Supreme Sword Exalt

Inside a white military camp, Zhao Mengyou stared blankly at the ground, full of concern. She understood all that talk of tea ceremony and music artistry was merely her own wishful thinking. Although Gu Han’s attitude toward her had changed, there wasn’t the slightest hint of romance in it.

Just as she was thinking this, a commotion broke out outside. When she was about to take a look, a plain-looking female cultivator walked in from outside.

Zhao Mengyou froze for a moment. “Who are you?”

“Me?” A deep yet faint glint flashed in the female cultivator’s eyes, and she smiled softly, like a hundred flowers blooming. “I am you.”

As she slowly approached, she underwent a heaven-defying transformation. By the time she had gotten close, she had already become another Zhao Mengyou. The real divine maiden stood there in a daze, as if oblivious to it all.

The female cultivator nodded with satisfaction. “It’s done.”

Whether in demeanor, expression, or temperament and voice, she was indistinguishable from the actual Zhao Mengyou.

Then, she pressed her delicate finger against Zhao Mengyou’s brow. “There won’t be any flaws.”

A deep light enveloped the real divine maiden, gradually transforming her appearance.

The female cultivator gently wiped the fine sweat from her forehead. Leaning closer to Zhao Mengyou’s ear, she whispered, “Dear sister, I’m going to help you fulfill your wish. You wait here, and be good, okay?”

The real Zhao Mengyou nodded, her gaze vacant.

***

Outside the military camp, because Li Xun made trips every few days, the seven war god heads were preserved extremely well. They hung high on the cliff face, becoming the pride of all the Great Flame Border Army. Of course, it was a tremendous humiliation for the barbarian tribe.

In fact, Tuo Jun’s qi went berserk the moment he saw them. “Trash! All of you are nothing but trash! You brought utter disgrace upon the War God Hall!”

***

In the distance, Old Liao and the others stood in front of the assembled border army.

“It’s actually him?”

“He hasn’t appeared on the battlefield for a year, so I’d almost forgotten about him.”

“We can’t underestimate him!”

Old Liao glanced upward and cursed, “Hmph! He’s being really cautious. It seems they attach great importance to Tuo Jun.”

The border army couldn’t sense it, but he knew very well that a Saint realm guardian was backing Tuo Jun, hiding not far away.

***

Tuo Jun frowned slightly. Despite having arrived outside the military camp, he still couldn’t enter the human tribulation state. Still, given that human tribulation was elusive, he knew forcing it was useless.

A barbarian cautiously asked, “War God, what should we do now?”

Tuo Jun remained impassive. “Follow the plan.”

For now, his objective was to retrieve the heads, wash away the shame of the War God Hall, and severely dampen the morale of the border army. As for Gu Han, Tuo Jun had never taken him seriously from the start.

The barbarian stepped forward with a grim expression. “Where is he?! Where’s your damn vanguard?! Now that the first war god is here, why doesn’t he dare come out? You coward! If you know what’s good for you, just return those heads to us, or bear the consequences!”

The border army completely erupted. Gu Han’s prestige was so high now, they couldn’t allow the barbarians to insult him. They indignantly hurled insults after insults.

“Despicable creature!”

“How dare you insult Vanguard Gu?!”

“It seems they’ve forgotten how Vanguard Gu slaughtered them so ruthlessly on the battlefield!”

The barbarian sneered. “Then why doesn’t he dare come out! If he doesn’t dare, then tell that woman Feng Xi to come out—”

The sound of something zipping through the air, followed by waves of sonic booms, resounded right in front of him. Countless strands of sword qi shot out in all directions, grazing him all over.

Gu Han!

The barbarian’s pupils contracted sharply. “You—”

Talking big was one thing, but any barbarian who had seen Gu Han was afraid of him. Before he could speak, a streak of sword light blazed forth.

At that moment, Tuo Jun’s qi erupted as he struck out his palm at Gu Han. “You’re asking for death!”

That qi carried a faint reddish-golden hue. Wherever it passed, the ground shattered and exploded. Waves of unbearable scorching heat spread out, its power extremely formidable.

Suddenly, Fatty’s angry roar rang out. “Bastard! I’m here! How dare you, a mere barbarian, act so insolently!”

A golden light descended, meeting the qi head-on.

After a deafening explosion, both sides retreated in a flash. The barbarian looked thoroughly frightened, about to turn and thank Tuo Jun. But with just a slight movement, his head instantly rolled off and landed beside Tuo Jun.

The border army soldiers’ eyes burned with fervor as they raised their arms and screamed.

“Vanguard Gu!”

“Heaven-Conquering Prince!”

“Mighty and invincible!”

Fatty curled his lip. Why is my name after his?!

Tuo Jun’s qi surged again, instantly blasting the head into a mist of blood. He stared at Gu Han. “Are you the vanguard?”

His qi never stopped surging. Faint, mysterious patterns emerged on his red armor, making it seem even more extraordinary.

Fatty narrowed his eyes. “This dude’s got some skills.”

He could tell that Tuo Jun’s strength was far, far greater than the second war god’s. They weren’t even on the same level.

Gu Han also glanced at Tuo Jun. “Not bad. You must be the one who slipped through the net, right?”

Tuo Jun’s gaze turned cold. “No wonder those trash died at your hands. It seems like you do have some skill, but that’s all.”

Gu Han nodded. “Indeed. With my modest skill, I can only manage to slaughter the worthless war gods.”

The atmosphere became tense in just a few exchanges.

Nevertheless, as the first war god, Tuo Jun was too self-assured to be provoked by Gu Han’s measly words. “Didn’t you say that if we want the heads, we should come find you?”

“You want to take them?”

Tuo Jun stared at him. “Two choices. Either you give me the heads and bow your head in apology to me. Considering your low cultivation, I’ll temporarily spare your life, and on the battlefield another day, I’ll take it then. Or, I’ll follow the rule you set, kill you, and then take back these heads!”

Fatty sneered. “You want to fight? I will fight you!”

“What, afraid? So you’re just all talk?”

Fatty’s expression darkened slightly. “This barbarian has some brains.”

Tuo Jun was using Gu Han’s own words to force him into a choice. If Gu Han backed down now, most of what he had achieved before would be undone.

In the distance, Zhao Mengyou and Xue Yu were also in the crowd.

Xue Yu was full of worry. “What do we do? Neither choice is good for Young Master...”

Zhao Mengyou shook her head. “He won’t choose either. If he makes a choice, it will only be more dangerous and unexpected.”

Yun Fan scratched his head. “How do you know that?”

Zhao Mengyou turned her face away. “Hmph! I just do!”

***

Just then, someone said contemptuously from the void, “He was the one who said it, but now he wants to go back on his word! When facing the weak, you spout arrogance. When facing the strong, you cower! The Great Flame Border Army are all just this kind of disgustingly hypocritical and shameless people—”

Before the words finished, a powerful Saint aura suddenly erupted. Following that, there were waves of angry roars and bellows, mixed with bursts of terrifying power that descended.

After a moment, a figure in a blue robe landed before the crowd. It was the War Prince!

He coldly glanced at Tuo Jun. “You don’t need to choose! And these heads won’t be given to them! If you want war, then let there be war!”

Tuo Jun sneered inwardly. This was an open scheme. No matter what Gu Han chose, Tuo Jun would be the winner.

Unexpectedly, Gu Han shook his head and pointed toward the heads on the cliff. “Senior, don’t you think something’s missing?”

“What is it?”

Gu Han stared fixedly at Tuo Jun. “It’s a bit of a shame that we’re missing the head of the first war god.”