Soon, Mu Dan and the others emerged one by one. However, a look of regret was on everyone's face, clearly indicating they had not received the Sacred Sect's inheritance.
But the group quickly came to terms with it. Even without the Sacred Sect's inheritance, the stellar light clusters contained divine abilities or cultivation methods of no small caliber. At the very least, the trip had not been in vain.
When Liu Jia Qi emerged, Mu Dan and the others' gazes immediately fell upon him. At this moment, Mu Dan and the others were curious whether the mysterious Liu Jia Qi had obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance.
However, in the next moment, everyone averted their gaze. Liu Jia Qi's face, like theirs, held a hint of regret.
"It seems only Li Xuan has yet to emerge," Jun Bie Li said after glancing at the group.
Mu Dan and the others froze upon hearing this. A thought they were unwilling to admit surfaced in their minds.
Could that Li Xuan possibly obtain the Sacred Sect's inheritance?
"The nine of them did not receive the Sacred Sect's inheritance. It seems it truly is him," Feng Hao said with a wry smile, but immediately his face showed a hint of pride.
After all, Feng Hao had once followed a Sword Dao Grandmaster. This was an opportunity that many spirit masters could not even dream of.
"Who exactly is this Li Xuan, to have obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance!" Although Mu Dan and the others were still unaware of the full situation, the crowd below had already guessed it.
A total of ten people had entered, and nine had emerged without receiving the Sacred Sect's inheritance. The conclusion was obvious.
"Li Xuan is currently a Sword Dao Grandmaster. It seems logical that he would obtain the Sacred Sect's inheritance."
"I never expected the prodigies of the Eleven Sects to become mere foils for him this time."
"..."
As the crowd buzzed with discussion, Mu Dan and the others on the stone steps all looked towards Qi Bai Yan.
"The inheritance of my Sacred Sect has indeed been obtained by that Li Xuan. Everything you have gained is, in a sense, a part of my Sacred Sect's inheritance. Whether my Sacred Sect can continue to be passed down now depends on how far you all can go in the future," Qi Bai Yan nodded slightly, admitting the fact, though a trace of regret lingered in his heart.
Although Li Xuan was now a Sword Dao Grandmaster, Qi Bai Yan could glean from the previous conversations the current strength of the world. With Li Xuan's current power, he was not in danger against spirit masters of the same generation and level. However, one level higher were beings of the Martial God realm.
"May I not have caused this young man any trouble," Qi Bai Yan shook his head helplessly and then said to Mu Dan and the others, "The inheritance of my Sacred Sect has concluded. You may all return."
As Qi Bai Yan spoke, he waved his hand, and an invisible force enveloped everyone, causing them to disappear. When they could see their surroundings clearly again, they had already arrived outside Falling Wild Goose Mountain, in the outside world.
As the group suddenly appeared, Kun Cheng Zi and Hua Gu Qian rushed forward to question the disciples of their respective sects.
"You say that Li Xuan of unknown origin obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance?"
After hearing the answers from the disciples of each sect, Hua Gu Qian, Kun Cheng Zi, and the others' expressions changed slightly.
The Sacred Sect, although a sect that had perished over ten thousand years ago, was no less significant than the current Twelve Sects. Such a sect's inheritance falling into the hands of an outsider of unknown origin was truly unexpected.
However, even so, Li Xuan was a spirit master. Although he was not a disciple of the Central Domain's sect forces, he was qualified to receive the inheritance even as a rogue cultivator. They had no legitimate reason to act.
For a moment, the Grand Elders of the major sects fell silent.
"Grand Elder, that Li Xuan killed three of our sect's senior brothers within the ruins. Furthermore, it is rumored that he has also killed many spirit masters to seize treasures, and all their spatial rings have been looted!"
Just then, a disciple spoke up. Although his voice was not loud, it quickly attracted everyone's attention.
"Our sect is missing five disciples. We initially thought they were lost in the ruins. We never expected them to be killed, and even their belongings looted!"
"Our sect is also missing three disciples. We just found out they were also killed by that Li Xuan!"
