Supreme Sword Exalt

As time passed, the scenery before Gu Han’s eyes slowly changed. Bizarre rocks stood in great numbers, and ancient trees reached towards the sky. Yet there was a trace of gloom and eeriness within the tranquility.

He turned to Gu Tian, who hadn’t spoken a word. “Father, have you been staying here all along?”

After a long silence, Gu Tian finally replied, “Yes.”

Gu Han’s heart ached. “Father, come back with me later. Ah Sha is in the capital too.”

Upon hearing that name, a bit more light sparkled in Gu Tian’s eyes, but it dimmed again immediately. “Ah Sha...”

Whether Gu Tian didn’t hear or wasn’t willing to answer, he said no more. A moment later, he swiftly brought Gu Han down to the ground. “Arrived...”

Immediately, a vast, seemingly endless swamp appeared before Gu Han. A layer of sickly green mist hung over it. Even a slight whiff caused him to feel dizzy and lightheaded. The mud seemed to be boiling. Bowl-sized bubbles constantly rose and popped in an endless cycle, giving birth to the swirling green mist.

Gu Han was somewhat puzzled. “What place is this?”

Gu Tian replied stiffly, “Wait... for me...”

He suddenly soared up and charged into the thick mist, disappearing from sight.

The swollen-faced fatty lay on the ground, groaning incessantly, “Ouch... This hurts like hell, I—”

Gu Han sneered. “Serves you right!”

Fatty jumped up, glaring fiercely at Gu Han. “Bastard, you almost killed me! Do you have any idea, if it weren’t for me—”

Gu Han frowned. “What did you just call me?”

“Bas—” Fatty was about to explode, but then he glanced around nervously, a forced smile squeezing onto his face, “Brother Gu, later, could you talk to our father, ask him to let me come up too? You know, my injuries are so severe. If this keeps up, I’m afraid I won’t make it back alive.”

Gu Han subconsciously shook his hand. “You will. Your skin is thick enough. My hand still hurts from hitting you.”

Fatty looked aggrieved. “You...”

He wanted to curse, but didn’t dare. Begging wouldn’t work either, because Gu Han was impervious to both soft and hard tactics. Just as he was wrestling with his emotions, a furious roar suddenly rang out from within the swamp.

Right after, Gu Tian’s overwhelming demonic qi came by. Two qis were clashing, partially dispersing even the thick, dense mist.

A flash of gold entered Gu Han’s eyes. In that split second, he clearly saw the appearance of the demonic beast. “That is...”

Covered in dense, golden scales, it resembled a giant crocodile, less than three chi long.

Fatty was stunned. “The Golden Scale Crocodile? I never thought such a big guy would be hiding here!”

“Golden Scale Crocodile?”

Fatty began explaining, “Yup. It’s quite rare. Even the younglings are at Tier 5, and upon reaching adulthood, they can even reach Tier 7. Not only do they have high intelligence, they’re extremely fierce and cruel, making them one of the more troublesome ones among Tier 7 demonic beasts. As for this one, judging by its appearance, it’s almost ready to take human form.”

Gu Han’s heart sank. “Take human form?”

Although he had never seen a demonic beast that had taken human form, he understood that such beasts were far more fearsome and troublesome than ordinary Tier 7 demonic beasts.

Fatty grew excited. “Normally speaking, a demonic beast on the verge of taking form shouldn’t be hiding out here, unless it’s guarding some heavenly treasure.”

Gu Han finally understood what Gu Tian had meant earlier about healing his injuries.

Accompanied by the Golden Scale Crocodile’s increasingly furious roars, the battle between the man and the beast grew more intense. Just a wisp of the residual combat aura nearly sent Gu Han flying.

Fatty righteously stepped in front of him. “Brother Gu, with me here, you don’t have to worry about a thing!”

Gu Han ignored him as he watched the swamp with deep concern. Gu Tian was locked in a bitter struggle. Even from this distance, Gu Han could sense the trace of irritability and anxiety within the demonic qi.

After who knows how long, an extremely shrill cry rang out.

“GRRR!”

Immediately following was Gu Tian’s roar, devoid of any trace of reason. “Kill!”

A terrifying shockwave swept out, sending both Gu Han and the fatty flying once again.

Gu Han could no longer hold back and was about to charge into the swamp. “Father!”

Right at that moment, Gu Tian reappeared before the two. Compared to before, he seemed much weaker now. Not only was he covered in blood, but there was a fist-sized, transparent hole in his chest. Blood continuously flowed out as he moved.

Gu Han’s heart ached. “Father!”

As if completely unaware of the pain, Gu Tian slowly opened his right hand. His tone held a trace of unprecedented joy. “Han’er... Come... eat this...”

Within his right palm was a green, lotus-pod-like fruit with nine apertures. A strange fragrance wafted through the air. After just a few whiffs, Gu Han felt a trace of vitality revive within his crippled body.

Fatty’s eyes lit up. “Good heavens. The Green Lotus Fruit? No wonder that Golden Scale Crocodile refused to leave this place. For a demonic beast about to take form, this thing is an immense temptation.”

Gu Han looked back at him. “What use does this thing have?”

Fatty stared at Gu Han as if he were an idiot. “Your body! Isn’t your body crippled? This thing is perfect for you. Just eat it, and all that consumed potential and foundation of yours can be restored.”

Gu Tian kept urging. “Come... Quick... eat it...”

Gu Han’s heart ached again. The image of Gu Tian bringing him that Black Ginseng back then suddenly flashed in his mind. He had the same expression and the same tone.

To others, the current Gu Tian could seem a violent, bloodthirsty, fearsome Great Demon Monarch, but to Gu Han, Gu Tian would always be the father who raised him and cared for him meticulously.

Fatty also came over, staring expectantly at Gu Tian with eager eyes. “Uncle... I’m actually quite badly injured too...”

Gu Tian simply glanced at him, full of vigilance and bloodlust. “Hmm?”

Cold sweat instantly broke out on Fatty’s back. “I was just joking! My skin is thick and rough, and I can take a beating. I’ll be fine after resting for a few days. Brother Gu needs it more than I do.”

But then, Gu Han shook his head, his tone resolute. “I won’t eat it.”

Father and son were of one mind. Gu Tian naturally understood his meaning.

“I... am fine...”

As if afraid Gu Han wouldn’t believe him, he forcibly stuffed the Green Lotus Fruit into Gu Han’s hand, then instantly sped away. A moment later, he returned once more, holding the corpse of the Golden Scale Crocodile.

“You... eat it quickly!”

After urging Gu Han once more, he immediately sat down cross-legged. Wisps of demonic qi spread out from him, instantly entering the demonic beast’s corpse. The corpse visibly withered at a rapid pace, and the bloody hole on Gu Tian’s chest also gradually began to shrink. Only then did Gu Han breathe a sigh of relief.

Fatty sucked in a cold breath. His assessment of Gu Tian instantly rose from violent to even more violent.

Then, Gu Han examined the Green Lotus Fruit again. “Fatty, does this fruit really have such a great effect?”

“Haven’t you seen—cough.” Fatty was about to mock Gu Han again, but with Gu Tian nearby, he let it go. He said in a slightly sour tone, “Healing your injury is just a side effect of this fruit. In fact, it has an even greater purpose.”

Gu Han became somewhat interested. “What do you mean?”

Fatty said with a serious expression, “Heavenly Tribulation! Demonic beasts need it to take human form. Human Soaring Realm cultivators crossing the Heavenly Tribulation also need it!”