In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

The ice crystal star wheel slowly rotated, each rotation accompanied by the subtle cracking sound of ice crystals, like the first frost of a winter morning. Within Su Han's dantian, the originally gently flowing star power was completely transformed by this new force. Every strand of star power carried a bone-chilling coldness, yet obediently followed the star wheel's commands.

"Is this... the Star Wheel Realm?"

Su Han opened his eyes. The icy blue deep within his pupils no longer flickered, but solidified into a stable luster, like the unmelting ice in the deep polar sea. He stretched out his hand, his five fingers lightly clenched, and a crackling sound of freezing echoed in the air. A thin layer of frost spread from his palm, instantly covering the area three feet around him.

This is not the power that an ordinary Star Wheel Realm cultivator should possess.

Su Han could clearly feel that the star wheel he had condensed not only contained the rich star power of the "Azure Cloud Technique," but also bore the original sword intent of the Tianya Sword Spirit. The two merged and coexisted in a wonderful way—his star power provided a fertile ground for the sword intent, while the sword intent gave the star power its sharpness.

"Senior sister..."

Su Han closed his eyes and looked inward. In his sea of ​​consciousness, the dormant spirit seemed to ripple slightly due to the condensation of the star wheel. For the past six months, the spirit of the Tianya Sword had been slowly recovering, but there was still no sign of it truly awakening. Su Han knew that this was the sword spirit protecting itself, and also because his body had previously been unable to withstand the burden of the sword spirit's full revival.

But now it's different.

The moment the star wheel successfully condensed, Su Han could feel the connection between himself and the sword spirit deepen dramatically. If it was a trickle like a stream before, it had now transformed into a surging river. He could even vaguely sense the lingering sorrow and resolve deep within the sword spirit—the last thoughts left behind by Senior Sister Tianya when she severed her Dao body and merged into the sword.

"Senior sister, wait for me." Su Han gently touched the sword-shaped mark between his eyebrows and whispered, "When I am strong enough, I will definitely rebuild your Dao body and let you see this world again."

That being said, Su Han knew in his heart that sword spirit symbiosis was an unprecedented path. Records of sword spirit symbiosis in ancient texts were few and far between, and without exception, they all ended in tragedy—either the host couldn't withstand the sword spirit's power and exploded, or the sword spirit backfired and devoured the host's intelligence. The peaceful symbiosis he and Tianya enjoyed was truly unique.

Su Han speculated that, besides Senior Sister Tianya's complete trust in him, there was probably some unknown secret hidden behind this.

"I don't want to think about it anymore. The path of cultivation is long and arduous. Let's take it one step at a time and see what happens."

Su Han composed himself and stood up to stretch his limbs. After half a year of seclusion, his body was covered in dust, and his clothes were taut due to the changes in his physique. The Star Wheel Realm not only brought about a qualitative change in star power but also had the effect of cleansing the marrow and refining the body. At this moment, Su Han's figure had grown a few inches taller, and his originally slightly thin body had become well-proportioned and upright. A faint icy blue light flowed beneath his skin, and his whole person was like a drawn sword, its sharpness concealed.

He strolled out of the secluded valley and onto the stone path leading to the main hall of Tianya Peak.

Half a year had passed, and Tianya Peak remained unchanged. However, today the clouds and mist at the summit were exceptionally thick, and the exotic flowers and rare herbs, formed from icy crystals, appeared and disappeared in the mist, adding to its ethereal beauty. Su Han walked halfway up the mountain when he suddenly heard familiar voices coming from ahead.

"Junior Brother Su! You've finally emerged from seclusion!"

Three people approached, the leader being none other than Senior Brother Zhao Ming, whom they had met briefly outside the Spirit Gathering Pool half a year ago. Beside him were a man and a woman, both dressed in inner sect disciple robes, exuding a powerful aura, clearly at the late stage of the Star Seed Realm.

