The remaining four resisted the palm print of the Eight Desolation Palm, yet they all stood side by side, quietly gazing at the fallen figure.

Yue Yang, ranked seventy-seventh among the inner disciples, was the strongest among the five. However, he was killed in a single strike. If it had been any of them in his place, they too would have perished without a doubt.

Li Xiaoyao was far stronger than the strongest among them, possessing the power to kill them all.

Realizing this, their eyes no longer held any trace of carelessness. Their gazes were fixed on Li Xiaoyao, and as the gentle breeze brushed past them, they felt a chill running down their spines.

"When you trampled on the lives of others, did you ever consider that your own lives could just as easily be trampled by someone stronger than you? All of this is a consequence of your own choices," Li Xiaoyao said coldly.

As his words fell, he stepped forward. A powerful sword intent spread through the space, permeating the air.

Cold sweat appeared on the foreheads of the four. Only by being within the sword intent did they truly realize how overwhelming it was. Was this truly just the manifestation of a mere shred of sword momentum?

Within the invisible space, it was as if a torrent of sword energy was roaring. And as Li Xiaoyao advanced, the overwhelming sword intent grew stronger—like a tidal wave, surging to claim lives.

"We can't wait any longer. The sword momentum is getting stronger, and our auras are weakening. If we hesitate, we're dead," one of them muttered.

The four exchanged glances, understanding each other's thoughts. With a single step, they simultaneously charged toward Li Xiaoyao.

"Momentum!"

Li Xiaoyao let out a low cry. The unparalleled pressure of the sword momentum weighed down on his opponents. At the same time, he moved his hand slightly, and dazzling radiance flashed through the space.

Two streaks of crimson blood shot through the air. The Sword of Death had been unleashed—its strike was lethal.

The two at the forefront collapsed limply to the ground. Meanwhile, the other two, who had intentionally slowed their attack at the last moment, instantly retreated as Li Xiaoyao struck, betraying their fallen comrades to save their own lives.

But they had indeed survived.

The crowd felt their hearts tremble, especially some of the inner disciples. Why? Why was Li Xiaoyao this strong? His aura was merely at the first level of the Spirit Martial Realm, yet even those whose names were etched on the ranking stone wall couldn't withstand a single strike. His sword—one strike, one death.

"It's the Nirvana Sword Technique! The Annihilation Sword Technique is a mid-tier Profound Rank martial art. He has mastered the first strike, the Death-Severing Sword, to perfection. Coupled with his terrifying sword momentum, it makes sense that he can challenge opponents far above his level."

Many recognized Li Xiaoyao's sword technique. This technique was similar to the Sword-Drawing Technique and was rarely chosen by disciples. However, unlike the latter, the Annihilation Sword Technique was considered too powerful—comparable to a high-tier Profound Rank martial art. Yet its requirements were extraordinarily high, making it extremely difficult to cultivate. Thus, very few attempted it.

But Li Xiaoyao had already cultivated the first strike, the Death-Severing Sword, to its peak.

"Run!"

A single thought surfaced in the minds of the two remaining disciples. If they continued to fight, they would surely die. Turning around, they attempted to flee from the Life-and-Death Platform.

"Kill!"

A cold glint flashed in Li Xiaoyao's eyes. The brilliance of the Death-Severing Sword once again erupted. A long, sharp sword aura cleaved downward. Instantly, the two fleeing figures froze midair before plummeting lifelessly to the ground.

Thus, all five inner disciples whose names were engraved on the ranking stone wall were annihilated.

"The Nirvana Sword Technique is so powerful. That sword momentum—so domineering!"

Many of the outer and inner disciples looked at Li Xiaoyao with fervent admiration. No wonder he dared to confront and question Mo Water. Li Xiaoyao's talent was not inferior to Mo Water's. The only difference was that his current strength was still lacking. But given time, he would undoubtedly stand shoulder to shoulder with Mo Water.

Zhao Xinyi's beautiful eyes shifted, filled with immense shock. This bastard... he had just killed five inner disciples, and they were ranked within the top eighty-one?

"It seems my hope of seeking revenge against him is slim," Zhao Xinyi thought to herself. She had initially planned to strengthen her abilities and one day teach this bastard a lesson. But now, she realized his talent was far greater than she had ever imagined. Revenge seemed out of the question. Yet, surprisingly, Zhao Xinyi didn't feel much disappointment.

