680: Chapter 680 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (59)

Danger!

The Black-Robed Person's gaze fell on Su Han, a weird smile curling at the corner of his mouth: "Qingyun Sect, Su Han?"

"Who are you?" Su Han said in a deep voice.

"The one who takes your life." The Black-Robed Person's voice was hoarse, "Of course, if you turn around and go down the mountain now, I can spare your life."

Ye Wuhen took a step forward: "What boastful talk!"

The Black-Robed Person laughed, his laughter carrying a bone-chilling coldness. He raised his hand, and a sword appeared in it—a pitch-black longsword with blood-colored patterns covering the blade.

The moment the sword was drawn, a cold and evil aura permeated the air.

Su Han's pupils constricted.

This aura... shares the same source as the evil thoughts in Senior Sister's sword!

"Be careful!" he shouted urgently.

But it was a step too late.

The Black-Robed Person thrust out his sword, the sword light like a venomous snake's tongue, aiming straight for Ye Wuhen's throat. This strike was fast, ruthless, and cunning, and it also carried an evil Qi that corroded the mind.

Ye Wuhen hastily manifested his Dharma to block, striking down with the Qingyun Great Seal.

Chih!

The black sword actually pierced through the Dharma easily, its momentum undiminished. Ye Wuhen was terrified and hurriedly dodged to the side; the sword edge grazed his shoulder, leaving a wound deep enough to see the bone. Even more terrifying was that black Qi permeated the wound, actually corroding his Star Power.

"It's poisonous!" Ye Wuhen's face turned black.

Mu Qingxue hurriedly set up a formation, nine Formation Flags flying out and transforming into a light shield to protect the three of them. But when the black sword struck the light shield, the shield shook violently, and cracks actually appeared.

"Late Stage Star Palace Realm... no, it's the Peak!" Mu Qingxue was horrified.

This Black-Robed Person actually had a cultivation at the Peak of the Star Palace Realm, and his sword technique was evil and strange, far exceeding those of the same level.

Su Han drew his sword and stepped forward, the tianya sword slashing towards the black sword.

The two swords clashed, producing a piercing scraping sound. Su Han only felt a wave of cold evil Qi travel down the sword blade, actually trying to corrode his mind. He hurriedly circulated his Star Power to resist, while simultaneously activating his Sword Intent of Life.

A warm sword light lit up, barely dispelling the evil Qi.

"Eh?" The Black-Robed Person let out a small sound of surprise, "You can actually resist the 'Heart-Corroding Sword Intent'? It seems you are more troublesome than I thought."

His sword technique changed, the black sword transforming into a sky full of sword shadows, each carrying corrosive power, enveloping Su Han's entire body.

Su Han exerted his "Earth-Splitting" Sword Intent to the fullest, a mountain phantom protecting his body. But the black sword's evil Qi was pervasive, and the mountain phantom was actually corroded until it was riddled with holes.

This cannot go on!

Su Han's thoughts raced, and he suddenly withdrew his sword and retreated.

"Want to run?" The Black-Robed Person sneered and pursued.

That's it!

Su Han suddenly turned around, the tianya sword blooming with dazzling sword light.

"Heaven-Opening — Daybreak!"

This strike condensed all of his Star Power and Sword Intent. The sword came out like the rising sun, tearing through the darkness, carrying a determination to break through all shackles.

The Black-Robed Person's expression changed slightly, and he hastily blocked with his black sword.

Boom!!!

The sword light exploded, and the Black-Robed Person was knocked back several yards. His black robe was torn, revealing his true appearance—a face as pale as paper, with a blood-colored tattoo under his right eye in the shape of a venomous snake.

"Good sword technique." He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth, a flash of madness in his eyes, "But it's not enough!"

His aura surged, and a phantom appeared behind him—a blurry humanoid figure that emitted a towering evil Qi. The phantom merged into the black sword, and the blood patterns on the blade glowed brightly, even letting out a shrill hiss.

"Nine Heart-Corroding Swords — Myriad Soul Devour!"

With one strike, ghosts wailed and gods howled. Countless phantoms of resentful souls surged out from the sword, pouncing towards Su Han.

This was an Evil Path sword technique, refining swords with the resentful souls of living beings, incredibly malicious.

Su Han felt his mind shake, illusions appearing before his eyes as if countless wronged souls were weeping in his ears. He bit the tip of his tongue, the sharp pain bringing him some clarity.

Cannot retreat! Behind him are his Senior Brother and Senior Sister, the hope of the Qingyun Sect!

He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the sword.

Senior Sister's voice echoed in his ears: "The true Peak of the Dao of the sword is to encompass everything."

