Sovereign of Stars-Chapter 24 – Break through

"Rest assured, I will control my power to match yours, and we will compete in skill..." The beggar boy's eyes held a hint of anticipation.
"He's truly a madman," Su Xin sighed inwardly.
Traveling the world, challenging countless powerful opponents.
In battles with these strong individuals, constantly breaking through personal limits to enhance one's strength.
Such a person has an absolute pursuit of power, extremely crazy, and extremely terrifying.
"In that case, make your move," Su Xin said coldly.
If it were a contest of pure strength, unless he used the Divine Annihilation Forbidden Technique, he would never be a match for this beggar boy. But if they kept their power levels equal and only competed in skill, Su Xin wasn't afraid.
"Haha! Then be careful."
The beggar boy laughed heartily, taking a simple step that instantly covered dozens of meters, and swung the long knife in his hand.
Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!
A series of fierce blade lights immediately lit up.
Fast!
Incredibly fast!
So fast that many around, including the few Sea Transformation level experts present, couldn't catch the trajectory of the blade light.
Su Xin transformed into a mountain, his long sword carrying a continuous intent like ocean waves, also sweeping out.
Using speed to counter speed!
No matter how tricky or bizarre the angles of the incoming blade lights were, Su Xin's sword could block them appropriately.
Clang! Clang! Clang~~~
The people nearby only heard the dense and continuous sound of metal clashing, and in the blink of an eye, the sound rang out hundreds of times.
"Exhilarating, exhilarating!"
The beggar boy's eyes burned with excitement, "Among the countless strong opponents I've encountered in the past two years, you're the first whose cultivation is lower than mine, yet can completely keep up with my blade speed and easily deflect my blade techniques."
"Next, I'll get serious, be careful!"
With that, the beggar boy lunged forward.
The long knife in his hand, swish, swish, swish!!
Three strikes flashed out like streams of light cutting through the void.
The blade lights were incredibly fast, and Su Xin continued to use the Mountain-Sea Volume sword art to block. But the moment his sword collided with the first blade light, he sensed the power contained within was at least twice as strong as the previous ones the beggar boy had used.
"He didn't increase his power at all, just relying on blade technique and skill, he doubled the power!" Su Xin was secretly amazed, but even though the blade light's power increased, he still blocked it effortlessly.
Then came the second and third strikes, each stronger than the last.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Three clashes, and Su Xin still didn't take a step back.
"He actually blocked it?"
The beggar boy frowned. The three strikes he just executed had power that was double, triple, and quadruple the strength of the first strike. Normally, no one could withstand them, but Su Xin not only blocked them but did so with ease.
"No wonder it's recognized as the top sword art of the Heavenflame Dynasty, and his comprehension of intent might be even higher than mine," the beggar boy murmured, then spoke, "The Northern Azure Sword Art shouldn't just be about defense, show me your offensive techniques!"
"As you wish," Su Xin's gaze sharpened.
Boom!!
His sword style changed instantly, becoming violent and scorching.
In an instant, the sword light resembled thunderfire, and the terrifying sword shadow enveloped the beggar boy.
"Nine Waves!"
The beggar boy immediately executed his blade technique.
The two clashed fiercely, and moments later, the beggar boy retreated, creating distance again.
"Let's end it here."
The beggar boy spoke, smiling, "In terms of offensive techniques, we are about equal, and your defensive sword art is exceptional. Unless I use my ultimate move, I can't break through your sword art."
"Ultimate move?"
Su Xin's eyes narrowed. Did this beggar boy still have a hidden move?
"My ultimate move is quite special. Once I use it, I can't control my power, and it might lead to an extreme power outburst. With your True Martial Realm, no matter how good your defensive sword art is, you'd likely be cut down by me. So, let's not," the beggar boy said.
Hearing this, Su Xin could only shrug helplessly.
He did want to witness the beggar boy's ultimate move, but since the latter couldn't control his power after using it, it was better to leave it.
"What's your name?" the beggar boy asked.
