655: Lu Xueqi and Biyao (34)

The ice crystal star wheel slowly rotated, each turn bringing a subtle sound of ice crystals cracking, like the first frost crack on a winter morning. Within Su Han's Dantian, the originally gently flowing Star Power was completely transformed by this nascent force. Every wisp of Star Power was imbued with a bone-chilling coldness, yet it obediently followed the star wheel's command.

"This is... the Star Wheel Realm?"

Su Han opened his eyes, the icy blue in the depths of his pupils no longer flickering, but solidified into a stable luster, like the eternal profound ice in the deep polar sea. He stretched out his hand, clenching his five fingers lightly, and the air crackled with the sound of freezing. A thin layer of frost spread from his palm, instantly covering an area three feet around him.

This was not the power an ordinary Star Wheel Realm cultivator should possess.

Su Han could clearly feel that the star wheel he had condensed not only contained the pure Star Power of the Azure Cloud Art, but also bore the imprint of the tianya sword spirit's Origin Sword Intent. The two merged and coexisted in a miraculous way—his Star Power provided a nurturing ground for the Sword Intent, while the Sword Intent endowed the Star Power with sharpness.

"Senior Sister..."

Su Han closed his eyes and looked inward. Within his Sea of Consciousness, the dormant spirituality seemed to ripple slightly due to the condensation of the star wheel. For half a year, the tianya sword spirit's spirituality had been slowly recovering, but there had been no sign of true awakening. Su Han knew that this was the sword spirit protecting itself, and also because his body had previously been unable to bear the burden of the sword spirit's complete recovery.

But now, it was different.

The moment the star wheel successfully condensed, Su Han could feel the connection between him and the sword spirit suddenly deepen. If before it was a trickling stream, now it had transformed into a surging river. He could even vaguely perceive the sorrow and resolve that had not completely dissipated deep within the sword spirit—those were the last emotions left by Senior Sister Tianya when she severed her Dao body and merged into the sword.

"Senior Sister, wait for me." Su Han gently stroked the sword-shaped mark on his brow, muttering, "When I am strong enough, I will surely reshape your Dao body and let you see the mountains and rivers of this world again."

Though he said this, Su Han knew clearly in his heart that sword spirit symbiosis was an unprecedented path. Cases of sword spirit symbiosis recorded in ancient texts were few and far between, and without exception, all ended in tragedy—either the host could not bear the power of the sword spirit and exploded, or the sword spirit retaliated and devoured the host's consciousness. A peaceful symbiotic state like his with Tianya was truly unique.

Su Han speculated that the reason for this, in addition to Senior Sister Tianya's unreserved trust in him, probably hid some unknown secrets.

"I won't think about it anymore. The path of cultivation is long; I'll just keep going and see what happens."

Su Han collected his thoughts and stood up to stretch his limbs. After half a year of seclusion, he was covered in dust, and his clothes felt tight due to changes in his physique. The Star Wheel Realm was not just a qualitative change in Star Power; it also had the effect of cleansing marrow and washing tendons. At this moment, Su Han's height had increased by an inch, his originally somewhat slender body had become well-proportioned and tall, and faintly visible icy blue light flowed beneath his skin. The entire person was like a sheathed sharp sword, with hidden Sharpness.

He walked out of the secluded mountain valley and onto the stone path leading to the main hall of Tianya Peak.

After half a year, the scenery of Tianya Peak remained the same. However, today the clouds and mist on the peak were exceptionally thick, and strange flowers and plants formed by ice crystals appeared faintly in the mist, adding a touch of immortal aura. Su Han reached halfway up the mountain when he suddenly heard familiar voices from ahead.

"Junior Brother Su! You've finally come out of seclusion!"

Three people walked towards him, the leader being Senior Brother Zhao Ming, whom he had met once outside the Spirit Nurturing Pool half a year ago. Beside him were a man and a woman, both wearing Inner Sect Disciple robes, with robust auras, clearly at the Late Stage of the star seed realm.

"Senior Brother Zhao." Su Han cupped his fists in greeting. "It's been half a year; Senior Brother's cultivation has improved significantly."

