Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 26: Chapter 25: I am also a First-grade Alchemist

Whoosh, on the Martial Arts Arena, a figure had vanished into thin air.

By the time he appeared again, Xiao Yi, who had been ferociously beating Xiao Ruokuang, was already restrained.

The figure was none other than the referee, the strongest Postnatal Deacon in the family, a Postnatal Realm Ninth Layer Martial Artist, whose status was second only to the family elders.

Xiao Yi’s gaze sharpened as he felt his hands being tightly gripped, a sense of helplessness welled up within him.

”So this is the strength of a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist, truly formidable,” Xiao Yi thought to himself in surprise.

Xiao Yi’s own level was merely at the Mortal Realm Ninth Layer, and even with the strength enhancement from the Rising Dragon technique, he could barely reach the battle power of about the Second or Third Layer of the Postnatal Realm, naturally unable to resist the referee’s hold.

Rising Dragon was a move that temporarily greatly enhanced one’s Cultivation.

However, with the scant amount of True Qi in his body now, he couldn’t fully unleash its power.

Given time, when he could fully control the Rising Dragon technique, his combat power would certainly reach a terrifying level.

While Xiao Yi was in shock, unknown to him, a flash of surprise also passed across the referee’s face.

”Good lad, such strong force from someone merely at Mortal Realm Ninth Layer. Could it be, this waste in front of people all these years has merely been hiding his capabilities, waiting for the day to soar into the sky?” the referee thought in astonishment, yet was also puzzled.

Suddenly, the referee had a realization and thought to himself, ”Indeed, how astonishing and brilliant was the Family Head in his time, how could his son be anything less? Perhaps, Xiao Yi has always been a genius, but the family has simply paid him too little attention over the years.”

Having thought this, the referee said softly, ”Xiao Yi, the martial arts competition is over.”

Xiao Yi nodded his head and stepped to the side.

Meanwhile, the ground already bore a huge pit in which the utterly pitiful Xiao Ruokuang lay, his body covered in injuries.

His originally arrogant face was now bruised and swollen like a pig’s head.

His previously haughty words had now turned into him enduring the pain and grinding his teeth in anger.

At this moment, the Fifth Elder hastily made his way to the Martial Arts Arena to help him up.

The Third Elder stood up from the Elder’s Seat and proudly declared, ”Xiao Yi has consecutively defeated Xiao Ruohan and Xiao Ruokuang, both with complete victories. Does anyone still question his qualifications to be the Young Master?”

”No,” the clan members responded in unison, their voices exceptionally orderly.

”Xiao Yi’s talent is unprecedented and never before seen. At merely 16 years old, yet able to consecutively defeat two great talents of the family, such talent is by no means inferior to the Family Head in his youth.”

”Yes, just 16 years old, yet defeating a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist, such a genius has not appeared in the Xiao Family for many years.”

Praise from clan members was endless, their looks towards Xiao Yi had completely changed, almost as if they could already see the future of the Xiao Family, becoming even stronger under the leadership of this talented young man.

In Flame Dragon Continent, martial power was revered, and everything was measured by strength and fist.

The strong were admired and trusted by the people of this world.

The strong received plenty of rights and respect.

”Heh,” Xiao Yi smiled lightly.

Since arriving in this world, he had fully experienced its cruelty.

Without strength, even with the title of Young Master, one was no better than dirt on the ground, trampled upon and bullied at will.

Within the family, for fame and profit, they did not hesitate to scheme against each other repeatedly, even hiring assassins, intending to put him to death.

Other clan members, even if they were aware of many unfair treatments, wouldn’t speak a good word for him, merely watching indifferently.

Yet, in this cruelty, there was a way to change it all, to reverse the situation—through Cultivation and strength.

With strength and talent, everyone’s views changed, and praises were heard endlessly.

The Fifth Elder had repeatedly plotted, and even his eldest son, Xiao Ruokuang, had come from a long way from Mystic Fire Sect to the Xiao Family, intending to defeat Xiao Yi.

The result, however, was that the first youth of the Xiao Family, Xiao Ruohan, and the genius known throughout Purple Cloud City, Xiao Ruokuang, both ended up as mere stepping stones for Xiao Yi’s spectacular debut.

”If there are no other challengers, then I’ll step down,” Xiao Yi said nonchalantly, looking towards the referee.

The referee rolled his eyes silently, thinking, ”Even Xiao Ruokuang, a mere Postnatal First Layer, was beaten by you to look like a pig’s head, who would dare to challenge you.”

However, he still spoke amiably, ”Alright, you may step down.”

”Wait.”

Suddenly, a frantic voice rang out.

”How dare you injure my son, Ruokuang, and think you can just leave triumphantly?”

The speaker was none other than the Fifth Elder.

His voice was filled with anger and hatred.

However, Xiao Yi keenly caught from his gaze that it contained malice and smugness; he seemed to have been prepared, even confident.

”This scheming man, what trick is he planning to play now?” Xiao Yi silently frowned.

The Third Elder immediately spoke in a deep tone, ”Fifth Elder, during the martial arts competition on the stage, fists and feet have no eyes, and this challenge was initiated by Xiao Ruokuang himself. Who can be blamed? With Yii’er’s overwhelming strength, merely injuring him instead of taking his life is an act of benevolence.”

”Hmph,” the Fifth Elder snorted angrily, ”Third Elder, according to what you’ve said, should I thank Xiao Yi for injuring my son?”

”If you want to thank me, I won’t stop you,” the Third Elder said with a half-smile.

