Supreme Sword Exalt

Murong Yuan’s pupils contracted. He hadn’t seen how Gu Han made his move, let alone how he left. The youngster had clearly grown a lot!

Murong Yan wanted to follow him. “Brother Gu!”

Murong Yuan stopped her. “Don’t! His current cultivation level is no longer something I can see through. You’ll only cause trouble if you go! Besides, he seems to have a trump card!”

Mother Yang was full of concern. “Senior, why didn’t you stop him?”

Murong Yuan sighed inwardly. I can’t even see his shadow. What could I possibly use to stop him?

***

Compared to over a decade ago, the Yue Mountain City had completely lost its prosperity and liveliness. Every cultivator who came here was extremely cautious, afraid of accidentally offending some outer domain people.

In the northeast direction of the city, a crowd had gathered at a distance. Faint sounds of pleading and arguing drifting over. In front of a shop, three haughty young men in magnificent robes stood before Li Xun, their tones full of delight.

“Is it a real fire flood dragon?”

“Who would have thought that such an exotic species exists in this desolate place?!”

“Brother Wang, Brother Zhou, if we offer this thing to Young Master Chang... hehe!”

The other two’s eyes lit up at the words. “Excellent idea!”

The three had originally been planning to attend the outer domain Heavenly Prides’ gathering. On the way, they happened to encounter Li Xun and Yan Qi.

Now, although they were also from the Ancient Cang Realm, their backgrounds and status were far inferior to the likes of Xiao Yang and Young Master Chang. Offering up such an exotic species would not only bring them honor, but also help them curry favor with those great clan disciples.

Opposite them, Li Xun’s legs were trembling uncontrollably as he steeled himself. “Yan Qi is not my pet. H-he is my friend’s...”

Having just returned from the Central Continent, he obviously didn’t know that the outer domain Heavenly Prides had all gathered here. In order to show Yan Qi the scenery of the Northern Domain on his way back, he had purposely passed through Yue Mountain City. He never expected to run into these few as soon as he entered.

The Wang youth sneered. “Ridiculous! Friend or pet, it makes no difference! Heavenly treasures, rare birds, and exotic species all belong to the virtuous! What virtues or abilities does a mere native like you have to deserve such an exotic species?”

The Zhou youth appeared extremely impatient. “Enough talk! Your life or the fire flood dragon, pick one!”

Many onlookers, including a few disciples of Qixia Court, recognized Li Xun. Seeing the dignified court master of Qixia Court bullied into such a state, everyone felt a sense of grief for the fox mourning the hare. This time it was Li Xun. Next time, would it be theirs?

Li Xun from ten years ago would’ve caved long ago, even offering Yan Qi up with both hands to seek some benefits. Yet the longer he spent with Gu Han, the less he dared to do that. No matter how he thought about it, Gu Han was more terrifying than any outer domain Heavenly Prides. Not to mention his horrifically powerful dao guardian, the old blind man.

Thinking of this, he gritted his teeth and steeled his heart. “Yan Qi is my friend. I will absolutely not hand him over to you. I’m also a person who values loyalty. Are all Outer Domain people as uncivilized as you?”

I will take a gamble! If I win, I’d secure a great future with Vanguard Gu. If I lose... Ain’t fuckin no way I’d lose! I have always had excellent luck with gambling. I’ve never lost a bet!

Yan Qi’s eyes grew hot, tears nearly falling. “Fellow Daoist Li, you are the most loyal person I’ve ever met. Consider this friendship sealed. I’m determined to be your friend!”

Li Xun smiled bitterly. “If I hadn’t brought you to Yue Mountain City, this wouldn’t have happened.”

Unable to hold back any longer, the Zhou youth unleashed his cultivation at the seventh stage of the Transcendent realm. A powerful qi pressed down, and Li Xun’s face turned deathly pale as he staggered backward.

Before he could make a move, the Chen youth intervened. “Brother Zhou, enough. We come from the Ancient Cang Realm. If word gets out that a bunch of natives are calling us uncivilized, it won’t look good!”

