The Flame Emperor Sect That Struck Fear into Sword Douluo

Yang Xiu arrived with Zhang Liao, Dragon One, and the other brothers. Dragon Eighteen had summoned them all. With the eighteen brothers together, they would dare test even a god.

A Soul Emperor suddenly said, "Look! Dragon Two Douluo is here! I can't see through the strength of anyone beside him. So many powerful people!"

The Soul Saint beside him, his elder brother, said, "I can't see through them either. They must all be powerful. The Flame Emperor Sect is formidable. But little brother, have you noticed the young man in the middle? I can't see through him, either. Most frightening of all, even Dragon Two Douluo walks behind him."

"Big brother, we've never heard who leads the Flame Emperor Sect. I can think of only one possibility."

"You mean that young man is the Flame Emperor Sect's Sect Master?"

"Hiss... I think we've stumbled onto something incredible." Conversations much like the brothers' were taking place all around them. Anyone with half a brain could see it.

Yang Xiu had no idea what a stir his arrival had caused. Even if he had, he would not have cared. By then, he had reached Dragon One and the others. He glanced toward a few concealed spots. Ning Fengzhi really had come, though he had not shown himself, perhaps because Spirit Hall's people were nearby.

"Sect Master, here are the records. Please take a look."

"All right. Tell the people who filled them out that when I call their names...?"

"Why are they all Soul Saints and Soul Emperors?" Yang Xiu asked after reading more than a dozen records. Every one belonged to an expert.

"Sect Master, I sorted these out first. These are the only people at that level. Everyone else is below level thirty."

"Oh. I thought the continent had changed and Soul Saints and Soul Emperors had become a dime a dozen," Yang Xiu said, half joking.

"Then let's start with these Soul Saints and Soul Emperors. Oh, I forgot to say: when I call their names, bring them over. Watch for my signal. If certain people want to go inside, we'll let them go in and become fertilizer."

"Understood, Sect Master." Killing intent flashed through Dragon One's eyes as he spoke.

Soon, five Soul Saints arrived. Yang Xiu addressed them. "I imagine you've guessed who I am. That's right, I'm the Sect Master of the Flame Emperor Sect. I'll ask you one last time: do you truly intend to join?"

"Sect Master, we're sincere. You can rest assured of that."

"Exactly! If we weren't sincere, we wouldn't have come."

Yang Xiu listened to the five Soul Saints.

"Good. Since you say so, there should be no problem. In a moment, those whose names I call will go left. Those I don't call will go right."

With that, Yang Xiu used Detection Technique on all five.

"Lu Ren, forty-seven years old. Howling Moon Heavenly Wolf. Level seventy-one. Innate Soul Power: level seven. Loyalty: thirty."

"Liu Er, fifty-five years old. Demon Lizard. Level seventy-one. Innate Soul Power: level six. Loyalty: minus thirty."

"Yuan Yi, forty-seven years old. Fire Bull. Level seventy-two. Innate Soul Power: level seven. Loyalty: minus ten."

"Human King, sixty years old. Toad. Level seventy-three. Innate Soul Power: level six. Loyalty: minus thirty-five."

"Long Xin, forty-one years old. Fire Snake Spear. Level seventy-one. Innate Soul Power: level nine. Loyalty: twenty-five."

Yang Xiu checked their strength. It matched the records, but some Soul Saints genuinely wanted to join the Flame Emperor Sect. Its reputation had clearly spread far and wide. The other factions were willing to sacrifice plenty, though: three Soul Saints already, and this was only the beginning. It seemed blood would be spilled today.

"All right, I've reviewed your records. Long Xin and Liu Er, go left. You other three, go right. Someone will lead you inside." Yang Xiu signaled Dragon One with his eyes, and Dragon One gave a slight nod.

Level-nine Innate Soul Power, and she's a woman. There must be a story there.

Yang Xiu glanced at Long Xin in the distance.

The Soul Emperors were brought over soon after, and Yang Xiu examined them as well. Were these factions determined to see this through? Eight had negative Loyalty. Of the six remaining, however, two had level-eight Innate Soul Power.

One more and he could obtain another summoning card. Yang Xiu soon began calling names. By the time he had examined everyone, only eighty-five people truly wanted to join the Sect. Even counting the Soul Saints and Soul Emperors, there were only ninety-three. That number included seventeen whose Innate Soul Power fell short. They were taken away and given a stern lesson, but no one was killed. Yang Xiu glanced at the factions that had yet to make a move. He paid them no mind and finally said,

"That's all, everyone. The Flame Emperor Sect has finished recruiting disciples. You may leave."

Many factions could no longer sit still. Ning Fengzhi was the first to emerge, bringing Sword Douluo with him. As for why Bone Douluo had not come... he probably did not want to see a certain someone. Ning Fengzhi approached with a smile.

