Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han’s eyes lit up, and he couldn’t be bothered to argue with the two any further. “Demonic beast? Perfect timing!”

Fatty said lazily, “Is this even fun? With your strength, do the demonic beasts here still pose any threat to you?”

Gu Han shook his head. “Nope, but I need to get first place.”

Fatty was speechless. “What about Yu Hua then?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “We’ll deal with him later. Why would I pass on twenty thousand free essence crystals?”

At the same time, three or four martial academy students scrambled out from the forest in panic. A massive, wild-boar-like demonic beast was hot on their trail, its eyes filled with savagery.

However, the moment it saw Gu Han and Fatty, the demonic beast abruptly stopped. It faintly caught a whiff of danger from the two of them.

Fatty glanced at it. “Tier 3? Pathetically weak.”

Gu Han nodded. “Right, it’s a bit underwhelming.”

The fleeing students gritted their teeth secretly. Despite being only Tier 3, its strength was among the best of its tier, almost comparable to a human cultivator at the fifth or sixth stage of Acupoint Unsealing. Still, knowing how powerful Gu Han was, they didn’t dare say anything even if they were dissatisfied.

Fatty looked at Gu Han. “Go on. Hurry up and kill it, we have important matters to attend to.”

Gu Han said seriously, “I’m injured. It’s not ideal for me to fight now. You go.”

Fatty seemed offended. “No way! Trying to use me as cheap labor? Not a chance!”

Gu Han stroked his chin. “Then... How about... Brother Jiang, you go?”

Jiang Feng was stunned for a moment, then felt a surge of eagerness. “Ah?”

He hadn’t been cultivating for long, spending most of his time under Chief Steward Li’s care. Hence, despite possessing the Extreme Cold Physique and practicing a Heaven-tier technique, he had almost no practical combat experience. Now that he had this opportunity, he wanted to test his strength.

However, after seeing the beast’s ferocious appearance, he felt a bit apprehensive. After all, he was only at the third stage of Meridian Opening.

Jiang Feng wistfully gazed at the two. “Can I really do it?”

The two answered decisively without hesitation.

“Probably not.”

“Highly unlikely.”

Jiang Feng was speechless. If he didn’t know these two meant no harm, he’d suspect they were deliberately sending him to his death.

Fatty waved his hand, full of bravado. “What are you scared of?! Aren’t I still here? I’ll definitely pull you back before it eats you.”

Jiang Feng swallowed hard. “Then what if it doesn’t eat me?”

“Then keep fighting it! Lure it into eating you!”

Gu Han glared fiercely at Fatty. “Brother Jiang, don’t listen to his nonsense. Go ahead, this is a rare opportunity for you.”

Jiang Feng felt that Gu Han was a hundred times more reliable than Fatty. He stopped hesitating and took a deep breath. Slowly circulating his cultivation, he approached the demonic beast. Wisp after wisp of dark, misty vapor spread around Jiang Feng, and the temperature in the area plummeted instantly.

The few students cried out in astonishment.

“What is this?! Such intense cold qi!”

“Could it be that the seventh prince also has a special physique?”

“That’s impossible! I heard from people in the imperial capital that he suffered from a terminal illness, his life hanging by a thread. Even if he was lucky enough to be cured, how could he suddenly have a special physique?”

They discussed amongst themselves. Since they didn’t know much about Jiang Fengm they were unaware of the Extreme Cold Physique.

Fatty snorted disdainfully. Given his nature, he had already figured out seventy or eighty percent of Jiang Feng’s background.

”You guys haven’t seen the world. It’s just—huh?” Before he could finish, his expression changed. “Wait! It looks like there’s something wrong with his technique!”

***

At that moment, Commander Zhou remained his usual self: eyes slightly closed, not saying a word. Elders Wu and Feng were conversing in low tones.

“Do you think he has a chance?”

“It’s hard to say. After all, neither of us know what the Qingyun Pavilion’s test actually entails.”

Elder Wu smiled wryly. “If even he isn’t confident, then I don’t know who else could possibly pass the test.”

Commander Zhou suddenly said, “Gentlemen, I’d like to ask a favor of you.”

The two were startled. They had known Commander Zhou for many years and had never seen him actively ask for help.

“Commander Zhou, please speak.”

“Indeed, we’ve known each other for years, no need for such politeness.”

Commander Zhou paused for a moment. “Earlier, while observing the movements in the Wild Forest, I discovered a rare treasure.”

“Rare treasure?”

Commander Zhou seemed to have made up his mind and no longer hid it. “Yes. A Green Lotus Fruit!”

The two were greatly astonished. “Green Lotus Fruit?!”

Their cultivation level had already reached the Soaring Realm. Ordinary pills and spirit fruits had minimal effect on them, but the Green Lotus Fruit was different. It was a rare treasure, capable of greatly enhancing a cultivator’s physical strength if refined properly. The extremely precious herb was dreamed of by countless Soaring Realm experts.

