Spectators who did not understand the situation on the field were puzzled. Why had both Yao Kainan and Qin Xiao suddenly stopped moving?
However, the Soul Formation cultivators could see that Yao Kainan's aura had completely vanished; he was dead. Of the two combatants, only the still-cocky Qin Xiao remained alive.
The reason Qin Xiao had not moved was naturally because he was striking a pose. He considered this posture extremely cool.
"Qin Xiao, you actually killed Nan'er. You are courting death."
The Great Elder stood up directly, preparing to leap onto the stage.
"Old dog, you dare!"
Naturally, Ye Qiuyue also knew that Yao Kainan was dead, so she had been keeping her eye on Yao Tiansheng. Seeing him prepare to step onto the stage, she readied herself.
If Yao Tiansheng truly dared to make a move, she would not mind crippling him right here. After all, she held the moral high ground.
At Ye Qiuyue's shout, Yao Tiansheng managed to check himself. He knew that no one present could block Ye Qiuyue on his behalf. If he acted recklessly, he might end up falling here as well.
"Qin Xiao, in a match between fellow sect members, you actually resorted to murder. The sect cannot tolerate someone like you. Today, this old man expels you from the sect."
Unable to attack, Yao Tiansheng could only find a way to cast Qin Xiao out of the sect. As long as he was no longer a Tianyuan Sect disciple, there would be far fewer constraints.
"Elder Yao, I think you have gone senile. If your mind is diseased, stay off the streets instead of embarrassing the sect. It was a Deathmatch, and you complain that my strike was too heavy? What else should I have done? Tickled him instead?"
Though he talked tough, Qin Xiao walked back toward Ye Qiuyue's side; he remained wary of the Great Elder acting rashly.
"Even in a Deathmatch, fellow disciples do not take each other's lives-at most, they cripple the opponent and leave them breathing. Your heart is venomous. First you killed my son, and now my adopted son. This hatred is irreconcilable. The sect can never allow someone like you to remain."
Yao Tiansheng desperately wanted to strike immediately, but Ye Qiuyue's presence held him back. If he had known, he never would have agreed to hold the match in Tianyuan City. Had they been back at the Tianyuan Sect, what could Ye Qiuyue possibly do? If she dared make a move, the Supreme Elder would certainly not stand idly by.
"Great Elder, I am still standing right here. The Tianyuan Sect is not yet yours to run."
Seeing that the situation had spiraled out of control, Lin Tiancheng had no choice but to step forward.
Originally, with so many outsiders looking on, he had hoped to avoid a severe escalation. Internal sect friction was one thing, but with a crowd watching, he wanted to maintain a facade of dignity. Unfortunately, the Great Elder refused to grant him that courtesy.
"Does the Sect Leader have an objection? Which of my words was incorrect?"
Knowing that Lin Tiancheng would inevitably step forward, Yao Tiansheng had framed his words within reason, violating no sect regulations. He had already prepared himself for the possibility of Yao Kainan falling in battle.
"There are numerous misunderstandings here. Elder Yao, please calm yourself. Let us return to the sect to discuss this rather than becoming a laughingstock to outsiders."
Lin Tiancheng was well aware that Qin Xiao had already killed Yao Kaidong, and now Yao Kainan as well, leaving him with little confidence. He hoped to haul the matter back to the sect for deliberation, as they still needed to preserve face externally.
"There is nothing to discuss. If Qin Xiao is not expelled from the sect today, this old man will not accept it, and the entire Immortal Sword Peak will not accept it either. I ask the Sect Leader to make his choice: choose either Qin Xiao or Immortal Sword Peak."
Because Yao Tiansheng knew that Lin Tiancheng cared deeply about the sect's reputation, he chose this exact moment to force the issue.
He would have loved to drag Qin Xiao back to the sect for judgment on the spot, but he knew Ye Qiuyue was not someone who reasoned reasonably; she would never let them take him. Thus, his first mandatory step was simply to cast Qin Xiao out of the sect.
"If the Sect Leader agrees to my terms, Immortal Sword Peak will increase its revenue contribution to the sect by fifty percent from this day forward."
