Supreme Sword Exalt

Upon seeing Zheng Ning’s current appearance, Murong Yuan’s eyes widened.

Oh shit!

The thing he feared had still happened.

Boom!

Murong Yuan didn’t dare hesitate in the slightest. Divine light erupted from his eyes as he took a single step, instantly arriving three zhang before Zheng Ning. He slapped a palm toward him, casual and effortless, yet carrying earth-shattering power.

Boom!

Clouds churned as a barrage of peerless onslaught engulfed Zheng Ning. The several-dozen-zhang pit expanded several times over.

From a distance, Murong Yan shouted excitedly, “Old Ancestor, you’re incredible!”

Murong Yuan’s expression remained grave, devoid of any joy. He knew that Zheng Ning wasn’t even scratched.

Sure enough, as the dust settled, Zheng Ning reappeared before everyone. “Hehehe!”

It was the same laughter that made one’s scalp tingle.

Just like Gu Tian, Zheng Ning was somewhat hazy-minded now. “Supreme Elder, die...”

Everyone subconsciously gasped in shock when they saw his appearance. He’s no longer human!

Thick bloody mist surrounded him, almost tangible in its density. Two of the four bulges on his back had already ruptured, and a pair of bluish-grey giant arms extended from his sides, three zhang long and two chi thick. His muscles bulged explosively. The other two bulges were also swollen to their limits, seemingly ready to burst open at any moment.

Thud!

With a gentle press of his large hands, Zheng Ning leaped out from the deep pit, leaving a pair of giant handprints on the ground. Drool flowed from the corner of his mouth as he slowly advanced toward Murong Yuan. “You all... forced me...””

Swoosh!

The strange vertical pupil on his forehead suddenly opened, shooting a red light directly at Murong Yuan.

Shit! Murong Yuan’s heart lurched, rushing to block using his cultivation.

A loud boom sounded. The red light struck Murong Yuan, sending him flying backward. When he landed again, his face was somewhat pale. Everyone watching felt their scalps tingle.

Even Murong Yan grew a bit scared. “Old Ancestor, w-what exactly is that thing?!”

Murong Yuan took a deep breath, growing more haggard. “Retreat! Take them and leave this place, the farther the better!”

“Then what about you?” asked Murong Yan.

She could see that even someone as powerful as Murong Yuan likely stood little chance against the monster.

Murong Yuan smiled bitterly. “Me? What’s destined to come, can’t be avoided.”

He steeled his resolve, prepared to burn the bridges and sacrifice himself to eliminate this monster.

Just then, Gu Tian savagely roared once again, “Kill! Kill... you!”

Boom!

His demonic qi was far more ferocious than before.

Murong Yuan was shocked. “No! You are no match for him!”

Gu Han also struggled to his feet. “Father, quick... cough... come back quickly!”

“Kill!”

However, Gu Tian’s demonic nature had completely suppressed his reason. How could he possibly listen?

His pure black eyes fixed firmly on Zheng Ning. “Dare to hurt my son... Want your life...”

Upon seeing Gu Tian, Zheng Ning’s expression was filled with intense hatred. “It’s... because of you... I... kill you...”

The vertical pupil on his forehead opened fully, and a red beam far thicker than before shot at Gu Tian.

“Father!” Gu Han cried out anxiously.

Murong Yuan shook his head. “How reckless!”

Not even he dared to underestimate how devastating that beam was! Just as he was about to step in to help, everyone fell into a daze.

Clashing against Gu Tian’s billowing demonic qi, the red beam seemed to meet its natural enemy. It wavered briefly, flickered a couple of times, and vanished without a trace.

Murong Yuan’s eyes widened. “What... How...?”

Even Zheng Ning was stunned. He blinked as his rationality somewhat returned. “That’s impossible... This is... divine power—”

Thud!

While Zheng Ning was stunned, Gu Tian had already descended, grabbing his neck tightly and slamming him into the ground.

Thud! Thud!

In the blink of an eye, another torrential downpour of fists rained down.

Murong Yan stared dumbfoundedly at Gu Han. “T-that’s your father?”

