675: Chapter 675 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (54)

"This won't do," Junior Sister's voice grew weaker. "The evil read is getting stronger, and the heart-clearing pendant and I won't last much longer. You must find the 'Soul Purifying Heavenly Crystal' as soon as possible; it's the only treasure that can completely purify the evil read."

"Where is the Soul Purifying Heavenly Crystal?" Su Han asked anxiously.

"I don't know," Junior Sister said with a bitter smile. "It's a legendary divine item, something one can only hope to encounter. Ancient records say it might be born in places of extreme yin or appear in places of extreme yang, with no trace to follow."

Su Han clenched his fists. To save him, Junior Sister's Soul Power had been greatly depleted again. At this rate, she wouldn't last until he found the Soul Purifying Heavenly Crystal.

"There's another way," Junior Sister suddenly said. "If... if you can comprehend 'Compassionate Sword Intent,' and wield a sword of slaughter with a compassionate heart, perhaps you can coexist with the evil read without eliminating it."

"Compassionate Sword Intent?"

"There are three thousand Dao of the Sword; slaughter is just one of them. The true Peak of the Sword Dao embraces everything—it must have the sharpness to cleave the Void Realm, and also the compassion to nurture all living things," Junior Sister slowly explained. "If you can comprehend Compassionate Sword Intent, you'll be able to suppress the evil read with your state of mind, and even... transform it into an aid."

Su Han fell into contemplation. Compassionate Sword Intent. This sounded even more ethereal than the Soul Purifying Heavenly Crystal.

At dawn, Ye Wuhen's injuries were mostly healed, and Mu Qingxue had finished her recuperation. The three of them returned to the lake to discuss a strategy for retrieving the lotus root.

"The Crocodile Dragon must be recuperating at the bottom of the lake. If we go into the water, we'll be ambushed," Ye Wuhen analyzed. "It's best to lure it out and deal with it on shore."

"I have a plan," Mu Qingxue said. "The Green-Winged Crocodile Dragon prefers cold and dislikes fire the most. I can set up the 'Nine Yang Burning Heaven Formation' to force it out of the water with yang fire. At that time, Junior Brother Su can suppress it with his Sword Intent, and Senior Brother Ye can launch the main attack with his Dharma Idol. We might have a chance of winning."

"This plan is feasible," Su Han nodded.

With the plan decided, the three immediately took action. Mu Qingxue took out nine crimson Formation Flags and inserted them around the lake according to specific positions, forming a formation. Ye Wuhen, meanwhile, prepared to unleash the strongest strike of his Qing Yun Dharma Idol.

Su Han closed his eyes and focused, adjusting his state to his Peak, while simultaneously comprehending the true meaning of the Earth-Splitting Sword Intent.

An hour later, everything was ready.

"Activate Formation!" Mu Qingxue Jiao Chi, and the nine Formation Flags lit up simultaneously, transforming into nine blazing suns suspended over the lake. The scorching high temperature evaporated the lake water, and white mist filled the air.

The lake surface began to boil, and countless fish and shrimp floated belly-up.

"Roar—!"

An angry roar came from the bottom of the lake. The Green-Winged Crocodile Dragon burst out of the water, its scales scalded crimson. Its eyes were blood-red, staring intently at Mu Qingxue, who was setting up the formation, about to pounce.

Now!

"Earth-Splitting!" Su Han unleashed a sword strike, and the invisible mountain reappeared, firmly pressing the Crocodile Dragon onto the lake surface.

"Nine Heavens Thunder Descent, All Laws Return to One!" The Dharma Idol behind Ye Wuhen solidified to its extreme. He held his hands towards the sky, drawing down nine azure divine thunders, which merged into one, forming a thunderous pillar of light as thick as a water bucket that crashed down!

Boom—!!!

The thunder struck the Crocodile Dragon's head directly. This time, its sturdy scales finally shattered completely, its skull exploded, and brains splattered.

The Crocodile Dragon's massive body twitched violently for a moment, then finally sank powerlessly into the lake, its blood staining a large area of the lake surface red.

"We succeeded!" Mu Qingxue let out a sigh of relief, her face pale. Maintaining the Nine Yang Burning Heaven Formation consumed a huge amount of energy; she was almost at her limit.

