Chapter 42: Dark Star Forest
Chapter 42: Dark Star Forest
"Don't" A voice filled with extreme terror shouted hysterically from Qi Yang's mouth.
But before he could finish uttering the first two words, he was killed by a sword qi! Qi Yang was slain with a single sword strike.
Su Zhan remained calm in his heart. Qi Yang was extremely treacherous, and Su Zhan had never intended to spare him.
However
Glancing at the shattered Profound-grade inner armor on Qi Yang's body caused by the sword qi, Su Zhan shook his head. "The power of the Firestar Sword Technique is still too weak. It couldn't even kill Qi Yang with one strike. It seems that I still need to practice diligently and strive to reach a state of great achievement as soon as possible!"
Upon hearing Su Zhan's words, the elders chuckled expressionlessly. Today, they had been shocked too many times, and they had become numb to it. Even if Su Zhan suddenly claimed to be the reincarnation of a heavenly sword immortal, no one would question it. In fact, such words would make them find it more reasonable!
With Qi Yang's death, Su Zhan walked towards the foot of the mountain.
The thousands of disciples from the inner sect formed a sea of people, parting on both sides to create a wide path for Su Zhan. When Su Zhan passed by, those people even held their breath, afraid of causing any commotion that might displease him.
It was only after Su Zhan descended from the main peak and disappeared from sight that those disciples let out a sigh of relief.
"Su Zhan, no! Senior Brother Su, he's too powerful!"
"To be honest, even now, I feel like I'm dreaming. Defeating Qi Yang with a single sword strike he's too strong!"
"What's Qi Yang compared to Senior Brother Su? I think when Senior Brother Su stabilizes his realm and nurtures his lifesource sword for a while, even a mid-stage Origin Elixir realm cultivator might not be his match!"
"Senior Brother Su not only possesses great strength, but he's also good-looking. It's a pity I can't reside in White Cloud Peak; otherwise"
"Chen Ling'er, spare me your words! Just now, when Senior Brother Su passed by me, he didn't even spare me a glance. How could he be interested in you?"
"It's normal for him not to be interested in you, but I'm different from you!"
On the square, thousands of disciples from the inner sect were filled with emotions after Su Zhan's departure. Some of the female disciples had already started fighting over who had the qualifications to become Su Zhan's dao companion.
It was chaotic.
In the following days, Su Zhan continued to cultivate the Firestar Sword Technique and several other martial arts on White Cloud Peak. He focused on stabilizing his cultivation and nurturing the Great Sun Star Sword.
Half a month later, Qin Jincheng suddenly sent him a message through an identity token.
"Su Zhan, come to the main hall of the main peak immediately. There's an important matter!"
An important matter?
Su Zhan was somewhat surprised and pondered for a moment, but he couldn't figure out what important matter would require his presence. Unable to come up with an answer, he decided to stop thinking about it and headed straight towards the main peak.
It didn't take long for him to reach the main hall.
Inside the hall, Chen Changfeng and Qin Jincheng had been waiting for a long time.
"Elder Chen, Sect Master." Su Zhan cupped his hands towards the two of them.
"Su Zhan, we called you here today to discuss the matter of the Dark Star Forest."
"The Dark Star Forest?"
Qin Jincheng explained, "The Dark Star Forest is not a place that exists within our Spirit Continent; it is a separate dimensional space. In our Eastern territory, there happens to be an entrance to this dimensional space. This entrance opens once every ten years, and the next opening is coming up soon."
"The Dark Star Forest contains many special minerals and spiritual herbs that are completely non-existent in our Eastern Territory. When the entrance first appeared, it caught the attention of Fish Dragon Realm experts. However, the dimensional passage is very fragile. The first Fish Dragon Realm expert who attempted to enter only managed to approach the entrance before the passage shook violently and almost collapsed!"
