In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Yun Qingzi was silent for a moment, then looked at Su Han: "Su Han, would you be willing to spar with Junior Nephew Luo?"

This is not a question, it is a command.

Su Han understood that this battle was unavoidable. If he refused, it would be tantamount to being guilty; if he accepted the challenge but lost, not only would he lose face, but it would also confirm the suspicion that the Qingyun Sect's sword techniques had been leaked—if even the master was so easily defeated, where did the thief's sword techniques come from?

"This disciple is willing," Su Han replied calmly.

Excitement flashed in Luo Tianyu's eyes. He stood up, clasped his hands in greeting, and said, "Please enlighten me, Senior Brother Su."

The group moved to the plaza outside the hall.

The news spread like wildfire, and soon hundreds of disciples had gathered around the plaza. Ye Wuhen and Mu Qingxue also rushed over upon hearing the news, and both frowned upon seeing the two facing off in the center.

"The Ziyang Sect clearly has ill intentions," Ye Wuhen said in a low voice.

Mu Qingxue nodded: "Luo Tianyu is one of the most outstanding disciples of the Ziyang Sect in this generation. It is said that he has cultivated the Ziyang True Technique to the fifth level. His star power is fierce and domineering, and ordinary mid-stage Star Palace Realm cultivators are no match for him. Junior Brother Su has only recently broken through, so this battle..."

Everyone understood what she left unsaid.

In the arena, Luo Tianyu had already drawn his sword—a three-foot-long sword entirely crimson, with flame patterns flowing across its blade, clearly a fire-attribute spirit sword.

"This sword is named 'Blazing Sun,' a mid-grade spiritual weapon. Please be careful, Senior Brother Su." Luo Tianyu spoke politely, but his eyes were full of provocation.

Su Han drew the Tianya Sword. Its simple blade reflected the sunlight, lacking any brilliance, yet possessing a calm and composed aura.

"please."

As soon as he finished speaking, Luo Tianyu moved.

His figure moved like lightning, thrusting out a sword that ignited with crimson flames at its tip, sending waves of heat crashing down. This seemingly simple strike actually sealed off all of Su Han's escape routes, the fiery sword energy containing explosive power, ready to erupt at any moment.

Instead of retreating, Su Han advanced, his Tianya Sword slashing upwards.

"Ding!"

The two swords clashed, sparks flying. Su Han felt a surge of scorching star power travel along the sword, causing a slight numbness in his arm. Luo Tianyu's star power was indeed domineering, far more profound than that of an ordinary mid-stage Star Palace Realm cultivator.

A look of surprise flashed in Luo Tianyu's eyes. He had used seventy percent of his strength in this sword strike, thinking it would be enough to suppress Su Han, who had just broken through, but he hadn't expected the other party to receive it so easily, and the recoil from the sword was as steady as a mountain.

"Interesting." He sneered, and his swordsmanship suddenly changed.

The crimson sword light transformed into a rain of fire, each streak intensely hot, sealing off the entire plaza. This was the signature sword technique of the Ziyang Sect, the "Blazing Sun Sword Art." When cultivated to a high level, the sword energy could transform into true fire, capable of incinerating metal and iron.

Those disciples with lower cultivation levels who were watching were already having difficulty breathing and were retreating repeatedly.

Su Han remained expressionless, drawing an arc in his hand with the Tianya Sword.

"Build land."

The invisible mountain reappeared, not to suppress the enemy, but to protect itself. A rain of fire fell upon the mountain's illusory form, hissing and crackling, yet it could not advance an inch.

"Defensive sword intent?" Master Yangyan's eyes narrowed.

Sword intent is divided into offense and defense. Offensive sword intent is easy to obtain, but defensive sword intent is hard to come by. This Su Han is so young, yet he has already comprehended such solid defensive sword intent. His talent is truly astonishing.

Upon seeing this, Luo Tianyu's expression darkened. He launched more than ten sword attacks, but they were all blocked by the mountain phantom, which did not even move an inch.

"Is all you can do defense?" he scoffed.

Su Han didn't answer, but he was quickly analyzing the situation in his mind. Luo Tianyu's swordsmanship was fierce and domineering, but lacked variation. Each strike aimed for maximum power, resulting in slight delays between transitions.

