661: Lu Xueqi and Biyao (40)

The three of them returned to the stone gate together. The Old Gatekeeper was still resting with his eyes closed. Seeing the three of them come out, he nodded slightly, "A good harvest. Remember, the insights gained in the Secret Realm must be properly digested to truly make them your own."

"Thank you for the guidance, Senior." After the three of them bowed, they walked out of the stone gate.

It was still early morning outside, and the sunlight was just right. Su Han returned to his small courtyard and found a food box on the stone table with a still-warm breakfast inside. Beside it was a note:

"Though cultivation is important, you must also look after your body. Eat on time and do not let your Elders worry. — Left by Elder Lin"

Su Han felt a warmth in his heart. This seemingly stern Elder in charge of teaching was actually as meticulous as could be.

After eating breakfast, Su Han did not rest but began to organize the gains from this trip to the Secret Realm. He cross-referenced his insights from battle with the sword canon he had learned in the Scripture Pavilion, gradually forming a prototype of a sword technique that belonged to him.

"There are thousands of paths in the Dao of the sword, and I should walk my own path," Su Han set a goal in his heart. "I will fuse the strengths of a hundred schools to create the sword technique most suitable for myself."

In the following days, Su Han entered a regular life of cultivation. During the day, he meditated on the sword canon in the Scripture Pavilion; at night, he practiced his sword in the courtyard. Once a month, he entered the Cold Ice Secret Realm to temper himself in actual combat.

As time passed day by day, his cultivation steadily improved, and his sword techniques became increasingly proficient. During this period, Zhou Ming and Zhao Feng invited him to cooperate several more times, and the three gradually became friends. From them, Su Han gained a deeper understanding of the situation in each Peak of the Qingyun Sect.

In the blink of an eye, two months passed. Only one month remained before the Seven Peaks Tournament.

On this day, just as Su Han came out of the Cold Ice Secret Realm, he received a transmission talisman. It was a summons from the Yun Qingzi.

Arriving at the main hall of Tianya Peak, Su Han found that besides the Sect Master, Yun Qingzi, Elder Lin was also there, along with several unfamiliar Peak Masters and Elders.

"Disciple Su Han greets the Yun Qingzi and all the Elders." Su Han bowed respectfully.

The Sect Master nodded, sizing him up, "Late-stage Star Wheel Realm? Not bad, faster than expected."

Su Han was startled. He had indeed achieved a Breakthrough to the Late-stage Star Wheel Realm three days ago, but he had been using a Breath-Concealing Technique to hide his cultivation. He hadn't expected the Yun Qingzi to see through it at a glance.

"No need to be surprised," the Yun Qingzi smiled. "I was the one who taught you that Breath-Concealing Technique. It can hide you from others, but not from me."

An Elder wearing purple robes spoke, "Su Han, I heard that your performance in the Cold Ice Secret Realm has been quite impressive recently. You cooperated with Zhou Ming and Zhao Feng to hunt down three Star Beasts at the Peak of the Star Wheel Realm?"

"Yes," Su Han said. "It was thanks to the care of my two Senior Brothers."

"No need to be modest," the Purple-Robed Elder stroked his beard. "I know those three boys; they are quite arrogant. If you didn't have real ability, they wouldn't have invited you to cooperate time and again."

Elder Lin chimed in, "Sect Master, everyone, I have gathered you all today for the matter of the Seven Peaks Tournament. According to custom, the list of participants for each Peak must be finalized one month before the tournament. Although Su Han hasn't been here long, his strength has already reached the standard. I believe he should participate."

"I agree," the Purple-Robed Elder nodded. "Tianya Peak has had a gap between generations for several cycles. It wasn't easy to finally get a good seed; we should let him go and gain some experience."

Several other Elders also expressed their agreement.

The Yun Qingzi looked at Su Han, "What do you think yourself? The Seven Peaks Tournament is no child's play. Although there are rules for protection, the risk of injury or even serious injury still exists. If you do not wish to participate, no one will blame you."

