The Great General Summoning

Before long, the group finished climbing the White Jade Steps and arrived at the Plaza. Only then did the true face of the Flame Emperor Sect unfold before their eyes, and only then did their astonishment truly begin. Yang Xiu also spotted Ning Fengzhi and the others examining the Flame Emperor Legacy Tower at its base.

The system quest was complete, but Yang Xiu did not check it yet. Although he did not know how many summoning cards he had earned, the +50 loyalty had raised all these disciples' loyalty above 60, instilling in them a sense of pride in being disciples of the Flame Emperor Sect. A loyalty of 60 also ensured they would not betray the sect. As time passed, the Flame Emperor Sect would only make them more loyal.

However, Yu Yan's 70 affection points gave Yang Xiu a headache. He checked Long Xin's score. She was also a woman, yet hers was 75 loyalty points. Yang Xiu felt he had done something wrong, but he genuinely had no idea how to deal with it.

Just as Yang Xiu was nursing his headache, Dragon Nine stepped forward and spoke.

"See those buildings behind the two towers beside the Plaza? That's where you'll be living from now on. The villas at the summit are reserved for elders. Once you become Titled Douluos and earn the rank of elder, you can choose a villa of your own."

"Also, anyone below level 80 is a disciple, anyone above level 80 is a steward, and anyone who becomes a Titled Douluo is an elder."

"As for us eighteen brothers, including our eldest, second, and third brothers, who are all Titled Douluos, we're all guardians."

Upon hearing Dragon Nine's words, the disciples began speculating about how many Titled Douluos the Flame Emperor Sect had. They also learned that Dragon Three was actually a Titled Douluo. As they marveled at the sect's strength, pride in being its disciples welled up within them. Before long, a voice rang out from the crowd.

"Guardian Dragon Nine, with so many villas in the sect, how many Titled Douluos do we have?"

"Heh, well, you'll find out once you're familiar with the sect. Some elders have bad tempers, though, so watch yourselves."

Dragon One did not give them a straight answer, laughing it off instead. He left them to discover it themselves, then began introducing the Foundation Tower.

"And these two towers—the Foundation Tower and the Flame Emperor Legacy Tower—represent the sect's foundations and future."

"I won't introduce the Flame Emperor Legacy Tower. You might never have the chance to come into contact with it in your entire lives. Let's talk about the Foundation Tower instead."

"The tower holds many books and cultivation manuals, and the sixth floor is stocked with a whole heap of treasures." When Dragon Nine mentioned treasures, everyone grew curious. The impatient ones even began asking questions.

"As for what those treasures are, there's no harm in telling you. They're self-created soul skills."

The moment Dragon Nine finished speaking, the crowd erupted. Everyone thought they had misheard. Self-created soul skills? Such things could actually be written down for others to learn? Someone soon asked excitedly.

"Guardian Dragon Nine, are they really self-created soul skills? We didn't mishear you?"

Dragon Nine smiled. The moment he said it, he had known this would be their reaction. Finally, he nodded and spoke solemnly.

"That's right. Self-created soul skills that anyone can learn."

"Of course, to obtain them, you'll need to contribute to the sect."

"The sect offers a series of missions through which you can earn contribution points. Once you have enough points, you can come to any of us eighteen brothers to exchange them. For sect missions, you can seek out Steward Gao Lan. As for who Steward Gao Lan is, see that man accompanying the sect master of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect beneath the Legacy Tower? That's him." Dragon Nine pointed at Gao Lan.

"Those between six and fifteen should register with Hong Tian here beside me. He'll arrange for you to study at the neighboring Blue Tyrant Academy. Those over fifteen can settle down and study here in the sect. There will be people to teach you. I imagine you've already noticed how dense the spiritual energy is here. Nowhere else can compare."

"Lastly, let's talk about the ninth floor of the Foundation Tower.

"There's a Sect Secret Realm there. When you reach level 30, 70, or 90, you can enter and reap unexpected rewards. What you ultimately obtain will depend on your strength, so cultivate diligently, everyone." "All right, the sect doesn't have many rules. As long as you don't do anything that harms the sect or throw your weight around outside, the sect will stand up for you whenever anyone bullies you. I'm sure you all know the Flame Emperor Sect has the strength to do so."

Dragon Nine was still giving instructions, but Yang Xiu began attending to his own business. He took out an Unrestricted Soul Power Pill.

"Sister Yu Yan, this elixir is for you. Go pick a villa at the summit. One of them will belong to you soon anyway."

Yu Yan was surprised, and a faint affection shimmered in her eyes as she looked at Yang Xiu.

"Little sect master, are you serious about what you just said?"

"You think I'm lying? Go on. You'll understand after you take it. Then visit the Sect Secret Realm Dragon Nine just mentioned. It has what you want."

Still half-convinced, Yu Yan finally replied.

"All right, your big sister will reluctantly believe you. I'm off." Yu Yan accepted the elixir, cast Yang Xiu a flirtatious glance, and headed toward the villas at the summit. Watching her perfect figure from behind, Yang Xiu felt his head ache. It wasn't that he knew nothing about such things—he understood them all too well. What a mess I've made...

