Not yet fully healed, Gu Han was blasted backward, swallowed by the surging aura. He almost vomited blood. Hearing that all-too-familiar voice, Gu Han gritted his teeth. âFucking Fatty, do you want to kill me?!â
Only then did Fatty come back to his senses. â
Huh?
â
Floating in the air, Fatty caught sight of Gu Hanâs face, as dark as the bottom of a pot. Then he saw the deathly pale Murong Chuan, along with Elders Wu and Feng trembling in the distance.
He scratched his head. âWhat happened? Where is everyone? Why are they all gone?â
Murong Chuan stared at Fatty, full of shock. âWhat... How did you...â
He couldnât understand it at all. Just moments ago, Fatty was only an Acupoint Unsealing cultivator, but now he was at the Soaring Realm.
No, not Soaring Realm!
He vaguely felt that Fatty was probably even stronger than Murong Yuan.
Upon hearing Gu Hanâs explanation, Fatty stroked his chin, appearing somewhat regretful. âItâs over? Our father is as fierce as ever. What a pity, this Half-Step Transcendent Realm of mine is of no use now.â
Murong Chuanâs eyes widened.
Half-Step Transcendent Realm? Isnât that the same cultivation level as Old Ancestor?
Gu Hanâs face grew darker by the second, not caring about his cultivation level in the slightest. âFatty, get down here! You think youâre so great just because you can fly?!â
Fatty wasnât angered. In a flash, he appeared beside Gu Han. â
Hehe.
You jealous?â
Gu Han asked irritably, âJealous my ass! What exactly happened?â
Fattyâs expression suddenly turned serious. âLetâs go. I just happen to have a secret to tell you.â
Without caring whether Gu Han was willing, Fatty grabbed his shoulder. In a flash, they vanished.
Elders Wu and Feng were pale. âH-he said his surname is Fu?â
âI think so?â
âWasnât he called He Zheng?â
âI donât know anymore...â
The two exchanged a glance, secretly swallowing their saliva.
First, there was the great demon Gu Tian. Now, there was this mysterious Fatty surnamed Fu. The waters ran too deep in Great Qi.
Letâs leave quickly! Right now!
They decisively turned and left, forgetting even to bid farewell.
***
At a secluded street corner.
Gu Han was puzzled when he saw the earnest look on Fattyâs face. âHuman tribulation? What does that mean?â
Fatty said seriously, âRemember what I told you before? Between the heavenly and earthly tribulations and the Transcendent Realm, there is a hidden special realm called the human tribulation. To put it simply, itâs also a type of Supreme Stage.â
Gu Han was still somewhat confused. âBut why is your cultivation...â
Fatty sighed. âActually, this is my original cultivation level. It was just suppressed because of undergoing the tribulation.â
Gu Han frowned deeply. âWhat exactly is this human tribulation?â
Fatty answered in an extremely straightforward manner, âNo clue.â
Gu Han stared skeptically at him. âYou donât know? Havenât you already passed through it?â
Fatty shrugged, looking innocent. âI still donât know. Remember what I said before? The Supreme Stage of the Acupoint Unsealing realm emphasizes the word âdifficulty.â As for this human tribulation, it emphasizes the word âchange.â Itâs never the same either. A thousand cultivators will have a thousand different human tribulations.
âAnd once you choose to face the tribulation, your cultivation level could either become Acupoint Unsealing like me, or directly reduced to a mortal, or not change at all. No one can say for sure, but one thing is certain. The human tribulation arises because of a person, and itâs ten deaths, no survival. Those who are lucky enough to pass it are one in ten thousand.â
A thought struck Gu Han. âArises because of a person? You mean...â
Fatty stared at him. âExactly. You are my human tribulation!â
Gu Han was stunned for a moment. âMe? How can you be so sure?â
Fatty became disdainful. â
Tsk, tsk!
Do I need to be sure? Think about it. Ever since I met you, how many times have I narrowly escaped death? Itâs never stopped! Especially this time! I was one step away from complete death! And you say you
arenât
my human tribulation?â
Gu Han nodded. âItâs no wonder you stick to me like glue! Youâre impossible to shake off!â
Fattyâs face darkened. âHey! Watch your words. Iâm now at the Half-Step Transcendent Realm. Crushing an ant like you would be easy!â
Gu Han really wanted to cut him down on the spot, but then decided against it. Fattyâs skin was far too thick.
Fatty put away his jokes. âActually, what really made me sure was that Indestructible Golden Physique Scripture. I suppose Brother Jiangâs technique was also given by you?â
âYou know yet you still ask?â
Fattyâs gaze grew distant. âYou know, that Indestructible Golden Physique Scripture actually surpasses Heaven tier.â
Gu Hanâs heart skipped a beat. âSurpasses?â
Due to the mess they were in earlier, it hadnât occurred to him to ask about the techniqueâs grade. He never expected it to surpass Heaven tier.
Fatty probed. â
Ahem...
Do you have any more techniques like this?â
Gu Han looked wary. âWatch it! What do you want to do?â
Fatty felt somewhat guilty, showing a look of concern. âN-nothing. Just reminding you that every time such a technique appears in the world, people fight desperately over it. Especially those old monsters... If they find out, the consequences are unimaginable. Brother Gu, you must hide it well.â
Gu Han refused to budge. âThereâs none left! Fatty, youâre not thinking of repaying kindness with enmity, are you?â
Fatty became awkward. âHow could I! Donât talk nonsense! Iâm absolutely not that kind of person!â
If Gu Han could beat Fatty now, he would have beaten him to within an inch of his life.
