Supreme Sword Exalt

Chen Qing asked again, “Senior, you’re really not from the Profound Sword Sect?”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “No. Actually, I’m just a rogue cultivator like you.”

Chen Qing didn’t believe him at all. I know there are Saint realm rogue cultivators and even Ascension realm ones. But a rogue cultivator who fed Transcendent Substance to a chicken? No fucking way!

Gu Han didn’t bother explaining further, so he shifted the topic. “Oh, right. What did you mean earlier by first-rate force?”

Chen Qing grew even more puzzled. Maybe he really isn’t from here... He’s so strong, yet he doesn’t even know the most basic structure of the Tiannan Realm?

He began explaining again, “Here’s the thing. The Tiannan Realm is rather chaotic.”

Among the Seven-Realm Alliance, the Tiannan Realm had a reputation for being the most chaotic, all because of Ling Ya. He almost never showed himself, barely concerning himself with anything, allowing the realm’s countless forces to fight and devour one another at will.

Among the many forces, Ling Ya’s Emotionless Sect was the only super-first-rate force. Beneath the Emotionless Sect, there were several first-rate forces, each with Freedom realm experts presiding over them. The Profound Sword Sect was one of them. No matter how they fought, these forces remained strong and never changed hands.

Below the first-rate forces came dozens of second-rate forces, whose strongest cultivators were mostly at the Ascension realm. Generally speaking, unless there was a blood feud between them, they rarely escalated to the point of mutual annihilation. Hence, changes were also relatively uncommon.

As for the rest, they were the numerous third-rate forces and the countless unranked forces. If one attacked today, the other would retaliate tomorrow. Territory invasion and resource theft happened all the time. A sect or family that seemed perfectly fine one day could vanish without a trace a few days later, never to be found again.

Chen Qing smiled wryly. “That’s why rogue cultivators in the Tiannan Realm are nearly ten times more numerous than anywhere else.”

Gu Han now understood that when rogue cultivators joined sects or families, what they sought was protection and safety. But with all these forces constantly at war with one another, joining one in hopes of obtaining those things was little more than wishful thinking. There was no point.

Besides, unless one was exceptionally outstanding for forces above the second-rate, an ordinary rogue cultivator couldn’t even hope to join. That was why chaos ran rampant in this place. Scavenging had become a common occurrence, even developing into a profession.

Gu Han laughed coldly. “Ling Ya? That old bastard spends all his time scheming. When would he ever care about whether you live or die?”

Chen Qing hissed. “Senior, watch your words! This is Master Ling Ya we’re talking about!”

As Ling Ya was the most powerful cultivator in the Tiannan Realm, Gu Han understood the reverence everyone held for him. He immediately led the group away from the Luori Mountain. The ordinary spirit herbs here were practically useless for him. The real treasures lay deep within the mountain range’s depths, and no one knew better than him just how great a crisis was hidden there. Charging in recklessly would be pure suicide.

Chen Qing and the others secretly marveled about Chongming. That rooster demon is so lucky for having such a formidable master!

As they flew along, Gu Han’s mind churned with thoughts. Recovering from his injuries was of utmost priority. Setting aside his divine soul, if he could at least heal his scars, he’d have some ability to defend himself.

In the blink of an eye, they had been flying for the better part of half a day.

Chen Qing finally couldn’t hold back anymore. “Senior, where exactly are we going?”

“Scavenging.”

Chen Qing regretted speaking. “Senior, we just passed by several good spots. Those were places where many rogue cultivators frequently gather. Fights break out there all the time. If we’d waited there—”

Gu Han glanced at him. “No. As a scavenger, you need to think bigger. Don’t waste your time on those worthless trinkets.”

Chen Qing gulped nervously. “What... exactly counts as worthwhile?”

After a moment’s thought, Gu Han didn’t overpromise. “At least a half-saint herb, to start.”

Chen Qing was speechless. Behind him, the three disciples wore expressions of utter reverence and adoration. Listen to that! Now that’s vision! Master’s perspective has been far too shallow!

Suddenly, Gu Han seemed to notice something and abruptly halted. “Hm?”

Immediately after, two figures flew in from the distance. Their cultivation level was around the Heavenly Tribulation realm. Yet when they faced Gu Han and Chen Qing, they wore expressions of undisguised arrogance.

“Stop!”

Gu Han remained calm. “Why?”

One of them sneered. “Don’t you know the rules? This is the territory of the Yangxin Sect. Our ancestor is a Saint realm cultivator. Everyone who passes through here must offer him a tribute. There are five of you, so hand over fifty drops of Transcendent Substance!”

Chen Qing’s face paled. Fifty drops?!

Gu Han looked at him. “Is that really a rule?”

Chen Qing felt guilty. “Y-yes, there is. I forgot to mention it to you.”

The rule did indeed exist. Chen Qing had simply been so preoccupied with Gu Han’s matters that he hadn’t gotten around to mentioning it. In fact, on normal days, he would rather take a detour than pass through these sect territories. Being discovered by those sect members and ruthlessly extorted were among the last things he wanted.

Gu Han remained nonchalant. “What if I don’t pay?”

One of them let out a sinister laugh. “Do you know how the Yangxin Sect’s mountain gate was built?”

The other’s eyes flashed with killing intent. “It was built from the bones of wretches like you!”

Gu Han nodded. “I see.”

Based on what Chen Qing had said, the Yangxin Sect should be an unranked force, yet they brazenly extorted and plundered without restraint. This showed just how chaotic the Tiannan Realm had become.

Though Gu Han visibly made no move whatsoever, two streaks of sharpness flashed past. The two men didn’t even have time to cry out before their corpses dropped from the sky.

Chen Qing’s face twisted with worry. “You—”

He wanted to urge Gu Han to keep a low profile. After all, the Yangxin Sect had a Saint realm ancestor. Although Gu Han was also at the same realm, he was severely injured and could end up in a bitter struggle.

Gu Han shot him a glance. “Don’t just stand there. Go scavenge.”

“Okay!”

“Thank you, Senior!”

“You’re so generous!”

Chen Qing’s three disciples had already lost patience. They charged down and stripped the two corpses clean of everything they had. Just like before, what Gu Han deemed worthless was the very thing they dreamed of obtaining.

Suddenly, a few Transcendent realm experts landed before Gu Han, laced with heavy murderous intent.

“Which reckless fool did this?!”

“How dare you commit murder in the Yangxin Sect!”

“We’ll skin you alive and break your bones, and pile them outside the mountain gate!”