Fate-Defying Demon Emperor

Hmm? That’s an interesting thing to say. Questioning my courage implies this sword must be something special.

”Iron Grinding Saint, just bring the sword to me. This prince will show you whether I have the courage or not!” Su Han said, maintaining the arrogant tone of the Nineteenth Prince.

”I cannot bring you this sword. Whether Your Highness can retrieve it will be a matter of fortune,” the Iron Grinding Saint replied, shaking his head.

”Iron Grinding Saint, stop being coy and just bring out this fine sword!” Bai Xu Saint, eager to curry favor with Su Han, urged impatiently.

Su Han also watched the Iron Grinding Saint with great interest, curious to see if this plain-looking Grand Sword Casting Master truly possessed a peerless blade.

”One hundred miles from here lies an ancient battlefield. A million corpses were once buried there, allowing resentment to flourish and turning it into an exceptionally dangerous place. In my youth, I forged a sword from Demon Blood Red Gold. When it was complete, it was already a Supreme Grade Dao Artifact, but I still wasn’t satisfied. I ventured into that ancient battlefield and buried the sword deep within, allowing it to be nurtured by the resentment of a million souls. By now, I imagine it has ascended to the level of a Holy Sword.”

The Iron Grinding Saint was clearly no slouch; he was describing a true Sword of Slaughter. Although this sword had never taken a life, it had been nurtured by the Yin Souls of a million fallen soldiers. It was a blade whose nature surpassed mere slaughter itself. This sword was truly extraordinary.

”What? Are you talking about the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield?”

Before Su Han could even react to the Iron Grinding Saint’s description, Bai Xu Saint paled and cried out in shock. Clearly, this ancient battlefield was no simple place.

”Correct. It is the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield,” the Iron Grinding Saint confirmed with a nod, which only made Bai Xu Saint’s expression grow more troubled.

”Your Highness, the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield is extraordinarily perilous! Your life is too precious to risk!” Bai Xu Saint said, trying to dissuade Su Han from going. The danger of the place was obviously immense.

”What’s the story behind this Yuelan Ancient Battlefield?” Never one to fear a dangerous place, Su Han took the initiative to ask.

Though Bai Xu Saint looked troubled and was reluctant to let Su Han take the risk, he didn’t dare refuse to answer the prince’s question.

”Your Highness, the Yuelan Kingdom was a nation from a thousand years ago. At that time, our Heavenly Sword Dynasty was expanding its territory through conquest, which led to war with the Yuelan Kingdom. The two sides ultimately clashed in a great, decisive battle on what is now the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield, deploying a combined force of one and a half million troops. In the end, our Heavenly Sword Dynasty was victorious and annihilated the Yuelan army. However, with over a million dead on both sides, the rivers ran red with blood.”

”Among those who died there was the King of the Yuelan Kingdom, a powerful expert of the Saint Realm. Over the years, resentment has festered, and the Yin Souls of the dead linger. Now, the King’s Remnant Soul has awakened. He commands a million Yin Soldiers and occupies the ancient battlefield. No one dares to approach.”

”I once went to investigate, but before I could venture deep inside, I was wounded by the Yin Soldiers and forced to retreat. I have already reported this to the Imperial Court, and I believe they will dispatch a large force to deal with it soon.”

”Your Highness, it might be best to wait here for a while. Once the Imperial Court’s army has pacified the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield, you can retrieve the sword without any danger.”

Bai Xu Saint was clearly loyal and concerned for Su Han’s safety. His description made the dangers of the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield abundantly clear. However, the more dangerous it sounded, the more interested Su Han became in the Sword of Slaughter being nurtured there.

A sword nurtured in such a malevolent place is bound to be a vicious blade—a perfect match for my Slaughter Sword Intent. Besides, even though Bai Xu Saint has reported this to the Imperial Court, who knows how long it will take for an army to arrive and handle it? The Sword Dao Conference won’t wait for me. I have to get this sword as soon as possible.

”Iron Grinding Saint, tell me the exact location of the sword you forged!” Su Han said, ignoring Bai Xu Saint and turning his full attention to the sword master.

Hearing Su Han’s words, the Iron Grinding Saint chuckled again.

”The sword’s name is Soul Severing. Back when I buried it, the Remnant Soul of the Yuelan King had not yet awakened, and the million Yin Soldiers were in chaos. I took advantage of the situation to slip into the heart of the battlefield and set up a Sword Nurturing Formation. The eye of the formation is a blood spring, and the Soul Severing Sword rests within it. If Your Highness has the courage to take it, then the map is yours.”

With that, the Iron Grinding Saint handed over a hand-drawn map. It was crude, but the markings were clear enough, obviously drawn by the saint himself.

”Your Highness, you mustn’t put yourself in such danger!” Bai Xu Saint spoke urgently, hoping Su Han would change his mind. Even he, a Saint, had returned injured from that place. It was home to a Saint Realm King’s Remnant Soul and a million Yin Soldiers; if the Nineteenth Prince, despite all his strength, were to meet with disaster there, he would inevitably be implicated.

”Bai Xu Saint, say no more. My mind is made up. I will not rest until I have the Soul Severing Sword!” Su Han declared, waving a hand to cut off Bai Xu Saint’s plea. The Yuelan Ancient Battlefield is dangerous, but it’s not a challenge I can’t overcome. I just hope the Soul Severing Sword doesn’t disappoint me.

Hearing Su Han’s decisive tone, Bai Xu Saint opened his mouth, but then swallowed the words he was about to say. Though a Saint, he was also a subject of the Heavenly Sword Dynasty and could not forcibly change the prince’s mind.

”There is no time to lose. We set out immediately!” Su Han declared. He didn’t want to waste any more time; he wanted to get the Soul Severing Sword as soon as possible, then find a place to cultivate and improve his strength in preparation for the Sword Dao Conference.

He then turned to Li Qingyue and Li Mingliang. ”Master Li, Qingyue, the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield is extremely dangerous, so you two shouldn’t follow me. Stay here and find a Sword Casting Master to see about forging a suitable treasure sword for Qingyue.”

Given the dangers of the ancient battlefield, their strength would be of little help. Furthermore, Li Qingyue truly did need to commission a sword, so staying in Nanyang City was the better choice.

Although Li Qingyue was worried, she knew she was powerless to help.

”Your Highness, please be safe!” she said softly, her concern evident.

Su Han nodded. After making arrangements for Li Qingyue and Li Mingliang, he was ready to depart.

”Iron Grinding Saint, let us go now!” Su Han said, preparing to leave with the Crane Sword Saint, with the Iron Grinding Saint leading the way.

”Your Highness, I’m still worried. Allow me to accompany you. If anything unexpected happens, I can provide support,” Bai Xu Saint offered, seeing that Su Han’s decision was final. He decided to volunteer as the next best option.

”Very well!” Su Han agreed, bringing their party to four.

WHOOSH!

Without hesitation, the four of them soared into the sky, transforming into streaks of light that vanished from Nanyang City in the blink of an eye, heading straight for the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield to the northwest.

Su Han was carried by the Crane Sword Saint, allowing the group to travel at a tremendous pace. They covered the hundred miles in less than an hour.

”Your Highness, that is the Yuelan Ancient Battlefield!” the Iron Grinding Saint said, pointing ahead.

Su Han looked, his gaze immediately sharpening. What a truly sinister place.