Unfortunately, this kind of fruit historically only grew in the deepest parts of the Wild Forest. It had appeared once decades ago, causing experts from the Ten Nations to fight over it. Ultimately, it fell into the hands of Great Qi’s founding emperor, and no one had seen it since.

Elder Wu trembled with excitement. “Commander Zhou, is what you’re saying true?”

“Of course!”

The two were somewhat suspicious. “Then why did you...”

How could Commander Zhou be so generous, easily sharing this information with us?

Commander Zhou looked at the two. “Next to the fruit, there is a Tier 7 demonic beast!”

Tier 7?! The two men’s hearts sank.

A Tier 7 demonic beast corresponded to a human Soaring Realm expert. One more step and it could undergo tribulation, taking human form. Even Commander Zhou would find it difficult to face on his own. Now, the two were starting to believe Commander Zhou’s words.

Commander Zhou explained, “Hence why I seek your help. Although that Tier 7 demonic beast is strong, with the three of us joining forces, we can definitely subdue it. Afterward, we can split that Green Lotus Fruit equally.”

The two agreed without hesitation. “Sounds like a deal!”

The Green Lotus Fruit was a rare encounter. Even split equally, it was a tremendous temptation.

Elders Wu and Feng exchanged a glance.

“Commander Zhou, rest assured that we will go all out in this matter.”

“Indeed, once the trial ends, we will accompany you...”

Commander Zhou shook his head. “No. It’s now or never. It will be too late if we delay. That demonic beast is on the verge of taking human form, likely within these two or three days. Before it transforms, it will definitely swallow that fruit.”

The two hesitated.

“Commander Zhou, the martial academy trial is of utmost importance. Without us watching over it, what if something goes wrong—”

Commander Zhou’s gaze sharpened. “Gentlemen, the martial academy trial rarely has mishaps. Our presence here is ultimately just a formality. Moreover, this trip will only take three days round trip. We’ll return in time. What are you worried about?”

The two fell silent. They weren’t really worried about anything. It was just their sense of responsibility making them hesitate.

Commander Zhou said somewhat urgently, “Gentlemen, do I need to spell out the significance of the Green Lotus Fruit for us? Wouldn’t it be a pity to miss such a heaven-sent opportunity? Are you two content to remain in the Soaring Realm for life, with no desire to advance further?”

A struggle flashed in the two men’s eyes. Advance further? Who wouldn’t want to?

They had no opportunity before, but the appearance of the Green Lotus Fruit was as good as one. If they missed it, they wouldn’t get another in the future.

“Fine!”

“Let’s go!”

Ultimately, the temptation of the Green Lotus Fruit outweighed their sense of responsibility. Gritting their teeth, they nodded in agreement.

“But we must make it quick!”

“If anything unexpected happens, we return immediately!”

Commander Zhou breathed a slight sigh of relief. “Sounds good. I won’t let you two take too great a risk. We must seize the moment, let’s set off quickly and return sooner.”

With that, his figure instantly shot through the air and away. Elders Wu and Feng hesitated for a moment, then followed suit.

***

Jiang Hong, Liu Tong, and Liu Ying walked side by side. Jiang Hong dealt casually with any demonic beasts encountered along the way. Although his strength was far inferior to Gu Han and Fatty, he had no problem dealing with these demonic beasts.

Liu Tong hesitated for a long time before asking, “Cousin, this time, will we really succeed?”

Jiang Hong said casually, “Relax, this time, he has no way to escape.”

Liu Tong asked again, “How did Commander Zhou lure the two deputy deans away?”

Jiang Hong frowned deeply. “Don’t ask about things you shouldn’t know.”

Liu Tong’s heart leaped, not daring to say another word. “Got it.”

Jiang Hong had paid an enormous price to persuade Commander Zhou. That Green Lotus Fruit was real. Commander Zhou was overjoyed when he discovered it, but was forced to retreat due to the demonic beast. He originally planned to prepare and go again, but Jiang Hong came to him.

After some persuasion and enticement, Commander Zhou agreed to Jiang Hong’s request. Jiang Hong was essentially giving up the Green Lotus Fruit, but the rewards he’d gain once the plan succeeded would far outweigh it.

Thinking of Gu Han’s imminent death extremely pleased Jiang Hong. He couldn’t help but glance at Liu Ying beside him. “Miss Liu, don’t you seem preoccupied?”

Liu Ying seemed out of it. “Ah... It’s nothing, thank you for your concern, Your Highness.”

For some reason, even though the plan was extremely thorough this time, she still felt somewhat worried. Is this really the end for Gu Han?

Upon seeing her expression, Jiang Hong felt displeased. “Miss Liu, if you—”

Before he could finish, a furious roar of savagery reached the ears of the three.

Immediately after, Fatty’s infuriating voice rang out. “Tsk tsk, Brother Jiang, you’re no good! What’s the matter? If you can’t hold on, just say it. I’ll slap it to death with one strike!”