Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 83: Chapter 82: Heavenly Defect and Earth Defect

Xiao Yi hurried along the road, only stopping to complete tasks when encountering bandit dens.

After all, going to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect was the main agenda.

Time flew, and two months quietly passed.

Outside Baiwu City, in a certain mountain forest, a young man slowly woke from meditation.

The youth wore a mask, obscuring his features, but his eyes were lively and his brow and forehead were handsome—suggesting he was a good-looking young man.

However, the sharp aura emanating from his body unmistakably indicated that he was a powerful Martial Artist.

This young man was Xiao Yi.

During this time, besides hurrying along the road, he would meditate during rests, practice Martial Techniques, or casually read the Breeze Sword Gang when bored.

In these two months, he experienced countless battles, fighting people and demon beasts, equivalent to undergoing a rigorous trial.

Such intense battles also increased his Cultivation, advancing from the Innate First Layer to the Innate Third Layer.

In just two months, he had jumped two layers within the Innate Realm, and most of that time was spent on the road. Such a terrifying speed of cultivation was truly astounding.

It’s known that for a typical Innate Martial Artist to break through even one layer takes a very long time.

Like the elders from the Xiao Family, they needed several years just to break through one layer.

Now, Xiao Yi, having used Rising Dragon, possessed the battle power of the Innate Ninth Layer.

Moreover, his Martial Techniques had also improved; the Fire Devouring Hundred Blades could now unleash thirty blades simultaneously even without the Flame Gloves.

”Phew.” Xiao Yi finished his meditation, exhaling a murky breath, and muttered to himself, ”In half a month, it will be the day the Sky-splitting Sword Sect opens to accept disciples. I’ll go to the Demon Hunting Hall, hand over the tasks, and won’t take any more. I’ll head directly to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.”

After speaking, Xiao Yi stood up and headed toward Baiwu City.

Baiwu City was the strongest among the dozen or so cities nearby and also hosted a Demon Hunting Hall.

Entering the Demon Hunting Hall, Xiao Yi approached the Task Department and presented his token.

The staff took a glance at the token, flipped through the task manual, made some records, then returned the token to Xiao Yi.

”The details show these bandit gangs have all been eradicated, task completed. Each task 30 points, 33 people, total 990 points. Task points have been recorded, here’s your reward.”

People at the Demon Hunting Hall had their own rules, their words and actions were almost always the same.

Xiao Yi took the reward and was about to leave, but at that moment, the staff courteously asked, ”Mr. Yi Xiao, is there anything else?”

Xiao Yi’s face darkened, he glared at the staff, and thought, ”Why so polite, will you die if you don’t speak?”

He had already anticipated what was about to happen.

As expected, whether the demon hunters around were turning in or preparing to take on tasks, their attention now gathered on him.

”Yi Xiao?”

”The genius demon hunter who suddenly rose to fame recently?”

”Dressed in a black robe, face wearing a mask, a youthful appearance; it indeed must be Yi Xiao.”

With Xiao Yi’s frenzied pace, nearly clearing a large bandit gang every two days, it would be strange if he weren’t famous.

However, his reputation was limited mostly among demon hunters.

Thus, from entering Baiwu City to entering the Demon Hunting Hall, nobody had paid any attention to him.

After all, there were many Martial Artists wearing masks.

No one would take a second look.

Even upon entering the Demon Hunting Hall, the surrounding demon hunters wouldn’t notice him.

Demon hunters dressed like him, in these kinds of outfits and appearances, were plentiful.

No demon hunter would give him a second glance.

But, when the staff at the Demon Hunting Hall said ”Mr. Yi Xiao,” that caught the attention of the demon hunters.

After taking a few more looks at Xiao Yi, they recognized him as Yi Xiao.

Reluctantly shaking his head, Xiao Yi quickly left the Demon Hunting Hall and headed to the next city.

He was already very close to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect. If he didn’t need to delay for tasks, by moving at full speed, he could reach there in about four to five days.

At this point, he wasn’t in a rush anymore. Passing through other cities around Baiwu City also allowed him to slowly appreciate the exotic local culture.

After all, this place was more than forty cities away from Purple Cloud City—very far indeed.

Compared to places like Mystic Breakthrough City and Baiwu City, which had Demon Hunting Halls, there were far fewer demon hunters in the surrounding cities.

Demon hunters mostly operated in cities with Demon Hunting Halls, facilitating task-taking and assignment.

The demon hunters in other cities were just a sparse few.

Xiao Yi casually found a teahouse to sit down, planning to rest a bit before continuing on his journey.

Suddenly, the conversation of two patrons at a nearby table caught his attention.

Judging from their attire, they seemed like demon hunters or Martial Artists who were traveling.

”Hey, have you heard? Among our demon hunters, a very incredible one has emerged. He’s young but immensely strong, surpassing many veteran demon hunters.”

