Supreme Sword Exalt

The mist that had concealed the Azure Spirit Jade was at the very top, so Fatty had flown the highest, and now he had also fallen the hardest. He slammed heavily onto the ground face-first. Of course, a face-first landing was actually safer for him.

“What’s going on?!”

Before anyone could speak, a trace of dao essence descended, bringing a flash of understanding to everyone’s mind. The fifth pass was ascending the heavenly ladder. The first to reach the top would be the first place in this pass.

Without giving anyone a chance, Fatty pushed off the ground and leaped onto one of the white jade steps, chuckling. “Everyone, I will take first place—”

The white jade step beneath his feet trembled for an instant, then vanished without a trace. Caught off guard, he fell again. Up in the air, the vanished step seemed gone forever, never to reappear.

Everyone’s expressions turned grim. The previously relaxed situation instantly became tense. They understood the rules completely now. Once someone stepped on a step, it would immediately disappear, never to return. In other words, as more people went up, the steps would dwindle until only a few remained, or even none at all. Those who couldn’t get on would be eliminated.

Just looking at the number of steps, at least half would be eliminated, and that was assuming everyone cooperated without fighting over them. Of course, that was never going to happen.

At that moment, the plaza trembled more violently, and even the ground took on a transparent look. When the plaza completely vanished, the fifth pass would be over. Everyone went crazy and immediately hopped onto the steps in front of them.

“Get lost! Don’t block the way!”

“That’s total bullshit! I saw it first!”

“Who dares to block me? I’ll destroy them!”

All hope for cooperation was lost. Everyone was only looking out for themselves.

At that moment, two people simultaneously stepped onto the same step. The Gold List seemed to have anticipated this. Before their feet could land firmly, the step vanished into thin air. Their feet met empty space, and they fell to the ground again.

Upon seeing this, the last shred of hope in everyone’s hearts vanished. In just a moment, the already scarce steps had decreased.

Driven by anxiety, they could no longer hold back and started fighting fiercely. For a time, amid shouts, curses, and the roar of various divine abilities, the scene descended into chaos. However, fighting aside, they still retained some sense. There were a few people they dared not provoke: Qiu Qian, Luo Wushuang, and Mei Yun.

Suddenly, a cultivator shouted furiously, “Get lost!”

Enraged because Wu Xin had stolen a step that belonged to him, a cultivator struck out with a palm. “Little bald donkey, you’re asking for—”

In the next moment, a streak of white light descended, vaguely forming a buddhist swastika that spun and landed on him. That cultivator didn’t even have time to cry out before crashing heavily, lying on the ground as blood poured from his mouth, completely incapacitated. In the blink of an eye, Wu Xin was added to the list of people no one dared to provoke.

In the distance, Gu Han’s group was far more leisurely and composed than the rest. With Mei Yun, Gu Han, and Feng Xi deterring any challengers, no one dared compete with them. Moreover, before going to the Central Dao Palace, the two had tested the limit of Mei Yun’s ability: three thousand zhang.

Originally, Yan Qi had wanted to carry them all up, but the pressure increased tenfold for each additional person on his back. Clearly, the Gold List had anticipated this as well. They had no choice but to climb step by step. Fortunately, their bond was deep, and they utilized every step to its fullest.

Even Hua Xing benefited from this. He felt a bit emotional, and even a strange sense of superiority. “Ah... Xiao Yang is so pitiful—”

Suddenly, his foot met empty space, and he plummeted straight down. Looking up, Wu Xin had somehow stolen the step Gu Han and the others had left for him.

Hua Xing cursed loudly, “Fuck you, you little bald monkey!!!”

Wu Xin ignored him, smiling as he advanced. “Benefactor, could you help me—”

A barrage of overwhelmingly powerful attacks—sword aura, a heavenly phoenix, a golden bell, a blade, and jade needles—rained down on him.

Without flinching, Gu Han continued to urge the group forward. “Help my ass!”

As for Hua Xing, Gu Han didn’t plan to save him. They weren’t that close to begin with, and he couldn’t save Hua Xing anyway. Wu Xin was another story entirely. Gu Han never let his guard down around the young monk. He felt that compared to Luo Wushuang, Wu Xin was the real madman, a complete lunatic devoid of any humanity.

No matter how strong Wu Xin was, he couldn’t withstand their combined attack. He went pale as he coughed up blood, plummeting. The little monk fell incredibly fast and was about to overtake Hua Xing in an instant.

Hua Xing felt satisfaction as he laughed heartily. “Harm others, harm yourself, you little bald—”

Wu Xin stomped heavily on Hua Xing’s chest, using the recoil to launch himself sideways, landing in the distance. He was using everyone as stepping stones to forcefully climb up!

Amid everyone’s curses, Wu Xin’s words reached Hua Xing’s ears. “Thank you, Benefactor.”

Hua Xing cursed aloud, excruciating pain shooting through his chest, “Fuck you!”

He spat out a mouthful of blood—half from his injuries, half from sheer anger.

***

With no one interfering, Gu Han moved very quickly. Fatty, gritting his teeth, kept pace with him. In an instant, they reached the end of the heavenly ladder and saw the entrance to the next pass.

At that moment, they saw Qiu Qian about to step through the gateway.

Fatty anxiously shouted, “Brother Qiu! Could you step aside? I—”

Too late. Qiu Qian had already stepped into the next pass.

Fatty was stunned. When he turned around, he saw that Gu Han took advantage of his distraction, also reaching the next pass.

“Wait! Give me a chance—”

Ignoring him, Gu Han stepped inside, and Fatty was stunned again. He ground his teeth. Second place was gone too? When I rise up one day, I’ll beat you all!

Thinking this, he also stepped through the pass. Next came Feng Xi and Luo Wushuang, who didn’t care much about the rewards. Following that, Zuo Yang, Yun Fan, and the others also crossed the threshold.

***

As soon as Gu Han entered, a strange seven-petaled flower descended before him, radiating spiritual light. When the petals swayed, he could clearly sense the traces of law fragments hidden within. It was a saint herb, and not just any saint herb!

He was somewhat surprised. “Damn, the reward for second place is quite good.”

As for first place, he didn’t really care that much. Qiu Qian was a Saint realm cultivator to begin with, and he was alone without companions to look after. It was only natural that he was faster.

Before Gu Han could assess his surroundings, a wisp of ethereal, immortal mist descended, enveloping everything around him.

He extended his divine sense but could only reach ten zhang. His heart dropped. “Fatty!”

No answer. Fatty had disappeared again!

He raised an eyebrow, sensing something unusual. “This again?”

Like the third pass, it seemed to be a very special pass. Just as he was thinking, the mist churned violently, swirling and slowly coalescing into a human figure. At the same time, he felt a trace of his aura disappear, as if something had siphoned it away. Only then did the figure fully solidify, his back facing Gu Han. Clad in a jade-colored robe, he emitted Saint realm aura, holding a damaged sword.

Gu Han found the figure and the sword somewhat familiar. “Who are you?”

The figure chuckled and slowly turned around, revealing a face identical to his own. Even the expression was the same!

Slowly raising his sword, he pointed it at Gu Han with a smile. “I am Gu Han, the guardian of the sixth pass. If you can last half an incense stick’s time under my sword, you pass.”

After a moment, Gu Han asked seriously, “I have a question. If you’re Gu Han, then who am I?”