"While casualties are expected in ruins, if this was intentional targeting, then this matter cannot be let go!"
"..."
A chorus of voices rose, filled with the intent to confront Li Xuan.
"This brat impersonated a disciple of my Li Huo Sect and acted recklessly. To think he has harmed so many fellow disciples of allied sects. Both in reason and in emotion, as the Grand Elder of the Li Huo Sect, I should apprehend this brat and provide everyone with an explanation," Kun Cheng Zi said slowly after glancing at Kun Peng beside him.
When Kun Peng and Bu Jing Lei had emerged early, Kun Cheng Zi had learned that they were targeted by Li Xuan and lost their chance to obtain the inheritance. Now, hearing that Li Xuan had obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance, Kun Cheng Zi could no longer sit idly by. If he could capture this brat, the Sacred Sect's inheritance would be his!
"Foolish child, that Li Xuan may not be brought back to the sect," as Kun Cheng Zi spoke, an elder standing before Jian Chi spoke slowly. While the previous sects were all criticizing Li Xuan, they were essentially from first or second-tier forces. But now that Kun Cheng Zi had declared his stance, the matter was no longer so easily resolved.
"Grand Elder, can't we try to negotiate? That Li Xuan is a Sword Dao Grandmaster, and he's not even twenty years old," Jian Chi said in a deep voice.
The elder shook his head slightly, "It's not that I don't want to try to negotiate, but the current situation is no longer something our Myriad Sword Sect can control. Haven't you noticed the change in the expressions of those individuals when they heard that Li Xuan obtained the Sacred Sect's inheritance? Now that they have a valid reason, how could they possibly sit still."
Jian Chi understood. The Myriad Sword Sect's position among the Twelve Sects was declining. If fresh blood was not injected, it would eventually become the weakest. Although sword cultivators were invincible in the same realm, it was incredibly difficult for them to grow. The saying "the sharpest edge is the first to break" spoke of sword cultivators.
"Let's wait and see. If he is willing to hand over the Sacred Sect's inheritance, perhaps I can spare his life. Other than that, there is nothing I can do," the elder said with a sigh, understanding Jian Chi's feelings.
A flicker of light appeared on Jian Chi's face. If his life could be spared, Li Xuan would at least have a chance to survive. In the future, it was not impossible to reclaim this Sacred Sect's inheritance.
However, Jian Chi was also worried. Sword cultivators were almost always straightforward individuals, rarely submitting to power. And once they submitted, their Sword Dao heart would no longer be firm. For Li Xuan, this was a dead end in any case.
"Senior, where are they?" Upon emerging, Li Xuan looked at the stone steps and the crowd below and asked Qi Bai Yan with confusion.
Qi Bai Yan's expression was somewhat complex. He then recounted how he had revealed Li Xuan's acquisition of the inheritance in his previous excitement.
"Senior, do not worry. If they come to snatch it, I am not a pushover," Li Xuan said firmly after a moment of silence.
Although Li Xuan felt the pressure at this moment, if he couldn't even withstand this much pressure, how could he become a strong individual? Moreover, although those Grand Elders were at the peak of the Martial Emperor realm, Li Xuan was not without the strength to fight.
"That you can think this way makes this old man feel much better. However, speaking of which, I am still indebted to you," Qi Bai Yan sighed.
Li Xuan pondered for a moment, then with a thought, he grinned and said, "Since that's the case, Senior, why not bestow upon me a Heavenly Sword? If not a Heavenly Sword, a Earthly Sword would suffice."
Qi Bai Yan: "..."
"Ahem, you little rascal, you are quite slippery. Now, this old man is no longer worried about your safety," Qi Bai Yan said with a wry smile, then his expression turned serious, "I have no Heavenly Sword, nor an Earthly Sword. However, I do have a Human Sword. Well, this sword shall be passed on to you."
"This sword is named 'Startling Soul,' and it is the token of my Sacred Sect's Sect Master. Since you have received my Sacred Sect's inheritance, the position of Sect Master naturally belongs to you. From today onwards, I, Qi Bai Yan, abdicate to you."
"Receive the sword!"