In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

"The sect leader summons me, so I will go ahead." Su Han apologized to the three of them, and with a swift movement, he disappeared from the spot like a ghost, leaving only a few slowly falling ice crystals behind.

Zhao Ming and the other two looked at each other in bewilderment.

“This movement technique…” A glint flashed in Li Mu’s eyes, “It is definitely not something an ordinary Star Wheel Realm cultivator could possess.”

Chen Lin murmured, "When he left just now, I didn't even notice any fluctuations in star power. It was as if... as if he was meant to disappear from there."

The same thought arose in the minds of the three: there might really be a change in the outcome of this Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament.

The main hall of Tianya Peak is covered with cold jade, and ice pillars support the sky.

Su Han entered the hall and saw the sect leader standing with his hands behind his back in the center of the hall, gazing up at a huge ice crystal star map on the dome of the hall. The star map slowly rotated, and the starlight flickered like real stars, mysterious and unpredictable.

"Disciple Su Han greets Sect Master." Su Han bowed respectfully.

The sect leader slowly turned around. Half a year had passed, and the Qingyun Sect leader's face remained aloof and dignified, though a hint of weariness seemed to linger between his brows.

"He's reached the Star Wheel Realm." The sect leader's gaze swept over Su Han like lightning, and he nodded slightly. "Not bad. Three months faster than I expected."

Su Han respectfully replied, "It is all thanks to the sect's full support of resources, as well as the guidance of the sect leader and elders."

"No need to be modest." The sect leader waved her hand. "Resources are just external things. Without enough talent and perseverance, no matter how many resources you have, it will be in vain. Moreover..." She paused, a complicated look flashing in her eyes, "The star wheel you have condensed seems to be different from any of those recorded in the classics."

Su Han's heart skipped a beat. The sect leader had indeed seen through it.

"Release your star wheel and let me take a look," the sect leader said calmly.

Su Han hesitated for a moment, then his mind stirred. The ice crystal star wheel within his dantian suddenly accelerated its rotation, and a chilling, sharp aura burst forth from his body, stirring visible icy blue ripples in the hall. Behind him, a phantom wheel about a foot in diameter slowly emerged. The wheel was made of translucent ice crystal, engraved with intricate sword-shaped patterns that flickered and shimmered as the star wheel rotated, as if countless tiny sword shadows were moving within it.

"This is..." The sect leader's pupils contracted, a rare look of shock appearing on his face, "Sword Intent Condensed into a Wheel?!"

In a flash, she appeared before Su Han, extending her slender finger to point at the illusory star wheel. The instant her fingertip touched the star wheel, a clear and melodious sword cry suddenly resounded within the hall. The sword-shaped patterns on the star wheel shone brightly, spontaneously generating a sword aura that slashed towards the sect leader's finger!

The sect leader neither dodged nor evaded, letting the sword energy strike her. With a soft "ding," the sword energy, powerful enough to cut through refined iron, shattered at her fingertips, turning into scattered ice crystal powder.

"Such pure sword intent." The sect leader withdrew his finger, looking at the barely perceptible white mark on his fingertip, his shock intensified. "This sword intent contains seven parts of Tianya's essence, but also three parts different—it contains your will, your understanding. This is not a simple inheritance, but... fusion and rebirth."

She slowly paced around Su Han, her gaze fixed on the ice crystal star wheel: "Ordinary star wheels, no matter their grade, are ultimately objects formed from condensed star power. But your star wheel is formed from the symbiosis of star power and sword intent. The star wheel is the sword, and the sword is the star wheel. In my four hundred years of cultivation, I have never seen such a wondrous object."

Su Han was deeply shocked. The sect leader's analysis went straight to the heart of the matter. "Sect leader, is this change in me a blessing or a curse?" Su Han asked.

