Supreme Sword Exalt

Before long, they were packed close, only three zhang separating them. Normally, they would have remained wary of each other, but no one cared now.

Everyone had the same thought: Run! Run as fast as possible!

“ROAR!!”

Suddenly, another deafening roar erupted, terrifyingly close this time.

Gu Han instinctively glanced back and found a black-scaled demonic beast over ten zhang long. With bloodshot eyes, it charged toward them, smashing through countless giant trees in its path.

“AHHH!”

A scream rang out.

A cultivator at the back of the group was struck head-on, instantly reduced to a blood mist.

“Run! Faster!”

“It’s a Tier 5 demonic beast, the Ironhide Beast!” cried someone who recognized the beast, their voice laden with despair.

Tier 5?!

Gu Han’s heart sank. Judging by its size and speed, it was undoubtedly one of the strongest among Tier 5 demonic beasts. If they got caught, they’d be done for. They had to escape immediately!

As he gritted his teeth, he pushed his speed to the limit.

“AHHH!!! Save... save me!”

Behind him, screams echoed one after another. Everyone was struggling to save themselves. It was every man for himself.

After what felt like an eternity, the screams gradually grew sparse. Of the dozens who had started, only about ten remained. They were all at least at the sixth stage of Acupoint Unsealing. The weaker ones had either been crushed by the Ironhide Beast or devoured whole.

However, even the survivors were at their limits. Despite having nearly exhausted their spirit power, they didn’t dare to stop taking pills. They could only rely on sheer survival instinct, desperately squeezing every last ounce of energy.

Only Gu Han had any strength left. The supreme stage’s liquid spirit power was several times denser than that of ordinary cultivators, so he was far from running dry.

Even so, he was panting slightly, with sweat beading on his forehead. Clearly, this wasn’t easy for him either. On his back, Ah Sha clung tightly to his clothes, her small face filled with worry.

Whoosh!

At that moment, a figure suddenly burst out from the dense forest beside them.

It was a fatty.

When he saw the Ironhide Beast hot on their heels, he groaned miserably. “Ugh! Why is there one here too?!”

Complaints aside, his speed was nothing to scoff at. Despite his bulky frame, he moved with startling agility. He overtook the others in just a few breaths, trailing only slightly behind Gu Han. To top it off, he wasn’t even out of breath, as if he still had energy to spare.

The fatty glanced at Gu Han. “Hey, Brother, what’s your name?”

A flash of surprise flickered in Gu Han’s eyes. He actually tried to strike up a conversation?

Focusing solely on running, Gu Han ignored him.

The fatty felt awkward and turned to Ah Sha instead. “Little Girl, has anyone ever told you you’re very pretty?”

Ah Sha glared at him and immediately turned her head away. “Hmph!”

Having been ignored again, the fatty shut his mouth.

“KILL!”

Suddenly, the voice echoed in their ears again, its sheer bloodlust and killing intent palpable even from a great distance.

Sucking in cold breath, the fatty muttered under his breath. “No way. Is this the tribulation I have to face?”

The Ironhide Beast went berserk at the voice, its speed increasing yet again. Its massive tail swept forward, lashing at the fleeing figures as if they were a menace.

Thud!

Several cultivators were struck by the tail, soundlessly exploding into bloody mist.

Damn it!

Gu Han’s scalp tingled, sensing the gust of wind behind. Gritting his teeth, he frantically channeled his spirit power and leaped forward a full ten zhang. He nearly evaded the tail’s deadly arc. The fatty wasn’t so lucky.

“Fuck!” he let out a pained cry as he was hit squarely by the Ironhide Beast’s tail.

His round figure plummeted into the ground ahead, creating a deep crater. Ah Sha didn’t have the heart to look, while Gu Han didn’t have the time to care. He sprinted past the crater without looking back.

Just then, a chubby hand shot out from the pit. With a light push, he jumped out and quickly caught up to Gu Han.

Ah Sha was surprised. “Y-you’re not dead?”

The fatty’s face was pale, but he still found time to glance back at the Ironhide Beast. “Pfft! You think that can end me? In your dream!”

Gu Han was shocked. The Ironhide Beast’s strike could easily rival a Spirit Profound cultivator’s full-force attack, yet the fatty only suffered minor injuries.

How is he so strong?

Upon noticing Gu Han’s gaze, the fatty couldn’t resist showing off. “Brother, you—”

Yet, before he could finish, another roar cut him off. The Ironhide Beast was closing in again.

“I—”

The fatty’s face paled further. Any thought of boasting vanished as his face flushed red. He suddenly surged faster, overtaking Gu Han in no time.

Oh?

Gu Han immediately saw through his plan. At this point, everyone else had already fallen, leaving only the three of them. Now, the fatty just had to make sure he wasn’t the last in line. It was clearly an attempt to let Gu Han draw the beast’s attention.

