Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han pondered thoughtfully. Compared to the first two passes, this third pass seemed somewhat special. It resembled the heart refinement aspect of the human tribulation, only far less dangerous and difficult.

Therefore, it should be effortless for someone like him, who had already overcome the human tribulation. Thinking of this, he relaxed, and his gaze fell on Fatty not far away.

He saw Fatty muttering discontentedly, “So what if I came in last?! Doesn’t that make me a person anymore? Not even half a reward? Is the Great Dao this stingy too?”

His beady eyes darted around, as if trying to find whoever had arrived first and snatch their reward.

Gu Han couldn’t be bothered with him. Just as he was about to look at the others, a sudden change occurred. The immortal light, which had been separated by an endlessly vast distance, converged rapidly toward him. The light shone brightly, blurring the figures of those around him.

His expression turned serious as he quickly warned, “Fatty, be careful—”

Without warning, the immortal light transformed into a portal about a zhang long, revealing an incredibly magnificent sleeping chamber. A white jade bed stood at the center of the room.

Through the curtains, one could vaguely see a slightly naive woman of peerless beauty. Tightly hugging a jade pillow, she lay there without any grace, sleeping soundly. Her white dress was wrinkled from her sleeping posture, leaving her snow-white arms exposed. A trace of saliva hung at the corner of her mouth, adding a touch of playful cuteness.

In her sleep, she kept babbling, “Young Master... I miss you so much... I want to eat fried chicken...”

Gu Han was stunned and could no longer look away. “Ah Sha!”

Not far away, Fatty cursed as his eyes darted around nonstop. “Stingy!”

He genuinely wanted to find the number one from the previous pass and swindle the reward out of them. “Who is it? Could it be that scar-faced guy? It must be him! How dare he steal my number one spot? Outrageous!”

Just then, a trace of vast heavenly might descended, transforming into a mountain-like pressure that fell upon him!

His heart leaped. “Golden Bell!”

Golden light blazed from him, blocking the pressure. The sounds of rolling thunder came unceasingly. As the heavenly might grew heavier, the pressure it brought seemed endless. His golden light trembled uncontrollably, even showing cracks.

Unlike Gu Han, Fatty did not sense the anomaly. He still thought the rules were the same as the previous two passes: whoever held out until the end was the biggest winner.

He swept his gaze. Everyone seemed grim, sweat faintly visible on their foreheads, as if enduring immense pressure.

Fatty fiercely cried, “First place is mine! no one can take it!”

His golden light doubled in intensity, and the wobbling Golden Bell immediately stabilized.

From various stone pillars, sounds of spitting blood came unceasingly. Some obviously couldn’t hold on and were eliminated. The more this happened, the stronger Fatty’s golden light grew. Hold on! As long as I hold on a little longer than the other bastards, I’ll be the biggest winner!

In the sky above, the thunder grew increasingly violent. Fatty was resolute as he stood firm, unmoving.

Following that, a muffled groan came. It was Gu Han not far away, turning pale. Not only did his soaring aura vanish, but a trace of blood also seeped from the corner of his mouth.

“I can’t hold on anymore!”

Fatty looked up to the sky and laughed wildly. I won! Even this bastard couldn’t hold on and lost to me! Is there anyone else!

If he weren’t afraid of being ganged up on, he would have loved to shout those words with gusto. Just then, the pressure disappeared. A ball of golden light slowly descended and stopped in front of him. First place! Reward: Three saint herbs!

Envy, jealousy, admiration, fervor—all kinds of gazes immediately surrounded him.

“The name ‘Heaven-Conquering Prince’ is truly deserved!”

“Brother Yulin, you’re just too amazing!”

Even Zhao Mengyou conceded defeat, “You damned Fatty, you’re pretty capable.”

Feng Xi’s expression was cold, but there was a trace of surprise in her eyes. “Impressive.”

Gu Han smiled wryly and shook his head. “Fatty, you really did something!”

Fatty was insufferably smug, stuffing the saint herbs into his embrace, feigning modesty. “It was alright. What’s so great about ringing the Dao Bell nine times, anyway? Anyone can do that.”

He waved his hand grandly, his spirit heroic as he declared, “Let’s go! If you want to pass, follow me!”

Instantly, a large crowd gathered around him, all following him toward the next pass.

***

Meanwhile, Feng Xi stood on a stone pillar, expressionless as ever. She gently removed the wine gourd from her waist. Just as she was about to take a hearty drink, her eyes swept sideways, spotting a familiar figure in the far distance.

In that instant, she crushed the wine gourd to pieces. The clear wine scattered down, but before it could hit the ground, it transformed into endless crimson flames that swirled around her ceaselessly.

She gritted the words out, “Yun! Tu!”

A phoenix cry rang out, and she transformed. Ignoring the cries and the puzzled gazes of those around her, she landed before that person. Resentment and bloodlust overflowed from her gaze. As if sensing Feng Xi’s arrival, the young man with a languid expression slowly turned around. His hands were tucked into his sleeves, looking quite casual.

He seemed somewhat surprised, then smiled. “Little Sister? You’re here too?”

The hatred in Feng Xi’s eyes only grew stronger. “You deserve to die!”

Yun Tu was the Flame Emperor’s fourth son. There was nothing about him that could be considered outstanding. In fact, he was the most unremarkable of all the emperor’s sons. Everyone barely even remembered him.

However, it was this very prince who had faked his death a hundred years ago. He fled to the Northern Domain and pledged allegiance to Yun Ao. At first, only the Flame Emperor’s brothers and Elder Cen knew about this.

Yun Tu sighed with emotion. “Little Sister, even though we’re not related by blood, I’ve always treated you like my own little sister. Yet you want to kill me the moment we meet. Aren’t you a bit too ruthless?”

Feng Xi’s crimson flames on her grew even more intense.

Seemingly guessing her thoughts, Yun Tu sighed. “You’re still blaming me for what happened to Seventh Brother? Actually, he was better than me in every way. He was the best son Father ever had! If I could, I wouldn’t have killed him. But I had no choice.

“To the Dragon Ancestor clan, my ambition is nothing short of high treason! Without obtaining his Hidden Dragon Physique, how could I dare to show myself? I’d have to watch my every move. How am I supposed to realize my grand ambitions then? Remember this, Little Sister. Those who seek greatness can kill even their closest kin!”