Supreme Sword Exalt

Luo Wushuang neither admitted nor denied it, still smiling. “Who I am doesn’t matter. For now, our goals are the same in a way. No need to be so hostile.”

With a soft laugh, he shook his head. “Forget it. Since I’ve met you, consider it a stroke of fate. I’m somewhat interested in your heavenly secret art. How about you teach me?”

Tian Ji couldn’t quite gauge his intention. “You seem more knowledgeable than me. Why would you need to learn my insignificant craft?”

Luo Wushuang sounded somewhat emotional. “No need to belittle yourself. Though your lineage has declined, the fact that it still hasn’t disappeared is enough to prove your skill. If I want to achieve my goal, I can’t use his power too much.”

The immortal light in his eyes gradually faded. His gaze became as deep and far-reaching as the starry sky, inscrutable.

Tian Ji stared straight at him. “What if I refuse?”

Luo Wushuang slowly extended his right hand. “Let’s play a game? I won't use my cultivation, so don't use your heavenly secret art either.

“Guess whether I’m holding one or two essence crystals. If you guess correctly, then I'll leave immediately. Otherwise, you'll have to teach me. How about that?”

Not far away, Mei Yun was taken aback. What a joke! Isn’t that too childish? Who has the time for that?!

However, Tian Ji seemed thoughtful, not looking down on the simple game in the slightest. “Interesting. It’s either one or two. Fair, reasonable, and extremely simple.”

Luo Wushuang smiled sincerely. “How rare. You’re the first person who understands me.”

“What exactly are you trying to do?”

Luo Wushuang gazed up at the sky again, a strange expression flashing in his eyes. “I want to break out, and then take its place.”

Tian Ji fell silent for a moment, then said, “You’re right. Our goals are indeed the same. Forget it. No need for games. I’ll teach you.”

***

Inside a quiet room at the Fang estate, Fang Xing sat with his eyes closed.

Across from him, Fang Lun said resentfully, “Old Ancestor, we cannot possibly let my son die in vain?! We also lost our resources to the Fu family. When has the Fang family ever suffered such a great loss?! We must take revenge! That little beast must die!”

More than ten days had passed since that competition. The high-stakes gamble had cost the Fang family more than half their foundation. If not for the Feather Transformation old ancestor, their family would have fallen to a second-rate power.

Beside Fang Lun was Wu Guang, whose face twisted with venom. “Senior, even though Fu Dahai is nearing his end, he's only becoming more arrogant. He doesn't take you seriously at all. Clearly, he doesn't know how to restrain himself. If we tolerate this, I’m afraid people will mock us, costing you your dignity!

He knew phrasing it in such a way would earn him Fang Xing’s wrath, but he just couldn't care less. Wu Sheng was dead, and no one knew who did it. Wu Guang instinctively suspected Gu Han and Fatty. He wished to tear the two of them apart!

Fang Xing's eyes opened, brimming with bloodlust. “Go! Send people to closely monitor that brat’s movements! If he leaves the Fu estate, send word to me immediately!”

The more he spoke, the angrier he became. His aura kept rising, forcing the two men to step back repeatedly.

“And Fu Dahai as well! Barely clinging to his last breath, and he still dares push me this far?! I will have my revenge!”

Wu Guang was overjoyed. Fang Xing had all but declared the feud with the Fu family beyond reconciliation—precisely what Wu Guang wanted.

Wu Guang then asked, “Why would you go out of your way to kill that little beast? As soon as he shows up, I’ll finish him off!”

Fang Xing slowly closed his eyes, the killing intent in his voice growing stronger. “No. I must kill him myself!”

***

The harvest from the gamble was astonishing: three saint herbs, seventeen half-saint herbs, and over one thousand two hundred drops of Transcendent Substance. Even in the Central Continent, aside from the Central Dao Palace and the Tian Yun Merchant Association, even forces with stronger foundations than the Fu family couldn’t come up with this many resources.

As soon as they arrived at the Fu Estate, Fu Dahai waved his hand and immediately allotted Gu Han’s shares without hesitation.

