Supreme Sword Exalt

Gu Han covered a thousand li with ease, and soon approached the Heavenly Demon Valley.

Located in the deepest part of the Wild Forest, it was the largest gathering place for the demon clan apart from the inner layer of the Central Continent. After all, the demon clan had declined and was far less prosperous than the human race. The edge of the forbidden zone should lie beyond this valley.

Upon arriving, a group of demon clan members surrounded him again.

To avoid conflict, Gu Han gave his name. “I’m looking for Di Kan. Tell him it’s Gu Han from the Profound Pill Pavilion. He and I are old acquaintances.”

In less than a moment, the valley master appeared. “Di Kan was captured.”

He seemed to have suffered severe injuries, his expression very grim. “A group of people came, calling themselves outer domain Heavenly Prides. Even their guardian has the strength of the Feather Transformation realm. They claimed they had taken a liking to Di Kan’s Heavenly Demon bloodline and wanted to take him as a servant! It’s utterly outrageous!”

In his agitation, he aggravated his injuries and started coughing violently again. The valley master himself was at the Saint realm. Yet not only had someone severely injured him, but they had also captured his most valued direct descendant. He felt nothing but humiliation and unwillingness.

After seeing Chang Jun, Gu Han understood exactly what kind of character those so-called outer domain Heavenly Prides were. In their eyes, the people of this continent were nothing but uncivilized barbarians.

As for Di Kan, Gu Han’s impression of him was not bad. Setting aside the fact that the two had no real friendship, even if he wanted to help, his cultivation level simply wasn't high enough.

The valley master sighed with emotion. “How rare. You are loyal and righteous. Over ten years have passed, and you still remember Di Kan...”

Gu Han felt a little embarrassed because the real reason he came here was to inquire about the old blind man’s whereabouts.

Upon learning Gu Han’s true purpose, the valley master couldn’t help but plead, “I know that you and that Daoist friend share a deep connection. Could I... could I trouble you to ask him to save Di Kan? If it’s him, he’ll definitely succeed! We’ll repay him with our valley-guarding treasure!”

As if afraid Gu Han would not believe him, he brought out a half-saint herb that was in the process of evolving. Originally, they intended to wait until it fully evolved before using it for Di Kan's future breakthrough to the Saint realm. However, as things stood, he could not care about that anymore.

Gu Han did not accept it. “Senior, why don’t you go see the old man yourself?”

The valley master smiled bitterly. “We hardly know each other. In fact, something happened between us in the past. But he thinks very highly of you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have acted on your behalf back then. If you ask, he will surely agree...”

Gu Han sighed. “Senior, the old man is nearing his limit. I don't even know if he can still fight. I cannot promise you anything on this matter. If I see him, I will mention it to him on your behalf. As for whether he is willing to act, that is not something I can control.”

The valley master appeared somewhat disappointed. “Very well...”

Nevertheless, he also understood that Gu Han had already done more than enough, considering he and Di Kan truly had no real friendship.

Thus, he told Gu Han the old blind man’s location. He originally wanted to personally escort Gu Han there, hoping Gu Han would owe him a favor, but Gu Han politely declined.

After Gu Han left, he let out a heavy sigh, his tone somewhat desolate. “Di Kan, I... tried my best...”

***

Strange mist churned beyond the edge of the forbidden zone. Without hesitation, Gu Han stepped into it.

Ghostly wails echoed, and demonic shadows appeared again and again. The strange mist seemed to have a mind of its own. After sensing a living being entering, it transformed into all kinds of bizarre and ferocious shapes, lunging at Gu Han to tear him apart.

Before they even reached him, he already felt his qi about to burst out. In an instant, an invisible strand of sword qi barrier expanded, shielding him. Since it was the outermost area, the strange mist was still weak. The sword qi made quick work of them.

He looked toward the depths of the forbidden zone. “I wonder how Father’s doing.”

He had not seen Gu Tian for over ten years. Still, recalling the bizarre demonic shadow surrounding his adoptive father, he felt this could be the most suitable place for Gu Tian.

Two sudden roars rang out. The strange mist’s churning intensified, and two ferocious-looking demonic shadows manifested in reality. They pounced on Gu Han, their eyes were filled with cruelty and greed.

Before Gu Han could act, a sword hum followed. Then, an overpowering and unmatched sword intent descended, annihilating the demonic shadows into nothingness.

Gu Han was overjoyed. “Old man!”

He was very familiar with this sword intent. After eliminating the demonic shadows, the sword intent showed no sign of dissipating. Instead, it exploded and swept away the strange mist for several li in every direction, before descending upon him.

Gu Han’s expression changed slightly. “Old man?!”

Even if it was just a wisp of sword intent, he could not block it at all. As a sword cultivator, he understood all too well. It was not that the old blind man was trying to attack him, but that his sword intent had lost control.

Just as it was still a few zhang away from him, the old man’s weary, aged sigh sounded, and the violent sword intent dissipated. “Kid, you’re here? Come over.”

Gu Han’s heart sank heavily. He actually lost control of his sword intent... he might really be in serious trouble!

***

In the past few days, the guardians of those outer domain Heavenly Prides had gradually returned. They also brought back two pieces of news.

First, the Great Dao would indeed bestow rewards upon this continent. For example, over ten years ago, the Dao Bell had appeared in the world. Hence, the Gold List was highly likely to be real as well. Second, a Life-Extending Fruit was about to ripen in the Central Continent.

When the news came out, everyone was shocked. Setting aside the Gold List, even if it was just a year, consuming the fruit meant indirectly changing the rules of the Great Dao.

Such a rare, heaven-defying item didn’t exist in the Ancient Cang Realm. Hence, no one expected it to exist on such an unremarkable continent. For those old monsters, whose lifespans were nearly exhausted yet could not break through, this fruit was their salvation.

Moreover, the appearance of the Gold List almost coincided with the ripening of the Life-Extending Fruit. For a time, the outer domain Heavenly Prides scattered across the various regions had a common destination: the Central Dao Palace.

***

Within the Eastern Wasteland, a pall of gloom had settled. Chang Jun had been killed. Two of the four who accompanied him had been severely injured. Of course, this enraged their guardians, who swore to find the murderer: the Fengwu Court chief disciple!

With this information, they quickly found out that person’s name was Gu Han. In just two or three days, those guardians had nearly turned the Northern Domain upside down, about to head toward the Southern Border.