In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

"Brother Ye, is there something you need from me?"

"I simply want to make friends." Ye Lingxiao smiled sincerely. "To be honest, Brother Su, I see a 'unyielding' sword intent in your swordsmanship, which is quite similar to the 'sword heart enlightenment' principle of my Heavenly Sword Sect. Therefore, I would like to discuss swordsmanship with Brother Su and improve together."

Su Han pondered for a moment, then nodded and said, "It would be an honor. However, it's inconvenient today. How about we reschedule for another day?"

“Alright!” Ye Lingxiao readily agreed, handing over a jade slip. “This is my communication jade slip. Brother Su, feel free to contact me anytime you have time.”

After receiving the jade slip, Ye Lingxiao exchanged a few more pleasantries and then took his leave.

“This Sword Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect is quite a man of character,” Liu Ruyan said softly. “The Heavenly Sword Sect is the leader of swordsmanship in the Eastern Region, and Ye Lingxiao, as a Sword Master, holds a position comparable to the Young Sect Master. His initiative to befriend you may not be a bad thing.”

Su Han nodded and put the jade slip away.

The two returned to the villa, where Su Han immediately went into seclusion to heal his injuries. Although he had won the battle against Gui Qi, he had paid a price. If Yue Hua hadn't stopped in time, he might not have been able to hold on until the end.

"My strength is still not enough..." Su Han examined his body internally and found that there were still many hidden injuries in his meridians. Although the Starfall Strike was powerful, it also put a great burden on his body. With his current cultivation level, he could only use it three times at most before he would be exhausted.

"We must break through to the Star Palace Realm as soon as possible."

Su Han took out the star stone and began to absorb star power. As the star power circulated, the hidden injuries in his meridians were gradually repaired, and the star sea became more and more solid, showing a faint tendency to expand.

As night fell, Su Han awoke from his meditation, his injuries already seventy to eighty percent healed. He opened the window, gazing at the bright moon in the sky, his mind filled with countless thoughts.

Having only been in Qingyun City for two days, he has already made an enemy of the Heart-Eating Sword Sect, received help from a mysterious woman, and even befriended the Sword Master of the Heavenly Sword Sect. This Hundred Sects Conference is indeed a gathering of extraordinary events.

"Senior sister, don't worry, I will definitely find a way to save you." Su Han gently stroked the Tianya Sword and whispered.

A faint ripple emanated from the sword, as if in response.

Suddenly, Su Han's expression changed, and he looked at the courtyard wall: "Since you're here, why hide?"

Under the moonlight, a figure in white quietly appeared; it was Yuehua.

"Young Master Su has such keen perception." Yuehua drifted down, her face still veiled.

"What brings Miss Yuehua here so late at night?" Su Han asked warily. This woman was elusive and her cultivation was unfathomable; he had to be cautious.

Yuehua was silent for a moment, then said softly, "I came to tell Young Master Su something."

"please say."

"The Heart-Eating Sword Sect has its eye on you. They will definitely make a move against you after the Hundred Sects Tournament." Yuehua's voice was solemn. "The one leading the team is the Heart-Eating Sword Sect's Vice Sect Master, Youmingzi."

“Youmingzi?” Su Han frowned; he had never heard of this name before.

“This person’s cultivation has reached the peak of the Star Realm, and he is ruthless and skilled in tracking and assassination,” Yuehua said. “More importantly, he has a blood-red snake-shaped tattoo under his right eye, which is the mark of a core member of the Heart-Eating Sword Sect.”

Su Han's heart skipped a beat. Didn't that man in the brocade robe last night have a blood-red tattoo under his right eye?

"Why are you telling me all this, young lady?" Su Han asked.

A complex look flashed in Yuehua's eyes: "Because... you saved me."

"I saved you?" Su Han was taken aback.

"Three years ago, at the foot of Qingyun Mountain, you rescued a girl from a group of bandits, do you remember?" Yuehua said softly.

