709: Chapter 709 Lu Xueqi and Biyao (88)

Immediately after, there was a second wisp, a third wisp...

"Not good!" Lu Ming's expression changed drastically.

He felt his seemingly indestructible Burning Heaven Sword Intent being dismantled from within. Those infiltrating wisps of starlight seemed to possess a life of their own, weaving through and permeating his Sword Intent, carving his once-unified intent into fragmented pieces.

"What power is this?!" Lu Ming was horrified.

He had never encountered such a situation before. In past battles, even against opponents with higher cultivation, they could only use brute force to clash with his Burning Heaven Sword Intent; no one had ever been able to dismantle it so precisely from the inside.

What kind of terrifying sword path attainment and microscopic control over power did this require?

"Break."

Su Han uttered a single word.

"Crack—!"

A faint sound of shattering rang out.

On the surface of that flaming sword rainbow that pierced through heaven and earth, a tiny crack appeared.

Following that, cracks spread like a spiderweb, instantly covering the entire sword rainbow.

"Boom—!"

Finally, the sword rainbow completely shattered, turning into a sky full of sparks that scattered and fell.

Lu Ming let out a muffled groan and was sent flying backward, flipping three times in the air before barely landing on the edge of the arena, a trickle of blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Meanwhile, Su Han also stumbled back seven steps, each step leaving a deep footprint on the green jade ground, his face as pale as paper.

At his chest, the Star Seal of Demon Suppression trembled violently, with faint cracks appearing.

The Demon Seed seemed to sense the loosening of the Seal and began to stir, its cold aura attempting to seep through the cracks.

Su Han suppressed his churning blood and the discomfort in his chest, leaning on his longsword to barely stand firm.

The entire venue was dead silent.

Everyone widened their eyes, staring at the scene on the arena in disbelief.

Lu Ming... had actually lost?

Although the two seemed evenly matched, and Su Han had even taken more steps back, any keen observer could see that it was Su Han who had broken Lu Ming's ultimate sword strike. Furthermore, Su Han was injured, and his cultivation had even dropped by a minor Realm.

If they were in the same state...

"I lost."

In the silence, Lu Ming's raspy voice rang out.

He raised his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth and looked at Su Han with a complex expression: "Your sword... is very special. That power seems to be more than just Star Power."

Su Han did not answer, only slowly adjusting his breathing to suppress the restless Demon Seed in his chest.

"However, I concede wholeheartedly." Lu Ming took a deep breath and suddenly smiled. "I thought that in this Great Competition, only Ye Lingxiao of the Ye Family could contend with me. I didn't expect... Su Han, I will remember you. Once my Burning Heaven Sword Art progresses further, I will definitely come to seek your guidance again!"

Having said that, he actually cupped his fists in a salute to Su Han, then turned and leaped off the arena without looking back.

It was crisp and decisive, without the slightest hesitation.

"In this battle, Su Han wins!"

The voice of the presiding Elder rang out at the right time, breaking the silence of the crowd.

In the next moment, an earth-shattering clamor erupted.

"Su Han won! He really won!"

"My god, even Lu Ming was defeated by his sword!"

"That sword strike just now... did you see it clearly? What was that starlight?"

"I didn't see it clearly, but it must be an extremely profound Sword Intent!"

"The Qingyun Sect... is about to rise this time!"

Amidst countless gazes of wonder, discussion, and disbelief, Su Han slowly walked down from the arena.

With every step, the restlessness of the Demon Seed in his chest intensified. The cracks on the Star Seal of Demon Suppression were expanding at a pace visible to the naked eye.

"Senior Brother Su!"

Ye Qingxue was the first to rush forward, supporting the swaying Su Han, her eyes full of worry: "How are you?"

"It's nothing." Su Han shook his head, his voice somewhat raspy. "Help me back, I need to heal."

"Alright!"

The people of the Qingyun Sect quickly gathered around, shielding Su Han as they hurried back to his quarters.

