The Central Continent, Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect.
Main Sect Hall.
"Li Xianyu has lost all his cultivation, become a cripple! He is no longer qualified to hold the position of Sword Son!"
"Our Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect is the number one sect in the Central Continent! How can our face remain if we let a trash like him be the Sword Son?!"
....
Li Xianyu's expression was indifferent. His gaze rested on his master, Xia Mengli, seated in the Sect Master's chair.
Though three hundred years old, her appearance remained that of a woman in her twenties.
She was hailed as one of the Ten Great Beauties of the Central Continent.
Xia Mengli parted her crimson lips: "Silence."
The clamoring sect elders instantly fell quiet.
Xia Mengli spoke again: "Li Xianyu, what is your view?"
Li Xianyu was momentarily stunned, then let out a soft laugh.
*Heh heh.*
Before, his master had always called him 'Xianyu', sometimes even 'Little Fish'.
Now, it was the icy, formal 'Li Xianyu'.
His master's attitude was crystal clear.
"Honored Master, what the elders say is correct. I am indeed unworthy of being Sword Son now."
Xia Mengli noticed Li Xianyu's smile. She felt an unsettling sensation of being seen through.
She detested that feeling!
"Effective immediately, Li Xianyu is stripped of his position as Sword Son of our Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect."
At that moment, an old man suddenly spoke: "Sect Master, over the years, Li Xianyu has killed many demonic cultivators and made many enemies. Now that Li Xianyu's cultivation is crippled, his enemies will surely come seeking revenge. Why should the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect suffer for Li Xianyu's personal grudges?! I propose we expel Li Xianyu from the sect!"
Li Xianyu looked towards the speaker.
Third Elder, Zhang Shengmao.
He was an orphan, adopted and raised by the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect. He had cultivated for two hundred years – not an overly long time, but his talent was exceptional. His Great Ascension Realm cultivation placed him among the Central Continent's Ten Great Experts.
He was the sect's highest cultivator!
He was known as the Mysterious Heaven Sword Son, and it was because of him that the sect established the position of Sword Son.
His status was second only to the Sect Master – one above, ten thousand below!
Before his cultivation was ruined, Zhang Shengmao had been exceptionally warm to him, often asking for his help.
Five years ago, Zhang Shengmao had hit a bottleneck, nearing the end of his lifespan and energy. If not for Li Xianyu finding rare heavenly treasures to help him break through, Zhang Shengmao would have long been dust in a grave!
"Are there any other demands?"
Li Xianyu asked.
Li Xianyu's calmness exceeded the reactions of everyone in the hall.
Even Xia Mengli was no exception: "Li Xianyu, in consideration of your..."
Li Xianyu didn't wait for Xia Mengli to finish. He turned around and began walking away, saying over his shoulder: "Master, the kindness of raising me and the kindness of teaching me... I have repaid it over these years. From this day forth, I have no further ties to the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect. Sect Master Xia... farewell."
*Sect Master Xia?!*
Hearing that address, Xia Mengli's face frosted over, her body trembling slightly.
How piercing.
It provoked an inexplicable rage within her.
"Fine."
Just then, a disciple rushed in, looking flustered: "Honored Sect Master! Fairy Yuehua, Jiang Muyan of the Lunar Cassia Immortal Palace, requests an audience! She specifically asked to see Senior Brother Li Xianyu!"
Hearing this, the crowd exchanged uneasy glances.
The Lunar Cassia Immortal Palace was one of the Four Great Sects of the Central Continent, a peer to the Mysterious Heaven Sword Sect.
Jiang Muyan was the sole disciple of the Lunar Cassia Immortal Palace's current Palace Master.
She was also the future Palace Master of the Lunar Cassia Immortal Palace.
The Central Continent's number one beauty!
Her cultivation, among the younger generation, was second only to Li Xianyu's. Most importantly, the two of them were betrothed!
The elders in the hall spoke up one after another:
"Sect Master, surely Fairy Yuehua has learned of Li Xianyu's crippled cultivation and has come to annul the engagement!"
"Thankfully, Li Xianyu is no longer a disciple of our sect. Otherwise, just the humiliation of being publicly jilted would make us a laughingstock throughout the cultivation world!"
"Sect Master's decision to expel Li Xianyu was truly wise."
....
Amidst the flattery, a faint smile touched Xia Mengli's lips: "Since Jiang Muyan is here for Li Xianyu... let her wait at the mountain's foot."
Li Xianyu walked out of the main hall and looked at his fellow disciples gathered outside.