"Senior Brother Zhao," Su Han bowed respectfully, "It's been half a year, and your cultivation has improved considerably." Zhao Ming laughed heartily, stepped forward, and patted Su Han on the shoulder: "You're nowhere near as good as a freak like you! We all saw the strange phenomenon at the summit just now—ice blossoms soaring into the sky, swords resounding through the heavens—those were signs of the condensation of star wheels, right? Breaking through in half a year, Junior Brother Su, your speed is terrifying!"

Su Han smiled slightly, neither confirming nor denying. He could sense the sincerity in Zhao Ming's words. This senior brother was straightforward and one of the few people in the sect who held no grudges against him.

"Come, let me introduce you." Zhao Ming stepped aside to let the two people behind him pass. "This is Senior Sister Chen Lin, who specializes in fire-based star arts; this is Senior Brother Li Mu, who is proficient in array formations and talismans. They heard that Tianya Peak has produced an extraordinary junior brother, so they specifically asked me to bring him here to see him."

Chen Lin was beautiful, but her brows carried the sharpness unique to fire-type star cultivators. She sized up Su Han for a moment, and a look of surprise flashed in her eyes: "Junior Brother Su is indeed extraordinary. Just now, when I used the 'Flame Eye Technique' to observe your aura, it was as if I were observing ten thousand years of profound ice, unfathomable. No wonder you can coexist with the spirit of the Tianya Sword."

Li Mu appeared much more composed. He cupped his hands and said, "Greetings, Junior Brother Su. I heard that you caused extraordinary phenomena when you condensed your Star Wheel, so its quality must be extremely high. May I ask what grade of Star Wheel you condensed?"

There are nine ranks of star wheels, with the first rank being the lowest and the ninth rank being the highest. Ordinary disciples who can condense a fourth or fifth rank star wheel are already considered to have good talent, those at the sixth or seventh rank can be called geniuses, and those at the eighth or ninth rank are extremely rare, appearing only once every thousand years. When Su Han was consulting the ancient texts in the Scripture Pavilion, he had seen records stating that in the three thousand years since the founding of the Qingyun Sect, only seven people had condensed an eighth-rank star wheel, and only one person had condensed a ninth-rank one.

Su Han pondered for a moment and said, "I'm not entirely sure about the specific grade either. But when I was condensing it, I did feel that the Star Wheel was different from what I usually record."

His words were half true and half false. In fact, when the ice crystal star wheel took shape, a realization naturally arose in Su Han's mind—this star wheel could not be measured by ordinary standards. It was neither purely formed from star power nor simply from sword intent, but rather an anomaly born from the symbiosis of the two.

Upon hearing this, Li Mu seemed to ponder, but did not press the matter further. For cultivators, inquiring about the details of others' cultivation methods is a major taboo, and his questioning just now was already presumptuous.

Zhao Ming changed the subject at the right moment: "By the way, Junior Brother Su, a lot has happened in the sect during your six months of seclusion. The most important thing is that the once-in-a-decade 'Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament' will begin in three months."

"The Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament?" Su Han was taken aback.

Chen Lin explained, "Among the seven branches of the Qingyun Sect, Tianya Peak is the most prominent. Every ten years, disciples from all seven branches gather at 'Sword Debate Peak' to discuss martial arts and exchange skills. The winners not only receive generous rewards but also influence the resource allocation for each branch over the next ten years. Since Senior Sister Tianya… well, since that incident, Tianya Peak has been at the bottom for three consecutive years. If they lose again this time, they might not even be able to keep their title as the leading branch."

Su Han sensed the worry in Chen Lin's words. Since Senior Sister Tianya transformed into a sword, Tianya Peak had indeed been facing a talent shortage. Although the sect leader and elders possessed extraordinary cultivation, they couldn't possibly participate in the competition with the disciples. And among the younger generation, there wasn't a single person capable of shouldering the responsibility.

Zhao Ming sighed, "Originally we had no hope. But Junior Brother Su, your sudden appearance and coexistence with the Tianya Sword Spirit may allow you to bring honor to Tianya Peak in this martial arts competition."

Just as Su Han was about to speak, he suddenly felt something and looked up at the summit.

A clear, cold female voice came from the clouds: "Su Han, come to the main hall."

It was the sect leader's voice. (End of Chapter)