The youth, who was also at the seventh stage of the Transcendent realm, turned to Li Xun. “Do you think I’m being uncivilized?”

“Yes!”

“Heh. I’ll buy this fire flood dragon!”

Li Xun was startled, a bit confused about his intent, and said instinctively, “I’m not selling—”

The Chen youth waved his left hand and pressed it toward Li Xun’s chest. Li Xun instinctively moved to block, but the strike turned out to be a feint. The Chen youth flicked his right hand, and a trace of liquid shot into Li Xun’s mouth.

Li Xun was stunned again. “Transcendent Substance?”

Though it was only a trace, it was undoubtedly the Transcendent Substance!

The Chen youth smiled. “A hundred drops of Transcendent substance! Is that enough of a price to buy this fire flood dragon of yours? Civilized enough, wouldn’t you say?”

The Zhou youth nodded. “He’s right! Know your place! A native with lousy talent and mediocre aptitude like you could never condense such an amount in your entire lifetime! You’ve gotten a great bargain, and you still don’t know how to be grateful?”

Li Xun’s face flushed deep red. “Not a hundred drops, not even one!”

The Chen youth’s expression darkened. “Not even one? You’ve already swallowed it! How can you prove it isn’t a hundred drops! We’ve given you the goods and reasoned with you. What, a mere native still dares to be unreasonable?”

Li Xun was furious. “My cultivation hasn’t changed!”

The Wang youth said slowly, “I have an idea. Let us cut you open. We’ll thoroughly examine your soul, every inch of your flesh, and confirm whether you’ve hidden the Transcendent Substance without refining it. If we found nothing, then perhaps Brother Chen was mistaken. The three of us will apologize, and we won’t take the fire flood dragon either!”

Yan Qi’s voice was with grief and indignation. “Cut him open? Would Fellow Daoist Li even survive?”

The Wang youth smiled. “I don’t care about that. Proving his innocence requires paying some price.”

Li Xun trembled with anger. “Are you messing with me?”

He had already realized it. From start to finish, they had been toying with him.

Li Xun cursed inwardly, Disgusting! Shameless! A bunch of scum!

He was aware that he could be shameless, and that he had hardly ever been a righteous gentleman, but he was still a saint compared to these three.

The Chen youth smiled. “So what if we’re messing with you? That’s your fault for being weak. If you’re stronger than us, you could mess with us too.”

The Wang youth said cheerfully, “Alright, there are three ways to go about this. Either you compensate us with a hundred drops of Transcendent Substance, the fire flood dragon, or let us cut you open to prove your innocence. Actually, I like how the third one sounds.”

The onlookers all felt sorrowful. Some Qixia Court disciples clenched their fists, their faces full of grief and indignation.

Li Xun was torn with indecision. I can’t afford to compensate them. Prove my innocence? What good is that? They just wanted me dead! Maybe I should cave for now? But Vanguard Gu didn’t seem to like fence-sitters!

Just as he was hesitating, Yan Qi slowly flew up from his head, choked with emotion. “Fellow Daoist Li, you are my friend. I will certainly not stand by and watch you die. I’ll go with them right now. You go find Gu Han and the Heaven-Conquering Prince...”

Yan Qi’s innocence made Li Xun’s heart tremble, he couldn’t bear to look at him.

After seeing Yan Qi come forward willingly, the Chen youth was extremely satisfied. He glanced at Li Xun again, killing intent surging in his eyes. Insignificant native! How dare you oppose me! Now that I’ve got what I want, there’s no point in keeping you around!

With a cold laugh, his qi surged up as he prepared to strike Li Xun dead on the spot.

Yan Qi’s eyes turned red. “What are you doing?! You’re breaking your promise! I’ve agreed to go with you, so why are you still attacking him?!”

The Wang youth sneered. “When did we ever say we’d let him go? Did any of you hear that?”

Li Xun’s heart went cold. It’s over! These scum don’t play by the rules. I am done for!

Just then, someone shouted furiously, “You’re going too far!”