Supreme Sword Exalt

On the walls of the imperial capital.

As usual, rows of city guard soldiers stood on top of the battlements. They held crossbows and closely monitored the movements of the Wild Forest.

Inside the gate tower, several commandants gathered together, chattering incessantly.

“These people have some nerve, daring to assault the palace!”

“Hmph, let them go! With the barrier bestowed by the Upper Sect, their defeat is guaranteed!”

“Right! No one will survive!”

Just then, a city guard soldier rushed in frantically, his face filled with terror. “The Wild Forest area seems to be stirring again! Something terrible must’ve happened!”

“What?!”

The few men paled and hurriedly walked out of the gate tower. When they saw the scene in the distance, they instantly froze.

“What is that?!”

A black cloud of ink advanced toward the capital, obliterating everything in its wake. It moved with terrifying speed; in the brief moment the men stood stunned, it had already surged far ahead.

One commandant snapped out of his daze. “Hurry! Activate the barrier!”

A transparent barrier instantly rose, completely enveloping the city wall. The black cloud was only a few li away from the city wall.

Another commandant, with a slightly higher cultivation level, could see more clearly. “There’s a person! There’s a person inside the black cloud!”

The others quickly looked, just in time to see a faintly discernible figure. Savagery contorted his features as killing intent erupted, piercing the sky.

Before they could react, the black cloud had collided against the transparent barrier. A deafening roar sounded as the barrier trembled violently, sending the figure flying backward.

Everyone went pale. They actually felt the city wall beneath their feet shaking. It had never happened before!

Before they could react, that figure charged again. “Let me in! My son is inside!”

With each collision, his killing aura heavier by several degrees, and his demonic flames grew even more ferocious than before. In contrast, that barrier trembled even more violently. The city wall inscribed with countless talismans shook unceasingly. Though it had once blocked innumerable demonic beasts, it was no longer as impregnable as before.

Several commandants stood on top of the wall, gritting their teeth as they commanded, “Fire arrows! Stop him!”

Overwhelming volleys of crossbow bolts continuously rained down on the man. However, the man only grew even more savage. With a furious roar, the black clouds around him churned, swallowing countless bolts.

The commandants’ faces paled further. “What?! How is this possible? These are special bolts that can even injure Tier 6 demonic beasts... It’s over! He’s coming again!”

Although the bolts hadn’t harmed the man in the slightest, they successfully ignited his ferocity completely.

The man’s eyes had turned completely pitch-black. He released another roar, the wind shuddering beneath its savagery and killing intent. Once again, he charged at the barrier. “Kill!”

Unable to withstand such violent collisions, the barrier was eventually pushed to its limit. Several light cracking sounds were heard as it instantly shattered. Overwhelming demonic flames engulfed the man.

Several commandants wore expressions of despair. “It’s over...”

The next moment, their consciousness went dark as they collapsed to the ground.

***

Inside the imperial palace, Gu Han collapsed with a thud. As if Zheng Ning had intended it, the distance between him and Fatty was only a few zhang.

It hurts!

Gu Han coughed up large mouthfuls of blood. After the pain came endless numbness, as if his body no longer belonged to him. He couldn’t even move a finger, gasping for breath. “F-Fatty, you d-dead yet?”

Though he was also severely injured, Fatty was in slightly better condition thanks to his superior defense. “Not yet, but close.”

”Do you r-regret it?”

Fatty’s eyes were dull. “Talking about this is useless. This is my death tribulation, I can’t escape it.”

Zheng Ning walked over slowly. “Like I said, I wouldn’t let you die just like that. I’ll make you taste the most excruciating tortures this world has to offer. You’ll beg for death!”

Murong Yuan found it somewhat unbearable to watch. “Zheng Ning, you are going too far!”

Although Zheng Ning was unsatisfied, he dared not argue back. “Perhaps...”

He wouldn’t want to push Murong Yuan too far and force him to intervene.

Perhaps knowing death was imminent, Fatty became uncharacteristically bold. “Trash, t-that’s all you’ve got? Cough, cough... You worthless piece of shit! If I were fine, I’d crush you like a fly!”

At his level, Zheng Ning could vaguely sense the extremely faint golden glow hidden beneath Fatty’s chest. “Confident, are we? Is this what you rely on? Die!”

He pointed a finger, and a powerful surge of spirit power instantly pierced through Fatty’s chest. The ball of golden light also shattered along with it.

Fatty was stunned for a moment, light rapidly leaving his eyes. “Ah... As expected, this flaw is somewhat fatal...”

