Soul Emperor Martial God-Chapter 1671: Hidden Forces

Inside the room, Xiao Yi sat cross-legged, cultivating.

To him, even his rare leisure time was mostly spent in cultivation.

While cultivating, he also pondered.

According to his temperament, he generally wouldn’t seek the spotlight; even when participating in competitions, he would just quietly wait, and leave immediately after.

Unexpectedly, as soon as he arrived at Dongli Sword Palace, the Palace Master of Dongli Sword Palace warmly welcomed him.

Generally, Xiao Yi seldom received such hospitality in the past, as he often traveled alone and seldom interacted with these forces.

This time, it might be because of his feat of killing the Poison Robe in the Six Dragon Territory, which significantly boosted his reputation.

The Six Dragon Territory was originally within the eastern range.

Naturally, although not very close to the Extreme East, the news from there traveled here quickly.

It was impressive enough to have Ao Donglou personally welcome him.

This might be the treatment accorded to the strong.

In Xiao Yi’s perception, the aura of Ao Donglou was about the same as Long Xiao’s.

Thus, Ao Donglou must also be a Supreme 9999 Dao warrior, just one step away from being a Legend.

However, compared to Long Xiao’s overbearing aura, Ao Donglou’s was sharper and more restrained.

This indicated that Ao Donglou’s strength might be slightly higher than Long Xiao’s.

After all, Ao Donglou was a Sword Cultivator.

The Dongli Sword Palace was among the Three Great Sword Palaces.

And Sword Cultivators are the most adept at combat.

However, within the Six Dragon Territory, Long Xiao was virtually invincible.

Of course, even if they meet outside, it wouldn’t be easy for Ao Donglou to defeat Long Xiao.

Long Xiao’s title as the strongest below Legend already proved his strength.

Moreover, the Extreme East wasn’t exactly considered a territory.

The Extreme East, located at the far eastern edge of the Central Region, beyond which lies desolation.

And the disciples of Dongli Sword Palace rarely ventured outside.

Xiao Yi clenched his powerful fist with a faint smile.

Given a chance, he truly wished to spar with Ao Donglou.

More than half a month ago, he managed to defeat the Poison Robe, and back then he was already sure that the Poison Robe had no chance of catching up with him again.

Moreover, the level of the Fire Control Beast had increased, and his own cultivation had improved, all of which were substantial enhancements.

If he guessed correctly, his current strength should be able to go toe-to-toe with warriors like Long Xiao and Ao Donglou.

While pondering this, Xiao Yi also recalled the traces inside the grand hall earlier.

He was a Demon Hunter and a Fire Control Warrior.

Thus, the traces of Demon Fire burning earlier in the grand hall couldn’t escape his eyes.

Ao Donglou’s words also confirmed his suspicions.

But which two forces had such strong warriors?

He could almost instantly judge that the level of that Demon Fire even surpassed Jiu Yan.

And there were two such outstanding talents?

As far as he knew, even the Central Region Eighteen Prefectures or the Five Great Academy couldn’t possibly have such terrifying talents.

Between Supreme 9996 Dao and 9997 Dao, it was a daunting concept for young talents.

"It seems those who came earlier were two hidden forces," Xiao Yi squinted his eyes.

To the former Xiao Yi, hidden forces were rather unfamiliar.

But over the years, traversing the Wind Shattering Hall, Asura Hall, Demon Hunting Hall, and other Five Halls, his titles weren’t low now.

Naturally, he could understand many things much more.

Hidden forces were one of them.

The vastness of the Central Region was astonishing.

Even excluding various territories, just those perilous, deserted areas were extremely vast.

And there were some ancient places unknown to outsiders, the Hidden Lands, and more.

The entire Central Region was truly marvelous, with countless secrets.

Hidden sects existed in those ancient or hidden places unknown to outsiders.

Regarding secrets at this level, Xiao Yi didn’t know much.

But he had heard of quite a few hidden forces.

Families, sects, and so on, numbering at least a dozen or so.

The Ice Emperor Palace he was familiar with was one of them.

These hidden forces rarely walked the Central Region nor interfered in its matters.

Thus, to most martial artists and forces, they were almost non-existent, transparent forces.

Yet, undoubtedly, these hidden forces were extraordinarily strong.

Moreover, their inheritance spanned extremely long eras, with some rivaling the Eight Palaces.

Most importantly, these ancient places and Hidden Lands were all Cave Heaven Blessed Lands, parts of Treasure Land.