As for Nangong Shang, who was seated in the stands, he could only offer a wry smile.

"This guy... five elite inner disciples, and he killed them all without a second thought. He really has no restraint, does he?"

"Patriarch, while this boy's talent is indeed commendable, as he himself admitted, his slaughter of fellow disciples may pose more of a threat to the sect than a blessing," Xie Yun whispered in Nangong Shang's ear, his tone laced with disapproval.

Nangong Shang cast a sidelong glance at Xie Yun, his disappointment growing deeper. He replied coldly, "When Mo Water and those five disciples were slaughtering their fellow disciples, why did you not speak out then?"

"Patriarch, how could Li Xiaoyao even be compared to Mo Water?" Xie Yun argued.

"That's enough. I know what I'm doing." Nangong Shang cut him off with a frown. Xie Yun had no choice but to retreat reluctantly, though the killing intent in his heart grew stronger. To him, leaving Li Xiaoyao alive wasn't just a potential danger to the sect but a direct threat to his own standing.

"Li Xiaoyao," Nangong Shang called out with a smile, his gaze fixed on the young man standing on the Life-and-Death Stage.

"Patriarch." Li Xiaoyao turned and offered a slight bow, his demeanor respectful.

"You've already proven your strength. You're qualified to participate in the upcoming ranking battle. However, before you compete, shouldn't you take care of one important matter first?" Nangong Shang's smile deepened as he spoke. The more he observed Li Xiaoyao, the more satisfied he felt. This boy wasn't just incredibly talented and powerful but also polite and humble. Despite the arrogance in his bones, he carried himself with composure and far-sightedness—a rare combination.

Just as Li Xiaoyao had said, a Martial Spirit Realm cultivator's strength was insignificant when compared to the vast Shen Zhou continent. It wasn't worth mentioning. Yet, it was precisely this long-term vision that made Nangong Shang believe that Li Xiaoyao's future achievements could be limitless.

"What matter?" Li Xiaoyao asked calmly.

"Put on your inner disciple robes," Nangong Shang said with a chuckle. With Li Xiaoyao's talent, having him represent the sect in front of Xiao Hongchen and the other sect leaders would be a source of pride. Wearing the robes of an outer disciple at such an occasion, however, would be utterly inappropriate.

"Heh..." Li Xiaoyao chuckled meaningfully, shaking his head as he looked at Nangong Shang and said, "I will not wear the inner disciple robes, nor will I participate in the inner ranking battle. At this moment, I stand on this Life-and-Death Stage merely to show some people just how ignorant and foolish they truly are!"

"Oh?" Nangong Shang's brows furrowed slightly, his tone puzzled. "What do you mean by that?"

"Patriarch, outer disciples have the word 'outer' in their title, which signifies they are not truly part of the sect and can freely leave at any time, correct?"

Li Xiaoyao's words made Nangong Shang frown further, confusion brewing in his mind. Still, he nodded. "That is correct."

"Patriarch, forgive my boldness, but after today, I may very well leave Canghai Sect."

Boom!

Li Xiaoyao's words sent shockwaves through everyone present. Li Xiaoyao... leaving Canghai Sect?

What kind of joke was this? Standing on the Life-and-Death Stage, Li Xiaoyao had just crushed his opponents and earned the Patriarch's favor. Yet, at this very moment, he declared he might leave the sect. How could such an announcement not cause a stir?

Everyone was trying to understand why Li Xiaoyao would do such a thing.

"Hahaha..." Laughter erupted one after another as Xiao Hongchen smirked and said to Nangong Shang, "It's laughable. Canghai Sect finally produces a promising disciple, only for him to leave."

"Li Xiaoyao, is it? If you're willing, you can join the Ice Moon Sacred Palace. You'll receive focused training."

"Li Xiaoyao, my Ice Snow Villa, although we only accept those with Ice Snow Martial Souls, will make an exception for you today. If you're willing, you can join and become a core disciple right away."

"And I, Moonlight Sect, would also like to extend an invitation. If you wish to come, you'll be nurtured as a key talent."

Each sect leader extended an olive branch to Li Xiaoyao, their words like slaps to the face of Canghai Sect. The humiliation burned, making everyone from Canghai Sect feel deeply embarrassed.