"Su Xin," Su Xin replied.
"I'm Duan Yunfeng. Remember this name; not just anyone is qualified to know it," the beggar boy said with a smile, stating a fact.
In the past two years, he had traveled the world, dueling countless Sea Transformation level experts, most of whom were at the peak or pinnacle of the Sea Transformation level. Yet, fewer than five people were worthy of him voluntarily revealing his name.
Now, telling Su Xin his name was clearly a recognition of Su Xin, despite Su Xin's cultivation still being at the True Martial Realm.
"Unfortunately, your cultivation is indeed too low, not even reaching the minimum threshold for the hunt. Otherwise, I would have loved to have a fair fight with you at this year's Imperial Capital Hunt," the beggar boy Duan Yunfeng said.
"Imperial Capital Hunt?" Su Xin's heart stirred.
The Heavenflame Dynasty's Imperial Capital Hunt, held once every five years, was something he had heard of.
It's a grand event gathering all the top young talents from the thirty-six states and countless counties of the Heavenflame Dynasty.
It's a stage that every young cultivator yearns for and aspires to.
As long as one can pass the numerous preliminaries and truly reach the stage of the hunt, they are already considered top talents in the Heavenflame Dynasty. And if they perform exceptionally well in the hunt, they are bound to become famous across the land.
Most importantly, if one reaches the end of the hunt, they will be absorbed into the Heavenflame Dynasty's sacred place, the 'Heavenflame Palace.'
The Heavenflame Palace, established by the founding emperor of the Heavenflame Dynasty and passed down to the present, gathers over seventy percent of the dynasty's cultivation resources and countless top experts. Only the most outstanding talents of the Heavenflame Dynasty are absorbed into the Heavenflame Palace.
It is, without a doubt, the dream destination for all young people.
However, not just anyone can participate in the Imperial Capital Hunt. The minimum requirement is a cultivation level above the Sea Transformation Realm.
Su Xin was still at the True Martial Realm, and with less than three months left until the initial preliminaries of the hunt, Duan Yunfeng clearly didn't believe Su Xin could break through to the Sea Transformation Realm in such a short time.
And even if he miraculously broke through, he didn't think Su Xin could pass the preliminaries.
"If there's a chance, I'll come to the Imperial Capital Hunt for a fair fight with you," Su Xin said earnestly.
"Haha, alright, I'll be waiting for you," Duan Yunfeng laughed.
Although he didn't think Su Xin could catch up to the Imperial Capital Hunt, he knew that a super talent like Su Xin would eventually make a name for himself in the Heavenflame Dynasty. They would surely meet again in the future, perhaps even in the Heavenflame Palace.
Waving his hand, Duan Yunfeng turned and left.
As he walked down the street, the members of the two major gangs made way for him, not daring to block his path.
"The Imperial Capital Hunt, the stage that all young people in the Heavenflame Dynasty, regardless of gender, yearn for to showcase their strongest abilities..."
"I will definitely go!"
Su Xin clenched his fists, his gaze sharp.
...
The decisive battle between the Black Yan Gang and the Liushui Gang, although delayed by the appearance of the beggar boy Duan Yunfeng, eventually reached a conclusion.
In this battle, the Liushui Gang suffered a crushing defeat!
Many members of the Liushui Gang were killed, most of the high-ranking members were also slain, and the gang leader fled with serious injuries.
As for the four experts from the Pang Family, the strongest, Pang Tieyun, was killed by Duan Yunfeng with a single strike. Of the remaining three at the Sea Transformation level, two were killed by Su Xin, leaving only the 'younger brother' of the twin brothers, who had his arm severed by Su Xin, to escape with his life.
Of course, his escape was due to his quick thinking. As soon as he saw Pang Tieyun killed by Duan Yunfeng, he immediately fled, and at that time, Su Xin was engaged in battle with Duan Yunfeng, unable to pursue him.
In front of the Black Yan Gang's headquarters.