To ordinary martial artists, it was practically a Holy Land for cultivation.

Inside, there were places far more suited for the growth of Heavenly Materials and Earthly Treasures than normal places.

Thus, the talents and martial artists of these hidden forces cultivated much faster and easier than those outside.

The reason Xiao Yi suspected that the two forces that came to Dongli Sword Palace earlier were hidden forces was precisely because of this reason.

Throughout the Central Region, the talents of the Eighteen Mansions and the Five Great Academy are already top-tier supreme geniuses.

However, the talents from the two forces just now almost crushed them with their cultivation.

Then, there may be only one possibility: they come from hidden forces.

Thinking back, when he captured the Ice Netherworld Ghost Fire on the Four-direction Domain, even Chen Xing, a talent of the Eighteen Mansions, was thrilled to enter the Ice Emperor Palace for cultivation.

This shows that those places are indeed far superior to ordinary places outside.

Of course, this is about all that Xiao Yi knows.

"Forget it, if there’s a chance to meet them in the future, they should make good opponents," Xiao Yi said with a confident smile.

In the next second, Xiao Yi cleared away the distractions from his mind and focused entirely on cultivating.

...

The next day, early morning.

At dawn, Xiao Yi finished his cultivation, removed the prohibition in the room, and walked out slowly.

"Hoo," Xiao Yi took a deep breath, glancing at the early sun in the distance.

He is a Fire Control Warrior, capable of perfectly controlling flames.

However, he still likes to feel the warmth of the morning sun.

The early sun is not scorching nor cold, carrying a slight warmth that is truly comforting.

And the air of the early morning is the most refreshing and invigorating.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi took a deep breath and noticed two people standing outside the door.

Judging by their attire, they should be Sword Palace disciples.

"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao," they said, carrying trays, "we were ordered to bring breakfast for you."

"Afterward, we will lead Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao to the Sword Palace Square."

"Hmm," Xiao Yi nodded.

It seems this is Ao Donglou’s kind gesture, a warm welcome.

Xiao Yi had no reason to refuse.

After casually eating breakfast, he followed the two to the Sword Palace Square.

Just upon reaching Sword Palace Square, it was already crowded with people.

"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao," the two Sword Palace disciples smiled, "for such a grand event as the competition for seats, everyone came early."

"However, the Palace Master has already prepared a spectator seat for Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao."

"Much appreciated," Xiao Yi nodded.

In the center of Sword Palace Square, there was a chief spectator seat.

Upon arriving at the Chief’s Office, the originally bustling crowd suddenly fell silent.

"Purple Flame Yi Xiao?" A pair of sharp eyes almost instantaneously focused on Xiao Yi.

On the chief seat, Ao Donglou slowly walked over, giving a wry smile, "Young friend Yi Xiao, let me cautiously ask you again, do you really want to participate in this competition for seats?"

"As far as I know, the Demon Hunting Hall and the Three Halls already have seats."

"With your excellence, young friend Yi Xiao, you should already have a seat, so..."

Ao Donglou smiled and said, "Why not join me as a spectator or even serve as a judge..."

Xiao Yi shook his head and interrupted, "I am here only to participate in the competition."

Upon saying this, the seats below suddenly roared with disbelief.

"What..."

"Purple Flame Yi Xiao is also going to participate in this competition?"

"Damn, who can beat this monster?"

"The great Purple Flame Yi Xiao, isn’t he too shameless?"

Voices of discussion and discontent were endless.

Xiao Yi frowned, he merely came to participate in the competition, why so much dissatisfaction?

Beside him, Ao Donglou wore a bitter smile.

In fact, Xiao Yi seemed to have overlooked something.

He considered himself a young talent, but his many accomplishments and current strength have already placed him among renowned strong figures in the eyes of outsiders.

Outsiders have long since placed him among those renowned for over hundreds of years, never considering him a young talent.

"Shut up."

Amidst the surrounding noise, an annoyed Xiao Yi shouted coldly.

"If anyone is displeased, come and fight Yi!"

An overwhelming aura instantly pressed down, with an astounding Flame Aura sweeping through the venue.

The Sword Palace Square instantly fell silent.

"Yi Xiao, I will fight you." A thunderous shout suddenly rang out.

"Hmm?" Xiao Yi frowned slightly; the voice sounded somewhat familiar.

Bang... In the sky, lightning flickered, crashing down.

A long spear pierced through the air.

"Heavenly Spear Ran Qi." Xiao Yi murmured.

...

Third update.