Supreme Sword Exalt

Chapter 176 - Letting You Die with Understanding is the Preferential Treatment I Give You

Seeing him silent, Jiang Xuan urged once more. “What? No more questions? That can’t be right.”

Gu Han took a deep breath. “Alright, tell me why you want to kill me.”

Jiang Xuan pointed to the small pool. “Simple! Whether intentional or not, you’ve discovered my secret, so I have to silence you. If this matter gets out, those old fellows would know that their most valued juniors all died because of me. They would absolutely fight me to the death.”

He clearly understood the anomalies and consequences within the secret realm perfectly.

Gu Han sighed again. “I see. So you’re the root cause?”

Jiang Xuan nodded. “Smart! See, if you had stayed obediently in the peripheries instead of running around, you would have avoided this death tribulation. I really can’t bear to take action against you.”

Gu Han asked mockingly, “I should just hide and wait for death?”

Jiang Xuan smiled. “Dying later is better than now.”

“One more question.”

“Speak.”

“How will you get out?”

Gu Han understood that since Jiang Xuan could sneak in, he had to have a way out. Therefore, there had to be another unknown exit.

Jiang Xuan gave him a half-smile. “What? You think you still have a chance to leave?”

Gu Han stared at him. “I’m just asking. Didn’t you say you’d let me die with understanding?”

Jiang Xuan shook his head. “Don’t try anything funny. Even if I told you the way, you simply couldn’t get out with your cultivation. Besides, you’re about to die, playing these little mind games is just pointless. My patience has its limits.”

His words now carried a hint of impatience.

Gu Han didn’t press further. “Fine. Last question, what use is this liquid treasure to you? I’ve seen you three times, and you had a different appearance each time, why?”

Jiang Xuan appeared wistful and emotional, as if reminiscing. “One can only say, fate plays tricks. Over a hundred years ago, I was the most dazzling prodigy in the Northern Domain. Compared to me, Yang Xiong and Meng Xing of the same generation were nothing!

“At that time, I was proud and arrogant, I looked down on the Yuqing Sect’s recruitment, single-mindedly wanting to become the Holy Son of that Holy Land. It’s a pity that my skills were inferior, so I failed. After returning, I applied to the Yuqing Sect, founded the Great Qi, and took on the duty of guarding the eye of the God-Slaying Formation.”

Gu Han’s heart moved. “God-Slaying Formation? What’s that?”

Jiang Xuan didn’t hide it from him. “A thousand years ago, during a great battle beyond the heavens, a giant who called himself a god perished. A piece of his corpse fell in the Northern Domain, causing great chaos. The founder of the Yuqing Sect also perished because of it. To seal it, a formation was transmitted from the forbidden zone, averting that calamity. That formation is called the God-Slaying Formation.”

As he spoke, he pointed at the red mist. “This power is completely different from a cultivator’s spirit qi. In my opinion, it can be called divine power. You must’ve experienced how powerful it is by now.”

Following that, he pointed at the liquid treasure again. “As for these, they are the threads of divine essence, extracted after the God-Slaying Formation refines the divine power. Their effects are far beyond your imagination—hmm?”

Jiang Xuan seemed a bit puzzled. “You don’t seem surprised at all?”

Gu Han shook his head. “I’m about to die. Is there still a need for surprise?”

Truth be told, he knew more about this so-called god than Jiang Xuan.

Gu Han then asked, “And you had that previous appearance because of this so-called divine power?”

“Correct.” Already deeply immersed in memories, Jiang Xuan had no reason to be suspicious. “Who wouldn’t be obsessed with such power? Several decades ago, I had crossed the ninth Earth Tribulation. I even had one foot at the Transcendent realm. Yet the faster my cultivation progressed, the more unwilling I became to accept my failure. Thus, I set my sights on this divine power.

“What a pity that this power is not meant for us. Something went wrong as soon as I channeled the divine power into my body. Although I was fortunate not to turn into those monsters, my foundation was completely destroyed. My flesh and blood decayed, reducing me into that ghostly appearance from before.”

Gu Han thought for a moment. “I understand. Then you became disillusioned, withdrew from worldly affairs, and simply hid in the martial academy as an old janitor?”

Jiang Xuan shook his head repeatedly. “Of course not! At that time, I was full of regret! I even almost died from it! With my talent and endowment, even if I couldn’t become the Holy Son, I could still become a major power, comparable to the Yang and Meng families! That’s when I realized that I had to live. I had to live well!

“Things like being a Holy Son, a dynasty, juniors and descendants, achievements and glory—none were as important as being alive. These were all stopgap measures, unable to fundamentally solve my problem. But spirit herbs that could restore vitality and replenish my foundation, even the weakest started at half-saint grade.

“Given my condition back then, where could I possibly find them? After much thought, this divine essence became my only hope! Thus, I concealed my name, enduring humiliation and heavy burdens. I hesitated for decades, and also planned for decades, waiting for this opportunity. Now that I have recovered, I will start anew. I don’t want any unnecessary troubles, so you must die. Everyone who has seen me in this secret realm must die.”

Gu Han shook his head. “Actually, even if you don’t kill me, once those monsters fully mature, I wouldn’t have a chance to survive anyway.”

Jiang Xuan grinned. “No. Only after failing once do you understand the importance of a fresh start. I won’t leave myself any hidden dangers. You say that, but you’re still figuring out how to deal with me, aren’t you?”

Gu Han replied flatly, “No. I have already accepted my fate.”

“Is that so?”

“Mhm, I’m waiting to die.”

Jiang Xuan’s smirk deepened. “I know you’ve been stalling for time from the start! Coincidentally, I’ve led a very stifled life these past few decades. I really want to find someone to talk to, and share what’s in my heart! So I’ll play along with you for now.”

Gu Han raised an eyebrow. “And now you’re feeling a weight off your shoulders?”

Jiang Xuan was indescribably relieved. “Very much so! For so many years, I haven’t felt like this. Today is the day I rise again, and also the day a prodigy like you falls. Doesn’t it seem predestined, this give and take? By the way, is this why you were stalling for time? It’s already here!”

Gu Han sighed. “Is that so? Then my questions are finished.”

As if on cue, the ground trembled. The monster he had shaken off had caught up again. Not only was it much larger than before, but the spark of intelligence in its eyes was also stronger. It was more terrifying than ever.

The monster just happened to spot Jiang Xuan first. Its originally cold eyes suddenly bore a trace of anger. “Defiling my God, you must die!”

Its vertical eye opened, firing a thick, faintly destructive red beam toward Jiang Xuan.

“Fine! Since today marks my fresh start, I’ll use you as my whetstone for my first battle!” Jiang Xuan seemed excited. Then, he glanced at Gu Han. “Watch carefully before you die, kid! Let’s see how a genius of the past compares to a genius of the present!”

Before the words faded, an overwhelmingly powerful pressure erupted from him. As his palm turned, a profound aura emanated, meeting the red beam head-on with a slap.

Not far away, Gu Han mustered all his strength and ran for his life. Watch my ass! Living well, isn’t that sweet?!