Supreme Sword Exalt

Steward Wei frowned. “What? Chen Ping, do you have an issue?”

Glancing at Gu Han, Chen Ping gritted his teeth. “Isn’t the price too steep...?”

As a long-time steward of the Treasure Pavilion, he had a rough estimate of the Fallen Nether Fruit’s value. It was worth a million essence crystals at most.

Meanwhile, both the profound item Steward Wei mentioned and the Earth-tier cultivation technique or divine power easily exceeded the Fallen Nether Fruit’s value tenfold. As if that weren’t enough, they couldn’t be found even if the entire Great Qi were turned upside down.

Chen Ping forced a wry smile. “Steward Wei, Little Brother genuinely wants to buy the Fallen Nether Fruit. The Treasure Pavilion has always prided itself on trust and integrity. Shouldn’t we show some sincerity as well—”

Steward Wei’s face darkened. “Chen Ping, you ungrateful wretch! Are you even considered part of the Treasure Pavilion? How dare you question the pavilion master’s decision! Which of us forced this purchase? Him, not me! Hmph, didn’t he say he’d pay any price? What, he’s backing out?”

As he spoke, he shot Gu Han a mocking glance. “Besides, if you really can’t bring them, it’s simple. You can always buy one of those mystic stones below and crack it open. Who knows? With some luck, you might unearth a treasure.”

Chen Ping wore a pained expression. “The odds of finding anything valuable in those mystic stones are less than one in ten thousand...”

Steward Wei looked impatient. “Hmph, not only you can’t afford it, you also don’t have the guts to try the mystic stones. Just get lost! I refuse to waste my time on the likes of you!”

Even before he arrived, Gu Han was fully aware that obtaining the Fallen Nether Fruit wouldn’t be easy. As such, neither the Treasure Pavilion’s sudden price hike nor Steward Wei’s blatantly hostile attitude surprised him. He didn’t feel particularly angry. If anything, his interest was piqued by the pile of stones.

“Brother Chen, can you really find treasures in those broken stones?”

Steward Wei sneered. “Broken stones? Seems like you don’t even know what mystic stones are. How dare you boast about buying the Fallen Nether Fruit with such ignorance!”

Chen Ping lowered his voice and explained. “Little Brother...”

Despite appearing no different from ordinary rocks, the mystic stones held secrets within. All sorts of oddities were concealed beneath their plain exterior. Almost anything could lie inside—pills, dao artifacts, techniques...

However, the stone’s outer layer was exceptionally peculiar, blocking nearly all detection methods of cultivators. Only by splitting it open could one know what lay within, regardless of cultivation level. [1]

In earlier times, stone gambling had been all the rage everywhere. Though buried deep alongside mineral veins and rare and costly, these mystic stones still couldn’t dampen cultivators’ enthusiasm.

Gradually, fewer and fewer people gambled on stones. Not only were most of them empty, even if they found something, the ravages of time rendered the pills useless. Artifacts had long lost their spirituality. Techniques were mostly fragmented, leaving only scattered phrases.

Of course, that wasn’t to say people hadn’t unearthed treasures before. Still, with such abysmal odds, only those with vast resources could afford the gamble, treating it as mere pastime. Ordinary cultivators couldn’t afford it. Thus, the mystic stones went from being fiercely sought after to utterly ignored. Whoever bought them now was a fool.

After hearing this, Gu Han’s heart stirred. If they could block nearly all detection methods, then...

Just as he pondered, Steward Wei said impatiently, “Enough! If you can’t bring back anything and don’t have the courage to try the mystic stones, scram!”

With that, he turned and walked into the private chamber, not sparing Gu Han another glance.

Gu Han called out to him again. “Wait.”

Steward Wei’s face twisted. “What now?! Do you really think I’m some pushover who’ll indulge you...”

“Who said I’m not buying?”

“Leave at—Huh? You can afford it?”

Gu Han remained calm. “I can. I’ll return in half a day.”

Steward Wei shook his head repeatedly. “That won’t do! What if you don’t come back? Not only would you waste half a day of my time, but how would I explain it to the pavilion master?”

Gu Han saw through it. Steward Wei was deliberately making things difficult. However, he had no mind to argue. From his storage bag, he took out a fist-sized purple flower bud and tossed it to Steward Wei.

“Here. If I don’t return in half a day, consider this yours.”

Steward Wei’s eyes lit up. “Purple Crystal Vine? Tsk tsk, I never expected a little brother like you to carry such a treasure!”

Gu Han stared at him calmly. “You satisfied?”

Steward Wei was overjoyed. “Of course!”

He fiddled with the Purple Crystal Vine, not even bothering to conceal his greed. The crystal was exceedingly rare, worth around twenty thousand essence crystals. It was no small sum even for someone of his stature.

Beside them, Chen Ping sighed. Even if this deal went through, that Purple Crystal Vine likely wouldn’t make it back to Gu Han’s hands.

“Good! I’ll be back in half a day!”

With the matter settled, Gu Han didn’t hesitate further and turned to leave. Hearing this, Chen Ping quickly followed.

Watching their retreating figures, Steward Wei suddenly chuckled. “Consider this Purple Crystal Vine mine!”

He didn’t believe for a second that a mere Acupoint Unsealing realm cultivator could produce a profound item or an Earth-tier technique. After all, not just Gu Han, even the pavilion master couldn’t do it.

***

Gu Han clasped his hands toward Chen Ping. “Brother Chen, thank you for today. I owe you one.”

Chen Ping looked somewhat embarrassed. “Don’t mention it. I wasn’t even any help at all.”

