682: Chapter 682 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (61)

The three looked at each other, seeing the solemnity in each other's eyes.

"It seems this Hundred Sects Grand Assembly won't be peaceful," Mu Qingxue sighed softly.

"Soldiers come, generals block; water comes, earth covers," Su Han gripped the tianya sword tightly. "Let's go, it's time to set off."

Qingyun City's central square was already a sea of people.

The Hundred Sects Grand Assembly was a decennial event in the Eastern Region. Not only did the major Sects pay attention, but many Loose Cultivators and Aristocratic Families also came to watch. If they could discover a few good talents and recruit them early, it would be beneficial for any power.

In the center of the square, ten massive arenas were arranged in a circle. Each arena was ten zhang square, built from Azure Steel Stone, and could withstand full-strength attacks from anyone below the Star Realm. Formations guarded the arenas to prevent the aftershocks of battle from harming the audience.

Su Han and the other two followed the Qingyun Sect team to the designated area. Just as they stood still, they felt several gazes fall upon them.

Some were curious, some were scrutinizing, and some were undisguisedly hostile.

"Look, that's Su Han from the Qingyun Sect. Yesterday on the Heavenly Staircase, he crippled someone from the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect with a single sword strike."

"He looks quite ordinary; is he really that powerful?"

"Appearances can be deceiving. I saw it with my own eyes; that final strike of his had a vast and pure Sword Intent that perfectly countered evil. The Heart-Corroding Sword Sect has really kicked a steel plate this time."

"Hehe, the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect has been acting more and more arrogant these years; it's good that someone is teaching them a lesson."

Discussions filled the air. Su Han's expression remained unchanged as he closed his eyes to rest his mind.

Before long, an old man in purple robes flew onto the central high platform and said loudly, "Silence!"

His voice wasn't loud, yet it clearly reached everyone's ears, and the entire square instantly fell silent.

The purple-robed old man's gaze swept across the field as he continued, "I am Venerable Ziyang, the chief judge of this Hundred Sects Grand Assembly. I assume the Elders of each Sect have already informed their Disciples of the arena battle rules, so I won't repeat them. I will only emphasize one point: on the arena, life and death are irrelevant, but if one side admits defeat or loses the ability to fight, no further killing blows are allowed. Violators will have their cultivation abolished and be expelled from the assembly!"

The final words were like thunder, carrying a stern majesty.

Everyone's heart tightened as they responded in unison, "Yes!"

"Good." Venerable Ziyang nodded. "Now, the top hundred Disciples come forward to draw lots and determine the groupings."

The hundred Disciples came forward in turn to draw a jade pendant from the lot container. Su Han drew "Group Seven, Number Three," Ye Wuhen drew "Group Two, Number Six," and Mu Qingxue drew "Group Nine, Number One."

Once the drawing ended, Venerable Ziyang waved his hand. "Take the stage!"

The hundred Disciples flew up one after another, landing on their respective arenas.

Su Han landed on Arena Seven and scanned the nine others in his group. He had some impression of three of them: a burly saber-wielder from the Heavenly Saber Sect, a woman in green from the Feiyu Sect, and a Black-Robed Person completely shrouded, whose face could not be seen.

"Heart-Corroding Sword Sect." Su Han's gaze lingered on that Black-Robed Person for a moment, his heart on guard.

"Arena battles, begin!"

With Venerable Ziyang's command, the atmosphere of the ten arenas immediately grew tense.

But strangely, no one stepped up to challenge immediately. Everyone was watching and waiting for the first person to stick their neck out.

Time passed minute by minute. Just as the crowd was getting impatient, on Arena Seven, that Black-Robed Person moved.

He slowly walked to the center of the arena, and a raspy voice rang out, "Guiying of the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect challenges Su Han of the Qingyun Sect."

As expected!

Su Han's expression was calm as he flew onto the stage, standing opposite the Black-Robed Person.

"You are also from the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect," Su Han said indifferently.