Gu Han nodded subconsciously. “Uh-huh.”

Murong Yan gave a thumbs-up. “He’s so cool! Really cool!”

Not far away, Zheng Ning was beaten senseless after a dozen or so punches. He roared, “Aaah!! I refuse to surrender!”

Thud!

“I refuse!”

Thud!

Gu Tian didn’t care whether he surrendered or not. Each punch was heavier than the last, and in no time, he had beaten Zheng Ning to the brink of death.

Zheng Ning’s eyes were bloodshot as he roared sorrowfully, “I refuse to surrender!”

The other two bulges on his back ruptured simultaneously, and two more powerful arms stretched out. He looked deranged. “Die! I want you dead!”

Thud! Thud!

All four arms raised high and smashed heavily onto Gu Tian.

Gu Tian spat out a mouthful of blood, turning much paler. He seemed oblivious, his fists continuing to fall relentlessly. “Kill...”

For a time, the two abandoned all divine secret arts and techniques, fighting in the most raw and primitive way. Fists fell like rain, endlessly pounding each other’s bodies.

No one knew how long it lasted. The two seemed to have reached their limits. The light in Zheng Ning’s eyes was gradually fading. His four giant arms were no longer as formidable as before. Gu Tian’s face was also deathly pale, yet his demonic was far more powerful than before.

With another savage roar, he swung his fist and smashed it hard onto Zheng Ning’s vertical pupil. “Kill!”

The vertical pupil instantly shattered. Boundless, dense red mist scattered, only to be completely devoured by the endless demonic qi, becoming part of it.

Boom!

The demonic qi churned again, twice as strong.

The life in Zheng Ning’s eyes rapidly dissipated. The four arms hung limply, unable to move anymore.

Then, Gu Tian flashed and appeared before Gu Han. His eyes were filled with struggle and pain. “Han’er, are you... alright—hmm?”

Before he could finish, he turned around. In a flash, he was charging toward Commander Zhou, who was lying in the distance.

Earlier, Commander Zhou was injured by Murong Chuan and then struck by Zheng Ning, leaving him gravely wounded and dying.

However, he was unwilling. He couldn’t rest in peace unless he saw Gu Han die with his own eyes. Unfortunately, Gu Tian’s appearance shattered his last sliver of hope. Involuntarily, a trace of killing intent arose in his heart, which was then sensed by Gu Tian.

Even as Gu Tian’s fist came flying at him, Commander Zhou stared fixedly at Gu Han. “I am unsatisfied...”

Those were the last three words he uttered in his life.

Boom!

Then, only a several-zhang-wide empty pit remained.

Elders Wu and Feng couldn’t help but sigh with emotions.

“Ah, he brought it upon himself.”

“Indeed, those who commit many unrighteous acts will inevitably bring ruin upon themselves!”

And then, they met Gu Tian’s murderous gaze. Gu Tian still had some impression of these two old rivals.

Thump! Their hearts skipped a beat.

Afraid that his father would kill indiscriminately, Gu Han hurriedly explained, “Father, these two deputy deans have helped me quite a bit!”

“Helped...” Gu Tian murmured, the killing intent in his eyes gradually receding.

Elders Wu and Feng exchanged a glance, feeling a sense of having narrowly escaped disaster. They were determined in their hearts. Let’s leave immediately! if we stay any longer, we might get slaughtered by him at any moment!

Suddenly, Gu Tian fixed his gaze on Murong Yuan. Gu Tian’s instinct told him this person posed a great threat to his life.

Murong Yuan’s eyelids twitched. In truth, even though his cultivation level far surpassed Gu Tian’s, the man’s inexplicable, unfathomable demonic qi, left him a bit apprehensive.

Gu Han had no choice but to smooth things out again. “Father, this senior is also a decent person.”

Murong Yuan was speechless.

Gu Tian gasped heavily, feeling his demonic nature becoming increasingly difficult to suppress. “Han’er, in... a few days... I... will come find you again...”