In response, Gu Han shook his head. To him, Chen Ping’s goodwill was far more valuable than any actual assistance.

Chen Ping hesitated before saying, “Little Brother, you seem a bit reckless today...”

Was this really the same man who’d haggled over every single essence crystal? Chen Ping didn’t understand how he’d transformed into such a gullible fool.

Gu Han didn’t explain. “Brother Chen, we’ll meet again in half a day.”

With that, he cupped his hands toward Chen Ping and left. After exiting the Treasure Pavilion, he didn’t return to the inn. Instead, he headed straight for the outer city, stopping in a secluded corner where no one would disturb him.

Steward Wei had guessed right. Gu Han was broke, without a single profound item or Earth-tier techniques in his possession. Still, at least someone else did.

He took a deep breath and closed his eyes. His consciousness plunged into the deepest part of his mind. There lay a treasure trove that belonged to him alone.

***

The moment he approached the sword cage, Gu Han heard a curse he knew all too well.

“Fuck this shit!”

It felt oddly nostalgic, and even a little heartwarming.

As he was about to greet the other party, the shadow spat out again. “That little bastard, why isn’t he dead yet?!”

Gu Han’s face went as dark as a pot as he chuckled coldly. In the next moment, a sword light flashed across the cage, piercing through the Demon Monarch’s body.

The Demon Monarch roared in fury, “Who?! Which bastard—cough... Kid, it’s you.”

Upon seeing Gu Han, he felt a pang of guilt. Did he hear what I just said? He definitely did! Otherwise, he wouldn’t attack me for no reason. Tsk! This little bastard is as cunning and deceitful as ever!

Gu Han glared at him coldly. “Go on. Why did you stop?”

The shadow couldn’t hold back. “Kid, I’m stuck in this godforsaken place, darker than a prison! Can’t you let me vent by cursing you out a little? As a cultivator, you should broaden your horizons! How will you ever advance further if you keep getting hung up on trivial matters like this?”

His words were delivered with righteous indignation that for a moment, Gu Han even doubted himself. Maybe I really am too petty?

Without waiting for Gu Han’s reaction, the Demon Monarch clasped his hands behind his back and said coolly, “Tell me, what brings you to me this time?”

Gu Han felt something was off, but his mind was preoccupied with the Fallen Nether Fruit, so he didn’t dwell on it.

He stared at the black shadow sternly. “Techniques. I need techniques.”

The black shadow scoffed. “You have another friend in need?”

Gu Han shook his head. “No. This time, it’s for Ah Sha.”

The black shadow had genuinely wanted to take Ah Sha as his disciple, so his tone grew urgent. “That little girl? Did something happen to her?”

Gu Han explained Ah Sha’s situation, “Yes. I need techniques to exchange for the Fallen Nether Fruit.”

Hearing that Ah Sha only had three months left, the shadow flew into a rage. “I told you before! Let me out, and I’ll find a way to save her myself. The Eye of Shattered Illusions is a god-sent bloodline! Kid, if anything happens to it, you... you’ll bear the greatest sin!”

Gu Han repeated. “Like I said, give me the techniques. I’ll handle the rest.”

The shadow understood that this was Gu Han’s bottom line. Everything else was negotiable, but not this.

The shadow choked back his words. “I... I don’t have Earth-tier techniques! I’ve said it before. I only collect the finest! The lowest I have is Heaven-tier. Take it or leave it!”

Gu Han narrowed his eyes. “You’re lying!”

Earth-tier techniques were one thing, but Heaven-tier? If he brought one out, not only would the Treasure Pavilion come after him, even the Yuqing Sect wouldn’t let him go. You’re trying to get me killed!

The shadow shrugged. “Then there’s nothing I can do. Earth-tier techniques are trash. Just looking at them would sully my eyes. Do you know who I am? Do you know—”

Before he could finish, dozens of sword lights flashed within the cage, locking onto him.

The shadow acted as if nothing had happened, his tone still defiant. “Actually, now that I think about it, the Blood Spirit Art my demonic soldiers cultivated was a low-grade Earth-tier divine power. It was complete trash, utterly beneath me. But, if you insist... cough... I can give it to you.”

After a moment of silence, the two locked eyes.

They cursed at each other inwardly. Bastard! Stubborn fool!

Soon after, the shadow reluctantly handed over the divine power, and Gu Han withdrew the sword lights. Thus, superficial harmony was restored.

After Gu Han left, the black shadow gnashed his teeth. “Seriously, fuck this shit! That little bastard, he doesn’t look old, so why is he so cunning? Just wait! When you’re backed into a corner, let’s see if you still refuse to release me!”

***

Half a day passed in the blink of an eye. On the first floor of the Treasure Pavilion, Chen Ping stood absentmindedly by the pile of mystic stones, occasionally glancing toward the entrance.

Opposite him, Steward Wei sat imposingly with a bowl of spirit tea, also waiting for Gu Han. He was curious whether this mere Acupoint Unsealing realm cultivator could actually return with a profound item or an Earth-tier technique.

Steward Wei sneered inwardly, shooting Chen Ping a sidelong glance. Your life is hanging by a thread, yet you still have the mind to worry about others? Once this matter is settled, it’ll be your turn to die!

As the appointed time arrived, he set down his tea and rose slowly. Just as I thought, I’d overestimated that kid. Still, getting a Purple Crystal Vine isn’t a bad trade.

Just as he turned to leave, Chen Ping’s excited voice rang out behind him.

“Little Brother!”

Gu Han had returned.

1. ah, they finally introduced the gacha system, guys ☜