"I, Duan Ling Tian, hereby announce that I'm officially leaving the Fire Worship Sect, and I'm no longer a Guardian of the Fire Worship Sect!"
Duan Ling Tian's statement rang in the ears of the four Guardians of Fire Worship Sect. They were dumbfounded and it took them a while before they recovered their senses.
Leng Yin, particular, did not expect his words would lead to this outcome. He felt a wave of helplessness and did know what to do. Really? Did Duan Ling Tian really have to put on such a big show and announce his departure from the sect just because he had said he had to be punished for his rude behavior? The audacity!
'Insolent! Impudent!' Leng Ying almost threw up blood in anger when he thought about it. He was under the impression that Duan Ling Tian had decided to leave the Fire Worship Sect because of his words. He was unaware that Duan Ling Tian would still make the same decision regardless if he had spoken up or not.
It was destined that Duan Ling Tian could not stay in the Fire Worship Sect after he learned about his identity. After all, he was the current successor of the Fog Rain Progeny, the First Absolute of the Seven Absolutes, and the Sect Leader of Seven Absolutes Sect. The Seven Absolutes Sect was the mortal enemy of the three great sects. As the sect leader, he, naturally, could not stay in the Fire Worship Sect! Otherwise, the people from the Seven Absolutes Sect who had died would have risen from their graves if they found out the current sect leader of their sect was also a Guardian of the Fire Worship Sect!
As soon as Zi Feng regained his senses, he said solemnly, "Guardian Ling Tian, please don't make such jokes!"
Hong Yun and Qing Huo who had regained their senses as well nodded in agreement when they heard Zi Feng's words.
On the other hand, Leng Yin forced himself to remain silent. He was feeling frustrated since he thought he was the one who had caused this. In truth, he did not wish for Duan Ling Tian to leave the Fire Worship Sect. With Duan Ling Tian's strength, it would undoubtedly be a great loss to the Fire Worship Sect if he left. Moreover, if Duan Ling Tian left, he would be known as the person who drove Duan Ling Tian out of the sect. This was not something he was willing to bear.
Duan Ling Tian shook his head when he heard Zi Feng's words. He said indifferently, "Joke? No, I'm not joking, Guardian Zi Feng."
"I, Duan Ling Tian, came back today for two matters; first, it's to leave the Fire Worship Sect. Second, it's to kill…"
Before Duan Ling Tian could finish his sentence, a voice rang in the air, cutting him off. "In this case, does this mean Guardian Ling Tian insists on leaving our Fire Worship Sect?"
A figure appeared out of thin air like a ghost in front of the Guardians of the Fire Worship Sect. It was a middle-aged man with a sturdy body. He was dressed in a long white robe that was embroidered with red flames. It looked slightly similar to the exclusive uniforms of the elders and disciples from the Fire Worship Sect. However, upon closer inspection, one would see the flames that were embroidered resembled a divine dragon that was protecting his body.
Although the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect was tall with a muscular build and had chiseled features, he did not look like a brute. He emitted a majestic aura that made people feel as though they had to submit to him.
"Tang Xuan!" As soon as Duan Ling Tian saw the middle-aged man, his eyes narrowed and glinted with a vicious light. Anger began to course through his veins immediately.
"Lord Sect Leader!"
As soon as the middle-aged man appeared, the Guardians of Fire Worship Sect, Zi Feng, Qing Huo, Hong Yun, and Leng Ying, hurriedly bowed at him respectfully.
