Supreme Sword Exalt

By the time Gu Han arrived, he happened to see Zhou Ye and Wang Yong about ten zhang apart. One was surrounded by a swirling gray aura, radiating murderous intent, while the other with a faint white glow, wearing an unpleasant expression.

Around them, the various cultivators had all scattered far away. When experts of this level fought, whoever got close would be in for a world of trouble.

Gu Han appeared exasperated. “Both of you, we’re technically on the same side now. Are you sure you want to do this here?”

Their expressions stiffened, and they each withdrew their imposing auras. They knew Feng Xi’s status all too well. If they started a full-blown fight here and words reached Zuo Yang and Yu Miao, there would certainly be unpleasant consequences.

Zhou Ye’s smile didn’t reach his eyes. “It’s just a joke, don’t mind it, Fellow Daoist Wang. I never meant to harm you!”

Wang Yong waved his hands repeatedly with an equally insincere smile. “Of course, of course! I was just talking too. And even if we did actually fight, I’d go easy on you, Fellow Daoist Zhou!”

After speaking, they both cursed the other in their hearts.

How shameless!

As if you could be my match?!

Gu Han wore a strange expression. “Well, aren’t you guys leaving?”

The two were stunned for a moment. Truth be told, they had completed their tasks and were already about to leave. Just as they were about to speak, they turned hostile as if remembering something, glaring at each other warily.

This man is despicable! He’s probably just waiting for me to speak first so he can steal the initiative! Dream on!

They forcibly swallowed the words of farewell that had been on the tips of their tongues.

Gu Han felt like letting them stay idle wasn’t a good idea. They’d just end up fighting sooner or later. Besides, it would be a shame to have two such powerful fighters at his disposal and not use them.

“Since you’re not leaving, then how about helping me with something?”

Actually, before leaving the capital, he had already sent the shadow guard to deliver the information and the pill formula to the Luoheng Holy Land and the Holy Demon Sect. Whether the two returned or not didn’t make much difference anymore.

“Please speak, Young Master!”

Gu Han smiled. “It’s simple. I need you to keep an eye on someone. Just don’t let him notice you.”

***

Before a red military camp, Song He felt even more frustrated after watching his subordinate commanders and cultivators’ morale boosted because of Gu Han’s actions.

He ignored their greetings and entered the military tent. “Don’t disturb me unless it’s important!”

With Gu Han’s reputation, Song He knew very well that killing him on the battlefield and then escaping to the barbarian territory would be significantly harder. He would only have one chance.

Killing intent seethed within him. “I will devise a perfect plan! I will definitely slaughter that little brat and make him pay for my son’s life!”

At that moment, he was completely unaware that two pairs of eyes had already fixed on him in secret.

***

After arranging for the two, Gu Han found Murong Yan and the others, he gave them a few brief instructions. Then he re-entered his own camp, taking out the Void Essence Crystal. Whether on the battlefield or in conflicts between cultivators, strength was the most crucial factor determining success or failure.

Just then, the sound of a zither drifted in from outside. Soft and melodious, it flowed into his heart like a babbling spring. He felt his mind calm and spirit clear. The trace of fatigue and bloodthirst from the previous battles instantly vanished without a trace.

He smiled slightly. “Miss Xue, how thoughtful of you.”

Just as he was about to focus his mind for cultivation, a waft of fragrant breeze approached, and a cup of spirit tea appeared on the desk before him. The tea’s aroma was refreshing, steam swirling and lingering, clearly of extremely high quality.

When he looked up, he saw Zhao Mengyou, whose face was slightly flushed and hesitant.

Gu Han was puzzled. “Where did this come from?”

Zhao Mengyou simply bit her lip lightly.

“Is there more?”

Zhao Mengyou felt a small flutter of joy. “Yes.”

This spirit tea was her favorite drink at the Tiansheng Hall, and she had brought some with her.

Gu Han considered. “Give some to Senior Xue and Miss Xue as well. Their foundations are weak, so this spirit tea would be good for them.”

Zhao Mengyou stormed off in a huff. “Hmph!”

Gu Han shook his head. Women will only slow down my sword.

Of course, Ah Sha was an exception. Pushing the thought aside, he collected himself. His divine sense instantly expanded, interacting with the surrounding space. The Supreme Stage divine sense came with many benefits, one of which was a heightened sensitivity to space.

