Supreme Sword Exalt

Fatty nodded. “Of course! The Supreme Stage is the thread of opportunity the Great Dao bestows upon you mortals. It gives you a sliver of a chance to compete with those peerless, heaven-defying prodigies.

“You should know that techniques, bloodlines, and physiques of that level can multiply one’s strength several—or even dozens of—times.

“Look at that red-haired guy! Even with his terrible foundation, he could go toe-to-toe with your Supreme Stage, relying on some damned Fire Spirit Physique. Wasn’t it all because of a special physique?”

To the side, Jiang Feng felt he had been insulted again.

Gu Han grew somewhat skeptical. “‘You mortals’? What about you? Do you also have a special physique?”

Fatty wore a look of pride. “Of course! I’m born with the innate—ahem! Anyway, it’s just very powerful, way more powerful than that guy’s garbage Fire Spirit Physique.”

Associating it with Fatty’s previous performance, Gu Han nodded. “Got it. So, it’s just being resistant to beatings.”

Fatty flew into a rage. “Nonsense! What do you know?! If my physique reaches great completion, if I stood still and let you hack away, you still wouldn’t be able to break my defense even with that broken sword of yours!”

Gu Han suddenly understood. “No wonder your skin is so thick...”

“You—”

“Fatty, speaking of which, are you really at the Acupoint Unsealing realm?”

Although Fatty seemed to be only at the third stage of the Acupoint Unsealing realm, Gu Han could faintly sense a trace of danger from him. This feeling hadn’t even appeared when he faced Murong Chuan.

Thinking of the human tribulation, Fatty immediately lost interest in bragging and became dejected. “Consider it so. Ah... forget it, forget it. My life is really just bitter...”

Jiang Feng was somewhat curious. “Brother Fatty, did you also reach the Supreme Stage of the Qi Condensation realm?”

Fatty blinked. “I... I succeeded halfway.”

“Halfway? What does that mean?”

“It was too painful so I gave up.”

Gu Han and Jiang Feng were speechless.

Just then, Qian Liu called out from outside again, his tone carrying a trace of strangeness. “Little Brothers, that... ahem, Instructor Mei is here to see you.”

What?! Their expressions changed dramatically.

***

Outside the inn, Mei Yun peered eagerly inside, waiting with longing eyes. However, he didn’t dare enter. Murong Chuan was still upstairs watching him.

Upon seeing Gu Han and the other two appear, he was so happy he almost cried. “You... You finally—ahem!”

Halfway through his sentence, he quickly put on a stern face, pretending to be displeased. “What a disgrace! As martial academy students, not attending class warrants punishment! And so is causing trouble outside! Also, seeing your instructor and not paying respects warrants even more—hey, hey? Don’t go!”

After seeing the three about to leave, he couldn’t hold back anymore. “I... I am your instructor after all! We still have to get along for several years! Are you just going to avoid me like this every day?”

Gu Han said nonchalantly, “I think it’s better if we keep some distance...”

Fatty nodded repeatedly. “Right, right! The further the better, you stand far away!”

Jiang Feng was somewhat embarrassed. ”Instructor Mei, this distance is quite good, actually...”

Mei Yun was full of despair. Even though I clearly have students, it feels like I have none...

He didn’t dare push too hard. “Ah... Forget it, forget it, we’ll discuss this matter later. But right now, there’s something that can’t be delayed any longer...”

He took out three golden invitations. After hearing his explanation, the three frowned simultaneously. The eldest prince is hosting a banquet?

Fatty chimed in first. “A banquet with no good intentions!”

Gu Han’s eyes narrowed. “Right! Hosting a banquet is just an excuse, establishing authority is the real reason.”

Jiang Feng gulped. “So... do we... go or not?”

Mei Yun became anxious. “Yes! You all have to go. This is an order from the two deputy deans. Moreover, a big shot from the Upper Sect will be at this banquet, making this a rare opportunity. You are so—ahem, so outstanding. If you catch his eye, maybe you can be accepted into the Upper Sect early, just like the eldest prince.”

When he saw the three still hesitating, Mei Yun patiently tried to persuade them.

“Don’t worry, Deputy Deans Wu and Feng privately sought me out. They want you to go ahead. If anyone causes trouble for you, they will intervene themselves. Especially you...” He pointed at Gu Han. “The two deputy deans have instructed that you are the future of our Martial Academy. They won’t let anyone harm a single hair on your head!”

Gu Han had a vague understanding. “Is that so...”