Wherever his gaze fell, people instinctively stepped back, afraid that even a glance from him might bring bad luck.
Li Xianyu shook his head, a tumult of emotions churning within him.
Ordinarily, which of these fellow disciples didn't greet him with smiles and warmth?
Thinking back on all the care he had lavished on them over the years, he could only curse his own poor judgment.
However, one person did not step back.
His junior apprentice sister, Xia Qingqiu.
"Senior Brother."
Xia Qingqiu met Li Xianyu's gaze, biting her lower lip, seeming hesitant to speak.
"What is it?"
Li Xianyu asked.
Xia Qingqiu pointed at the pouch hanging from Li Xianyu's waist: "That... was the last time I'll call you senior brother. You should understand that trash doesn't deserve to possess a pouch personally sewn by the Fairy Qingqiu. It's not that I'm stingy... but matters must be settled clearly."
Li Xianyu gave a derisive laugh.
Back then, Xia Qingqiu had been an infant abandoned at the foot of a mountain.
He had discovered her during a journey with Xia Mengli.
Xia Mengli hadn't wanted to take her in, but couldn't withstand his persistent pleading and reluctantly agreed.
The child took Xia Mengli's surname.
But, *he* had named her. *He* had raised Xia Qingqiu until she was seven or eight, when Xia Mengli discovered her cultivation talent and formally took her as a disciple.
This girl had adored clinging to him since childhood.
When she reached an age of understanding, she even clamored to marry him.
This pouch was something Xia Qingqiu had sewn herself, claiming it was a token of affection.
"Even blood brothers must settle accounts clearly. What you say and do is perfectly reasonable."
Li Xianyu replied.
Xia Qingqiu held out her hand: "Then give it back."
Li Xianyu didn't hesitate. He directly took off the pouch and tossed it to Xia Qingqiu.
Xia Qingqiu turned to leave.
"Wait."
Li Xianyu stopped her.
Xia Qingqiu's face showed impatience: "What else?!"
"You just said some matters need to be settled clearly."
Li Xianyu stated calmly.
Xia Qingqiu scoffed dismissively: "What else do you want to settle?"
"That top-grade spirit artifact, the Violet Maple Sword, in your hand – didn't I give that to you?"
"This Cloud Radiance Colored Robe you're wearing – didn't I buy it for you?"
"The Cold Jade Bracelet artifact on your wrist – didn't I give that to you?"
"And... your life. Didn't I give that to you too?"
Li Xianyu's words caused Xia Qingqiu's expression to shift slightly: "Li Xianyu, you're right. These things were all given by you. You want them back? Fine. No problem. Come and take them. But let me remind you, you are no longer the Mysterious Heaven Sword Son, Li Xianyu! You are nothing but a cripple whose cultivation is ruined! I'm standing right here. Do you have what it takes to take them away?"
The corner of Li Xianyu's mouth lifted: "I'd like to try."
As he spoke, he slowly raised his hand.
Seeing this, Xia Qingqiu instinctively retreated two steps.
Li Xianyu's lingering aura was still potent.
But then, remembering he was just a useless cripple, her courage surged.
She took an aggressive step towards him, sneering: "Trash. You almost scared me."
The next second.
A sudden, violent change!
In the center of the main sect hall, a sword case began to tremble incessantly.
Before anyone could react,
A sword shot out from the case.
Its blade was snow-white.
It flew towards Li Xianyu with astonishing speed.
Like a shooting star in broad daylight.
Where it passed, sword energy swept through, fierce winds howled, forcing people to shield their faces and stumble back.
The wind died down.
Everyone looked towards Li Xianyu.
He stood there, a sword now in his hand. A single drop of blood slid down the tip of the blade.
*Thud!*
Xia Qingqiu collapsed to the ground. A thin line of crimson marked her throat.
Not a breath remained.
Li Xianyu stood holding the sword: "Who else wants to settle accounts?"
Both inside the main hall and outside, dead silence reigned.
At that moment, it was as if they were seeing the once invincible Mysterious Heaven Sword Son once more!!
Li Xianyu lowered his head to look at the sword.
*So, your name is Zaoxue (Bathing Snow).*
He turned and walked back into the main hall. With a casual flick of his wrist, he tossed the Zaoxue sword.
The sword flew back into its case.
Li Xianyu strapped the sword case to his back. Under the collective gaze of the stunned crowd, he turned and walked away.
No one dared to stop him!
Only after Li Xianyu had completely vanished did Xia Mengli finally speak, her face ashen with fury:
"Is *this* what a cripple looks like?!"