Supreme Sword Exalt

Inside the military camp, Yan Qi lay on the ground, listless and dispirited.

Fatty stood with one foot on Yan Qi’s head, hands behind his back, wearing an expression of pained urgency. “Yan Qi, the heavenly tribulation counts for nothing! You are destined to transform into a real dragon and roam the starry skies! The Yan clan has had seven generations of single heirs, all counting on you to bring glory to the ancestors! How can you be so weak and shortsighted?!”

Bring glory to the ancestors? These words struck a weak point deep in Yan Qi’s heart.

His tears and voice fell together. “Father! Grandfather! Great-grandfather! Your unworthy descendant shall transform into a flood dragon today!”

He raised his head, lifting Fatty high into the air. The bulge on top of his head rapidly swelled and burst. A three-chi-long horn drilled out, breaking through its confinement.

“I will bring glory to my ancestors! I will endure the heavenly tribulation!”

With a cry that resembled a dragon’s roar, Yan Qi swung himself, sending Fatty flying. Mist and clouds rose beneath Yan Qi’s belly, and he vanished into the sky.

Fatty stared dumbfounded. What the hell? That actually worked?

“What a disgrace!” Fu Youde cried.

Suddenly, a surge of saintly might descended, burying Fatty deep underground. Only half his body remained above the surface as he cried out in pain

Upon seeing Fu Youde’s face twitching with rage, Fatty grew indignant. “Father? Here, I am the Heaven-Conquering Prince! Not your son Fu Yulin! Y-you show me some respect...”

Another surge of saintly might descended, and only Fatty’s head remained above ground.

Fu Youde sneered. “Heaven-Conquering Prince?”

He was about to scold Fatty further when he spotted Gu Han returning from outside. His expression lit up with joy. “Kid, you’re back?”

The passing border guards all saluted respectfully. “Vanguard Gu!”

As for the Heaven-Conquering Prince, they simply pretended not to see him. After all, this wasn’t the first or second time he’d caused a scene, so they habitually ignored him.

Fatty grew indignant. “Father! The seniority is all wrong!”

Fu Youde glanced at him. “Wrong my ass!”

Fatty was speechless.

Then, Fu Youde patted Gu Han’s shoulder. “Kid, you’re the finest I’ve ever seen—”

Gu Han’s face turned white, and he spat out another mouthful of blood.

The crowd of border guards shouted and clamored, swarming around him, glaring at Fu Youde with nothing but discontent in their eyes.

“Vanguard Gu!”

“What’s wrong with you?”

“Quick, fetch Divine Physician Xue! Vanguard Gu has been injured!”

Fu Youde also stood dumbfounded. “I-I didn’t do anything!”

Fatty’s eyes lit up, and he popped out of the ground. “Fellow Daoist Fu, Vanguard Gu’s contributions to the Great Flame Empire outweigh the heavens, yet you injured him for no reason. You simply have no regard for the empire and the border army. About what happened today, unless you hand over eighty or a hundred saint herbs, you’re not leaving—”

Halfway through his speech, Fu Youde had already smacked him away. “Kid, I—”

Gu Han ignored Fatty and shook his head. “It’s not your fault. It’s the curse.”

As it happened, even though Fu Youde hadn’t done anything, his saintly might still lingered. A trace of it had accidentally entered Gu Han, once again stirring up chaos in his cultivation. It was similar to when he’d coughed up blood earlier.

Fu Youde’s expression turned serious. “Right! The curse! Exactly the curse! Come with me. Since everyone’s here, let’s settle your problem first.”

He was about to grab Gu Han when he suddenly froze, then sheepishly withdrew his hand. “Never mind. Just follow along yourself.”

If he injured Gu Han again, the border army would surely fight him to the death.

***

Inside Feng Xi’s military camp, the Flame Emperor, Yan Qianjue, and the others were all gathered, along with Yu Miao, Zuo Yang, and Feng Xi. They had already discussed a solution for the curse on Gu Han. It was to find Tian Jizi!

Even though he was only at the Saint realm, he was deeply versed in the dao of fortune and heavenly secrets. Setting aside cultivation, no one across the five domains could surpass him in this field. Not even Yan Qianjue and the other two experts combined could rival a single finger of his.

Fu Dahai pondered for a moment before saying, “Then it’s settled! The Fu family isn’t far from Tianji Valley. I’ll take him there first. No matter what, we must make him think of a solution!”

The Luoheng Holy Master hesitated for a moment. “But I heard that after the appearance of the Dao Bell, Tianji Valley sealed itself off, and Tian Jizi isn’t seeing anyone.”

Even a Feather Transformation realm Holy Master like him couldn’t use force against Tian Jizi. On top of his mysterious background and mastery of heavenly secret arts, he had also sold countless favors. He had countless supporters. No one had ever dared to provoke him.

The Flame Emperor said calmly, “Won’t see anyone? He will see us.”

Zuo Yang touched the knife at his waist. “Indeed. He certainly will.”

