Soul Emperor Martial God

Chapter 32: Chapter 31: Fire Devouring Hundred Blades

Xiao Yi couldn’t wait to take the two books and started to read them.

The Second Elder was stunned and said, ”You little brat, what’s the rush?”

Xiao Yi ignored him, engrossed in the first book.

”Fire Devouring Hundred Blades, a Low-level Xuan Rank Martial Technique, when refined to Great Achieved, a hundred blades of fire can be commanded as easily as one’s own limbs. Enemies are helpless amidst a blade mountain and sea of fire.”

The introduction on the first page immediately captured his attention.

The Second Elder grumbled quietly with a chuckle, ”Others call me a Martial Arts Fool, but you’re even more obsessed than I am. Moreover, this is the most profound Martial Technique of our Xiao Family, extremely difficult to master. You won’t get much out of it by just looking now...”

”Shh.” The Great Elder suddenly made a silencing gesture, speaking softly, ”Don’t disturb him.”

The atmosphere suddenly became serene, silent as a crypt; the three elders quietly watched Xiao Yi. The only sound was the faint sound of pages turning as Xiao Yi read.

After a while, when Xiao Yi closed the book, his eyes burst with a dazzling light, and he suddenly extended his right hand, a surge of True Qi flowing within.

The True Qi gradually condensed and formed a blade radiating intense heat, appearing out of thin air.

”Go.” Xiao Yi shouted, and the fire blade shot out from his hand.

When the fire blade hit the ground, it first tore open a deep crack before exploding forcefully, leaving a large crater.

”This...” The three elders were simultaneously shocked, ”In just a short time, he has comprehended Fire Devouring Hundred Blades and successfully formed a blade of fire.”

Martial Techniques are one of the most precious things on the Flame Dragon Continent.

They’re also the existence countless Martial Artists dream of, even more attractive than Elixir Elixirs.

Among Martial Artists of the same level, those who possess a Martial Technique absolutely have overwhelming strength.

Martial Techniques are divided into four ranks from high to low: Heaven, Earth, Xuan, Yellow.

Each rank is then divided into four levels: low-level, mid-level, high-level, and peak.

The gap between each level is enormous.

The higher the level of the Martial Technique, the more terrifying its power.

Even the lowest Yellow Rank Martial Technique can enable a Martial Artist to exert several times their own combat strength.

And a Xuan Rank Martial Technique can easily allow Martial Artists to fight across levels.

As for Earth Rank and Heaven Rank Martial Techniques, their power is even stronger.

Rumors say that a single Heaven Rank Martial Technique could allow a Postnatal Realm Martial Artist to slay a Mysterious Profundity Realm Warrior, ignoring the gap between their Martial Arts Cultivation realms.

Of course, that is merely a rumor; no one has ever seen a Heaven Rank Martial Technique. They’re almost the stuff of legend.

And Earth Rank Martial Techniques, it is rumored, only exist within the large Sects and Super Forces.

In all of Purple Cloud City, the most powerful Martial Technique is only Low-level Xuan Rank, and even then, only the Three Great Families possess them.

As for the smaller families or Independent Martial Artists, owning a Yellow Rank Martial Technique is already quite impressive.

Inside Purple Cloud City, there was once a famous trading company that auctioned a Yellow Rank Peak Martial Technique. The starting bid was fifty thousand Silver Taels, but the bidders were endless, even scrambling fiercely for it, ultimately selling for eighty thousand Silver Taels.

Hence, the rarity of a Yellow Rank Peak Martial Technique, let alone the sole Low-level Xuan Rank Martial Technique owned by each of the Three Great Families, goes without saying.

Returning to the matter at hand, the three elders stared dumbfounded at Xiao Yi, disbelief written all over their faces.

”Although he’s only formed a single blade of fire and hasn’t reached the realm of Great Achieved, it also means he has initially mastered Fire Devouring Hundred Blades,” the Great Elder said approvingly, nodding his head.

”Is this little brat a freak? I spent ten days and nights just to form the first blade of fire, but look at him. He’s just finished reading the Martial Technique and has already comprehended it,” the Second Elder looked at Xiao Yi as if he were a monster.

The Third Elder just smiled without saying a word, his smile full of pride.

”That’s enough.” The Great Elder suddenly spoke, interrupting Xiao Yi’s intention to look at the next Martial Technique.

”Xiao Yi, Fire Devouring Hundred Blades is the most important Martial Technique of our Xiao Family, not to be disclosed to outsiders. After you note down the information on this Martial Technique today, you must return it tomorrow; did you get it?” the Great Elder said gravely.

”Mm,” Xiao Yi nodded.

The Great Elder continued, ”As for the next Martial Technique, it is one left behind by the Family Head prior to his disappearance, and so far, only we three elders have seen it within the whole Xiao Family. Now it is entrusted to you, and it is up to you to decide whether to continue to keep it in the family’s possession or to let other family members Cultivate it.”

