In Zhu Xian, people start to rise from plundering entries

Silent all night.

The next morning, Su Han awoke from his meditation. After a night of healing, his injuries were about 60-70% healed, and the demonic seed had been suppressed again, so he was temporarily safe. However, the two consecutive fierce battles, especially the enormous mental strain from using "Reincarnation" yesterday, left him still somewhat exhausted.

"Today is the round of 16 to 8." Su Han took a deep breath and pushed open the door to the quiet room.

Outside the door, Elder Lin and several Qingyun Sect disciples had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Su Han come out, Elder Lin scanned him with his divine sense and nodded slightly: "You've recovered well. But remember, you must not fight as desperately as you did yesterday. If things are hopeless, just admit defeat. As long as you're alive, you can always fight again."

"I will remember," Su Han replied.

The group headed to the central square.

The atmosphere in the central square today is even more intense than yesterday. After the first two rounds of elimination, the remaining sixteen are all the cream of the crop among their respective sects. Every battle from now on will be a fierce and spectacular contest.

Su Han's arrival attracted countless gazes. Curiosity, inquiry, admiration, jealousy, apprehension... all sorts of looks were present. Su Han remained calm, his eyes fixed straight ahead, and sat down in the Qingyun Sect area, closing his eyes to rest and adjust his state.

A moment later, the drawing of lots began.

Su Han walked onto the stage and drew a jade slip from the divination box. Turning it over, she saw a name written on it:
"The Netherworld Palace, where no shadow can be seen."

Su Han's pupils contracted slightly.

A low murmur arose from the audience.

"It's actually You Wuying! Su Han's luck... isn't very good."

"The young master of the Netherworld Palace is said to have already cultivated the Netherworld Ghost Scripture to an extremely high level, appearing and disappearing like a ghost, killing without a trace. Yesterday, his opponent was defeated without even seeing how he made his move."

"Moreover, the Netherworld Palace's techniques are bizarre and insidious, specifically targeting the soul. Su Han is already afflicted by a demonic seed, and his soul is damaged. Facing You Wuying, his chances of survival are slim..."

"What a pity. If he were at his peak, he might have been able to put up a fight. Now..."

Listening to the surrounding discussions, Su Han remained expressionless, but secretly became wary.

The Netherworld Palace, one of the major demonic sects in the Eastern Region, is on par with righteous sects like the Xuantian Sect. Its techniques are renowned for their unpredictability, speed, and ability to attack the soul; its disciples are feared throughout the world. You Wuying, as the young master of the Netherworld Palace, is undoubtedly stronger than Zhao Jinglei, and may even have already stepped into the Spirit Abyss Realm.

"A demonic seed... a soul attack..." Su Han pondered. This was indeed his weakness. Although the Primordial Star Power could suppress the demonic seed, if his soul was injured in the fierce battle, the demonic seed might seize the opportunity to retaliate, with unimaginable consequences.

"It seems this battle must be fought quickly; we cannot give him a chance to unleash his soul attack," Su Han resolved inwardly.

The draw is over, and the competition is about to begin.

The first match was between Su Han and You Wuying.

"Su Han of Qingyun Sect and You Wuying of Youming Palace, step onto the main arena!" the presiding elder announced loudly.

Su Han slowly stood up and, under the watchful eyes of countless people, walked step by step onto the arena.

Opposite them, a figure appeared silently on the arena like a ghost.

He was a young man who looked to be around twenty years old, wearing a large black cloak that enveloped his entire body, revealing only a pale, bloodless face. His features were handsome, even somewhat effeminate, but his eyes were as deep as an ancient well, devoid of any emotional fluctuation; looking at them for too long felt as if one's very soul would be drawn in.

Most strikingly, despite standing there, he gave off an ethereal, fleeting feeling, as if he might disappear into the shadows at any moment. "Netherworld Palace, You Wuying," he said, his voice hoarse and dry, as if he hadn't spoken in a long time.

"Qingyun Sect, Su Han." Su Han clasped his hands in greeting.

You Wuying glanced at Su Han with his calm, unwavering eyes and slowly said, "Your soul is injured; you are no match for me. Surrender, and you may save your life."

His tone was flat, as if he were stating a very simple fact.

Su Han smiled slightly: "How will you know if you don't try?"

You Wuying said no more, but simply raised his hand.

The next moment, his figure vanished into thin air like a bubble.

Su Han's pupils contracted sharply, and he unleashed his full divine sense while retreating rapidly!

"laugh--!"

A pitch-black shadow, like a venomous snake, darted out from the shadow where he had just stood, brushing past the hem of his clothes. The air itself hissed and corroded where the shadow passed.

If Su Han hadn't retreated quickly, he would have been injured!
"So fast! So eerie!" Su Han's heart skipped a beat. This Shadowless's stealth technique was simply divine, able to launch an attack while hiding in the opponent's shadow! Moreover, the attack contained a strong insidious and corrosive power, clearly the unique ghostly energy of the Netherworld Palace.

Having missed his target, You Wuying vanished once more.

Su Han concentrated fully, circulating his Primordial Star Power to its limit. The Star Moon Sword Intent permeated a three-zhang radius around him, forming an invisible sensing domain. Simultaneously, he formed a hand seal with his left hand and uttered a low shout:
"Starlight Protection!"

Specks of starlight fell from the void, forming a hazy starlight shield around him. This shield could not only defend against physical attacks, but also offered some protection against attacks to the soul.

However, You Wuying's attacks were far more unpredictable, swift, and impossible to defend against than imagined.

"Sizzle sizzle sizzle—!"

Shadows surged forth from Su Han's surroundings, even from above and below him, launching attacks from unbelievable angles. These shadows were sometimes sharp blades, sometimes ghostly claws, sometimes chains, ever-changing and each strike contained a ghostly aura that corroded the soul.

Su Han unleashed the Star Moon Sword Technique to its fullest extent, the sword light flowing like a river of stars, the moonlight pouring down, protecting him completely. But You Wuying's attacks were simply too fast and too unpredictable, and his movements were ghostly, striking and then disappearing without ever lingering, leaving Su Han with a frustrating feeling of having no way to use his strength.

What's more troublesome is that every time he resists a shadow attack, the ghostly energy seeps through the sword and the starlight shield, eroding his body and soul. Although each erosion is weak, it adds up, and the demonic seed, stimulated by the ghostly energy, begins to stir again.

"This can't go on." Su Han's mind raced. A passive defense would eventually wear them down. He had to force him to reveal himself and engage in a direct confrontation!
Upon thinking of this, a resolute look flashed in Su Han's eyes.

He deliberately created an opening, and the sword light showed a barely perceptible hesitation.

"Now!"

Like a ghost, You Wuying suddenly emerged from the shadows to Su Han's left. A claw shrouded in dark ghostly energy silently reached for Su Han's back! The claw's wind was fierce, aimed straight for his vitals!
However, the moment he appeared, Su Han's lips curled into a cold smile.

"I've been waiting for you for a long time!" (End of Chapter)