Gu Han stared at him with contempt. âWatch yourself. My father hasnât gone far. If you dare have any wicked thoughts, donât blame him for being rude to you.â
Fattyâs heart skipped a beat as he looked around guiltily. âWhat?! Our father is here too?â
Despite having recovered his original cultivation level, Fatty still felt a bit apprehensive. That was just how deep of an impression Gu Tian had left on him.
Gu Han was a bit puzzled. âFatty, youâre so afraid of death. Where did you get the guts to undergo human tribulation?â
As if remembering something, Fattyâs face fell. âI was tricked by that old charlatan.â
âOld charlatan?â
âHis name is Tian Jizi. He claims he can predict a sliver of heavenly secrets. According to him, I could live in peace if I didnât undergo human tribulation, but my achievements in this life would definitely be limited. My Indestructible Golden Physique would also hardly improve.â Fatty sighed. âBut if I chose to undergo human tribulation and was lucky enough to survive, I would gain a heaven-defying opportunity, and my future achievements would be limitless.â
Gu Han pondered. âSo, you came because you believed him?â
Fatty looked wronged. âWell, I donât, but my dad sure as heck did.â
Gu Han was speechless.
Fatty sighed, somewhat dispirited. âForget it! Although the process was a bit hard, that old charlatan didnât lie to me. I can go back and give my dad an account now.â
Gu Han was surprised. âGo back? Go where?â
âCentral Continent! You havenât heard of it?
Tsk tsk,
a small cultivator like you really hasnât seen the world. I have to personally enlighten you!â boasted Fatty, incredibly full of himself.
Thus, Fatty explained that the continent was huge beyond measure. At the very center were five regions, arrayed in a surrounding formation: the Eastern Wasteland, Western Desert, Southern Border, Northern Domain and Central Continent.
Blessed with abundant spirit energy and extremely rich resources, they nurtured billions of living beings and gave rise to countless large and small powers. From holy lands and great sects to the lowest minor sects, everything one could imagine existed, impossible to count.
The areas beyond the five regions were called forbidden zones. Overrun with monsters, evil spirits, and all manner of strangeness, no one dared enter lightly. It was said that the forbidden zones were even larger than the combined area of the five regions.
Upon seeing Gu Han listening intently, Fatty became even more pleased, continuously urging him. âWell? You want to come with me to see the world? Eastern Wasteland and Central Continent are over a hundred thousand li apart. The journey is fraught with danger. Without me guiding you, you definitely canât make it. This is a rare opportunity that you should seize!â
Somewhat suspicious of Fattyâs motives, Gu Han shook his head decisively. âNo.â
Fatty refused to give up. âThink about it again? The Central Continent is much bigger and more prosperous than Eastern Wasteland. Someone of your talent and condition will definitely be a guest of honor for all the great sects and holy lands! You should see how passionate the fairy maidens and goddess sisters there are. They are much more aggressive than that demoness sister!â
Gu Han responded with a cold laugh. He saw through Fattyâs not-so-good intentions. Fatty was probably still coveting his techniques.
âYouâre really not going?â
âNo.â
Fatty suddenly fell silent. Actually, there was some genuine sentiment in the words he had just said. After a long while, he suddenly sighed. âForget it! Weâll meet again someday. Since youâre not going, then Iâm leaving.â
With that, he instantly shot into the air.
Gu Han suddenly called out to him, âFatty, your surname is Fu, right?â
Fatty stopped in his tracks, but he didnât turn around. âItâs Fu Yulin! If you ever get a chance to go to the Central Continent and run into trouble, use my name. It works!â
Gu Han couldnât help but laugh. âNice name!â
Fattyâs voice carried helplessness. âI canât do anything about it, my dad chose it.â
âDonât you think about changing it?â
âMentioned it once to my dad. He beat me up, so I didnât dare bring it up again. Alright...â Fatty waved his hand. âTake care!â
With that, he shone with a layer of golden light and vanished in the next moment.
Gu Han remained silent for a long time, feeling somewhat melancholic.
You take care too, Fu Fatty!
He dismissed his sentiments and was just about to leave when a flash of golden light appeared before his eyes.
Fatty had reappeared once again. He stared at Gu Han, hesitating to speak.
Gu Han sighed. âFatty, donât be like this. Weâll definitely meet again. Parting is inevitable, and besidesââ
Fatty rubbed his hands, looking somewhat embarrassed. âItâs not that...
Ahem...
the techniques... really none left?â
Gu Hanâs face darkened. âFuck off!â
And just like that, the small melancholy of parting was gone.
Fatty fled in panic. â
Hmph!
Whatâs with the stinginess! Just wait! When you come to the Central Continent, I will definitely give you a warm
welcome
!â
He escaped at a speed imperceptible to the human eye, delving into the Wild Forest while grumbling and cursing. Then, as if thinking of something, he broke into a smile. âFairy maidens and goddess sisters of Central Continent, here I come! The tender and caring Brother Fu is back! Wait for me toâ
huh?
â
Before he could finish, a burst of quarreling suddenly rose from below.
âMei Yun, stop following me!â
âInstructor Han, you canât just leave me to die!â
âDie my ass! Iâm almost dead myself!â
âStop talking, Instructor Han, theyâre catching up again! Run!â
Upon hearing the roars of demonic beasts continuously rising from below, Fatty became extremely interested. âMei... Instructor Mei? Why are these two still here? Whatever. Meeting me is your great fortune!â
Stopping his flight, he was about to descend and save the two.
Just then, someone exclaimed, â
Oh?
What a coincidence, meeting two instructors here!â
Soft and seductive, laced with temptation, the voice was enough to set oneâs blood aflame.
Fatty stiffened as he gulped.
The demoness!