Supreme Sword Exalt

When Gu Han returned, Fatty filled him in on the ins and outs of the matter. Thus, he saluted the group. “Esteemed Seniors. I am extremely grateful for your assistance.”

Without these people, he would have fallen into Yun Ao’s hands even if he had managed to escape the Dragon Seal. The outcome would go without saying.

Fu Dahai shook his head. “There’s no need for that. Yu Lin has a close bond with you, and the Fu family also avoided a huge hidden danger thanks to you. Our intervention is only right and proper.”

The Luoheng Holy Master hesitated for a moment before saying, “No need for thanks. It’s just that there’s one matter...”

“Senior, please speak.”

“Persuade Zuo Yang. Don’t let him run around everywhere. He likes to cook, doesn’t he? Well, what top-grade ingredients can’t the Luoheng Holy Land find?! Even if we can’t, with so many people in the Holy Land, we can help him look!”

Gu Han was taken aback. The dignified Luoheng Holy Master, an expert of the Feather Transformation realm, is this humble before senior brother?

Though Yan Qianjue remained cold and stern, he was even more humble. “Exactly! Persuade my daughter too! If I don’t see her for a single day, my heart... ahem, feels unsettled!”

Gu Han was even more speechless, yet he also found it secretly strange. As the only daughter of the Western Extreme Holy Demon Sect’s master, Yu Miao had Yan Qianjue tightly wrapped around her finger.

He also wondered why the Luoheng Holy Master valued Zuo Yang so much. With eight rings from the Dao Bell, Zuo Yang would definitely be considered a top-tier genius in places like the Myriad Transformations Holy Land.

Zuo Yang, who elicited eight rings from the Dao Bell, would definitely be considered a top-tier genius in places like the Myriad Transformations Holy Land. But surely, a super power like the Luoheng Holy Land did not lack such geniuses?

Just then, the Flame Emperor shifted his gaze and glanced at Ah Man and his mother. “They...”

Given his breadth of mind and temperament, he would not make things difficult for them. Moreover, he understood that Gu Han had brought them along for a reason. He just felt that Ah Man’s aura felt somewhat familiar.

Right away, Gu Han recounted the matter of Chi Yao, “This is Ah Man. He is the successor I chose for Senior Chi Yao.”

The group felt sincere respect. If they were in Chi Yao’s situation, they feared they would not have the confidence to maintain any principles, let alone possess the resolve to resolutely sacrifice themselves for others.

The Flame Emperor sighed. “I met Chi Yao a few times back in the day. He was truly an upright and lofty person. His successor... Well, just leave him to Yun Zhan’s tutelage.”

He understood Gu Han’s intention. Ah Man was too weak as he was. Staying in the Northern Domain with the barbarian ancestor’s inheritance would only bring mortal danger.

Ah Man’s gaze held fear and curiosity. By now, he had understood that the Flame Emperor was the highest-ranked person in the Great Flame Empire, equivalent to the master of the War God Hall. Yet the man showed no sign of looking down on Ah Man. Instead, it seemed he intended to have someone of very high status teach him. He felt even less sense of belonging to the barbarian tribe, and instead developed a fondness for the Great Flame Empire.

Fatty secretly sighed with emotion. The barbarian tribe will never have good days again!

Feng Xi said, “Let’s go back. Everyone is waiting for you.”

Gu Han took a deep breath. “Let’s go!”

***

Corpses were scattered across the Northern Domain, most of them belonging to barbarians. The closer to the border, the more there were. Acrid stench of blood soared straight to the heavens.

With their hands freed of Yun Ao, the War Prince had immediately led several Saints into battle. One Saint Realm cultivator alone was enough to alter the course of a battle, much less several. With a few of them involved, the outcome was obvious.

The barbarian tribe was practically routed. No matter how many soldiers they had, they could not launch a proper resistance. The Great Flame Border Army chased them until they scattered in panic, slaughtering them until corpses littered the fields.

