672: Chapter 672 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (51)

"She understood better than anyone," Elder Lin sighed. "Precisely because she understood, she chose to burn herself. That child, Qingyin, was too foolish."

"She wasn't foolish," Su Han raised his head, his eyes flashing with a resolute light. "She is a hero of Tianya Peak. And I will absolutely not let her sacrifice be in vain."

Elder Lin stared blankly at the youth before him, seeing in his eyes the shadow of Qingyin from back then—the same stubbornness, the same determination, the same fearlessness.

"What are your plans?"

"Become stronger," Su Han said word by word. "Strong enough to completely eradicate the evil thoughts within the sword, strong enough to rebuild Senior Sister's Physical Body, strong enough to restore Tianya Peak to its former glory."

Elder Lin took a deep breath and retrieved an ancient-looking Jade Slip from his bosom: "This is the complete version of Tianya Peak's highest sword manual, the 'Nine Swords of Tianya'. Throughout the generations, only the Peak Master and the Sword Master have been qualified to Cultivate it, but for four hundred years, no one has been able to master more than the third sword."

He solemnly handed the Jade Slip to Su Han: "In three days, you will enter the Azure Cloud Secret Realm. You can contemplate the Sword Intent within it. The Secret Realm contains a forest of sword steles left by the Founding Ancestor, which may be of help to you."

"Thank you, Elder," Su Han accepted the Jade Slip, sensing the vast Sword Intent contained within.

"There's one more thing," Elder Lin hesitated for a moment. "About Qingyin's matter. For now, do not tell the other Disciples. Tianya Peak needs hope, not tragedy."

"This Disciple understands."

Elder Lin nodded, gave Su Han one last look, then turned and left. His aged back appeared somewhat hunched under the moonlight, yet it also exuded an indescribable tenacity.

After Elder Lin had gone far, Su Han gently stroked the body of the tianya sword: "Senior Sister, did you hear? I will definitely save you."

The sword body trembled slightly, transmitting Senior Sister's gentle voice: "Silly boy, look after yourself first. The thing inside the sword might erupt even more violently next time. Before you are strong enough, try not to rely excessively on my power, lest it stimulate it."

"I understand," Su Han nodded, then remembered something. "By the way, Senior Sister, how much do you know about the Azure Cloud Secret Realm?"

"The Azure Cloud Secret Realm..." Senior Sister's voice carried a tone of reminiscence. "It's a miraculous place. On the surface, it's a cultivation sanctuary, but in reality, it's more like a trial ground. Founding Ancestor Qingyunzi divided his life's attainments into nine trials, scattering them throughout the Secret Realm. For four thousand years, only seven people have passed all nine trials, and each one who passed eventually became a Star Saint-level existence."

Star Saint!

Su Han's heart shook with shock. The path of Star Cultivation is divided into Star Disciple, Star Practitioner, Star Master, Star Spirit, Star Wheel, star palace, Star King, Star Emperor, Star Venerable, Star Saint, and Star Emperor. A Star Saint is already an existence standing at the pinnacle of the continent, capable of moving mountains and filling seas, shattering the void with a wave of the hand.

"But don't think too much about it," Senior Sister laughed. "The nine trials are as difficult as ascending to heaven. Most people can't even pass the first one. Your primary goal for this entry into the Secret Realm is to improve your cultivation, striving to break through to the Star Palace Realm. Only by stepping into star palace will you be qualified to Cultivate the later forms of the 'Nine Swords of Tianya'."

"This Disciple will remember."

The two chatted for a while longer until shouts searching for Su Han came from the foot of the mountain. Only then did he sheathe the tianya sword and turn to return to the banquet.

For the next two days, Su Han secluded himself, focusing on recuperating and nursing his injuries. The Life-Giving Creation Pill truly lived up to its reputation as an Earth Rank top-grade pill. In just two days, his injuries were seventy to eighty percent healed, and he even benefited from misfortune, with his cultivation showing faint signs of a Breakthrough.

During this period, Disciples from various Peaks came to visit from time to time. Some came with sincere congratulations, some tried to befriend him, and others harbored hidden probing intentions. Su Han declined them all using his recuperation as an excuse. Only when Mu Qingxue visited did he leave seclusion to meet her.

On the morning of the third day, as the sky was just beginning to lighten, Su Han arrived at the Azure Cloud Hall.