Thus, Fu Youde handed a specially crafted storage ring to Gu Han. “Seven hundred drops of Transcendent Substance, six half-saint herbs. As for the rest, the old ancestor said you won’t need those two saint herbs for now. Carrying them on you would just be risky.

“As for the remaining four half-saint herbs, they have the potential to evolve into saint herbs. We’ll keep them in the Fu estate’s secret realm to nurture. You can come get them whenever you need them.”

Gu Han was somewhat surprised. “Senior, this is too much.”

Fatty said sourly, “He’s right. Our family put up the bet. The only reason he’s still alive is because the old ancestor protected him. In my opinion, giving him ten percent would be generous enough—”

Before he could finish speaking, he was beaten again.

Fu Youde shook his head. “The old ancestor said your foundation is too strong. The amount of Transcendent Substance you’ll need to cultivate to the peak of the Transcendent realm will surely be terrifying. Just take it! Whatever’s left is enough for my worthless son to use.

“As for the saint herbs, they’ll be even more useful to you later, so don’t refuse. You’re already famous now. You might not get another chance to do something like this.”

These past days, Gu Han’s deeds had gradually spread to other regions. He had slain the Sword Prince. Even the Central Dao Palace’s Dao Child admitted he was inferior to Gu Han. Gu Han’s reputation was unprecedented. No matter how much they hated him, everyone still had to admit that he was terrifyingly strong.

Gu Han smiled. “The Fang family must be dying to kill me.”

Fu Youde smiled mysteriously. “Don’t worry. Let them try. The old ancestor is just waiting for them to come knocking. Oh, right... The Human Tribulation is extremely perilous. I don’t recommend you undergo it. If you truly must, then you have to be extremely careful.”

After Fu Youde left, Fatty’s expression dimmed, and he laughed bitterly. “See? That’s my own father. He knows it’s extremely perilous yet he forced me to undergo the Human Tribulation...”

Gu Han sighed. “Fatty, don’t think like that. He probably just has high expectations for you, so—”

Fatty’s gaze dimmed. “Forget it. My heart has already shattered. Without three to five hundred drops of Transcendent Substance, I won’t recover—”

“Fuck off!”

“Ahem... thirty to fifty drops could also soothe some pain—”

“Look at my sword!”

“Bastard, you’re swinging at me again. I will fight you to the death!”

In an instant, the Fu family was once again thrown into chaos. The Fu family members secretly envied them. Look! These two have such a good relationship! Friendships forged through fighting are real friendships!

After all the commotion, Gu Han finally couldn’t stand Fatty’s relentless pestering and tossed him several dozen drops of Transcendent Substance, then went into seclusion.

Having gained his reward, Fatty left for the Great Flame Empire to serve as the carefree Heaven-Conquering Prince. Of course, his main goal was to see how his future true dragon mount was doing.

***

Inside the secret room, Gu Han followed the secret method Tian Ji had given him. Calming his mind, he gathered his spirit and maintained his focus. He carefully sensed the elusive, indistinct thread of heavenly secret. Yet whenever he felt he was about to grasp it, it would slip away.

He wasn’t anxious either. There would come a moment when he could finally seize it completely. After repeated attempts, he drew closer and closer to it.

***

For a cultivator in seclusion, the passage of time became extremely imperceptible. Time passed in the blink of an eye, and over half a year had gone by.

In the Western Desert, on the edge of the Holy Demon Sect. This place was remote, with weak spirit qi. Amid the vast mountains, aside from a few mortals who had settled here, cultivators were rarely seen.

In the quiet mountain forest, the sound of soft footsteps rang out. Slowly, the demoness emerged in a white skirt. “So beautiful.”

She gazed at the ordinary scenery, spellbound, as though everything before her were a paradise in the mortal world.

Sighing softly, she slowly stopped in her tracks, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes. “This is the place. No one to disturb me. What a fitting final resting place—”

Just then, the sound of violent coughing drifted faintly from afar.