Soul Emperor Martial God

"Elder Duan Yun has always been an elder,"

"If he were to leave before we in the Xiao Family had a chance to show our hospitality, would it not reflect poorly on our family's manners?"

Xiao Yi said with a faint smile.

Although he had already prepared a backup plan for the Xiao Family Elders and was not afraid of the several hundred desperadoes from before,

Elder Duan Yun had, after all, guarded the family from outside for several months.

Unexpectedly, Elder Duan Yun shook his head and said, "Who said I was leaving?"

"I will be stationed here for thirty years."

"Thirty years?" Xiao Yi was immediately startled.

"Is Elder Duan Yun joking?"

Elder Duan Yun had come to the Xiao Family on the orders of a senior Swordswoman.

Now that he himself had returned to the Xiao Family, by all rights, Elder Duan Yun should be returning to the Sword Sect by now.

Elder Duan Yun shook his head and said, "Although I came at the behest of the senior Swordswoman,"

"the duration of my stay is entirely at my own discretion."

Saying so, Elder Duan Yun looked at Xiao Yi with a sense of guilt.

"I indeed erred in the past."

"And now, the only thing I can do to make amends is just this."

Xiao Yi was puzzled, and said, "Elder Duan Yun, you wish to lower yourself to stay here for thirty years?"

Elder Duan Yun waved his hand and said, "It's not a question of lowering myself."

Elder Duan Yun sighed and said, "It's been fifteen years, and my heart has carried this guilt, causing my cultivation to be utterly stagnated for fifteen years."

"Putting down the burden and coming to the Xiao Family has instead cleared my heart and allowed a breakthrough to occur in a single day."

"In this regard, I am actually at a gain."

"Otherwise, my cultivation could have been trapped for decades, and I might not have broken through at all."

Xiao Yi appeared to realize something.

No wonder Elder Duan Yun had just made a breakthrough to the Extreme Realm, yet controlled one and a half percent of Martial Arts Power.

Elder Duan Yun had, after all, once been a brilliantly talented Sword Dao practitioner in the Flame Martial Kingdom.

Presumably, many years ago, he already possessed the strength to break through to the Extreme Realm.

However, practitioners of the Sword Dao have the purest hearts and are easily afflicted by Heart Demons.

The incident from those years caused his Sword Heart to be clouded, and his cultivation was continuously trapped.

But his understanding of the Sword Dao was undoubtedly extremely deep and had never stagnated.

A few months ago, his mental state cleared, and years of accumulation burst forth in a single moment, immediately mastering one and a half percent of Martial Arts Power.

After all, Elder Duan Yun's talent was extremely high, and he should have been able to break through many years ago.

"Additionally," Elder Duan Yun slightly smiled and said, "With the breakthrough to the Extreme Realm, having the power of Heaven and Earth Martial Arts on me increases my lifespan considerably."

"Thirty years is but a flick of the fingers."

"Moreover, even if I were in the Sword Sect, I would be in seclusion all year round."

"Sitting quietly outside the Xiao Family is the same."

Xiao Yi chuckled and said, "If that's the case, then I thank Elder Duan Yun greatly."

"If so, our Xiao Family must not treat Elder Duan Yun shabbily."

Saying that, Xiao Yi reached out and pulled Elder Duan Yun over.

"Hmm?" Elder Duan Yun's expression changed.

Seated as he was, he actually couldn't resist Xiao Yi's strength.

"Extreme Realm combat prowess? And not weak at all," Elder Duan Yun revealed a look of astonishment.

Xiao Yi smiled and said, "Let's go."

The matter of Xiao Yi killing Bing Chengtian was far away in the Ice Martial Kingdom's Cold Ice City.

It was too far from the Flame Martial Kingdom, and the news had not spread so quickly.

Additionally, Northern Mountain County was not particularly well-informed.

Therefore, Elder Duan Yun was still unaware of this matter.

Seeing the massive and staggering force in Xiao Yi's hands at this moment, he naturally felt surprised.

Upon arriving inside the family, the banquet was already prepared.

Xiao Lihuo and others quickly approached and said, "Yii'er, this gentleman is an elder from your Sect, right?"

Xiao Yi nodded and said, "This is Elder Duan Yun, a strong predecessor from two generations ago of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect."

"Elder Duan Yun?" Xiao Lihuo, Xiao Chong, and others took a sharp breath.

"Why? Great Elder, Uncle Xiao Chong, you've heard of Elder Duan Yun's reputation?" Xiao Yi was slightly startled.

"Of course," exclaimed Xiao Lihuo.

"The reputation of Elder Duan Yun in the Flame Martial Kingdom is like that of the Bloodthirsty Profound Monarch in Northern Mountain County."

"How could we not have heard of him?"

