Soul Emperor Awakening

Lin Xuan rode the Phoenix directly toward Divine Martial Island, paying no mind to any onlookers. He didn’t care if the inhabitants of the Demon Cloud Sea saw him. At least, that was his thinking. But in this vast expanse, the Demon Cloud Sea was practically deserted, allowing him to fly freely without concern.

As he rapidly approached Divine Martial Island, he noticed an increasing number of ships sailing in the same direction. They were all headed for the island, which made him frown. ’Did something happen on Divine Martial Island?’

The Demon Cloud Sea Cultivators on the ships all looked up toward Lin Xuan, stunned by the sight. They saw a Phoenix transform into a crimson streak, rocketing forward at extreme speed. In the blink of an eye, it vanished from view. It was simply too fast.

The Phoenix was always renowned for its speed, and for good reason. Otherwise, how could a being merely at the Peak of the Essence Pill Stage possibly match the flight speed of a Core Formation Stage expert?

These Cultivators heading toward Divine Martial Island mostly had Essence Pill Stage Cultivation, but there was no shortage of those at the Spirit Pill Stage Level among them. However, they didn’t seem to be traveling together, which Lin Xuan found strange.

As he picked up speed, Lin Xuan soon reached the vicinity of Divine Martial Island. He didn’t see any signs of an invasion; the situation hadn’t changed much at all. It was business as usual, with people coming and going. This puzzled Lin Xuan. ’If there’s nothing wrong here, why are so many people rushing over?’

When Lin Xuan arrived above Divine Martial Island, he descended in full view of the public, leaving many people dumbfounded. A young man descending from the sky on a Phoenix... the sight truly stunned them. A youth who could ride a Divine Beast was definitely no simple character.

Many people had seen Lin Xuan escape from here back then, but many others had not. At the very least, most of the people present now had never witnessed it, so they were all stunned.

’I wonder how Yunhai has been all these years...’ Lin Xuan paid their stares no mind; he had no reason to.

"Is... is that Elder Lin?"

A nearby Guard walked over, stammering as he looked at Lin Xuan. The young man’s presence exerted an intense pressure on him. He himself had cultivated for a very long time just to reach the Essence Pill Stage, but now, simply standing next to Lin Xuan, that pressure multiplied.

’Huh? I’m still a Foreign Elder?’ To avoid implicating the Tu Family, Lin Xuan had once publicly rejected their goodwill right in front of the Lan Family. He never expected them to still acknowledge him as an Elder of the Tu Family. The sentiment truly moved him.

Although he knew this recognition was based on his strength, their choice to support him under such immense pressure held a much deeper meaning.

"Am I still a Foreign Elder here?" Lin Xuan inquired.

"Yes. Both the Grand Elder and the Island Master acknowledge you as a Foreign Elder. You are entitled to all the rights of an Elder here," the Guard explained.

"I see. This is quite a surprise..." Lin Xuan smiled. "What about Tuo Yunhai? Where is he now?"

"Young Master Tuo is inside, cultivating. The Grand Elder is also here. Allow me to take you to see the Grand Elder. He gave orders that if you were to visit again, you were to be brought to him first." The Guard was extremely respectful, not daring to show the slightest neglect.

Who would dare to slight someone who arrived riding a Phoenix? Especially when the Grand Elder himself had given the order. Even if it were a beggar at the gates, the Guard wouldn’t dare to disobey.

’Young Master Tuo?’ Lin Xuan couldn’t help but marvel at the power of an Eighth-class Talent. It had elevated Tuo Yunhai’s status to Young Master in one fell swoop. ’Such is the cruel reality. Without sufficient talent, how could anyone qualify for such a position?’

Tuo Yunhai must have displayed not only his astonishing talent but also his tenacious perseverance during his Cultivation. His time in the Slave Mine had clearly not been for naught. Years of hardship had strengthened his Willpower immensely, which would surely make cultivating Martial Intent a much easier task.

Following the Guard’s lead, they arrived at the inner sanctum, drawing stares all along the way. Not just anyone could enter the core area of Divine Martial Island, so the sudden appearance of a stranger naturally drew attention.

"The Elder Council Hall is just ahead. You may enter now," the Guard said respectfully.

"The Council Hall?" Lin Xuan paused. "Won’t I be interrupting them if I go in now?"

"You won’t be. The Grand Elder’s orders were to bring you in regardless of the circumstances," the Guard replied respectfully.

Lin Xuan drew in a sharp breath. ’Tuo Zhanhong has really given me some serious privileges.’ He could even walk into a meeting in session. It was clear just how highly they regarded him. ’Is it because I passed the Sixth Layer that they’re giving me this level of status?’

’That has to be part of it,’ he thought. ’What position of status isn’t earned through strength? I’d think the same way if I were in their shoes.’

Lin Xuan immediately walked inside. Just as he stepped into the hall, he saw five people seated within. The middle-aged man at the head of the group, seated in the very center, had the most powerful aura of all—it was overwhelming! The intensity of his presence far surpassed what he had felt from Xu Qianlong, at least, during their first meeting. He wasn’t so sure how they compared now.

This middle-aged man had to be the Island Master of Divine Martial Island, Tuo Shengfeng! Of the other four, he only recognized Tuo Zhanhong. He didn’t know the other three, but their Cultivation was profound, all of them approaching the Peak of the Spirit Pill Stage.

It was no empty boast that the Tu Family was called the number one power. It was precisely this strength that allowed them to disregard the Lan Family. Furthermore, the Tu Family’s power didn’t end there. They had many Spirit Pill experts, but simply reaching the Spirit Pill Stage didn’t automatically make one an Elder.

The five truly strongest members were seated right before him, and as Lin Xuan entered, all of their gazes fell upon him.

"Elder Lin!" Tuo Zhanhong exclaimed, rising to his feet in pleasant surprise. "Half a year has passed, and you’ve finally returned to Divine Martial Island! Your Cultivation has clearly improved significantly. Are you here this time to challenge the Seventh Layer?"

"Elder Tuo, your address makes me feel undeserving. This must be the Island Master before me. This junior pays his respects to the Island Master!" Lin Xuan was the type to return a foot of respect with ten of his own.

"You are too kind. Youth truly breeds heroes. To raise your Cultivation so much in such a short time... and it seems your Physique has improved even more than your Cultivation?" Tuo Shengfeng instantly assessed the condition of Lin Xuan’s body.

"This junior has indeed made some progress recently. But as Elder Tuo surmised, I have come this time to challenge the Seventh Layer of the Martial God Tower! Beyond that, however, there is an even more important matter for which I must ask for you seniors’ help!" Lin Xuan said with great solemnity.

Challenging the Seventh Layer of the Martial God Tower was important, but finding reinforcements was even more critical. He could always raise his Cultivation later, but if something happened to his loved ones, they couldn’t be saved, even if he grew strong enough to take revenge afterward.