In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

The deafening cheers echoed across the main peak of the Qingyun Sect, Su Han's name etched into the hearts of every disciple present like a brand. The disciples of Tianya Peak, who had long been looked down upon by other peaks, now had tears in their eyes and shouted their senior brother's name with all their might.

Su Han used the Tianya Sword to support his body, his chest heaving violently. That last sword strike, "Opening Heaven," had almost drained all his strength, even overdrawing some of his life force. He could feel his senior sister's aura within the sword's space becoming extremely weak, and his heart tightened involuntarily.

"Little guy, I'm fine. I just need to rest for a while because I'm exhausted." His senior sister's voice rang in his mind, filled with undisguised fatigue. "You did a great job, even better than I expected."

"Senior sister," Su Han responded in her heart, but she felt her consciousness beginning to blur.

Just then, a figure in cyan robes floated in and landed on the arena. It was none other than Sect Master Yun Qingzi. His eyes were full of admiration as he looked at Su Han, and with a wave of his hand, a gentle stream of star power flowed into Su Han's body.

"This is the 'Life-Creating Pill,' which can help you restore your vitality." Yun Qingzi took out a pill the size of a longan from his sleeve. It was entirely green and had nine natural lines on its surface, radiating a rich life force.

A collective gasp rippled through the audience.

"Nine-Patterned Life-Creating Pill! This is a high-grade Earth-rank pill!"

"Sect Master, you're incredibly generous! Even a core elder might not get one of these pills in a year!"

"Su Han really hit the jackpot this time! Not only did he win first place in the martial arts competition, but he also received such a generous reward!"

Su Han took the pill and swallowed it without hesitation. The pill melted instantly in his mouth, turning into a warm current that flowed to his limbs and bones. His previously depleted meridians began to recover rapidly, and the severe pain in his chest gradually lessened.

"Thank you, Sect Master." Su Han bowed.

Yun Qingzi smiled and nodded: "No need for formalities, this is what you deserve. With the cultivation of the peak of the Star Wheel Realm, defeating Ye Wuhen, who is in the middle of the Star Palace Realm, such a feat is rare even in the thousand-year history of my Qingyun Sect."

He turned to face the entire arena, his voice booming like a bell, echoing to every corner: "I hereby declare the Seven Peaks Martial Arts Tournament officially over. First place goes to Su Han of Tianya Peak, who will be awarded a high-grade Earth-rank cultivation technique, 100,000 Star Points, and the qualification to cultivate in the 'Azure Cloud Secret Realm' for one month!"

"Second place: Ye Wuhen of Tian Shu Peak. Reward: a mid-grade Earth-rank cultivation technique, 50,000 Star Points, and half a month of cultivation in the 'Qingyun Secret Realm'."

"Third place: Mu Qingxue from Yuheng Peak."

As Yun Qingzi announced the rankings and awards one by one, gasps of amazement frequently erupted from below the stage. In particular, when the words "Qingyun Secret Realm" were heard, even the elders on the high platform showed a hint of envy in their eyes.

The Azure Cloud Secret Realm is the foundation of the Azure Cloud Sect, an independent microcosm discovered by its founding patriarch, Azure Cloud Child. Not only is the concentration of stellar energy within the realm more than ten times that of the outside world, but it also contains various inheritances and opportunities left by the patriarch. Ordinary disciples might not even have the chance to enter once in their entire lives, yet Su Han has actually obtained a full month of cultivation privileges!
After reading the announcement, Yun Qingzi looked at Su Han: "Three days later, come to Qingyun Palace. I will personally select a cultivation method for you and open the entrance to the secret realm."

"Disciple obeys." Su Han replied respectfully.

Yun Qingzi nodded in satisfaction, gave him another deep look, and then transformed into a streak of light and disappeared from the spot. The other elders also left one after another, but each of them glanced at Su Han a few more times before leaving, each with their own thoughts.

