Supreme Sword Exalt

Given Wang Yong and Zhou Ye’s cultivation levels, the several hundred alchemists were no different from several hundred ants. Just a sliver of their oppressive aura was enough to kill most of them.

“Run—”

“Run!”

After all, they were only alchemists. How could they stomach such a bloody scene? Their resentment and hatred instantly turned into terror as they scattered in all directions.

Zhang Shan finally couldn’t hold back any longer. “Bastards! Kill them! What a bunch of bullying dogs! Whenever we went to receive pills, you made things difficult for us in every way. Never thought you’d end up like this, huh?!”

With Feng Xi’s earlier words, the dissatisfaction and anger that had accumulated in the cultivators’ hearts for so long erupted completely. Without anyone having to summon them, they charged toward the alchemists with bloodshot eyes.

In an instant, corpses littered the ground. The scent of blood lingered for a long time. From beginning to end, even someone as magnanimous as Divine Physician Xue showed not a trace of pity in his eyes.

In the chaos, Zhou Ye reached out and grabbed a fleeing alchemist tightly, asking for the Yudan Sect’s location. Having come from the demonic path, he was inherently violent and bloodthirsty by nature. Naturally, he paid no heed to the other’s pleas for mercy. With a casual squeeze, he ended the alchemist’s life.

Wang Yong felt a bit regretful. How infuriating! That bastard’s gotten ahead of me!

Gu Han thought for a moment. “You two, Senior Xue’s matter—”

Wang Yong pounded his chest in assurance. “Rest assured, Young Master! Fellow Daoist Xue’s matter is my matter. I’ll accompany him on this journey!”

Zhou Ye refused to fall behind. “And me! We’ll make sure to bring back justice for Fellow Daoist Xue!”

Wang Yong felt repulsed. Why the hell do you keep butting in?

Gu Han nodded. The Yudan Sect only had a third-stage Transcendent realm old ancestor. Since both Zhou Ye and Wang Yong were going together, there shouldn’t be any problem.

“By the way, senior is magnanimous by nature, but—”

“Understood!”

“Got it!”

The two grasped Gu Han’s meaning. Without hesitation, they swept their sleeves wide, each taking Xue Yu and Divine Physician Xue with them. In the next moment, they vanished into the distance.

Murong Yan carried her wolf-toothed club on her shoulder. “Brother Gu, it’s great that you’re alright!”

Gu Han was rendered speechless by the club, which was a full head taller than her. Indeed, when it comes to weapon selection, I have to tip my hat to Sister Murong.

Murong Yan felt a bit proud. “This thing’s pretty great, right? It’s way more satisfying than the old hammer I had!”

Gu Han had nothing to say as he could only cast a sympathetic glance at Shen Xuan, who was also speechless.

Marquis Song, who had remained silent all along, said, “Did Song Jian die by your hand?”

Gu Han turned back. “Marquis Song?”

It didn’t take much to recognize the man as his face resembled Song Jian’s.

“That’s right. You want revenge for him?”

“You’re the princess’ disciple. How would I dare lay a hand on you? Besides, my worthless son was no match for you. Since it was a fair death duel, dying by your hand is what he deserved. How could there be any reason for revenge?” Marquis Song’s tone was grim. Even though he praised Gu Han, everyone could sense the grim intent in his tone. “You’re a promising young talent, truly extraordinary!”

With that, he cast a deep glance at Gu Han and strode away.

Fatty squinted his small eyes. “This man is extremely deep. He can remain completely unfazed after you killed his son?”

Gu Han sighed. “People like him are the scariest.”

“He’s definitely plotting something.”

Gu Han sneered coldly. “I’d welcome that!”

Seeing the carnage unfold before him without regard for his presence, Yun Lie clenched his fists, eyes bloodshot. In the end, he could only leave.

Gu Han remained silent.

Fatty raised an eyebrow. “Why? Wasn’t he the one who sent people to spy on you? The Yudan Sect definitely entrusted him with killing Divine Physician Xue too. Are you really just letting him go?”

Gu Han shook his head. “Forget it. He is Senior Sister’s last remaining brother.”

Fatty understood his difficulty and didn’t press further, rolling his eyes. “Ahem. What about those pills—”

Gu Han ignored him completely and turned to leave. “They’re gone! Just those few. Take it or leave it. I’m going to see Senior Sister.”

Fatty didn’t believe him at all.

“Wait!” His eyes sparkled with greed as he watched Gu Han’s retreating back. “Sooner or later, I’ll squeeze every last one out of you!”

By now, everyone had gradually gathered around. Lacking combat experience, the Yudan Sect’s alchemists were no match for battle-hardened cultivators. In less than a moment, they had been butchered completely. Everyone felt thoroughly refreshed after venting their pent-up anger.

Zhang Shan was full of excitement. “Sister Murong was right! Young Master Gu is truly a top-tier badass!”

“No kidding, he’s the princess’ junior disciple. How could he not be a badass!”

“It was so satisfying! Finally, we’ve gotten rid of that foul anger!”

Everyone buzzed with discussion as they praised and showed gratitude toward Gu Han. As for the pills, they didn’t think much about it. Even if they hadn’t killed the Yudan Sect people, they would have died on the battlefield from lack of pills anyway. So in that case, it was better to vent their anger first.

***

Inside the black military camp, Feng Xi quietly drank her wine. Several marquises stood there awkwardly with worried expressions. The Yudan Sect was gone. It was satisfying, sure, but what about the pills?

