Soul Emperor Martial God-Chapter 1531: Crossing in an Instant

"Why didn’t I sense anything?" Xiao Yi asked with a frown.

Normally, when it’s a bottleneck in Sword Dao, a Sword Cultivator would usually have some forewarning before encountering it.

Just like a Martial Artist’s Cultivation, upon reaching the Ninth Layer, there is generally a foretold bottleneck at the peak.

The same goes for Sword Dao, but Xiao Yi has clearly not sensed this so-called ’Path of Slaughter’ in the slightest.

This proves that the Sword Dao bottleneck of ’Path of Slaughter’ is not supposed to be encountered at his current level, but should be an ultimate bottleneck.

Elder Yun Yuan seemed to see through Xiao Yi’s thoughts, and said, "Normally, this bottleneck is not something you should encounter."

"Not to mention being at the Peak of Saint King Realm, even at the Peak of Saint Emperor Realm, or a Martial Arts Great Power, one may not necessarily encounter it."

"I also don’t know why you’ve suddenly triggered this Sword Dao barrier, but I and Hui Deacon can confirm; that madness earlier, where you were devoid of reason, was precisely experiencing the Path of Slaughter."

Finally, Elder Yun Yuan added, "I and Hui Deacon have both experienced it personally."

"Oh?" Xiao Yi let out a soft sound of surprise.

Extreme Sword Cultivation must be experienced.

Ordinary Sword Cultivators will also experience it in the future as their paths converge.

Xiao Yi murmured to himself.

Elder Yun Yuan continued, "Speaking of Hui Deacon and myself, one of us pursued the extreme of defense, the other the extreme of attack."

"So encountering this Path of Slaughter bottleneck was expected for both of us."

"We also touched upon it earlier."

"As for Qi Sect Master and Ouyang Lie, they do not walk the path of Extreme Sword Dao."

"So even though both command 9995 and 9994 full Martial Arts respectively, they haven’t yet touched this bottleneck at their current level."

"But after they break through the bounds of Supreme Expert or perhaps much later, someday they will encounter it."

"The road of Sword Dao ultimately converges."

Regardless of pursuing Extreme Sword Dao, all will encounter this bottleneck.

It’s just that those practicing Extreme Sword Dao will encounter it sooner.

And those not practicing Extreme Sword Dao will encounter it much later, further along the Sword Dao path.

Xiao Yi came to understand, and asked in a deep voice, "Did the two seniors experience the same back then?"

Elder Yun Yuan paused again.

Hui Deacon looked indifferent but nodded.

"Indeed, however, we weren’t as lucky as you." Hui Deacon chuckled lightly.

The smile carried a hint of self-mockery.

"Lucky?" Xiao Yi frowned.

Elder Yun Yuan nodded, "The Path of Slaughter bottleneck suddenly triggers, and when it comes, it comes."

"You triggered it amidst a fierce battle, with enough enemies around for you to kill."

"Thousands of Sword Cultivators, enough for you to indulge in killing."

Upon hearing this, Xiao Yi’s complexion changed, "What if it triggered in another place?"

Elder Yun Yuan’s expression darkened, "Then you would kill at sight, leaving none standing."

"And amidst it all, you’d lose reason, entering complete madness."

"What?" Xiao Yi’s face suddenly changed.

Could it be that Elder Yun Yuan and Hui Deacon...

Xiao Yi recalled various things from the past.

Just earlier, Elder Yun Yuan’s hesitance to speak, Hui Deacon’s indifferent expression.

Hui Deacon’s words years ago, ’Too sharp a Sword Edge hurts others and oneself, hence the sword was broken.’

And Elder Yun Yuan’s Hidden Sword...

Xiao Yi’s expression shifted.

Elder Yun Yuan and Hui Deacon naturally knew that Xiao Yi’s acumen was exceptional; it was not hard for him to deduce.