You wish!

Gu Han madly channeled his spirit power, ignoring the swelling pain in his meridians. Of course, the effect was immediate. His speed increased, and he quickly left the fatty behind again.

Bastard! You think you’re fast? I’m no slouch either!

The fatty glared at Gu Han with a dark expression.

Gnashing his jaw, he mimicked Gu Han and pushed himself to the limit. For a time, the two seemed locked in a fierce competition, trading the lead back and forth. As their rivalry grew increasingly heated, the Ironhide Beast was gradually left in the dust.

By now, the two were too caught up in their contest to care about the beast. When their eyes met, sparks flew. Neither was willing to back down. They were both determined to prove themselves to be the faster one.

The wind roared in Ah Sha’s ears, stinging her cheeks. Even now, she still had no idea why the two were so hell-bent on outrunning each other.

After what felt like an eternity, the trio’s vision suddenly brightened. They realised they had finally escaped the Wild Forest. The Great Qi’s imperial capital lay just a few dozen li ahead. After another stretch of running, the towering silhouette of the massive city loomed in the distance.

The fatty finally couldn’t take it anymore. “Wait... wait! I-I can’t go on! Let... let me rest!”

Gu Han’s eyes were bloodshot. “You... you admit defeat? Trying to outrun me... you’re still... still not good enough!”

Then, the two collapsed to the ground simultaneously. As much as they wanted to keep racing, they simply couldn’t.

“Young Master...”

Seeing Gu Han gasping for breath, Ah Sha shot the fatty a fierce glare, albeit it had zero intimidation factor.

“Bullshit! If not for... cough... you think you could’ve outrun me?” The fatty remained defiant.

“I was carrying... someone. You still couldn’t... couldn’t beat me. How... how shameless!”

As they bickered, both shoved handfuls of spirit herbs into their mouths. Once they were done, they resumed their glaring contest. By the looks of it, if they’d had any strength left, they would’ve pummeled each other into the ground.

Having recovered slightly, the fatty stood up. “Brother, seems like you’re still not convinced!”

“Likewise! I also think you’re asking for a beating!” Gu Han said ruthlessly.

The two were about to exchange blows, determined to teach the other a lesson. However, the ground beneath them trembled once more, accompanied by the roars of countless demonic beasts.

“Damn it!” Gu Han’s expression changed drastically.

The beasts are catching up!

“Move!”

Ignoring the fatty, he hoisted Ah Sha onto his back and made a run for it. His destination was the Great Qi imperial capital, home to countless experts. Surely, they’d be able to defeat this beast?

Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the fatty still tailing him.

Gu Han scowled. “Dammit, Fatty! Why are you still following us?!”

The fatty fumed. “Fuck off! It’s the only safe place within hundreds of li! Why wouldn’t I go there?! Besides, I don’t owe you a damn explanation! I can go wherever I want!”

They were undeniably fast despite their bickering. Within moments, they reached the foot of the colossal city walls, which were a hundred zhang tall. The walls were gray-green, each brick inscribed with countless runes. Powered by essence crystals, a faint white glow enveloped the fortifications.

Rows of city guards in uniform armor gripped heavy crossbows above the walls. Their gazes were fixed intently below, ready for battle.

Besides Gu Han and the fatty, more and more people had gathered at the city’s base. There were rogue cultivators, city residents, and travelers from all over, heading to the Martial Academy like Gu Han.

The sight that met them ignited a surge of fury in their hearts. The massive gates, forged from rare metals, remained tightly shut. They had no intention of letting anyone in. Meanwhile, the demonic beasts were closing in. Those with sharp eyes could already make out their outlines.

Ah Sha’s face was pale. “Young Master, what do we do?”

Gu Han stared at the fortifications with a grim expression. “The walls. If they won’t open the gates, we’ll scale—”

Before he could finish, several quick-thinking individuals had dashed forward. The fatty was leading the pack.

He turned back, grinning smugly at Gu Han. “Hahaha! Brother, I’m taking the lead! The mountains may not move, but we’ll meet again—whoa!”

Mid-sentence, he was sent flying backward, as if repelled by an invisible force. A transparent barrier had materialized three zhang from the wall. The fatty slammed into it head-on and tumbled to the ground. Those behind him fared even worse. Their bones were shattered, and they lay moaning in agony, unable to stand.

The fatty scrambled to his feet, pounding his fist at the city walls. “Bastards! Are you trying to kill me?!

At that moment, another roar erupted from a few li away. That distance was nothing for the demonic beasts. They’d reach the group at any moment.

“Please, open the gates!”

“I’m from the Hengyuan Merchant Guild, let me in!”

“Open up! I’m the son of Wuding’s city lord! My second uncle’s a Martial Academy instructor!”

Panic spread. Pleas, threats, and curses filled the air. Yet, the gates remained closed.