After the important figures on the platform left, the disciples below could no longer contain themselves and swarmed forward, completely surrounding the arena.

"Senior Brother Su! Congratulations on winning first place!"

"Senior Brother Su, what was the name of your last sword strike? It was amazing!"

"Senior Brother Su, could you please give me some pointers on my swordsmanship?" Faced with the enthusiastic fellow disciples, Su Han could only respond to each one. He noticed a particularly complex gaze among the crowd—that of Ye Wuhen. This prodigy of Tian Shu Peak was still pale, but the arrogance in his eyes had vanished, replaced by a profound look.

Their eyes met in mid-air. Ye Wuhen nodded slightly, then turned and left, his back view appearing somewhat lonely.

“His mindset hasn’t been broken, but he has gained some insights. He will surely become a great person in the future.” His senior sister’s weak voice echoed in Su Han’s mind. “This person is not simple. If he is a friend, it will be a blessing; if he is an enemy, it will be dangerous.”

Su Han silently kept it in mind.

Having finally managed to escape the crowd, Su Han had just stepped off the stage when a beautiful white figure blocked his way.

"Senior Sister Mu," Su Han said with a smile.

Mu Qingxue carefully examined him, a hint of worry flashing in her eyes: "Your injury..."

"It's alright. The Sect Master's Life-Creating Pill is extremely effective. I will recover after a few days of rest." Su Han waved his hand, then said seriously, "I also want to thank Senior Sister for her guidance before. Otherwise, I would not have been able to gain a deeper understanding of sword intent in such a short time."

Mu Qingxue gently shook her head: "That's because you have high comprehension. I only mentioned 'sword intent is like flowing water,' and you were able to comprehend the profound meaning of life from it. Such talent..." She paused, a complex look flashing in her eyes, "I thought Ye Wuhen was already invincible among his peers, but I didn't expect you to be even more monstrous than him."

The two walked side by side towards Tianya Peak. The disciples they encountered along the way all cast admiring glances their way, and many female disciples looked at Su Han with admiration in their eyes.

"Oh, right, there's something I need to remind you of." Mu Qingxue suddenly stopped, her expression serious. "You need to be careful of Elder Ling Xiaotian."

Su Han's eyes narrowed: "Elder Ling?"

"That's right." Mu Qingxue lowered her voice. "Today you defeated Ye Wuhen, ruining Tian Shu Peak's plan to retain its title as the number one in the martial arts competition. And Elder Ling's relationship with Ye Wuhen is far more than just that of master and disciple."

"What does Senior Sister mean?"

“Ling Xiaotian is Ye Wuhen’s maternal uncle.” Mu Qingxue’s words were startling. “This is one of the reasons why Tian Shu Peak’s resources are always tilted towards Ye Wuhen. Today, you not only defeated Ye Wuhen, but also broke his Azure Cloud Dharma Form in front of everyone, which is equivalent to slapping Ling Xiaotian in the face.”

Su Han frowned slightly. He had expected to offend Ling Xiaotian, but he hadn't anticipated that the two had this kind of relationship.

"Thank you for the reminder, senior sister. I will be careful."

Mu Qingxue nodded, hesitated for a moment, then took out a jade pendant from her bosom and handed it to Su Han: "This 'Pure Heart Pendant' has the effect of calming the mind and resisting inner demons. Although the Qingyun Secret Realm is good, it also hides dangers. It might be useful for you to carry it."

The jade pendant was warm to the touch, pure white and flawless. The front was engraved with the character "清" (qing, meaning purity), while the back featured intricate array patterns. Su Han could sense the pure star power contained within, clearly indicating that it was no ordinary item.

"Senior sister, this is far too precious."

"Take it." Mu Qingxue shoved the jade pendant into his hand without further ado. "What I, Mu Qingxue, give away, I never take back." With that, she turned and left, disappearing into the depths of the bamboo forest in a few leaps. (End of Chapter)