Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 15: Chapter 14: Stepping Up to the Challenge

The rules of the family competition are straightforward, based on the strength of one’s cultivation level to take the stage.

Those who go first are definitely the disciples at the Mortal Realm First Layer. The judge will call out names proactively; once called, the disciples will enter the stage for testing and then fight with other disciples of the same level.

Once all the First Layer disciples have competed, the strongest among them will challenge the Second Layer. If that disciple is defeated, the next round will begin, which is the bout between Mortal Realm Second Layer disciples.

And so on and so forth.

Under the judge’s high-pitched voice, one after another Xiao Family Disciple was named and took the stage.

Several hours later, the competition had progressed to battles between Mortal Realm Fifth Layer disciples.

Though disciples below Mortal Realm Fifth Layer were the majority, after all, their levels were low, and the battles ended quite quickly.

However, in these contests, there were a few Mortal Realm Fourth Layer disciples who actually managed to defeat those at the Fifth Layer, fighting extremely fiercely, eliciting cheers from many clan members below the stage.

As for Xiao Yi below the stage, after watching dozens of matches go by, he nearly fell asleep from boredom.

Really, for someone like him, who was once the king of assassins, these kids’ battles had no substance, filled with flaws in every move, trivial like child’s play, impossibly tedious.

Although the martial artists of this world have a complete cultivation system and strong True Qi, their battle experience is truly lacking, and their moves too rudimentary, truly not catching his eye.

Just as he was about to actually fall asleep, a loud boom suddenly rang out from the martial arts arena.

And beneath this booming sound, a Xiao Family Disciple was sent flying off the arena, vomiting blood and passing out.

”Huh?” Xiao Yi frowned and looked towards the stage.

”Such great strength, to defeat a martial artist of the same level with one punch. Xiao Xingyang, with an Orange-rank Martial Soul, Wildfire Bull, truly formidable,” the clan members below remarked in admiration.

Xiao Xingyang, the Ninth Elder’s son, also had a bit of fame in the Xiao Family as a talent, just 15 this year but already a Mortal Realm Fifth Layer martial artist.

Among the Fifth Layer disciples, he was unquestionably the strongest.

”This match, Xiao Xingyang wins,” the judge announced the result.

Xiao Xingyang triumphantly raised both hands, scanning around the martial arts arena, as if enjoying the fervent gazes of the clan members.

But for some reason, when his gaze swept over Xiao Yi, it suddenly turned disapproving, filled with a challenging intent, and even without a trace, he stretched out his pinky finger, wiggling it at Xiao Yi.

”This guy, he has a grudge against me,” Xiao Yi felt perplexed.

.....

Soon enough, the next round of the competition began. This time, it was the battle between Mortal Realm Sixth Layer disciples.

Mortal Realm Sixth Layer represented the most outstanding group of Xiao Family Disciples, also the ones most dear to the clan, the most promising.

In contrast to the previous battles, the upcoming fights undoubtedly attracted more attention, and were also more significant.

After all, this year’s family competition coincided with the triennial opening of the Purple Cloud Cave.

Although the Mortal Realm Sixth Layer disciples would definitely be able to enter the Purple Cloud Cave, their rankings also decided their positions within the Purple Cloud Cave.

It is said that the Purple Cloud Cave is a treasure land of cultivation, where the deeper one goes, the faster the cultivation pace.

So, the fights to come, these disciples would certainly give it their all, using every trick in the book, in hopes of securing a better ranking. Naturally, their battles would be even more thrilling and spectacular.

”Xiao Zimu, Xiao Zhuang, get on stage for testing,” the judge called out.

Two young men about 17 years old leaped onto the martial arts arena.

The judge took a glance at them and nodded in satisfaction, saying, ”Hmm, not bad, both at Mortal Realm Sixth Layer, especially you, Xiao Zimu, you should be able to break through to Mortal Realm Seventh Layer in less than half a year, excellent.”

After the testing was completed, the two began their bout.

Instantly, both unleashed their Martial Souls.

Xiao Zimu’s Martial Soul was the Orange-rank Fire Vortex Stick, while Xiao Zhuang’s was the Orange-rank Red-eyed Red Bull.

Indeed, their battle was far more intense than the previous ones, with Xiao Zimu’s stick enveloped in rotating flames, instantly turning the martial arts arena into a shower of sparks.

Xiao Zhuang was even more impressive with his punch, the fist wrapped in blazing flames boasting immense impact and explosive power, shattering the ground at once.

Honestly, in Xiao Yi’s eyes, their fight was still subpar. At least, if he were at the same level, using the same Martial Soul, the combat power he would unleash would definitely be several times theirs.

In terms of battle experience and combat skills, Xiao Yi was far too strong.

Nevertheless, since the two were fighting so fiercely and with such spectacle, Xiao Yi just watched it as a performance.

Just when he was engrossed, his shoulder was suddenly heavily patted.

”Huh?” Xiao Yi reflexively stepped aside, escaping the person’s hand with an exceedingly skilled step.

Who is it? With my keen intuition, how did I not notice him approach me from behind?

When Xiao Yi turned around, he discovered that the person who had come was the Third Elder. He immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

So this is what an Innate Realm Martial Artist is, capable of concealing their aura without a sound, moving lightly yet as stable as Mount Tai. This almost matches the peak strength I once had on Earth.

Rumor has it that Innate Martial Artists wield terrifying combat power, able to split mountains and shatter rocks with a single punch or kick.

