Chapter 84: Battle Against the Sun Family Brothers (Part Two)

A hush fell over the crowd. The three brothers of the Sun family had, since their arrival in Peaceful Town, become nothing short of local overlords; among the elders here, none would dare show them disrespect. Yet now, a newcomer—a mere fledgling—had not only challenged them, but boldly declared that even the eldest of the Sun brothers was no match for him, inviting all three to attack him at once. None in all of Peaceful Town would ever have dared utter such an arrogant claim.

The onlookers found their gaze on Lu Han shifting once more. At first, they had assumed he was merely a curious scion from some family, drawn here by the infamous Chaos Plains. But that notion was swiftly dispelled. Even if the youngest Sun brother had underestimated him, the fact remained: Lu Han had, in just two exchanges, struck down Sun’s third brother—both of them at the same cultivation level—leaving him bloodied and defeated. That spoke volumes.

“Even the prodigies of the Imperial Academy in the capital could do no better at the Post-Heaven stage,” someone murmured in awe.

The Imperial Academy—the gathering place for the brightest young talents of the Great Xia Empire. Only those who reached the Innate realm before the age of twenty could enter, and thus it became the empire’s cradle of genius.

“It matters little who he is. We’re only spectators here. If he dares provoke the Sun brothers, he must have some trump card,” someone else remarked coolly, arms folded as they watched.

The crowd nodded in agreement. In the Chaos Plains, such clashes happened daily; they had long grown accustomed to the sight. Those without strength who flaunted themselves too boldly rarely met a pleasant end.

The second Sun brother was far more hot-tempered. Had it not been for his eldest brother restraining him, he would have attacked the moment Lu Han wounded the third. Now, hearing Lu Han’s words, he could restrain himself no longer.

“Arrogant brat, today Peaceful Town will become your grave.”

With a roar, he charged, wielding his great golden saber. The blade flashed cold as it swept toward Lu Han, as if to cleave him in two.

Lu Han advanced instead of retreating, flipping his Biluo Sword deftly.

A metallic clang rang out as sword and saber collided, sparks flying.

To everyone’s astonishment, the second Sun brother was forced back several steps.

No one had expected such frightening strength hidden behind Lu Han’s gentle features.

The eldest Sun brother’s gaze grew grave. If his younger brother’s earlier defeat could be excused as carelessness, there was no mistaking this exchange. He knew better than anyone—though the second brother’s cultivation was lower, his natural strength surpassed most, rivaling even his own at the peak of the Post-Heaven Ninth Layer. Yet never before had he seen his brother overpowered in sheer force by someone of the same realm, let alone a young man. For the first time, he felt a hint of fear.

“Could he be a scion from one of the great families of the imperial capital, sent out to temper himself?” he muttered.

But he shook his head. The great clans and sects of the capital all had their own bases deeper within the Chaos Plains. If this youth belonged to them, someone would have come to fetch him by now.

He had no time for further thought; his second brother was clearly losing ground.

The second Sun brother gripped his golden saber tighter, a bead of cold sweat forming on his brow. In both strength and inner force, he was utterly outmatched, and had narrowly avoided being pierced by Lu Han’s sword several times already.

“Brother, let me aid you!” cried the eldest Sun, leaping into the air.

He brought his blade down in a swift, ruthless arc, devoid of any flourish.

Lu Han kicked off the ground, retreating several paces.

“So you’re finally willing to fight yourself?” he said with a light laugh.

“Young man, I can’t deny it—you are a true genius. Even the monstrous talents of the Imperial Royal Academy at the Post-Heaven stage would struggle to match you,” the eldest Sun admitted, his expression now tinged with seriousness.

But Lu Han had now proven himself worthy of respect.

“Still, with the two of us together, you stand no chance. Brother, let’s not drag this out—kill him!”

Out here in the Chaos Plains, no one cared for fairness. If you had the numbers, no one would complain even if ten attacked one.

“Did you think I’ve never slain someone at the Post-Heaven Ninth Layer?” Lu Han replied with a soft laugh, charging forward to meet them head-on.

He was following his master’s advice: he needed more combat experience. Though his Sword Art, Frost Lotus on Earth, could resolve any problem if unleashed, what he required most was the steady honing of his own body and skills.

Lu Han had fought in several battles, but his actual experience was still lacking. Besides, he was eager to test the full defensive power of his completed Heavenly Garment technique and the strength of his physical body.

The three Sun brothers had become his touchstone.

Though Lu Han’s words were softly spoken, those nearby still heard them.

“What did he say? He’s killed Post-Heaven Ninth Layer opponents before?”

There was no time for speculation; the three fighters clashed instantly.

A sharp clang rang out as Lu Han’s Biluo Sword struck the eldest Sun’s long blade.

The second Sun brother’s golden saber followed close behind.

Lu Han twisted aside, slapped the ground, and leveraged the force to vault into the air.

Frosty inner energy burst from him without restraint.

A white aura of cold radiated from the Biluo Sword as Lu Han descended from above, bringing his blade down toward the eldest Sun.

Steel clashed, echoing through the street.

At that moment, frost began to visibly form along the eldest Sun’s blade, creeping rapidly toward his arm.

“Brother, help me!” he cried in alarm. Never before had he faced such a formidable foe at the Post-Heaven level—even the so-called Ninth Layer experts he’d encountered had never been so troublesome.

Only by fighting Lu Han did he realize that his youngest brother’s defeat had nothing to do with carelessness. Lu Han was stronger than he was, and possessed a strange, biting cold energy.

Were it not for Lu Han’s aura still being at the Post-Heaven Eighth Layer, he might have mistaken him for an Innate realm opponent.

The second Sun brother lashed out with his golden saber once more, forcing Lu Han to utilize the recoil to retreat.

“This can’t go on,” Lu Han thought to himself. Though the Sun brothers could not overcome him thanks to his technique and strength, neither could he defeat them at this rate—it would be an endless stalemate.

“In that case, I’ll just have to take one of you down first.”

He quickly made up his mind. If he could injure or even kill the second brother, the eldest would be easy to handle.

The two Sun brothers exchanged a glance as Lu Han stood motionless before them, each seeing a hint of retreat in the other’s eyes. They knew that if this continued, they might both be seriously injured.

That was the last thing they wanted. In Peaceful Town, they had made many enemies over the years—if all three brothers were wounded, many would seize the chance to strike.

They had survived so long here not through foolishness.

“Friend, when traveling far from home, better to make friends than enemies. About what happened just now, the three of us apologize. From now on, let’s go our separate ways and avoid mutual destruction—it would only benefit others,” the eldest Sun called out, glancing around at the crowd.

“What’s this? The eldest Sun brother is backing down!” whispered those nearby.

Never before had the Sun brothers yielded to a newcomer—not even those at the Ninth Layer. Yet here they were, bowing to a youth at the Eighth Layer.

Lu Han’s lips curled in a strange smile as a white, energy-woven cloak formed around him.

“Mutual destruction? I’m afraid you’re far from worthy!”

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