"Xiao... Xiao... Xiao Yi?"
As Xiao Yi walked along the corridors of the Sky-splitting Sword Sect, his steps were leisurely and slow.
Around him, whether they were members of the Sword Sect or guests here to celebrate, they all stood frozen in place.
Xiao Yi paid no attention to these people and walked on his own.
By the time he reached the Sect Main Hall, he had attracted the gaze of everyone.
And everyone knew.
He, Xiao Yi, had returned!
"Xiao Yi?" The Sect Master and the nine elders were the first to react.
Their figures flashed as they quickly approached Xiao Yi.
"Xiao Yi," the Great Elder called out excitedly.
On the other hand, the Sect Master and others looked grim, their faces filled with murderous intent.
"So, even the Extreme Cold Rift couldn’t keep you there forever."
"Truly, a scourge lives a thousand years."
Xiao Yi’s eyes narrowed as he scanned the surroundings and muttered to himself, "It seems that the main character has yet to appear."
The main character, naturally, referred to Bai Mohan.
However, Xiao Yi did not notice his figure on the way here.
Suddenly, the Sect Master and the eight elders launched an attack at the same time.
Nine swords struck out simultaneously, aiming at various vital points on Xiao Yi’s body.
The nine of them went straight for a killing move upon their appearance.
Yet, Xiao Yi remained unruffled, the Blizzard Sword appearing out of thin air in his hand.
With a clang, Xiao Yi blocked the combined attack of the nine with just one sword stroke, with ease.
In fact, Xiao Yi, now without the "Ice Mountain Fire Sea," would have seen his combat strength decrease instead of increase if the "Martial Arts Power" were not taken into account.
Martial Arts Power, as a rule power of this world, is extremely formidable.
Extreme Realm Experts are so powerful precisely because they control Martial Arts Power.
At the same time, the saying that ’everything below the Extreme Realm is akin to ants’ also derives from Martial Arts Power.
Liquid Elemental Power is the hallmark of Heavenly Origin Realm Martial Artists.
And the Sect Master is at the Peak of Heavenly Origin Realm, with several elders being in the Late-stage Heavenly Origin.
They too harnessed Martial Arts Power.
Under the same condition of Liquid Elemental Power, the Sect Master and others used Martial Arts Power.
Xiao Yi’s vast Qi Spring was not able to bridge the gap in combat effectiveness.
Of course, Xiao Yi had the Top-grade Elemental Artifact, the Blizzard Sword, easily enough to level the disparity.
To put it simply, without using Martial Arts Power,
Xiao Yi, relying on his enormous Qi Spring and the amplification of the Blizzard Sword, had just enough strength to equal his previous might when he was still at Earth Origin Ninth Layer and possessed the "Ice Mountain Fire Sea."
To return to the matter at hand.
The Sect Master and the eight elders coordinated perfectly.
The nine formed a Sword Array, encircling Xiao Yi.
The Great Elder reacted and shouted angrily, "Bastards, what do you think you’re doing?"
"I’m going to inform the Senior Swordswoman."
With a flash, the Great Elder was about to leave.
Just at that moment, the Sect Master yelled, "Stop him for me."
The Sky-splitting Sword Sect had over a hundred idle elders, all Heavenly Origin Realm Martial Artists.
However, the Sect Master’s shout only prompted about a dozen of them to act.
The majority remained inactive, merely watching from the sidelines, helping neither side.
And those dozen idle elders, being average Heavenly Origin Realm Martial Artists, were no match to stop the Great Elder, ranked sixth among the peak experts.
"Get out of my way," roared the Great Elder, easily repelling those dozen with a wave of his hand.
Right then, another dozen attacked.
They were Martial Artists from other powers within the Royal Capital, who had always supported Bai Mohan, naturally stopping the Great Elder in his tracks.
Patriarchs like the Ao Family Patriarch and Mu Qingyun joined forces to confront him.
This time, the Great Elder was thoroughly obstructed.
"You’re courting death," the Great Elder roared, nearly gone mad with rage.