How Can Mere Mortals Know Me? I Won't Stop Until the End! The Seventh Sword! Crimson Lotus Heavenly Revelation!

Song Daren was slightly taken aback when he heard that Su Han actually wanted to spar with him.

He immediately turned to Tian Buyi and Su Ru. "Martial Uncle, Martial Aunt, what do you think?"

Su Ru frowned slightly, looking somewhat troubled.

Although Song Daren was only one realm above Du Bishu, the difference between them was worlds apart.

After all, Song Daren, at the fourth level of the Yuqing Realm, could wield a magical treasure. The power of such treasures was no small matter; they could greatly enhance their wielder's strength.

If this had been before Su Han's fight with Du Bishu...

Su Ru would never have refused Su Han's request. After all, losing to anyone was still losing.

But things were different now.

To Su Ru, Su Han was now a "treasure."

It was not merely because she came from Little Bamboo Peak and Su Han did as well, but also because he was a disciple of the Qingyun Sect.

She knew all too well just how important a monstrous talent like Su Han was to the Qingyun Sect.

She did not want Su Han to possibly lose his edge because of this match.

After all, she knew that prodigies like Su Han often possessed immense pride—just like Senior Brother Wan Jianyi back then.

And once such prodigies suffered a setback, it could have adverse effects on their future cultivation.

Thus, Su Ru looked at Su Han and said gently, "Xiao Han, you've just fought Old Six, and you've expended quite a bit. How about we forget it?"

"With your talent, you may well be the greatest prodigy our Qingyun Sect has seen since Ancestor Qingye."

"You have a long road ahead of you. Surpassing Daren is only a matter of time, so there is no need to rush."

Tian Buyi nodded slightly in agreement.

He did indeed want Song Daren to defeat Su Han and lift Great Bamboo Peak's spirits.

But as he looked at Su Han now, he also understood that Su Han's talent and potential were of critical importance to the Qingyun Sect as it stood.

Great Bamboo Peak losing face was a minor matter. The sect's development was what truly mattered.

Thus, Tian Buyi also spoke with rare gentleness. "Xiao Han, your Martial Aunt is right."

"Your performance today has already been outstanding enough. Once your strength advances further, it won't be too late to challenge him again."

Su Han felt a slight warmth in his heart after hearing Su Ru and Tian Buyi's words.

He knew they meant well, yet his gaze remained filled with determination.

"Martial Aunt, Martial Uncle, I understand your good intentions."

"But I want to try!"

"I once heard in the mortal world: an eagle strikes the heavens, a tiger roars upon the mountain—how will you know the difference between a dragon and an earthworm if you do not try? How can mere mortals know me? I won't stop until the end!"

"A true genius will not be a flower raised in a greenhouse."

"This disciple believes so as well!"

Tian Buyi and Su Ru exchanged a glance. Seeing the persistence and fighting spirit in Su Han's eyes, their own eyes filled with admiration.

"What a line—how can mere mortals know me? I won't stop until the end!"

"At such a young age, he already possesses such bearing. So long as he does not die prematurely, he will surely become a pillar of the Qingyun Sect in the future."

"Our Qingyun Sect is truly fortunate to have you!"

With that said,

Tian Buyi looked at Su Han and no longer refused him.

"Very well. Since you insist, Xiao Han, I'll let Daren fight you."

"But remember this: do not push yourself. The moment you realize you cannot win, surrender immediately."

Su Han nodded solemnly. "Thank you, Martial Uncle, for granting my request!"

Tian Buyi then looked at Song Daren.

"Daren, spar with Xiao Han. But you must know your limits..."

"Otherwise, don't blame your master for skinning you alive!"

Song Daren hurriedly nodded with a serious expression. "Yes, Master."

At the side, Zhang Xiaofan looked at Su Han, his eyes full of envy.

He could see how much his own master valued Su Han.

I'm so jealous of Senior Brother Su... When will I... Ah!

On the plaza,

Song Daren stepped forward and cupped his hands toward Su Han. "Junior Brother Su Han, to spar with a genius like you today is the honor of three lifetimes."

Su Han returned the salute. "Senior Brother Song is too kind. I hope you will not hesitate to offer your guidance today."

After a pause, Su Han continued, "Senior Brother Song, I truly expended quite a bit in my fight with Senior Brother Du just now."

"Therefore, I will use only one sword strike."

Song Daren nodded slightly. "In that case, Song will receive Junior Brother Su's one strike."

At that moment, everyone around them fixed their eyes tightly on the two.

The air seemed to freeze as tension spread through the plaza.

Su Han took a deep breath and slowly raised the fine steel longsword in his hand.

His gaze became utterly focused, as if the entire world contained only himself and Song Daren.

The spiritual energy around him began to stir, slowly gathering toward the longsword in Su Han's hand.

Boom!

Suddenly, crimson flames erupted across the blade.

"Seven Tribulations Dragon Slash, Spiritual Flame Scorches the Sky; Seven Tribulations Banish Evil, Crimson Lotus Heavenly Revelation—burn!"

With Su Han's low cry, the flames atop his fine steel longsword burst into full bloom.

Those flames were clearly no ordinary fire, but Spiritual Flame born from burning spiritual energy. Blood-red in color, they flickered as though countless mysterious runes were appearing and vanishing within them.

Soon, a scorching beam of light shot into the sky, like a crimson lotus blooming in full splendor, each petal condensed from pure fire energy.

The crimson lotus slowly revolved, releasing endless waves of heat.

The surrounding air twisted and warped from the burning heat, as if even space itself was about to melt beneath this scorching power.

Within the crimson lotus, a powerful pressure faintly radiated outward, like the wrath of an ancient divine beast.

Wherever the flames passed, the ground was baked until it cracked, leaving behind streaks of black scorch marks.

Everyone nearby felt a blast of heat wash over them, as if they had been thrown into a furnace, making it difficult to endure.

Song Daren's expression grew incomparably grave at the sight.

He could clearly sense the immense power contained in this strike.

At that moment, Song Daren did not dare show the slightest carelessness. He swiftly summoned his magical treasure—a simple, ancient greatsword called Ten Tigers.

The sword was broad and imposing.

Song Daren muttered an incantation, and his magical treasure flared brilliantly as a powerful sword aura condensed into being.

That sword aura was like a dazzling galaxy, glittering with cold light.

The two powerful forces collided in midair, producing a deafening roar.

Firelight and sword aura intertwined like two giant dragons locked in battle.

A powerful shockwave spread in all directions, sending the stone slabs of the plaza flying as dust filled the air.

Everyone retreated one after another, afraid of being caught in the blast.

The light gradually faded.

Song Daren stood where he was, his expression somewhat grave.

His hand trembled faintly. Clearly, he had also suffered no small impact from the collision just now.

He had not expected Su Han's strike to be so powerful. Had he not responded with all his strength, he likely would have found it difficult to withstand.

"Junior Brother Su, what formidable strength," Song Daren praised.

His heart was filled with admiration for Su Han. For this young junior brother to unleash such a powerful attack after such a short time was truly astounding.

Yet Su Han, standing opposite him, showed no reaction whatsoever upon hearing Song Daren's words.

He merely stood with his sword in hand, pale blue spiritual energy swirling around him. His eyes were vacant, as if his soul had left his body.

The people around them exchanged bewildered looks, unable to understand what had happened.

But in the distance,

Tian Buyi looked at Su Han's state and could not help crying out, "This is... an epiphany?!"

"Damn it, Su Han! What kind of monster is this kid?!"

Even with Tian Buyi's cultivation and composure, he could not help swearing at that moment, his eyes full of shock!