Supreme Sword Exalt

At the Qixia Court, an extremely powerful aura suddenly erupted, attracting the attention of a crowd of disciples.

“What’s going on?”

“It’s Senior Brother Yang. He’s come out of seclusion!”

“That’s right. The trip to the secret realm is about to happen, so he needs to prepare properly.”

“Ah, Senior Brother Yang looks even more handsome now!”

“Don’t be so infatuated. Do you think someone like him would even spare you a glance?”

Amid the discussions, a tall and imposing figure appeared before everyone. He was handsome, with a cold and stern expression. The white robe he wore added an extra touch of heroic spirit. He was Yang Lin, the chief disciple of the Qixia Court and the young master of the Yang family.

The crowd bowed in unison. “Greetings, Senior Brother!”

Yang Lin responded indifferently, not even glancing at the crowd as he strode away.

Within the crowd, a pretty female disciple seemed curious. “He’s so arrogant, huh?”

In front, a female cultivator turned around with a serious expression. “Zhi Xuan, you’ve just entered the sect, so you might not know. Senior Brother Yang is not only the chief disciple of the Qixia Court, but also the young master of the Yang family. Moreover, he possesses a natural Green Wood Spirit Physique. Of course he has the right to be arrogant!”

The female disciple named Zhi Xuan appeared naive and clueless. “Really? He sounds impressive!”

Another female cultivator glared at her fiercely. “Nonsense! Senior Brother Yang is the most impressive!”

“Exactly! Senior Brother Yang is the pride of the Qixia Court!”

“If I hear you say such words again, watch yourself!”

Facing everyone’s rebukes, Zhi Xuan seemed a bit frightened, her eyes brimming with tears. “I’m sorry... I didn’t mean it...”

The female cultivator from earlier sighed. “Forget it! Don’t say such things in the future! Even though you’ve just entered, with your aptitude and strength, you might have a chance to compete for a spot to enter the secret realm. You must do your best, understand?”

Zhi Xuan lowered her head, rubbing her eyes. “Yes! I will work hard, Senior Sister!”

Everyone’s attention was on Yang Lin. Naturally, no one noticed the faint, dark light that flickered in Zhi Xuan’s eyes.

***

At the Meng estate, Meng Chuan’s face was filled with grief and indignation. “Old Ancestor, the Meng family is finished!”

The spirit herbs hidden within the secret realm were not merely wealth, but the roots upon which the Meng family’s foundation rested. Now that they had been looted clean, it was undoubtedly a fatal blow to the Meng family.

At the height of his fury, all expression drained from Meng Qing’s face. “Investigate! Whether it’s the person who stole from the secret realm or the one who spread false information, investigate carefully!”

Meng Chuan’s face twisted. “I knew it! It has to be Fu Fatty!”

Meng Qing suddenly roared, “I don’t care who he is! Mobilize the entire clan if necessary. We must find him, whatever the price!”

Beside him, Meng Xing was much calmer. “Old Ancestor, even if we can find out, our losses are already irreparable.”

The dead clansmen couldn’t come back to life, the lost spirit herbs couldn’t grow back, and the Meng family’s strength had been halved.

Thinking about how their family had been jointly attacked by several families within the relic site, Meng Qing’s face twisted again. “How loathsome!!! Those people are all responsible! If the Meng family is ruined, they shouldn’t think they’ll escape unscathed! Xing’er, how is your cultivation progressing?”

Meng Xing was extremely confident. “I’m at the ninth stage of Spirit Profound. Within the Northern Domain, I am invincible against those below the Soaring Realm!”

Meng Qing stared at him intently. “That’s good! Show no mercy once you enter the secret realm! If any problems arise, I will bear the responsibility for you. The Meng family’s foundation is gone, so their foundations shouldn’t remain either. Understood?”

Meng Xing hesitated a bit. “Old Ancestor, what about the Fengwu Court—”

Meng Qing shook his head. “Ignore them for now! I’ve already asked. Fu Fatty is not Zuo Yang. However, if that so-called chief disciple doesn’t know his limits and also enters the secret realm, just kill him along with the others!”

“Understood!”

***

At the Yang estate, Yang Tong stared at Yang Lin before him. “Have you remembered my words?”

Yang Lin bowed respectfully. “Yes!”

Yang Tong nodded. “Good. Don’t worry about the Soul-Nourishing Grass matter. As long as that place remains, I can cultivate another one for you. You just need to remember: don’t hold back when you enter the secret realm.”

“What about the Meng family...”

“Cooperate with them! I will go to the Meng family shortly! Since our losses are so great, then no one should think they’ll get off easily!”

Yang Lin bowed again. “Understood. I will show no mercy!”

“Very good. You may leave now.”

However, Yang Lin didn’t move. “Old Ancestor, I’ve learned about Yang Fei’s matter. If that person also enters the secret realm, I will kill him.”

Yang Tong looked deeply at him. “Good. Originally, I didn’t intend to spare his life either.”

***

Outside the cave, Yang Ying returned in less than half an hour, already fully recovered as if nothing had happened.

Murong Yan couldn’t help but ask. “Yang Guy, where did you go?”

Yang Ying didn’t reply. If the Meng family is ruined, they shouldn’t think they’ll escape unscathed. Shen Xuan, who was more observant, noticed that the man was somewhat different. Yang Ying’s cultivation seemed to have increased. Still, since Yang Ying clearly didn’t want to talk about it, Shen Xuan didn’t press further.

Right at that moment, Gu Han’s aura surged from deep inside the cave. He was now at the fifth stage of Essence Gathering.

Shen Xuan looked surprised. “This is too fast.”

Soon, he realized that he had spoken too soon. Over the following period, the three thoroughly experienced what it meant for cultivation to advance by leaps and bounds each day, and for breaking through realms to be as easy as eating and drinking.

Every few days, Gu Han would break through to the next minor realm, until his cultivation finally halted at the eighth stage of Essence Gathering. In spite of his Supreme Stage, the accumulated, violent spirit power had been fully refined into his spirit pool.

Gu Han let out a light breath and slowly stood up. As he walked to the outer area, he happened to see the three of them looking dazed.

He was taken aback. “What’s wrong?”

Shen Xuan said seriously, “Brother Gu, I believe it now. You really do have the Poison Immunity Physique!”

He could sense that although Gu Han broke through realms extremely quickly, the occasional trace of spirit power that leaked out was extremely pure, not at all affected by the spirit herbs’ impurities. In fact, it was even purer than spirit power cultivated using spirit sources.

Murong Yan stroked her chin, seemingly hesitant. “Maybe after I return, I should also try this method?”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “Better not! Physiques differ from person to person. You can’t generalize it.”

Murong Yan was speechless.

Upon seeing the others chatting and laughing, Yang Ying couldn’t hold back anymore. “Haven’t you forgotten something?”

“Hmm? Forgotten? Now that you mention it, it seems we really—oh no!” Shen Xuan was taken aback. Halfway through his sentence, his eyes widened. “Today’s the day the secret realm opens!”

The moment his words fell, Gu Han was already the first to rush out.