Supreme Sword Exalt

Seeing the fervent and adoring gazes, Gu Han bent at the waist and saluted the crowd. “Everyone, do not thank me. I could not have accomplished this without all of you. We worked hard for this outcome together! Those heads are the proof of your honor! From this day forth, this honor shall always accompany you!”

Without his decisive action, the border army could not have rallied so quickly. And without the border army risking their lives to fight and block the enemy desperately, perhaps he could have secretly killed a few, he wouldn’t have been able to kill eight war gods in a row. They elevated each other.

After hearing his words, the crowd’s emotions reached a boiling point. All who could still move, even the wounded and crippled, raised their arms and let out a cry.

“Vanguard Gu! Mighty and invincible!”

Just seeing those war god heads hanging at the military camp, getting injured, bleeding, half-crippled, even losing their lives—it was all worth it! Their unity and belief burst, growing rapidly.

Zhao Mengyou stood in the crowd, her skirt was stained with blood. In the past, she couldn’t stand having such filthy things on her, but now, she didn’t care at all. I have a share in this honor too! And I fought alongside him today! We are a little bit closer!

Unbeknownst to her, a plain-looking female cultivator from the Fengyi Army smiled at the divine maiden, then lowered her head again.

Fatty was incredibly jealous, feeling deeply dissatisfied. “What kind of look is that?! Sure, he’s impressive for killing eight war gods, but aren’t I more formidable for headbutting a Transcendent realm cultivator to death?! Why doesn’t anyone praise me?! Just wait! When I become a Heaven-Conquering Grand Marshal, I’ll strip you of your vanguard position first!”

Yun Fan came to Feng Xi’s side, appearing dejected. “Sister, Ninth Brother, he—”

Feng Xi was silent for a moment. “Father executed him.”

Yun Fan’s eyes reddened. Although he had long guessed this outcome, he still felt terrible.

Fatty was taken aback. What’s severing a father-son relationship! He even killed his own son!

He suddenly felt that his relationship with Fu Youde could still be considered that of a loving father and a filial son.

***

With different thoughts in mind, the border army soldiers returned to the camp. The first thing they did upon returning was hang the severed heads outside the military camp and set up restrictions to protect them.

Li Xun personally handled it. The moment someone offered to help, his eyes turned red. He’d get anxious with anyone who touched them. Many border army soldiers secretly praised him. He wasn’t of the empire, yet his spirit was that of a Great Flame man!

Though his performance wasn’t as good as Gu Han, it was still outstanding, earning him the title “Hero Li.” Li Xun was immensely popular for a time. How he wished he could fly back to the Northern Domain and properly show off to Murong Yuan!

Not long after returning, Yun Fan sent a bottle of Transcendent Substance enough for him to break through to the Transcendent realm.

Asa result, Li Xun swore an oath on the spot, “From this day forth, I will follow the Great Flame Empire’s lead!”

Yun Fan was feeling down and wasn’t in the mood to chat with him. He left the item and departed.

As soon as he left, Gu Han arrived and handed Li Xun a jade talisman. It was the Art of Returning to the Origin and Returning the Heart!

Li Xun’s eyes instantly widened. “This cultivation art... how...?”

Gu Han admitted openly, “Yes. I set that trap.”

“Then Fellow Daoist Murong...?”

“My accomplice.”

Li Xun had nothing to say. The truth was out! So Gu Han was the one who tricked their families into slaughtering each other? He felt Gu Han was a bit sinister and very terrifying. His decision to pledge allegiance to him was definitely right!

He swore an oath again, “From this day forth, I will follow Little Brother Gu’s lead...”

Gu Han ignored him then turned and left, leaving behind the overjoyed Li Xun. Transcendent Substance and a Heaven-tier cultivation art—each one was a treasure among treasures.

I am about to rise! From now on, punching that old Murong brat and kicking Wu De and Duan Ren are not just a dream!𝒻𝘳ℯℯ𝑤ℯ𝒷𝘯ℴ𝓋ℯ𝘭.𝑐ℴ𝑚

***

Although the border army won a great victory, their losses were also significant. Almost everyone was injured, some gravely, some to the point of losing their limbs. Nevertheless, with the three miraculous pills, they could naturally recover as long as they spent some time.

Just then, the mellow and melodious sound of a zither drew Gu Han over. Like a clear mountain spring, it washed away his lingering fatigue and killing intent. His mind became serene, and even his cultivation showed signs of breaking through again.

All the cultivators nearby listened, mesmerized. Although their physical injuries hadn’t healed, their fatigue had already been swept away. Even Yun Fan felt much less sorrowful.

When the piece ended, Xue Yu saw Gu Han approaching and stood up while blushing. “Young Master.”

Gu Han was speechless. He suspected that Xue Yu had stayed at the Xian Ya Pavilion for too long and been bullied too much by Pavilion Master Yu. If not, why else would she blush at the sight of anyone?

Xue Yu’s face grew even redder under his gaze. “I’m making a fool of myself before you.”

Gu Han decided to encourage her. “Miss Xue, your talent in zither skills is higher than anyone I have ever seen. Given time, you will surely shine brilliantly and astonish the world!”

