678: Chapter 678 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (57)

His words were equivalent to admitting Su Han's innocence—if Su Han were a thief, why would he reveal such unique Sword Intent? A thief would rather hide their strength.

Yun Qingzi breathed a sigh of relief and cupped his hands, saying, "Immortal Master, you see clearly."

After Venerable Yang Yan left with the disheartened Luo Tianyu, the surrounding Disciples gradually dispersed. However, the way everyone looked at Su Han now held a hint of awe.

To defeat the Ziyang Sect Genius Luo Tianyu with an Early Stage Star Palace Realm cultivation, such strength is considered top-tier among the younger generation in the entire Eastern Domain.

"Su Han, follow me," Yun Qingzi suddenly said.

In the side hall of Qingyun Hall, Yun Qingzi dismissed everyone, leaving only Su Han.

"The Sword Intent you displayed today, is it the 'Sword Intent of Life'?" The Sect Master got straight to the point.

Su Han pondered for a moment, then nodded, "This Disciple gained some insights in the Secret Realm, but has not truly grasped it yet."

"To have touched the threshold is already an immense Opportunity," Yun Qingzi sighed. "The Sword Intent of Life is rarely seen in a thousand years. If you can completely Master it, your future achievements will be limitless."

He then changed the topic: "However, a towering tree in the forest will be destroyed by the wind. After today, you will likely become an eyesore to many people."

"This Disciple understands."

"It's good that you understand." Yun Qingzi took out a Jade Slip. "This is the sword art for 'Star Sever', the third move of the Tianya Nine Swords. Originally, you were meant to Cultivate it only after reaching the Late Stage Star Palace Realm, but now it seems I can give it to you early."

Su Han solemnly accepted it, "Thank you, Sect Master."

"There is one more thing." Yun Qingzi's expression was serious. "The theft at the Spirit Medicine Garden and the theft at the Ziyang Sect are by no means coincidences. Someone wants to use a borrowed knife to kill, to sow discord between our Sect and the Ziyang Sect."

"Does the Sect Master have any suspects?"

Yun Qingzi shook his head, "The culprit acted secretly and left no traces. However, to be able to imitate the Tianya Nine Swords to such a lifelike extent, they must be extremely familiar with our Sect's sword techniques."

He looked at Su Han, "You must be careful. Their target might not just be you, but the entire Qingyun Sect."

Leaving Qingyun Hall, Su Han's mood was heavy.

The tree desires tranquility, but the wind will not cease. He only wanted to Cultivate in peace and rescue his Senior Sister, but he was always drawn into various conflicts.

Returning to Tianya Peak, Elder Lin was already waiting in the courtyard.

"Master," Su Han bowed.

"Yun Qingzi sought you out?" the old man asked.

Su Han nodded and briefly explained the situation.

Elder Lin listened, remained silent for a long time, and then sighed, "It's a troubled time. The Hundred Sects Grand Assembly is imminent, yet undercurrents are surging within the Sect. Su Han, try to minimize your outings during this period and focus on preparing for the Assembly. As long as you distinguish yourself at the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly and become a key Cultivation target of the Sect, those petty individuals will naturally have their reservations."

"This Disciple obeys."

For the next two months, Su Han barely left his residence.

He practiced swordsmanship during the day, Cultivated Star Power at night, and occasionally sparred and exchanged pointers with Ye Wuhen and Mu Qingxue. Having experienced life and death in the Secret Realm, their relationship deepened, and they often shared Cultivation insights.

Ye Wuhen's Qing Yun Dharma Idol had solidified to an almost physical state, and a single palm strike carried the might of Qing Yun obscuring the sky. Mu Qingxue, on the other hand, made rapid progress in the Dao of Formations, already capable of setting up simple killing Formations.

And Su Han's progress was the most astonishing.

The medicinal power of the green jade lotus root was completely refined. His Star Palace had expanded by nearly 30%, and the purity of his Star Power was comparable to that of a Late Stage Star Palace Realm cultivator. He had mastered three moves of 'Heaven-Opening', the second move of the Tianya Nine Swords, and had also found the way to 'Star Sever', the third move.

Most importantly, his comprehension of the 'Sword Intent of Life' deepened day by day.

