The Tian Lou Saint had challenged Su Han to a duel to the death! As the news broke, the entire Eastern Region was shaken.

The Tian Lou Saint’s fame was known by all in the Eastern Region. He had risen to prominence at a young age, with countless glorious victories that were the subject of endless discussion. He was the Saint Heir of the Tian Luo Net Holy Land, the successor to the title of Holy Master, and his fame grew even greater after he surpassed the prodigies of the Xiao and Lin Imperial Clans to claim the third rank on the list of monstrous geniuses.

Rumor had it that he had not only broken through to the Supreme Realm but had advanced three minor realms in a row, reaching the Supreme Realm Third Layer. The power he wielded was unimaginable.

Su Han’s fame, however, was not far behind the Tian Lou Saint’s. Indeed, if one were to name the greatest dark horse in the Eastern Region of the past two years, it would undoubtedly be Su Han. He had risen from obscurity in the remote province of Qingzhou, yet he had cut a path through countless prodigies. Not only had he swiftly ascended the list of monstrous geniuses, but he had also broken into the top ten at an astonishing speed.

Moreover, Su Han had slain one of the Tian Lou Saint’s followers and was rumored to have snatched a fortuitous encounter from him in the East Sea Dragon Palace Ruins. His influence could even be felt in the war between the Myriad Treasures Pavilion and the Demon Slayer Sect. Now that Su Han had also broken through to the Supreme Realm, he was a heaven-defying figure capable of summoning a Heavenly Tribulation. As long as such an individual did not die young, he was destined to one day reign supreme over the world, looking down upon all creation.

The Tian Lou Saint versus Su Han! The established prodigy versus the greatest dark horse! What could be more captivating than this? 𝗳𝗿𝐞𝕖𝘄𝗲𝕓𝗻𝚘𝚟𝕖𝐥.𝚌𝕠𝕞

"The grudge between the Tian Lou Saint and Su Han is a long-standing one. I heard that a Saint from the Tian Luo Net Holy Land, Tiger Power Saint, recently snuck into Qingzhou to assassinate Su Han. But he was discovered and slain on the spot by Saint You Heng. After that, their enmity became completely irreconcilable. A duel to the death was only to be expected."

"Do you think Su Han will accept the challenge? He may have reached the Supreme Realm, but the Tian Lou Saint has been famous for far longer. His strength is surely greater than Su Han’s."

"I don’t think he’ll refuse. A Martial Artist’s path is one of contention. If he backs down now, it will damage his Dao Heart. In any future encounter with the Tian Lou Saint, he’d be mentally defeated from the start. He’s a chosen one of heaven, too; he won’t act like a coward who hides in his shell!"

Across the Eastern Region, everyone was discussing the duel. The fame of both combatants was simply too immense. Aside from Chu Feng and Ye Lingyin, the Tian Lou Saint and Su Han were likely the two strongest members of the younger generation. The fact that this was a duel to the death—where only one would leave alive—added to the intrigue, making it impossible to ignore.

Many shrewd individuals had already set out for Holy Meteor Mountain, hoping to secure a good vantage point before the battle began.

In the Spiritual Treasure Void Realm, Yun Chang rushed to find Empress Duobao and tell her about the Tian Lou Saint’s challenge. Always one to stir up trouble, she urged, "Sister, those old men from the Tian Luo Net Holy Land are infuriating! I had just gone to demand an explanation from them, and the next thing I know, they’ve issued this challenge. This is a direct slap in the face to our Myriad Treasures Pavilion! Why don’t you take action personally and just wipe out that damned Holy Land?" With Empress Duobao’s power, annihilating the Tian Luo Net Holy Land would be a simple matter.

"You really can’t stand to suffer the slightest loss, can you?" Empress Duobao said helplessly, extending a slender, jade-like finger to tap Yun Chang’s forehead. She knew her sister’s personality all too well. However, as a Great Emperor Realm expert bound by the Great Emperor’s Pact, how could she simply go around exterminating sects? If such actions were permissible, the entire world would have long since descended into chaos.

