Soul Emperor Martial God

"You are wrong," the Second Elder declared from on high, looking down at Xiao Yi.

"It is not for me alone to represent the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

"Rather, it is the decision of all the elders present that can represent the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

On the Elder's Seat, aside from the Ten Elders, there were also dozens of other casual elders.

At this moment, the words of the Second Elder were like a writ of judgment,

casting the disciples of Northern Mountain County into a deep abyss.

The elders watched coldly, unfazed.

Only the Great Elder still glared at the Second Elder as before.

"Second Elder, who gave you the authority to exclude Northern Mountain County?"

"The Sky-splitting Sword Sect has always consisted of thirty-six sword factions."

"It was so in the past, it is so now, and it will be so in the future."

"How dare you say 'exclude' on a whim?"

The Second Elder retorted, "Great Elder, this is not up to you."

"After all, this is a matter agreed upon by all the elders."

"Oh, is that so?" the Great Elder said with an angry laugh.

"I am the Great Elder of the Sword Sect and have a veto right."

"An issue I disagree with is useless even if all of you elders recognize it."

"Unless the Sect Master also vetoes it."

In terms of strength and authority, the Great Elder naturally ranked above the other elders.

He was not favoring Northern Mountain County.

He just felt that as an elder, he knew what should and should not be done.

He understood this very clearly.

"Great Elder, don't meddle in affairs that are not your concern," the Second Elder said gravely.

"I am telling you, this is the decision of the Sect Master."

"What?" The Great Elder's expression changed.

"That's impossible."

"The Sect Master would not make such an unreasoned decision."

The Second Elder answered, "If you don't believe it, you may personally ask the Sect Master."

"On the day of the opening ceremony, the Sect Master had already instructed us, the elders."

"Otherwise, do you think I, the Second Elder, could have garnered the support of all the elders?"

The Great Elder asked, "Why didn't the Sect Master instruct me?"

The Second Elder replied, "On that day, you were overseeing the Sect's exams."

"With the Sect Master in a hurry to enter seclusion, naturally, he did not inform you."

"Seclusion?" The Great Elder furrowed his brows, "With the Sect Master's current Cultivation, he wouldn't easily go into seclusion."

A Martial Artist with profound Cultivation, once in seclusion, would certainly not be for a short time.

The Sect Master, as the head of a Sect, had to manage the entirety of the Sect's affairs.

It was not possible for him to enter seclusion without any notification.

The conversation between the two remained confined within the barrier.

Other than the elders, no one heard their words.

At this moment, the Second Elder sighed and said, "Great Elder, we have been in the same Sect for many years, and I am well aware of your stubborn temperament."

"The Sect Master and the other elders are also very clear on this."

"Since you must know, I will tell you."

"The one who truly is in seclusion is Elder Bai."

"The Sect Master went to act as his protector and personally guide his Martial Arts Cultivation."

"Elder Bai." The Great Elder's expression, which had been one of anger, turned ice-cold.

In the entire Sky-splitting Sword Sect, there was only one elder with the surname Bai.

He was none other than the newly-promoted elder, the foremost among the Six Heavenly Pride, Bai Mohan.

As the Great Elder who was well aware of the past events, upon hearing the words 'Elder Bai',

everything instantly became clear.

"So that's how it is, that's how it is," the Great Elder muttered coldly to himself.

"They talk about fearing the Northern Mountain Sword Master becoming the next Yi Tianxing."

"They talk about not wanting a 'demon' to emerge within the Sect."

"They talk about how the Sect has grown accustomed to not having disciples from Northern Mountain County."

"All of it, it turns out, was just for Elder Bai."

"That's right," the Second Elder said through gritted teeth.

"The more astonishing the talent exhibited by the Northern Mountain Sword Master, the more it must be stifled."

"No one can guarantee whether or not he has any relation to Yi Madman."

"This includes the other disciples from Northern Mountain County as well."

"We both are well aware of the grudges of those times."

"The so-called 'two tigers cannot share one mountain', if our conjecture is true."

"How should we handle it when, given time, the two great talents clash in a fight to the death?"

"Both Elder Bai and the current Northern Mountain Sword Master are extraordinary individuals."

"When these two become Supreme Experts in the future."

"Imagine how horrifying their battle of life and death will be? The entire Sword Sect will be affected."

"And by then, it will be a disaster that we, the elders, will be unable to stop."

Hearing this, the Great Elder coldly said, "So."

"You now intend to preemptively extinguish one of them."

"And the one you choose to extinguish, is the Northern Mountain Sword Master."

"That's correct." The Second Elder nodded, his face somber.

"It is not that we elders are specifically targeting Northern Mountain County."

"Rather, it is all for the greater good."

"This is also what the Sect Master intends."

The Great Elder said coldly, "What if your conjectures are wrong?"

"What if the Northern Mountain Sword Master, as well as the other disciples, have absolutely no relation to Tianxing?"

"Do you not destroy a Supreme Heavenly Talent by killing them over an unfounded 'shadow'?"

"There's nothing to be done about that," the Second Elder shook his head.

"As I said before, it's unfortunate, but they are doomed by their association with Northern Mountain County."

"One Supreme Talent in Elder Bai is enough."

