Chapter 5 - Where’s Your Arrogance? Bring it Back

“Damn it! My hands just don’t know their place. Why the hell did I have to touch that broken sword?!”

Deep within the consciousness space, there was a cage made of sword blades that was barely a few meters in size. Inside it was a shadowy figure that had indiscernible features. It stood there in silence, staring blankly at the bars—or rather blades—before it. Despair and regret filled its voice.

“Well, this is just great. I’m stuck in this godforsaken place. Who knows when I’ll be able to escape?”

It wasn’t as if he hadn’t tried to break out. Although the sword cage didn’t seem like much, every time he attempted to rush out, a pure sword intent would descend and slice away a portion of his soul power.

After only a few collisions, a third of his remaining soul power had been severed. Hence, he no longer dared to make reckless attempts.

“

Aih!

”

His regret was immeasurable. The moment he sensed that sword intent, he understood. Let alone in his current state as a mere remnant soul, even if he had his original body at the peak of his cultivation, he still wouldn’t be able to withstand that one slash. It was so powerful it could sever the very Dao itself!

“I’m too greedy! If I had known, I would’ve chosen that Gu Tian kid instead! His aptitude was abysmal, and his physical body didn’t quite match mine, but anything’s better than being trapped in this damned place! Unless...”

After a long silence, he let out a despondent sigh. He slowly opened his large palm, revealing a mystical golden seal resting in the center.

“Is this thing truly beyond my grasp? It’s all that little bastard’s fault!”

The moment he saw the golden seal, he thought of Gu Han.

“Damn it! With such a heaven-defying sword dao inheritance at his side, he still got beaten into that pathetic state. What a waste! It’s bad enough that he’s trash himself, but now he’s dragged me down with him!”

As he cursed furiously, he felt a hint of regret.

“What a pity. That physical body of his was an excellent match for me...”

“The thing in your hand...” Out of nowhere, a cold voice rang out from behind him. “What is it? Who are you?”

The shadow figure’s heart clenched in alarm. He turned around hastily, only to see a young man with a cold expression. His eyes were filled with vigilance and wariness as he stood outside the sword cage.

Who else could it be but Gu Han?

“It’s you!”

The moment he recognized Gu Han, the shadow’s eyes turned red with fury, and he nearly started cursing again.

That little bastard! He got me trapped in here, and he still dares to show up in front of me?!

“......”

I—Forget it, endure it!

He knew full well the situation he was in. Even though he hadn’t personally seen the Great Evolution Sword Scripture, just by looking at this sword cage, he could tell how terrifying the inheritance Gu Han had obtained.

No matter how powerful and ruthless he had been outside, he was nothing more than meat on Gu Han’s chopping block here.

He clasped his hands behind his back and spoke up in a calm, unfathomable tone. “Young man, you’ve finally come.”

Gu Han stared at him coldly, saying nothing.

“Well?” The shadow pretended not to notice Gu Han’s expression. “Are you satisfied with the inheritance I bestowed upon you?”

“You...” Gu Han finally spoke. “What are you exactly?”

What am I?

The shadow trembled as he almost lost his temper.

I am the Lord of the Ninefold Demon Domain, commanding seventy-two Demon Generals, and ruling over billions of lives. I am a Demon Monarch whose every step made the stars tremble, and this little ant dares to insult me like this?!

Suppressing his fury, he spoke with an imposing tone. “Young man! Show some respect when speaking to your savior!”

“Savior?”

𝕗𝐫𝐞𝕖𝕨𝐞𝗯𝚗𝕠𝘃𝐞𝚕.𝐜𝗼𝚖

“That’s right! I am the Lord of the Ninefold Demon Domain, a supreme Demon Monarch. Unfortunately, I was ambushed and ended up in this land by accident. When I saw you on the brink of death, I revealed myself to bestow you with a great fortune and inheritance. And yet, you do not consider me your savior?”

“That Great Evolution Sword Scripture—is it yours?”

“What Great...

ahem

. Yes, that was created by me.”

“And that golden seal in your hand...”

“This is a divine artifact, within which is housed a fragment of my divine soul.”

“I see.” Gu Han nodded. “So you were trying to possess me and steal my body.”

The shadow was stunned. Fury surged within him.

“Young man! How dare you twist the truth! I am—”

“Drop the act. From start to finish, every word you spoke—I heard it all, loud and clear.” Gu Han’s tone turned icy.

Gu Tian, the golden seal, his physical body... He wasn’t an idiot. Hearing those words, how could he not understand what had happened?

There were beings in this world with unfathomable abilities . Not only were they unimaginably powerful, but they could also be reborn from a single drop of blood.

Even if their physical body was destroyed, they could attach their remnant soul to a divine artifact, waiting to find a suitable host to take over and start anew. This was known as possession.

The shadow was speechless and wanted to slap himself.

Damn these hands! Damn this mouth, too!

“What’s wrong? Nothing to say now?”

“Brat!”

The shadow was both ashamed and furious.

“Don’t make it sound so terrible. You were already on the verge of death, and your body just so happened to be compatible with my soul. One man’s trash is another man’s treasure. What’s the problem with that?”