Yu Miao chimed in, “He must!”

Yan Qianjue and the Luoheng Holy Master exchanged a glance and steeled themselves.

“How dare he refuse? Let him try!”

“Worst case, we’ll join forces and dismantle the Tian Ji Great Formation!”

Just then, Gu Han walked in. Everyone began asking about the state of the curse. As for why the demoness hadn’t returned with him, that wasn’t their concern.

Gu Han pondered briefly then told them what he had been experiencing. Just as everyone suspected, nothing happened when he refrained from using too much cultivation. In contrast, all kinds of accidents would occur whenever he pushed his cultivation to its full power.

Under the rampage of his spirit power, even his sword qi would injure him. It was one thing if he fought an ordinary opponent, but against a strong cultivator like Sang Ge, he would absolutely die a miserable death.

Above all, he couldn’t possibly endure the human tribulation in his state. Even without Qian Ye, he wouldn’t miss it. The human tribulation was vicious, but it was one part of the Supreme Stage.

Learning they would leave soon, he fell silent for a moment. “I’ll go say goodbye to them.”

Although he hadn’t been with the border army for long, he’d still grown quite attached to the place.

***

Soon enough, all the border guards learned that Gu Han was about to leave. However, they didn’t know about the curse. For a time, those who were cultivating, healing, in seclusion—every single one of them dropped everything and rushed over. The spacious central military camp quickly filled with people. They all seemed unwilling to part.

Then, Gu Han bid farewell to everyone. Murong Yan, Shen Xuan, Yun Fan, Zhao Mengyou, Xue Yu and her grandfather, Old Liao... even Li Xun himself said a few words, which flattered Gu Han.

He flickered and landed mid-air, cupped his hands toward them. “Everyone, may we meet again if fate allows!”

Destroying the Yudan Sect, offering the pill formula, killing the war gods, breaking the barbarians—Gu Han’s arrival had completely rewritten the course of the war and changed the fate of the border army. Had it not been for him, they likely would have ended up no better than the barbarians.

As if sharing one mind, they all performed a deep and sincere bow. Their voices echoed far into the distance like a roaring tide. “Farewell, Vanguard Gu!”

Fu Dahai cupped his hands toward Yan Qianjue and the others. “Fellow Daoists, may we meet again if fate allows!”

He swept his large sleeve and departed with all the Fu family members and Gu Han.

Fatty’s dissatisfied voice softly drifted over. “Ancestor, wait until Yan Qi finishes his tribulation—ah! Father, don’t hit me! We haven’t even left the Great Flame territory yet...”

Watching Gu Han leave, Feng Xi, Yu Miao, and Zuo Yang stood in silence. Will he be alright?

In the crowd, Murong Yan and Shen Xuan sighed quietly. Accompanying Gu Han to the empire was as far as they could go. Any farther, and they would no longer be able to keep up.

In the distance, Zhao Mengyou and Xue Yu stood side by side, filled with dejection. Gu Han had left too quickly, so they couldn’t keep up. After all, some people were merely passersby in their lives, lingering only for a short while.

The Tiansheng Hall Master shook his head secretly. “Mengyou, the fight here is over. He... ahem... he’s gone too. There’s no point in you staying here any longer. Come back with me?”

Zhao Mengyou gave a self-mocking laugh. “Go back? Go back to being that arrogant yet short-sighted and selfish Divine Maiden? Master, I don’t want to live that kind of life anymore. I want to go out traveling and broaden my horizon.”

Go out and look around. Maybe... I’ll run into him again.

His heart sank with a thump. The joy he’d felt from gaining the Flame Emperor’s favor vanished without a trace. It’s over! I’ve lost my disciple!

Xue Yu seemed about to say something.

Zhao Mengyou glanced at her and smiled sincerely. “You want to go too? Then let’s go together. I need a companion after all.”

Xue Yu smiled too. “Alright!”

In that moment, the two young women felt a sense of kinship.

Yun Fan’s head suddenly popped in. “Hm? You’re going out to play? Take me with you!”

Zhao Mengyou rolled her eyes. “Fine! W-we just happen to need an attendant!”

Yun Fan’s expression darkened. Do you think I’m stupid? What you really meant was henchman, isn’t it!

***

On a mountaintop, the War Prince and Elder Cen stood facing the wind, their tones filled with emotion. “He’s leaving.”

“Haa... I hope he can resolve his issue. Otherwise, this hurdle in our hearts won’t go away.”

Ah Man simply performed a deep bow in the direction of the Great Flame border army.

The War Prince and Elder Cen exchanged a smile. This little one is not bad at all!

***

Meanwhile, at Tianji Valley, Mei Yun carried an armful of pill bottles to the spirit beast enclosure. “These are today’s pills. Don’t fight over them, or Senior Tian Ji will be unhappy.”

Instantly, the crowd of spirit beasts lay on the ground, trembling violently. It’s that Jinx again! Every time we eat his pills, we get the runs. We can’t take much more of this!