The sect leader stopped, paused for a moment, and said, "Fortune and misfortune are intertwined. This Star Wheel's power far surpasses that of others of the same level, and because it incorporates the Heavenly Jade Sword Intent, it provides a tenfold boost to the comprehension and execution of ice-type techniques. But precisely because of this, your path of cultivation will have no predecessors to follow; you will have to explore every step of the way yourself. Moreover..." She gazed at Su Han, "The Star Wheel's symbiosis with the sword spirit means that your cultivation level will be deeply bound to the restoration of the Heavenly Jade's spirituality. If it fully awakens, can you withstand it?"

Su Han took a deep breath: "This disciple is willing to give it a try."

"Good." The sect leader's eyes showed appreciation. "The path of cultivation is inherently fraught with difficulties. Since you have chosen this path, you must make something of yourself. I want you to participate in the Seven Sects Martial Arts Tournament three months from now."

"Your disciple obeys."

"Don't rush to agree." The sect leader raised his hand to stop Su Han. "This martial arts competition is different from the past. Among the seven peaks, apart from my Tianya Peak, the other six peaks have all produced outstanding disciples. Chu Yunhe of Yuheng Peak reached the mid-stage of the Star Wheel Realm three years ago, and it is said that he went into seclusion half a year ago to break through to the late stage; Shangguan Xue of Yaoguang Peak possesses the 'Ice Phoenix Spirit Body,' and her control over ice-type star techniques is nothing short of monstrous; Shi Potian of Kaiyang Peak has even cultivated an ancient body-refining secret technique, and his physical strength is comparable to that of a fifth-tier star beast..."

She recounted the information about the talented disciples from each lineage to Su Han. With each person she mentioned, the pressure on Su Han increased. These were all prodigies, having cultivated for far longer than him, and each possessed astonishing opportunities.

"I'm telling you this not to discourage you," the sect leader said calmly, noticing the change in Su Han's expression. "But rather to let you know that if you want to bring glory to Tianya Peak in this martial arts competition, your current cultivation level at the initial Star Wheel Realm is far from enough. I will personally guide your cultivation for the next three months."

Su Han suddenly looked up, a look of surprise flashing in his eyes: "The sect leader is personally giving guidance?"

"Not bad." The sect leader nodded. "You have a symbiotic connection with Tianya and have even condensed an unprecedented sword intent star wheel, which is worthy of my making an exception. However..." She changed the subject. "Cultivation is ultimately your own business. I can only point the way; you have to walk the path yourself. Now, let me see what you have gained in the past six months."

As soon as she finished speaking, the temperature in the hall plummeted. Countless ice crystals condensed from the void, transforming into crystal-clear ice swords that hovered in the air, their tips all pointing at Su Han.

"This is the 'Thousand Illusions Ice Sword Formation,' consisting of one thousand and eighty swords." The sect leader stood with his hands behind his back. "Break through and let me see your limits."

Su Han looked at the dense array of ice swords and felt the chilling sword energy emanating from each one, his heart filled with dread. This formation, seemingly simple, actually subtly reflected the workings of the celestial bodies, their energies interconnected, so that a change in one part would affect the whole.

Without hesitation, he activated the Ice Crystal Star Wheel, causing it to spin faster and unleash surging stellar energy into his limbs and bones. The next moment, he moved.

Without any probing or holding back, Su Han attacked with all his might. His figure moved like lightning, charging straight to the center of the sword formation, leaving trails of frost in his wake. The first twelve ice swords to make contact sensed the intruder, their blades trembled, and they transformed into twelve streams of light, shooting towards Su Han and sealing off all his escape routes.

Su Han neither dodged nor evaded, his right hand forming a sword-like gesture, drawing a line in the air. A streak of icy blue sword energy erupted from his fingertips, meeting the twelve ice swords head-on. Where the sword energy passed, the air froze, and the twelve ice swords, upon entering the sword energy's range, were like mud oxen entering the sea, their speed drastically reduced, and cracks rapidly spread across their surfaces.

"broken."

Su Han gave a soft shout, and the twelve ice swords shattered instantly, turning into ice crystal powder. (End of Chapter)