Ye Wuhen also landed on the ground, his Dharma Idol dissipated, and his aura was weak, but his eyes were filled with excitement.

Su Han put away his sword and walked to the lakeside. The Crocodile Dragon's corpse slowly floated up, and not far from the corpse, a lotus root, entirely emerald green like jade, lay quietly at the bottom of the water. Its body had nine sections, and each section exuded a rich life aura and Star Power fluctuations.

"It really is the Nine-Section Green Jade Lotus Root!" Ye Wuhen exclaimed excitedly. "This is a top-grade among top-grades!"

Su Han went into the water to retrieve the lotus root. The three of them gathered around this Heaven And Earth Treasure, discussing how to divide it.

"Senior Brother Ye lured out the Crocodile Dragon, and the fatal blow was also dealt by Senior Brother Ye. The lotus root should rightfully belong to Senior Brother Ye," Su Han was the first to speak.

"No," Ye Wuhen shook his head. "Without Junior Brother Su's suppression and Junior Sister Mu's formation, I alone would never have been a match for the Crocodile Dragon. This item should be divided equally among the three of us."

Mu Qingxue also nodded in agreement.

Ultimately, the lotus root was divided into three equal portions, three sections for each person. As for the Crocodile Dragon's corpse, its scales were excellent Materials for refining armor, its flesh and blood contained abundant Star Power, and its bones could be used in medicine. These were also distributed according to contribution.

With the spoils divided, the three exchanged smiles. After this battle, the barrier between them had largely dissipated, and they truly felt the camaraderie of fellow Disciples.

"There's not much time left before the Secret Realm closes; we should head back," Mu Qingxue looked at the sky.

The three hurried towards the Secret Realm exit. Along the way, they harvested some more Spiritual Plants and Ore, but didn't encounter any treasures of the Green Jade Lotus Root's caliber again.

Finally, as the time limit approached, they returned to the entrance.

The Chaos vortex reappeared, and the three stepped into it one by one.

After the familiar dizzying sensation, Su Han found himself back in the Qingyun Hall. Yun Qingzi and several Elders were there, and seeing the three return safely, they all showed expressions of satisfaction.

"It seems you've all gained quite a lot," Yun Qingzi's gaze was sharp, and he instantly saw that all three had broken through their Realm. "Especially Su Han, who actually stepped directly into the Star Palace Realm. Very good."

"Thank you, Sect Master," the three bowed.

"The Secret Realm Cultivation ends here. Go back and properly digest what you've gained. Three months from now, the Eastern Region Hundred Sects Grand Assembly will be held in 'Tianxing City,' and the three of you will represent the Qingyun Sect in battle," Yun Qingzi said solemnly. "The Hundred Sects Grand Assembly concerns the Sect's ranking and resource allocation; it cannot be underestimated."

"Disciples will definitely do their best!" The three responded in unison.

Leaving Qingyun Hall, Su Han bid farewell to Ye Wuhen and Mu Qingxue, and returned to Tianya Peak alone.

Along the way, he pondered his next plan—consolidating his Star Palace Realm cultivation, Cultivating the second form of the Tianya Nine Swords, finding the Soul Purifying Heavenly Crystal or a way to comprehend Compassionate Sword Intent, and preparing for the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly three months later.

He knew that the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly would be a bigger stage, and he would encounter stronger opponents. But likewise, it also presented more opportunities.

Back at Tianya Peak, Elder Lin had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Su Han Breakthrough to the Star Palace Realm, the old man was overjoyed, repeating "Good" three times.

That night, Su Han went into seclusion in his small courtyard. He consumed a section of the Green Jade Lotus Root, and the pure medicinal power diffused, not only consolidating his Realm but also elevating the purity of his Star Power by a notch.

Under the moonlight, he gently stroked the tianya sword: "Junior Sister, please wait a little longer. I will definitely find a way to let you see the light of day again."

A faint tremor came from the sword body, as if in response.

Su Han looked out at the starry sky, his eyes resolute.

The path to the Peak of martial Dao is still very long, but since he chose it, he will continue to walk it.

Regardless of whether thorns cover the path ahead, or if it's a mountain of blades and a sea of fire. (End of chapter)