Xiao Yi galloped all the way, and in just over two hours, he arrived at the Sky-splitting Sword Sect.
Upon approaching the Sword Sect, Xiao Yi immediately sensed a formidable presence inside.
At least in the mid-stage of the Heavenly Origin Realm.
The presence was emanating from the Council Hall.
"Hm?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, his silhouette flashed, and in an instant, he entered the Sect.
...
At this moment, inside the Council Hall of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, a gathering of elders had convened.
However, the person sitting in the seat of honor was not the Great Elder,
but a serene-faced old man with a steady aura.
"Hmph." The elder snorted coldly, his expression extremely chilly.
"I have traveled miles to personally deliver these documents to Northern Mountain County, which should be regarded as an honor for you."
"A bunch of Mystic Breakthrough Realms, plus one Earth Origin Realm – do you really want me, the Fourth Elder, to take action myself?"
"We dare not," the Great Elder bowed his hands, yet his expression was very unsightly.
"I presume you wouldn’t dare," the elder said with disdainful smile, casting a mocking look across the Great Elder and the others.
Just then,
with a whoosh, a figure suddenly appeared.
"If daring is in question, Fourth Elder, feel free to make a move."
The newcomer was none other than Xiao Yi, staring coldly at the elderly man in front of him.
Indeed, the elderly man was the Fourth Elder of the Sword Sect.
"Xiao Yi?" The Sword Sect Fourth Elder’s complexion changed drastically.
"Why are you here; aren’t you supposed to be in the Royal Capital?"
Xiao Yi sneered, "What, does the Fourth Elder not wish for my return to Northern Mountain County?"
"On the contrary, Fourth Elder, the Royal Capital is thousands of miles away from here – why are you here instead?"
"Must I report to you?" the Fourth Elder declared arrogantly.
"Hmph," Xiao Yi snorted coldly.
Then, he glanced at the elders of the Sword Sect.
At this moment, the Sword Sect elders, one by one, had complex expressions.
Their faces were a mix of gloom, despair, and powerless indignation.
"What’s going on?" Xiao Yi furrowed his brows and asked.
The Great Elder of the Sword Sect stayed silent for a while before answering, "This Sword Sect Elder."
"He claims to be acting on the Sect Master’s orders, coming here to Northern Mountain County to have us leave the Sword Sect."
"What?" Xiao Yi’s eyes turned frosty as he looked toward the Sword Sect Fourth Elder.
Following that, Xiao Yi noticed on the council table, there lay a scroll.
The Fourth Elder was just about to take it back,
but Xiao Yi was quicker, snatching the scroll away.
Opening it and looking inside, it was an order from the Sect Master; as long as the elders of the Sword Sect placed their handprints on it, it would become effective.
"Rubbish!" Xiao Yi slapped the desk.
"Fourth Elder, since its founding, the Sky-splitting Sword Sect has always had thirty-six sects."
"When has it been your place to decide whether a sect leaves or stays, and from where does Sect Master derive the authority to send such an order?"
Xiao Yi had once researched the Sect’s ancient records.
The Sky-splitting Sword Sect, since its establishment, had always had thirty-six sects.
The main sect and the branches had always been as one.
Even as the Sky-splitting Sword Sect in Northern Mountain County had waned in recent years, though looked down upon by the other sects, no one had ever dared to question its identity.
Let alone force it to leave.
This was long established in generations of the Sect’s rules.
Faced with Xiao Yi’s interrogation, the Fourth Elder found himself at a loss for words.
After a long pause, the Fourth Elder said dismissively, "Northern Mountain County, as the weakest county..."
"The Sky-splitting Sword Sect here has failed in its teachings, and every disciple possesses low Cultivation."
"What use is there in keeping such a division? Should it tarnish the reputation of the Sword Sect?"
"The Sect Master issued the order, simply not wishing the Sect to become a laughingstock."