Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 5

"Supreme Sword Master - Chapter 5: Where Did Your Defiance Go? Can You Get It Back?"

Chapter 5: Where Did Your Defiance Go? Can You Get It Back?

"Damn it!"

"Why did I have to be so reckless with my hands!"

"Why the hell did I touch that broken sword!"

Deep within the consciousness space.

Inside a sword prison about ten feet in diameter.

A shadowy figure with an indistinct face stared blankly at the prison before him, his tone filled with despair and regret.

"Well, isn't this great!"

"Stuck in this godforsaken place—I don't know how long it'll take to get out of here!"

He had tried breaking out of the sword prison before.

However.

Though the prison seemed ordinary at first glance, every time he attempted to escape, a pure sword intent would descend, slicing away a portion of his soul energy.

Previously.

After just a few collisions.

This residual soul's energy had already been reduced by a full third, so naturally, he didn't dare try again lightly.

"Sigh!"

He was filled with regret.

The moment he saw the sword intent, he understood.

Even if he were at the peak of his power in his original body, there was no way he could withstand that sword strike—capable of severing even the Great Dao itself!

"Too greedy!"

"If only I'd chosen Gu Tian earlier!"

"Though his aptitude is abysmal and his body doesn't quite match mine, it's still better than being trapped in this accursed place!"

"Could it be..."

After a long while, he sighed in defeat, slowly opening his hand. A mysterious golden seal lay quietly in his palm.

"Is this thing... truly not meant for me?"

"It's all because of that little bastard!"

Seeing the golden seal.

He thought of Gu Han.

"Damn it!"

"With such an incredible sword legacy right beside him, he still got beaten into that sorry state—he's utterly useless! Not only is he useless, but he also dragged me down with him!"

Amidst his curses.

He felt a twinge of regret.

"What a pity—his body was actually quite compatible with me..."

"What's that in your hand?"

Unexpectedly.

A cold voice rang out from behind him.

"Who's there!"

The shadow froze, quickly turning around, only to see a stern-faced youth standing outside the sword prison, his eyes filled with caution and wariness.

Who else could it be but Gu Han?

"It's you!"

Seeing Gu Han.

The shadow's eyes turned bloodshot, and he nearly cursed again in anger.

You little bastard!

You tricked me, and now you dare show your face to me!

I...

Forget it, I'll endure!

He was well aware of his situation.

Though he hadn't seen the Great Yan Sword Scripture directly, just the existence of this sword prison made it clear how terrifying the inheritance Gu Han had received was!

No matter how powerful or fearsome he might be outside, in here, he was nothing more than a fish on Gu Han's chopping block.

"Young man."

He clasped his hands behind his back, his tone calm, projecting an air of mystery.

"You've finally come!"

"..."

Gu Han stared at him coldly, saying nothing.

"How is it?"

The shadow pretended not to notice his expression.

"The inheritance I gave you—are you satisfied?"

"You..."

Gu Han finally spoke.

"What exactly are you?"

"What?"

The shadow trembled, almost bursting into curses!

Me—the mighty ruler of the Ninefold Demon Realm, commander of seventy-two demon generals, ruler of countless beings, whose mere stomp could shake the stars—how dare this insignificant ant insult me like this?

"Young man!"

He suppressed his rage, his tone sharp.

"Show some respect to your benefactor!"

"Benefactor?"

"Precisely!"

The shadow snorted softly.

"I am the ruler of the Ninefold Demon Realm, the supreme demon lord! Alas, I was betrayed and ended up on this continent. Seeing you on the brink of death, I graciously bestowed upon you a tremendous opportunity and inheritance—doesn't that make me your benefactor?"

"That Great Yan Sword Scripture—is it yours?"

"What Great... ahem, yes, it was created by me!"

"And the golden seal in your hand..."

"This is a supreme divine object, containing a fragment of my divine soul!"

"I understand."

Gu Han nodded.

"So, you wanted to possess my body and take over my flesh!"

Gulp!

The shadow's heart skipped a beat.

"Young man!"

He exploded in anger.

"How dare you twist the truth! I am..."

"No need to pretend!"

Gu Han's tone was icy.

"Just now, I heard every single word, every syllable you said!"

Gu Tian, the golden seal, the body...

He wasn't stupid. Hearing these words, how could he not understand what had happened?

In the cultivation world, there were those with supreme abilities—peak powers who could regenerate from a single drop of blood. Even if their bodies were destroyed, they could attach a fragment of their soul to various divine objects, waiting to find a suitable host to possess and live again!

Commonly known as... soul possession!

"..."

The shadow was speechless.

He wanted to slap himself.

What a reckless hand! And mouth!

"What, nothing to say now?"

"Boy!"

The shadow was furious with shame.

"Don't put it like that—it's not a big deal! You were about to die anyway, and your body just happened to be compatible with my soul. What's wrong with me making use of it?"

Making use of it?

Gu Han couldn't help but laugh in anger.

