Supreme Sword Exalt

Having lost any intention of watching the spectacle, a hint of solemnity surfaced on Yuan Gang’s face.

Behind him, those who had looked down on Gu Han now wore expressions of shock. “Hmm? This young man is actually so formidable!”

Although they were outside the arena, Gu Han’s nearly tangible killing intent still left them gasping in astonishment. If they were in Chu Kuang’s position, they doubted they could have blocked the sword strike.

One of them said with concern, “Senior Brother, this person is so formidable. I fear Chu Kuang’s plan to subdue him might—”

Yuan Gang turned slightly cold. “If he can be of use to us, all the better. If not, this young man will undoubtedly become a significant obstacle in the future.”

Detecting the veiled killing intent in his tone, the others’ hearts jumped.

Another hesitated. “But he is extraordinary. What about Chu Kuang—”

Of course, Yuan Gang had the utmost confidence regarding Chu Kuang. “Rest assured. Chuang Kuang has even brought out his trump card. There’s absolutely no way he could lose. As he is now, I’m afraid I could only surpass him by a narrow margin, even if I rely on my superior cultivation base.”

Right at that moment, a deafening roar rang out, louder than ever. Unable to withstand the intense clash of auras, the arena collapsed with a thunderous crash. Chu Kuang and Gu Han were swallowed by endless clouds of dust.

“What happened?”

“Who won?”

“I think it’s Chu Kuang!”

“No, I have a feeling the Fengwu Court chief disciple is superior!”

Amid the discussions, Yang Lin and Meng Xing exchanged another glance, satisfaction flickering in their eyes. Regardless of who won, one of the two would surely die today, and the survivor definitely wouldn’t escape unscathed.

Zhi Xuan had a look of great pity, murmuring incessantly, “What a shame, it was just so close...”

Nearby, Shen Xuan’s eyes flickered with worry. “Brother Gu... He...”

Murong Yan waved her hand, albeit her tone wasn’t as confident as before. “He won’t lose. Old Ancestor, you said—hm? Old Ancestor? Where’d he go?”

The dust gradually settled, revealing three people.

The crowd was stunned. Three? Where did the extra one come from?!

A majestic voice rang out. “This battle ends here!”

As the voice faded, everyone finally saw the scene in the arena clearly. Before they knew it, Murong Yuan had stood between Gu Han and Chu Kuang, his hands clasped behind his back. He had intercepted their final, lethal strikes. In the entire venue, he was the only one capable of such a feat.

Murong Yuan was devoid of any emotions. “The qualification battle is now concluded. Shortly, you will all accompany me to the secret realm.”

One was a heavenly pride of the sect, while the other was a junior he held in high regard and owed a great debt of gratitude. Naturally, he didn’t wish to see either come to harm.

Chu Kuang sounded regretful. “What a pity. If not for the supreme elder, I would have gained another follower today.”

Gu Han nodded. “Indeed. If Senior had intervened a moment later, you would have died.”

Chu Kuang’s fighting spirit gradually reignited. “How about another round?”

Gu Han slowly raised his sword. “Fine by me! I wasn’t fully satisfied as well!”

The crowd was speechless. Satisfied? Your idea of “satisfaction” is to fight to the death?

Murong Yuan was starting to get annoyed. “Nonsense! If you don’t behave, I will strip you of your secret realm qualifications and ban you both for ten years!”

Chu Kuang shook his head and turned away leisurely. “Forget it then. I’ll grant you a few more days of freedom. Cherish them. Next time, you won’t be so fortunate.”

Gu Han laughed. “Next time? You’d best summon Senior Murong as well. Otherwise, no one will be able to save your life.”

Murong Yuan felt a headache coming on. These two were more arrogant than the last, but for a legitimate reason.

Murong Yan and the others hurried over. “Brother Gu, are you alright?”

Gu Han waved a hand. “I’m fine. It’s a bit of a shame, though. A hundred million essence crystals slipped through my fingers!”

Shen Xuan was speechless. At a time like this, he’s still thinking about essence crystals! How carefree can one be?!

Murong Yuan couldn’t bear to listen any longer. “Kid, if I hadn’t intervened, do you know what the consequence would have been today?”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “...He would die and I would be severely injured?”

Murong Yuan was rendered speechless. He’s too arrogant!

He felt Gu Han was a bit too wild and would benefit from some earnest advice. “Kid, how can you be so sure he would be the one to die? What if—”

Just then, Murong Yan suddenly exclaimed, “Hm? Old Ancestor, why is your robe torn?!”

