Supreme Sword Exalt

Yun Fan passionately explained his purpose to Divine Physician Xue, took the pills, and departed with Li Xun. Moments later, Xue Yu approached her grandfather with her zither in hand, her gaze dim.

The aged physician sighed. “Xiao Yu, your cultivation is too low, and you have no combat experience whatsoever. The battlefield is not suitable for you.”

Xue Yu remained silent. Her delicate fingers lightly caressed the jade zither as she silently resolved herself. I will and I can definitely help somehow!

***

Twenty li outside the military camp, the Great Flame Border Army had already assembled, awaiting the barbarians’ arrival. A dark mass of cultivators stretched endlessly, as far as the eye could see. Despite their numbers, they maintained order amid the chaos, as if well-practiced in such formations.

Among them, the Fengyi Army stood out for having many female cultivators. One of them, plain in appearance, swept her gaze over Gu Han before lowering her head again.

The barbarians drew closer, and the ground shook more violently. The expressions on the cultivators’ faces grew increasingly grave.

In the distance, Yun Lie glanced at Fatty. The chubby man stood before the Blazing Flame Army, looking all smug and self-satisfied. A flicker of intense dissatisfaction appeared in Yun Lie’s eyes. That was originally mine!

As if sensing his gaze, Fatty looked back at Yun Lie and grinned broadly, obviously mocking him. Yun Lie clenched his fists instantly.

Ji Cheng remained composed. “Your Highness, focus on the bigger picture. There’s no need to hurry.”

Beside him, Song He expressionlessly withdrew his gaze from Gu Han. Excellent! Those two still haven’t shown up! My plan is foolproof!

Fatty quietly approached Gu Han. “Be careful. Those bastards look suspiciously calm to me.”

Gu Han remained expressionless. “Don’t worry. I am actually hoping they will make a move.”

Fatty was momentarily stunned, but he quickly caught on. “Huh? Oh... So those two, who were always at odds...”

Neither Wang Yong nor Zhou Ye had appeared in nearly a month. Almost everyone assumed they had left the military camp.

Since Gu Han didn’t deny it, Fatty sighed with emotion. “You’re too devious. I have to learn from you!”

Gu Han sneered. “They’ll live if they don’t try anything shady. But if they do, then don’t blame me!”

Unsure whether Song He would act, he had Zhou Ye and Wang Yong lie low as a precaution.

Suddenly, the ground shook violently. Dozens of small dots appeared on the distant horizon, turning half the sky red. The War God Hall elders were close, led by Xian He and the chieftains of various major tribes.

The barbarians’ way of life resembled the demonic beasts in some ways. Despite lacking sect divisions, they organized their forces by tribes. Barbarians occupied nearly the entire Northern Domain, with countless tribes of all sizes unified under the War God Hall’s command.

The barbarians were practically an entity. That was why they still oppressed the Great Flame Empire despite its formidable strength.

After some time, countless barbarians also came into view. Their numbers were nearly twice that of the border army. Their surging qi, connected as one, seemed poised to sweep away everything. Coupled with their tall, robust physiques, they exerted immense pressure on everyone.

Feng Xi narrowed her phoenix-like eyes, transforming into a red blur as she charged first. “Defeat them with me!”

With a clear cry, a gorgeous, heavenly phoenix phantom manifested from her eyes. The bird, over ten zhang long, circled at her side.

In the crowd, Li Xun’s expression darkened slightly. He gulped hard, his legs trembling slightly. I’ve acted rashly! This is completely different from what I imagined!

He was a bit dumbfounded. Though he and the other families occasionally clashed and fought, it rarely ever involved life-or-death battles. At best, it amounted to a brawl, filled with harsh words and empty motions. That incident outside the secret realm, where two Half-Step Transcendent cultivators died in succession, had already scarred him.

Now, the number of people on both sides was beyond counting. Not to mention Half-Step Transcendent, even Transcendent cultivators could fall at any moment. Casualties would be even greater for those with lower cultivation.

Yun Fan appeared puzzled. “Court Master Li, what’s wrong?”