"Sect Master Yang, we meet again." Nothing about him suggested they had ever been at odds. One did not strike a smiling face. Seeing Ning Fengzhi's manner, Yang Xiu went forward with a smile of his own.

"Sect Master Ning, what a rare guest. What wind blew you here?"

"I didn't know you would be here, or I would have sent word."

"Please forgive any shortcomings in our reception."

"Haha, you're too courteous, Sect Master Yang. Might I visit your Sect for a cup of tea today?"

"That's a small matter. You're most welcome. I still have a few things to handle, though. Why don't you go to the Sect first?" Yang Xiu asked with a cheerful smile.

"In that case, I would be honored."

Yang Xiu turned to Gao Lan beside him. "Gao Lan, take Sect Master Ning and Sword Douluo inside."

"Yes, Sect Master," Gao Lan replied. He then addressed Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo.

"Sect Master Ning, Your Excellency Sword Douluo, please follow me."

"Sorry for the trouble," Ning Fengzhi replied, then followed Gao Lan with Sword Douluo.

"It's no trouble. You can call me Gao Lan, Sect Master Ning."

Just then, Sword Douluo Chen Xin sent Ning Fengzhi a telepathic message.

"Fengzhi, he's a Soul Douluo. Even a random member of the Flame Emperor Sect is powerful."

"Have you noticed the people beside Dragon One and Dragon Two Douluo? Their auras are identical, and every one of them is at least a Soul Douluo. There's even a Titled Douluo among them. When they stand together, I can feel the threat of death. And Dragon Two Douluo is no weaker than I am. He may even be stronger, though he became a Titled Douluo only a few years ago."

"Fengzhi, that mysterious old man beside Yang Xiu feels even stronger than the one I fought last time. Oddly enough, he looks like a powerful support-type."

"The Flame Emperor Sect has so many Titled Douluo. More importantly, we have no idea how many other experts remain inside."

"Fengzhi, are we certain we should go in? If they mean you harm, I have no confidence I could get you out. My death would be one thing, but you're the Sect Master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect. We cannot afford to lose you."

Ning Fengzhi fell silent for a long while after hearing his message.

"Uncle Jian, you've seen what Spirit Hall is doing. Given the Flame Emperor Sect's strength, we need to make this visit. Cooperation would be best, but even if that proves impossible, we must not become enemies. Besides, there's no grudge between our sects. From what I've seen of Yang Xiu, I don't feel he'll act against us."

"Fortunately, judging by their actions, they don't seem interested in the struggle for power across the continent."

Sword Douluo wanted to ask whether this was really something Ning Fengzhi could judge by feel. In the end, he kept quiet, unwilling to embarrass him.

Gao Lan soon brought Ning Fengzhi and Sword Douluo before the formation. He formed a hand seal, and the White Jade Steps appeared before them, stretching toward the heavens. Yet from ten meters back, nothing could be seen at all. Gao Lan looked at the stunned pair and said calmly, "Sect Master Ning, please."

Ning Fengzhi nodded and collected himself. After all, a sight like this was enough to leave anyone speechless. He soon recovered, wearing a mild smile and an air of perfect composure. At last, he said slowly,

"Your Sect is truly magnificent. These steps alone must have cost a fortune."

...They continued talking as they made their way up the mountain.

Back with Yang Xiu, he looked at the dozens of people whose Loyalty was negative and told Dragon One,

"Once they're inside the formation, don't waste words. Leave none alive."

Dragon One nodded without speaking.

Meanwhile, as Yang Xiu and his people prepared to leave, the other factions emerged one after another: representatives of the empire, families large and small, and Spirit Hall.

Seeing so many people around him, a Soul Douluo found his courage.

"Sect Master of the Flame Emperor Sect, might we have a chance to visit your Sect?"

Several others immediately chimed in.

"That's right. Everyone on the continent is curious about the Flame Emperor Sect. Let us go in and have a look."

Yang Xiu took a glance. They were from families and minor sects. Clearly, they had been sent forward as the vanguard.

Yang Xiu spoke evenly, yet every word reached their ears with perfect clarity.

"Is that what all of you want, or just what you want? There's a price to pay for visiting my Flame Emperor Sect. Think carefully before you answer."

At Yang Xiu's words, some fell silent. Others kept chattering, but the people beside them soon tugged them back until they, too, quieted down.

Anyone with a brain understood his meaning. Joining the clamor was one thing; provoking the Flame Emperor Sect in earnest was another. Did they really think its Titled Douluo were harmless?

Yang Xiu looked over the silent crowd.

"Now, is there anyone else who wants to take a look?"