"Yesterday you abolished my Junior Brother's cultivation." Guiying's voice carried a chilling killing intent. "Today, I will make you wish you were dead."

Su Han shook his head. "Can someone from the Evil Path even talk about revenge?"

"Sharp-tongued." Guiying stopped talking, unfurled his black robe, and a black sword similar to the one from yesterday appeared in his hand. "I will let you know what the true Heart-Corroding Sword Technique is."

Before his voice faded, Guiying had already turned into a trail of black smoke, vanishing from his spot.

So fast!

Su Han's pupils constricted, and the tianya sword unsheathed instantly, blocking to his side.

Clang!

The sound of clashing metal exploded as the black sword thrust out from the Void Realm, perfectly blocked by the tianya sword. But the next moment, Guiying's figure vanished again, attacking from another direction.

Su Han used the Qingyun Steps, shifting and dodging on the arena, engaging in battle with Guiying.

This Guiying's cultivation was stronger than the Black-Robed Person from yesterday, already at the Half-step Star Realm. Moreover, his movement technique was eerie and unpredictable, and combined with the Heart-Corroding Sword Technique, he was elusive and hard to defend against.

Had Su Han not grasped a trace of Compassionate Sword Intent, making him extremely sensitive to evil Qi, he might have already fallen victim.

Even so, he was at a disadvantage. Guiying's Heart-Corroding Sword Intent was more condensed than the person from yesterday, each strike carrying power that eroded the mind. Su Han had to divert part of his focus to resist the erosion of the evil Qi, causing the power of his sword techniques to be greatly diminished.

"This can't go on," Su Han's mind raced.

Guiying's movement was too fast, and his attacks were too bizarre; Su Han was completely on the defensive. Furthermore, he could feel that Guiying wasn't using his full strength, but was rather playing with him.

"What, the Genius of the Qingyun Sect only has this much ability?" Guiying's sneer came from all directions. "If you only have this much skill, today will be the day you die!"

As his voice fell, Guiying's attacks suddenly became fierce. The black sword turned into thousands of sword shadows, attacking Su Han from all sides, every strike aimed at vital points.

Su Han's pressure increased greatly; he swung the tianya sword so fast it was airtight, yet several wounds still appeared on his body. Black Qi permeated the wounds, eroding his Star Power.

"I can't face him head-on." Su Han took a deep breath and suddenly closed his eyes.

"Giving up resistance?" Guiying sneered, thrusting his sword toward the back of Su Han's heart.

Just as the black sword was about to strike, Su Han moved.

He didn't open his eyes, yet the tianya sword seemed to have eyes of its own, accurately slashing the spine of the black sword. This strike seemed casual, yet it was timed to perfection; it was precisely the "Earth-Splitting" Sword Intent.

A force as heavy as a mountain erupted. Guiying felt a massive force surge through, and the black sword nearly flew out of his hand. He hastily retreated, a flash of alarm and doubt in his eyes.

Su Han's eyes remained closed, but the sword in his hand grew faster and steadier.

Compassionate Sword Intent flowed in his heart. This Sword Intent was not suited for offense, yet it allowed him to clearly perceive everything around him. Under the perception of the Compassionate Sword Intent, Guiying's eerie movement technique had nowhere to hide.

"So that's how it is." Su Han had a moment of realization.

Guiying's movement didn't actually involve vanishing; rather, he used evil Qi to mask his presence and moved at extreme speeds. In the perception of the Compassionate Sword Intent, that evil Qi was as clear as a lamp in the dark of night.

"Found you."

Su Han suddenly opened his eyes. The tianya sword radiated a gentle sword light as he thrust it into the Void Realm on his left.

Puchi!

The sound of a sword entering flesh rang out. Guiying's figure tumbled out of the Void Realm, his left shoulder pierced by the tianya sword, blood flowing freely.

"You... you can see through my movement technique?" Guiying was both shocked and enraged. (End of Chapter)