Zhao Ming laughed heartily, stepping forward to pat Su Han's shoulder: "Compared to a freak like you, I'm far from it! We all saw the unusual phenomenon on the peak just now—ice flowers soaring into the sky, sword cries echoing through the nine heavens. That was a sign of a star wheel condensing, wasn't it? Breaking through in half a year, Junior Brother Su, your speed is truly terrifying!"

Su Han smiled faintly, neither confirming nor denying. He could feel the sincerity in Zhao Ming's words; this Senior Brother was straightforward and one of the few in the Sect who held no prejudice against him.

"Come, let me introduce them." Zhao Ming stepped aside, revealing the two behind him. "This is Senior Sister Chen Lin, who mainly cultivates Fire-elemental Star Arts; this is Senior Brother Li Mu, proficient in Formations and Talismans. They heard that Tianya Peak had produced an extraordinary Junior Brother and specifically asked me to bring them to see for themselves."

Chen Lin had a beautiful appearance, but her brows carried the sharpness unique to fire-elemental star cultivators. She scrutinized Su Han for a moment, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Junior Brother Su is indeed extraordinary. Just now, I used the 'Blazing Eye Art' to observe your aura, and it was like observing profound ice of ten thousand years, unfathomably deep. No wonder you can coexist with the tianya sword spirit."

Li Mu appeared much more composed. He cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Junior Brother Su. I heard that when Junior Brother condensed his star wheel, it caused a heaven and earth phenomenon, so its quality must be extremely high. May I ask what grade of star wheel you condensed?"

Star wheels have nine grades: grade one is the lowest, and grade nine is the highest. Ordinary Disciples who can condense a fourth or fifth-grade star wheel are considered talented, sixth or seventh-grade are called Geniuses, and eighth or ninth-grade are rarely seen in a thousand years. Su Han had previously consulted ancient texts in the Scripture Pavilion and saw records stating that in the three thousand years since the Qingyun Sect's establishment, only seven people had condensed an eighth-grade star wheel, and only one had condensed a ninth-grade.

Su Han pondered for a moment, then said, "Junior Brother is not entirely clear about the specific grade. However, during its condensation, I indeed felt that the star wheel was different from what is commonly recorded."

His words were half-true, half-false. In fact, when the ice crystal star wheel took shape, a realization naturally emerged in Su Han's mind—this star wheel could not be measured by ordinary grades. It was neither purely condensed from Star Power nor simply transformed from Sword Intent, but an anomaly born from the symbiosis of the two.

Li Mu appeared thoughtful upon hearing this, but did not press further. For cultivators, prying into another's Cultivation Technique details was a great taboo; his previous inquiry was already presumptuous.

Zhao Ming skillfully changed the subject: "By the way, Junior Brother Su, a lot has happened in the Sect during your half-year seclusion. The most important thing is—in three months, the once-a-decade 'Seven Peaks Tournament' will begin."

"Seven Peaks Tournament?" Su Han was startled.

Chen Lin explained: "Qingyun Sect has seven peaks, with Tianya Peak ranking first. Every ten years, Disciples from the seven peaks gather at 'Sword Discourse Peak' to discuss the Dao through martial arts and compete. Winners not only receive generous rewards but also influence the resource allocation for each peak for the next ten years. Tianya Peak, since Senior Sister Tianya... well, since that incident, has consistently ranked last for three consecutive sessions. If we lose again this time, we might not even be able to keep our title as the leading peak."

Su Han heard the worry in Chen Lin's words. Tianya Peak had indeed faced a talent shortage since Senior Sister Tianya transformed into a sword. Although the Sect Master and the Elders possessed profound cultivation, they could not compete with Disciples. Among the younger generation, not a single person could shoulder the heavy responsibility.

Zhao Ming sighed: "Originally, we had no hope. But Junior Brother Su, you suddenly emerged and are even coexisting with the tianya sword spirit. Perhaps you can win some honor for our Tianya Peak in this Tournament."

Just as Su Han was about to speak, he suddenly felt something and looked up towards the peak.

A clear, cold female voice came from within the clouds and mist: "Su Han, come to the main hall."

It was the Sect Master's voice. (End of this chapter)