“R-really?”

Gu Han said truthfully, “Of course. No one else can cleanse the Dao heart with just the ability of zither music. Right after a great battle, your music is what the cultivators of the border army need most. In a sense, it’s even better than the effect of pills!”

Even he couldn’t withstand the fatigue of the Dao heart brought on by a great battle.

Xue Yu’s heart swelled with joy, his praise giving her a sense of belonging. “I... I understand!”

It seemed she could still be useful even if she couldn’t go to the battlefield.

Unfortunately, Zhao Mengyou witnessed the scene from afar. She felt a little sour. So what if she can play the zither... Fine, so what if she’s good, I can brew spirit tea too!

After the battle, she donned a white dress. Once her least favorite color, it now looked pleasing from every angle. Meanwhile, her beloved purple felt too overbearing, no longer matching her temperament. Of course, the main reason was that Gu Han didn’t really like it.

At this moment, compared to a few months ago, she had lost some of her nobility and arrogance but gained more playfulness and agility.

Suddenly, someone teasingly said, “Divine Maiden Zhao, peeking at that bastard again?”

Zhao Mengyou’s face reddened. She saw Fatty had appeared nearby at some point, looking at her teasingly.

She was about to cry. “Fucking Fatty! Y-you’re so mean!”

Fatty put his hands behind his back. “How dare you?! Who gave you the nerve to speak to me like that?!”

Soon after their return, before Fatty could find Old Liao, Elder Cen appeared with the seal and imperial edict he had long desired. The elder also announced to the entire army that their empire had gained a new prince of a different name: the Heaven-Conquering Prince, Fu Yulin!

At the same time, with Fatty’s tacit approval, the very perceptive Li Xun quickly spread Fatty’s battle achievements throughout the army. Three headbutts killed a Transcendent realm cultivator! Fatty also won the respect of the entire army.

Upon seeing the passing cultivators admiring and saluting him, Fatty was overjoyed but pretended to be majestic, waving his hand repeatedly. “No need for formalities! I’m just walking around, taking a casual stroll.”

Zhao Mengyou cursed inwardly, turned around, and left.

Fatty appeared dissatisfied. This perfectly good, unruly divine maiden, ruined completely by that bastard!

***

After returning to the camp, Gu Han then began studying his future cultivation path. He was now at the ninth stage of the Soaring realm. He could take that step and enter the Heavenly Tribulation realm anytime. However, he wasn’t in a hurry to cross the tribulation. Instead, he was thinking about something else.

On the battlefield, he had turned himself into a sword on a whim. Though it wasn’t a divine power or a secret art, the effect was surprisingly good.

He frowned slightly. “Still needs improvement.”

For the first time, instead of relying on the Great Evolution Sword Scripture, he wanted to comprehend a sword skill using his own ability.

Just as he was thinking, another cup of spirit tea appeared on the desk in front of him. Without looking, he knew it was Zhao Mengyou.

Just as he was about to speak, he paused for a moment. “You—hmm?”

It was his first time seeing her in white.

Zhao Mengyou pretended to be calm, but her blush betrayed her true feelings. “What’s wrong?”

She rejoiced inwardly. I knew it! I guessed right! White is his favorite color!

Gu Han felt the need to explain properly. “I’m not thirsty. And you know, this bit of spirit qi is almost useless for my enhancement. Also, Senior Sister was just joking about making you a maid. You don’t need to take it to heart. Since you don’t want to leave, I will return your freedom to you.”

He expected Zhao Mengyou to leave in a huff, but she didn’t move.

Instead, Zhao Mengyou lowered her head, mustering her courage. “I’m sorry.”

Gu Han was flabbergasted. Has she lost it?

Thinking of Gu Han’s actions on the battlefield today, Zhao Mengyou bit her lip and looked up. “I-If I had done something back then, Yang Ying... maybe he wouldn’t have died.”

Gu Han was stunned for a moment, then there was a long silence. Zhao Mengyou was anxious. She somewhat regretted bringing this up. Well, even if Gu Han got angry, he probably wouldn’t cut her down. If he drove her away, what should she do? But she really did want to apologize.

Suddenly, Gu Han grabbed the spirit tea and drank it in one gulp. “Good tea.”

Zhao Mengyou was very happy, but also a bit sad. Happy, because Gu Han had drunk her spirit tea for the first time. Sad, because she could vaguely sense the deepest sorrow buried in Gu Han’s heart.

***

In the deepest part of the Northern Domain, a blazing, fiery-red peak stood conspicuously. Its center was hollow, with a deep pool at the very bottom. A blood-like, slightly translucent liquid filled it, somewhat resembling magma. The surrounding temperature was extremely high, even seasoned barbarians dared not approach it in the slightest.

Suddenly, a human figure leaped from the pool and landed in mid-air. He was tall, clad in red armor. Nine golden bangles adorned his arm.

“I’ve sensed it. A whole year, I’ve finally sensed it! My human tribulation.” His red eyes, exuding a trace of excitement, shifted and landed in a direction. “It turns out to be in the East! Who could it be?”