Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han slowly opened his eyes and met Gu Tian’s concerned gaze. “ Father, don’t worry, I’m fine.”

“Good...” Gu Tian closed his eyes again, focusing wholeheartedly on refining the Golden Scale Crocodile corpse, which now contained very little essence left.

Fatty swallowed hard and quietly slipped back to Gu Han’s side. “You did it?”

“I did it.”

“H-how?”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “It’s not very difficult. I just casually swung my sword once, it couldn’t be easier.”

He was telling the truth. The one who exerted great effort and was exhausted like a dead dog was the black shadow. That strike’s sword intent came from the sword cage. Literally, all he did was make a swinging motion.

Fatty felt sour again. “Can you explain how you did it?”

Gu Han shook his head. “Fatty, it’s not that I’m being secretive. My method can’t be replicated by anyone, and it concerns my secret. Sorry.”

Fatty waved his hand weakly. “Ah, I understand then. I’m just feeling a bit discouraged, that’s all...”

Gu Han patted him. “Enough. Actually, you’re not bad either.”

“Really?”

“Really. I’ve never seen such thick skin before.”

Fatty fell silent. Damn, is this how you comfort someone?

Suddenly, a wave of demonic qi erupted violently. Gu Tian had finally absorbed all the flesh and blood essence of the demonic beast. Not only did the aura around him surge significantly, but the wildness in his eyes also intensified once more.

Gu Han’s heart leaped with joy. “Father, your injuries—”

“It’s nothing...”

Upon seeing that matters were settled, Gu Han had no intention of staying any longer. “Then come back with me.”

Who would have thought that Gu Tian shook his head. A struggle flashed in his eyes, as if he was trying desperately to suppress the surging demonic nature. “No... Can’t... go back yet...”

Gu Han grew frantic. “But why?! I finally—”

The violence in Gu Tian’s eyes grew stronger, stopping Gu Han in his tracks. “Don’t... come near! After... some time... I... will find you... you... go back first...”

Gu Tian seemed unable to suppress his demonic nature any longer. With an angry roar, he shot up into the sky, vanishing instantly.

Gu Han sighed. “Father...”

He could tell that Gu Tian’s demonic nature had greatly increased. Clearly, he was leaving temporarily to avoid harming Gu Han.

With Gu Tian gone, Fatty reverted to his true self. “Don’t worry. With our father’s strength, who could hurt him? Didn’t you see the demonic beasts avoiding him?”

Gu Han shot him a glance. “Have some shame! He’s my father.”

“Same thing! We’ve been through life and death together, close as brothers. What’s yours is mine!”

Gu Han couldn’t be bothered to argue with him and strode away. Halfway there, he suddenly stopped.

Fatty also realized it and wilted immediately. “Oh no. Our father is a bit unreliable. Even if he had to leave, shouldn’t he have sent us out first.”

Gu Han’s gaze was deep. “Fatty, the capital is to the north, right?”

“Yeah!”

“Then, where is north?”

Fatty was stumped. It was dim all around, making the scenery seem almost identical. Determining the direction was difficult because neither of them had divine sense.

Fatty’s eyes swept around, and he suddenly pointed in a direction. “This way! It’s definitely this way!”

“How do you know?”

“Duh, see that tree? That’s the one I broke when we came in!”

***

In the outskirts of the Wild Forest.

Yang Ying, who had previously tested Gu Han, darted swiftly through the forest. His movements were extremely fast, covering over ten zhang with each step.

Just then, a figure landed ahead, blocking his path. Dressed in spotless white robes, he had an elegant and amiable demeanor, even his back view was enough to inspire goodwill.

Yang Ying halted abruptly, hurrying to bow respectfully, “Senior Brother Luo, you’re back?”

“Just here to take a look.” Senior Brother Luo casually waved a hand, saying gently, “Junior Brother Yang, what were the results of this test?”

Yang Ying’s heart tightened. “Everyone passed, especially Gu Han from Great Qi. His strength is particularly outstanding. Do you wish to examine him?”

The man shook his head. “No. Such small matters can be left to Junior Brother Yuan. I will only stay for two days before leaving.”

Yang Ying secretly breathed a sigh of relief for some reason.

Senior Brother Luo turned around slowly, wearing a faint, ambiguous smile. “Junior Brother, you seem a little afraid of me?”

Yang Ying hurriedly bowed. “Not at all, Senior Brother! I just—”

The man didn’t seem to mind, and instead brought up another matter. “It’s fine. I heard you have a younger sister in the Great Chu Martial Academy.”

“Yes!”

“What’s her aptitude?”

“Passable.”

