A terrifying force surged forward like a collapsing mountain and a tidal wave.
Everyone saw the fox clan genius let out a miserable scream, and then he disappeared from sight.
This scene deeply shocked many of the young foxes.
At the same time, it earned Su Han a huge wave of new admirers!
The battle ended.
Su Han clapped his hands, snapping everyone out of their shock.
"Alright, everyone. The trouble has been dealt with. We can continue today's lesson."
Countless little foxes looked at him with worship in their eyes. Even their attitude toward learning became much more serious.
This was something that had never happened before.
Su Han's lessons remained the same as always.
The first class taught principles.
The second class taught cultivation.
The afternoon was reserved for personal training.
However, during this period, there was one small interruption.
The genius swordsman of the Heavenly Fox Clan came to challenge him every single day.
Unfortunately, the outcome never changed.
Every battle ended with a single wooden stick.
Until ten days later.
Takeno angrily threw a sword in front of Su Han.
Su Han looked at him in confusion.
"What are you looking at? This is a treasured blade. Even if I lose to you, even if my skills are inferior, I should lose to a real weapon, not some wooden stick..."
Takeno had an extremely strong sense of pride.
Being defeated by a wooden stick every time was simply too embarrassing.
Combined with Su Han's growing fame, he was practically becoming a laughingstock.
Su Han picked up the treasured blade. Listening to Takeno's words, he could not help shaking his head.
"It's not that I'm looking down on you. If I use a real weapon, you'll get hurt."
He truly was not joking.
If he used an actual weapon, Armament Haki would leave Takeno heavily injured.
Su Han simply did not want to be harassed every day. It was not as though he had any grudge against Takeno.
His intentions were good.
Unfortunately, Takeno refused to listen.
"I don't care. You have to fight me with a weapon. At least let me lose with some dignity."
"You said that yourself?"
Su Han raised an eyebrow and asked.
Takeno nodded solemnly. He even told the nearby foxes that everything was entirely voluntary.
"Sigh."
What else could Su Han say?
All he could conclude was that Takeno had been born to suffer.
No wonder his future self always wanted to beat Su Han up whenever they met.
So this was the reason.
Su Han gripped the treasured blade, and his entire aura changed.
The little foxes wisely retreated.
Clearly, they had no desire to be caught in the aftermath of such a battle.
The surrounding mountains and wilderness were also filled with foxes.
They wanted to see just how powerful this man would be once he picked up a real weapon.
"It's starting!"
Takeno gave a reminder as his body turned into an afterimage and rushed toward Su Han at incredible speed.
A perfect opportunity.
His target did not dodge and remained standing exactly where he was, just as always.
As long as he avoided the slash, victory would be his!
Takeno smiled inwardly.
In an instant, he arrived beside Su Han. The blade in his hand carried overwhelming momentum as he prepared to attack.
However...
Su Han did not even turn his head.
"Still too slow."
Slow?
Takeno was still puzzled.
Yet sword energy had already reached him.
His body trembled.
Every technique and every trace of momentum vanished completely at that moment.
Wait.
When had he drawn his blade?
Why hadn't I seen it?
Could my strength really be such a joke?
"No!"
Takeno was blasted backward.
Soon, he crashed heavily into a distant mountainside.
Large amounts of blood sprayed from his mouth.
The next moment, Takeno shot back out from the crater.
Unwilling to accept defeat, he wanted to counterattack.
But when he reached Su Han's position—
Su Han had already disappeared.
"Where is he?"
Takeno looked around frantically.
A voice suddenly came from the mountain peak.
"Idiot, behind you."
"What?!"
Takeno's expression changed drastically.
He hurriedly turned around and struck back.
Unfortunately, he was too slow.
Combined with his lack of Observation Haki, every movement he made was completely visible to Su Han.
Even while carrying injuries, Su Han could easily deal with attacks of this level.
"This time, you'll learn your lesson."
The sword energy was even more terrifying than before.
Takeno had barely been touched by it when his eyes rolled back.
The crowd watched as the genius once again flew back into the mountainside.
Everyone shook their heads.
This was simply too brutal.
Of course, the difference in strength was also enormous.
In the eyes of anyone knowledgeable, this human called Su Han possessed power that surpassed even a Great Swordsman.
The battle ended.
Su Han returned to his cabin.
Less than half an hour later.
Kitsune Saiguu came to visit.
"You really hit him too hard."
"Is he badly injured? I remember only using thirty percent of my strength."
"..."
Kitsune Saiguu rolled her beautiful eyes.
