Soul Emperor Martial God-Chapter 1696: Sorry, Not Interested
On top of Sword Mountain.
Xiao Yi walked slowly.
To reach Sword Mountain, one must first pass through the main hall area of Dongli Sword Palace.
And the main hall of the Sword Palace is not a place ordinary martial artists from common forces can approach.
Thus, Xiao Yi hardly saw any martial artists along his way.
On Sword Mountain, there’s no need to say more.
Sword Mountain is a holy land of Dongli Sword Palace, and without the palace’s permission, hardly anyone can ascend it.
Of course, Xiao Yi is an exception.
"Miss Shui, did you come looking for me for something?"
Cresting Sword Mountain, at the edge of the cliff, Shui Ninghan stood with her hands behind her back, gazing into the distance.
Xiao Yi could only see her silhouette, but that water-blue dress and her graceful figure unmistakably belonged to Shui Ninghan.
"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you’re out of seclusion so soon?" Shui Ninghan smiled, her tone clearly tinged with a hint of surprise.
"Other martial artists often spend years or months in seclusion, even for heavenly talents and prodigies, it takes at least ten to fifteen days."
"But Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao managed to come out in just a few hours, truly deserving the title of the successor recognized by the Three Halls."
Xiao Yi frowned slightly, he didn’t think Shui Ninghan had purposefully sought him just to chat idly.
"It was merely a casual seclusion for some contemplation, not a breakthrough in martial arts, so it didn’t take much time."
In fact, Xiao Yi’s current martial arts cultivation hadn’t truly advanced.
He simply filled his Small World’s Primordial Power to 50%.
If he wants to break through his cultivation, he still needs to find a place to absorb Heaven and Earth Martial Arts Power later.
Of course, for Xiao Yi, this would only take a short time, so there’s no rush at present.
Moreover, he seemed not to have broken through his cultivation.
But in truth, if it were someone else, refining such a large amount of training resources and absorbing such a massive amount of power is no easy task.
The reward Dongli Sword Palace gave this time is exceedingly generous.
If it were another prodigy, they wouldn’t finish absorbing it in less than ten to fifteen days, and that’s without a Martial Arts Barrier.
Otherwise, it would take even longer.
Xiao Yi refined and absorbed everything in just a few hours, which could only be described as monstrous.
"Miss Shui, what exactly do you want from me?" Xiao Yi asked directly.
Shui Ninghan didn’t turn around and still stood with her hands behind her back, facing away from Xiao Yi, speaking softly, "Just wanted to chat with Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao."
Without waiting for Xiao Yi to inquire further,
Shui Ninghan continued, "I heard that when Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao first arrived here a few days ago, you faced similar obstacles like I did."
"Martial artists from various forces blocked your way."
"Perhaps, we share a sense of camaraderie in adversity."
Shui Ninghan chuckled lightly.
Xiao Yi frowned, remaining silent.
"Oh, right." Shui Ninghan spoke softly, "Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you’ve been recognized by the Three Main Halls as the future head, I haven’t congratulated you yet."
"You’re too kind." Xiao Yi returned with indifference.
Shui Ninghan smiled, "Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you’re always so cold and indifferent, have I offended you before?"
"Or, do you not wish to converse with me?"
"No." Xiao Yi said indifferently, "I’m just used to interacting with people this way."
"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you truly are interesting." Shui Ninghan giggled.
"As far as I know, Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao has always been dutiful, whether as a Demon Hunter or when exterminating evil cultivators, always putting in maximum effort."
"During demon hunting, you regard it as a divine duty, sweeping through dangerous terrains and Demon Beast Forests."
"When exterminating evil cultivators, you were even more ruthless, bringing fear to evil cultivators wherever you went, eliminating one région’s problems after another."
"I’ve long admired you greatly."
"Even though there’s been no friendship between us, making a friend today wouldn’t hurt."
Shui Ninghan’s voice was always light and soft, at most there was a slight laughter.
Her tone was without false pretenses, flattery, or ingratiation, making one feel comfortable.
"That’s fine." Xiao Yi nodded, "Miss Shui, you seem like a very nice friend to have."
In fact, when they first met in the Four-direction Domain, there was already a slight camaraderie established.
At this moment, Shui Ninghan suddenly said, "Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you have always been faithful to the duties of the Eight Palaces."
"What are your thoughts on the Central Region today?"
"What thoughts?" Xiao Yi asked, puzzled.
Shui Ninghan smiled, "Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, you must have heard, in the Ancient Era’s Central Region, it was a spectacular place, a true era of martial arts proliferation, where martial arts developed to the extreme."
"But today, how many inheritances have been lost in the Central Region? How does today’s heavenly talents compare to those of the ancient ones?"
"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, why do you think this is the case?"
Xiao Yi shook his head, "Times have changed, generations shifted, there’s nothing to say."
"What if I said I have the ability to change all this?" Shui Ninghan, who had been facing away, suddenly turned around.
Her beautiful eyes, which were originally full of mirth, with her eyebrows arched, suddenly became extremely sharp, staring straight at Xiao Yi.
"In the Central Region of the past, even though demon beasts were a scourge, the mainland was in grave danger."
"But the mainland martial artists united as one, under the lead of the Ancient Eight Halls, destroyed all demon beasts, restoring peace to the mainland."
"In those times, martial artists were united and truly developed martial arts to the extreme, reaching unmatched brilliance."
"Today, in the Central Region, everyone is selfish, and harbors ill intentions."
"Today, the Central Region is practically an Asura Purgatory, with killings and disputes erupting everywhere, martial artists fighting each other endlessly."
"Driven by selfish desires, they risk everything, causing great upheavals and unrest."
"A single massacre might seem trivial, but if it happens twice, ten times, a hundred times, it’s like a spark that spreads across the mainland, causing today’s Central Region to be in utter chaos."
"Since the end of the Ancient Era, martial artist killings and conflicts have been unregulated, and to this day, the brilliance of martial arts has dimmed, no longer as splendid as it once was."
Xiao Yi felt a shock in his heart, squinting his eyes, "Miss Shui, what exactly are you trying to say?"
Xiao Yi unconsciously intensified his tone.
Shui Ninghan spoke solemnly, "Do you still not understand the rejection we faced from various forces earlier?"
"Driven by selfish desires, they disregard rules and lose their core essence."
"Today’s Central Region is chaotic, martial arts brilliance has faded, and disputes are endless."
"Frankly, it all stems from human nature’s inherent evil."
Shui Ninghan spoke solemnly, "Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, since you adhere to the duties of the Eight Palaces, you surely do not wish to see today’s Central Region."
"The Ancient Eight Halls were the mainland’s foundational pillars, tasked with protecting the continent."
"Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao, would you join me as a kindred spirit?"
Xiao Yi’s expression under the mask suddenly changed, "Miss Shui, how do you want me to assist you?"
Shui Ninghan’s expression brightened, "Does this mean Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao agrees?"
"No." Xiao Yi shook his head, "I want to hear what Miss Shui wants me to assist with first."
Shui Ninghan furrowed her brows, "It’s well-known that Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao is extraordinarily smart, but there’s no need to probe me."
"If Vice Hall Master Yi Xiao agrees, I will explain everything."
Xiao Yi squinted his eyes, and the next moment, gave a faint, indifferent smile.
"Sorry, I’m not interested."
...
Fourth update. (Explosive)