The barbarian tribe’s next assault could come at any moment. With the few pills remaining in the army, they couldn’t possibly last through another one or two battles. These men wanted to ask but didn’t dare. Instead, they kept signaling to the white-haired elder.

The elder steeled himself. “Ahem. Your Highness, now that we’ve had our satisfaction, shouldn’t we consider the matter of pills?”

Feng Xi shook her head and glanced outside. “Don’t ask me. Ask him.”

Him? Everyone was stunned. After a few breaths, an extremely sharp sound of something breaking through the air came. Gu Han landed before everyone. His sharp aura spread outward, leaving the ground beneath his feet smooth as glass.

Everyone was secretly astonished. They could tell that despite being a mere Soaring realm cultivator, Gu Han was much faster than those at the Earthly Tribulation realm.

Several of them silently judged him. Such an extraordinary youth. A shame that he’s a bit rash...

Feng Xi’s eyes swept over them. “Everyone, how is my junior brother?”

Several men exchanged glances. What’s the point of asking that at a time like this?

“Good!”

“Very good!”

“Exceptionally good!”

Out of a sense of obligation, they offered a few lukewarm compliments.

Gu Han felt something was off. “What’s wrong?”

Among them, a bearded man with a hot temper finally couldn’t hold back. “Kid, had your fun killing?”

“More or less.”

The man was instantly choked. This kid doesn’t play by the rules!

“Old Liao, calm down first!” Just as Old Liao was about to lose his temper, the elder stopped him. He glanced at Feng Xi, then at Gu Han, feeling a headache coming on. “Kid, you should understand that the Yudan Sect—”

Gu Han smiled. “I do. Don’t worry. I’ll handle this matter.”

The elder lost his composure. You’ll handle it? You’re a sword cultivator. Do you even know how to refine pills? Even if you can scrape together a bunch of rogue cultivator alchemists, what can they really accomplish?

Gu Han didn’t mind his expression and thought for a moment. “Also, I heard from Yun Fan that the casualties among the border cultivators are severe. I can guarantee that I’ll reduce the casualty rate by tenfold.”

The men instantly lost their composure, staring wide-eyed at Gu Han. Tenfold? How arrogant! Absolutely ridiculously arrogant!

If Feng Xi weren’t present, they would’ve unleashed all their hatred toward him.

Old Liao finally couldn’t hold back. “Hmph! Don’t even talk about tenfold! If you can reduce casualties by threefold, I will kneel before the entire army and kowtow to you!”

Gu Han’s eyes lit up. “Oh? Are you serious?”

Old Liao laughed in exasperation. “I am a man of my word—”

The elder felt that Gu Han’s smile seemed a bit mischievous so his heart sank. “Ahem. Old Liao, that’s too much. You’ve gone too far—”

Old Liao waved his hand grandly. “Too far, my ass! Her Highness and the others can bear witness. I say what I mean and mean what I say!”

Gu Han smiled again. He felt this man was straightforward and hot-tempered, but not a bad person. In fact, he seemed very easy to get along with, a stark contrast to that sneaky bastard Fatty.

“Then it’s a deal!”

Feng Xi interjected. “Alright, everyone leave. My junior brother and I have things to discuss.”

The men left the military camp. Right after, they realized something was off. We came to ask about the pills, so how did it end up turning into a bet? This kid is too sly! He tricked us!

Old Liao was also furious. “Right! If I lose, I’ll kowtow, but he never said what happens if he loses!”

The others stared at him, speechless. You’re only realizing that now?!

The elder thought for a moment. “Old Liao, don’t be so certain. I keep feeling that kid’s smile was a bit strange. Just in case... I mean, if he actually manages to do it...”

Old Liao’s eyes widened, then he sighed. “It’d be best if he could! Not just one kowtow. Even if it were ten, I would do it willingly!”

The elder sighed softly. “If he can do it, I’d want to kowtow to him too.”

Having witnessed life and death so often, it didn’t mean they were indifferent to it. Over the years, casualties among the border cultivators had grown increasingly severe. They were the most concerned and eager to prevent such things.

As if thinking of something, Old Liao sneered. “Not only do those shameless bastards Ji Cheng and Song He follow the ninth prince around all day, they also joined the Xian Ya Pavilion of his. They’ve lost all face for us. If they had time, they’d be better off figuring out how to reduce casualties among their own men!”

Ji Cheng and Song He, two of the nine marquises, had already been won over by Yun Lie. In every war, the cultivators under these two suffered the heaviest casualties.

The elder sighed. “Forget it. Different paths, no need to follow the same road. Just ignore them.”

***

Inside the military camp, Gu Han finally asked the question that had been buried deep in his heart for a long time, “Senior Sister, that day, Zuo Yang said that after entering the Fengwu Court, I would need to help you do one thing in the future. What exactly is that thing?”

Feng Xi simply took the wine gourd from her waist. “Triple Supreme Stage?”

Gu Han nodded, not hiding it from her. “Mhm. Perfect Triple Supreme Stage.”

Feng Xi paused and gazed intently at Gu Han for a few moments, a phoenix’s illusory shadow flying through her eyes.

Gu Han’s heart jumped as a terrifying pressure descended upon him. Yun Fan had said that facing Feng Xi was too stressful, and now he had firsthand experience. She’s frighteningly strong!

Feng Xi withdrew her gaze, and the pressure vanished instantly. “In the future, if you become strong enough, help me kill someone.”

“Who?”

“My fourth brother... Yun Tu.”