Supreme Sword Exalt

The sword wielder is the honored one among all weapons, towering above all other implements. The sword physique uses flesh and blood, hair and bones as the sword. Sword qi tempers the body as the foundation, supplemented by heavenly lightning to temper the body. Yang lightning to refine the body, and yin lightning to shape the body.

Combining the unconventional with the conventional, harmonizing yin and yang, undergoing nine tribulations, the sword physique reaches great perfection! From then on, eternal and imperishable, immune to all tribulations, invulnerable to all laws, unique in the heavens, looking down upon all realms, reigning supreme with the sword!

This passage of scripture captivated Gu Han, leaving him entranced. Compared to the Great Evolution Sword Qi, the Indestructible Sword Physique seemed to be an entirely new path. It was a path more difficult than that of a body cultivator, yet also a path to becoming a supreme, unrivaled expert.

Beyond his fascination, he also felt immense joy. All his previous scriptures had been bestowed by the Great Evolution Sword Scripture whenever he reached a certain opportunity or realm. Yet today, the scripture for the Indestructible Sword Physique appeared somewhat suddenly.

Based on his experience, the Indestructible Sword Physique scripture should’ve appeared when he had stepped into the Heavenly Tribulation realm. However, it had manifested early, clearly because he had comprehended the method of tempering the body with the sword ahead of time. Though it was only half a step earlier and still within the scope of this sword scripture, its significance was immense.

Perhaps someday, he could unleash a sword strike that surpassed even this sword scripture. For instance, that very sword strike that had caused the Dao Bell to ring ten times. It was still too distant a prospect to discuss for now. At the moment, the Great Evolution Sword Scripture remained a supreme sword dao treasure that he could not surpass.

Compared to the methods within the sword scripture, the method of tempering the body with the sword that he had comprehended was too rudimentary and crude.

Pushing aside his anticipation and joy, the cultivation within his meridians instantly split into countless tiny strands of sword qi, once again using an extremely profound method to repeatedly temper and refine his body.

Outside, the crowd of onlookers continued to grow. Fatty grew more and more vigorous with each strike. Amid the shimmering golden light, one could vaguely see his face flushed with excitement. Gradually, people began to sense something was off. Why does he look like he’s swinging with unusual severity?

In the crowd, Yun Fan wore a peculiar expression. “Damn! He’s going at it way too hard! Brother Yulin and Brother Gu are good friends, so why does it feel like they’re sworn enemies?”

Yun Fan was inherently simple and optimistic. Thanks to everyone’s reassurance, he had already shed his inner conflict and gone back to being Lackey Yun.

Murong Yan appeared thoughtful. “I think so too. I’m guessing Fatty is taking the opportunity to hit him hard.”

Shen Xuan was speechless. Do you even need to guess? Given what this guy is like, isn’t it clear enough? If this wasn’t deliberate, I’d let you beat me every single day!

Fatty forced an explanation. “You don’t understand! Gu Han and I are as close as brothers, connected like limbs. When I strike him, I also feel it! But for the sake of his cultivation path, I’ve no choice but to do it out of necessity!”

He didn’t even stop hitting Gu Han as he spoke.

The crowd’s expressions grew strange because Fatty’s grin had stretched all the way to his ears. How is that heartache? You’re clearly enjoying it!

***

Since Fatty was secretly striking hard, every one of his blows penetrated the skin and flesh, reaching deep into Gu Han’s bone marrow. With the Indestructible Sword Physique in operation, Gu Han was transforming at a rate that stunned onlookers.

His flesh, blood, bones, internal organs—all had become many times tougher than before. The gains this time far exceeded those of the previous attempts. He was confident that he would suffer no damage if he were to break through the qi of those two Half-Step Transcendent realm cultivators again!

Just as Fatty was getting into the swing of things, Gu Han stepped aside, and shoved a few more Emerald Condensation Pills into his mouth. “Fatty, that’s enough.”

Fatty was taken aback . “Huh? Done already?”

“Yeah.”

Fatty shook his head repeatedly, putting on a serious expression. “No, no! You have no experience as a body cultivator. Listen to me. You’re still lacking. Come, let me give you a couple more hits!”

He shifted his stance, a golden light flaring on his broad hand as he struck at Gu Han.

Gu Han cursed inwardly, Fucking Fatty!

All his remaining cultivation erupted fully, shaking off his bloodstains while simultaneously compressing his spirit qi within two chi of him.

In an instant, his entire demeanor underwent a transformation. Like an unseathed naked blade, he radiated sheer sharpness and intent. Silently and imperceptibly, he used his fist as a sword. At the same time, his spirit qi vaguely condensed into the shape of a sword, meeting Fatty’s attack head-on.