Before long, Yang Xiu returned to his villa, found a room where no one would disturb him, and opened the system to check his rewards.

"Congratulations, host, on completing the quest. Two people with innate full soul power, three with level 9 innate soul power, and fourteen with level 8 innate soul power. Rewards: Advanced Summoning Card ×2, Intermediate Summoning Card ×3, Basic Summoning Card ×4."

"System, no reward for the extra two with level 8 innate soul power?"

"Host, that is correct. One card is awarded for every three people."

Yang Xiu was left speechless. Fine. This damn thing has no brains. It doesn't even know how to bend the rules.

"System, start with the basic summons. Use all four cards."

Yang Xiu spoke with lavish confidence. It had not been easy. After having the system for so many years, this was his first time seeing so many summoning cards.

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained Zhang He of the Five Elite Generals, Xu Huang of the Five Elite Generals, Liu Sandao, and Zhang Liang."

Name: Zhang He

Soul power: Level 89; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black

Martial soul: Five-Tiger Soul-Severing Spear

Name: Xu Huang

Soul power: Level 91; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black

Martial soul: Mountain-Splitting Axe

Name: Liu Sandao

Soul power: Level 67; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black

Martial soul: Great Chopper

Trait: Deception: When used, releases the aura of a Titled Douluo to deceive others. In truth, he is merely a paper tiger, exposed with a single poke.

Name: Zhang Liang

Soul power: Level 75; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black

Martial soul: Earth Book

"What the... System, are you kidding me? Even Liu Sandao showed up? And that trait of his—are you serious? They're all from the Three Kingdoms, too. Is this a Three Kingdoms general giveaway?"

Although Yang Xiu said that, the two members of the Five Elite Generals alone made it worthwhile. After all, one was a Titled Douluo. Even without a trait, he should be about as strong as the Poison Douluo. (Poison Douluo: Who the hell did I offend? Why does every Titled Douluo get compared to me?)

"System, continue with the Intermediate Summoning Cards."

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained Door God Qin Qiong, General Pan Feng, and Ghostly Genius Guo Fengxiao."

Name: Qin Qiong

Soul power: Level 95

Martial soul: Gilded Twin Copper Maces; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, red

Martial soul: Golden-Hilt Incense-Burner Spear; black, black, black, black, black, black, red, red

Trait: Qin Shubao Is Here: When this slogan rings out, Qin Qiong gains 2–3 levels of soul power and has a chance of frightening enemies into fleeing.

Title: Door God (S-rank title), locked

Name: Pan Feng

Soul power: Level 82; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black

Martial soul: Peerless Axe

Trait: Peerless General: Can be activated after ten rounds of combat, increasing soul power by ten levels and automatically adding a red soul ring. Immune to all negative effects, but intelligence drops to near imbecility. This trait also prevents any further breakthroughs in his soul power. (No method can allow him to break through. Host, please exercise caution when developing him.)

Name: Guo Jia

Soul power: Level 98; yellow, yellow, purple, black, black, black, black, red, red

Martial soul: Shadow

Trait 1: Born Genius: Remains absolutely rational in battle and is immune to all negative effects. He also possesses an innate ability to anticipate his opponent's next move and react ahead of time, placing him in an unbeatable position.

Trait 2: Frailty: His originally poor health has been enhanced by the system into a trait. The strength of any attack from an opponent is reduced by 40%, and guaranteed-hit skills are ineffective against him.

"What, has my luck finally turned? System, keep summoning." Yang Xiu did not bring them out yet, instead continuing to address the system.

"Congratulations, host. You have obtained Sword Saint Wang Yue and Shi A."

Name: Wang Yue

Soul power: Level 99 (Demigod); yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, red

Martial soul: Heart Sword

Trait 1: Grandmaster: An extraordinary being with an unfathomable understanding of heaven, earth, and nature, whose level of existence has evolved. Exerts absolute suppression over lower life-forms. (When fighting him, beings below godhood can only exert 80% of their strength.)

Trait 2: Sword Domain: His understanding of the sword has formed a domain. Without a means of countering it, he is a god within that domain.

Title: Sword Saint (SS-rank)

Name: Shi A

Soul power: Level 91; yellow, yellow, purple, purple, black, black, black, black, black, black

Martial soul: Heart Sword

Trait: Assassin: Excels at assassinating enemies from stealth and possesses the ability to deliver a killing blow. When assassinating an enemy, he can unleash strength five levels above his own with a locked-on attack. After one strike, his strength returns to normal.

Yang Xiu felt his luck was exploding through the roof today. With these people joining them, the Flame Emperor Sect would no longer fear any force. Although a few of them were less than ideal in terms of strength, he was delighted.

"System, summon them all."

Soon, nine people appeared in the room. Yang Xiu gave them their instructions, then sent them on their way. Naturally, he kept Guo Jia behind. He still had something that required this Ghostly Genius's help.