698: Chapter 698 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (77)

However, everything happened too quickly. From Yin Kui's desperate counterattack to Su Han trading injury for injury to pinpoint the core, and then to this killing strike, it all occurred in a mere instant.

"Puchi!"

The starfire sword pierced with incomparable precision into the crack of the dark red crystal, and the Star-Moon Power and Primal Star Power condensed on the tip of the blade erupted with a bang!

"Crack—!"

A clear shattering sound rang out. The dark red crystal completely crumbled, turning into countless dark red specks of light that shot out from Yin Kui's chest. Yin Kui let out a shrill, inhuman howl as the dense, frigid Aura around him surged out like a flood through an open gate. The grayish-white in his eyes quickly receded, replaced by an eerie dark red, which then rapidly dimmed and extinguished. The black sword he held high froze in mid-air before dropping powerlessly, hitting the ground with a "clank." His entire body swayed a few times and then toppled backward like a collapsing gold mountain or a falling jade pillar, crashing heavily onto the bluestone of the arena, motionless. Only the large hole in his chest where the core had been crushed still emitted wisps of black smoke and a nauseating stench of burning.

A deathly silence fell over the arena.

Outside the light barrier, everyone stared with wide eyes, looking at the scene on the stage in disbelief.

He won?

Su Han won? He defeated that eerie Sword Puppet? He even found its core weakness and delivered a killing blow in one strike?

After a brief silence, a massive uproar swept through the crowd like a tidal wave.

"It's shattered! That core has been crushed!"

"Su Han actually... he actually did it! Even while trading injury for injury, he could still accurately hit the vital spot!"

"What terrifying insight and decisiveness! Isn't he afraid of being completely eroded by the power of that Heart-Corroding Demon Seed?"

"Look at his left ribs!"

Everyone's gaze focused. Su Han leaned on his sword, panting slightly, his face somewhat pale. On his left ribs, five charred finger holes were clearly visible, and the surrounding skin showed an abnormal greenish-black color that was slowly spreading. Even more heart-wrenching were the wisps of dark red, eerie air currents that seemed alive, constantly trying to burrow into his body from the wound, clashing with the faint starlight that naturally surfaced on his skin and making a slight "sizzling" sound.

The power of the Heart-Corroding Demon Seed had already invaded!

Venerable Ziyang's expression changed drastically, and he was about to step forward. The referee also frowned and looked at Su Han, seemingly judging whether he still had the strength to continue fighting.

Su Han, however, raised his left hand, signaling that he was fine. He took a deep breath, stood up straight, and slowly looked inward.

Inside the star palace, the situation was not optimistic. A surge of dark red, filthy energy was rushing through his Meridians, frantically eroding his flesh and blood, and even trying to burrow into the star palace to contaminate his Star Power and mind. The Primal Star Power was spontaneously surging toward the wound, fiercely clashing with that dark red energy, constantly grinding it down and purifying it, but the efficiency was not fast. Even more troublesome was that this energy seemed to have extremely strong infectivity and stubbornness, like a maggot on a bone, difficult to eradicate.

If it were an ordinary Cultivator, their mind would likely be in chaos by now, their star palace in turmoil, and their combat strength greatly diminished. But Su Han's star palace was based on the "Primal Star Core" and had condensed a Sword Intent phantom containing the Primal Concept; its stability far surpassed that of his peers. Although the dark red energy caused considerable trouble and brought continuous pain and erosion, it could not yet shake his foundation.

"The Heart-Corroding Demon Seed... truly venomous," Su Han thought with a chill. If he didn't possess such a supreme Legacy as the Primal Star Power, even if he had won today, he would likely have been ruined.

He mobilized more Primal Star Power, concentrating it on the wound on his left ribs. The starlight shone brightly, temporarily halting the spread of the dark red energy. However, completely expelling it was not something that could be done in an instant; it required quiet meditation and refinement.

Seeing that he could still hold on, the referee glanced at the lifeless Yin Kui (Sword Puppet) on the ground and announced loudly, "In this battle, Su Han of the Qingyun Sect wins!"

