Supreme Sword Exalt

Not yet fully healed, Gu Han was blasted backward, swallowed by the surging aura. He almost vomited blood. Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Gu Han gritted his teeth. “Fucking Fatty, do you want to kill me?!”

Only then did Fatty come back to his senses. “Huh?”

Floating in the air, Fatty caught sight of Gu Han’s face, as dark as the bottom of a pot. Then he saw the deathly pale Murong Chuan, along with Elders Wu and Feng trembling in the distance.

He scratched his head. “What happened? Where is everyone? Why are they all gone?”

Murong Chuan stared at Fatty, full of shock. “What... How did you...”

He couldn’t understand it at all. Just moments ago, Fatty was only an Acupoint Unsealing cultivator, but now he was at the Soaring Realm.

No, not Soaring Realm! He vaguely felt that Fatty was probably even stronger than Murong Yuan.

Upon hearing Gu Han’s explanation, Fatty stroked his chin, appearing somewhat regretful. “It’s over? Our father is as fierce as ever. What a pity, this Half-Step Transcendent Realm of mine is of no use now.”

Murong Chuan’s eyes widened. Half-Step Transcendent Realm? Isn’t that the same cultivation level as Old Ancestor?

Gu Han’s face grew darker by the second, not caring about his cultivation level in the slightest. “Fatty, get down here! You think you’re so great just because you can fly?!”

Fatty wasn’t angered. In a flash, he appeared beside Gu Han. “Hehe. You jealous?”

Gu Han asked irritably, “Jealous my ass! What exactly happened?”

Fatty’s expression suddenly turned serious. “Let’s go. I just happen to have a secret to tell you.”

Without caring whether Gu Han was willing, Fatty grabbed his shoulder. In a flash, they vanished.

Elders Wu and Feng were pale. “H-he said his surname is Fu?”

“I think so?”

“Wasn’t he called He Zheng?”

“I don’t know anymore...”

The two exchanged a glance, secretly swallowing their saliva.

First, there was the great demon Gu Tian. Now, there was this mysterious Fatty surnamed Fu. The waters ran too deep in Great Qi.

Let’s leave quickly! Right now!

They decisively turned and left, forgetting even to bid farewell.

***

At a secluded street corner.

Gu Han was puzzled when he saw the earnest look on Fatty’s face. “Human tribulation? What does that mean?”

Fatty said seriously, “Remember what I told you before? Between the heavenly and earthly tribulations and the Transcendent Realm, there is a hidden special realm called the human tribulation. To put it simply, it’s also a type of Supreme Stage.”

Gu Han was still somewhat confused. “But why is your cultivation...”

Fatty sighed. “Actually, this is my original cultivation level. It was just suppressed because of undergoing the tribulation.”

Gu Han frowned deeply. “What exactly is this human tribulation?”

Fatty answered in an extremely straightforward manner, “No clue.”

Gu Han stared skeptically at him. “You don’t know? Haven’t you already passed through it?”

Fatty shrugged, looking innocent. “I still don’t know. Remember what I said before? The Supreme Stage of the Acupoint Unsealing realm emphasizes the word ‘difficulty.’ As for this human tribulation, it emphasizes the word ‘change.’ It’s never the same either. A thousand cultivators will have a thousand different human tribulations.

“And once you choose to face the tribulation, your cultivation level could either become Acupoint Unsealing like me, or directly reduced to a mortal, or not change at all. No one can say for sure, but one thing is certain. The human tribulation arises because of a person, and it’s ten deaths, no survival. Those who are lucky enough to pass it are one in ten thousand.”

A thought struck Gu Han. “Arises because of a person? You mean...”

Fatty stared at him. “Exactly. You are my human tribulation!”

Gu Han was stunned for a moment. “Me? How can you be so sure?”

Fatty became disdainful. “Tsk, tsk! Do I need to be sure? Think about it. Ever since I met you, how many times have I narrowly escaped death? It’s never stopped! Especially this time! I was one step away from complete death! And you say you aren’t my human tribulation?”

Gu Han nodded. “It’s no wonder you stick to me like glue! You’re impossible to shake off!”

Fatty’s face darkened. “Hey! Watch your words. I’m now at the Half-Step Transcendent Realm. Crushing an ant like you would be easy!”

Gu Han really wanted to cut him down on the spot, but then decided against it. Fatty’s skin was far too thick.

Fatty put away his jokes. “Actually, what really made me sure was that Indestructible Golden Physique Scripture. I suppose Brother Jiang’s technique was also given by you?”

“You know yet you still ask?”

Fatty’s gaze grew distant. “You know, that Indestructible Golden Physique Scripture actually surpasses Heaven tier.”

Gu Han’s heart skipped a beat. “Surpasses?”

Due to the mess they were in earlier, it hadn’t occurred to him to ask about the technique’s grade. He never expected it to surpass Heaven tier.

Fatty probed. “Ahem... Do you have any more techniques like this?”

Gu Han looked wary. “Watch it! What do you want to do?”

Fatty felt somewhat guilty, showing a look of concern. “N-nothing. Just reminding you that every time such a technique appears in the world, people fight desperately over it. Especially those old monsters... If they find out, the consequences are unimaginable. Brother Gu, you must hide it well.”

Gu Han refused to budge. “There’s none left! Fatty, you’re not thinking of repaying kindness with enmity, are you?”

Fatty became awkward. “How could I! Don’t talk nonsense! I’m absolutely not that kind of person!”

If Gu Han could beat Fatty now, he would have beaten him to within an inch of his life.

