Supreme Sword Exalt

Before a small stream, a hunchbacked old man in tattered clothes hobbled forward with a worn fish basket. He suddenly turned pale and broke into a violent coughing fit. With each cough, his back hunched a little more. After a moment, he opened his withered, cracked palm and stared blankly at the large mass of blood, speechless.

After a long while, he lowered his hand, his expression wooden, and continued hobbling toward the stream. “Ah Yuan loved eating fish the most...”

Silently and imperceptibly, a figure in a white dress slowly descended behind him. A faint mist shimmered in her eyes, and she called out softly, her voice trembling slightly, “Grandfather...”

The old man stiffened and quickly turned around. “Ah Yin...?”

Then, the woodenness on his face swiftly vanished, replaced by a mixture of affection and reproach. “Why have you come? You just got better. You’re still weak. Hurry up and return. I caught some fish. I’ll make you soup to drink tonight.”

The woman could no longer hold back. One after another, tears fell like a broken string. The old man before her overlapped with the old man in her memory.

After parting ways with Gu Han, she disguised herself with an ordinary appearance and traveled for more than half a year before finally arriving in the Western Desert. Even though she grew weaker by the day, seeing through the old man’s memories was still very easy for her.

Ah Yuan was the name of the old man’s granddaughter. Five years ago, she contracted a severe illness and passed away. The old man had a son and daughter-in-law, but they died ten years ago. While gathering herbs in the mountains, they were attacked by vicious beasts, leaving not even their bones behind.

Ah Yuan had loved eating fish during her life. Though she was no longer here, the old man still kept the habit of coming to fish every so often.

The demoness stood before the old man. “Grandfather, let’s go home.”

The old man was a bit stubborn. “You go back first! I will catch the fish and then—huh?”

He froze when he saw several plump fresh fish in the ragged fish basket.

The old man gave a wry smile. “My memory betrayed me! I caught them but still forgot. You are in for a treat today, Ah Yin!”

“Grandfather, from now on, I will take good care of you.”

The old man’s eyes grew moist. “You’ve grown up and become so sensible, my granddaughter! Come on, let’s go home first!”

“Let’s go home.”

***

Meanwhile, inside the secret room of the Fu estate in the Central Continent, Gu Han had activated the secret technique countless times. He finally managed to capture the sliver of heavenly secret. Instantly, a trace of realization settled within his heart.

He slowly opened his eyes, a thoughtful look on his face. “My human tribulation is in the west?”

Just then, faint sounds of Fatty’s loud laughter came from outside. “Fellow Daoist Yan Qi, congratulations on crossing the nine stages of Heavenly Tribulation! You’ve successfully transformed into a flood dragon. Congratulations—hey! Who told you to become human! Change back for me!”

Then came a flurry of punches and kicks, interspersed with Yan Qi’s pitiful screams.

***

Within Tianji Valley, Luo Wushuang’s eyes were slightly closed. A vast, misty profound qi swirled around him without pause, hovering between reality and illusion. Always gentle and refined, he became even more ethereal and transcendent after cultivating the heavenly secret art.

After a moment, he slowly opened his eyes. His gaze had grown deeper, even more inscrutable. He sighed softly. “I didn’t expect this heavenly secret art to be so profound and extensive. If I master it, I should be able to contend against him for a bit.”

Opposite him, Tian Ji coughed softly a few times. The weariness and agedness on his face had deepened even more. “I have taught you everything I know and have learned, holding nothing back. I hope you remember what you said before.”

Luo Wushuang nodded. “Of course.”

Then, he closed his eyes again. The profound qi swirling around him accelerated a bit, as if he were deducing something.

After a moment, he opened his eyes once more, a strange light flickering within them. “Ten years later, the Great Dao Gold List will appear.”

Given Tian Ji’s current state, he couldn’t deduce at will. Still, he knew better than anyone the level of Luo Wushuang’s heavenly secret art, so he believed him. “Gold List? What is that?”

Luo Wushuang smiled. “It’s similar to the Dao Bell. It’s just a tool for measuring aptitude. But how can a mere Dao Bell and Gold List determine how far a person can ultimately go?”

