Su Han taking the initiative caught everyone by surprise. After all, no matter how talented he was, he had only just achieved his breakthrough. Lu Mingxuan and the four elders, on the other hand, were all experts of the Divine Sea Realm, with Lu Mingxuan himself at the Fourth Layer.
He's courting death!
After a brief moment of shock, Lu Mingxuan was ecstatic. He was not afraid of Su Han fighting him; he was afraid Su Han would simply flee, which would ruin all his plans.
"How recklessly arrogant!" Lu Mingxuan's eyes narrowed in contempt. "Low-level Mysterious-rank Martial Technique: Mountain Spirit Palm!"
As an expert in the Divine Sea Realm, Lu Mingxuan could cultivate Mysterious-rank Martial Techniques, and this Mountain Spirit Palm was one of his signature skills. Spiritual Energy erupted from his body, condensing into a millstone-sized palm. This palm of energy was tangible and heavy as a mountain as it ruthlessly smashed toward Su Han.
Mysterious-rank Martial Techniques allowed Spiritual Energy to take physical form, multiplying their power. They were infinitely superior to Yellow-rank Martial Techniques. The Mountain Spirit Palm howled through the air, piercing it with unstoppable momentum as it descended fiercely upon Su Han.
But Su Han showed no intention of retreating.
"Draw Sword Slash!"
Infused with Demonic Qi, the long saber in Su Han's hand transformed into a Black Blade, cold and sharp. This was a High-level Yellow-rank Martial Technique, renowned for its speed and lethal ferocity.
CLANG!
The Black Blade collided with the Mountain Spirit Palm, creating a deafening roar. Sparks flew as if it were a clash of steel. To Lu Mingxuan's utter shock, his Mountain Spirit Palm was actually split open by Su Han's Black Blade. Cleaved in two, the palm collapsed with a boom, transforming into a powerful gale that scattered the treasures in the vault across the floor.
"How is this possible!" Lu Mingxuan's eyes filled with terror, unable to believe what he was seeing.
He was at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Sea Realm. Both the quantity and quality of his Spiritual Energy were far superior to someone at the First Layer. Su Han had just broken through. Even if he could fight above his level, it should be impossible to bridge a gap of three minor realms! Lu Mingxuan had never heard of such a thing, but the fact was undeniable.
"Spiritual Needle!"
A tremendous wave of spiritual power suddenly burst forth from Lu Mingxuan's eyes. This spiritual power was several times stronger than Elder Lu Xiong's and was, in fact, a Martial Technique. It was a Spiritual Martial Technique, rarer than ordinary Martial Techniques but immensely powerful and difficult to resist. This Spiritual Needle technique was something Su Han himself had gifted to Lu Mingxuan. He never expected that after mastering it, Lu Mingxuan would use it against him.
"One Thought to Demonize!"
A cold glint flashed in Su Han's eyes as an icy surge of spiritual power erupted from him. Because he cultivated the Devouring Heaven Demonic Art, the spiritual power he condensed carried a cold, devouring Demonic Intent.
The two spiritual powers instantly collided in mid-air. A violent crash echoed in the Void, as if two great waves had slammed into one another.
Lu Mingxuan's realm was higher, so his spiritual power was vast, condensing into four all-penetrating needles. Su Han's spiritual power, while lesser in quantity, formed a black hole vortex that not only blocked Lu Mingxuan's Spiritual Needles but also possessed a distinct Devouring Force.
To Lu Mingxuan's horror, one of his Spiritual Needles was completely swallowed by the black hole vortex, and his connection to it was severed. Greatly alarmed, he hastily retracted the remaining three needles, but his spiritual power had already suffered a heavy blow.
"How can you devour my spiritual power? That's impossible!"
Lu Mingxuan shook his head violently, refusing to accept this reality. He had never heard of spiritual power being devoured. Spiritual power was intangible and formless. It could be blocked, annihilated, even severed, but never had he heard of it being consumed by another. If that were possible, no Martial Artist in the world would dare project their spiritual power externally.
A Demonic Technique! It must be because of a Demonic Technique!
Once again, Lu Mingxuan had guessed the truth. The Devouring Heaven Demonic Art could consume anything, be it flesh and blood, spiritual power, or even souls. Of course, its greatest use was to devour Special Physiques, but such physiques were exceedingly rare. While there were a few in the Imperial Capital, the Lu Family had none; they were all of Mortal Body.
"Su Han, since you are so obstinately foolish, I have no choice but to dispense justice and eliminate my own kin!"
ZING!
Lu Mingxuan reached into his Storage Ring and drew a Cold Light Sword. It was a Superior-grade Spiritual Artifact, invincibly sharp. As he infused it with Spiritual Energy, the blade began to glow with a chilling light that was frightening to behold.
This Cold Light Sword had, of course, also been a gift from Su Han. In fact, the entire Lu Family owed its rise to him. But now that Su Han was considered crippled, the Lu Family had latched onto the Empress. Lu Mingxuan ruthlessly cast Su Han aside, even seeking to kill him to win the Empress's trust.
Compared to personal gain, familial affection was utterly insignificant.
"Gale Sword Technique!"
With his sword in hand, Lu Mingxuan's gaze turned sharp, holding back nothing.
WHOOSH!
The Cold Light Sword slashed out. The light from its blade moved like the wind, tearing through the air with a howl as it struck at Su Han. The air was easily sundered, letting out a shrill shriek as immense pressure bore down upon him.
Yet, Su Han's face remained icy, his killing intent boundless.
"Draw Sword Slash!"
He channeled all his Demonic Qi into the saber and drew the blade in a single motion, pouncing like a fierce tiger, unstoppable. The saber and sword collided, sending sparks flying with a piercing screech.
With his higher-quality Demonic Qi, Su Han was able to contend with Lu Mingxuan. However, the saber in his hand was just an ordinary weapon and could not withstand such a clash.
CRACK!
The saber's blade, riddled with cracks, suddenly exploded with a loud bang.
Yet, not a flicker of emotion crossed Su Han's expression. He did not retreat but pressed forward instead. Seizing the moment the saber shattered, he dropped the hilt, clenched his fist, and surged close, throwing a punch at Lu Mingxuan's chest.
In terms of combat experience, Su Han, who had fought on battlefields for years, was far more formidable than the pampered Lu Mingxuan. His rapid shift in tactics during the lightning-fast exchange caught Lu Mingxuan completely off guard.
BANG!
The punch landed with a dull thud. Lu Mingxuan was sent flying backward, crashing to the ground and crushing numerous treasures into pieces.
PFFT!
Lu Mingxuan's face paled as he spat out a mouthful of blood. He was heavily injured, and a sunken fist mark was imprinted on his chest. The punch had been so powerful it had nearly ruptured his heart.
"Kill!"
Having landed a successful blow, Su Han didn't stop his assault. The image of Fairy Sister Yun Xian, grievously injured and unconscious, filled his heart with a rabid killing intent. He charged forward like a tiger on the hunt, ready to tear Lu Mingxuan to shreds.
I'm at the Fourth Layer of the Divine Sea Realm, yet I can't even defeat Su Han, who just broke through?
Humiliation flooded Lu Mingxuan's heart, but as Su Han rapidly closed in, his sense of mortal danger spiked. Between his pride and his life, he chose the latter.
Lu Mingxuan performed an ungraceful roll to dodge Su Han's attack, then yelled to the four elders, "All of you, attack together! Kill him for me!"