Trash?

Gu Han laughed in anger. Even while trapped, this man remained so arrogant. He was clearly not a good person.

A flash of murderous intent surged in Gu Han’s heart. As if sensing his thoughts, the sword cage trembled. A tiny thread of sword intent shot down and instantly pierced through the shadow.

“

AAAHHH!

”

A miserable scream rang out. The shadow now sported a hole the size of a thumb..

Hm?

Gu Han was stunned. Then, a thought crossed his mind.

So I can control this sword cage?

Puff!

Another thread of sword intent descended.

Puff! Puff! Puff!

One after another, threads of sword intent rained down like a storm. It nearly turned the shadow into a sieve!

“You rascal!”

The shadow finally realized something was wrong.

“What are you doing?! Stop! Stop right now!”

Puff!

Gu Han ignored him, and another blade of sword intent fell.

“I said stop! Didn’t you hear me?!”

Puff!

“You rascal! Don’t be ungrateful! If you push me too far, don’t blame me for being ruthless!”

Puff!

“Damn it, you shameless bastard! I’ll kill you—

AAAHHH!!

”

Puff!

***

Gradually, the shadow’s voice grew weaker, and he became increasingly transparent.

On the other hand, Gu Han felt his mind becoming sharper and his spirit perception more acute. His control over his cultivation and physical body had reached a level far beyond what it was before!

He was unaware that the parts of the shadow that had been severed were refined and extracted by the sword intent. It was then transformed into wisps of extremely pure soul power that continuously merged into his being!

In the world of cultivation, there was a principle: divine secret art was easy to cultivate, but enhancing soul power was the opposite.

Aside from a few rare secret techniques, ordinary cultivators could only painstakingly refine their soul over time by using their physical body and cultivation to nourish it bit by bit.

Even though the shadow was merely a remnant soul, his original cultivation had reached unimaginable heights. His soul was also naturally incomparably strong. Even the smallest fragment of his soul power was a great benefit to Gu Han!

At this moment, Gu Han’s soul power was more than twice that of an ordinary cultivator!

He had a feeling that right now, though his cultivation itself had not increased, his mastery over his own strength had reached an unparalleled level. It was precise down to the finest fraction.

If he were to face that shopkeeper again, he could kill him instantly without even breaking a sweat.

***

Outside, not far from the cave where Gu Han was resting.

“Look!” A Gu family guard pointed at the corpse of a demonic beast on the ground. “Another one!”

“Judging from the wounds, it must have been Gu Han’s doing.”

A glint of excitement flashed in the eyes of the guard beside him.

“And the beast hasn’t been dead for long, so he must be nearby. You go inform Commander Gu. I’ll follow his tracks closely and leave marks along the way. He won’t escape this time.”

“Got it.”

***

Inside the consciousness space, Gu Han remained unaware of what was happening outside.

At this moment, his soul power was continuously strengthening, and he was gradually becoming immersed in it.

Puff! Puff!

However, the series of sword intent continued to descend relentlessly.

“W-wait... Wait a moment!”

After a long time, the shadow could no longer endure it. He finally gave in. His figure had become almost entirely transparent and his voice weak. The arrogance he had displayed earlier was completely gone.

“Little—

Ahem.

Young man, stop for a moment. Let’s discuss a deal, shall we?”

Puff!

Another blade of sword intent struck down. Gu Han slowly opened his eyes, showing no sign of mercy.

“Weren’t you trying to possess me?”

“T-that was just a misunderstanding!”

“The Great Freedom Heavenly Demon Scripture inside the golden seal not only harmed my adoptive father, but nearly got me killed as well!”

The shadow was speechless.

“Even at my peak, I wouldn’t have dared to cultivate it recklessly. You and your adoptive father are mere ants—

ahem.

You both simply had not cultivated enough and lacked the necessary willpower, yet you insisted on forcefully comprehending it. How is that my fault?”

“So, you admit defeat?”

The shadow fell silent.

As a proud Demon Monarch, he obviously didn’t want to submit to Gu Han. He didn’t want to live in disgrace.

However, before the overwhelming hatred that burned in his heart, he was willing to cast aside everything. If his vengeance remained unfulfilled, he would never rest in peace.

“Do you yield?”

“I... yield.”

“Do you want to live?”

“I want to live.”

Gu Han sneered. “Where’s that arrogance of yours now?

To be honest, I liked you better when you were still cocky. Go ahead and bring it back.”

“I...” The shadow finally lost all composure and burst into a furious tirade. “You little bastard! A man can be killed, but not humiliated! I was an unparalleled genius since birth, undefeated in battle. I mastered six great Supreme Stages, and my name made stars quiver. Each of my seventy-two Demon Generals was a terror to countless cultivators. I can’t believe I fell down to the point of being humiliated by a mere ant like you! Just kill me already!”

With that, he went completely still and refused to speak again. Unexpectedly, the anticipated sword intent did not fall upon him.

“Just now...” Gu Han frowned slightly as he was deep in thought. “That great realm you mentioned. What exactly is it?”