"Afterward, the fifteen countries of the Eastern Terrirtory made an agreement to share this secret realm, but with certain restrictions. Only those under the age of thirty were allowed to enter. In essence, the Dark Star Forest became the battleground for the true geniuses of the Eastern Territory's fifteen countries!"
"The Dark Star Forest holds many treasures, with the most famous one being the Star Element Fruit, a spiritual fruit that contains stellar energy. It can enhance a cultivator's physique, aptitude, and cultivation base. Of course, there are also many corresponding dangers. Junior Brother Chen and I have decided to send you to compete for opportunities there. However, if you are unwilling, we will respect your choice."
Qin Jincheng finished explaining everything about the Dark Star Forest in one breath and smiled at Su Zhan.
"Am I the only one from Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect going?" Su Zhan asked curiously.
"Su Zhan, it's not just you going alone. It's that Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect only has one spot," Chen Changfeng said. "The secret realm is already very far from our Xia country, located on the border of the Eastern region. And our Xia country is not considered a powerful nation among the fifteen countries. Therefore, we were only allocated two spots: one for Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect and one for the Xia country's royal family."
"It's not just our Xia Kingdom; most of the nations in the Eastern region have the same allocation, only two spots. Only the larger countries and the Chen Kingdom, where the secret realm is located, have more spots, though still not many. Although the Dark Star Forest is vast, the Star Element Fruit trees are very rare. Due to time limitations in the dimensional passage, it's not possible to explore too many areas. Having more people is not necessarily beneficial; it might attract the attention of the special monsters in the Dark Star Forest."
"I see," Su Zhan pondered for a moment, nodded, and agreed.
Coincidentally, he had a vague feeling that if he obtained some treasures containing stellar energy, it might lead to an unexpected transformation. Moreover, he had already mastered the Flickering Shadows, Flame Bursting Fist, and Sun Flame Scripture. His proficiency in the Firestar Sword Technique had also improved. Even in the Dark Star Forest, where geniuses abounded, Su Zhan believed he should have the power to protect himself.
If he couldn't fully master the Firestar Sword Technique, perhaps he could use the power of the Star Element Fruit to achieve it!
With these thoughts in mind, Su Zhan asked more about the Dark Star Forest before taking his leave and heading straight to the Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect's treasure vault.
In the past, it didn't matter much when he was cultivating in the sect. But now that he was going out to contend with others, and he had already reached the realm of a Martial Master, capable of wielding Profound Artifacts, it was necessary for him to select suitable treasures.
Watching Su Zhan leave, Chen Changfeng looked at Qin Jincheng with some concern. "Sect Master, Su Zhan is a rare genius of our Heavenly Cloud Sword Sect in hundreds of years. I can't help but feel a bit worried about sending him to a place like the Dark Star Forest."
"A sword's edge is honed through grinding. Since he has chosen the path of sword cultivation, it won't do to rely solely on diligent practice." Qin Jincheng shook his head. "Besides, Su Zhan is a person with great fortune. This journey might bring unexpected gains! Furthermore, considering Su Zhan's strength, who among the geniuses from the fifteen nations of the Eastern territory could possibly match him?"
"It's hard to say. The rule is that only those under thirty can enter, and Su Zhan is only sixteen years old. He's indeed at a disadvantage!"
Chen Changfeng recalled and said, "Among the geniuses under thirty in the fifteen nations, some have already broken through to the mid stage of Origin Elixir realm. Su Zhan's current combat power is probably slightly stronger than the early stage Origin Elixir realm. If he can stimulate the Great Sun Divine Body, perhaps he can contend against the mid stage Origin Elixir realm. This level of strength is considered powerful in the Dark Star Forest, but not the strongest!"
"Alright, Junior Brother Chen, I know you consider Su Zhan as your junior disciple. But there's no need to worry so much." Qin Jincheng smiled.
"Just think about what Su Zhan has achieved since entering the Sect. Do you think this kind of abnormality needs us two old guys to worry about him?"