Calmly, he turned to look at Gu Han. “Bastard, you’ve really gotten me killed this time...”

However, Gu Han didn’t say a single word, his eyes tightly shut.

***

Inside the consciousness space, the shadow listened, completely dumbfounded. “What?! You’re going to die?”

He couldn’t quite process it. Hadn’t Gu Han just poked dozens of holes in him not long ago? Gu Han had even promised to help him teach his rebellious disciple! And now he was going to die? It was too sudden!

Gu Han sighed. “Right. If I die, you’ll be free.”

The shadow rubbed his hands together with complex feelings. “Well...”

Was he reluctant? Maybe a tiny bit, but more than that, it was joy. Of course, he didn’t dare laugh. He was afraid Gu Han would drag him down to perish together, then he’d really cry.

Gu Han glanced at him. “Don’t hold back, laugh if you want.”

The shadow coughed lightly, his face full of grief. “I don’t know what you’re talking about... I’m not saying this to gloat, but if you had released me back then, I would have long found a suitable vessel. How could you have ended up in this state? Ah, young people... you’re still too green...”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “How about this, I release you now, and you go possess him?”

The shadow curled his lip. “Possess? Such an act goes against the heavens! Do you know how difficult it is?! Unless the host actively cooperates, your soul power must invade the other’s body with overwhelming force. Why do you think I chose a mediocre cultivator like you back then—ahem! And it’s all your fault!

“Poking dozens of holes in me for no reason, making me help you forcefully break through realms, now I only have a bit of soul power left. How about you talk to him? Ask him to cooperate with me.”

Gu Han was silent for a moment. “Let’s talk business then. Remember, I had you promise me one thing before.”

“Yes, go on.”

“After getting out, use every means possible to save Ah Sha and take good care of her.”

Ah Sha had never escaped Gu Han’s mind. This was the lifeline he left for Ah Sha—a very safe, reassuring one.

The shadow patted his chest. “You can rest assured. Eye of Shattered Illusions bloodline, how many years does it take for one to appear? I’d treasure her beyond measure. How could I let her suffer? Hmph, if anyone dares to offend my precious disciple, I’ll slaughter their entire family—no, exterminate their entire clan!”

Gu Han smiled. “Good. Then I’m at ease.”

With that, he prepared to leave.

Suddenly, the shadow rubbed his hands together again, looking somewhat embarrassed. “Um... There’s one more thing.”

“Speak.”

”When are you going to die?”

Gu Han sighed. “Soon. Just wait.”

With those words, he immediately left this place.

Upon watching Gu Han leave, the shadow also sighed for no reason. “Ah, It’s clearly a good thing, but why does my heart feel a bit heavy? Hmph! I can’t be soft-hearted! It’s good that he’s going to die. If he dies, I’ll be completely free.”

***

The moment Gu Han opened his eyes, he heard Fatty’s words. He suddenly recalled the fatty’s earlier words. “So, this is the fatal weakness you mentioned?”

Fatty nodded with difficulty, the light in his eyes growing dimmer. “That’s right... What a pity... There’s no chance to fix it now...”

Upon seeing Fatty on the verge of death, Zheng Ning paid him no further mind. His gaze shifted, instantly landing on Gu Han. “Enough! Your turn now.”

Gu Han looked at him calmly. “Believe it or not, someday not long from now, someone will avenge me, and you will die a very, very, very horrible death...”

Zheng Ning raised his hand high. “You’re talking too much! I’ll make you die an honorless death!”

With this palm strike, he was confident he could smash Gu Han into a pulp. Everyone else turned their heads, unable to watch.

Right at this moment, an unforeseen event occurred. A deafening roar suddenly rang out from the distance, reaching everyone’s ears.

Murong Yuan sharply turned his head. “What? What is this... Hmm? Demonic qi?”

Among those present, his cultivation level was the highest, so he could sense that murderous aura and demonic qi rapidly approaching.

He suddenly remembered the culprit behind the previous demonic beast riot. “Could it be him?”

Elders Wu and Feng exchanged glances, their faces filled with despair. “It’s over!”

This demonic qi... They were all too familiar with it, and this person seemed way stronger than before.

“Hmm?” Zheng Ning’s expression changed, a vague sense of foreboding suddenly arising in his heart. Ignoring everything, he brought his palm down. “Die now!”

A voice teetering on the brink of madness rang out. “How dare you harm my son! You must die!”

The next instant, a figure engulfed in overwhelming demonic qi pounced toward him.