Xiao Chong looked at Xiao Yi with disapproval, saying, "Yii'er, when such a significant figure arrives, you should tell us sooner."

Xiao Lihuo promptly said, "Elder Duan Yun, please take your seat."

"This…" Elder Duan Yun looked embarrassed as he turned to Xiao Yi.

Xiao Yi laughed softly, saying, "Elders, there's no need to be so formal, Elder Duan Yun has always disliked such ceremoniousness."

"Just sit with me later."

Years ago, the events in the Royal Capital, Xiao Yi had investigated them thoroughly later in the Demon Hunting Hall.

Those truly involved included more than ninety percent of the forces in the Royal Capital.

As for the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, few actually participated.

After all, it was a reputable sect, and they even had a fellow disciple relationship with Elder Yi in the past.

However, most people chose to stand by and remain neutral.

Elder Duan Yun and most of the unattached elders adopted this attitude of non-intervention.

Only the Great Elder secretly helped Elder Yi.

Whereas, the Sect Master and the other Eight Elders participated in besieging Elder Yi.

Of course, all these people are now dead.

Back to the main matter.

When the two were seated, after a round of clinking cups, the Xiao Family Elders naturally started asking about Xiao Yi in the sect.

"Elder Duan Yun, Yii'er is naturally unruly, often worrying us, I assume he has caused quite some trouble for the senior swordsmen of the sect?" mentioned Xiao Lihuo.

"If he has been offensive in many instances, I hope Elder Duan Yun won't hold him to account."

Saying this, Xiao Lihuo toasted Elder Duan Yun.

"Elder Duan Yun nervously returned the toast with 'no need for such politeness.'"

Beside him, Xiao Chong also raised a glass and asked, "Given Yii'er's talent, although not supreme, is quite commendable."

"I wonder, how has Yii'er performed these years within the Sword Sect? If there are any inappropriate actions, please inform Elder Duan Yun."

"We, as family elders, will surely discipline him."

"Cough, cough," Xiao Yi coughed twice, saying, "Actually there's not much…"

He didn't want the family elders to know too much about many matters within the Sword Sect, to prevent them from worrying.

Unexpectedly, the Great Elder Xiao Lihuo glared at Xiao Yi, "Shut up; we elders are speaking. You, as the younger generation, should not interrupt."

In the view of Xiao Lihuo and Xiao Chong, if a person like Elder Duan Yun was willing to help Xiao Yi, he would surely soar to great heights in the future within the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.

At this moment, they were indeed very courteous.

Elder Duan Yun glanced at Xiao Yi, knowing he didn't wish to speak much about sect affairs, and casually said, "All is well."

Saying this, Elder Duan Yun took out a book from his robe and handed it to the Great Elder.

"If I am not mistaken, the Martial Arts practiced by the Great Elder of the Xiao Family are the Separation Fire Path."

"Here I have a 'Separation Fire Sword Technique' book, which I acquired during my travels in the past."

"Separation Fire Sword Technique?" Xiao Lihuo took it with a puzzled expression, saying, "From the name alone, I can tell it's no ordinary book; surely, its tier must be quite high?"

Elder Duan Yun said, "Peak Earth-rank, barely comparable to Heaven-rank."

"Comparable to Heaven-rank?" Xiao Lihuo shuddered, almost losing his grip.

"Thank you for your generous gift, Elder Duan Yun."

Saying this, Xiao Lihuo toasted Elder Duan Yun several times.

…

As night fell, halfway through the drinking session.

Elder Duan Yun hurriedly left and stood outside the great door of the Xiao Family.

Xiao Yi followed him out, chuckling, "Elder Duan Yun, you left so hurriedly; was my Xiao family's hospitality lacking?"

"No, no, no," Elder Duan Yun said in quick succession, "The elders of your family are just too enthusiastic, too polite."

"If I didn't feel guilty, it might be fine, but, alas... thick-skinned, thick-skinned."

Elder Duan Yun sighed and then sat down on his own.

Xiao Yi chuckled, shook his head, and left on his own.

On his way, Xiao Lihuo and Xiao Chong stopped him.

"Yii'er, letting Elder Duan Yun stay outside the gate of the Xiao Family, exposed to the elements, seems inappropriate," Xiao Chong remarked.

Xiao Yi shook his head, saying, "Elder Duan Yun is just like that, quite stubborn; let him be."

"He will be stationed outside our Xiao Family gate for many years to come."

"In the future, if family martial artists have any cultivation questions, they can go and seek his advice."

"And what about you, Yii'er? Are you leaving again?" Xiao Chong asked.

Xiao Yi shook his head, saying, "No, I need to go into seclusion."

"For how long?" Xiao Chong asked.

"Half a year," Xiao Yi replied seriously.