One day, as he was practicing swordsmanship in the courtyard, his tianya sword suddenly emitted a faint fluctuation.

"Senior Sister?" Su Han quickly sheathed his sword.

Yuheng's voice was weaker than before, but it carried a hint of relief: "You've touched the threshold of Compassionate Sword Intent."

"Senior Sister, how are you?" Su Han asked anxiously.

"I can hold on for a while longer," Yuheng said softly, "but the evil thoughts are growing stronger. Su Han, you must speed up. At the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly, there might be an Opportunity."

"Opportunity?"

"In Tianxing City, there's an ancient ruin called 'Ask Heart Tower'," Yuheng's voice was intermittent. "The pagoda contains an ancient Legacy, and there might be a method to purify evil thoughts within it. But entering the pagoda requires qualifications. You must enter the top ten at the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly..."

"Top ten?" Su Han gripped his sword hilt.

With a hundred Sects in the Eastern Domain and Geniuses gathered, the difficulty of standing out and entering the top ten was unimaginable.

"I will do it," he declared firmly.

Yuheng said no more, seemingly having fallen back into slumber.

Su Han looked towards the east, in the direction of Tianxing City. The Hundred Sects Grand Assembly, the Ask Heart Tower. This was his Opportunity to save his Senior Sister, and he absolutely could not miss it.

Time flew by, and in a blink of an eye, it was the eve of the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly.

This morning, more than twenty Disciples gathered in front of the Qingyun Sect's mountain gate. These were the participants for this Assembly, each with extraordinary auras, the weakest being at the Early Stage Star Palace Realm.

Su Han, Ye Wuhen, and Mu Qingxue stood in the front row, forming the main force for this event.

Yun Qingzi personally came to see them off, accompanied by several Elders.

"This Hundred Sects Grand Assembly not only concerns personal honor and disgrace but also the allocation of resources for our Sect for the next five years," Yun Qingzi's gaze swept over the Disciples. "I hope you will give your all and uphold the prestige of our Qingyun Sect."

"This Disciple will not fail!" everyone responded in unison.

The leader was Elder Lu Mingxuan, the Transmission Elder, a Middle Stage Star River Realm cultivator, known for his impartiality and high prestige within the Sect.

"Depart," Elder Lu commanded, and everyone boarded the flying boat.

This was Qingyun Sect's large flying Spiritual Artifact, shaped like a 樓船 (tower ship), capable of carrying a hundred people. The flying boat ascended into the sky, pierced through the clouds, and sped towards Tianxing City.

On the boat, Disciples either meditated to regulate their Qi or chatted in groups of three or five. Su Han and the other two gathered together to discuss the Assembly rules.

"The Hundred Sects Grand Assembly is divided into three stages," Mu Qingxue, who was most knowledgeable about the information, explained. "The first stage is 'Ascending the Heavenly Ladder'. All participants must climb 'Starfall Mountain' outside Tianxing City. There are a hundred seats at the summit, and the first to arrive claims one."

"The second stage is 'Arena Battles'. The hundred participants draw lots for matchups to determine the top ten."

"The third stage is 'Ask Heart Tower'. The top ten can enter the pagoda to challenge, and their final ranking will be determined by the number of floors they clear."

Ye Wuhen added, "According to past records, to reach the summit of Starfall Mountain, one needs at least Middle Stage Star Palace Realm strength. And to enter the top ten, Late Stage Star Palace Realm is the minimum."

Su Han nodded silently. He was currently at the Peak Early Stage Star Palace Realm, just a step away from the Middle Stage. But to contend for the top ten, he needed to advance further.

The flying boat traveled day and night, and three days later, finally arrived at Tianxing City.

From high above, the largest city in the Eastern Domain resembled a colossal beast prostrating itself, with city walls a hundred zhang high, stretching for hundreds of miles. Pavilions and towers stood in great numbers within the city, but the most striking feature was a tall pagoda in the city center—pitch black, soaring into the clouds, its spire hidden in the mist. This was the legendary Ask Heart Tower.

The flying boat landed outside the city, and everyone walked in.

Tianxing City was now overflowing with people, with Disciples from various Sects seen everywhere on the streets, some in splendid robes, others simple and low-key, each exuding an extraordinary aura. (End of Chapter)