The light barrier fell.

Venerable Ziyang was the first to rush onto the stage. He grabbed Su Han's wrist, and pure Star Power surged in to investigate. His face became increasingly grim. "What overbearing Demon Seed power! Quick, come back with me. I must immediately use the Ziyang True Fire to refine and expel it for you!"

"Wait."

A hoarse, dry voice rang out.

Netherworld Master had stood up from the high platform at some point. With a flicker of his body, he appeared like a ghost at the edge of the stage, blocking the way. His grayish-white eyes swept over the Yin Kui's remains on the ground, lingered for a moment on the wound on Su Han's left ribs, and finally looked at Venerable Ziyang. His voice was flat and emotionless. "Fellow Daoist Ziyang, this boy acted ruthlessly and destroyed a precious Sword Puppet of my Sect. Shouldn't you give my Heart-Corroding Sword Sect an explanation?"

"An explanation?" Venerable Ziyang laughed out of sheer anger, shielding Su Han behind him. Purple Qi rose around him as his Aura surged. "Netherworld Master! You actually have the nerve to ask for an explanation? You smuggled a Sword Puppet into the assembly, hiding such a sinister thing as the Heart-Corroding Demon Seed to ruin my Disciple's Dao foundation! Now that the Sword Puppet is broken and the Demon Seed has backfired, you have the audacity to make false accusations? Do you really think my Qingyun Sect is easy to bully!"

The Auras of the two Peak Star Palace Realm experts clashed in the air. Fierce winds immediately rose around the arena, and the atmosphere became tense and explosive.

On the high platform, several Arbitration Elders frowned. An old man in a white robe with a gentle Aura spoke up, "You two, please calm down. On the stage of the Hundred Sects Grand Assembly, life and death are left to fate, and damage to items is inevitable. As for the Sword Puppet's participation... although it is somewhat opportunistic, since it complies with the rules, there is no reason to pursue it. On the other hand, this young friend from the Qingyun Sect is afflicted by the power of the Heart-Corroding Demon Seed and needs early treatment."

This old man came from the "Tianyan Sect," one of the neutral high Sects, and held a venerable position. His words seemed to reprimand both sides equally, but in reality, they favored the Qingyun Sect. After all, mentioning "opportunistic" pointed out the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect's dishonorable conduct, and he further urged for Su Han's treatment.

A gray light flashed in Netherworld Master's eyes, knowing it would be difficult to use the situation to his advantage today. He gave Su Han a deep look, his gaze as cold as if he were looking at a dead man.

"In that case, I will take note of this matter for now," Netherworld Master's voice remained hoarse. "However, Fellow Daoist Ziyang, the power of the Demon Seed in this boy's body is unique to my Heart-Corroding Sword Sect and is incomparably overbearing. Although your Sect's Ziyang True Fire can suppress evil, whether it can completely eradicate it remains to be seen. If the expulsion is ineffective and the Demon Seed takes root, eroding his mind and leading to a great disaster in the future, do not regret it."

Having said that, he spoke no more. With a wave of his sleeve, he collected the remains of the Yin Kui from the ground. His figure turned into a streak of gray light and flew back to the seats of the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect.

Ruthless Trace glared fiercely at Su Han, the killing intent in his eyes almost solidifying, but he could only follow Netherworld Master and depart.

Venerable Ziyang snorted coldly, knowing that now was not the time for entanglement. He pulled Su Han up and said, "Let's go!"

The group from the Qingyun Sect hurriedly left the arena area and returned to their temporary courtyard.

Along the way, countless gazes focused on Su Han—some were in awe, some were wary, some were sympathetic, and some held hidden malice. After this battle, Su Han's name would truly reach the ears of the high-level members of the various major Sects. With a cultivation at the Middle Stage of the Star Sea Realm, he had defeated powerful enemies in succession and even broke the Heart-Corroding Sword Sect's venomous Sword Puppet. Even though he was afflicted by the Demon Seed, it was enough to leave everyone shocked.