"Young Master, Lord Ye Luo, I've already prepared a celebration banquet for you. At least sit down and have a drink before leaving, no need to rush," Wan Chong said with a flattering smile, his demeanor and gaze completely servile, not like a gang leader at all, more like a servant.
He had indeed lowered himself to the lowest position, because today's battle had completely shocked him with Su Xin's displayed strength.
Just three days ago, when Su Xin first arrived, he was very dissatisfied with the Su Family, even secretly cursing them and Su Xin.
But who would have thought that today, relying on this young master with a cultivation he previously dismissed as insignificant, only at the True Martial Realm, saved his life.
If not for Su Xin's intervention, his Black Yan Gang couldn't have withstood the four from the Pang Family, and the result would have been his gang's defeat and his certain death as the gang leader.
Now, he was actually grateful that the Su Family didn't send two Sea Transformation level experts as he requested but instead sent this young master. Otherwise, ordinary Sea Transformation level experts couldn't have matched the four from the Pang Family.
"Wan Gang Leader, we have other matters to attend to," Su Xin said, already mounted on a fast horse.
"In that case, I won't keep you any longer," Wan Chong said with a flattering smile, signaling to the strategist beside him.
The strategist immediately stepped forward and handed over a thick stack of silver notes.
"Young Master, a small token of appreciation," Wan Chong said.
"Oh?" Su Xin raised an eyebrow, thinking that Wan Chong, who rose from an ordinary bandit to a gang leader, indeed knew how to conduct himself.
Su Xin didn't refuse, directly accepting the silver notes, and then set off with Ye Luo, leaving Dongyang City.
...
On the way back to the Su Family.
It was already late at night, and the two fast horses moved slowly along the road. Su Xin's gaze remained fixed ahead, somewhat lost in thought.
"Young Master, ever since we left Dongyang City, you've been deep in thought. What are you thinking about?" Ye Luo asked.
"Ye Luo, did you see that person today?" Su Xin asked.
He was, of course, referring to Duan Yunfeng.
"Of course, that person's strength... is too strong. Although his cultivation is only at the peak Sea Transformation level, I'm sure most peak Sea Transformation experts aren't his match," Ye Luo said seriously. "It's fortunate it was you, Young Master. If it were me, even just competing in skill, I wouldn't be able to take a single strike."
Su Xin smiled and continued, "I'm not talking about his strength, but his experiences."
"According to him, in the past two years, he's traveled the world, passing through eighty-six counties in nine states, challenging countless strong opponents. It seems crazy, but there's no doubt he has the heart of a true strongman!"
"He desires to become stronger, which is why he constantly seeks to challenge various strong opponents."
"And I was just thinking, if one day, the crisis of the Su Family is completely resolved, and I have no worries, would I also be like him... venturing into the world!"
Su Xin couldn't help but look up at the starry sky above.
The world is vast, and the Heavenflame Dynasty is just one of the dynasties in the Eastern Wasteland.
There are countless strong individuals...
Today's battle with Duan Yunfeng left Su Xin with an indescribably special feeling, an anticipation for this unknown world, and a yearning for the countless strong individuals in this vast land.
He also desires to become stronger!
To become strong and stand at the pinnacle of the world, clashing with countless peak experts!
"Unfortunately, those dreams are still too far away. For now, the most important thing is to resolve the family's crisis first," Su Xin said with a faint smile.
But just then...
"Hmm?"
Su Xin's eyes widened, revealing an uncontrollable look of joy.
He immediately dismounted, found an open space by the roadside, and sat down cross-legged.
"Ye Luo, keep watch for me, don't let anyone disturb me," Su Xin instructed.
"Yes," Ye Luo nodded, dismounting to quietly stand guard nearby.
Su Xin closed his eyes, and within him, a surge of spiritual power began to gather.
Time passed.
At dawn, when the first rays of sunlight appeared in the distant sky and shone on Su Xin's face, he finally opened his eyes.
"I've reached the Sea Transformation Realm!!"