Profound Feather Peak, the third spiritual peak.
This was the mountain where Gu Han usually cultivated and meditated.
Thanks to his extraordinary talent, he alone had the privilege of occupying an entire peak for personal use.
At this moment, on that very peak, several graceful and beautiful young women with distinct temperaments were pacing anxiously.
“Senior Brother has come out of the Demon Suppression Tower! He will definitely return to his residence!” one of them said.
“You all better show sincerity and apologize properly when he arrives!” another added.
“Especially you, Junior Sister Ruyan!” Chu Youwei said seriously.
“This whole misunderstanding—you’re at the heart of it. You must sincerely apologize to Senior Brother.”
However, her tone softened noticeably when she looked at Ye Qingyun, clearly showing indulgence toward her junior brother.
“Will Senior Brother really forgive me…?” Liu Ruyan’s voice was barely audible, her eyes slightly red.
To be honest, she was terrified when Gu Han entered the Demon Suppression Tower alone to be punished. A sense of guilt had inevitably taken root in her heart.
“Don’t worry. Senior Brother has always been gentle and caring, especially toward you. I’m sure he’ll forgive you,” Chu Youwei said confidently.
After all, she herself had angered their Senior Brother in the past—even crossed the line on a few occasions—but he never held it against her. As long as she apologized and acted cute, he would forgive her every time.
Just then, two beams of light streaked across the night sky—one near, one far—approaching quickly.
As they recognized the figure approaching, their faces lit up with joy.
“Senior Brother!”
But as Gu Han landed and steadied himself, he completely ignored them.
Instead, an overwhelming and terrifying aura surged from within him, freezing the smiles on their faces.
“Get lost.”
The moment the words dropped, they were like thunderclaps striking their hearts.
They couldn’t believe it.
The Senior Brother who always doted on them had actually said such words.
“Senior Brother… there was just some misunderstanding between us. We waited here specifically to sincerely apologize…”
“Senior Brother… what happened in the secret realm… I was at fault…” Liu Ruyan’s voice choked, her eyes welling up.
“My mind was confused back then, which caused you such unfair treatment… I’ve already received my punishment. Can you forgive me…?”
She subconsciously reached out, trying to grab Gu Han’s sleeve like she used to—spoiling him to soften his heart.
After all, no matter how much trouble she’d caused in the past, that always worked.
Liu Ruyan’s face instantly turned pale. She suddenly felt that if she dared to touch him now, she wouldn’t just be hurt—she might die!
“Senior Brother…” she called out, half in fear, half in grievance.
When had he become this terrifying?
Sure, she had made mistakes, but was it really that serious?
She had been unconscious back then—she didn’t even know what had happened.
She had already apologized. Why couldn’t he forgive her?
…
Second Senior Sister Chu Youwei sensed something was wrong and quickly stepped between Gu Han and Liu Ruyan.
“Senior Brother… what Ruyan did was indeed wrong. I’ll be sure to discipline her properly later.”
She then mustered her courage and respectfully presented an ancient sword sheathed in a scabbard.
“We know you were very angry then and accidentally lost Bai Xiao. So here, we—”
BOOM!!
Before she could finish, a terrifying aura burst forth from Gu Han like a flood, forcing all of them several steps back.
His face darkened even more.
That sword—Bai Xiao—had been forged personally by their master when he first stepped onto the path of the sword. It had accompanied him through mountains and seas.
When his junior sisters were bullied, it was he who charged up other peaks, sword in hand, demanding justice for them.
When demonic beasts threatened them in the secret realm, it was he who stood in front of them, sword raised, to protect them.
Back then, Bai Xiao had been a sword of protection—a sword to shield those he cherished.
But now… since he had chosen to cut off the past and become a true villain…
He no longer needed that sword.
This sword… was meant to sever the past—sever the person he used to be.
“My old friend, I’m sorry. This is where our journey ends.”
Almost the moment Gu Han spoke those words and turned away, Bai Xiao began to hum.
It wanted to stay with its master.
But it understood, too.
It knew that these people weren’t worthy of its master’s protection.
And they certainly weren’t worthy of being protected by it.
If this was its master’s wish, then it would shatter itself willingly—to sever all ties between its master and these fake, disgusting people.
Crack… crack…
Before their disbelieving eyes, countless cracks spread across the sword like a spiderweb.
Then, with a sharp snap—
The entire Bai Xiao Sword shattered into fragments and scattered across the ground like rusted scrap.
At the same time, Gu Han’s voice drifted into their ears with the cold wind, piercing like blades.
“From today onward, I am no longer your Senior Brother. Don’t ever call me that again. And don’t you dare show up at my cultivation chamber again. Otherwise… I don’t mind crippling your cultivation and throwing you down the mountain.”
…
The night was silent.
Time itself seemed to freeze.
All of their pupils contracted as they stared at the shattered remains of Bai Xiao…
And at the white-robed figure gradually disappearing into the darkness.
It felt like…
They had truly lost that gentle Senior Brother.
He used to spoil them. He used to protect them.
He never even dared speak harshly to them, let alone threaten them.
Now, he spoke of crippling their cultivation and tossing them off a cliff…
Their Senior Brother had completely changed.
And in that change, it was painfully clear just how deeply wounded his heart had been…
Far more than they ever imagined.
Among all the junior sisters, Ye Qingyun’s expression held none of the guilt or sorrow the others felt.
Instead, his eyes shimmered with thinly veiled satisfaction.
He had always envied Gu Han—the way their cold, elegant master and those talented junior sisters favored him.
He had long awaited the day when Gu Han would break all ties with them.
Now, not only had he gained the Sun-Moon Divine Grass unscathed, but he had also achieved his other goal.
Truly, a double win.