Following her gaze, the others noticed a tear in Murong Yuan’s sleeve. Its shape closely matched that of the sword in Gu Han’s hand.

Their expressions changed. With Murong Yuan’s Half-Step Transcendent realm cultivation, never mind the Essence Gathering realm, even a top-tier Divine Connection realm expert would absolutely be incapable of such a feat. And yet now...

Gu Han looked curious. “Senior, you were saying?”

Murong Yuan couldn’t quite hold his composure. “There is no ’what if’! Prepare yourselves properly. We must depart for the secret realm shortly!”

Not far away, Chu Kuang had regained his usual composure. “He would die and I would be injured. If the supreme elder had not intervened, that would have been the final outcome.”

Yuan Gang’s gaze was profound. “Junior Brother, it seems you and I have underestimated him.”

Chu Kuang nodded. “Indeed. he is far too exceptional. Forcing him to submit will be no easy task.”

“Then—”

Chu Kuang smiled. “It’s fine. If I can’t subdue him, I’ll just destroy him.”

A cold glint flashed in Yuan Gang’s eyes. “Looks like the only way. Go, summon Junior Brother Yang back for me. As a member of the Qingyun Pavilion, how could he mingle with those people all day long? What kind of behavior is that?!”

“Understood.”

***

At that moment, Yang Lin and Meng Xing were filled with immense disappointment. Who would’ve expected Murong Yuan to disrupt the match? If not for his intervention, either Gu Han or Chu Kuang would have died for sure! Coupled with earlier events, they now harbored extreme hatred toward Murong Yuan in their hearts.

A member of the Meng family ventured hesitantly, “Young Master, what should we do now?”

Meng Xing was impassive. “First, escort my sister back. Once we’re inside the secret realm, I will resolve everything myself.”

“Understood!”

***

Murong Yan was visibly displeased when Yang Ying was called away by the Qingyun Pavilion members. “That Yang guy sure lacks loyalty.”

Yang Lan’s face paled. “Senior Sister, I’m sorry... This isn’t my brother’s fault. My brother’s actually very good. After learning that Brother Gu helped me, he said he must repay this debt. If it weren’t for my mother and me being a burden to him, he...”

Tears flowed down her cheeks, making Jiang Feng’s heart ache.

Even Murong Yan felt somewhat awkward. “That’s not what I meant. I just dislike those people from the Qingyun Pavilion, that’s all. Haa...”

Gu Han sighed. “Brother Yang has his own challenges.”

Shen Xuan nodded. “That’s right. If not for the Qingyun Pavilion’s formidable reputation, which the Yang family still somewhat fears, the lives of him and his sister would likely be even more difficult.”

Murong Yan appeared embarrassed and said no more. She felt that she had been a bit too harsh.

Jiang Feng seemed worried. “Brother Gu, please be careful when you enter the secret realm.”

Yang Lan wiped her tears. “Brother Gu, given Yang Lin’s nature, he will definitely not let the matter of Yang Fei rest. You must be extremely cautious.”

Murong Yan brandished her giant hammer. “Don’t worry! Anyone who messes with Brother Gu will have to answer to my hammer!”

However, Gu Han wasn’t concerned. Murong Yan was an eight-stage Spirit Profound cultivator, while Shen Xuan was at the ninth stage. With their physiques and abilities, they had no reason to fear the two families. Besides, Gu Han had no intention of letting them off the hook.

After chatting briefly, Murong Yuan’s voice sounded again. “The time has come! Follow me!”

Watching the group depart, those left behind wore expressions of loss and frustration.

One person sighed. “With such heavenly prides around, do we even have a chance to catch up?”

Everyone remained silent. Catch up? I’m afraid that chance is gone forever!

***

The entrance to the secret realm was only a hundred or so li from the Yuqing Sect. The jade talisman used to open it was held in rotation among the various powers, and this time it happened to be the Yuqing Sect’s turn.

Gu Han was curious. “Brother Shen, why are those above the Spirit Profound realm forbidden from entering?”

Shen Xuan explained, “The Spirit Profound realm is the final foundational realm. Nurturing spirit nature in the spirit pool marks the first stage of this realm. Once all spirit power gains spirit nature, one can use it as a guide to step into the Divine Connection realm. By nourishing the soul with spirit nature, you can condense divine sense.”

