Supreme Sword Exalt

In less than the time it takes to brew a cup of tea, Fatty and Xiao Yang had already become two peas in a pod. To be precise, Fatty had bamboozled them until their heads spun.

The two sighed inwardly. Despite his unfathomable strength, Brother Fu remains approachable and completely free of airs. He’s so much easier to get along with than Brother Gu, who wants to chop someone up at the drop of a hat! What a pity we didn’t meet sooner!

Gu Han couldn’t be bothered to watch. He walked over to Yang Lan, gave her a few more careful instructions, then glanced at Li Xun. Li Xun was as ruthlessly shrewd as Yan Qi was naive. By now, he fully understood Yang Lan’s place in Gu Han’s heart.

He puffed out his chest and swore solemnly, “Vanguard Gu, rest assured! From this day forward, I will look up to Lady Yang as if she were my leader!”

Gu Han believed him. In a certain sense, entrusting Yang Lan to Li Xun’s care put him more at ease than leaving her with Murong Yuan. After all, as much of a fence-sitter Li Xun was, he still got things done. If not for his absence, his various schemes and methods would have ensured that Yang Lan was never taken away as a maidservant

Thus, Gu Han decided not to linger anymore. “Fatty! Let’s go!”

Xiao Yang and Hua Xing proposed to travel together with Gu Han. Not only would their guardians provide additional protection, but they would also reach the Central Continent in no time. Gu Han naturally agreed. Truth be told, he’d had the same idea.

Fatty laughed heartily. “Excellent! In that case, we’ll be troubling you two—”

Chongming gazed straight at Gu Han, more serious than ever. “Hold on! Kid, I have something to say to you. It’s inconvenient with outsiders around.”

Gu Han nodded. “Alright!”

He had never seen Chongming this serious before.

“A rooster demon? How rare!”

“Brother Fu, is this your pet?”

Xiao Yang and Hua Xing were taken aback. Earlier, Fatty had stolen the spotlight, so they’d subconsciously overlooked Chongming’s existence. Now hearing him speak, they were quite astonished.

Chongming shot the two a glance. “Call me Master Rooster, or suffer the consequences!”

The two were both furious and humiliated, they even felt somewhat disgraced.

“Dream on!”

“Not a chance!”

This is too much! We came from the Ancient Cang Realm. Fine, we can accept being bullied by others, but now even a rooster wants to bully us? If word of this gets back. Will we have any face left? Do they really think we have no dignity?

Gu Han thought the two weren’t bad, so he explained, “You two, that senior who gave me my sword intent also has to call him Master Rooster.”

The two trembled inwardly and simultaneously performed a great bow. “Master Rooster!”

What face? A true man knows when to bend and when to stand tall. One’s life is more important! Thank goodness Senior Brother didn’t come!

Chongming rolled his eyes and couldn’t be bothered with them. “Let’s go!”

Yan Qi obediently stretched to over ten zhang in length, carrying the two men and the rooster. He gazed reluctantly at Li Xun, tears glistening in his eyes. “Brother... take care!”

Li Xun’s eyes reddened as he forcibly held back tears. “You too, Brother!”

However, the corner of his mouth twitched nonstop, making it obvious he was struggling to hold back a laugh. Ten years! I finally got my chance! Even though Wu De and Duan Ren are gone, I can still beat up that old man Murong and step all over Wei Fang!

Of course, he didn’t forget his mission. “Lady Yang, shall I escort you back?”

Yang Lan felt somewhat flattered. In her heart, the Qixia Court still carried significant weight. “Thank you, Court Master Li!”

Li Xun sighed emotionally. “You’re too kind! Although my surname is Li, I was actually born in a place called Yang Family Village back in the day. As it happens, that makes us half of the same clan, more or less. If you don’t mind, just call me Brother Li.”

Yang Lan was speechless, while Wei Fang’s mouth twitched violently. Sure enough! There’s a reason this guy is better off than me!

Di Kan watched them in the distance. Whether he regretted not helping Gu Han back then like Zhao Mengyou, no one knew.

***

Although quite a few outer domain people had headed to the Southern Border, the Great Flame Empire remained calm, a stark contrast to the chaotic Northern Border. The Northern Domain, by extension, was also peaceful.

Outside the War God Hall, a group of Feather Transformation realm guardians and outer domain Heavenly Prides had gathered. They politely cupped their hands to Yun Zhan as they took their leave. “Daoist Yun, we’ll be heading to the Central Continent today. If you receive any news of the alliance master, please be sure to inform us!”

Yun Zhan returned the gesture. “Fellow Daoists, have a safe journey.”

After they left, Ah Man asked with some curiosity, “Sir, these outer domain people actually seem pretty decent. Not arrogant at all.”

Indeed, he had already grown to a tall, robust barbarian youth. Under the protection of Elder Cen and the War Prince, he had completely taken control of the War God Hall and the barbarians of the Northern Domain. The name Chi Yao was also already known to many barbarians.

The War Prince shook his head. “They’re just afraid of my uncle, that’s all.”

The Dragon Ancestor bloodline was extremely rare. When the outer domain people saw Yun Zhan, they thought of the alliance master, who was also a descendant of the Dragon Ancestor.

After some inquiries, they learned that Yun Qi was Yun Zhan’s uncle, with immense influence on the seven realms. Even though he had been gone for ten thousand years, his lingering authority remained, so no one dared to entertain any petty schemes.

“Where is that senior?”

Yun Zhan became somewhat sad. Yun Qi was the previous master of the Dragon Seal.

There was no undoing the Dragon Mark and the Dragon Seals once they acknowledged a master. At least, unless the master himself willingly relinquished them. Since the creation of the two, no descendant of the Dragon Ancestor had ever voluntarily given them up, unless death.

He sighed softly. “I don’t know whether Feng Kid has found him or not.”

***

In the capital of the Great Flame Empire, the Flame Emperor smiled at Feng Xi. “A few days ago, Daoist Yan sent word. That kid has successfully passed his human tribulation and returned to the Northern Domain. What a secretive fellow! Spending ten whole years to overcome his human tribulation is truly impressive. My judgment of him wasn’t wrong!”

Feng Xi’s face showed a hint of tenderness, which was quickly followed by a trace of worry. “I couldn’t find him.”

She was referring to Yun Tu. Over the years, she had traveled almost everywhere across the five domains, yet hadn’t found so much as Yun Tu’s shadow.

The Flame Emperor wasn’t surprised in the least. “It’s okay. He seized your brother’s Hidden Dragon Physique. If he doesn’t reveal himself willingly, even with the Dragon Mark’s resonance, it would be nearly impossible to find him. Kid, you’ve done your best. Don’t concern yourself with this anymore.”

“But you—”

The Flame Emperor sighed. “Silly girl, since I bear the Dragon Mark, I must face the curse within. No matter who ends up killing who, this Dragon Mark absolutely must not end up in Yun Ao’s hands!”

Hearing the resolve in his words, Feng Xi’s eyes showed a flash of sorrow.

***

Deep within the Southern Border, the mountain gate appeared even more dilapidated than before. Before the archway, Yun Tu remained as he had for ten years, hands tucked into his sleeves, wearing the same lazy expression year after year.

Silently and imperceptibly, Yun Ao slowly descended before him.

Yun Tu glanced lazily at him. “Hm? Your cultivation is restored?”

“More or less.”

Yun Tu’s lazy demeanor vanished instantly, replaced by endless fervor. “Good! The opportunity has arrived!”