It seems that they’ve discovered that I reached the Supreme Stage, which attracted their attention.

“When does the banquet start?”

“In less than an hour.”

Gu Han nodded. “Great. Instructor Mei, you go first. We’ll follow shortly.”

Mei Yun was stunned. “Huh? Let’s go together!”

Whoosh!

The three instantly vanished without a trace, rendering the instructor speechless.

***

At the Heaven-class room...

Fatty frowned deeply. “Are we really going? You know he has ill intentions.”

Gu Han shook his head. “Why not? This kind of thing will happen sooner or later. You can avoid it for a while, but not forever.”

At the same time, he woke Ah Sha, who was cultivating. “Let’s go! I’m taking you to a banquet!”

Ah Sha started salivating at the word ‘banquet’. “Let’s!”

On the other side, Jiang Feng also called over Chief Steward Li, who was recuperating from his injuries.

When Chief Steward Li spotted Gu Han, his unpleasant expression returned. “Hmph!”

His external wounds had faded, yet the scars within his heart lingered.

After the group left, Murong Chuan appeared once again, somewhat puzzled. “Someone from the Upper Sect is coming? How come I didn’t know? Go investigate who exactly has come to the capital.”

Someone in the shadows responded, “Yes sir!”

Murong Chuan frowned slightly. Something feels a bit off...

***

Along the way, Gu Han and his group were apprehensive. They were afraid that Tian Heng would suddenly jump out to pursue and kill them. Fortunately, even after they’d arrived in front of Jiang Hong’s mansion, Tian Heng never showed up.

The group let out a long sigh of relief that their trip went without a hitch. After presenting the invitations, they were respectfully invited inside. Of course, most of the credit was due to Jiang Feng’s status as the seventh prince, which Gu Han was oblivious to.

***

At this moment, the person they were afraid of, Tian Heng, was being severely reprimanded by Du Teng.

“Bastard! Incompetent fool! Do you not know how to handle thing?! With such heavy losses, how am I supposed to explain this to Senior Brother!”

Tian Heng was terrified. “Elder Du, this matter... I... it’s really...”

He mumbled for a while but couldn’t explain. How do I explain this? Say that I was too greedy, which led to the current situation? But I’ll only be making my fault bigger by saying that!

Du Teng gave him a cold look. “Hmph! At least you brought back that divine power, which counts as some merit. Otherwise, with his temperament, Senior Brother wouldn’t let you off!”

“Right, right! Thank you, Elder Du! Thank you, Elder Du!”

Jiang Hong frowned deeply. “Pavilion Master Tian, you’re saying that person is with the Seventh Prince? And there’s a fatty with them?”

“Yes!”

Jiang Hong exchanged glances with Yu Hua and the others. “It’s him.”

“Who?” Du Teng asked.

Jiang Hong subconsciously clenched his fist. “He is Gu Han. He’s the one who defeated me.”

Du Teng was furious. “It’s him? Great, just great. He’s ruining my plans again and again. I will absolutely not let him off!”

Originally, he hadn’t paid much attention to Gu Han, but now he hated him to the bone! After all, Gu Han’s actions not only caused huge losses for the Treasure Pavilion, but also disrupted his plans.

Just then, a servant from outside came to report. “Your Highness, the Seventh Prince has arrived. Gu Han and the fatty you told me to pay special attention to are also here.”

Du Teng slowly stood up. “He’s here? Let me see what’s so exceptional about this kid.”

Tian Heng was about to follow, but Du Teng coldly glanced at him. “You don’t need to go! Thanks to you, the Treasure Pavilion’s name is in the gutter! No matter what, you must find a way to restore the reputation for me, otherwise... Hmph!”

“Understood!”

***

Meanwhile, in the banquet hall, a group of students were enjoying spirit food, and savoring spirit tea. They chatted and laughed merrily, having a wonderful time.

The main focus would naturally be on Liu Ying. Apart from a few like He Zhong, who were obsessed with cultivation, almost all the others were captivated by her beauty. They gathered around her, eagerly trying to please her.

Liu Ying utilized her advantage to the fullest. Although she didn’t say much, the flow of her gaze gave everyone a certain illusion.

She’s paying attention to me!

She has a favorable impression of me!

However, when she glanced outside, the faint smile that had been constantly on her face suddenly stiffened.

After noticing her abnormality, Liu Tong asked with concern, “Cousin, what’s wrong?”

Liu Ying’s gaze was distant. “It’s Gu Han... He’s here.”