Soul Emperor Martial God

An unusually abrupt loud voice instantly drew everyone's attention to Lvu Qingran.

Lih Fengxing and the others frowned as they looked at Lvu Qingran, "Miss Lvu, what is the meaning of this?"

Xiao Yi also slightly turned his head, glancing at Lvu Qingran beside him.

In fact, he had noticed Lvu Qingran's presence ever since he returned to the spectators' stand.

However, the two had no acquaintance, so Xiao Yi paid her no mind.

At this moment, Xiao Yi gave her a brief glance.

Lvu Qingran, only 23 years old this year, was not exceptionally beautiful, but her face was delicate and charming.

However, on this delicate face, there was clearly a trace of cold arrogance and heroism.

Instinct told Xiao Yi that she was an exceptionally competitive woman.

At this moment, Lvu Qingran also looked at Xiao Yi, "Deacon Xiao Yi, I wish to challenge you to a duel."

"Would you like to compete now in the arena, or should we have a private match after Star Swapping Day is over?"

Her eyes were full of battle intent.

"Challenge me to a duel?" Xiao Yi frowned slightly, "Why?"

"Because you defeated Wang Xinghe, you are now the number one Heavenly Talent in Star Swapping City," Lvu Qingran said without hesitation.

"Make a choice: will it be now, or later?"

"Do you think you have a chance of winning against me?" Xiao Yi asked in a deep voice.

"No," Lvu Qingran shook her head, "I just want to fight."

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "Very well."

"However, let's not waste time on Star Swapping Day."

"We'll find another day to have our duel."

"Alright," Lvu Qingran agreed with a satisfied smile.

At this moment, the ten judges in the chief spectator's seat looked at Lvu Qingran and asked, "Do you have any objections to the rankings?"

Lvu Qingran shook her head, "None."

With no objections from anyone, the rankings were finalized.

On Star Swapping Day, there were a total of 36 spots.

Excluding the seven spots allocated to the City Lord's Mansion, the Wind Shattering Hall, and the Three Great Families, there were 29 remaining spots up for grabs.

This means that these 29 spots, corresponding to 29 rankings, not only gain the opportunity of Star Swapping Day but also receive a reward from the City Lord's Mansion.

The higher the ranking, the richer the rewards.

At this moment, Xiao Yi sat idly waiting in the Wind Shattering Hall's spectator area.

The Eldest Prince and the others were chatting, "The competition is over, so when will Star Swapping Day begin?"

"I don't know," Lih Fengxing shook his head.

Senior Li He gently laughed, "Don't be impatient, just wait."

"Star Swapping Day will definitely start today and bring down 36 beams of starlight."

"What you all need to do now is to remain calm and prepare your minds for insightful meditation."

"Understood," everyone responded in unison.

Just then, a judge from the City Lord's Mansion quickly approached.

"Senior Li He," the judge first bowed to Senior Li He.

"Hmm," Senior Li He nodded.

The judge said, "I am here on the orders of the City Lord to distribute rewards to you Heavenly Talents."

Senior Li He nodded, "Thank you for your labor."

The judge proceeded to distribute rewards to Lih Fengxing, the Eldest Prince, the Kuanglan Sect Master, and others.

When it was Xiao Yi's turn, the judge said, "Deacon Xiao Yi, the City Lord requests you to come for a moment."

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi looked puzzled and glanced at Senior Li He.

Senior Li He nodded and said, "Go ahead."

Xiao Yi nodded and followed the judge away.

Before long, Xiao Yi arrived at the chief spectator's seat.

Star Swapping City Lord sat upright and solemn; upon seeing Xiao Yi, he showed a slight smile.

"Greetings, City Lord," Xiao Yi bowed slightly.

"No need for formalities," the Star Swapping City Lord waved his hand and said, "I summoned you just to meet such a remarkable talent; nothing else."

"You come from an ordinary region, yet have the skill to defeat the Violent Wolf Mountain Bandit Group, a group infamous for their brutality and long-standing presence near our boundaries."

"Even our former number one Heavenly Talent, Wang Xinghe of Star Swapping City, lost to you; truly impressive."

"The City Lord praises me too much," Xiao Yi cupped his hands in appreciation.

The Star Swapping City Lord waved his hand and said, "In the Central Region, strength is revered, no need to be modest."

"Here is your reward," the City Lord said, handing Xiao Yi a Universe Ring.

"Thank you, City Lord," Xiao Yi expressed his gratitude and briefly sensed its contents.

His face first showed delight, then a frown followed.

Inside the Universe Ring, there was an abundance of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Elixir Elixirs, along with a small amount of Demon Beast Essence Blood.

All these were cultivation items.

Rewards for a Heavenly Talent naturally consisted of cultivation items.

The Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures were useful to Xiao Yi, but the quantity of Demon Beast Essence Blood was too little, and the Elixir Elixirs were utterly useless to him.

Of course, Xiao Yi's frown was fleeting.

"What? Not satisfied with the reward?" The Star Swapping City Lord sharply noticed Xiao Yi's brief frown.

"No," Xiao Yi shook his head.

The City Lord frowned and said, "Feel free to speak your mind; as this Star Swapping Day's first place, I'll try to accommodate your requests."

Xiao Yi considered for a moment, then nodded and said, "I wonder if the Elixir Elixirs in the Universe Ring could be exchanged for equivalent Demon Beast Essence Blood or Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures?"

"Oh?" The City Lord was slightly puzzled, "Are you dissatisfied with these Elixir Elixirs?"

"Not dissatisfied," Xiao Yi shook his head, "It's just that these Elixir Elixirs are useless to me."

"Useless?" The City Lord laughed, "These Elixirs were painstakingly refined by several of our City's chief Alchemists; they're all top-grade Elixirs."

"Although we lack a Holy-grade Alchemist, we do have Peak of Ninth Grade Alchemists."

"And you say the Elixirs they carefully refined are useless?"

"Uh," Xiao Yi was a bit embarrassed.

The City Lord shook his head and said, "Very well, if you want to exchange them, you can."

"Our City Lord's Mansion can reclaim these Elixirs, but it cannot be at an equivalent value; at most, 80% of their worth."

Xiao Yi was delighted, saying, "Thank you, City Lord, 50% will suffice."

"50%?" The City Lord was taken aback, then laughed, "Alright, I'll have someone exchange them for you right now."

"But I remind you, you will be getting the worse end of the deal by doing this."

Xiao Yi smiled and patiently waited.

The reason he claimed the Elixirs were useless was because he could refine better Elixirs himself.

Generally, the market price of a refined Elixir is often several times higher than the value of its raw materials.

Of course, Alchemists expend a lot of heart power and time refining Elixirs, which is why they are sold for so much more.

Xiao Yi didn't need these Elixirs, materials were preferable.

Soon, the City Lord had someone exchange a large quantity of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Demon Beast Essence Blood for him.

Xiao Yi accepted them and expressed his gratitude, "Thank you, City Lord."

Once again, he sensed the contents of the Universe Ring; now it contained only a pure collection of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures and Demon Beast Essence Blood, all above Eighth-grade and Ninth Grade.

Most importantly, the amount was staggering.

The first place reward in Star Swapping City was indeed generous.

The Star Swapping City Lord and Xiao Yi chatted idly for a while longer.

Suddenly, starlight surged in the sky.

Brilliant starlight gradually coalesced into streams of starlight rivers.

Swish... Swish... Swish...

36 beams of starlight, as scheduled, descended onto the Martial Arts Arena.

"Star Swapping Day has begun," the City Lord said with a smile.

...

First update.