In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

"The Heart-Eating Sword Sect." He repeated the name in a low voice, his right hand unconsciously tightening its grip on the hilt of the Tianya Sword.

A warm ripple emanated from the sword, and Yuheng's voice echoed in his mind: "No need to worry too much. That person today was only at the peak of the Star Palace Realm, probably just an outer sect steward in the Heart-Eating Sword Sect. True core disciples are at least at the Star Realm."

Su Han smiled bitterly. "Star Realm"

He is currently only at the mid-stage of the Star Palace Realm. Although he is considered outstanding among the younger generation, he still has a long way to go before becoming a true powerhouse. If he hadn't comprehended a trace of the Compassionate Sword Intent at the crucial moment today, he would probably have already been defeated by that black-robed man.

"You've done very well." Yuheng's voice softened. "To be able to touch the threshold of the Compassionate Sword Intent at the mid-Star Palace Realm is something even I couldn't do back then. Su Han, your talent surpasses mine."

"Senior sister, you flatter me." Su Han shook her head. "Today was just a fluke."

“Luck is also part of strength.” Yuheng paused, then continued, “However, you must remember that the Compassionate Sword Intent is not a weapon for fighting enemies. Its essence is ‘protection’ and ‘inclusiveness’, not killing. Today you were able to break through the Heart-Eating Evil Qi precisely because it restrains all evil spirits, but if it were to face righteous sword techniques, its power would be greatly reduced.”

Su Han nodded: "I understand."

"Good that you understand." Yuheng's voice weakened. "I was quite exhausted from today's battle and need to sleep for a few days. Be careful during the Hundred Sects Conference. If you encounter the Heart-Eating Sword Sect again, do not hold back."

The last sentence carried a chilling aura, and then Yuheng's aura completely subsided.

Su Han gently stroked the sword, sensing that the faint evil thought within it seemed to have become more active again. He knew that his senior sister's slumber was partly due to the depletion of her spiritual power from helping him in battle today, and partly to suppress that evil thought.

"Don't worry, Senior Sister," he murmured to himself, "I will definitely take you to the Sword Tomb in Zhongzhou to completely purify this sword."

As night deepened, Su Han returned to his room, sat cross-legged, and began to circulate the Azure Cloud Technique to regulate his breathing.

Although he won today's battle, he was greatly exhausted. Especially that last sword strike, which almost drained all his star power. If he hadn't had a breakthrough at the crucial moment, he probably would have been the one to fall.

"Compassionate Sword Intent." Su Han closed his eyes and looked inward, feeling the warm, nascent sword intent within his body.

It was faint, like a candle flickering in the wind, ready to be extinguished at any moment. But this faint wisp of sword intent dispelled the corrosive evil energy that even the Star Realm elders found troublesome.

"To embrace everything." Su Han fell into deep thought.

What is the Way of the Sword? He had always believed that the Way of the Sword was the sharpness that cut through all obstacles. From "Splitting Stones" to "Opening Heaven," the sword intent he had comprehended was all about offense. Even the sword intent of "Splitting Earth" emphasized defense rather than containment.

Only now, facing those overwhelming vengeful spirits, does he truly understand the meaning of his senior sister's words.

A sword can be a weapon of slaughter, or it can be a blade of protection.

Sword intent can be the sharpness that cuts through the void, or the compassion that nourishes all things.

“Perhaps, this is the complete way of the sword,” Su Han thought to himself.

The next morning, Su Han awoke from his meditation, feeling refreshed and invigorated. Most of the star power he had expended the previous day had been restored, and he even showed signs of improvement, bringing him one step closer to the late stage of the Star Palace Realm.

Pushing open the door, one finds a number of people already in the courtyard. Ye Wuhen is practicing his swordplay; though his face is still somewhat pale, he is no longer in serious condition. Mu Qingxue is setting up a small Star Gathering Array in preparation for today's arena battle. "Junior Brother Su is awake." Ye Wuhen sheathes his sword and approaches, solemnly clasping his hands in a fist salute. "I have no way to repay your life-saving grace yesterday."

Su Han quickly returned the greeting: "Senior Brother Ye, you flatter me. Fellow disciples should support each other."

“That’s different.” Ye Wuhen shook his head. “If it weren’t for you yesterday, I would have died without a doubt. I have witnessed the terrifying power of the Heart-Corroding Evil Qi. If it weren’t for the elder’s timely rescue, even if I had survived, my cultivation would probably have been greatly damaged.”

Mu Qingxue also came over and said softly, "Junior Brother Su, was yesterday's sword strike a new sword intent?"

Su Han nodded: "I guess so, it's just a prototype."

"Incredible." A glint of admiration flashed in Mu Qingxue's eyes. "To be able to dispel the corrosive evil energy, this sword intent is extraordinary. After the Hundred Sects Conference, many forces will probably pay attention to you."

Ye Wuhen also said, "That's right. Junior Brother Su, you're showing too much of your talent now, so be careful. The Eastern Region may seem calm on the surface, but there are undercurrents running deep. That man in black robes yesterday was probably just the beginning."

As the three were talking, footsteps came from outside the courtyard. Elder Li, one of the elders leading the group from the Qingyun Sect, with white beard and white hair, walked in.

"Are you all ready?" Elder Li's gaze swept over the three of them, lingering especially on Su Han for a moment. "The rules for today's arena battle have changed."

"Something's changed?" The three of them were taken aback.

Elder Li nodded, his expression solemn: "After the ascent to heaven yesterday, the elders who presided over the event discussed it overnight and decided to change the rules of the arena battle. It will no longer be a one-on-one elimination, but a 'free-for-all' battle to defend the title."

"A chaotic battle to defend the title?" Ye Wuhen frowned. "Please enlighten me, Elder."

"It's very simple," Elder Li explained. "The top 100 disciples will be divided into ten groups of ten people each. Each group will have a single arena where disciples can freely challenge the defending champion. The winner will become the new champion, and the loser will be eliminated. Each round will last for half an hour. After ten rounds, the ten people still standing on the arena will be the top ten in this tournament."

Mu Qingxue pondered: "In this way, not only do you need to be strong, but you also need to know how to make choices. If you go on stage too early, you will inevitably face a series of challenges, which will be very taxing. But if you go on stage too late, you may lose your chance."

"Exactly." Elder Li looked at Su Han. "Su Han, the strength you displayed yesterday has attracted the attention of many. In today's arena battle, you will definitely become the target of everyone's attacks. You should be mentally prepared."

Su Han calmly replied, "This disciple understands."

"Good that you understand." Elder Li took out three jade talismans from his robes and handed them to the three men. "These are teleportation talismans. If you encounter mortal danger on the arena, crush the talisman to teleport out of the arena, but it also means you have to admit defeat. Remember, ranking is important, but life is more important. Qingyun Sect does not need you to exchange your lives for an empty title."

The three solemnly accepted the jade talisman.

"Furthermore," Elder Li hesitated for a moment before continuing, "the identity of the man in black robes from yesterday has been confirmed. He is indeed from the Heart-Eating Sword Sect, but only an outer steward. This matter has been reported to the sect, and the sect leader has personally ordered that during the conference, all disciples must act collectively and are not allowed to go out alone."

Ye Wuhen's expression changed: "What does the elder mean?"

"The Heart-Eating Sword Sect has probably sent more than one person," Elder Li said in a deep voice. "Although the Hundred Sects Assembly strictly prohibits fighting outside the venue, those evil cultivators may not follow the rules. Be careful in everything you do."

After giving his instructions, Elder Li hurriedly left, clearly having other matters to attend to. (End of Chapter)