The Azure Cloud Hall is located at the summit of the main Peak, where the Sect Master handles Sect affairs and receives distinguished guests. The great hall is entirely built from cyan jade, standing ninety-nine feet tall, symbolizing the ultimate supremacy of nines. In the plaza before the hall stand nine coiled dragon pillars, each carved with a lifelike Azure Dragon. The dragons' eyes are inlaid with rare gemstones, sparkling brilliantly in the morning light.

When Su Han arrived, two people were already waiting in front of the hall—Ye Wuhen and Mu Qingxue.

Ye Wuhen had changed into a brand-new blue robe and looked much better than three days prior, though the look in his eyes when he glanced at Su Han remained complicated. Mu Qingxue, as always, wore a white long dress, as cool and clear as the moon.

"Junior Brother Su," Ye Wuhen spoke first, his voice calm. "Congratulations."

"Senior Brother Ye is too polite," Su Han returned the courtesy. "Senior Brother's Azure Cloud Dharmakaya was astonishingly powerful. If not for luck, the one defeated would have been me."

Ye Wuhen shook his head: "Victory is victory, defeat is defeat. There's no talk of luck. After that day, I reflected for a long time and finally understood where I lost—I relied too much on the power of the Dharmakaya, yet neglected my own Foundation."

He paused, a sharp light flashing in his eyes: "However, next time, I will not lose again."

Su Han smiled: "I look forward to fighting Senior Brother again."

The two looked at each other, actually feeling a sense of mutual admiration. Geniuses are always lonely. Being able to encounter a well-matched opponent is, in a way, a kind of fortune.

At that moment, the doors of the Azure Cloud Hall slowly opened. A young Daoist acolyte walked out, bowed, and said, "Senior Brothers and Senior Sister, the Sect Master requests your presence."

Upon entering the great hall, the first thing that caught their eyes was a huge star map, almost covering the entire ceiling. The stars in the map were arranged according to some mysterious pattern, slowly rotating as if it were a real night sky. Su Han only glanced at it once before feeling his mind being drawn in. He hurriedly averted his gaze.

At the far end of the hall, Yun Qingzi sat upright on a meditation cushion. Several Elders stood on either side, and Ling Xiaotian was notably among them.

"Disciples pay respects to the Yun Qingzi and all Elders," the three said in unison, bowing.

Yun Qingzi nodded slightly, his gaze sweeping over the three before finally settling on Su Han: "Su Han, do you know why this seat personally selects Cultivation Techniques for you?"

"This Disciple does not know."

"Because in the path of Cultivation Techniques, the key lies in compatibility," Yun Qingzi said slowly. "No matter how powerful a Cultivation Technique is, if it doesn't match the cultivator's Physique and temperament, not only will it yield half the results with double the effort, it may even lead to Qi Deviation. You three are all the future hope of our Azure Cloud Sect. We cannot be careless."

He raised his hand and waved it. Three Jade Slips floated in the air: "Here are three Earth Rank top-grade Cultivation Techniques. Each of you choose one."

The first Jade Slip was cyan, with wind patterns flowing on its surface—"Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Art", one of the Azure Cloud Sect's foundational techniques. Cultivating it to great completion allows one to transform into an azure cloud, roaming the Nine Heavens, peerless in speed.

The second Jade Slip was crimson like fire, faint phoenix cries seeming to emanate from it—"Nirvana Heaven-Burning Art". Cultivating it to the extreme allows one to be reborn from flames, with true fire capable of burning the heavens, its power unparalleled.

The third Jade Slip was pitch black throughout, lacking any luster, yet emanating an intent that seemed to devour everything—"Void Star-Devouring Art". It can devour the power of stars and transform it for one's own use, offering extremely fast cultivation speed, but it is exceptionally dangerous.

Ye Wuhen unhesitatingly chose the "Nine Heavens Azure Cloud Art". This technique shared the same lineage as the Azure Cloud Dharmakaya he cultivated. Mu Qingxue pondered briefly and chose the "Nirvana Heaven-Burning Art". She cultivated fire-type Sword Intent, and this technique suited her perfectly.

When it was Su Han's turn, he did not choose immediately. Instead, he asked: "Sect Master, may this Disciple choose a sword path Cultivation Technique?" (End of Chapter)