Fortunately, Takeno had not heard that. Otherwise, he would probably have died from anger.
Still, she hoped this lesson would finally teach that troublesome boy some restraint.
"By the way, how are things outside?"
Ever since he had begun teaching, Su Han had continuously gathered information.
Yet there was still no news from Khaenri'ah.
The silence was frightening.
Kitsune Saiguu looked at him curiously.
"You're paying far too much attention to that underground nation. Can you tell me why?"
"I can't explain it yet, but I don't have any ill intentions."
"Of course I know that. But..."
Kitsune Saiguu originally wanted to learn the reason.
Seeing that Su Han had no intention of explaining, she abandoned the idea.
Instead, they began discussing Inazuma's government affairs and prosperity.
During the conversation, Su Han came up with an idea.
Since he already knew that Inazuma would decline in the future, why not start stockpiling treasures now?
The suggestion left Kitsune Saiguu even more puzzled.
"Stockpile treasures? What exactly are you trying to do?"
"From the way you're talking, it's as though the world is about to undergo some huge catastrophe. But I can tell you that the Archon War is already over. There's nothing to worry about."
Kitsune Saiguu felt Su Han was worrying unnecessarily.
What she did not realize was that she was the one who was mistaken.
Su Han sighed softly.
He decided to reveal a tiny piece of history.
"If, and I mean if, you died, and the entire fox clan disappeared along with you, and Makoto vanished as well, do you think Ei alone could protect all of Inazuma?"
"Fine, let's assume she could inherit the Electro Archon's position. Could she really govern an entire nation properly?"
"Surely you don't think that pink-haired little fox could shoulder such responsibility."
The moment he finished speaking, furious teeth-grinding sounds came from outside.
There was no need to think.
Yae Miko had definitely been eavesdropping again.
Kitsune Saiguu's face darkened immediately.
"Wait here."
She quickly walked outside.
Several fox-like cries of pain could be heard, followed by complete silence.
After returning, Kitsune Saiguu dusted off her hands and looked at Su Han again.
"Do you believe Khaenri'ah will attack the Seven Archons? If that's what you're worried about, you can relax. The one in Liyue alone is beyond anything they can resist. Not to mention the other gods aren't weak either."
"But can't we say that Khaenri'ah has always been hostile toward the Seven Archons? Even Khaenri'ah citizens wandering among the nations have their own agendas. And there's still one question you haven't answered. Are the Khaenri'ah people within Inazuma part of an espionage organization?"
Faced with Su Han's questioning, Kitsune Saiguu fell silent for a long while before gently nodding.
Khaenri'ah's hostility was widely acknowledged.
Resources were limited.
And they specialized in technological development.
Other than war, it was difficult to imagine a second path.
As for the spies Su Han mentioned.
Every one of the Seven Nations had Khaenri'ah agents within their borders.
That was beyond dispute.
However, Kitsune Saiguu still did not believe Khaenri'ah could destroy the world or kill both Makoto and herself.
Looking at the stubborn yet beautiful celestial fox, Su Han thought for a moment and changed his approach.
"Then how about this? Regularly store resources away and leave their locations known only to yourself and those closest to you. If nothing happens within a year, rotate them out and replace them with new ones. That way, resource circulation won't be disrupted, and there won't be any negative effects."
"You really do like preparing for rainy days. Fine, I'll listen to you this once. While I'm at it, I'll hide my fox clan's cultivation techniques as well..."
Their relationship resembled that of close friends.
Although Kitsune Saiguu thought Su Han's behavior was somewhat strange, she had to admit that having a backup plan was never a bad thing.
Time passed.
Su Han and Kitsune Saiguu met more frequently, and his injuries gradually improved.
One noteworthy development was that Takeno, the genius of the Heavenly Fox Clan, eventually knelt down and begged to become his student after suffering countless defeats.
This was something Su Han had never expected.
However, considering Takeno's talent and attitude, he eventually accepted him.
After seven days.
The swordsman mastered Armament Haki.
After fifteen days.
Takeno mastered Observation Haki.
Through challenges against experts from all over, his strength surged until he became the strongest swordsman in the fox clan.
When everyone learned that his swordsmanship had been inherited from Su Han, even more foxes came seeking instruction.
Yet Su Han had no interest in teaching.
His mind remained focused on one problem.
How could he return to the modern era?
Since crossing through time, the Era Tree had remained dormant.
Although Su Han had mastered increasing amounts of temporal power, he still lacked sufficient understanding of how to use the Era Tree.