They could see that Su Han's condition was very poor. Defeating Lu Ming was by no means as easy as it appeared on the surface.

...

In the quiet room.

Su Han sat cross-legged, his face alternating between pale and an abnormal flush.

At his chest, the light of the Star Seal of Demon Suppression flickered unsteadily, with cracks spreading like a spiderweb. Beneath the Seal, the Demon Seed lashed out frantically, its cold and evil aura constantly seeping out, eroding his Meridians and internal organs.

"It was still too forced..." Su Han smiled bitterly in his heart.

In the battle with Lu Ming, he seemed to have won beautifully, but in reality, it was extremely dangerous. In that final sword strike, he had used almost all his power and even drew upon the Star Origin to barely break Lu Ming's Burning the Heavens and Boiling the Seas.

But because of this, the Star Seal of Demon Suppression suffered a violent impact, and the sealing effect was greatly compromised.

According to the current trend, the Seal would completely shatter in ten days at most. When that happened, the Demon Seed would retaliate, and the consequences would be unimaginable.

"I must find a solution as soon as possible..."

Su Han took out a few Medicinal Pills and swallowed them, then holding a High-Grade Spirit Stone, he began to circulate the Primordial Star Arts to repair his injuries and stabilize the Seal.

But the effect was minimal.

Once the Star Seal of Demon Suppression developed cracks, it was extremely difficult to repair. Unless there were special star-type Heaven And Earth Treasures, or his cultivation broke through, allowing him to re-Seal it with stronger power.

"Star-type treasures are rare and cannot be sought... and a cultivation Breakthrough is even more difficult." Su Han's brows furrowed tightly.

He had fallen from the Peak of the Middle Stage Star Sea Realm to just entering the Middle Stage. To not only recover but also break through within ten days was simply a pipe dream.

"Is there really no other way..."

Just as Su Han was racking his brains for a solution, a knock came from outside the quiet room.

"Junior Brother Su, it's me, Lin Xuan."

"Come in."

Lin Xuan pushed the door open and entered, his expression solemn: "Junior Brother Su, your injuries..."

"No problem for now." Su Han shook his head. "Is something the matter, Senior Brother Lin?"

"Two things." Lin Xuan sat down opposite Su Han. "First, your opponent for the next round has been determined."

"Who?"

"The Ye Family, Ye Lingxiao."

Su Han's eyes narrowed.

Ye Lingxiao was the biggest favorite of this Great Competition, bar none.

Born into the Hidden Family, the Ye Family, he possessed a natural Sword Spirit Body. He began practicing the sword at age three, comprehended Sword Intent at ten, achieved Major Achievement in Sword Intent at fifteen, and was already at the Peak of the Star Sea Realm by eighteen. It was said that he had once defeated an older Cultivator who had just entered the Star River Realm with a single sword strike; his strength was unfathomable.

"Ye Lingxiao..." Su Han repeated the name in a low voice.

"The second thing," Lin Xuan paused and lowered his voice, "the Sect Master asked me to tell you that if your injuries are too severe, you can... forfeit the next round."

Su Han looked at Lin Xuan.

Lin Xuan smiled bitterly. "The Sect Master said that reaching the top four is already far beyond expectations. Defeating Lu Ming has brought even more fame to our Qingyun Sect. Ye Lingxiao's strength... is likely a level above Lu Ming's. You are injured, so if you fight hard, I'm afraid..."

"I understand the Sect Master's kind intentions." Su Han was silent for a moment, then slowly said, "But for this battle, I will not forfeit."

"Junior Brother Su!" Lin Xuan said anxiously, "This is not the time to be impulsive! Your injuries..."

"It has nothing to do with the injuries." Su Han shook his head, a profound light flashing in his eyes. "An opponent like Ye Lingxiao is rare and cannot be sought. Fighting him might be the turning point for my Breakthrough."

"But..."

"Senior Brother Lin, my mind is made up." Su Han's tone was calm, but it carried an unquestionable firmness. (End of Chapter)