Supreme Sword Exalt

The forbidden zone’s depths had uncharacteristically become extremely quiet. Nevertheless, it seemed that the appearance of the gold ladder had awakened some ancient, fearsome existences.

Beneath the shroud of terrifying aura, the ever-present sounds of ghostly wails and demonic howls had vanished entirely, replaced by unintelligible murmurs and chatterings. However, none of these strange changes caught the old blind man’s attention—or rather, he no longer had the energy to pay attention.

As the strange mist churned, he sat cross-legged, his eyes closed. His appearance was gaunt and withered, his aura decaying. It was nearly impossible to find a single trace of life force anywhere on him. He appeared no different from a dead man. In fact, his origin had already scattered a thousand years ago, severing his life force and crippling him.

He had only made it this far through sheer willpower. For a thousand years, he nurtured his sword to slay a god, and exact his revenge for the 137 fellow disciples of the Profound Heaven Sword Sect. If he didn’t take this revenge, his lingering regret would never fade.

His wooden staff stood upright before him. It remained unbending even before the might of the Great Dao. This was his sword. And even more so, his sword bone.

***

A hazy, indistinct mist of light awaited them at the end of the gold ladder. Peering through the mist, one could vaguely make out a scene within.

Without hesitation, Gu Han and Fatty exchanged a glance and stepped into the mist. “Go!”

As the two left, the gold ladders beneath their feet also slowly dissipated, turning into nothingness. In a daze, the two had arrived in an almost boundless white jade plaza. There seemed to be a transparent protective barrier within the endless distance.

Auspicious clouds and immortal mists swirled beyond the barrier, and endless, towering mountain ranges rose and fell. It was far more majestic and magnificent than the solitary peak where the Central Dao Palace stood.

Between the mountain ranges, some pavilions, terraces, towers, golden palaces, and jade halls floated in midair. Countless rare birds and strange beasts darted to and fro. It was beautiful, unlike the mortal world. Directly ahead, there was a towering, ten-thousand-zhang tall white jade archway.

Many exquisite patterns and inscriptions adorned the archway. Shrouded in a faint layer of immortal light, they appeared even more miraculous and extraordinary. Gradually, more and more people entered but the plaza was so vast that even with so many people entering, it still seemed extremely sparse.

As if by agreement, a question arose in everyone’s mind: Where is this?

Then, Zuo Yang and the others reunited with Gu Han and Fatty, staring intently at this strange plaza.

After sensing for a moment, Gu Han frowned. No matter how he tried to activate the white sword intent, there was no response at all. Perhaps it had been sealed to prevent him from cheating. The Great Evolution Sword Scripture in the farther distance remained brilliant, seemingly unaffected.

He wasn’t too disappointed. Since there were no Feather Transformation realm cultivators here, he believed he had nothing to fear from anyone.

Just as he was thinking, someone cried in shock, “Brother Gu!”

It was Xiao Yang and Hua Xing, who had also trotted over.

Fatty appeared disgusted. “What are you doing here?! Outer domain people should stay with outer domains. Why are you mingling with us? When we’re grabbing treasures later, we’ll be opponents!”

The two were very dissatisfied. Who cares?! We don’t think much of those people at all! Even if we’re from the outer domain, our hearts belong to the five domains, okay?!

Just as they were about to retort, Yun Fan’s face lit up with surprise as he waved vigorously.

In the far distance was a woman in a fiery red dress, her expression as cold as ice. The wine gourd strapped to her waist added a touch of heroic boldness to her already breathtaking beauty. Her phoenix-like eyes swept around repeatedly, as if searching for something.

Yun Fan called out, “Sister!”

When Feng Xi turned around and saw them, the frost on her face gave way to a gentle warmth. Regardless of gender, those slightly close to her lost focus in an instant.

Xiao Yang was even more pathetic. I found her! I’ve finally found her again! That lady in the red dress... Not only is she Brother Gu’s senior sister, but also Brother Yun’s sister? What a coincidence!

