660: Lu Xueqi and Biyao (39)

Su Han clasped his hands in greeting.

Zhou Ming sized him up, a trace of surprise flashing in his eyes: "You've broken through to the Middle Stage of the Star Wheel Realm? Such speed."

Zhao Feng, however, looked at the sword marks on the iceberg, frowning slightly: "Did you leave these? The Sword Intent is condensed and doesn't dissipate; you do have some skill."

"I was fortunate enough to gain some insight," Su Han said modestly.

Zhou Ming smiled: "Junior Brother Su, there's no need for false modesty. To break through so quickly in the Cold Ice Secret Realm shows that your talent is indeed extraordinary. However..." He changed the subject, "Are you prepared for the Seven Peaks Tournament in three months?"

"I am working hard at it," Su Han replied.

Zhao Feng snorted coldly: "Just working hard isn't enough. The Seven Peaks Tournament is different from the Sect Grand Competition; it is where true Geniuses gather. Core Disciples from every Peak will participate, and even some Senior Brothers and Senior Sisters who usually train outside will return. Middle Stage Star Wheel Realm, you probably won't even make it into the top one hundred."

These words were blunt, even a bit harsh. Zhou Ming tugged at Zhao Feng's sleeve and apologized to Su Han with a troubled expression: "Senior Brother Zhao speaks bluntly, but he is telling the truth. Junior Brother Su, if you want to achieve good results in the Tournament, you need at least the strength of the Late Stage Star Wheel Realm."

Su Han nodded: "Thank you for the reminder, Senior Brother. I will redouble my efforts."

"Sheer hard cultivation isn't enough either." Zhou Ming thought for a moment, "How about this, we are just about to hunt an 'ice crystal star wheel'. That is a Star Beast at the Peak Star Wheel Realm, possessing immense power. Is Junior Brother Su willing to accompany us? Practical combat is the most helpful for improving one's Cultivation."

ice crystal star wheel? Su Han's heart stirred. He had seen descriptions of this Star Beast in the ancient texts of the Scripture Pavilion; the ice-attributed energy contained within its crystal core was extremely pure, greatly benefiting Cultivation.

"Thank you for the invitation, Senior Brothers, I am willing to go." Su Han cupped his fists.

The three set off together, heading deeper into the Secret Realm. Along the way, Zhou Ming introduced Su Han to some details about the Seven Peaks Tournament.

"The Seven Peaks Tournament is held once every three years and is divided into two stages," Zhou Ming said. "The first stage is the Arena Competition, where all participating Disciples draw lots for battles until the top one hundred are decided. The second stage is the 'Seven Peaks Secret Realm' trial; that is a special space opened up by the Sect, which contains various Opportunities as well as real danger."

"Danger?" Su Han asked.

Zhao Feng took up the conversation: "That's right. In the Seven Peaks Secret Realm, Disciples are allowed to fight and compete with each other. Although killing is strictly forbidden, serious injury leading to disability is not uncommon. Moreover, some areas inside are not completely controlled even by the Sect. If you accidentally venture in, it is entirely possible to die inside."

"That's why strength is fundamental," Zhou Ming concluded. "Junior Brother Su, although you share existence with the tianya sword, if your own Cultivation cannot keep up, it will ultimately be a castle in the air. Over these three months, you must quickly advance to the Late Stage Star Wheel Realm to have a chance to go further in the Tournament."

Su Han nodded silently. He naturally understood this principle. Although the tianya sword was powerful, that was the power of the Senior Sister, not his own. Over-relying on external forces would instead hinder his own growth.

As they spoke, the three arrived before a cold pool. The pool water was deep blue and bottomless, and chilling mist rose from the surface.

"The ice crystal star wheel is at the bottom of this cold pool," Zhou Ming lowered his voice. "The last time we found it, it was sleeping. But once awakened, it will attack in a rage. Junior Brother Su, you are responsible for providing support on the shore; Senior Brother Zhao and I will go into the water to lure it out."

"Good." Su Han gripped the tianya sword, staring intently at the water surface.

Zhou Ming and Zhao Feng exchanged a look and simultaneously leaped into the cold pool. Both were Late Stage Star Wheel Realm practitioners, and Star Power shields rose around their bodies, insulating them from the biting cold.

