662: Chapter 662 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (41)

He drew his sword and swung it casually. He didn't use Star Power, but wherever the sword's edge passed, the air naturally parted, as if even space itself was about to be cut.

"Is this the power of the Tianya Sword Canon?" Su Han was shocked in his heart. Just by comprehending the basics of the first layer, his sword techniques had undergone a qualitative improvement.

For the next month, Su Han entered a state of secluded cultivation. During the day, he meditated on the Tianya Sword Canon, and at night, he entered the Cold Ice Secret Realm for actual combat, transforming theory into actual combat power.

His cultivation steadily advanced toward the Peak of the Star Wheel Realm, and his sword techniques became increasingly refined. What surprised him most was that as his understanding of the Tianya Sword Canon deepened, his connection with the tianya sword also became tighter. In the sword's inner space, the phantom of the Senior Sister became clearer and clearer, and occasionally she would even proactively demonstrate some sword moves.

On this day, Su Han was practicing his sword in the courtyard when he suddenly felt something and turned to look at the courtyard gate.

A woman dressed in white with a cold and elegant temperament stood there at some unknown time, quietly watching him practice his sword.

"Senior Sister Mu?" Su Han sheathed his sword, somewhat surprised. The newcomer was the Eldest Senior Sister of this generation of Tianya Peak, Mu Qingxue, who had a cultivation of the Early Stage Star Palace Realm. She spent most of her time training outside and rarely returned to the Sect.

Mu Qingxue nodded slightly: "Junior Brother Su, your sword technique is not bad."

"Senior Sister overpraises me." Su Han cupped his hands, "When did Senior Sister return to the Sect?"

"Yesterday." Mu Qingxue walked into the courtyard, "I heard the tianya sword chose you, so I specially came back to take a look."

She sized up Su Han, her gaze as sharp as a sword: "Peak of the Late-stage Star Wheel Realm, condensed Sword Intent, and a solid Foundation. You indeed have the qualifications to inherit the tianya sword."

"Senior Sister overpraises me," Su Han said modestly.

Mu Qingxue shook her head: "It's not overpraising. I entered the Star Wheel Realm at sixteen and only reached the Late Stage at twenty; you are much faster than I was. And..." She paused, "Your Sword Intent is very special, having both the sharpness of the tianya sword and your own understanding. It seems you have indeed walked your own path."

Su Han's heart stirred: "Senior Sister, regarding Senior Sister Tianya's matter..."

"I know." Mu Qingxue interrupted him, a hint of pain flashing in her eyes, "heavenly abyss was my best friend. When she had her accident back then, I was training outside and couldn't make it back. This is the greatest regret of my life."

She looked at Su Han and said solemnly: "So, you must become strong. Strong enough to enter the Ancient Sword Tomb, strong enough to reshape her Dao body. This is not just your business, but the business of the entire Tianya Peak."

"I understand," Su Han said firmly.

Mu Qingxue took out a Jade Slip from her robe: "These are some of my insights into the way of the sword that I've collected while training outside over the years. Although they are not as exquisite as the Tianya Sword Canon, they are superior in practical combat. Perhaps they will be useful to you."

"This is too precious..." Su Han wanted to decline.

"Take it." Mu Qingxue stuffed the Jade Slip into his hand, "The Seven Peaks Tournament is imminent; every bit of strength gives you a bit more certainty. Tianya Peak has been silent for too long; someone needs to stand up."

After saying that, she turned to leave, but stopped again when she reached the courtyard gate: "By the way, if you encounter Ling Tian of Zixiao Peak during the tournament, be careful. That man is narrow-minded; he once pursued heavenly abyss and was rejected, and has held a grudge ever since. Since you inherited the tianya sword, he might target you."

"Thank you for the reminder, Senior Sister." Su Han etched this name into his heart.

