Chapter 670 - 117: Forcing the Palace, Martial Arts Arena

"What happened?"

Soul Slayer whipped her head around, a furious fire burning in her eyes, looking as if she wanted to tear someone apart.

"The Meng Province branch was breached by Soulless and the Blood Princess. The Meng Province Squad Leader, Chen Shi, died in battle. Everyone at the branch, aside from the disciples who were away on missions, was killed. There were no survivors.

The Bo Province Squad Leader was also severely wounded while attempting a rescue," the blood-robed man wearing an Evil Ghost mask spoke in a calm, even tone, his voice betraying no emotion.

But Soul Slayer felt like she was going insane.

"Soulless! Blood Princess! How dare those two wretches show their faces again? Do they really think I can’t deal with them?" Soul Slayer flung her sleeve, and a gilded low table beside her instantly exploded.

"Evil Slave, send word! Have the Left and Right Guardians go personally. I want those two wretches to have their Divine Souls annihilated!" Soul Slayer ground her teeth, the rage in her chest churning, ready to erupt at any moment.

"As you command!" Evil Slave nodded and was about to carry out the order when the hall’s doors were violently thrown open. A huge crowd surged inside, led by a white-haired old man with a grim, sinister expression.

"Mie, what do you think you’re doing?"

Soul Slayer’s expression darkened as she immediately questioned him, but she had a bad feeling.

The white-haired old man took a step forward and rebuked her harshly, "Soul Slayer, ever since you took over the Holy Sect, not only has it failed to grow stronger, it has suffered one grievous loss after another. The losses from the battle at Blazing Flame Mountain were the worst in centuries.

A mere two traitors have repeatedly escaped the Holy Sect’s pursuit, and now they even dare to strike back. This is unheard of in a thousand years! As Sect Leader, you cannot escape the blame.

I now, in my capacity as the Holy Fire Elder, jointly with three Elders, three Guardians, six Squad Leaders, and twenty-six Stewards, and in accordance with the rules of the Holy Sect, strip you of your title as Sect Leader.

Soul Slayer, hand over the Holy Fire Order peacefully!"

"That’s right, hand over the Holy Fire Order! You are no longer worthy of being the Sect Leader!"

"Yes, hand it over!"

Listening to the crowd’s denunciations, Soul Slayer trembled with rage.

But she was powerless to resist. More than half of the sect’s surviving high-ranking members now stood with Mie. According to the sect’s rules, the support of over half the leadership was enough to depose her as Sect Leader.

She had originally had the support of far more than half, but over the years, most of the losses had been from her own faction. Now, the number of high-ranking members who supported her was less than Mie’s.

She now had only two choices. One was to obediently hand over the Holy Fire Order, the symbol of the Sect Leader, and make a graceful exit.

The other was to silence everyone with her immense power.

However, as strong as she was, it was impossible for her to defeat so many people. After all, she was only a Purple Mansion Cultivator.

"Sect Leader, what do we do now?" Mass asked softly, dragging his severely injured body to Soul Slayer’s side.

Although Soul Slayer had attacked and insulted him, they were now in the same boat. Her downfall would bring him no benefit.

’A new Sect Leader purging dissenters is standard procedure. Even if I were to switch sides now, I’d just end up distrusted by both. It’s better to stick with Soul Slayer to the bitter end.’

"Mie, must you take things this far?"

"This old man did not wish for things to come to this, but your actions since taking power have truly chilled our hearts. If you cooperate with us today, we will not lay a single finger on you.

However, if you choose to resist stubbornly, then don’t blame us for getting rough!" Mie’s long beard bristled like steel needles, and a cold, spectral light flickered in his eyes.

"Sect Leader, you must decide quickly." Evil Slave stepped forward to stand in front of Soul Slayer, his entire body radiating an imposing aura.

Soul Slayer was trapped in a deep internal struggle. ’If only my loyalists scattered outside could gather, I might have a chance to contend with Mie. But right now, resisting is just a fool’s dream.’

But she was unwilling to simply hand over the position of Sect Leader just like that.

The two sides remained at a standstill in the hall, the atmosphere growing increasingly tense.

Mie was gradually losing his patience. He led the crowd forward, closing in on Soul Slayer step by step.

Just as the distance between them closed to less than ten feet, Soul Slayer, who had been silent for a long time, finally moved.

She raised her hand, and a dazzling, diamond-shaped golden token appeared in her palm.

The moment he saw the token, a fiery desire flashed in Mie’s eyes. He couldn’t help but reach out his hand and say, "Give it to me."

"You can have the Holy Fire Order, but I have one condition," Soul Slayer said coldly, staring at Mie.

Mie’s eyes were now filled with nothing but the Holy Fire Order. Hearing her, he nodded without a second thought and said, "Name it!"

"You are not to touch a single one of my people. Otherwise, I will absolutely not let you off."

Hearing this demand, Mie’s expression became uncertain. After a long moment, he reluctantly agreed, "Fine."

"Very well. Here is the Holy Fire Order. You’d better be ready to catch it."

A hint of mockery flickered in Soul Slayer’s eyes. With a push of her hand, the Holy Fire Order transformed into a streak of golden light and shot straight toward Mie.

Watching the golden light speed toward him, Mie stood as still as a mountain and simply reached out to catch it.

Seeing him catch it so effortlessly, a flicker of surprise showed in Soul Slayer’s eyes, but it vanished as quickly as it came.

"Evil Slave, Mass, let’s go."

With her hands held formally before her, Soul Slayer led the two men toward the door.

No one dared to block their path; the crowd parted for them. Although Soul Slayer had been deposed, her authority was deeply ingrained in their hearts. No one dared to offend her.

In the end, this was a world where strength was what truly mattered. Soul Slayer’s power was enough to ensure she would maintain a high status even after stepping down.