A moment later, the pool water churned violently. An angry roar echoed from beneath the water, and immediately, a massive figure broke the surface.

It was an ice crystal star wheel ten zhang long, entirely composed of crystalline ice, refracting brilliant light under the pale blue sky. It had a single horn on its head and four claws beneath its belly, already possessing the rudimentary form of a Dragon.

"Roar!" The ice crystal star wheel was clearly enraged. It opened its mouth and spewed a stream of ice-blue breath, freezing the very air it passed through.

Zhou Ming and Zhao Feng rushed out of the water from either side, each unleashing their ultimate techniques. Zhou Ming used a saber; the saber light was like a silk ribbon, slashing towards the ice crystal star wheel's neck; Zhao Feng used a spear, the spear thrusting out like a Dragon, aiming directly for the beast's eye.

The two cooperated tacitly; it was obviously not their first time working together. But the ice crystal star wheel's strength exceeded expectations. It whipped its tail, shattering the saber light, while simultaneously dodging the spear thrust and biting back at Zhao Feng.

"Be careful!" Zhou Ming exclaimed.

Just then, a sword light descended from the sky. It was the strongest move from Su Han's 'Cold Moon Sword Song'—Moonfall Star Sinking. The sword light was like a meteor plummeting to the earth, precisely stabbing the corner of the ice crystal star wheel's eye.

With a 'hiss,' the ice crystal scales were pierced, and blood splattered. The ice crystal star wheel cried out in pain, and its attention was drawn to Su Han.

"Now is the chance!" Zhou Ming roared. The long saber in his hand erupted with dazzling light, striking with full force at the same spot on the ice crystal star wheel's neck.

Zhao Feng was not to be outdone; his long spear darted out like a venomous snake, thrusting three times in succession, each strike hitting the reverse scales of the ice crystal star wheel.

The ice crystal star wheel let out a painful shriek, its massive body twisting wildly, churning the cold pool water dozens of zhang high. But ultimately, it was too heavily injured, and its struggles gradually weakened.

The final blow was delivered by Su Han. He seized an opening, and the tianya sword transformed into a streak of light, piercing its brow.

The ice crystal star wheel's body stiffened, then crashed down, dissipating into specks of starlight, leaving behind only a fist-sized ice-blue crystal core and a few shed scales.

"We succeeded!" Zhou Ming excitedly picked up the crystal core, feeling the immense energy within. "The quality of this crystal core is extremely high; after we divide it equally among the three of us, it will still allow our Cultivations to advance significantly."

Zhao Feng looked at Su Han, a hint of approval in his eyes: "Junior Brother Su, your timing on that sword strike just now was excellent. It seems you truly have talent in the Way of the Sword."

"Senior Brother flatters me," Su Han said humbly. In truth, for that last strike, he vaguely felt the Senior Sister's consciousness within the tianya sword subtly guiding him; otherwise, with his own strength, it would have been difficult to seize that fleeting Opportunity in such an intense battle.

The three divided the spoils and each found a place to Cultivate. Su Han found an ice cave, consumed a small piece of the ice crystal star wheel's crystal core, and began refining its energy.

Pure ice-attributed Star Power flooded into his body, and his ice crystal star wheel absorbed it ravenously. Su Han's Cultivation increased at a visible rate; the ice crystal patterns on his Star Wheel became clearer and more complex.

After an unknown amount of time, when the crystal core was completely refined, Su Han's Cultivation had reached the Peak of the Middle Stage Star Wheel Realm, just a hair's breadth away from the Late Stage.

"A pity, still slightly short," Su Han opened his eyes, feeling a bit regretful. But he also knew that Cultivation could not be pursued solely for speed; a solid Foundation was more important.

When he left the ice cave, Zhou Ming and Zhao Feng were already waiting for him. Both of their auras had clearly improved; they had obviously gained considerable rewards.

"Junior Brother Su, the time in the Secret Realm is almost up," Zhou Ming said. "We should leave now. This cooperation was very pleasant; if we have the chance in the future, we can act together again."

"Thank you both for looking after me, Senior Brothers," Su Han expressed his sincere gratitude. This hunt for the ice crystal star wheel not only earned him precious resources for Cultivation but also allowed him to learn a lot of practical combat skills; his gains were substantial. (End of Chapter)