The Third Elder felt extremely delighted. In the past, the Fifth Elder had always used Xiao Yi’s ’uselessness’ to target him, making life difficult everywhere, and he had to endure a lot of anger from the Fifth Elder to protect Xiao Yi.

Now, with Xiao Yi defeating Xiao Ruohan and Xiao Ruokuang successively and being recognized unanimously by the entire family, he could finally breathe a sigh of relief and hold his head high.

”Scoundrel!” yelled the Fifth Elder furiously. ”Third Elder, I’ve no interest in arguing with you. Now, with the Great Elder, Second Elder, and the other elders present, I boldly seek justice for my son.”

The Second Elder asked gravely, ”Fifth Elder, what justice are you seeking?”

The Fifth Elder said, ”I’d like to ask the Second Elder, according to the clan rules, how should a Xiao Family disciple who injures a family alchemist be dealt with?”

The Second Elder frowned and said directly, ”The family’s alchemists, who refine elixirs day and night with great effort, should receive special treatment from the family. Apart from the elder deacons, ordinary disciples should not offend them. If anyone dares to insult or even attack them, the punishment ranges from eighty lashes for minor offenses to expulsion from the Xiao Family for severe ones.”

Being an alchemist is the most prestigious profession in this world, superior to martial artists of the same level.

For example, a First-grade Alchemist is much more esteemed than a Mortal Realm Warrior.

And the alchemists of the Xiao Family, who labor day and night refining elixirs for the family, hold very high status and receive great benefits within the family.

As soon as the Second Elder finished speaking, the Third Elder’s heart skipped a beat, and he asked incredulously, ”Fifth Elder, do you mean...”

Even the Great Elder, who had been feigning sleep as he watched the competition, now slightly opened his eyes.

”That’s right,” the Fifth Elder said with an air of arrogance.

Xiao Ruokuang, who was being supported by him, said proudly, ”That’s right, I am a First-grade Alchemist. Although I am a disciple of the Mystic Fire Sect, that doesn’t stop me from residing often with the family and refining elixirs for them.”

While speaking, Xiao Ruokuang looked at Xiao Yi with disdain and hatred, thinking to himself, ”You worthless thing, what does it matter if you defeated me? My status as an alchemist is enough to put you out of reach, and I can crush you just the same.”

Below the Martial Arts Arena, there was immediately a huge uproar among the clan members.

”What? Xiao Ruokuang is also a First-grade Alchemist?”

”My god, even though he’s only a First-grade, he’s just over twenty. With such talent, isn’t it possible he could become a Third-grade Alchemist in the future?”

”Wow, a future Third-grade Alchemist, truly one in ten thousand.”

”A Postnatal Realm Martial Artist and a First-grade Alchemist, Xiao Ruokuang truly deserves to be one of the greatest talents in Purple Cloud City.”

To become an alchemist, there are many requirements, with talent and qualification being the most important. It could be said that out of a thousand martial artists, not one might become an alchemist, or the probability might even be lower.

No wonder the clan members were so astonished.

Who would have thought that Xiao Ruokuang was also a First-grade Alchemist?

Even the usually silent Great Elder was slightly surprised, ”Just over twenty, and already a First-grade Alchemist, his qualification is stronger than Bailian.”

The Third Elder immediately panicked, thinking, ”Eighty lashes, no, that group of sinister people led by the Fifth Elder will definitely beat him to death, what should I do? Yii’er definitely won’t be able to withstand it.”

However, amidst the astonished voices of the clan members and the cold laughter of the Fifth Elder and Xiao Ruokuang, amidst the worried and anxious looks of the Third Elder...

Xiao Yi simply uttered an indifferent ”Oh,” ”Oh, if there’s nothing else, I’m going to go down now.”

”Nothing else? You wish,” the Fifth Elder sneered. ”Someone, tie up Xiao Yi! I need to teach him how to respect the family’s alchemists.”

”No way,” the Third Elder could no longer care about decorum, he took a step and instantly shielded Xiao Yi behind him.

”I want to see who dares to touch Yii’er,” the Third Elder said firmly, adopting a protective stance.

Seeing this, Xiao Yi felt deeply touched.

A cold sneer crossed the Fifth Elder’s heart as he thought, ”Third Elder, I knew you wouldn’t be able to resist protecting Xiao Yi. Humph, biased and unfair, let’s see how you continue as acting Family Head.”

”Great Elder, Second Elder, the Third Elder is being so overbearing and arrogant, please ensure justice for my son,” the Fifth Elder called out loudly.

”Sorry to interrupt.”

Xiao Yi suddenly stepped out from behind the Third Elder.

”You wretch, what else do you have to say?” challenged the Fifth Elder.

”Nothing much,” shrugged Xiao Yi, ”I don’t think there’s any rule in the family that says how to punish if an alchemist injures another alchemist, is there?”

”Hmm, no there isn’t, so what?” the Fifth Elder replied, ”Do you still have the mood to think about these things? Just come forward and accept your punishment.”

”That’s fine then,” Xiao Yi glanced disdainfully at the Fifth Elder, then grabbed the Third Elder, preparing to walk down from the stage.

”Don’t you dare leave—what do you mean by this?” the Fifth Elder yelled angrily.

”It means, I just wanted to tell you, I am also a First-grade Alchemist.” Xiao Yi stated with a cold smile curling at his lips.

Though the statement was delivered softly, it dropped like a bombshell, easily reaching everyone’s ears.

”What? You are also a First-grade Alchemist?” The clan members could hardly believe their ears.

The Great Elder immediately opened his eyes widely, staring intently at Xiao Yi, hoping he hadn’t heard wrong.