Even trapped here, he's still so arrogant—clearly not a good person!

Within his heart.

A flicker of killing intent flashed!

Buzz!

As if sensing his intent, the sword prison trembled slightly, and a thin strand of sword intent suddenly descended, piercing into the shadow's body!

"Ahh!"

A scream rang out.

An inch-thick transparent hole instantly appeared on his body.

"Hmm?"

Gu Han paused for a moment.

So, he could control this sword prison?

With a thought.

Pfft!

Another strand of sword intent descended!

Pfft! Pfft! Pfft!

One after another, strands of sword intent poured out from the sword prison, nearly turning the shadow into a sieve!

"Boy!"

The shadow immediately realized something was wrong.

"What... what are you doing! Stop... stop this at once!"

Pfft!

How could Gu Han listen to him? Another strand of sword intent descended!

"I commanded you to stop—didn't you hear me?!"

Pfft!

"Boy! Don't be ungrateful! If you anger me, don't blame me for being merciless!"

Pfft!

"You damned brat! I'll kill you... Ahh!!"

Pfft!

***

Gradually.

The shadow's voice grew weaker, and his form became more and more transparent.

On the other hand.

Gu Han felt his spirit growing stronger, his spiritual perception sharper, and his control over his cultivation and body far surpassing what it had been before!

He didn't realize.

The parts of the shadow that were cut away were refined and extracted by the sword intent, transforming into pure soul energy that continuously merged into Gu Han's body!

In the cultivation world.

There was a principle.

Cultivation techniques and secret arts were relatively easy to master, but increasing soul energy was the hardest!

Aside from a few rare secret methods, ordinary cultivators could only painstakingly reinforce their souls through their physical bodies and cultivation, gaining only minimal improvements.

Even though this was just a fragment of a soul.

The shadow's original body had possessed boundless power, and his soul was naturally formidable. Even a trace of his soul energy provided immense benefits to Gu Han!

At this moment.

Gu Han's soul strength was more than double that of an ordinary cultivator!

He had a vague feeling.

Right now.

Though his cultivation hadn't increased at all, his control over his inner energy had reached a level of absolute mastery, precise to the tiniest detail!

If he were to face that fat shopkeeper again...

He could effortlessly kill him without sustaining any injuries!

***

Outside.

Not far from the cave where Gu Han rested.

"Look!"

A guard from the Gu Family pointed to the carcass of a demonic beast on the ground.

"Another one!"

"Judging by the wounds, it must've been Gu Han's doing!"

The guard accompanying him flashed a hint of delight in his eyes.

"And this beast hasn't been dead for long—he must be nearby!"

"You go notify Commander Gu. I'll follow him closely and leave marks along the way. This time... let's make sure he can't escape!"

"Got it!"

***

Within the consciousness space.

Gu Han naturally knew nothing of what was happening outside.

As his soul energy continued to rise, he gradually became immersed in it.

Pfft! Pfft!

But the sword intents continued to fall, none missing their mark.

"Wait... wait!"

After a long while.

The shadow finally couldn't hold on anymore and relented.

By now, his form was transparent, his tone weak, and his earlier arrogance completely gone.

"Y... Young man, stop for a moment. Let's make a deal, alright?"

Pfft!

Another strand of sword intent descended.

Gu Han slowly opened his eyes, showing no intention of sparing him.

"Didn't you want to possess me?"

"This... it was all a misunderstanding!"

"The Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture inside the golden seal not only harmed my adoptive father but nearly killed me too!"

"..."

The shadow was speechless.

"That Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture—even at the peak of my power, I wouldn't dare to recklessly cultivate it. You and your adoptive father, mere ants... cough, your cultivation is insufficient, your resolve lacking, yet you forced yourselves to comprehend it. How can you blame me for that?"

"So you're admitting defeat?"

"..."

The shadow fell silent.

The mighty demon lord.

He naturally didn't want to grovel before someone like Gu Han, nor did he want to live without dignity.

However.

Faced with that overwhelming vengeance.

He could give up everything!

Until his revenge was complete—he would never rest in peace!

"Do you surrender?"

"I... surrender!"

"Do you want to live?"

"I want to live!"

"Why aren't you arrogant anymore?"

Gu Han sneered.

"To be honest, I preferred your earlier defiant attitude. Why don't you restore it?"

"Me..."

The shadow finally broke down completely, cursing nonstop.

"You damned brat!"

"A scholar may be killed but not humiliated!"

"Since childhood, I've been a prodigy, undefeated in countless battles throughout my life! I cultivated six supreme realms, my name shaking the stars! Each of my seventy-two demon generals is renowned, striking fear into countless strong foes! Now, fallen from grace, I'm being humiliated by a tiny ant like you!"

"You... just kill me!"

With that.

He stood motionless, refusing to speak further.

Unexpectedly.

The anticipated sword intent did not descend upon him.

"Just now..."

Gu Han frowned slightly, deep in thought.

"What exactly is this "supreme realm' you mentioned?"