Su Han tried hard to recall. Three years ago, when he first entered the Qingyun Mountains for training, he did indeed save a girl who was being attacked by bandits at the foot of the mountain. At that time, the girl was dressed in rags and her face was covered in dirt; he only remembered that she had a pair of very bright eyes.

"It's you?" Su Han asked in surprise. Yuehua nodded and removed the veil from her face.

Under the moonlight, a stunningly beautiful face appeared before Su Han. Her eyebrows were like distant mountains, her eyes like autumn waters, her skin as white as snow, and her lips as red as cinnabar. Compared to the dirty little girl three years ago, the woman before him was now a beauty that could topple kingdoms.

"If it weren't for Young Master Su's rescue back then, Yuehua would have already lost her life." Yuehua put her veil back on. "I have no way to repay the life-saving grace. Now that I know that you are in trouble, I will naturally help you."

Su Han suddenly realized. No wonder her swordsmanship seemed familiar; it turned out that when he saved her three years ago, he had practiced a few sword moves, which she had memorized and incorporated into her own swordsmanship.

"It was nothing, Miss, you don't need to worry about it." Su Han shook her head.

"It's just a small favor for you, but it's a life-saving grace for Yuehua." Yuehua said solemnly, "Young master, the Heart-Eating Sword Sect is very powerful, and you alone cannot fight against it. After the Hundred Sects Conference, you can leave with me. I have a way to avoid their pursuit."

Su Han pondered. What Yuehua said was true; with his current strength, he had no chance of winning against Youmingzi, who was at the peak of the Star Realm. But fleeing now was not what he wanted.

“I appreciate your kindness, young lady.” Su Han finally shook his head, “But I have things I must do and cannot leave the Eastern Region.”

"But..." Yuehua wanted to persuade her again.

"My mind is made up," Su Han said firmly.

Yuehua looked at him and sighed softly, "Since you insist, I will say no more. Take this; it might save your life in a critical moment."

She handed over a jade pendant, pure white and smooth to the touch, with a crescent moon pattern engraved on the front.

"This is the Moon Goddess Pendant of the Moon Palace. When infused with star power, it can activate a protective shield that can withstand a full-force attack from a peak Star Realm expert," Moon Flower explained. "However, it can only be used three times, so please use it with caution, young master."

Su Han wanted to refuse, but seeing Yuehua's earnest eyes, he had no choice but to accept: "Thank you, young lady."

"Take care, young master." Yuehua gave him a deep look, then drifted away and disappeared into the night.

Holding the still-warm jade pendant, Su Han felt a surge of warmth in her heart. There are still good people in this world after all.

He put away the jade pendant and was about to return to his room when suddenly his expression turned serious, and he looked towards the shadow in the corner of the wall.

"Who?"

A figure slowly emerged from the shadows. He wore a brocade robe and a jade belt, and had a refined and scholarly appearance. The blood-red snake tattoo under his right eye was particularly striking in the moonlight.

It was the same man in the brocade robe from last night.

"Young friend, your perception is indeed keen; you truly deserve to be called the Master of the Heavenly Sword." Youmingzi smiled, his tone gentle, as if he were catching up with an old friend.

Su Han's heart sank, and his right hand gripped the sword hilt: "You Mingzi, the Vice Sect Master of the Heart-Eating Sword Sect?"

"It is indeed I." Youmingzi clapped his hands and chuckled. "It seems that Yuehua has already told you. Very well, it saves me from having to say anything more."

"What do you want?" Su Han was on high alert. Facing a peak Star Realm expert, he dared not be careless in the slightest.

“Simple.” Youmingzi’s smile remained unchanged. “Hand over the Tianya Sword and tell me the whereabouts of Yuheng, and I may spare your life.”

"Dream on," Su Han said coldly.

"You have backbone." Youmingzi nodded, but there was no smile in his eyes. "But backbone can't put food on the table. I'll give you one last chance—submit, or die."

Before the words were even finished, a terrifying pressure descended, like Mount Tai crashing down, enveloping the entire courtyard. Su Han felt breathless, his bones creaking as if they were about to be crushed. (End of Chapter)