Compassionate Sword Intent... Sword Intent of Life...

What is a sword?

It is a tool for slaughter, but also a blade for protection.

What is Sword Intent?

It is the sharp edge that cuts through the Void Realm, but also the compassion that nourishes all things.

At that moment, Su Han understood.

He opened his eyes, no longer any confusion in them. The tianya sword swung out gently, without a hint of Killing Intent, yet a circle of warm sword light spread out.

Wherever the sword light passed, the phantoms of resentful souls melted like snow, and the shrill hissing vanished into nothingness. The Black-Robed Person's Heart-Corroding Sword Intent was like spring sun melting snow before this sword light, collapsing instantly.

"This is impossible!" the Black-Robed Person screamed in terror.

Su Han said nothing, his second strike already arriving.

This strike was simple and unadorned, yet it contained his entire understanding of the Dao of the sword—the heaviness of Earth-Splitting, the determination of Heaven-Opening, and the compassion that encompasses all things.

The sword light pierced through the Black-Robed Person's body.

No wound, no blood. But the Black-Robed Person was struck as if by lightning, his entire evil Qi receding like a tide, his face instantly turning as pale as paper.

"You... you crippled my cultivation?!" he hissed.

"Evil Path sword techniques harm others and oneself." Su Han sheathed his sword, "Crippling your cultivation today is giving you a chance to turn over a new leaf."

The Black-Robed Person collapsed to the ground, his eyes full of despair and malice.

Su Han no longer looked at him and turned to help Ye Wuhen up. Mu Qingxue had already treated his wound, but that Heart-Corroding evil Qi was extremely difficult to remove, and Ye Wuhen remained unconscious.

"We must reach the top as quickly as possible to find an Elder for treatment," Su Han said in a deep voice.

The two of them supported Ye Wuhen and continued upwards.

The final hundred yards had the greatest pressure, but no one blocked them anymore. Many had seen the battle just now, and no one dared to target them again.

Finally, they reached the mountain top.

There were already dozens of people on the mountain top platform. Seeing the three from the Qingyun Sect arrive, especially seeing the unconscious Ye Wuhen, everyone's expressions were varied.

The Elder in charge of the assembly saw this and immediately stepped forward to check.

"Heart-Corroding evil Qi?" A white-bearded Elder frowned, "This is a forbidden art. Who could be so malicious?"

Su Han pointed to the mountain path below: "That person's cultivation has been crippled by me."

The Elder gave Su Han a deep look and nodded: "Well done. This person will be handled by us."

He took out a Medicinal Pill for Ye Wuhen to take and used his power to dispel the evil Qi. Before long, Ye Wuhen slowly woke up; although still weak, he was no longer in danger.

"Junior Brother Su, thank you," he said weakly.

Su Han shook his head: "Between fellow disciples, there is no need for thanks."

At this time, the seats on the mountain top were gradually filled. Exactly one hundred people finally reached the top, and the Qingyun Sect occupied three seats, a good result.

The white-bearded Elder said loudly: "The Heaven-Climbing Stairs has ended, and the top hundred have been decided. Tomorrow at the Hour of Chen, the arena battles will begin. Today everyone, rest well."

Everyone dispersed and returned to the city.

On the way back, Su Han was preoccupied with heavy thoughts.

The Black-Robed Person's sword technique shared the same source as the evil thoughts in the tianya sword. This was definitely no coincidence.

Senior Sister's enemies have indeed come knocking.

And the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly is probably just the beginning.

Late at night, Su Han was meditating in his room.

The tianya sword sent out a faint fluctuation, and Yu Heng's voice sounded: "You displayed the Compassionate Sword Intent today?"

"Just a prototype," Su Han said. "Senior Sister, that Black-Robed Person's sword technique..."

"It's someone from the 'Heart-Corroding Sword Sect'." Yu Heng's voice was solemn, "That is an ancient Evil Path sword sect that refines swords with resentful souls, incredibly malicious. Back then, I was hit by their sneak attack, which is why I was corroded by evil thoughts."

"Why are they targeting you?"

Yu Heng was silent for a long time before saying: "Because I know a secret—the Sect Master of the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect and the ruler of a certain top power in the Eastern Region today are the same person."

Su Han's heart was jolted.

"This matter involves too much; I didn't want to tell you," Yu Heng sighed, "But now it seems they have already set their sights on you. Su Han, after the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly, no matter the result, you must leave the Eastern Region and go to the Central Province."

"Why?"

"Because only the 'Sword Tomb' in the Central Province can possibly completely purify the evil thoughts in my sword." Yu Heng said softly, "And only by reaching the Central Province can you be truly safe."