“Good. The sect will reopen its gates in ten days. Have her prepare well.”

Yang Ying was stunned. “Ten days? Isn’t there still a year left?”

Senior Brother Luo smiled. “I felt that a year was too long, so I changed it to ten days from now on. The sect master and the several supreme elders had no objections.”

Yang Ying didn’t dare to ask more.

The man seemed to find Yang Ying’s restrained demeanor somewhat dull. “Very well. You may return now. I’ll pay the Great Qi capital a quick visit. Inform the others so they needn’t worry needlessly.”

Yang Ying mustered his courage. “Senior Brother Luo, are you going to the capital to—”

Senior Brother Luo smiled again. “To settle a minor matter. It seems some people have started to disregard the rules of the Qingyun Pavilion during my years away.”

With these words, a gentle breeze passed, and the man vanished. Only then did Yang Ying let out a long sigh of relief. His back was already soaked with sweat.

***

In the capital, inside a quiet room in the eldest prince’s residence.

Du Teng’s face remained impassive, though the deep furrow in his brow betrayed a hint of unease.

A full three days had passed since the martial academy trial ended. Despite knowing about the second demonic beast riot, he was confident his plan was foolproof. Surely, Gu Han was done for. Yet up to this day, Yu Hua, Jiang Hong, Deputy Dean Wu, Tian Heng, and the others hadn’t returned. As for whether Gu Han was dead, or what exactly happened inside the trial grounds, he had even less idea.

Thinking of this, he abruptly stood up. “Enough. At most, I’ll make a trip myself—”

Just as he was consumed with worry, a voice suddenly came from outside the door. “Uncle.”

Du Teng’s heart jumped as his gaze swept around, and his face changed dramatically. “Who’s there?! W-Wushuang? Why are you back?”

An elegant young man in white stood outside, smiling faintly at Du Teng. It was the man who had just met with Yang Ying, Luo Wushuang.

“Uncle, you seem preoccupied?”

Du Teng hurriedly denied. “No, not at all! It’s just you, Wushuang, w-why at this time?”

Luo Wushuang walked in and slowly sat down. “Just came back to have a look. I’ve been away for too long, I started missing the sect a bit. But I won’t stay long this time either, I’ll leave tomorrow. Uncle, please sit!”

Hearing that only made Du Teng grow uneasy. “Alright, alright. Wushuang, you came to find me because...”

Luo Wushuang waved his hand, saying with an air of nonchalance, “Nothing big. It’s just that the place I’m going to is extremely dangerous. I came specifically to ask you for a couple of life-preserving pills. I hope you won’t be stingy.”

Du Teng let out a long sigh of relief. “Of course, of course! Wushuang, whatever pills you need, just name them. Even if I don’t have them, I can refine them for you on the spot.”

Luo Wushuang smiled again. “There’s no need to hurry, but before that, I’d like to ask you a question, Uncle.”

Thump.

Du Teng’s heart skipped a beat.

“W-what?”

“Where is Pavilion Master Tian now?”

Du Teng’s heart instantly sank to the depths. “He—I-I don’t know...”

Luo Wushuang suddenly sighed. “Uncle, when I entered the sect, you were already the Deputy Head of the Alchemy Institute, correct? You should be quite clear about my character, right?”

With each question Luo Wushuang asked, Du Teng’s face gradually lost all colors.

Staring at him calmly, Luo Wushuang slowly extended one hand. “Uncle, guess. Is there one or two essence crystals in my hand?”

Du Teng instantly stood up, his face filled with despair. “Wushuang, y-you can’t do this! That matter has nothing to do with me!”

Luo Wushuang acted as if he hadn’t heard Du Teng. “Uncle, take a guess.”

“Wushuang, why must you force me like this? You don’t even know that kid! Even if I killed him, it wouldn’t affect you at all, you—”

Luo Wushuang shook his head. “Do you know where you went wrong? The rules of the Qingyun Pavilion were set by me, and you broke them. However, even though you made a mistake, I am willing to give you a chance. This is another one of my rules. So, take a guess. Guess correctly and you live.”

Thump.

Du Teng, his face ashen, collapsed onto his seat. Luo Wushuang wasn’t in a hurry and just gazed at him calmly.

At the throes of despair, Du Teng seemed to have aged countless years in a blink. His eyes were fixed intently on Luo Wushuang’s hand, as if trying to discern something. However, he simply couldn’t see through it.

After a long time, Du Teng said, “One!”

Luo Wushuang slowly stood up. “Hmm, is it now? The chance of you guessing correctly was fifty-fifty. So, your chance of living is also fifty-fifty.”

He slowly opened his hand.