”Yi’er, come here,” the Third Elder said in a low voice, pulling Xiao Yi into a corner.

”What’s the matter?” Xiao Yi asked.

”Yi’er, you’ve seen the battles of those in the Mortal Realm Sixth Layer,” Xiao Chong said earnestly. ”With your strength, competing against them is no different from seeking death.”

”What do you mean, Third Elder?” Xiao Yi asked.

”Give up on this competition,” Xiao Chong said gravely.

Xiao Chong sighed, his brows filled with profound care for Xiao Yi. ”Rest assured, even if you don’t compete this time, the Fifth Elder and the others can’t do anything to you. Your title as the Young Master will still be intact, and your cultivation spot in the Purple Cloud Cave will still be yours.”

”Oh?” Xiao Yi was quite puzzled.

Xiao Chong smiled and said affectionately, ”Just as you said before, these were things you were entitled to anyway.”

”But...”

”Don’t worry,” Xiao Chong interrupted. ”The Fourth and Sixth Elders have expressed their willingness to support you. Along with me, our decision as three elders isn’t something the Fifth Elder and his followers can change easily.”

”Third Elder, that’s not what I meant,” Xiao Yi said with a wry smile, clearly understanding the Third Elder’s good intentions—he was afraid that Xiao Yi would be in danger if he entered the competition.

Moreover, for the Fourth and Sixth Elders to agree to support him, the Third Elder must have paid a significant price. No wonder he hadn’t come to see Xiao Yi in the past half month; he had been preparing this matter in the dark.

However, Xiao Yi was confident he could handle this competition.

”Third Elder, I have a bet with Xiao Ruohan. I must compete this time,” Xiao Yi stated earnestly.

Xiao Chong immediately rejected the idea, ”That’s out of the question. Let the bet go. I can’t just watch you get hurt and take risks.”

Xiao Chong continued, ”I know that Xiao Ruohan has already put pressure on several Xiao Family Disciples. The moment you step onto the stage, those disciples will strike you with lethal force.”

”Lethal force?” Xiao Yi scoffed coldly. ”Good, then I don’t have to be polite to them either.”

Xiao Chong protested, ”Enough with the impoliteness, you’ll be lucky if they don’t deal with you harshly. Listen to me, Yi’er, you can’t participate in this competition.”

”Don’t worry, Third Elder,” Xiao Yi replied confidently with a smile. ”As a Xiao Family Disciple, we must face challenges with firmness and confront danger without fear. A good man should never cower in the face of adversity, break his word, or value life over honor. My father taught me the same when I was a child, didn’t he?”

”Uh, the Family Head, he...” Xiao Chong found himself at a loss for words.

Xiao Yi glanced coolly at the Martial Arts Arena and said seriously, ”Promises between men are very important, aren’t they? If I cower and fail to show, I would be utterly useless and deeply despised.”

Third Elder Xiao Chong stood there frozen. Many years ago, the Xiao Family had once faced a crisis. At that time, Xiao Yi’s father, the Family Head, had been just as resolute, showing no sign of retreat, standing alone against all enemies with his towering stature.

Even as the rounds of fights on the Martial Arts Arena concluded, Xiao Chong remained stunned, reminiscing about the glorious days following the Family Head.

Meanwhile, Xiao Yi had already taken the initiative to approach the Martial Arts Arena and leaped onto it with a single bound.

”Xiao Yi?” The referee was startled and somewhat surprised.

As far as he could remember, Xiao Yi had never participated in the clan competition. With his forever rock-bottom Mortal Realm First Layer cultivation and Wasted Martial Soul, he was no match for any disciple.

But then he promptly remembered, half a month earlier, Xiao Yi’s bet with Xiao Ruohan.

And with Xiao Yi’s appearance, the clan members below immediately became noisy.

”Xiao Yi actually dares to compete.”

”He’s challenging a disciple from Mortal Realm Sixth Layer who fought in the last round, isn’t that akin to suicide?”

”That good-for-nothing, a mere Mortal Realm First Layer, dreaming of fighting against the clan’s top disciples, is truly overestimating himself.”

”If you ask me, we might as well strip him of his Young Master title. As for the competition, it’s a complete waste of time.”

Amidst the conversations of the clan members, nearly all of it was scornful and mocking. Many even felt it was a waste of time, lacking any desire to watch the fight.

Xiao Yi, a useless disgrace, had nearly become a consensus among all in the Xiao Family.

”The little good-for-nothing has really come to throw his life away,” the Fifth Elder and others sneered maliciously.

”Xiao Yi, you dared to bet against me; today, I will utterly cripple you,” Xiao Ruohan thought with intense killing intent towards Xiao Yi.

”Xiao Yi, get down, we have no interest in fighting you,” said the Mortal Realm Sixth Layer disciples who had already been ranked, speaking disdainfully, their expressions full of loathing.

As if, for these top disciples, even winning against Xiao Yi would be a deeply shameful act.

To the strong, the weak are always trash, the butt of jokes.

Amidst the jeers, the impatient cries, the demands for him to step down, Xiao Yi turned a deaf ear. Standing alone on the Martial Arts Arena, his proud eyes swept over the clan members and finally settled on the Mortal Realm Sixth Layer disciples.

”Who among you dares to fight me on stage!” Xiao Yi shouted with his fighting spirit soaring to the heavens, like a proud king looking disdainfully upon those hideous faces.