Tian Ji expressed some regret. “What a pity. Your skill in the heavenly secret art is now no less than mine. I never expected you to be talented in this path. If you could fully devote yourself to the Heavenly Secret lineage...”

He didn’t finish his sentence, knowing it was merely wistful thinking.

Luo Wushuang simply cupped his hands and prepared to leave. “That being the case, I shall take my leave.”

Tian Ji was a bit curious. “Where are you going?”

“The Gold List is a great opportunity, so everyone has a share. How can it be enjoyed solely by the people on this continent?”

Tian Ji’s expression changed slightly. “You’re planning to bring in people from outside?”

“Indeed.”

Tian Ji fell silent for a moment before saying, “You are a madman.”

Luo Wushuang just smiled. With a step, he had once again entered the Tian Ji Great Formation. Before leaving, he took one more look at Mei Yun, who was cultivating earnestly.

***

At the Fu estate, a fire flood dragon over ten zhang long lay on the ground. His crimson scales shimmered brilliantly. Tucked beneath its belly were four sharp claws that seemed capable of piercing gold and splitting stone. The single horn on its head, three feet long, gleamed with a cold light.

Having crossed the nine stages of Heavenly Tribulation, Yan Qi appeared far more extraordinary than when it was a python. Only his eyes were a bit bruised and blackened because that was from Fatty’s recent beating.

He was so pained he shed tears, whining, “W-why did you strike me?”

Fatty advised earnestly, “Yan Qi, I’m doing this for your own good! What’s so great about being human? Think about it, if you appear before the world as a flood dragon, everyone will remember your great name, Yan Qi!

“There are already so many human cultivators in the world. Who would care about someone named Yan Qi? The Yan family has been single-son for seven generations! We’re all waiting for you to transform into a real dragon and bring glory to the ancestors!”

Yan Qi immediately perked up. “How foolish of me! Thank you for enlightening me! My mind is suddenly clear, as if awakened by thunderous enlightenment. I have seen the light! From this day forth, I will ascend to become a true dragon and never again harbor the desire to take human form!”

Fatty beamed. “Excellent! You possess great wisdom. My judgment of you was correct...”

Unable to resist the urge, he rode Yan Qi out and showed off.

Just then, Gu Han appeared before him, sighing. “Fatty, don’t be a dick.”

Fatty transmitted secretly. “Nonsense! Don’t tell me you don’t want to ride him?!”

Gu Han fell silent for a moment. “Yan Qi, you’d better listen to every word from the Heaven-Conquering Prince. His advice is pure gold.”

Yan Qi, sporting two bruised and blackened eyes, appeared extremely spirited. “Don’t worry, Benefactor! I swear by death to never be human again!”

After encouraging Yan Qi a few more times, Gu Han then asked about the situation at the border.

Feng Xi was in seclusion. Zhao Mengyou, Xue Yu, and Yun Fan had gone traveling together. Ah Man was studying under the War Prince, growing less barbaric by the day. Li Xun, had successfully broken through to the Transcendent realm and gone back to the Northern Border to show off. Regardless of the border or the Eastern Wasteland, they were all enjoying a rare period of peace.

Feeling a bit embarrassed, Gu Han stuffed a bottle of Transcendent Substance into Yan Qi, which made Fatty’s eyes turn red again.

Gu Han said irritably, “Stop hogging it! You’re already at the Transcendent realm. There’s a limit to how greedy one can be!”

Over these past six months, with so much Transcendent Substance available, Fatty had already successfully broken through to the third stage of the Transcendent realm. In fact, he was on the verge of breaking into the fourth stage.

“Of course not! I’m never that kind of person!” Fatty gave an embarrassed laugh. Then, his expression turned serious. “You’ve sensed your human tribulation?”

Gu Han nodded. “It’s just—”

Fatty interrupted him ,“Don’t say it! Human tribulation is ever-changing. You don’t even know what yours is yet. The more you say, the more variables arise, and the more unfavorable it is for you! And also, remember, don’t fly too high no matter what.”

“Why?”

Fatty was full of indignation. “You might suddenly fall from the sky half dead, encounter a demonic beast tide, and also run into a black-hearted bastard who will try to screw you over every way possible!”

Gu Han was speechless.