Supreme Sword Exalt

As he watched Gu Han gradually disappear from his line of sight, Jiang Feng was bewildered. “Why... why is he running?”

Chief Steward Li thought for a moment before saying, “I don’t know. Perhaps that girl Ah Sha’s old ailment has flared up again?”

Only the fatty’s face turned pale, having suffered once before. I’m getting déjà vu...

“Damn it... Run!” Although he didn’t know what was happening, he had a premonition that staying behind could lead to major trouble. “You bastard! Wait for me! Did you do something shameful again?”

Cursing under his breath, the fatty also vanished in a flash.

***

On the fifth floor of the Treasure Pavilion...

Tian Heng gently stroked the surface of the mystic stone, his mood exceptionally good. “Heh. Daring to challenge me into a duel...? You’re still too inexperienced!”

He was absolutely certain that Gu Han had some special means of discerning the mystic stone’s contents.

“Hmph, so young and reckless. He doesn’t even know how to hide his abilities. Had he not competed with the others and quietly returned with the mystic stones, none would have been the wiser. Well, consider today’s events a lesson for you! To think the Treasure Pavilion actually held such a valuable treasure...”

His large hand swept across, and the surface of the mystic stone rustled and fell away.

“Alright, let’s see. What kind of treasure is hidden inside!”

Under his spirit power, the mystic stone was reduced to half its original size in no time. He grew more and more excited. No matter what the treasure was, offering it up would surely bring him a heavenly reward. His status and position wouldn’t be limited to just being the Treasure Pavilion Master.

After a few breaths, the mystic stone was less than a third of its original size, and he started to ponder. It doesn’t look like a Dao Artifact inside. It could be a pill, a technique. Honestly, the latter would be better. Before offering it up, I could take a look first.

A moment later, the mystic stone was only the size of a fist.

He frowned slightly, vaguely sensing something was wrong.

“What... It doesn’t matter!” He bolstered his spirits and continued peeling away the stone layer. “There must be a treasure inside! It has to be!”

***

In the main hall of the Treasure Pavilion.

“I want this bottle of Qi-Gathering Powder!”

“Don’t grab it, I saw it first!”

“Nonsense! I got it first, it’s mine!”

Various arguments, quarrels, and haggling sounds rose and fell, making the place even more bustling than a market.

In a quiet room, Steward Ma smirked. “Hehe.”

In his memory, the Treasure Pavilion’s business had never been this good!

“The pavilion master’s methods are superb. I am far inferior!”

Just as he was shaking his head and sighing with emotion, a loud noise suddenly reached his ears. The entire Treasure Pavilion shook violently, trembling intensely.

The cultivators in the main hall panicked one after another.

“What happened?!”

“What’s that huge commotion?”

“Is someone making a move inside the Treasure Pavilion?!”

One cultivator seemed to have guessed something, his face full of reverence. “Don’t panic! This must be the pavilion master opening that mystic stone, the heaven and earth phenomenon caused by the emergence of a great treasure. For us to witness it is truly a fortunate event!”

The crowd suddenly understood.

“No wonder!”

“To think the treasure inside that mystic stone is so astonishing!”

“What a pity! It’s a shame we couldn’t witness the treasure’s splendor in all its glory!”

“Hehe, with such a great treasure, the Treasure Pavilion will surely become famous throughout the Ten Nations!”

Just as the crowd was discussing fervently and lavishing praise, a cry of uncontrollable rage and explosive bloodlust erupted.

“Little fucking bastard! You actually dared to deceive me! I’m gonna tear you to pieces!”

Another wave of shaking ensued. The crowd only saw a stream of light fly out and vanish into the distance. The figure seemed to be Pavilion Master Tian.

Puzzled, they all rushed out to look. One look and they were completely dumbfounded. The originally magnificently built and imposing Treasure Pavilion was now in ruins, on the verge of collapse. Above all, the most mysterious fifth floor had clearly become a pile of rubble.

***

Inside the Heaven-class room, Fatty jumped up. “What?! Fake?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “That pill was just an accident. Did you really think treasures come one after another inside mystic stones? Finding one is something to secretly rejoice about! You didn’t actually believe it, did you?”

Fatty instantly bristled. “Y-you bastard, you really have no heart! You even deceived us! Don’t you feel guilty?!”

Gu Han gave a helpless look. “I didn’t have a choice. Who knew the Treasure Pavilion was hiding such a gem? I came up with the idea on the spot, so I didn’t have time to tell you. Chief Steward Li, my apologies this time!’

The most wounded was Chief Steward Li, who couldn’t even form a complete sentence. Shaking with anger, his face three shades darker than the bottom of a pot. “You... I... I—”

Jiang Feng hurriedly tried to soothe him. “Chief Steward Li, don’t be like this, you’re still injured...”

Chief Steward Li looked at him with grief and indignation. Injured? My heart is deeply wounded! I hate it! I was actually moved by his words earlier... moved, my ass! I should have realized it sooner. This kid is never any good!

Gu Han also felt a bit embarrassed. “Right! Treat your injuries first. The Murong family’s Heaven-class room’s healing effect is quite good. You—”

Chief Steward Li turned to leave. “Hmph!”

You think a few petty favors are enough to get rid of me? Dream on!

Gu Han kindly reminded him. “Chief Steward Li, if you go out now, you might just run into Tian Heng. We just swindled him out of five million essence crystals...”

Fatty wasn’t having it. “What do you mean ’we’?! It was you! It was all you, you fucking bastard! What does it have to do with me?!”

Gu Han waved his hand. “Meh. Same thing. People saw us together.”

