Devouring Soul Emperor

The discovery of the Blood Sect’s ruins had caused quite a stir.

Blood Abyss City was now a veritable sea of people. Martial Spirit Realm experts from many nearby cities had gathered, and even some Examiners who had already passed through the city had turned back.

Not long after entering the city, the expressions on Chu Qingyun’s and Mu Xiaoxiao’s faces changed slightly.

They had both sensed several undisguised auras of King Realm experts within the city.

According to the sects’ Forbidden King Order, all King Realm experts in the Blood-soaked Land were forced into Death Sealing, forbidden from even showing their faces.

In other words, these King Realm experts appearing in Blood Abyss City were not from the Blood-soaked Land. They were disciples from the sects, sent to patrol the Blood-soaked Land.

And it went without saying that their purpose was also the Blood Sect ruins.

"Chu Qingyun, this is trouble," Mu Xiaoxiao said softly. "If King Realm experts get involved, we won’t be able to get anything out of this."

Chu Qingyun thought for a moment, then shook his head. "I doubt it. The sects themselves issued the Forbidden King Order. Their disciples are only here to patrol the Blood-soaked Land and ensure the order is enforced. They aren’t allowed to interfere in any other matters. If they tried to snatch things for themselves, wouldn’t that be a slap in their own face?"

As if to prove Chu Qingyun’s point, two very young level-six Martial Spirits soon walked over.

One of them said to Mu Xiaoxiao, "I am Shi Mountain of the Shihuo Dynasty. I wonder if the three of you have chosen a sect yet? If not, I would like to invite you on behalf of the Liuchuan Sect."

"What’s so great about the Liuchuan Sect? I represent the Cyan Leaf Sect, and I invite the three of you! If you agree now, you can join the Cyan Leaf Sect directly upon arriving at Celestial Martial City!"

Before Chu Qingyun’s group of three could answer, another two level-six Martial Spirits came over and spoke first.

At that moment, more people near the city gate noticed Chu Qingyun’s group and gathered around, also seeming to want to invite them to join a sect ahead of time.

Liuchuan Sect, Cyan Leaf Sect...

Chu Qingyun thought for a moment, and then it seemed to click.

’The King Realm disciples from the sects clearly aren’t planning to act personally. Otherwise, they would be violating the Forbidden King Order themselves, which would severely damage the reputation of all the sects.’

’But they can’t just sit back and do nothing about the Blood Sect ruins.’

’So, they came up with a plan: recruit people early. They’re trying to win over those participating in the sect examinations to go into the ruins and fight for benefits on their behalf.’

’And among the three of us, Mu Xiaoxiao is a Celestial Spirit Realm expert, so naturally, she’s become the primary target of their invitations.’

"Get lost! All of you, get lost!"

Just then, several people came over, arrogantly and aggressively shoving aside the previous four, as well as some others in the crowd who were about to extend their own invitations.

When he saw their leader, Chu Qingyun couldn’t help but frown.

It was none other than Huo Yuchen, the Ninth Prince of the Dark Moon Dynasty, whom Chu Qingyun had defeated back in Black Blood City.

Upon seeing Chu Qingyun, a trace of surprise flashed in Huo Yuchen’s eyes. ’That guy actually escaped from that pack of hungry wolves in Black Blood City!?’

But a moment later, a sinister sneer appeared on Huo Yuchen’s face.

"Chu Qingyun, long time no see. I guess you could say we got to know each other through our little fight. For old times’ sake, I’ll grant you a favor and let you join the Celestial Sword Sect."

Huo Yuchen was puffed up with arrogance, as if inviting them to join the Celestial Sword Sect was some great act of charity.

When the surrounding crowd heard the words "Celestial Sword Sect," they all shook their heads and gave up, no longer preparing to extend their own invitations.

Some even looked at Chu Qingyun’s group of three with envy.

The Celestial Sword Sect was one of the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain.

And although the Three Major Sects of the Northern Domain had no clear, official ranking...

...almost everyone knew in their hearts that the Celestial Sword Sect was the leader of the three, the strongest sect in the Northern Domain.

Unexpectedly, to everyone’s surprise, Chu Qingyun and Mu Xiaoxiao refused in unison. "Not interested."

After speaking, they both glanced at each other in surprise, seemingly not expecting the other to refuse so bluntly.

Huo Yuchen and his group were representing the Celestial Sword Sect in their recruitment.

Over the past few days, many passing Examiners had proactively sought them out, begging to join the Celestial Sword Sect early.

But now, their direct invitation had been rejected, causing anger to flicker across their faces.

Immediately, a level-six Martial Spirit stepped forward, glared at Chu Qingyun, and said, "Kid, we invited you out of the goodness of our hearts, and only for the sake of this Celestial Spirit Realm expert. Who do you think you are to refuse?"

They didn’t dare cause trouble for Mu Xiaoxiao, so they decided to take their anger out on Chu Qingyun.

Seeing this, a sharp glint flashed through Huo Yuchen’s eyes. Not only did he not stop it, he actually let out an even more sinister laugh.

’Because this level-six Martial Spirit isn’t my subordinate. He’s my fourth brother’s man.’

After leaving Black Blood City, Huo Yuchen had led his men toward Celestial Martial City.

However, while passing through Blood Abyss City, he was stopped by his fourth brother—the Celestial Spirit Realm Fourth Prince of the Dark Moon Dynasty.

The Fourth Prince, with his strength as a level-seven Martial Spirit, had already joined the Celestial Sword Sect ahead of schedule. He was tasked with entering the Blood Sect ruins for the Celestial Sword Sect to seize the Treasures within.

And the Ninth Prince, Huo Yuchen, was conscripted by him.

Joining the Celestial Sword Sect was a good thing, but entering the Blood Sect ruins—especially with the Fourth Prince—was definitely not.

Huo Yuchen could already imagine it: once inside, he would be the one leading his men into all the dangerous situations, while the final credit would undoubtedly go to his fourth brother.

Because of this, a ball of resentment had long been building up inside Huo Yuchen.

So now, seeing his fourth brother’s subordinate provoke Chu Qingyun, he naturally had no intention of stopping him.

Facing the aggressive level-six Martial Spirit, Chu Qingyun’s expression remained calm as he said, "It’s nothing personal. I just don’t plan on joining the Celestial Sword Sect."

"Don’t plan on joining the Celestial Sword Sect?" A savage grin spread across the man’s face. "Then I’ll cripple you right now and see what sect you can join then!"

With that, he drew the long saber from his waist with a SHING, injecting his Primordial Power into it. The blade was instantly enveloped in a layer of gray Sword Qi, and its sharp aura forced many in the surrounding crowd to stumble back several steps.

"Sword Qi! And he can control it freely!"

"He looks like he’s barely over twenty, yet he’s that strong. No wonder he could join the Celestial Sword Sect."

"That kid is done for. It’s one thing for the Celestial Spirit Realm expert to refuse, but for a mere level-six Martial Spirit to open his mouth too? He’s just asking to die..."

Many in the crowd felt that Chu Qingyun had overestimated his own abilities.

Hearing the crowd’s murmurs, the smile on the level-six Martial Spirit’s face widened. He suddenly took two steps forward and slashed his saber at Chu Qingyun.