Now! The illusory mountain image vanished abruptly, and Su Han took a step forward, thrusting the Tianya Sword straight at him.

This sword strike was simple and unadorned, yet incredibly fast. The blade pierced the air with a sharp whistling sound, its target precisely the point where Luo Tianyu's sword technique shifted.

Luo Tianyu was shocked and hurriedly parried with his sword.

"clang!"

The two swords clashed again. This time, Luo Tianyu staggered back three steps, his sword-wielding hand trembling slightly. Su Han's sword appeared light and agile, but its power was astonishing, possessing a penetrating force that made Luo Tianyu's blood surge.

"Excellent swordsmanship," Yang Yan Zhenren said softly, a strange light flashing in his eyes.

Yun Qingzi remained outwardly composed, but inwardly nodded in approval. Su Han's timing with this sword strike was impeccable, already displaying the demeanor of a master.

Luo Tianyu steadied himself, his face ashen. To be defeated in front of everyone by someone who had just broken through to the Star Palace Realm was an utter disgrace.

"It seems you don't know your own limitations until you show your true abilities." He took a deep breath, his aura surged, and crimson star power rose like flames, faintly condensing into a phantom of a red sun behind him.

"The sixth level of the Purple Sun True Technique, the blazing sun!" a knowledgeable disciple exclaimed.

The Purple Sun True Technique has nine levels, and with each level, the power of the stars doubles. Luo Tianyu's ability to cultivate to the sixth level from the mid-stage of the Star Palace Realm is truly a gift from heaven.

Master Yangyan nodded slightly, clearly quite satisfied with his disciple's performance.

Under the illusory shadow of the blazing sun, Luo Tianyu's sword aura intensified by three times, each strike carrying the scorching heat capable of burning everything. The stone slabs of the plaza began to melt as the sword energy swept across them.

Su Han's pressure increased sharply. Although his "Earth-Splitting" sword intent was strong, it consumed a lot of energy, and he would inevitably lose it if he held on for too long.

We must fight back.

He closed his eyes, his mind sinking into the sword. His senior sister's voice seemed to echo in his ears: "Of the three thousand ways of the sword, killing is only one."

The sword intent of compassion encompasses everything.
He recalled the life force of the jade lotus root in the secret realm, his senior sister's weakened state after exhausting her soul power for him, and Elder Lin's earnest expectations.
Why must a sword be used for killing?
The Tianya Sword trembled slightly, emitting a clear and melodious sword sound. Su Han opened his eyes, a hint of understanding appearing in them.

He drew his sword again.

This sword strike was no longer as heavy as a mountain, but rather as gentle as a spring breeze and rain, its light warm and devoid of any killing intent. Yet, wherever the sword passed, Luo Tianyu's blazing sword energy melted away like ice and snow.

"What kind of sword intent is this?" Luo Tianyu was shocked to find that his star power dissipated on its own when it came into contact with that warm sword light, as if it had been dissolved by some more fundamental power.

Master Yangyan suddenly stood up, his eyes flashing with a sharp light: "This is... the Sword Intent of Life?!"

Sword intent can be divided into life and death. The sword intent of death is all about killing and destruction, while the sword intent of life is all about nourishing and encompassing. The latter is a hundred times rarer than the former, because the sword is inherently a weapon of death, and to glean life from it is as difficult as ascending to heaven.

Su Han's sword strike was another aspect of the "Earth-Splitting" sword intent—the earth bears all things, and can have the weight of suppression, as well as the virtue of nourishment.

He didn't grasp the complete essence of the Compassionate Sword, but he had already touched upon the threshold.

As the sword light struck his body, Luo Tianyu felt his star power stagnate, leaving him utterly powerless. He was horrified, watching helplessly as the Tianya Sword touched his chest, unable to defend himself.

The sword tip lightly touches the ground before retracting.

Su Han sheathed his sword and stood still: "You flatter me."

The entire room fell silent.

Luo Tianyu stood there dumbfounded, his face alternating between pale and flushed. He had been defeated, utterly defeated, without even understanding how his opponent had broken through his sword stance.

Master Yangyan gave Su Han a deep look, then turned to Yun Qingzi: "Your sect truly is full of talented individuals. I will truthfully report today's events to the sect leader. As for the theft of the Crimson Essence Fire Lotus, it seems it has nothing to do with your sect." (End of Chapter)