Upon hearing this, Chief Steward Li’s steps faltered. One could only imagine how furious Tian Heng was upon discovering the deception. He felt a bit apprehensive, awkwardly stuck between leaving and saying.

In the end, it was Ah Sha who offered him a way out. “Chief Steward Li, come with me.”

Chief Steward Li shot Gu Han a glance. “I’m only giving this little girl some face!”

Then, he glared fiercely at Gu Han, then turned and walked into another room. Gu Han rubbed his temples and said nothing because this time, he was indeed somewhat in the wrong.

Jiang Feng smiled wryly. “Brother Gu, I’ve long heard about Tian Heng’s character. Why would you...”

Gu Han sneered. “Him? I paid ten times the price for a Fallen Nether Fruit, yet he was insatiably greedy. After gaining so much, he still sent people to hunt me down! Considering it was only five million essence crystals, I went easy on him!”

Jiang Feng shook his head. “To think that Tian Heng’s character is so despicable!”

Fatty started yelling again, “OH?! You have a Fallen Nether Fruit too? Take it out and let me have a look!”

Gu Han said irritably, “Look, my foot! So you can lick it again?”

Fatty curled his lip. “Tch! It’s just a lousy fruit. If you won’t show it, then fine! I don’t care! But you, ten times the price, where did you get so much money?”

“It’s none of your business!”

Fatty looked suspicious. “Wait! I think you have a secret!”

“Likewise, I don’t think you’re just a fatty either!”

Fatty suddenly grinned and beckoned to Gu Han. “Come... Come here, I have something to tell you.”

After seeing his cheeky expression, Gu Han resisted the urge to cut him down and sneered. “What a coincidence, I also have something to tell you.”

As Gu Han approached, Fatty’s expression suddenly turned serious, a strange light bursting from his eyes. He stared fixedly at Gu Han. “What secret do you have on you...”

Who would have thought that before he could even finish his sentence, strange light also appeared in Gu Han’s eyes, looking even more eerie than Fatty’s.

In an instant, Fatty stiffened. His face went blank, and he stood motionless like a puppet.

Gu Han said sternly, “Who are you?! What secrets do you have on you?!”

A struggle flashed across Fatty’s face, and he said stiffly, “I... I... Fu...”

Halfway through his sentence, he suddenly snapped awake. He was drenched in sweat, and his face was full of terror. “You know the Soul-Snatching Technique too? How is that possible! And your soul power... how is it so strong?”

Gu Han’s expression turned unfriendly. “Fatty, didn’t you say your name was He Zheng? Why is your surname Fu now?!”

Fatty’s eyes darted. “I... My father’s surname is He, my mother’s surname is Fu... I can have whatever surname I want, it’s none of your damn business!”

Not far away, Jiang Feng looked at Fatty, then at Gu Han. His heart suddenly trembled. These two seemed to be more dangerous than the other!

Just as the two were arguing incessantly, a loud noise suddenly came from outside.

BANG!

Fatty was startled. “What’s going on?”

Gu Han glanced at him. “You still need to ask? Pavilion Master Tian has come knocking!”

***

Outside the inn.

Tian Heng wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth with a gloomy face. “Manager Murong, are you really determined to stop me?”

Naturally, he found out where Gu Han was staying and chased all the way here. However, he and Murong Chuan had always been at odds. After just a few words, they immediately came to blows. Although both were Soaring Realm experts, Murong Chuan’s strength was clearly far superior, so Tian Heng stood no chance.

The Treasure Pavilion’s commotion was so great that Murong Chuan received the news immediately. He was in a great mood. Never had he felt so great in his life!

“Pavilion Master Tian, not only did you go back on your word, you were insatiably greedy, even resorting to such a despicable method as killing to seize treasures. Now that you’ve been paid back, it serves you right! And you still have the face to cause trouble here?”

Tian Heng was filled with hatred. “Manager Murong, let me in. I will owe you a favor!”

Murong Chuan sneered repeatedly. “A favor? I have no need for your favors! This is the Murong family’s territory, I won’t allow you to run wild here. Of course, if you want to fight... heh, sure. I haven’t exercised for quite a while!”

Tian Heng gritted his teeth. “You should know that the real master of the Treasure Pavilion is not me.”

Losing five million essence crystals and that pill had dealt a heavy blow to the Treasure Pavilion’s foundation. If Du Teng learned of this matter, Tian Heng would definitely face severe punishment.

Murong Chuan said indifferently, “That’s none of my concern. If he’s not satisfied, he can go reason with my ancestors. However, as long as I am here, you will not take a single step inside.”

Tian Heng almost couldn’t resist the urge to fight him to the death, but lacked the courage in the end.

“You—! Fine! Fine!” He had to squeeze the words out from between his teeth. “Manager Murong, we have plenty of time ahead.”

Murong Chuan waved his hand. “HaI I won’t see you out.”

As he watched Tian Heng leave with a face full of resentment, he burst into laughter.

“Consider this intervention my gift to you! Making Tian Heng suffer such a great loss is truly remarkable!”

***

In the Martial Academy, students came and went incessantly. Some appeared relaxed and leisurely, exchanging cultivation insights with their companions. Others hurried along, as if they had difficult questions to seek answers for. However, none of this had anything to do with Mei Yun.

Upon seeing these students from afar, he felt like crying. “Ah...”

Since Gu Han and the other two left yesterday, they never returned. He waited and waited for almost a full day, but didn’t see any traces of them. According to the Martial Academy’s rules, he had the authority to punish the three of them as an instructor. However, he simply couldn’t bear to.

Thinking of the three invitations quietly resting in his storage ring, he gritted his teeth. “If you don’t come soon, I will have to go find you myself!”