Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 10

"Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 10: I Have a Friend..."

Chapter 10: I Have a Friend...

"The master who taught me is known as the Ghost Doctor. His mastery of medical theory and alchemy is unparalleled! To be honest, it's somewhat embarrassing—though people call me a Divine Physician, my knowledge pales in comparison to even a fraction of what my master possesses. My reputation is confined to this small corner of the Great Qi Kingdom. If he were here, perhaps there would be some way to help."

"Ghost Doctor?"

Gu Han's heart leapt with hope.

"Where is he?"

"To speak of it..."

Divine Physician Xue let out a bitter laugh.

"It's been decades since I last heard any news of him."

Decades...

Gu Han's heart sank again.

He could afford to wait, but could A Sha?

"Young Master..."

A Sha finally understood the meaning behind their conversation and looked sorrowful.

"Is A Sha going to die?"

"..."

"A Sha isn't afraid of dying, but A Sha doesn't want to leave Young Master..."

"Don't worry!"

Gu Han's heart ached as he pulled her tightly into his arms.

"I won't let you die!"

"I'll find a way to save you—that's my promise to you! You know I've never lied to you!"

"Sigh..."

Divine Physician Xue seemed lost in thought, letting out another deep sigh.

"What a charming and innocent girl... such a pity."

After a moment's hesitation,

He took out another small bottle, this one pure gold, intricately engraved with countless exquisite patterns—far more precious than the jade bottle from before.

"This is a Spirit-Nourishing Pill."

"It was left to me by my master before he departed, intended for me to use when breaking through to the Spirit Mastery stage. But due to some other fortunate encounters, I never had the chance to use it. The efficacy of the pills he refined is extraordinary. Now... it shall be yours. It should provide some temporary relief."

"Elder Xue!"

Master Li nearly jumped in frustration.

"That's a pill personally refined by the Ghost Doctor! How can you just—"

"What!"

Divine Physician Xue's expression darkened.

"Are you saying I need your permission to give away something that belongs to me?"

His usually gentle demeanor now carried a sharp edge—he was truly angry.

"Forgive me, forgive me!"

Master Li quickly forced a smile.

"It's my fault for overstepping. Please forgive me, Elder Xue."

Inwardly, he was baffled.

Though Divine Physician Xue was known for his soft-hearted nature, he had never seen him be so generous before. To hand over a pill personally refined by the Ghost Doctor—for a girl he'd never met? Even the Seventh Prince didn't receive such treatment!

"Senior, your great kindness!"

Gu Han bowed deeply, sincerity etched into every word.

"I will remember your generosity forever!"

At this moment, his heart, long frozen by the betrayal of the Gu Family, felt a faint warmth seep in.

"Thank you, Grandpa!"

A Sha mimicked Gu Han's actions.

"Grandpa is such a good person!"

"Hahaha..."

Seeing A Sha's innocent and carefree expression, Divine Physician Xue couldn't help but laugh heartily.

"Well said! Well said! This pill of mine has been given to someone truly worthy!"

Master Li sneered inwardly.

If you gave that pill to me, I'd call you Grandpa—or even Great-Grandpa!

Gu Han solemnly accepted the small bottle and gently opened it.

At the bottom lay three thumb-sized, golden-yellow pills.

Instantly, a gentle, refreshing fragrance wafted out—different from the Solar Blaze Fruit's scent.

With just a single breath,

Gu Han felt his spiritual awareness sharpen slightly.

"Young Master..."

A Sha's mouth watered.

"It smells so good..."

"Here, take one."

"Mmm... it tastes so good..."

As the pill dissolved in her mouth, A Sha grew dizzy, swayed, and collapsed softly into Gu Han's arms.

"Senior, she..."

"No need to worry. It seems the pill is taking effect. However, she has no cultivation to rely on, so absorbing its potency will naturally take some time."

"Thank you, Senior!"

Divine Physician Xue glanced at A Sha once more, a faint sigh escaping him.

What happens next...

Depends on your fate.

"Alright!"

Putting aside his thoughts, he showed no intention of staying longer.

"We'll take our leave now."

"Senior!"

Gu Han suddenly called out to stop him.

"May I ask... why exactly do you need the Solar Blaze Fruit?"