Su Han did not hesitate, "This Disciple is willing to participate."

"Good," the Yun Qingzi nodded with satisfaction. "Then it is settled. Su Han, you will represent Tianya Peak in this Seven Peaks Tournament. For this month, the Sect will provide you with extra cultivation resources. If you have any needs, you may also bring them up."

"Thank you, Sect Master." Su Han thought for a moment. "This Disciple does indeed have a request."

" speak."

"This Disciple wishes to borrow and read the Tianya Sword Canon."

As soon as these words were spoken, the hall fell silent for a moment. The Tianya Sword Canon was the supreme secret art of Tianya Peak. Historically, only Peak Masters and core True Disciples could Cultivate it. Although Su Han's status was special, he was, after all, not yet a True Disciple.

The Yun Qingzi pondered for a moment and looked at Elder Lin, "Junior Brother Lin, what do you think?"

Elder Lin said, "According to the rules, it indeed should not be allowed. But Su Han's situation is special. He coexists with the tianya sword. Cultivating the Tianya Sword Canon might better awaken the consciousness of heavenly abyss. Moreover, if he can achieve good results in the tournament, it will also bring honor to Tianya Peak."

"What are the opinions of the others?" The Yun Qingzi Looking around at everyone.

The Purple-Robed Elder was the first to speak, "Rules are dead, but people are alive. I agree."

"I also agree."

"Seconded."

Seeing that everyone agreed, the Yun Qingzi made the decision, "Very well. Su Han, from today onwards, you may enter the top floor of the Scripture Pavilion to meditate on the first three layers of the Tianya Sword Canon. But remember, it must not be leaked to outsiders."

"This Disciple understands!" Su Han was excited. The Tianya Sword Canon was one of the top sword-path Cultivation Techniques in the Qingyun Sect. If he could meditate on it, his strength would surely reach another level.

After leaving the main hall, Elder Lin personally brought Su Han to the top floor of the Scripture Pavilion. It was empty here, with only a purple-gold Jade Slip floating on a jade platform in the center.

"This is the Tianya Sword Canon," Elder Lin said. "This sword canon has nine layers in total, corresponding to the nine realms of star cultivation. But since the third-generation Peak Master, no one has mastered the ninth layer. Even that girl heavenly abyss only practiced to the seventh layer back then."

He paused and said solemnly, "Su Han, though the sword canon is good, do not be greedy. With your current cultivation, being able to comprehend the first layer is already the limit. Forcing yourself to meditate on higher levels will instead harm yourself."

"This Disciple will keep that in mind." Su Han nodded.

After Elder Lin left, Su Han walked to the jade platform, took a deep breath, and placed his hand on the Jade Slip.

In an instant, he felt as if he were pulled into a world of swords. Countless sword lights traversed and collided in the Void Realm, each sword light containing profound principles of the Dao of the sword. In the center of the world, a figure was dancing with a sword. That sword technique was incredibly mysterious; it looked simple, yet it contained the mighty power to split heaven and earth.

"Tianya Sword Canon, First Layer: Sword Heart Clarity..."

A majestic voice sounded in Su Han's heart, describing the foundation of the Dao of the sword. Unlike the various sword techniques he had encountered before, the Tianya Sword Canon did not emphasize Moves, but rather the "Mind-Cultivation Technique." It taught how to Cultivate a pure sword heart, how to make the sword an extension of the body, and how to achieve the Unity of Man and Sword.

Su Han was immersed in it, intoxicated. The tianya sword at his waist let out a joyful hum. In the space within the sword, the phantom of the White-Clothed Woman seemed to become a bit clearer, and a flash of relief crossed her eyes.

Time passed minute by minute. When Su Han woke up from his meditation, it was already late at night. A sword light flashed and vanished in his eyes, and his entire temperament had become a bit sharper.

"Sword Heart Clarity..." Su Han murmured to himself. "So that's how it is. The foundation of the Dao of the sword is not the exquisiteness of Moves, nor the strength of power, but a heart that purely pursues the Dao of the sword."(End of Chapter)