Xiao Yi fell into deep thought.

”There’s no need to rush your decision,” the Great Elder said, ”This is your matter, and we have no opinions on how you decide. Furthermore, I advise you not to be hasty about heading to the Meteorite Mountain Range; it is far more dangerous than you imagine.”

”The Family rules state that all qualified descendants must be sent out for trials. However, this time, I am giving you a privilege. You may choose to go in a few years, or not go at all, that’s fine too.”

”Your talent is something I have never seen in my life. Given time, you will certainly become a powerful figure known throughout Purple Cloud City. I would much prefer to see you grow up than to go out and risk your life on adventures now. Of course, the choice is ultimately yours to make.”

After speaking, the Great Elder waved his hand and said, ”Alright, we have other important matters to discuss. If there’s nothing else, you may leave now.”

Xiao Yi nodded, turned, and slowly exited.

Upon Xiao Yi’s departure, three elders in the mansion unexpectedly revealed simultaneously profound expressions of satisfaction.

”This youngster, very good,” the Great Elder said with a smile.

”Hmm,” the Second Elder nodded and added, ”In terms of Martial Arts Talent and alchemy potential, he far surpasses both of us.”

”That’s not what I’m talking about,” the Great Elder shook his head.

”Oh?”

”I’m talking about his maturity of mind,” the Great Elder said gravely, ”From the start of the family competition, being targeted by several elders, to the rumors circulating now, his performance has been quite satisfactory.”

”He is mature, facing various forms of targeting without any panic. Especially his thought process and reactions to various issues, nearly flawless. And within this maturity lies a stubbornness and pride.”

As the Great Elder spoke, he gave the Second Elder a look and said, ”Compared to his maturity, you seem like an immature boy in my eyes.”

”Tch,” the Second Elder made a face, not bothering to rebut.

The Great Elder laughed and said, ”This world does not lack geniuses, but the majority of them die young for various reasons before they become strong. As for Xiao Yi, I am almost certain that with his maturity, he will definitely grow strong.”

”In no more than ten years, he will surpass us old folks and become an even stronger Martial Artist.”

”However,” the Great Elder suddenly furrowed his brows and said, ”What I cannot understand is how a youth who has barely left the Xiao Family’s gates could possess such deep thoughts and deliberations, resembling a person weathered by many hardships.”

A youngster naturally would not have such a mindset. But the King of Assassins, who had traveled through dangers of life and death, certainly would.

The Third Elder spoke up from the side, ”Perhaps, his experiences within the family over the years have accelerated his growth.”

The expression on the Great Elder’s face suddenly turned somber, and he sighed, ”Ah, he has suffered much these years. Second Elder, later on, go have a word with the Fifth Elder and tell him to stop all those petty actions.”

”Alright,” the Second Elder nodded and said, ”Xiao Yi is a talent rarely seen in the history of our Xiao Family; naturally, we can’t let him be wronged anymore.”

”Third Elder,” the Great Elder continued to instruct, ”Later, you go to the family halls and gather some things, Elixir materials and Silver Tael and such; take what should be taken. We really should compensate Xiao Yi properly.”

”Yes,” the Third Elder replied with a smile.

Having given his instructions, the Great Elder stood up, ready to leave. As the only Third-grade Alchemist in the family, he was extremely busy.

”Hold on,” the Second Elder suddenly called to him.

”What is it?” the Great Elder raised an eyebrow.

The Second Elder said, ”The treatment and compensation that Xiao Yi should have, we will give anew. Then, the matter that we’ve been hiding from him all these years, should we also...?”

”This...” The Great Elder fell silent, unsure how to respond.

The Second Elder continued, ”The Family Head didn’t disappear suddenly years ago but left on his own accord. Thinking about it, as his son, I feel Xiao Yi has the right to know.”

After a pause, the Great Elder looked at the Third Elder and said, ”Before the Family Head left, he trusted you the most and even entrusted the young Xiao Yi to your care. I think it’s better to let you decide whether or not we should tell Xiao Yi.”

The Third Elder shook his head, then suddenly smiled and said, ”I won’t tell Yii’er about what happened that year. If possible, I’d keep it from him for a lifetime.”

”You...” The Second Elder frowned, ”That’s quite unfair to him.”

The Third Elder continued to shake his head and earnestly said, ”It’s for Yii’er’s own good. Why did the Family Head leave, where did he go, and why hasn’t he come back for so long? How much do we really know about all of this?”

”Moreover, if Yii’er one day becomes capable, he’ll find out what he needs to know without me saying anything. If he doesn’t become capable, even if I did say something, it would only add to his burdens.”

The Second Elder looked like he wanted to say more, but the Great Elder interrupted, ”Enough. The Third Elder cares for Xiao Yi as his own; his contributions to Xiao Yi far exceed ours. When it comes to Xiao Yi’s affairs, he has more right to make decisions.”

...

Xiao Yi had long since returned home, completely unaware of the conversation between the three elders.