Chapter 485 - Mortal World Intent vs. Red Dust Intent

Upon seeing Gu Han’s expression, the Red Dust Intent in Yang Yi’s eyes suddenly showed a trace of disorder, but it quickly returned to normal. He said in a detached voice, as cold as it had been in the beginning, “Draw your sword, and I will give you an honorable death.”

As soon as he said those words, he grew agitated again. Only someone who knew Gu Han very well would say such words. Among Gu Han’s friends, the one who knew him best was instead Yang Ying, who had the lowest cultivation level and the poorest aptitude.

Gu Han slowly took out a bottle of Transcendent Substance and poured it into his mouth. Having reached the Saint realm, the substance was no longer as effective as before, but it was still the best healing solution for him at this moment.

Having learned the truth, Gu Han’s gradually recovered as well. Yang Ying was his friend, his brother. On the other hand, Yang Yi was the guardian of the tenth pass. Judging by his appearance, he had clearly been waiting here for a long time, determined to kill everyone who entered the tenth pass. He was an enemy!

As Gu Han took a deep breath, he slowly closed his eyes. Within his mind, that young sprout trembled slightly, its tender leaves sprinkling down specks of starlight. Each speck of starlight symbolized a single mortal power. Although it seemed insignificant, the gathering of countless specks of starlight vaguely formed a mysterious power.

Yet, in spite of knowing the truth, he still couldn’t use the Kill Sword against Yang Yi. He doubted an ordinary Kill Sword could harm the man in the slightest anyway. The sword trembled slightly, specks of starlight clinging to it. The sharp aura around Gu Han vanished completely. The edge in his eyes faded entirely, leaving him perfectly calm, appearing just like the most ordinary mortal.

He raised the sword gently, burying everything about Yang Ying deep in his heart. “Come.”

Across from him, the speed at which the Red Dust Intent swirled in Yang Yi’s eyes increased. Gu Han’s Mortal World Intent gave him a feeling of delight at finding a worthy hunt. Many years had passed since he had defeated countless Heavenly Prides and assumed the lofty position of Young Venerable that anyone had made him feel this way.

Without hesitation, he shook his spear. Shrouded in Boundless Red Dust Intent, the blood-red spear descended upon Gu Han.

The strike was even more powerful than before, yet Gu Han remained completely unfazed. Gently, he extended the black sword, and another metallic ring sounded.

Spear and sword crossed again. Beneath what appeared to be an extremely ordinary clash, the Red Dust Intent and Mortal World Intent collided invisibly, trying to dominate the other. The danger hidden within far exceeded that of before. Although Gu Han’s cultivation was inferior to Yang Yi’s, his Mortal World Intent held a faint upper hand.

Joy, anger, sorrow, happiness, birth, aging, sickness, death, withering, flourishing, rise, fall—these were Red Dust, and even more so, the Mortal World. Though the Red Dust stretched ten thousand zhang, it was merely a dream of the Mortal World. Without the Mortal World, Red Dust lost its foundation and has nowhere to be found.

The spear wavered slightly for an instant, pushed back by Gu Han’s sword. However, the price Gu Han paid was that his wounds burst open again. Blood flowed down continuously, soaking him all over.

Mortal World Intent had defeated Red Dust Intent, but his cultivation had lost to Yang Yi. Yang Yi understood this better than anyone. The speed at which the Red Dust Intent swirled in his eyes increased once more.

“Again!”

He temporarily forgot that decree and his mission as he was focused entirely on having a satisfying fight with Gu Han. He felt that Gu Han was different from the opponents he had known before. Fighting Gu Han was simply that exhilarating.

In just an instant, the sword and spear had already clashed more than ten times. Although the commotion was far smaller than before, even a Feather Transformation realm cultivator would die a miserable death if caught in it.

By the thirteenth clash, the spear shaft cracked. Gu Han also staggered backward, unable to hold on much longer. Although he could still mobilize the power of heaven and earth, his injuries were simply too severe. He would have been a lost cause long ago if not for his Indestructible Sword Physique. In truth, anyone capable of forcing Yang Yi to use three or four sword strikes was already remarkable.

Gu Han then used his sword to prop himself up, forcing himself not to fall. The fighting spirit in his eyes hadn’t diminished in the slightest. “Come! Let’s continue!”

Yang Yi didn’t move. He didn’t know what kind of intent Gu Han cultivated. At the same time, he grew even more convinced that Gu Han was a worthy opponent, one that he would search for his entire life and never encounter again. The bond between the Mortal World and Red Dust was simply unbreakable.

Yang Yi simply said, “Heal yourself.”

Gu Han was silent for a moment as he took out another bottle of Transcendent Substance.

Wu Xin watched the exchange with delight. Although he was crazy, he also understood that the longer Gu Han dragged things out, the faster his injuries would heal.

Further away, Luo Wushuang’s white robe was already half stained with blood. However, he didn’t care about his injuries at all. His gaze wandered back and forth between Gu Han and Yang Yi. After hearing the exchange between the two, he seemed to realize something.

He looked up at the sky and burst into laughter. “Father, you have good judgment. Sending him proves his excellence. What a pity... You calculate every thread of heavenly fate, but you cannot calculate the human heart. You’ve lost again!”

Yang Yi’s expression remained impassive. He swayed slightly before appearing in front of Luo Wushuang and bringing his spear crashing down upon him. While Gu Han was healing, he might as well deal with Luo Wushuang and Wu Xin first. After all, idle hands were the devil’s workshop. And this spear strike was clearly far, far stronger than the one he had struck Gu Han with.

Now, Yang Yi’s true cultivation was also revealed. He was in the Feather Transformation realm, and definitely no ordinary one. Otherwise, he would have died long ago under Gu Han and Wu Xin's combined full-force assault. Yang Yi had only struck twice until now, yet he had already severely wounded all three, leaving them powerless to fight back. His strength spoke for itself.

As the spear descended upon him, Luo Wushuang suddenly sighed. “Junior Brother Yang, I came here without any intention of leaving alive, but I cannot die in your hands. That would not align with my plan.”

Yang Yi shook his spear, and the Red Dust descended once more, breaking through Luo Wushuang’s immortal light and sending him flying.

Seeing the state Luo Wushuang had been reduced to, Gu Han felt a mix of emotions. He knew very well that Yang Yi had gone easy on him.

Just as Gu Han was lost in thought, a roar suddenly came. Wu Xin, shrouded in demonic qi, charged toward him. Demonic qi swirled in his black eyes. “Benefactor Gu, since you’re going to die anyway, why not let me eat you?! We might have a chance of winning that way!”

His jaw parted wide, seemingly growing wider and wider without end. Until finally, there was no longer a head above his neck, only a ferocious maw.

Gu Han’s gaze turned cold. “Little bald donkey!”

Although he hadn’t recovered, he still raised his sword, ready to face Wu Xin in battle.

Out of nowhere, a red spear pierced Wu Xin, pinning him to the ground. No matter how he struggled, he couldn’t break free.

Wu Xin turned toward the distance. “Benefactor, he’s going to die sooner or later anyway. Let me kill him for you, and save you the trouble—”

Yang Yi flickered before Wu Xin. He said seriously, as if emphasizing something, “He. Is. Mine.”