After Chen Xin said this, the tense atmosphere in the hall eased considerably.
Ning Fengzhi fell into thought as well. Gu Rong still wore a stern expression, but the pressure he had directed at Gu Han had already dissipated.
The warm smile returned to Ning Fengzhi's face. He personally rose from his seat and walked over to Gu Han.
"Little Friend Gu, it seems someone really did frame you in secret. Our Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect nearly let others use us as a weapon. On behalf of the sect, I apologize to you."
His words were sincere, leaving no room for faultfinding.
Gu Han put away the Heavenly Frost Sword and nodded. "Sect Master Ning, you're too kind. The person behind this used underhanded methods. It's only natural that your sect was misled for a time."
Ning Fengzhi's smile grew warmer, then he smoothly changed the subject.
"You're so young, Little Friend Gu, yet you've already reached Soul King cultivation and possess an Ultimate Attribute. Uncle Chen even thinks highly of your swordsmanship."
"What plans do you have for your future?"
His gaze burned with meaning that could hardly have been clearer.
"If you don't mind, the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect is willing to give you all of our resources. Our sect can be your strongest support and your trump card."
Given the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect's status as one of the Upper Three Sects, the promise showed just how highly they regarded Gu Han.
Gu Rong added coolly:
"Boy, if Fengzhi makes you an offer, he certainly won't shortchange you. With the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect behind you, you can avoid countless troubles on this continent."
Even Chen Xin, who stood by the window, turned his head slightly, seeming eager to hear Gu Han's answer.
Faced with such an enticing offer, Gu Han merely smiled calmly. His gaze passed over Ning Fengzhi and Gu Rong before finally settling on Chen Xin. He spoke clearly:
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning, and thank you both for your kindness."
"But I'm used to being free and unrestrained. I'm not accustomed to the rules of a sect."
His tone was calm.
"I believe only in the sword in my hand. I rely only on my own strength."
Gu Han's voice rose, every word ringing clear.
"Though a thousand thousand enemies stand before me, I'll cut them down with a single sword."
"Though karma binds me, I'll sever it with a single sword."
"Though gods, demons, or Soul Beasts block my way, I'll break through them with a single sword."
His aura surged. Though he was only a Soul King, even Gu Rong and Chen Xin, those two Titled Douluo, were stirred by it.
"One man, one sword. That is enough."
"One man, one sword, can slay all the enemies under heaven."
When his words fell, the hall went silent.
A hint of unmistakable regret flashed through Ning Fengzhi's eyes. He knew that a youth with such conviction was no ordinary person, and certainly not someone the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect could hold back.
Gu Rong opened his mouth, but in the end said nothing. His gaze at Gu Han held less contempt now and more conflicted feeling.
Chen Xin's back, turned toward the others, paused ever so slightly. Appreciation flashed in his eyes.
"Splendid! 'One man, one sword, slays all the enemies under heaven!'"
Ning Fengzhi sighed softly. "Since that is your ambition, Little Friend, I won't press you."
"Thank you, Sect Master Ning."
Over the next few days, Gu Han stayed temporarily at the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect.
For one thing, he exchanged knowledge of swordsmanship with Chen Xin. Though Chen Xin never formally took him as a disciple, he still taught him a great deal about the sword, and Gu Han benefited immensely.
But the peaceful days were shattered one morning.
As Gu Han cultivated in his guest room, his heart jolted violently.
He clearly felt the karmic thread connecting him to Xiao Wu shuddering at a frequency it never had before, as though the other end were facing unimaginable force and danger.
Gu Han's eyes snapped open, and his expression turned grave. He focused, doing his utmost to sense the faint impressions carried along the karmic thread. Images flickered indistinctly through his mind:
A burly, middle-aged man stood on the training field at Shrek Academy.
His gaze was fixed on the frightened Xiao Wu. It seemed to brim with rage, greed, and a kind of madness!
It was Tang Hao!
He had actually come. And the effect of the Thousand-Change Mask seemed to have weakened considerably, allowing him to identify Xiao Wu at a glance.
Gu Han saw that Tang Hao didn't waste a single word. A huge hand brushed aside Zhao Wuji and Flender, who stood in his way, and reached straight for Xiao Wu.
His purpose was simple: he wanted Xiao Wu to sacrifice herself for Tang San. He had seen that Tang San's Second Soul Ring was only a Ten-Year Soul Ring, and rage had instantly clouded his mind.
"How dare you!"
Flender and Zhao Wuji were shocked and furious. Though they knew their opponent was the Clear Sky Douluo, renowned throughout the world,
seeing him about to attack a student of their academy, their duty and blood as teachers made them summon their Soul Power and steel themselves to shield Xiao Wu.
"His Excellency Haotian!"
"Is it worthy of someone of your standing to bully a student from an academy?!"
Zhao Wuji roared and summoned the Great Strength Vajra Bear. Flender's Owl Martial Soul Avatar appeared as they tried to resist together.
Yet before the enraged Clear Sky Douluo, their resistance was like paper.
"Get out of my way!"
Tang Hao didn't even summon his Martial Soul. He simply threw a casual punch, and the Soul Power that erupted from it knocked them to the ground.
"Pfft—!"
Flender and Zhao Wuji spat blood. Their Martial Soul Avatars instantly collapsed, and they flew backward like kites with their strings cut, crashing heavily to the ground. It was impossible to tell whether they were alive or dead.
The huge hand continued toward Xiao Wu, whose face was deathly pale and whose eyes were full of despair.
"Gu Han, please come back soon. I'm really scared."
At that critical moment, the invisible karmic thread suddenly glimmered.
A sword aura, filled with the Ultimate Chill that originated from Gu Han, traveled along the thread and crossed space, forming an incredibly sturdy crystalline barrier before Xiao Wu.
"Clang!"
Tang Hao's hand struck the barrier, ringing like metal against metal.
The barrier shook violently as cracks spread across it. It couldn't block him completely, but it bought Xiao Wu a moment to breathe!
A flicker of surprise crossed Tang Hao's eyes, but he immediately increased the strength of his attack.
At that very instant, a clear, icy chant rang out, its sword intent carrying supreme majesty. Like thunder from the highest heavens, it resounded across all of Shrek Academy, every syllable brimming with fury toward Tang Hao:
"Three Thousand Guests Drunk on Flowers,"
The voice had begun at the edge of the sky, but by the time the last word fell, it was already close enough to ring in their ears.
Hearing the familiar voice, a smile instantly appeared on Xiao Wu's face.
At the same time, a sweeping ice-blue sword aura transformed into a lifelike Ice Dragon, its scales, claws, and horns all vividly rendered.
Carrying a chill that seemed capable of freezing all things and a razor-cold sword intent that could sever anything, it crashed through the clouds with unstoppable force, swallowing the huge hand reaching for Xiao Wu as it charged forward.
"One Sword Frosts Fourteen Provinces!"
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