Sky-splitting Sword Sect.
Xiao Yi, with his hands clasped behind him, walked slowly away. He had already left the great hall and was heading towards the mountain gate.
He had known long ago that this place had no room for him.
Right at this moment, two figures suddenly flew over by controlling the air from afar.
The figures landed.
It was Elder Duan Yun and the Great Elder.
Xiao Yi stopped walking and smiled faintly.
"It seems I forgot, I am no longer a disciple of the Sword Sect, nor the Strongest Sword Master."
"These two things should not stay with me either."
In Xiao Yi’s hands, a flash of light appeared, and the Frost Sword materialized out of thin air.
Then, he began undoing his upper garment, preparing to remove the Ice Armor.
The Great Elder intervened, "Young man, don’t act in a fit of pique."
"Believe me, I will certainly let you rejoin the sect."
Xiao Yi smiled faintly, "Elder Xie, I appreciate your kind intentions, but there’s no need."
"The Great Elder also knows that I am used to going my own way."
"Without the identity of a Sword Sect disciple, I am actually more at ease."
Saying so, he went on to take off the Ice Armor.
He handed over both the Frost Sword and the Ice Armor.
Standing by, Elder Duan Yun’s expression carried some guilt as he said, "Young man, you blame me for not speaking up for you earlier, don’t you?"
"Not at all," Xiao Yi shook his head.
"I know Elder Duan Yun’s nature."
"You have always been wholeheartedly dedicated to the sect and put the sect’s interests first."
"Bai Mohan is now showing talents that are unmatched in the world."
"For the sect, he is more useful than a hundred Xiao Yis."
"Elder Duan Yun’s stand by his side, I can understand."
"After all, if I were an elder of the sect, I would do the same."
Xiao Yi’s words carried not a hint of anger; it was as if he was merely recounting the simplest of facts.
Duan Yun shook his head and sighed, saying, "That’s only one of the reasons."
"Keep the Ice Armor and the Frost Sword."
"Though you have been stripped of the title of the Strongest Sword Master, the fact that you bear two great inheritances is undeniable."
"You are also nominally the disciple of the Sky-splitting Sword Demon."
"The Frost Sword was acquired through your own abilities, gifted to you by the historical Strongest Sword Masters."
"No one has the right to take it back."
Xiao Yi shook his head, wanting to say something.
Elder Duan Yun spoke first, "Keep them. In the future, when a new Strongest Sword Master appears in the sect,"
"You can hand them over personally to the new Strongest Sword Master."
"That’s right," the Great Elder interjected, "These two items, no one in the entire sect has the authority to dispose of them."
"Nor does anyone have the authority to take them back."
"Just keep them for now, return them later."
"Consider it a responsibility for the two great inheritances you carry."
Xiao Yi furrowed his brows, then after a long moment, nodded.
He took back the Ice Armor and Frost Sword, bowed, and prepared to turn and leave.
"Young man, where do you plan to go?" Elder Duan Yun suddenly asked in a deep voice.
Xiao Yi frowned slightly and said, "Why does Elder Duan Yun ask this?"
Duan Yun narrowed his eyes and said, "Just asking."
Xiao Yi calmly said, "For a short while, I will stay in the Royal Capital, there are still some matters I need to deal with."
"Matters?" Duan Yun furrowed his brows and said, "I’m afraid you intend to continue investigating the covert dealings of Elder Bai."
"Perhaps I do, perhaps I do not," Xiao Yi was noncommittal.
Duan Yun said in a grave voice, "Do not stay in the Royal Capital, leave swiftly today."
"Why?" Xiao Yi’s brow furrowed.