"Saint Girl!" Tang Xuan exclaimed. As soon as he appeared, his eyes were trained on Ke'er who was standing next to Duan Ling Tian. His eyes were bright as he stared at her. It seemed as though nothing else mattered as long as the girl before him had returned. Soon after, he turned to Duan Ling Tian and said coldly, "Guardian Ling Tian, I didn't expect you to summon me out by name as soon as you returned after your departure a few years ago!" In his opinion, Duan Ling Tian was just a mere Guardian in the Fire Worship Sect. He was not qualified to speak to him in such a manner regardless of how powerful he was. By behaving in such a way, Duan Ling Tian was trampling on his pride and authority as the Sect Leader of the Fire Worship Sect! However, regardless of how angry he was, he could not kill Duan Ling Tian yet. This man had tainted the purity of their Fire Worship Sect's Saint Girl. He would imprison Duan Ling Tian and wait for the god-like man to return and pass judgment on Duan Ling Tian. This was the only way for him to assuage his anger. If he killed Duan Ling Tian, who knew what that god-like man would do to him.
"So what?" Duan Ling Tian responded indifferently to Tang Xuan. Based on his words, it could be seen that he did not fear Tang Xuan at all. A few years ago, he was almost defenseless before Tang Xuan. However, currently, Tang Xuan was like an ant before him.
So what if Tang Xuan was at the Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage? Duan Ling Tian had managed to kill a Three Tribulation Bodiless Celestial whose strength surpassed an Eminent Celestial. Tang Xuan was merely a cultivator at the Ninth Form of the Saint Celestial Stage who had not even become an Eminent Celestial Stage. To say Tang Xuan was no match for him was an understatement!
Duan Ling Tian's casual remark stunned Tang Xuan and the Guardians. Previously, the Guardians had thought Duan Ling Tian had only dared to act arrogantly because Tang Xuan was not present. Who knew he would be just as arrogant after Tang Xuan had arrived? His words completely disregarded Tang Xuan, the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect.
'I-is he serious? Does he really plan to leave the Fire Worship Sect?' This was the thought that appeared in the Guardians' minds.
"Very well!" Unsurprisingly, Duan Ling Tian's words angered Tang Xuan, causing his expression to darken. "After not seeing you for a few years, it seems like you've gotten bolder. Nevertheless, I'll ask you again, do you really insist on leaving the Fire Worship Sect and stop being a Guardian of the sect?" He looked at Duan Ling Tian pointedly as though he would kill Duan Ling Tian if he said yes.
The four Guardians looked at Duan Ling Tian in rapt silence. All of them were curious about Duan Ling Tian's answer.
"I don't like repeating myself," Duan Ling Tian said bluntly in response to Tang Xuan's question.
The four Guardians felt chills run their spines when they heard Duan Ling Tian's response.
'Has Duan Ling Tian gone crazy?'
'Why is he so bold? Isn't he afraid Lord Sect Leader will kill him out of anger?'
'He might still be able to save himself if he remains as a Guardian of the sect. It'll be hard for him to survive now that he decided to leave. Not only did he disrespect Lord Sect Leader, but he had also tainted the Saint Girl's purity!'
'It's a death sentence for those who taint the Saint Girl's purity!'
At this moment, the Guardians thought that Duan Ling Tian had gone mad. Otherwise, why would he act so arrogantly to the sect leader? Naturally, it occurred to them that he might have become stronger than their sect leader, but they quickly dismissed that thought. After all, only a few years had passed since they last saw Duan Ling Tian. They did not think it was possible for him to surpass their sect leader's strength in just a few short years.
"Very well!" Tang Xuan said repeatedly as his voice became lower and lower. It was obvious he was about to explode in anger. He looked pointedly at Duan Ling Tian as he said, "I, Tang Xuan, the Sect Leader of Fire Worship Sect, hereby announce that Duan Ling Tian is expelled from Fire Worship Sect from today onward for tainting the Saint Girl's purity!"
Tang Xuan's words were like a bomb that resounded through the Fire Worship Sect's estate.
As soon as Tang Xuan finished speaking, the expressions of the Guardians of the Fire Worship Sec changed drastically. They knew they had passed the point of no return. After their sect leader had spoken, the sect and Duan Ling Tian would be on opposing sides from now on. It was impossible for him to stay as Guardian in the sect from this moment on.