Still begrudging the fact that Xiao Yang had stolen his lackey position, Yun Fan asked loudly, “You like my sister?!”

Xiao Yang’s face flushed crimson, his gaze darting around.

Yan Qi appeared serious. “What are you looking for? Shall I help you look?”

Without even thinking, Zhao Mengyou blurted out, “A crack in the ground!”

Xiao Yang wanted to die!

Upon seeing Feng Xi arrive before them, they were overjoyed. “Senior Sister!”

Feng Xi smiled slightly at them. Only her closest family ever saw such an expression from her, and even then, it was exceedingly rare. After a brief catch-up, she prepared to leave again.

However, Gu Han noticed she seemed preoccupied with something. “Senior Sister, what are you going to do?”

Feng Xi was silent for a moment. “I am looking for someone.”

Due to how enormous the plaza was, everyone was split into small groups. Even someone of her caliber wouldn’t be able to comb this plaza overnight.

Gu Han turned serious. “I’ll help you look.”

Others didn’t understand, but he had vaguely guessed that the person Feng Xi wanted to find was most likely her fourth brother, Yun Tu.

Feng Xi shook her head. “No. Just focus on competing for your opportunity.”

She was gone in an instant.

Xiao Yang felt a wave of loss. Sure enough, she didn’t even glance at me!

Yun Fan patted his shoulder, though it sounded like comfort. “Don’t overthink it. For my sister to like you, unless heaven and earth collapse, and an era ends...”

“Then it might be possible?”

“No, it’s still impossible.”

Xiao Yang was speechless. Is he comforting me or what?! His words nearly pierced my heart like a sieve!

Yun Fan sighed. “You don’t understand. It’s absolutely impossible for her to like a man!”

Everyone deeply agreed, even Gu Han nodded. Feng Xi was beautiful to the extreme, but in their hearts, few saw her as a woman. Her heart held only the endless starry sky, only drinking and becoming stronger. Men... sorry, they didn’t exist.

Just then, Fatty quietly sidled up to Gu Han. “Your sword, lend it to me for a bit.”

“What for?”

Fatty pointed at the ground. “This stuff is probably something good. Let’s pry up a few pieces and take them back to see if they’re worth anything?”

The ground was paved with chi-sized chunks of greenish-white jade. Amid the shimmering immortal light, it looked quite impressive.

Everyone appeared disdainful.

Even Yan Qi secretly sighed to himself. The prince is fine in every way, but why can’t he change his greedy habit?

Gu Han’s face darkened. “Fucking Fatty, have you gone crazy with poverty?! Why don’t you just move that archway away?!”

“I tried... I can’t move it.”

Gu Han was baffled and refused decisively, “Fuck off!”

No longer the poor wretch he had once been, he now cared about his reputation and couldn’t bring himself to do something so classless. “If you want to dig, do it yourself, don’t drag me into—”

Suddenly, Hua Xing turned serious, sounding somewhat excited. “If I’m not mistaken, this should be the legendary Azure Spirit Jade!”

“What is that?”

Hua Xing took a deep breath. “The Azure Spirit Jade is an extremely rare material for artifact forging. Even in the Ancient Cang Realm, it’s quite rare. If you add a piece during forging, it can elevate the quality of an artifact by an entire level, and also make it easier to nurture spirit!

“Two pieces could be traded for a saint herb, and it’s a seller’s market! I didn’t expect that here, it’s just used for paving. Just what kind of place is—”

A sword cry rang out, interrupting him. Looking over, Gu Han now held a black sword.

Upon seeing everyone’s strange looks, he explained, “Don’t get me wrong. As a sword cultivator, the sword is my everything. Is it unreasonable for me to let my old partner out for some fresh air?”

The long sword hummed softly, as if responding.

Everyone was rendered speechless. Perfectly reasonable!