Supreme Sword Exalt

Mei Yun had actually spoken the truth. Han Fu, Yu Hua, Jiang Yi, and the other instructors had also arrived.

Of course, Jiang Hong and his group were also present by Yu Hua’s side. However, the group treated Gu Han as if he were a stranger, not even sparing him a glance. It was clearly out of character for them, who held a deep-seated hatred toward Gu Han.

Gu Han frowned slightly. “Something feels off...”

Fatty sneered. “Nonsense! Are you only satisfied if he’s chasing you to the ends of the earth like last time? Are you sick in the head?”

As if sensing their gazes, Yu Hua turned his head to look at the two of them. His eyes actually carried a trace of a smile.

Fatty’s expression also turned serious. “Huh? That is off. What’s he smiling about?”

Gu Han and Fatty exchanged a glance, instantly deciding Yu Hua was about to make a move.

Mei Yun waved his hand. “Stop imagining things. What do you take the martial academy trial for? Everything follows its own rules. He’s just an instructor, where would he get such audacity? Moreover, the three deputy deans will be watching from the sidelines during the trial. If he dares to make a move, he’ll definitely be the one who dies.”

Gu Han didn’t take his words in at all.

His gaze became profound. “Fatty, don’t you think Yu Hua really deserves to die?”

Fatty nodded. “He does! He absolutely deserves to die! When I—ahem, I’ll kill him sooner or later.”

Gu Han seemed to have gotten an idea, his eyes shining brighter and brighter. “Don’t make it ’sooner or later’! How about today?”

Fatty was startled. “Woah? Have you gone mad?”

Mei Yun broke out in a cold sweat just listening. Listen! Are these humans talking?! You’re just a mere Acupoint Unsealing realm cultivator. Even if you’ve reached the Supreme Stage, trying to kill a seventh-stage Spirit Profound expert would just be throwing your life away!

Jiang Feng also tried to persuade him. “Brother Gu, let’s think twice about it.”

Gu Han just stared at Fatty. “Well? Do you dare?”

“Heh, you go if you want!”

“Fatty, I know your background isn’t simple, and you have hidden methods. I actually have some too. If we join forces, killing him shouldn’t be a problem.”

Fatty was somewhat tempted. “You’ve got a point.”

Gu Han kept laying it on thick. “Keeping him around is a constant source of trouble. Besides, last time he almost beat you to death. Don’t you want to get even?”

Fatty bristled. “You still have the audacity to say that?! If it weren’t for you screwing me over, would he have latched onto me?”

Gu Han grew a bit impatient. “Just say it! Will you do it or not?”

Fatty gritted his teeth. “Yes! Let’s be clear first, you can’t screw me over this time. If you do anything funny, I’ll help Yu Hua finish you off.”

Gu Han seemed speechless and patted Fatty’s shoulder. “Relax. Although we haven’t known each other long, we can be considered good brothers who’ve been through life and death together. How could I possibly screw you over?”

Fatty pointed at Jiang Feng. “Stop. Look at how well it all turns out for him. Don’t mention the word ’brother’ to me, it sickens me.”

It was Jiang Feng’s turn to be speechless.

Mei Yun was stunned. “You two...”

You didn’t listen to a single word I said!

He advised them earnestly. “This is the martial academy trial! You should be thinking about how to compete for first place, not... not doing these futile and extremely dangerous things!”

Gu Han was somewhat disdainful. “First place? Is it worth a lot?”

Mei Yun was taken aback, then smiled wryly. “Right, you currently have over ten million essence crystals in hand, so you would look down on this small reward. But even so, you shouldn’t take such risks...”

Gu Han’s eyes lit up. “Wait! There’s a reward?”

“There always has been.”

“How much?”

“Two hundred thousand essence crystals, plus one mid-grade Black-tier technique.”

Gu Han became serious. “First place! I’m going to take first place! Don’t anyone try to compete with me!”

Right now, forget two hundred thousand essence crystals, even twenty thousand was a huge sum for him. Not to mention there was also a mid-grade Black-tier technique.

Mei Yun was speechless.

Suddenly, someone sternly declared mid-air, “Silence!”

Everyone looked up and saw Elder Wu and the other two suspended in the air.

Jiang Feng was somewhat envious. “Is this the legendary Soaring Realm?”

Fatty curled his lip. “How dare a measly Soaring Realm show off!”

His words were heard by the three. Elder Wu and Elder Feng trembled, barely restraining themselves from coming down to give him a beating. Only Commander Zhou remained expressionless, his thoughts indiscernible to others.

Having calmed his emotions, Elder Wu explained the trial rules to everyone. “This trial...”

The martial academy trial was simple and brutal. They’d pick a very large area within the Wild Forest and drive the surrounding, low-level demonic beasts into it. The highest being Tier 4, the lowest Tier 2. For a period of ten days, the martial academy students would enter and slaughter these demonic beasts. The one who obtained the most beast cores, with the highest quality, would be the final winner.

Of course, the demonic beasts had been secretly marked by the academy to prevent anyone from cheating.

After laying out the rules, Elder Wu waved his hand. “The time has come. The trial begins now!”