"Correct." Elder Yun Yuan smiled bitterly, "Back in the day, I was at the Peak of Saint Emperor Realm, already one of the three pinnacle Sword Cultivators of the Central Region."

"Many sought to be my disciples, and I indeed accepted a genius disciple, keeping him by my side."

"But, when I fell into madness, I killed him with my own hands."

Elder Yun Yuan unconsciously clenched his fist.

Hui Deacon spoke solemnly, "Back then, I too was at the Peak of Saint Emperor Realm, holding the title with Heavenly Nether Mansion."

"I triggered it while on a mission outside."

"The dozens of Gold Medal Killers I personally trained, along with a Direct Disciple, all died."

"When I regained clarity, my butcher’s blade was already stained red."

"So, I broke that sword; the sword of my heart also shattered; on that day, I left Heavenly Nether Mansion."

"Sigh." Both took a deep breath, their complexions extremely conflicted.

Xiao Yi finally understood why these two, once in their prime, suddenly disappeared, never to return.

No, to be precise, they first encountered Lin Ye, were defeated by Lin Ye, leading to the thought of reclusive cultivation.

But falling into madness, killing their loved ones was what truly cemented their decision never to return.

Even going as far as one hiding the sword, the other breaking it, never holding a sword again.

Killing a disciple, whom they treated as their own, must be unbearable for anyone.

"Thank you." Xiao Yi suddenly bowed deeply to the two.

"Thank us for what?" They didn’t avoid it, accepting the bow but still smiled and asked.

"Naturally for the protection both seniors have bestowed upon this junior along the journey." Xiao Yi replied earnestly.

The two hadn’t held a sword for years.

But months ago, when he was hunted by Beiyin Sect, they unhesitatingly wielded their swords again, slaughtering ruthlessly.

Even coming to Sword Domain, they’ve continued to protect him.

Picking up a sword they were unwilling to hold, they readily fought, readily condensed sword again.

Their regard for him went beyond mere treatment of a younger generation.

"Hehe." Elder Yun Yuan chuckled, "Speaking of which, my disciple back then was about your age."

"If I remember correctly, Hui Deacon’s Direct Disciple too."

"Since we met you, even seeing your exceptional capability, if you were willing to join us, we’d be glad."

"But naturally, you are quite peculiar."

"If you don’t wish to join, we won’t insist; a day’s protection is as a day."

Hui Deacon chimed in, "And now, you’ve truly come into your own."

"Though not as strong as the two of us, but in the Central Region, you’re ready."

"Though we’re stronger now, we’re not quite worthy to take you under our wing."

"Predecessors are being too kind." Xiao Yi quickly said.

Hui Deacon waved his hand, "I’m stating facts; who wouldn’t want such a Monster under their wing?"

"It’s only that you’ve truly grown now."

"Even for us, there’s little to teach you in Sword Dao; only experiences to share."

"Have the bottlenecks broken through for the two seniors?" Xiao Yi asked.

Xiao Yi was never one to indulge in excessive words.

Some things were best kept within.

They nodded, smiling, "Thanks to you, bottlenecks that trapped us for decades were broken after guidance from Lin Ye the Old Monster."

In truth, besides Lin Ye’s guidance, the breaking through involved personal elements.

Such as their willingness to wield swords again for Xiao Yi.

A Sword Cultivator unwilling to wield a sword cannot benefit from any guidance.

"Trapped for decades?" Xiao Yi gasped, "So my Path of Slaughter, shall it trap me for long too?"

This Path of Slaughter is clearly extraordinarily difficult.

"Not at all." Elder Yun Yuan’s face showed an odd expression, "After regaining clarity, you suddenly broke through on your own."

"This was the cause of our astonishment earlier."

"We may not know the reason, but this is the fact."

"You blinked, you opened your eyes, and instantly crossed the bottleneck of the Path of Slaughter."

"Ah...?" Xiao Yi froze.

...

Third update.