"There's no need for such formalities!"

Divine Physician Xue paused, then waved dismissively.

"I gave you the pill because of this little girl. If you think I'm using this act of kindness to demand the Solar Blaze Fruit in return, then you're underestimating me!"

"Senior misunderstands."

Gu Han thought for a moment.

"The Solar Blaze Fruit... I did eat it. But... could it be replaced with something else?"

"Something else?"

"Just this."

Gu Han gently laid A Sha down and retrieved the red snake.

"Crimson Flame Serpent!"

Master Li exclaimed, rushing closer.

"So that's why! Elder Xue mentioned that where the Solar Blaze Fruit grows, there must be a Crimson Flame Serpent nearby. I was wondering why we hadn't seen one—it turns out it was with you all along, boy! Why didn't you show it earlier!"

Gu Han ignored him completely.

"Senior, could this be of use?"

"Of course it's useful!"

Divine Physician Xue nodded approvingly.

"This Crimson Flame Serpent is a rare species. Though it hasn't reached adulthood, it's already at the fourth-tier level. Its beast core is just as effective as the Solar Blaze Fruit—if not more so!"

Glancing at the smooth wound on the snake's body and the battered sword in Gu Han's hand, he seemed to understand something.

"It seems I underestimated you!"

"Senior flatters me—it was merely luck!"

Gu Han naturally didn't want to reveal his secrets.

Divine Physician Xue didn't press further.

Everyone had their secrets—including himself—and he had no interest in prying.

However.

At this moment, he believed Gu Han's earlier claim.

If someone at the Spirit Enlightenment stage could slay a Crimson Flame Serpent, then swallowing the Solar Blaze Fruit whole wasn't such an extraordinary feat either.

Only Master Li...

Sneered inwardly.

Does Divine Physician Xue really believe the serpent was killed by him? Impossible!

Most likely, he got lucky and found it already dead!

"Boy!"

The more he looked at Gu Han, the more irritated he became.

"At least you understand the concept of repaying kindness. Hand it over!"

"You want it?"

"Obviously!"

"Then pay with spirit crystals!"

"What did you say!"

"If I'm giving this to Senior, I don't expect anything in return. But you... you'll have to pay with spirit crystals!"

"..."

After choking Master Li with his words, Gu Han handed the Crimson Flame Serpent to Divine Physician Xue. Despite his urgent need for cultivation resources, he didn't take a single spirit crystal from Divine Physician Xue.

Saving A Sha...

Was equivalent to saving himself.

Since childhood, Gu Tian had taught him a principle:

A favor, repay tenfold!

And vengeance... naturally also tenfold!

Before leaving,

Master Li still harbored resentment, throwing a final threat over his shoulder.

"Boy, don't let me see you again!"

Gu Han treated it like a passing fart.

...

At the same time.

The bounty issued by the Gu Family spread to most wandering cultivators in the area within just two days!

"Two thousand spirit crystals and a high-grade spiritual artifact!"

"What a lavish reward! Who is this Gu Han that they're willing to spend so much?"

"Heard he's a patricidal wretch—it's no wonder the Gu Family wants him dead!"

"So, are we doing it?"

"Of course! If we can kill him, the reward will keep us living comfortably for years!"

"..."

The crowd buzzed with excitement.

Among them, those who had seen Gu Han and A Sha now regretted bitterly.

Such a fortune!

They had missed it completely!

For a time,

The wandering cultivators abandoned their tasks of gathering herbs and hunting demonic beasts, frantically searching for Gu Han based on the clues provided by the Gu Family.

...

Gu Han, of course, knew nothing of this.

Inside the cave.

A Sha was still sound asleep, her expression now less pained and more peaceful.

Beside her,

Gu Han carefully applied medicinal powder to the soles of her feet.

The powder given by Divine Physician Xue was extraordinary—just moments after application, the blood that had been seeping from her wounds stopped entirely.

"Mmm..."

Suddenly,

A Sha stirred in her sleep, murmuring softly.

"Young Master, A Sha is hungry... A Sha wants chicken legs..."

Chicken legs...

Hearing these words,

Gu Han's mind drifted back ten years.