Yao Tiansheng understood that Lin Tiancheng likely coveted Qin Xiao's supplies, so he offered both a stick and a sweet carrot. Once Qin Xiao was dealt with later, those losses could easily be recovered.
At that moment, Lin Tiancheng hesitated. As Sect Leader, his primary duty was always the interests of the sect. Moreover, having already pocketed half of the resources from Qin Xiao, he could not afford a public rupture with the Great Elder. The Great Elder held deep roots within the sect; a complete split would cost them not only their dignity but also a massive amount of material benefit.
Seeing this, Qin Xiao merely shook his head slightly. This sect was truly no longer worth staying in. The Sect Leader could hesitate now, and when faced with an even larger temptation, he would likely sell him out without a second thought. Since things had reached this point, reluctance aside, it was time to leave.
"Sect Leader, Great Elder, you need not argue any further. Isn't it just expelling me from the sect? Very well. Today, I voluntarily sever my ties with the sect. From this moment onward, I have no further connection to the Tianyuan Sect. Yao Tiansheng, you are free to seek your revenge and settle your grudges whenever you please."
Before Lin Tiancheng could speak, Qin Xiao stepped forward and delivered his declaration. Damn the Tianyuan Sect; if they did not want him, he would gladly leave.
"Qin Xiao, you-I intended to mediate this matter. You are far too impulsive."
Though Lin Tiancheng spoke those words, an inexplicable wave of relief washed over him inwardly.
"Sect Leader, this was my own choice and has nothing to do with you. However, I ask that you help me protect Seven Stars Peak."
Naturally, Qin Xiao was not going to let the matter rest here forever-he intended to return and settle accounts one day-so Seven Stars Peak had to be preserved.
"Rest assured, I will ensure Seven Stars Peak remains yours."
Perhaps feeling a lingering sense of guilt toward Qin Xiao, Lin Tiancheng agreed without the slightest hesitation.
"Father, how could you agree to this?"
Lin Shimeng instantly grew indignant. If her master was leaving the sect, what was she supposed to do?
"Since Master has left the sect, I, Yun Man, shall leave the sect alongside him."
Seeing that the matter was settled, Yun Man stepped forward to declare her stance.
Lin Shimeng stood torn with conflict, never expecting that she would be placed in the most difficult position of all.
"Second Disciple, remain in the sect for now and act as your master's inside source. Relay any useful news to me."
Sensing Lin Shimeng's dilemma, Qin Xiao stepped forward and instructed her.
"I understand. Thank you, Master."
Hearing those words, Lin Shimeng realized Qin Xiao was looking out for her and offered her gratitude.
"Is there anything else? If not, I shall take my leave."
Qin Xiao glared fixedly at Yao Tiansheng.
"Good brat, you had best hide in the Heavenly Clothes Pavilion for the rest of your days and never step foot outside."
Knowing he could not deal with Qin Xiao today, Yao Tiansheng could only toss out a harsh threat before departing. His primary objective had been achieved anyway.
As for the corpse of Yao Kainan, other disciples would naturally collect it. He needed to go devise a new strategy; now that Qin Xiao was no longer a Tianyuan Sect disciple, he could act openly.
"Sect Leader Lin, we will take our leave as well."
With a cold expression, Ye Qiuyue prepared to depart alongside Qin Xiao and Yun Man.
"My deepest apologies. I truly did my best."
Lin Tiancheng offered a somewhat sheepish apology.
"Spare us those words. Xiao'er no longer has any relation to your Tianyuan Sect. From this day forward, if any disciple of your Tianyuan Sect dares to move against him, I will show no mercy. Come one, I kill one; come two, I kill a pair!"
Initially, Ye Qiuyue had intended to spare Lin Tiancheng a modicum of face, but hearing him claim he had done his best instantly ignited her fury. You did your best? What exactly did you do? Did she not know what kind of man Lin Tiancheng truly was?
Without waiting for a reply, Ye Qiuyue swept away with Qin Xiao and Yun Man in tow.
"Father, are you alright?"
Though she held her own grievances toward her father, seeing his conflicted expression, Lin Shimeng could not bring herself to reproach him further.
"I am fine. I only hope today's events do not cause Qin Xiao to harbor resentment toward us."
With those words, Lin Tiancheng turned and left as well.