"You’ve already had your justice, so there’s no need to keep pursuing the matter with the Heavenly Dragon Saint. As for this challenge, we will not interfere. Whether to accept it is a decision for Su Han to make himself."

Empress Duobao could glimpse fragments of the future, but she was reluctant to meddle too much in Su Han’s growth. She feared her interference might alter his destiny, which could ultimately do more harm than good.

Yun Chang analyzed the situation clearly, her voice laced with worry. "Sister, do you really trust this Su Han that much? That’s the Tian Lou Saint we’re talking about! I’ve heard he’s cultivated the ’Prajna Vajra Sutra’ to the Sixth Layer, achieving a state of being Vajra Indestructible. Not only that, but he advanced three minor realms the moment he broke through. His power is nothing to scoff at. Su Han might be a monster, but his foundation is shallow and he hasn’t been cultivating for long. In a clash between them now, Su Han is at an absolute disadvantage!"

She knew how much Empress Duobao valued Su Han—enough to start a war for his sake. If he were to fall to the Tian Lou Saint, all of her sister’s efforts would be for nothing.

"I trust my instincts," Empress Duobao stated simply, not elaborating further. If Su Han can’t even overcome the Tian Lou Saint, it means the future I glimpsed was wrong. It would be better to cut our losses now than to suffer even greater ones later.

Besides, she didn’t truly believe Su Han would lose. Looking back at his glorious record, which of his battles hadn’t been perilous? Yet he always managed to fight his way out. How could one become a true expert without facing storms and trials? These were challenges Su Han had to overcome on his own.

"Alright, since you’ve put it that way, we’ll let him decide for himself," Yun Chang said, spreading her hands in resignation. "However, I’m definitely going to Holy Meteor Mountain to watch. I want to see for myself just what’s so special about this Su Han!" She was now intensely curious about the man her sister valued so highly.

***

While the entire Eastern Region boiled with excitement over the duel, Su Han had only just received the letter of challenge within the Seven Stars Sect.

The Tian Lou Saint! A sharp glint flashed in Su Han’s eyes. His enmity with the Tian Lou Saint ran deep, having long since escalated to a feud to the death. From Ye Chuanfeng to Zi Qiong, from the Dragon Palace Ruins to the recent battle at the Seven Stars Sect, he and the Tian Lou Saint had forged a blood feud even deeper than his hatred for the Demon Slayer Sect.

Saint You Heng had delivered the challenge personally rather than allowing the envoys from the Tian Luo Net Holy Land to do so. "Su Han," he said gravely, "I’ve received word that the Tian Lou Saint has successfully emerged from his seclusion. He is now at the Supreme Realm Third Layer." He paused before adding, "Whether or not you choose to fight, I will respect your decision."

In truth, Saint You Heng hoped Su Han would refuse. The gap in power between Su Han and the Tian Lou Saint was significant. To accept the challenge meant facing near-certain death. However, he could not make the choice for Su Han. Moreover, the Great Elder had sent a message insisting that Su Han must decide for himself, so You Heng couldn’t offer any more counsel.

Lei Ming stood to one side. His injuries had fully healed, and with Saint You Heng’s support, he had assumed the position of Sect Leader of the Seven Stars Sect. He also felt it was not his place to give advice, so he remained silent, respecting Su Han’s choice.

Su Han held the challenge letter and suddenly laughed. "My feud with the Tian Lou Saint goes back a long way. A decisive battle between us was inevitable. He wants to challenge me, and I want to kill him. I accept!"

Su Han possessed an Invincible Tao Xin, a core of unassailable self-confidence. How could he possibly fear the Tian Lou Saint? Furthermore, his Defying Heavenly Demon Will ensured he would never bow to anyone. It is time to settle this feud with the Tian Lou Saint, once and for all!