Fist met palm, and a violent surge of qi erupted. Gu Han flew back over ten zhang, his right hand trembling slightly, fractured into several pieces again. Yet under the miraculous effect of the Emerald Condensation Pill, it healed rapidly.

Gu Han sucked in a sharp breath. This was his first time actually experiencing the defense of the Indestructible Golden Body, and there was only one word for it. Tough, too tough!

Opposite him, Fatty proudly clasped his hands behind his back. “I told you you’re still lacking. My defense ranks second in the world. How could someone like you possibly break through it now—”

Yun Fan kindly reminded him, “Brother Yulin, your hand seems to be bleeding.”

Everyone froze. They noticed that the hand Fatty hid behind his back was not only trembling, but also faintly tinged with red.

Murong Yan’s eyes sparkled. “Amazing! Even my wolf-toothed club couldn’t break through Fatty’s defense. Tsk, tsk, brother Gu is truly impressive!”

The crowd buzzed with discussion, their gazes never leaving Fatty’s hand.

“Heaven-Conquering Prince’s defense is broken?”

“Wasn’t his defense second in the world?”

“But Vanguard Gu’s offensive power is first in the world!”

“I guess that does make a bit of sense!”

Fatty was triggered once again. “How bold of you! Bastards, how dare you gossip about me! I will defeat you all with one hand!”

The crowd laughed and joked. No one took his words seriously, leaving Fatty feeling quite wounded.

***

On top of a mountain peak, Yun Zhan slowly withdrew his admiring gaze. “Not bad! This kid actually came up with such an ingenious method. In just half a month, he has traversed a path that takes ordinary cultivators several years. Impressive!”

Beside him, Elder Cen stroked his beard. “Actually, I think compared to his talent and natural endowments, his ruthless drive is even more commendable. Who else could bring themselves to torment themselves to the brink of death, back and forth, dozens of times? I’m looking forward to seeing how far he can go in the future.”

The War Prince sighed softly. “How far? Of course, the farther, the better.”

Not far away, Zhou Ye and Wang Yong sat cross-legged with their eyes closed. Their auras were obscure and difficult to discern, with a slight chance of breaking into another realm and achieving complete transcendence. Transcendent Substances were no longer of much use for them. Rather, that sliver of opportunity to step into the Saint realm was what they required most.

During this period, under the careful guidance of the War Prince and Elder Cen, the two had gained much. Stepping into the Saint realm was merely a matter of time.

Good thing we didn’t leave! This was the shared thought of both. They would never receive such treatment in their own sects! Both harbored a simmering determination. They would step into the Saint realm first, then tear off each other’s faces, stomp on it twice, and finally hold their heads high with pride.

Suddenly, the War Prince seemed to sense something, and his gaze turned cold. “Hmm? Tuo Jun?”

***

Inside the central military camp, Yun Fan approached him. “Brother Gu, how do you feel?”

Gu Han possessed a sharp, formidable aura, his edge fully exposed. Just standing there, an endless sense of sharpness swirled around him, making him resemble a peerless sword. Drawing even slightly closer, Yun Fan felt as if many strands of sword qi were slicing into him. Gu Han emanated a stinging pain.

Gu Han shook his head. “It still needs a bit more. Next comes the Heavenly Tribulation realm.”

Tempering the body with sword qi was just the foundation. Only after undergoing the Heavenly Tribulation realm would his sword physique truly be considered to have entered the threshold.

Yun Fan appeared curious. “I wonder how many stages of the Heavenly Tribulation you can cross at once?”

The crowd was equally curious. Aside from body cultivators, ordinary cultivators would exercise caution at the Heavenly Tribulation realm, progressing stage by stage. No one even considered crossing multiple stages at once. Those who dared to think like that had long since been obliterated by the lightning tribulation.

Nevertheless, when it came to Gu Han, they had great confidence. Vanguard Gu isn’t ordinary. Wouldn’t crossing three to five stages of lightning tribulation at once be like child’s play?

Gu Han remained silent in contemplation.

The Indestructible Sword Physique had a total of nine stages. Crossing the Heavenly Tribulation only marked the true beginning. He could still roughly infer the nature of the subsequent yang and yin lightning, but beyond that... life lightning, destruction lightning, and illusion lightning were already beyond his comprehension.

He was about to ask when he saw several cultivators rushing over in a hurry. “Fatty—”

“Vanguard Gu, the barbarians have come to challenge again!”

Fatty was greatly displeased. Have some sense! Don’t they see me?! They can clearly tell who is more important between the vanguard and I, yet they reported to him first!

Fatty waved his hand grandly. “What’s the issue! It’s just barbarians. With me present, we will suppress all! Tell me, which fool dares to come seek death?”

“It’s the first war god.”