Soul Emperor Martial God

Beyond the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate lay an endless, vast wilderness of a forest.

No one knew just how expansive this forest was, nor did anyone know where its end might be.

There had been powerful Martial Artists who attempted to cross this forest, pushing deeper and deeper.

Yet their fate was to never return.

Within, countless demon beasts prowled.

At this moment, Xiao Yi was training in this forest, slaughtering demon beasts.

The more he traversed the forest, the more he realized its strangeness.

Mountains, lakes, dense woods, deep valleys, swamps, deserts – it encompassed every terrain conceivable.

"Just how vast is this forest?"

Xiao Yi was filled with doubts.

The sheer number and variety of demon beasts here were terrifying; no wonder it was rumored that over half of the demon beasts from Northern Mountain County were found here.

At the same time, there were also many Demon Hunters and Independent Martial Artists here.

Xiao Yi couldn't even count how many Demon Hunting Teams he had encountered these days.

"Roar."

As Xiao Yi was deep in thought, a beast's roar suddenly rang out as a massive creature attacked him.

Boom.

Xiao Yi counterattacked with a punch, his fist covered in Purple Flame.

The demon beast's body was directly penetrated, and the Purple Flame completely extinguished its life force.

"That's an Iron Armor Exploding Flame Tiger, a fourth-level demon beast; its strength is at least at the Sixth Layer of Mysterious Profundity and yet it was instantly killed."

Nearby, numerous passing Demon Hunters were shocked at the sight of Xiao Yi.

"The Iron Armor Exploding Flame Tiger is known for its incredibly tough body, impervious to swords; its exploding flames can melt metal and consume iron; even Martial Artists at the Seventh Layer of Mysterious Profundity would flee upon seeing it."

"And now its body has been pierced by a single punch, dying in flames."

"Heavens, how strong is that youngster?"

"Hey, that mask, and those Purple Flames, can't be mistaken, it's him – Purple Flame Yi Xiao. No wonder he's so formidable."

"Purple Flame Yi Xiao? The rising star among the Demon Hunters in the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate?"

"Yes, I've heard he's also a high-grade Alchemist. I even heard that his fame had spread like thunder long before in other places."

"Such a talent, could he be even more formidable than Lei Zhan..."

Whispers and discussions flurried among the surrounding Demon Hunters.

Xiao Yi frowned and glanced at them.

Instantly startled, the Demon Hunters hastily said, "Lord Yi Xiao, please don't misunderstand. We were just passing by, and we'll leave immediately."

As they departed, the Demon Hunters still murmured apprehensively.

"It's said that a few days ago, a Demon Hunting Team blind enough to try and rob him got completely annihilated."

In this Demon Beast Forest, aside from the countless ferocious demon beasts, there were some despicable among the Demon Hunters.

These scoundrels would kill and plunder without restraint.

Of course, anyone who had made the mistake of targeting Xiao Yi had ended up dead.

...

A month later, within the Demon Beast Forest, Xiao Yi temporarily ceased his training.

During that month, he had endured countless battles, slaying hundreds of fourth-level demon beasts.

The deeper he penetrated the forest, the stronger the demon beasts he encountered.

Now, having ventured over five hundred miles in, the weakest around him were all of the Mysterious Profundity Realm.

He did not plan to continue going deeper.

His Demon Hunting tasks were all completed.

He planned to head back to the city's Demon Hunting Hall, turn in the tasks, and then take on new ones.

Summoning the Purple Flame Fire Wings, he spread his wings and flew, covering hundreds of miles in no time.

When he arrived outside the city gates of the nearest city.

Xiao Yi paused his steps.

His gaze fixated on the gigantic city walls.

Indeed, gigantic city walls.

Each of the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate covered an area far exceeding that of other large cities elsewhere.

Accordingly, their city walls were also much larger.

Those walls, a hundred meters high and tens of meters wide, made of sturdy Iron Rock, always inspired a blood-boiling sense of awe every time.

The walls bore countless scars.

Sword marks, axe nicks, hammer pits, gouges from beast claws, burns from flames... MyVirtualLibraryEmpire(M|V|LE1MPYR)thanksyouforreadingatthesource.

Clearly, around these city walls, innumerable battles had taken place.

And the combatants were no doubt human Martial Artists and demon beasts.

"Demon beasts rampant, Martial Artists in fierce combat, city walls a thousand holes wide. The Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate are indeed filled with danger at every turn."

"No wonder there are so many tough characters here."

Xiao Yi muttered to himself.

After speaking, he retracted his gaze.

Just as he was about to enter the city, suddenly, an overwhelming aura imprisoned him.

A chilling scream filled with killing intent made his eyebrows knit tightly.

"Purple Flame, this time I will not let you fly away!" A figure appeared out of thin air, gazing at Xiao Yi coldly from the skies above.

"Murong Sha?" Xiao Yi said coldly, "With just you?"

Saying so, Xiao Yi's body shook slightly, effortlessly dissipating the Spiritual Energy Restriction.

"Put away those laughable tricks. With your level of Cultivation, you can't imprison me," Xiao Yi scoffed.

He would never have guessed that Murong Sha would actually travel thousands of miles from Baiwu City to the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate to find him.

"Oh, is that so?" said Murong Sha with a mocking expression on his face. "I can't kill you, but does that mean no one else can?"

The moment his words fell, a middle-aged man emerged out of nowhere beside Murong Sha.

"Who are you?" Xiao Yi's eyebrows knitted tightly, signaling to him that the person before him was very strong.

"Murong Ke." The middle-aged man said coldly from high above.

"What? Murong Ke!" Xiao Yi was instantly shocked.

Having spent some time in the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate, he naturally heard of Murong Ke's reputation.