The border army could have probably fought straight to the War God Hall. Unfortunately, their casualties were also significant. As for the resources the War God Hall had accumulated over countless years, the group also retrieved them to use as rewards.

In the aftermath of the battle, Yun Ao had fled, his whereabouts unknown. Not a single War God Hall’s seven Saint realm elders survived. Nearly all the Transcendent realm cultivators were also dead. As for the ordinary barbarians, their deaths were simply incalculable. The barbarian tribe was finished. Their chances of ever recovering their former might were extremely slim.

Under the War Prince’s consolidation, the border army gathered once more. Though exhausted, they stayed in the Northern Domain, unwilling to depart before the one they awaited returned.

***

On a stretch of land dyed the color of red, Gu Han saw the figures of the border army soldiers from a distance.

Wounded or maimed, their numbers had also dwindled far too much compared to before. Many familiar faces, including Zhang Shan, were also gone. Yet the crowd showed not the slightest hint of dejection. They remained disciplined as ever, their temperament remained iron-blooded as ever.

Gu Han knew they were waiting for him.

The group sighed softly and stopped. “Go on.”

Even Fatty uncharacteristically chose not to steal the spotlight.

Gu Han descended and saluted the border army deeply. “People, I have returned!”

“Greetings, Vanguard Gu!”

Without hesitation, the border army soldiers all returned Gu Han’s salute in unison. One person facing tens of millions, no extra words.

Yan Qianjue sighed with emotion. “Magnificent!”

His Holy Demon Sect commanded countless large and small demonic sects and enjoyed immense prestige in the Western Desert. Yet compared to these soldiers, they seemed like nothing more than a disorganized rabble, incapable of accomplishing any major task.

The War Prince glanced at Ah Man and his mother. “Are you Ah Man? Apparently, there are also such loyal and devoted individuals among the barbarians. That’s rare. From now on, you will follow me.”

He had joined the group and learned of Chi Yao’s entrustment from the Flame Emperor.

Ah Man was overjoyed. “Yes, my lord!”

He felt that the atmosphere of the Great Flame Empire seemed completely different from that of the barbarian tribe. He preferred it here, and it suited him better here as well.

Yan Qi grumbled. “Ah Man... You should call him master...”

Ah Man followed the example, abandoning barbarian customs and adopting the border army’s method of saluting as he bowed to the War Prince. “Yes, Master!”

Fatty seemed concerned. “Brother Yan Qi, how are you feeling?”

His concern was genuine, of course. A real dragon mount was probably the only one in the world. He cared more about it than anyone.

Yan Qi said weakly, “Thank you for your concern, Prince. It’s just that my whole body feels weak, and my head is splitting with pain.”

Fatty turned serious. “Ancestor, where’s our saint herb? Bring ten or eight of them, for Brother Yan Qi to—”

He had barely spoken half the sentence when he was sent flying by Fu Dahai’s furious slap.

Seeing Gu Han surrounded by the soldiers like the moon encompassed by stars, the demoness smiled softly. “How wonderful.”

She glanced at Fatty, who was rubbing his face with great dissatisfaction, and smiled charmingly. “Little Fatty, will you help me with something?”

As if the psychological shadow left behind was too deep, Fatty’s expression turned serious. “Sister Demoness, you’re too kind. Whatever matter you have, just say it. I guarantee I’ll get it done!”

The demoness gazed at Gu Han’s receding figure. “Tell him not to come looking for me.”

Fatty was stunned. “Alright—wait, you’re leaving?”

Only a short time had passed since the two had entered the Dragon Seal. It was just that in that short period, far too many things had happened. Gu Han risked his life for her, while she threw caution to the wind for him. The experiences they shared were far more than what ordinary people would experience in a hundred years. Enough was enough.

Sighing softly to herself, she forcibly withdrew her gaze. “Tell him to train hard and go find his Ah Sha as soon as possible.”

With that said, she turned and, picking a direction at random, her lonely back gradually faded into the distance. You have Ah Sha, your father, friends... Just one less Mo Chenyin, it doesn’t amount to much.