Li Xun forced himself to appear calm. “Little Prince, many will die in this kind of war, right?”

Yun Fan nodded. “Indeed. Everyone here could die at any moment, myself included. Since this is your first time facing such a scene, it’s normal to be afraid.”

Li Xun waved his hand with feigned boldness. “Who said I’m afraid! I merely feel my heart surging with emotion, unable to contain myself. I-I wish to charge forward right now and a-annihilate every last barbarian. W-why should cultivators like us fear death?”

Yun Fan was filled with sincere admiration. “Court Master Li, you’re a true hero! I misjudged you earlier!”

Nearby, Zhao Mengyou was also pale. Nevertheless, she clung stubbornly to the thought that she couldn’t let Gu Han look down on her. She gritted her teeth and held firm.

Upon seeing the barbarians draw ever closer, Old Liao raised his arm in a rallying cry. “Slay the enemy!”

A formidable aura erupted from him as he charged forth.

“Kill!”

“Kill!”

In an instant, the voices of the border army cultivators merged into one. Their combined might and killing intent dispersed part of the barbarians’ qi.

Having fought for years, their hatred had long passed the point of reconciliation. Like two torrents colliding, the armies clashed instantly, signaling the start of the battle.

A War God Hall elder smiled grimly. “Princess Feng Xi, it’s been days. You remain as radiant as ever!”

Feng Xi didn’t waste words on him. Lightly removing her wine gourd, she casually splashed its contents. A large swath of clear wine transformed into mist, drifting toward the elder.

The elder’s pupils contracted sharply. Shit!

His qi surged, completely blocking the mist. Just then, the heavenly phoenix beside Feng Xi cried out. The mist ignited, transforming into a sheet of flames that spread like wildfire, continuously advancing toward him. His once-vigorous qi withered rapidly.

He urgently cried in pain, “Help!”

In the blink of an eye, four more rushed over. Judging by their qi alone, they weren’t that far off from Zhou Ye and Wang Yong. The five surrounded her, trapping her at the center.

Her eyes gleamed fiercely, and a terrifying, blazing intent erupted, distorting even space itself. As the blazing intent surged, her phoenix-adorned battle skirt only grew more vibrant. After all, it was Yu Miao’s proudest work.

The barbarians had far more Transcendent cultivators than the empire. Feng Xi took on five. The composed old man, who was a peak Transcendent powerhouse on par with Wang Yong and Zhou Ye, effortlessly faced three. Among the rest, Old Liao and another marquis each fought two, barely balancing the high-end combat power on both sides.

At the end of the day, Old Liao was only at the eighth stage of the Transcendent realm. Facing two body cultivators whose cultivation was no lower than his, he struggled tremendously.

Suddenly, a flash of golden light appeared beside him. It was Fatty!

Old Liao gritted his teeth and unleashed a powerful strike, temporarily forcing the two back and gaining a moment to breathe.

Fatty glanced sideways, shaking his head repeatedly. “Old Liao, you’re not cutting it. Let me lend you a hand.”

With a grave expression, Old Liao replied, “Brother Yulin, these body cultivators are thick-skinned and much harder to deal with than ordinary cultivators at the same realm. Can you manage?”

Fatty’s face darkened. “Old Liao! Who are you looking down on?! My defense is second best in the world!”

Even on the battlefield, Old Liao was stunned for a moment, instinctively asking, “Huh? Who’s first?”

Fatty clasped his hands behind his back, grinning arrogantly. “Count all body cultivators under heaven, one by one. If I claim second place in defense, who would dare claim first?”

Old Liao was baffled. Brother Yulin is even more arrogant than Vanguard Gu!

Just then, the two barbarians closed in again.

One laughed coldly. “No one would dare claim first? How arrogant! Just who do you think you are?!”

In an instant, Fatty’s golden light intensified severalfold, nearly engulfing his entire being.

He scoffed. “You bitch, listen well! I am the tenth marquis of the Great Flame Empire! Grand Marshal Fu Yulin!”