A thought occurred to Gu Han. “Ah, I see... Could it be—”

“Yes. The liquid treasure especially helps with that. Beyond refining the body, expanding the meridians, and purifying spirit qi, its greatest effect lies in accelerating the growth of spirit nature.” Shen Xuan nodded. “However, competition is extremely fierce because the liquid is scarce. Hence, after discussion among the powers, they set that limit. Because of this, there’s the saying that one trip into the secret realm is worth years of arduous cultivation outside.”

Gu Han felt regretful. “What a pity. My cultivation is still a bit lacking.”

Shen Xuan smiled. “Don’t worry. You can still gain enormous benefits. Besides, this secret realm doesn’t open just once. You—”

Gu Han explained seriously, “No, no. Earlier, didn’t you say this secret realm belongs to the Yang family? It’s a shame I can’t break it open as I am now. What a shame!”

The larger a secret realm, the more stable its restrictive barrier, requiring a higher cultivation level to break it open.

Shen Xuan was dumbfounded. This isn’t just boldness, this is sheer lawlessness!

Murong Yan comforted him, “Brother Gu, it’s alright, there will be opportunities. When your cultivation level is higher, you can turn this place into your own backyard.”

Not far away, Murong Yuan glanced at the two of them. Another headache was brewing. Two lawless individuals have come together. I’m afraid I would have no peaceful days ahead...

***

Seeing that Yang Ying was somewhat distracted, Yuan Gang frowned deeply. “Junior Brother Yang, as a member of the Qingyun Pavilion, you should stay away from those people. Otherwise, don’t blame me for being strict.”

Yang Ying hesitated for a moment before agreeing. “Understood.”

Chu Kuang examined Yang Ying with curiosity. “May I ask, what kind of physique do you possess?”

“Mortal Physique.”

“Have you achieved the Supreme Stage?”

“No.”

“Any special fortuitous encounters?”

“None either.”

Chu Kuang smiled. “Then I’m curious, how did you manage to enter the Qingyun Pavilion back then?”

It was no wonder he asked. Aside from Yuan Gang, one of the remaining three possessed a Fire Spirit Physique, another an Earth Spirit Physique, while the last had consumed an exotic fruit that widened his meridians severalfold compared to ordinary people. Although the latter hadn’t achieved the Supreme Stage, his strength was not to be underestimated.

Yang Ying remained expressionless. “Senior Brother Luo approved it. Do you have any other questions?”

A trace of surprise flickered in Chu Kuang’s eyes. “Senior Brother Wushuang? I see! I was just asking casually. Please don’t take offense.”

Right then, Murong Yuan’s voice rang out once more. “Silence! Although you already know the rules, I must remind you once more. Aside from that opportunity, do not touch or consume anything in the secret realm, or bear the consequences.”

With that, he flipped his hand over. A palm-sized, ancient-looking jade talisman appeared in his grasp. As he channeled his cultivation, the space rippled, and a portal about ten zhang high appeared before the crowd.

Yuan Gang waved his hand. “Let’s go!”

The members of the Qingyun Pavilion were the first to enter. Following them were the Yang family, the Meng family, and the Qixia Court.

Murong Chong carefully approached. “Miss, should we proceed together—”

Murong Yan waved a hand. “You go ahead first. I need to say something to Old Ancestor!”

“Understood!”

In a short while, only Gu Han’s trio remained outside.

Murong Yuan frowned deeply, sternly warning, “You three, aren’t you going in? What are you dawdling for! Let me warn you, abandon any crooked ideas! This secret realm is not something you can meddle with.”

Shen Xuan looked wronged. “You three”? This matter seems unrelated to me, doesn’t it?

Murong Yan rolled her eyes. “Old Ancestor, the Yang family’s secret realm seems to have a problem.”

They had waited until now to avoid being overheard by the Yang and Meng families.

Then, Murong Yan proceeded to share her knowledge.

Shock and anger warred on Murong Yuan’s face, before settling into a trace of weariness. “I understand. You may enter now. I will handle that matter myself.”

Seeing he didn’t wish to elaborate, the trio didn’t press further and entered the secret realm.

Watching the portal slowly close, Murong Yuan let out a long sigh. “First Zheng Ning, now Yang Tong. The Northern Domain is about to descend into chaos!”

***

Of course, Gu Han couldn’t hear Murong Yuan’s lament. The moment he entered, he was blown away. Whether it was the earth, the sky, or the vegetation, everything within sight was a uniform, deep crimson. It was a world of red.