Coupled with the assistance of the Void Essence Crystal, the surrounding space gradually became clearer within his divine sense. It was indistinct like a watery film, vibrating incessantly at a peculiar frequency. He had to infuse it with his own spirit power to blend it seamlessly.

Soon, Gu Han was completely absorbed in the process. As time passed, his cultivation advanced at a rate that would leave anyone speechless.

***

Time flew by and over ten days had passed. During this period, Divine Physician Xue took full charge of pill refinement, coordinating all the necessary spirit herbs for the three pill types. The most important were the herbs capable of replenishing vitality. Fortunately, the empire possessed ample resources, with countless varieties of spirit herbs, including the divine essence.

Not only that, the empire also possessed the God-Slaying Formation, sealing a portion of a divine corpse. However, unlike the chaotic and declining Northern Domain, no one would dare set their sights there with the Flame Emperor around.

Besides him, everyone else seized the opportunity to cultivate fervently, preparing for the next great battle. As for Gu Han, though he remained unseen, his achievements and reputation had already spread throughout every army and camp.

Vanguard Gu, the sharpest sword! This title was constantly on people’s lips. Gu Han had become a source of pride in their hearts, much like Feng Xi in her time.

Fatty hadn’t been idle either. How could the straightforward Liao Zheng possibly be a match for him? Within just a few days, he had Liao Zheng patting his chest and bestowing upon him the title of Grand Vanguard Fu, which delighted Fatty a lot.

He frequently showed his face, taking the opportunity to subtly demonstrate the fact that he had rung the Dao Bell nine times. Despite his thick skin, he was also genuinely a strong cultivator, automatically attracting many followers.

One Vanguard and one Grand Vanguard. The border army collectively hailed them as the Twin Pillars of the Great Flame.

The only displeased one was Yun Lie. “This is outrageous! What bullshit Twin Pillars of the Great Flame?! Nonsense, absolute nonsense!”

On top of being furious and envious, he also felt a deep sense of loss. Although he was a prince, having rung the Dao Bell eight times, he had never experienced such glory.

Beside him, Ji Cheng and Song He shook their heads silently. The ninth prince was good in every way. In terms of aptitude and cultivation, he could be considered a leader among his generation. His narrow-mindedness was his biggest setback. How could such a person ever achieve great things?

They wondered why had that person from the Northern Domain chose Yun Lie specifically.

The two exchanged a glance. “Your Highness, we must prioritize the bigger plan and endure for now. After you meet with that person, how could these two possibly be your match?”

Song He tone was cold as his eyes brimmed with confidence. “Indeed! Gu Han is not worth worrying about! These past days, I have made thorough preparations. When the great battle arrives, that will be his demise!”

Yun Lie’s pent-up frustration was somewhat eased.

Suddenly, commotion erupted outside.

He snapped. “What is it?!”

A cultivator rushed over excitedly from outside. “Your Highness, word has come from the central military camp. It seems the Little Prince has returned!”

Yun Lie took a deep breath. “Yun Fan?”

“Let’s go see for ourselves!”

“I want to know what kind of game they’re playing!”

After the three left, not far from the military camp, Zhou Ye and Wang Yong slowly materialized. Over the past days, most of the trio’s actions had not escaped their notice.

Something’s off!

This isn’t right!

Remembering Gu Han’s instructions, the two shot each other a challenging look before concealing themselves again. This time, no matter what, they had to be faster than one another!

***

In Gu Han’s camp, space rippled with activity. The Void Essence Crystal had shrunk by nearly two-thirds. His aura was faint, almost merging entirely with the space around him.

In less than half a month, he was at the sixth stage of the Soaring realm. Relying on his Supreme Stage divine sense and the Void Essence Crystal, his cultivation speed was almost ten times faster than an ordinary cultivator.

Just as he was about to push forward in one go and break through to the ninth stage of the Soaring realm, Yun Fan called out excitedly from outside, “Brother Gu, I’m back!”

Gu Han stirred. Space rippled subtly for an instant, leaving a faint afterimage in his original spot as he moved outside. That was when he noticed the resistance in space had decreased significantly.

Outside, Yun Fan looked travel-worn. Just as he was about to call out again, he suddenly found someone standing before him.

His eyes widened. “Brother Gu? You’re even faster than before!”

Gu Han smiled. “You’ve worked hard. How did it go with what I asked you to do?”

Thinking of Gu Han’s plan, Yun Fan’s spirits lifted, and his fatigue melted away. “Rest assured. This time, I’m definitely going to knock their socks off!”