The group of students and instructors rushed towards the depths of the Wild Forest.

After seeing the trial begin, Elder Wu and Elder Feng instinctively glanced at Gu Han. Should we ask for our one million essence crystals back?

However, they ultimately couldn’t bring themselves to do it.

Elder Wu found it strange that Commander Zhou was unusually quiet today. “Everything will proceed according to the usual rules. Commander Zhou? Let’s go too. Although you’ve already scouted the area and there shouldn’t be any accidents, we still can’t afford to be careless.”

Commander Zhou nodded. “Alright.”

Just before leaving, he almost imperceptibly glanced at Gu Han.

Full of helplessness, Mei Yun looked at Gu Han and Fatty. “You two must absolutely not act recklessly.”

Gu Han said with a serious expression, “I was just joking.”

Fatty assured him repeatedly. “I definitely won’t make a move!”

Mei Yun’s mouth opened and closed, but he ultimately said nothing more. He understood that these two were just lawless and wouldn’t listen to him.

In the end, Mei Yun sighed. “Let’s go, I’ll take you to the trial area first.”

Gu Han, Fatty, and Jiang Feng didn’t budge.

Mei Yun caught on. “Huh? Don’t worry, ever since last time, I feel like I’m not having bad luck anymore. I’m having great luck!”

The three still didn’t move. Believe that, and you’re an idiot!

Fatty thought for a moment. “Instructor Mei, how about you just tell us the route, and we can go ourselves? We don’t want to trouble you.”

Mei Yun insisted. “It’s no trouble. I don’t mind.”

Fatty retorted. “I do!”

Mei Yun felt like crying again. After a long while, he sighed softly and smiled bitterly. “Ah, forget it. I knew it would come to this. It seems my reputation is still as foul as ever. If you want to go yourselves, then go.”

Thus, he explained the route to the three in detail.

His face full of desolation and sorrow, he prepared to leave. “Be careful of everything!”

Gu Han felt a bit guilty. He recalled how Mei Yun had supported him with his entire savings. “Instructor Mei, uh, how about you take us there?”

Mei Yun was stunned for a moment, then overjoyed. “Huh? Yes! That’s great then!”

After seeing him agree so readily, Gu Han also felt a bit apprehensive.

It should... Probably... Maybe... ...be fine, right?

Soon, he was proven wrong.

***

Inside the Wild Forest, Mei Yun took the lead, walking at the very front. Gu Han and Jiang Feng followed about three meters behind him. As for Fatty, he was muttering under his breath, trailing a full thirty meters behind.

Regardless, Mei Yun was already very satisfied. As he walked, he chatted incessantly, introducing things to the three, “The Wild Forest is incredibly big, what we see is only a corner of it...”

After hesitating for a long time, Gu Han finally asked the question on his mind. “Instructor Mei, I have a question...”

“Ask away.”

“Ahem, who exactly chose your name?” ℴ

Upon hearing this, Fatty and Jiang Feng’s ears perked up.

Mei Yun was taken aback. “My name? My master did.”

Gu Han’s expression turned strange. “Why did he give you this name?”

“It’s a long story. I was picked up by my master. Since I was young, well, I was extremely unlucky. Before I was four years old...” Mei Yun chuckled, explaining in detail, “...Fell into a river six times, fell off a cliff eight times, was carried off by wild beasts thirteen times... As for broken arms and legs, choking on food or water, well, too many times to count.”

The three looked at each other.

“Later, my master became really worried, so he simply gave me this name. The old man said that things turn into their opposites when they reach the extreme, and giving me such a name might help dispel the misfortune clinging to me...” Mei Yun sighed, but then turned dead serious. “It worked quite well. Ever since then, I’ve rarely been unlucky!”

The three were speechless. You might not be unlucky anymore, but the same can’t be said about those around you!

Jiang Feng ventured cautiously. “May I ask, what finally happened to your master...?”

Mei Yun seemed somewhat sorrowful. “Him? He was just an ordinary mortal old Taoist priest, guarding a rundown temple. He raised me until I was over ten years old, and then he passed away...”

After noticing their strange looks, he hurriedly said, “He died of natural causes. He lived to ninety-two!”

The three were greatly shocked, and inhaled sharply. Died... died of natural causes?! Good heavens! Incredible!

If he weren’t already gone, they would have to visit him someday to see what this peerless expert looked like.

Mei Yun waved his hand. “Alright, enough about him. Let’s hurry up and—”

Squelch!

Just then, a very distinct sound reached their ears.

Jiang Feng’s face turned pale. “What was that sound?”

“It sounded like... Fatty?” Gu Han said uncertainly, looking back.

That one look nearly made him vomit. Thirty meters away, Fatty had one foot sunk into a pitch-black, foul-smelling, mud-like substance.

Fatty instinctively looked down in bewilderment. “What the hell is this?!”

Mei Yun sounded somewhat displeased. “You can’t even recognize that? Isn’t it just demonic beast droppings[1]?”

Fatty instantly turned pale.

1. E/N: Ow shit his bad luck has began ☜