His remaining shred of reason told him that if he stayed any longer, he would definitely lose control and kill indiscriminately.

Boom!

Without lingering, Gu Tian soared into the air and vanished into the distance.

Gu Han felt a sense of loss.

In the distance, Murong Yan stared at Zheng Ning’s corpse, asking with lingering fear, “Old Ancestor, what exactly was that thing?”

Murong Yuan shook his head. “Don’t ask. This matter involves more than you think. At your current cultivation level, knowing won’t do you any good!”

Murong Yan suddenly understood. “Old Ancestor, the reason you didn’t save Brother Gu earlier was because you knew about Pavilion Master Zheng’s secret?”

“Exactly. Otherwise, with this kid being so righteous, and me not being heartless, how could I have just stood by? I was only afraid of enraging him and causing a great calamity.” Murong Yuan sighed before laughing. “However, the calamity died here today, which counts as an enormous pleasant surprise.”

Murong Yan popped his bubble. “Old Ancestor, what are you so happy about? Did you kill him? Did you contribute at all? Does this have the slightest bit to do with you?”

This series of soul-searching questions made even Murong Yuan, who had lived many years, feel the heat.

Murong Yuan shot her a fierce glare, then turned to Gu Han again. “Kid, this time, the commotion you caused was too big. Although I can forcefully help you, I’m afraid it will be extremely difficult for you to enter the Yuqing Sect after this.”

Gu Han didn’t care in the slightest. “I’m okay with not going. The Yuqing Sect and I are fundamentally incompatible. Going there would only bring trouble.”

Ding Quan, Zheng Ning, Yuan Gang—they had made him lose all favorable impressions of the Yuqing Sect.

Murong Yan swung her big hammer. “Exactly! Brother Gu, if you have nowhere to go, just stay with the Murong family! I’ll take care of you!”

Beside her, Shen Xuan suddenly felt a surge of sourness in his heart.

Gu Han shook his head. “That won’t be necessary. More than that, I’d like to ask you one thing, senior.”

“Speak your mind!”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “Do you know where exactly the Ghost Physician has gone?”

Now that the great battle had concluded, he had to find a way to treat Ah Sha.

Murong Yuan was taken aback. “Ghost Physician? What do you need him for?”

Murong Chuan explained the whole story to him, “Old Ancestor...”

Murong Yuan frowned deeply. “Soul power loss, huh. That is indeed a very tricky problem. Finding the Ghost Physician might offer some hope, but you can never predict where he is. I haven’t seen him for many years.”

Even though he had anticipated this outcome, Gu Han still felt somewhat disappointed. ℴℴ𝘮

Murong Yuan said with a hint of envy, “I never expected that you and Xue Mao had such a relationship. He was actually willing to give you those three pills. Hah, back in the day, I begged the Ghost Physician for a long time, and he wouldn’t spare me even one!”

Gu Han was still unwilling to give up. “Senior, that spirit herb of yours, where exactly did you get it from?”

Even after all these years, remembering the danger, Murong Yuan still felt a pang of fear. “That place... I had only stumbled into it back then. I don’t know the exact location, but it’s perilous beyond measure. Don’t even think about it. Even with my current cultivation, I’d be risking my life going to that place. Besides, I’ve only come back alive due to sheer luck. Kid, don’t get any wild thoughts. That half-saint herb is precious, but your life is more important!”

Gu Han was puzzled. “Half-saint Herb? What’s that?”

Shen Xuan explained, “Brother Gu, herbs and spirit fruits also have grade classifications. From spirit herbs, precious herbs, half-saint herb, saint herb, and so on. That Purple Crystal Vine you had that day was a somewhat rare spirit herb.”

Gu Han felt disappointed again. If it were a precious herb, he could try his luck to acquire one. However, half-saint could almost be considered mythical treasure, unattainable for someone like him.

Murong Yuan seemed to recall something. “Speaking of which, back then, that half-saint herb was refined by the Ghost Physician into nine pills. Besides the three in Xue Mao’s possession, I do know the whereabouts of one other pill.”

Gu Han instantly perked up. “Where is it?!”