Gu Han stared at him with contempt. “Watch yourself. My father hasn’t gone far. If you dare have any wicked thoughts, don’t blame him for being rude to you.”

Fatty’s heart skipped a beat as he looked around guiltily. “What?! Our father is here too?”

Despite having recovered his original cultivation level, Fatty still felt a bit apprehensive. That was just how deep of an impression Gu Tian had left on him.

Gu Han was a bit puzzled. “Fatty, you’re so afraid of death. Where did you get the guts to undergo human tribulation?”

As if remembering something, Fatty’s face fell. “I was tricked by that old charlatan.”

“Old charlatan?”

“His name is Tian Jizi. He claims he can predict a sliver of heavenly secrets. According to him, I could live in peace if I didn’t undergo human tribulation, but my achievements in this life would definitely be limited. My Indestructible Golden Physique would also hardly improve.” Fatty sighed. “But if I chose to undergo human tribulation and was lucky enough to survive, I would gain a heaven-defying opportunity, and my future achievements would be limitless.”

Gu Han pondered. “So, you came because you believed him?”

Fatty looked wronged. “Well, I don’t, but my dad sure as heck did.”

Gu Han was speechless.

Fatty sighed, somewhat dispirited. “Forget it! Although the process was a bit hard, that old charlatan didn’t lie to me. I can go back and give my dad an account now.”

Gu Han was surprised. “Go back? Go where?”

“Central Continent! You haven’t heard of it? Tsk tsk, a small cultivator like you really hasn’t seen the world. I have to personally enlighten you!” boasted Fatty, incredibly full of himself.

Thus, Fatty explained that the continent was huge beyond measure. At the very center were five regions, arrayed in a surrounding formation: the Eastern Wasteland, Western Desert, Southern Border, Northern Domain and Central Continent.

Blessed with abundant spirit energy and extremely rich resources, they nurtured billions of living beings and gave rise to countless large and small powers. From holy lands and great sects to the lowest minor sects, everything one could imagine existed, impossible to count.

The areas beyond the five regions were called forbidden zones. Overrun with monsters, evil spirits, and all manner of strangeness, no one dared enter lightly. It was said that the forbidden zones were even larger than the combined area of the five regions.

Upon seeing Gu Han listening intently, Fatty became even more pleased, continuously urging him. “Well? You want to come with me to see the world? Eastern Wasteland and Central Continent are over a hundred thousand li apart. The journey is fraught with danger. Without me guiding you, you definitely can’t make it. This is a rare opportunity that you should seize!”

Somewhat suspicious of Fatty’s motives, Gu Han shook his head decisively. “No.”

Fatty refused to give up. “Think about it again? The Central Continent is much bigger and more prosperous than Eastern Wasteland. Someone of your talent and condition will definitely be a guest of honor for all the great sects and holy lands! You should see how passionate the fairy maidens and goddess sisters there are. They are much more aggressive than that demoness sister!”

Gu Han responded with a cold laugh. He saw through Fatty’s not-so-good intentions. Fatty was probably still coveting his techniques.

“You’re really not going?”

“No.”

Fatty suddenly fell silent. Actually, there was some genuine sentiment in the words he had just said. After a long while, he suddenly sighed. “Forget it! We’ll meet again someday. Since you’re not going, then I’m leaving.”

With that, he instantly shot into the air.

Gu Han suddenly called out to him, “Fatty, your surname is Fu, right?”

Fatty stopped in his tracks, but he didn’t turn around. “It’s Fu Yulin! If you ever get a chance to go to the Central Continent and run into trouble, use my name. It works!”

Gu Han couldn’t help but laugh. “Nice name!”

Fatty’s voice carried helplessness. “I can’t do anything about it, my dad chose it.”

“Don’t you think about changing it?”

“Mentioned it once to my dad. He beat me up, so I didn’t dare bring it up again. Alright...” Fatty waved his hand. “Take care!”

With that, he shone with a layer of golden light and vanished in the next moment.

Gu Han remained silent for a long time, feeling somewhat melancholic. You take care too, Fu Fatty!

He dismissed his sentiments and was just about to leave when a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes.

Fatty had reappeared once again. He stared at Gu Han, hesitating to speak.

Gu Han sighed. “Fatty, don’t be like this. We’ll definitely meet again. Parting is inevitable, and besides—”

Fatty rubbed his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed. “It’s not that... Ahem... the techniques... really none left?”

Gu Han’s face darkened. “Fuck off!”

And just like that, the small melancholy of parting was gone.

Fatty fled in panic. “Hmph! What’s with the stinginess! Just wait! When you come to the Central Continent, I will definitely give you a warm welcome!”

He escaped at a speed imperceptible to the human eye, delving into the Wild Forest while grumbling and cursing. Then, as if thinking of something, he broke into a smile. “Fairy maidens and goddess sisters of Central Continent, here I come! The tender and caring Brother Fu is back! Wait for me to—huh?”

Before he could finish, a burst of quarreling suddenly rose from below.

“Mei Yun, stop following me!”

“Instructor Han, you can’t just leave me to die!”

“Die my ass! I’m almost dead myself!”

“Stop talking, Instructor Han, they’re catching up again! Run!”

Upon hearing the roars of demonic beasts continuously rising from below, Fatty became extremely interested. “Mei... Instructor Mei? Why are these two still here? Whatever. Meeting me is your great fortune!”

Stopping his flight, he was about to descend and save the two.

Just then, someone exclaimed, “Oh? What a coincidence, meeting two instructors here!”

Soft and seductive, laced with temptation, the voice was enough to set one’s blood aflame.

Fatty stiffened as he gulped. The demoness!