"You all…" the Great Elder fumed with rage, even trembling with anger.

The Second Elder spoke out, "Great Elder, everything should prioritize the Sect."

"Sect first," those four words plunged the Great Elder into silence.

However, in that silence, there was helplessness, struggle, and also anger.

At this moment, the Second Elder removed the barrier.

Still looking down from above, he looked at Xiao Yi.

"Northern Mountain... no, Xiao Yi, you and your Sect's disciples can now leave the Sect."

"After this, you shall not step half into the Sect again."

"Did you hear me clearly?"

Xiao Yi clenched his fists tightly, and after a long moment, his icy expression wiped away.

Not disappearing, but concealed deeper beneath his handsome face.

That coldness would one day turn into an abyssal chill and burst forth entirely.

"Ye Ming, let's go," Xiao Yi leaped down from the Martial Arts Arena.

Preparing to take Ye Ming and the others to leave.

At this moment, a crisp voice sounded.

"Hold on."

The speaker was Zhou Yueyao.

"Second Elder, I object, I do not agree with removing Northern Mountain County's identity," Zhou Yueyao said loudly.

With her True Qi amplifying her voice, it spread throughout the venue.

The Second Elder frowned and said, "Nine River Sword Master, you have no right to disagree."

"No, I do," Zhou Yueyao replied, "I am the Nine River Sword Master."

"In the future, there will surely be a place for me on the Elder's Seat."

"Indeed," the Meteor Sword Master also spoke up loudly.

"With our talent, we will surely become one of the Elders in the future."

"We do not agree with removing Northern Mountain County."

The Fierce Tiger Sword Master and Sword Master Xingmo also stood up, expressing their disagreement.

At this time, a jeering voice arose.

"By your logic, we also have the right to vote now."

The speaker was the Wanshan Sword Master.

"We agree with removing Northern Mountain County."

The Wanshan Sword Master, Anyun Sword Master, Black Wind Sword Master, and other Sword Masters who had past grievances with Xiao Yi, all stood up in turn.

"Shut up!" A roar erupted from the Elder's Seat.

"A bunch of juniors, since when is it your turn to speak up, stand down."

"Step back immediately, or you will be dealt with by the Sect's rules."

The speaker was a former disciple from each county, now a Deacon or a low-ranking elder.

Naturally, they did not want the talents of their own counties to needlessly stand out.

"Hmph, a bunch of bastards," another cold laugh rang out.

"Is this the famed Flame Martial Kingdom's Martial Arts Holy Land?"

"Is this the much-revered Sky-splitting Sword Sect?"

"Ptui."

"If I had known you were such, I would never have participated in that assessment."

The speaker was Zhong Wuyou.

He too was a young Martial Artist from Northern Mountain County, and he was going to leave as well.

"Hahaha..." Zhong Wuyou laughed loudly as he left.

"Thank goodness I did not join, otherwise, if I called you bastards 'elder' or 'master'..."

"It would surely become the shame of my life."

As his voice faded, the faces of the Elders turned dark.

"How dare you!" The Second Elder shouted angrily, "Zhong Wuyou, is it?"

"Speaking so insolently multiple times, contradicting the Sect's elders, such outrageous defiance..."

"Before you leave, accept the Sect's punishment first."

"Scram," Zhong Wuyou roared, "I am not a disciple of your Sect."

"Why should I abide by your Sect's rules?"

The Second Elder said coldly, "During the three rounds of assessment, you took advantage of the Sect's benefits, which makes you a disciple of this Sect."

"Even if you are now being expelled from the Sect, you should first accept its rules."

"Benefits?" Zhong Wuyou laughed out loud.

"Good, if you hadn't mentioned it, I would have almost forgotten."

"Through several rounds of assessments, I gained two Hundred Profound Treasure Fruits."

Saying this, Zhong Wuyou fiercely shook his wrists twice.

Right after, his Cultivation rapidly leaked out.

"Ugh." Zhong Wuyou spat out a mouthful of bloody sputum, his face pale.

"I willingly waste two levels of my Cultivation as payback for taking your benefits."

"As for that Absorption Palm, I will never use it in my lifetime."

Having said this, Zhong Wuyou proudly turned around and followed in Xiao Yi's footsteps to leave.

"Hold up." Just at that moment, a voice as deep as a bell reverberated.

As the sound emerged, everyone in the plaza turned to look at the speaker.

Because the speaker was Elder Duan Yun.

"Elder Duan Yun, may I ask what brings this up?" The Second Elder asked respectfully.

"I have suddenly decided to take on a disciple from among the Northern Mountain County disciples," Duan Yun said blandly.

"Ah... but..." The Second Elder tried to say something.

Duan Yun interrupted, "If there are objections, feel free to have the Sect Master seek me out anytime."

"We would not dare," the Second Elder quickly bowed with clasped hands.

Elder Duan Yun was the highest-ranking and most unfathomable individual in the entire Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

Apart from the Sect Master, no one dared to be presumptuous in front of him.

After Duan Yun spoke, his figure flashed, moving to stand in front of Xiao Yi and the others.

"Young man, become my disciple," Duan Yun said plainly.

His gaze was not on Xiao Yi.

But on... Zhong Wuyou.

...

First update.