"I'll think about it," Li Xiaoyao replied with a faint smile.

"You insolent brat! Patriarch, if this boy is not killed, how can Canghai Sect maintain its dignity?" Xie Yun roared in anger, secretly pleased at the situation. To him, this was Li Xiaoyao digging his own grave.

"Shut your mouth up!!!!!" Nangong Shang's sharp reprimand caused Xie Yun to freeze. He then noticed the icy glare from Nangong Shang, and his heart trembled in fear.

"Li Xiaoyao, three days ago, I had already granted you the status of an inner disciple. Yet you now claim to be an outer disciple and even speak of leaving the sect. What's the reason?"

Nangong Shang tried to maintain his composure. To lose such a rare talent to rival sects would be a heavy blow.

"Leaving the sect? Patriarch, the word 'leaving' isn't quite accurate. It is not I, Li Xiaoyao, who is abandoning the sect; rather, it is the sect that has abandoned me. In Canghai Sect, there is no place for me to stand!"

"What do you mean?" Nangong Shang asked, confusion in his tone.

"So...first of all, Patriarch, may I have the boldness to ask you a few questions?"

"Of course," Nangong Shang replied.

"Sect master, as an outer disciple, there is no one to guide us. Our cultivation depends entirely on ourselves, isn't that right?" Li Xiaoyao asked. "That's correct," Nangong Shang nodded. It was indeed the truth. Even inner disciples rarely received proper guidance.

"Sect master, as outer disciples, we can only choose martial techniques and skills from the first floor of the Sun Moon Pavilion. Those techniques are all Yellow-grade and can be found in many other places, correct?" "Correct," Nangong Shang nodded again.

"In that case, may I boldly state that my current cultivation and achievements are entirely due to my own efforts, with little to no contribution from the sect? In other words, the sect has provided me with almost no benefits, isn't that so?"

At this point, Nangong Shang's expression became slightly uneasy, and a strange emotion flickered in the hearts of the other Cang Hai Sect members. However, none of them could deny that Li Xiaoyao's words were entirely accurate.

As a result, Nangong Shang nodded once more and said, "You are correct. The sect has provided you with little benefit. But you are still a part of the Cang Hai Sect. Just because there were no benefits, does it not seem a bit far-fetched to leave the sect? If you are leaving for other personal gains, wouldn't that be considered ungrateful?"

"Sect master, may I finish my words first?" "Go ahead," Nangong Shang said.

"My first meeting with you was on the Life and Death Platform. On that day, I was a nobody, an insignificant figure. When the Young Master of the Yuehui Sect, along with Li Xin, came to the Cang Hai Sect to demand someone, because I was merely an outer disciple, Elder Xie Yun readily agreed to hand me over to them. Even you, Patriarch, did not stop it. If it weren't for the intervention of a mysterious expert, I, Li Xiaoyao, might not be standing here today. Is that correct?"

"That was my oversight," Nangong Shang admitted, surprisingly confessing his mistake, which caused a ripple of emotion among many present. Nangong Shang's broad-mindedness was undeniable.

"Sect master, during the beast tide, I ventured into the Black Ze Forest to slay demonic beasts. Yet again, Elder Xie Yun plotted against me, holding a grudge because I had once questioned him. Out of spite, he sent me to the jaws of the beasts. Fortunately, I was lucky enough to survive. Many people witnessed this event. I believe you, Patriarch, are also aware of it. Yet Elder Xie Yun remains unpunished, unharmed, because I am an outer disciple, weak and insignificant. Is that correct?"

Hearing Li Xiaoyao recount these events, Nangong Shang found himself momentarily speechless. Indeed, this was the second time he had wronged Li Xiaoyao. If not for Li Xiaoyao's remarkable fortune, he might have died at the hands of Elder Xie Yun once again.

At this thought, Nangong Shang glared fiercely at Xie Yun. It was now clear that Xie Yun played an undeniable role in Li Xiaoyao's decision to leave the sect.

"This matter is also my fault," Nangong Shang admitted again. "However, Li Xiaoyao, do you know that because of this incident, Elder Bei was so enraged that he severely injured Elder Xie Yun and nearly killed him on the spot? Elder Bei holds you in high regard, and I am certain he does not wish to see you leave the Canghai Sect."