"If there's really no other choice, I'll have to ask Raiden Makoto."
One evening at sunset.
Su Han sat where the Sacred Sakura Tree should have been and muttered to himself.
He stood up and flew toward Inazuma City.
Compared to five hundred years later, Inazuma was flourishing.
The forests were filled with countless yokai.
Skilled swordsmen could be found almost everywhere.
Whenever he thought about how all of them would be destroyed during the coming catastrophe, his mood darkened.
"Should I think of a way to seal away the younger generation of yokai?"
"That might actually work."
The more he thought about it, the more feasible it seemed.
He only needed to announce a competition for talented young yokai.
That would give him a complete list.
When disaster arrived, he could seal them all inside the Serenitea Pot.
Five hundred years later.
Those youngsters would become Inazuma's pillars.
The thought actually excited Su Han.
The trip from Mt. Yougou to Inazuma City took less than five minutes.
Upon reaching the edge of the city, Su Han took out the token and called for Raiden Makoto.
"This is the first time you've wanted to see me. What is it?"
"I wanted to meet you."
"Where are you?"
"Outside the city."
A moment later.
Raiden Makoto descended from the sky.
Unlike Ei, who appeared openly without concern, the true Electro Archon was far more careful.
Not only had she changed her clothes, but she had also concealed her aura perfectly.
"What important matter brings you here, Great Swordsman Su Han?"
"Please stop teasing me. I'm here because I really need your help."
"Oh?"
Su Han took out the Era Tree.
To outsiders, it looked like an ordinary tree.
But before the God of Time and Space, Raiden Makoto could instantly sense its extraordinary nature.
"You want to activate it?"
"How did you know?"
Su Han was surprised.
It seemed seeking help from this god had indeed been the correct choice.
Placing her hand on the trunk, Raiden Makoto said solemnly:
"I can feel immense temporal power within it. But activating it requires tremendous energy. From what I can observe, your power alone isn't enough. Am I right?"
"That's right. But considering the one above, I'd rather activate it myself."
He was referring to the Heavenly Principles.
Raiden Makoto immediately understood.
"So that's it. Alright, I'll help you."
"Where should we go?"
"Anywhere."
"Then let's use the Grand Narukami Shrine."
After a moment's thought, Su Han felt it was almost fate.
The two returned to the shrine.
Kitsune Saiguu was busy handling official matters outside.
When the shrine maidens saw the pair return together, they immediately withdrew.
Su Han placed the Era Tree where the Sacred Sakura Tree should have stood and sat before it, placing his hand on the trunk.
Seeing this, Raiden Makoto rested her hand on his shoulder.
Their thoughts connected.
Power flowed into him.
Silver light began shining from the Era Tree.
Flash.
Flash.
The tree's power was awakening.
Looking at the unstable temporal currents, Raiden Makoto was astonished.
What exactly was about to happen?
Why was the power of time so chaotic?
Suddenly, countless images appeared before her eyes.
Her sister's despair.
Kitsune Saiguu's death.
Inazuma's darkness.
"So that's how it is..."
After receiving those fragmented memories, the way she looked at the tree changed completely.
She withdrew a violet light from within her body and directly infused it into the tree.
Since it was an object from beyond this world, even her interference should escape the notice of the Heavenly Principles.
After all, her Gnosis was already stored within the city.
When the Era Tree absorbed the Electro Archon's true spirit, it erupted with dazzling brilliance.
Boom!
A vortex of time and space appeared.
Before Su Han could awaken, he was already pulled into it.
Raiden Makoto stared at the vortex for a moment before cautiously stepping inside as well.
The terrifying temporal vortex was incredibly dangerous.
But before a god, it posed little threat.
Several minutes later.
The two appeared before the Grand Narukami Shrine.
Kitsune Saiguu, who had been guarding the shrine, widened her eyes in disbelief when she saw Makoto.
"Y-You really came back?"
"It's you, Kitsune Saiguu. This body... it was reconstructed, wasn't it?"
Raiden Makoto glanced at her old friend and immediately noticed something unusual.
Her spirit was unstable.
Even her flesh was inferior to what it had once been.
But she was alive.
So this truly was five hundred years in the future.
Su Han soon regained consciousness.
Looking at the familiar surroundings, he finally felt relieved.
"It seems the time gate has finally been established. By the way, Kitsune Saiguu, why can't I sense Shenhe and the others?"
The moment he asked, Kitsune Saiguu's expression changed dramatically.
"Oh no. Hurry back to Liyue."
"The god over there has awakened..."