In the icy snowstorm,

A starving and freezing girl, barely three or four years old, collapsed at the gates of the Gu Family, only to be found by him.

A chicken leg.

A basin of hot coals.

Pulled her back from the brink of death.

From that day on, he kept her at the Gu Family, making her his personal attendant.

Over the past decade, they had shared each other's hardships, spending every day together. She had become his sole companion, and he hers.

"A Sha..."

Looking at her pale, delicate face, Gu Han took a deep breath.

"I won't let you die!"

"My adoptive father is gone—you absolutely cannot leave me too!"

Soul Deficiency Syndrome.

Ghost Doctor.

Pills.

His thoughts began to wander.

"Hmm?"

Suddenly,

An idea struck him, and his eyes lit up.

"That's right!"

"That guy might have a solution!"

...

Inside the consciousness space.

Within the sword prison.

"Damn it!"

The shadow, who had been sitting cross-legged, suddenly jumped up, cursing loudly.

"What kind of life is this! Can't die, can't live! Am I to remain trapped here forever? How will I ever avenge myself!"

"Sigh..."

After ranting for a while,

He slumped back down in defeat.

"Fine, I've endured this long—it's not like a little more time will kill me. I'll just wait until that brat reaches the tenth level of Qi Condensation..."

"What are you muttering about?"

Suddenly,

A familiar voice rang out behind him.

"Cough, cough..."

The shadow stiffened, quickly turning around.

"Why are you here again?"

"To check on you."

Concerned about A Sha's safety, Gu Han's tone softened slightly.

"Check on me?"

The shadow was suspicious.

"Are you really that kind-hearted?"

"Well, I have a question for you."

A question?

The shadow realized what was happening.

No wonder he's being so polite—he needs something!

"Boy!"

He crossed his arms, speaking arrogantly. "Having trouble with your cultivation, are you? Just the Qi Condensation stage—a realm beneath even ants—and you're already having problems? Listen to me and focus on hard work. Don't aim too high—just keep your head down and cultivate diligently..."

"It's not about cultivation."

Gu Han shook his head.

"And besides, I've already entered the Spirit Enlightenment stage!"

"Spirit Enlightenment?"

The shadow sneered.

"Spirit Enlightenment is... Huh? What did you say!"

He instantly lost his composure, erupting in anger.

"You... who gave you permission to advance to Spirit Enlightenment? I explicitly told you not to aim too high! Did you just ignore my advice completely?!"

"What!"

Gu Han's expression darkened.

"Are you saying I need your permission to advance?"

In an instant,

The sword prison trembled slightly, several strands of sword intent ready to strike!

"..."

The shadow realized his mistake.

"Cough, cough... That's not what I meant. The tenth level of Qi Condensation, though the simplest supreme realm, lays a solid foundation for your future cultivation. If mastered, it offers immense benefits for your path ahead! How could you give it up so easily? It's not just foolish—it's downright stupid!"

He feigned deep concern, as if genuinely worried about Gu Han's future.

Gu Han eyed him suspiciously.

Has this guy changed his tune?

Why is he suddenly so concerned about me?

"Actually, I've already achieved the tenth level of Qi Condensation."

"What!"

The shadow stared intently at Gu Han.

"You... succeeded?"

"Yes."

"Then... cough, cough, do you feel anything unusual?"

"Unusual?"

Gu Han thought for a moment.

"Besides my meridians feeling slightly swollen, nothing else. You were right earlier—the supreme realm of the Qi Condensation stage isn't difficult to achieve."

"I see, I misunderstood you. Good, good."

The shadow outwardly praised him.

Inwardly, however, he cursed profusely.

Damn it!

How is this little bastard's luck so good? He survived even this trap!

Little did he know that Gu Han's newly remodeled meridians were extraordinary. What was meant to harm him instead inadvertently helped him achieve the tenth level of Qi Condensation. Naturally, the shadow was furious.

"I have a question for you."

Gu Han, preoccupied with A Sha's condition, ignored the shadow's odd behavior.

"Have you heard of Soul Deficiency Syndrome?"

"Soul Deficiency?"

The shadow replied weakly.

"It's just soul damage and loss of soul energy. Why are you asking?"

After a brief silence,

Gu Han spoke slowly.

"I have a friend..."