”I know, that Yi Xiao, right? I heard he’s just a youth, a master of Fire Control, who had those large bandit gangs running in panic.”

”Unfortunately, this suddenly emerging genius Martial Artist might be in big trouble.”

”Oh?”

”Don’t you know? He swept through and destroyed dozens of large bandit gangs along the way. Now, bandits from other cities hate him to the bone, wishing they could grind his bones to dust. They’ve even put a high bounty on his head through the Shadow Tower’s Assassins, vowing to kill him.”

”Shadow Tower? Damn it, those bandit gangs have always been wicked beyond redemption. Now that they’ve involved the Shadow Tower, Yi Xiao must indeed be in big trouble.”

The two of them talked, both sighing a few times.

Suddenly, they spotted Xiao Yi on the other side and immediately became silent.

”Hey, look. Isn’t that the genius Demon Hunter, Yi Xiao?”

They both glanced at Xiao Yi.

The next second, the other person waved their hand and laughed, ”You’re joking. Just because someone wears a mask, you think he’s Yi Xiao? According to the rumors, that genius should be in some bandit lair wreaking havoc. How could he possibly show up here?”

They continued to chat freely.

.....

”Shadow Tower.” Xiao Yi frowned secretly.

He had heard of Shadow Tower, the most massive and famous Assassins organization in Northern Mountain County.

It was also one of the major forces in Northern Mountain County, more powerful and influential than the Northern Mountain Murong Family.

The Assassins from the Tower came and went without a trace, and no one knew where their headquarters were, nor could anyone find their Assassins.

Only when someone needed their services would they appear on their own.

In the entire Northern Mountain County, probably only the Sky-splitting Sword Sect could suppress them.

”Better to avoid long dreams by hastening to the Sky-splitting Sword Sect,” thought Xiao Yi as he got up to continue his journey.

.....

Outside the city, Xiao Yi sped along the road, but after only a few miles, he abruptly stopped.

He distinctly felt several breaths locking onto him.

”Heh.” Xiao Yi chuckled lightly. ”Gentlemen, ever since I left the city gate, you have been following me. What exactly is your intention?”

There was no one around Xiao Yi; he seemed to be talking to the air.

”Humph, do I need to personally invite you out?” With a cold snort, Xiao Yi shot two Fire Blades behind him.

Whoosh, whoosh, two figures suddenly appeared.

”Kid, you’ve got some skills. No wonder you’re the genius Demon Hunter, Yi Xiao. Your alertness is quite high.”

The two who appeared were dressed in black and white, both wearing masks marked with a small ’shadow’ character.

”Heh.” Xiao Yi just smiled again and spoke to the air once more, ”The other two gentlemen, do I also have to invite you out?”

Whoosh, whoosh, another two figures appeared.

”Kid, even we were discovered by you, impressive.”

These two also wore masks, their faces unseen. One had only one arm, and the other had a lame leg.

Xiao Yi’s expression turned cold, ”Heavenly Defect, Earth Defect, Black and White Impermanence, all four Gold Medal Killers from the Shadow Tower are indeed out, you really think highly of me.”

”Oh, you know us?”

”But now that we have appeared, you must know our purpose too. The leaders of the major bandit gangs are offering a high price for your head.”

Black and White Impermanence spoke in unison.

Heavenly Defect and Earth Defect threw out a dagger, saying sinisterly, ”Will you do it yourself, or shall we?”

With a clang, the dagger fell to the ground, ringing clear and cold.

”Let me remind you,” said Black and White Impermanence coldly. ”If you let those two act, you will die miserably.”

”Trust us, you’re a genius, but at your young age, you wouldn’t want to endure that kind of torment.”

”Heh.” Xiao Yi just chuckled again, unmoving.

Seeing this, Black and White Impermanence coldly said, ”It seems you do not intend to make it quick for yourself.”

Heavenly Defect and Earth Defect then sneered menacingly on their own.

”His two arms, leave them to me.”

”His two legs, I’ll have fun with them.”

Black and White Impermanence coldly laughed, ”As you wish, just bring back his head to complete the task.”

At this point, Xiao Yi finally spoke, ”It seems you four are very confident.”

”Do you think you still have a chance to escape?” sneered Black and White Impermanence.

Xiao Yi smiled, ”Just now in the teahouse in the city, the ones intentionally talking beside me, that was you two, right?”

”You knew from the start?” Black and White Impermanence were immediately startled, ”Then why did you still leave the city?”

Indeed, the ones chatting in the teahouse were Black and White Impermanence, aiming to lure Xiao Yi out of the city.

Xiao Yi had noticed them long before.

”Because, I... felt an itch in my hands.” Xiao Yi looked straight at the four great killers, speaking calmly, and he gathered a flame in his hands.