Murong Ke was the head of the Shengbao Trading House in the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate, a Half-step Breaking Profound Martial Artist.

This man was one of the authoritative figures of the Northern Mountain Murong Family.

In the Eighteen Cities of the Eastern Desolate, he had killed countless, undefeated in every battle.

Thus, his reputation was great, recognized as the fiercest among the fierce, and even hailed as the number one Martial Artist below the Mystic Breakthrough Realm.

Without a thought, Xiao Yi immediately manifested Purple Flame Fire Wings and took off to flee.

"Hmph, thinking of escaping?" Murong Sha sneered disdainfully.

"Purple Flame, I've told you, today you won't escape even if you had wings."

At the same time, Murong Ke waved his hand.

Heaven and Earth Spiritual Energy surged in an instant and then restrained Xiao Yi.

Clearly, the Spiritual Energy harnessed by Murong Ke was far more overwhelming than Murong Sha's.

It effectively restrained Xiao Yi, who was preparing to escape.

"Break!" Xiao Yi shouted loudly, unleashing his Physical Strength, Purple Flame, Flame Gloves, and all his power to just barely break free from the Spiritual Energy Restriction.

"Somewhat capable." Murong Ke smiled coldly, and then, his figure moved instantly.

Xiao Yi, with wings spread, had already flown a kilometer away.

Yet, the next second, Murong Ke appeared abruptly in front of him.

"Get back there."

With a casual punch, he sent Xiao Yi flying back to where he started.

Thrown uncontrollably back to the original spot, Xiao Yi violently coughed up blood, feeling a burning pain in his viscera.

"So strong, worthy of being a Half-step Breaking Profound," Xiao Yi gritted his teeth.

Under such an absolute difference in strength, Xiao Yi had no ability to counter.

He was a genius, extraordinarily gifted, a singular talent; but he had not yet grown strong.

In front of these long-famed powerhouses, he was no different from any weak common person.

Swoosh, at this moment, Murong Ke's figure flashed and he returned to Murong Sha's side.

"Thank you, Deacon Murong Ke," Murong Sha bowed his hands in thanks.

"No need for politeness," Murong Ke replied expressionlessly, "Since this boy dared to openly rob goods from our Northern Mountain Murong Family, he is an enemy of mine, Murong Ke."

"After I cripple his Cultivation, you can take him away."

"Yes." Murong Sha bowed, "I'll flay and dismember this detestable kid, to show him the consequences of offending our Northern Mountain Murong Family."

Then, Murong Sha looked toward Xiao Yi with a triumphant sneer, "Purple Flame, when I was in Baiwu City, I swore to take your life within half a year."

"Now, I've done it. Blame yourself for offending the Northern Mountain Murong Family."

"Hmph." Xiao Yi coldly huffed, "I've long known the people of the Northern Mountain Murong Family are unscrupulous and ruthless."

"I'll remember today's events."

"Oh? Do you really think you can escape today?" Murong Sha ridiculed contemptuously.

"Do you really think you've won today?" Xiao Yi retorted.

His hand was tightly holding the Qiankun Bag, ready to pull out the Four Fire Puppet Balls and release them with a single thought.

"You insolent brat, on the brink of death and still speaking so arrogantly," Murong Sha said angrily, "Deacon Murong Ke, cripple him."

"Hmm." Murong Ke nodded and made his move.

Xiao Yi watched coldly.

At that moment, several streaks of Sword Qi broke through the sky at astonishing speed, like a gale.

At the same time, dozens of bright, sky-piercing arrows shot forth.

Within several meters of Murong Ke, the area was completely covered by Sword Qi and piercing arrows, making him pause his attack.

"Protect." Murong Ke ordered with a shout, his True Qi bursting forth to envelop himself and Murong Sha.

Puff, puff, puff…

The impressive Sword Qi and the myriad of arrows were all blocked.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi's eyebrows furrowed, he put away the Qiankun Bag, and looked over with uncertainty.

Not far away, a formidable group approached with great momentum.

It was the Gale Demon Hunting Team.

At the forefront was Gale Sword, Ning Hao.

Behind him were the five deputy captains, each a Mysterious Profundity Eighth Layer Martial Artist, leading their respective sub-teams.

"Gale Sword, Ning Hao?" Murong Ke stared coldly at the group below and coldly asked, "What do you mean by this?"

"Nothing much," Ning Hao said with a smile, "We were tracking a demon beast and didn't expect to almost accidentally harm Deacon Murong Ke. We hope for your understanding."

"Where did this demon beast come from?" Murong Sha asked, puzzled.

"I'm handling a matter, you all should leave immediately," Murong Ke commanded arrogantly.

"Sorry," Ning Hao responded with a smile, "The sacred duty of a Demon Hunter is to hunt demons, how can we withdraw? Just ahead is the city, and if the demon beast enters and starts killing..."

"I, Ning Hao cannot bear such a sin. I believe, neither can you, Deacon Murong Ke."

"So..." Ning Hao smiled, and the next second, his demeanor turned cold, "Fire!"

The Gale Demon Hunting Team consisted of countless Demon Hunters and Martial Artists of various strengths.

This time Ning Hao brought all Arrow Martial Soul Martial Artists, each powerful in their own right.

Together with him and the five deputy captains, they were actually able to pin down Murong Ke.

At the same time, he gave a discreet signal to Xiao Yi from afar.

Xiao Yi understood and nodded back.

With a flap of his Purple Flame Fire Wings, he soared away.

"Purple Flame, you cannot escape," Murong Ke shouted, but he was stopped by Ning Hao and others' attacks, powerless to pursue.

From a distance, a voice cold and filled with murderous intent spoke out.

"Murong Ke, Murong Sha, for today's grudge, I, Yi Xiao, will be sure to repay it a hundredfold another day."