Devouring Soul Emperor

Elder Huang scanned the thirty-five people and gave a slight nod.

"The fact that you were all chosen by our Saint Extreme Sect proves you are the most elite of geniuses. After you enter the Sect, you must study and train diligently, and strive in your cultivation."

"You must not grow arrogant and complacent just because you've joined the Saint Extreme Sect, nor should you cease to strive for improvement."

Elder Huang cleared his throat, his tone somewhat aloof as he spoke.

"We will heed the Elder's teachings..."

"We will certainly cultivate with all our effort..."

Including Chu Qingyun and Mu Xiaoxiao, everyone answered with deference. No one dared to be disrespectful toward a Martial Emperor Level expert.

"Mm..."

Elder Huang looked at the two disciples standing slightly behind him. After nodding to them, he turned and left.

Mo Guang and the other Inner Sect Disciple bowed slightly, then took out the Saint Extreme Sect Tokens they had prepared. They walked forward and began distributing them to the newcomers.

Before they began, however, the two exchanged a glance, a knowing smile on both their faces.

Staring at the Tokens in the two disciples' hands, the hearts of all thirty-five people present filled with excitement.

Once they received a Token and bonded with it, they would be true Sect Disciples—disciples of the Saint Extreme Sect, one of the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain!

They had set out from their respective dynasties and fought their way across the Blood-soaked Land. Wasn't it all for this very moment?

There were thirty-five newcomers in total.

However, Mo Guang and the other disciple only took out thirty-two Tokens to distribute.

Three people were left without a Token: Chu Qingyun, Mu Xiaoxiao, and Dai.

Everyone else had received a Token. With only the three of them left out, they instantly drew everyone's attention, becoming the focus of all eyes.

"Who are those three? Why didn't they get a Sect Token?"

"Not sure. They couldn't have snuck in, could they?"

"Probably not. This isn't a place you can just sneak into. But I think I noticed them earlier... none of them participated in the previous test..."

Some of the surrounding people began to whisper among themselves.

The gazes directed at Chu Qingyun and his companions grew strange.

Meanwhile, Chu Qingyun and Mu Xiaoxiao looked at Mo Guang in confusion, wondering why they weren't being given Sect Tokens.

"Ahem."

Mo Guang cleared his throat deliberately, and the surrounding area instantly fell silent.

"Chu Qingyun, Mu Xiaoxiao, and... Dai. Your situation is a bit unusual. Come with me for a moment. Elder Huang wants to ask you some questions personally."

After speaking, Mo Guang turned and entered the building, along with the other Martial King Realm disciples.

Chu Qingyun and Mu Xiaoxiao exchanged a look, each seeing the confusion and wariness in the other's eyes. They nodded to one another and followed.

Although Dai didn't understand what was happening, he still followed Mu Xiaoxiao.

By this point, Chu Qingyun was already on his guard.

'Since they'd already gotten the list of early recruits from Blood Abyss City via Qi Hao, why didn't they just give us the Sect Tokens?'

'It would have been a simple matter of course. There was absolutely no need to make things so complicated...'

They passed through the gatehouse into a smaller courtyard. This one was also surrounded by rooms, but they looked much better than those in the large courtyard outside. This must be the living quarters for Elder Huang and these Inner Sect Disciples.

Soon, the group entered a reception hall.

Elder Huang sat in the head seat, his eyes slightly narrowed. Mo Guang and the other Inner Sect Disciples stood respectfully by his side, looking at Chu Qingyun and his two companions with strange smiles.

"Chu Qingyun, Mu Xiaoxiao, and..."

As he spoke, Elder Huang glanced at Dai. Seeing the boy's simple-minded expression, a flash of disdain and disgust crossed his eyes, and he couldn't help but shake his head.

"According to Qi Hao, the three of you entered the Blood Sect ruins near Blood Abyss City. Is this true?" Elder Huang asked casually.

Chu Qingyun pondered for a moment, then nodded and replied, "Replying to the Elder, that is indeed the case."

"And did you find anything of value in the Blood Sect ruins?" Elder Huang continued to ask.

At these words, Chu Qingyun's guard instantly went up even higher.

'As an Elder of the Saint Extreme Sect, he hadn't given them their Sect Tokens, hadn't even mentioned them, yet the first thing he asked about was their spoils from the Blood Sect ruins.'

'Such conduct was completely at odds with the way a major sect like the Saint Extreme Sect should operate.'

'As a major power, they should deal with their subordinates using both carrot and stick. But with newcomers like him, they should definitely offer the carrot first to win their loyalty.'

'Just like with the thirty-two people outside—they were given their Sect Tokens before even arriving at the Sect, giving them what they most desired as a sign of trust.'

'And yet, with him and his companions, Elder Huang was making demands first. It was indeed abnormal.'

"Replying to the Elder, we did indeed have some small gains," Chu Qingyun answered, simultaneously sweeping his gaze over Mo Guang and the other Inner Sect Disciples.

Sure enough, upon hearing that they had made some gains, Mo Guang and the others couldn't stop a hint of delight from showing on their faces.

"Mm, well done."

Elder Huang nodded and continued nonchalantly, "Since you entered the Blood Sect ruins on behalf of the Sect, now hand over all the Secret Manuals and Secret Techniques you obtained to me."

'So he really is after the Secret Manuals and Secret Techniques...'

'The three of them were the last to enter the main hall. It was highly likely they had obtained a Martial Emperor Level Secret Manual. Even a Martial Emperor Realm Outer Elder couldn't help but be tempted by such a prize.'

'Everything about today's events was suspicious.'

Chu Qingyun, of course, was not about to so easily hand over the Secret Manuals and Secret Techniques he had risked his life to get.

"Elder Huang," Chu Qingyun said, cupping his fists. "This disciple dares to ask, why were the three of us not issued Sect Tokens?"

"Hm?"

Elder Huang raised a brow, clearly displeased.

"The three of you were given a special exception—an early invitation to join the Sect—because you entered the Blood Sect ruins for our Saint Extreme Sect. Naturally, we must resolve the matter of the ruins before we can discuss you joining the Sect," Elder Huang said, his voice laced with displeasure.

"Discuss it further?"

Chu Qingyun slowly raised his head, a cold smile touching his lips. "And 'discuss it further' means we might be allowed to join, or we might not. Is that it?"

He saw through such a childish trick at a glance.

"Insolence! Junior, how dare you speak to me like that!" Elder Huang snapped.

Just then, Mo Guang also stepped forward, speaking with feigned urgency. "Junior Brother Chu, how can you provoke the Elder? Hurry and kneel to apologize! Hand over the Secret Manuals and Secret Techniques from the Blood Sect, and then everything will be negotiable."