704: Chapter 704 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (83)

The night passed in silence.

Early the next morning, Su Han woke from his meditative state. After a night of healing, his injuries had recovered by sixty to seventy percent, and the Demonic Seed had been suppressed once again, leaving him temporarily out of danger. However, after two consecutive fierce battles—especially the immense mental exhaustion from using "Reincarnation Rebirth" yesterday—his spirit remained somewhat weary.

"Today is the round of sixteen matches." Su Han took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the quiet room.

Outside the door, Elder Lin and several Qingyun Sect Disciples had already been waiting for a long time. Seeing Su Han emerge, Elder Lin swept his Divine Sense over him and nodded slightly. "You've recovered well. But remember, do not risk your life like you did yesterday. If a situation becomes untenable, just admit defeat. As long as the green mountains remain, one need not worry about firewood."

"This Disciple will keep that in mind," Su Han replied.

The group headed toward the central square.

Today, the atmosphere at the central square was even more fervent than yesterday. After the first two rounds of elimination, the remaining sixteen individuals were all the crème de la crème among the prodigies of various sects. Every subsequent battle would be a fierce struggle between dragons and tigers, absolutely magnificent.

Su Han's arrival drew countless gazes. Curiosity, scrutiny, admiration, jealousy, wariness... all sorts of looks, too many to count. Su Han's expression remained calm as he looked straight ahead, sitting down in the Qingyun Sect area to close his eyes and rest, adjusting his state.

A moment later, the drawing of lots began.

Su Han walked onto the stage and drew a jade slip from the container. Turning it over, he saw a name written on it:

"Youming Hall, Shadowless of the Netherworld."

Su Han's pupils constricted slightly.

Below the stage, a low wave of commotion broke out.

"It's actually Shadowless of the Netherworld! Su Han's luck... isn't very good."

"The Young Lord of the Youming Hall is said to have already cultivated the 'Netherworld Ghost Canon' to an extremely high level. He's elusive and kills without a trace. Yesterday, his opponent was defeated without even seeing how he attacked."

"Furthermore, the Youming Hall's Cultivation Techniques are eerie and sinister, specializing in attacking the Divine Soul. Su Han is already afflicted by the Demonic Seed and has a damaged Divine Soul; facing Shadowless of the Netherworld, I'm afraid things look grim for him..."

"What a pity. If he were in peak condition, he might have had a chance. But now..."

Hearing the discussions around him, Su Han's expression remained unchanged, but he grew secretly vigilant.

The Youming Hall is one of the major demonic sects in the Eastern Region, sharing equal fame with righteous leaders like the Xuantian Sect. Its Cultivation Techniques are known for being eerie, swift, and targeting the Divine Soul. Its Disciples often strike fear into people as they travel the world. As the Young Lord of the Youming Hall, Shadowless of the Netherworld's strength is definitely above Zhao Jinglei's, and he might even have one foot in the Spirit Abyss Realm.

"The Demonic Seed... Divine Soul attacks..." Su Han pondered. This was indeed his weakness. Although Primal Star Power could suppress the Demonic Seed, if his Divine Soul were injured during a fierce battle, the Demonic Seed would likely take the opportunity to backlash, with unimaginable consequences.

"It seems this battle must be decided quickly; I cannot give him the chance to use a Divine Soul attack," Su Han resolved.

The drawing of lots ended, and the matches were about to begin.

The first match was Su Han versus Shadowless of the Netherworld.

"Su Han of the Qingyun Sect and Shadowless of the Netherworld of the Youming Hall, proceed to the number one main arena!" the presiding Elder announced loudly.

Su Han rose slowly and, under the gaze of countless eyes, walked step by step onto the arena.

Opposite him, a figure appeared on the arena silently, like a phantom.

It was a young man who looked to be about twenty years old, wearing a large black cloak that shrouded his entire body, leaving only a face so pale it lacked any color. His features were handsome, even slightly feminine, but his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, devoid of any emotional fluctuation. Looking into them for too long made it feel as though one's very soul would be sucked inside.

Most strikingly, although he was clearly standing there, he gave off an ethereal, flickering sensation, as if he might merge into the shadows and vanish at any moment.

"Youming Hall, Shadowless of the Netherworld." His voice was raspy and dry, as if he hadn't spoken for a long time.

"Qingyun Sect, Su Han," Su Han said, cupping his fists.

Shadowless of the Netherworld's emotionless eyes glanced at Su Han as he said slowly, "Your Divine Soul is injured; you are no match for me. Admit defeat, and you can save your life."

His tone was flat, as if he were stating a simple fact.

Su Han smiled slightly. "How will we know without trying?"

Shadowless of the Netherworld said no more, simply raising his hand gently.

In the next instant, his figure dissipated into the air like a bubble.

Su Han's pupils constricted. He fully expanded his Divine Sense while simultaneously retreating rapidly!

"Sss—!"

A pitch-black shadow lunged out from the spot where he had just been standing like a venomous snake, grazing the edge of his clothes. Wherever the shadow passed, even the air made a "hissing" corrosive sound.

Had Su Han not retreated quickly, he would have been injured by that single strike!

"So fast! So eerie!" Su Han's heart tightened. Shadowless of the Netherworld's stealth techniques were practically miraculous; he could actually hide within his opponent's shadow to launch an attack! Furthermore, the attack contained a powerful sinister and corrosive force, clearly the Netherworld Ghost Qi unique to the Youming Hall.

Having missed his strike, Shadowless of the Netherworld's figure vanished once more.

Su Han focused intently, circulating his Primal Star Power to the limit. His Star Moon Sword Intent permeated three zhang around him, forming an invisible sensory Domain. At the same time, he performed a hand seal with his left hand and gave a low shout:

"Starlight Body Protection!"

Specks of starlight fell from the Void Realm, forming a hazy starlight barrier around him. This barrier could not only defend against physical attacks but also provided some protection against Divine Soul attacks.

However, Shadowless of the Netherworld's attacks were far more eerie, swift, and unpredictable than imagined.

"Sss, sss, sss—!"

Shadows continuously lunged out from Su Han's front, back, left, right, and even from the shadows above and below him, attacking from various incredible angles. These shadows transformed unpredictably into blades, ghost claws, or chains, and every strike contained Netherworld Ghost Qi that eroded the Divine Soul.

Su Han pushed his Star Moon Sword Technique to the limit. His sword light flowed like a river of stars and poured down like moonlight, protecting him flawlessly. However, Shadowless of the Netherworld's attacks were simply too fast and too eerie. His movement was phantom-like, striking once and then retreating immediately without lingering, giving Su Han a stifling feeling of having strength but nowhere to apply it.

Even more troublesome was that every time he blocked a shadow attack, that Netherworld Ghost Qi would seep through his sword and the starlight barrier, eroding his body and Divine Soul. Though each instance of erosion was faint, they added up, and the Demonic Seed began to stir again under the stimulation of the Netherworld Ghost Qi.

"I can't let this continue," Su Han's thoughts raced. Defensive measures would eventually lead to exhaustion. He had to force him to appear and fight head-on!

At that thought, a look of determination flashed in Su Han's eyes.

He deliberately left a opening, allowing a nearly imperceptible sluggishness to appear in his sword light.

"Now!"

Shadowless of the Netherworld's figure suddenly emerged like a ghost from the shadow to Su Han's left. A claw shrouded in pitch-black ghost qi silently reached for the center of Su Han's back! The wind from the claw was fierce, aimed directly at a vital point!

However, the moment he appeared, a cold smile curled on the corner of Su Han's lips.

"I've been waiting for you!" (End of Chapter)