Commanders can firmly outmatch you."

"Take this opportunity to get involved with the fortress's affairs ahead of time; and by slaying demon beasts, accumulate achievements."

"After a hundred years, you two will officially assume command."

"Oh, right." The woman suddenly remembered something and said, "I've told you so much, I almost forgot the main point."

"The main point?" Xiao Yi looked puzzled.

"Mm," the woman said, "I sought you out to ask you to come out of seclusion a few days earlier and attend the banquet sooner."

"Don't let Yi Xiao steal all the limelight."

"Uh." Xiao Yi was at a loss for words with a wry smile.

In the woman's heart, not letting outsiders steal the limelight was the main point.

The so-called final battle, the demon beast attack, and the matter of the two Supreme Commanders assuming their roles seemed trivial in comparison.

"Senior, could I not attend that banquet?" Xiao Yi hesitated and asked.

"I would prefer to spend that time on cultivation."

The woman said softly, "Of course, that's up to you, I'm just making a suggestion."

"After all, Purple Flame Yi Xiao has a notorious reputation."

"This person is cold and silent, extremely arrogant; even when facing me, he doesn't show any respect, says nothing, and just gives a cold stare."

"I was thinking, out of respect for the Hall Master, to ask you to go easy on him."

"Now I've changed my mind." An indignant expression appeared on the woman's flawless, beautiful face.

"In the final battle, I want you to go all out when you fight him, even take off his mask."

"Hmph, I want to see just who is so brazen."

"Uh." Xiao Yi felt bitter in his heart.

It wasn't that he didn't show respect by remaining silent; he was just afraid of being recognized by the woman.

"Alright, if there's nothing else, you can go back to the Main Hall and continue your cultivation," the woman said. "Don't waste time, concentrate on your training."

"Yes." Xiao Yi nodded, bowed, and then turned to leave.

...

Having left the woman's room, he came to the outer hall.

A hubbub of noise reached Xiao Yi's ears.

"Ye Ming, who are you betting on to win?" Qin Feiyang asked.

With an awkward smile, Ye Ming said, "I'd rather not participate."

"I bet on Xiao Yi to win, three hundred Seventh-level Demon Beast Cores." Lin Jin immediately produced a Qiankun Bag.

"I'm also betting on Xiao Yi to win, five hundred Seventh-level Demon Beast Cores," Liu Yanran quickly added.

"I do too, one thousand Seventh-level Demon Beast Cores," Tie Niu said honestly.

"Hmph, we're betting on Purple Flame to win, five hundred each..." Zhou Yueyao said as she pulled Bai Bingxue along and took out two Qiankun Bags.

Qin Feiyang took the Qiankun Bags and quickly left.

Xiao Yi slowly approached, looking puzzled at everyone.

Ye Ming gave a bitter smile and said, "Junior Brother Xiao Yi, here at Fortress 16, everyone's discussing the final battle."

"There are even those who've dubbed it the Destiny Duel of the Gemini, and they've started betting."

"Using Demon Beast Cores and Cultivation Items as stakes."

"Junior Brother Xiao Yi, should I bet on you to win?" Seeing Xiao Yi's silent, expressionless face, Ye Ming hesitated before speaking.

"No need," Xiao Yi shook his head, sighed, and headed back to the peaceful ten-mile flatland.

...

Second update.