After Mu Qingxue left, Su Han examined the Jade Slip. What was recorded inside was not a systematic sword technique, but various practical combat skills: how to counterattack in adversity, how to see through an opponent's flaws, how to maintain physical strength during a war of attrition... These were all experiences Mu Qingxue had summarized from life-and-death struggles, and were incredibly precious.

"With these, I have another bit of certainty for the tournament." Su Han gripped the Jade Slip, a firm light flashing in his eyes.

Time flew by, and in the blink of an eye, it was the day before the Seven Peaks Tournament.

On this day, the entire Qingyun Sect became lively. Disciples from all Peaks rushed back from all directions, and the sounds of discussions about the tournament were everywhere in the Sect.

Su Han finished his last Secret Realm cultivation, and his cultivation finally broke through to the Peak of the Star Wheel Realm. Now he was only one step away from the Star Palace Realm, but this final step was the hardest to cross.

"The Star Palace Realm requires opening a Star Palace within the body and condensing Star Power from a gaseous state into a liquid state; it's a process of qualitative change." Su Han sat cross-legged in the courtyard, thinking about the method of Breakthrough, "Ordinary Cultivators need several years of accumulation; it's already very fast for me to reach this step in three months. I cannot rush it."

He adjusted his mindset and focused his attention on tomorrow's tournament. According to the latest news, more than eight hundred people were participating in this Seven Peaks Tournament, including more than three hundred at the Late-stage Star Wheel Realm or above, and over twenty in the Star Palace Realm.

"The competition is fierce." Su Han took a deep breath, "But no matter what, I must at least enter the top hundred to obtain the qualification to enter the Seven Peaks Secret Realm."

This was the minimum goal Elder Lin had set for him. Only by entering the Seven Peaks Secret Realm would he have the Opportunity to gain even greater opportunities and prepare for the charge into the Star Palace Realm.

When night fell, Su Han was sitting quietly in the courtyard when he suddenly sensed a powerful aura approaching. He opened his eyes and saw the Yun Qingzi standing in the courtyard at some unknown time.

"Yun Qingzi?" Su Han hurriedly stood up.

Yun Qingzi waved his hand, signaling him to sit down: "The tournament is tomorrow; how are you feeling?"

"A bit nervous, but mostly expectant," Su Han answered truthfully.

"Expectation is a good thing." Yun Qingzi smiled, "The path of cultivation is essentially about constantly challenging oneself. The Seven Peaks Tournament is just a beginning; in the future, you will encounter even more and stronger opponents."

He took out a piece of soft armor from his sleeve: "This is the 'Ice Silkworm Silk Armor', a High Grade Spiritual Artifact. It can withstand a full-force blow from an Early Stage Star Palace Realm Cultivator. Put it on tomorrow, just in case."

Su Han took the soft armor; it felt cold and soft in his hands, yet it contained a powerful defensive force: "Yun Qingzi, this is too precious..."

"No matter how precious it is, it can't compare to your safety." Yun Qingzi said seriously, "Su Han, you must remember that the future of Tianya Peak and that girl heavenly abyss's hope are both on you. So no matter what situation you encounter, the first thing is to preserve your life. As long as the green mountains remain, there is no fear of lacking firewood."

"This Disciple understands," Su Han said solemnly.

Yun Qingzi nodded, gave a few more instructions about the tournament, and then left.

That night, Su Han did not Cultivate but rested early, adjusting his state to the optimum.

The next morning, as the morning sun first rose, the Martial Arts Arena in the center of the seven Peaks of the Qingyun Sect was already crowded with people.

The Seven Peaks Tournament officially began.

Su Han put on the Ice Silkworm Silk Armor, carried the tianya sword on his back, and walked out of the small courtyard. The sunlight shone on him, reflecting a firm figure.

He would walk this path step by step. For himself, for Tianya Peak, and for the Senior Sister waiting for Rebirth inside the sword.

On the Martial Arts Arena, the war drums had already been struck. (End of chapter)