This was the third time Saint You Heng had seen Su Han. The first was through Sun Buzhou, and the second was when he used a saintly projection to annihilate the Great Qian King and save Su Han's life. Saint You Heng had always kept a close watch on Su Han. After all, a prodigy who had turned the entire Qingmo Province upside down was impossible to ignore. He had already thoroughly investigated Su Han's background. Although from a small country, his origins were clean, with no destabilizing factors.

The only mystery was the secret behind Su Han's sudden rise. Princes from small countries were a dime a dozen in the Eastern Region, but Su Han had managed to rise again even after having his Dragon Soul stolen and his Heavenly Dragon Battle Body crippled. The speed of his comeback was so incredible that Saint You Heng was certain he harbored some secret. But this secret was well-hidden, beyond even his ability to probe. Furthermore, because of Tongyan, he couldn't possibly use force against Su Han. He had thus changed his approach, choosing to befriend him instead. This was also why he had reached out to Sun Buzhou. Besides Tongyan's request, this was the reason Sun Buzhou served Su Han so wholeheartedly.

Su Han had first surprised Saint You Heng by causing an uproar across Qingmo Province and making it onto the Prodigy Rankings. He then shocked the Saint by ambushing and killing Zi Qiong, and even slaying Xuan Song. But all of that seemed trivial compared to what happened next.

When Tongyan invited Su Han to the East Sea Dragon Palace Ruins, Saint You Heng figured he would, at most, find an opportunity to break through to the Divine Power Realm. That alone would have been impressive enough. He never expected that Su Han would not only seize the greatest opportunity but also break through all the way to the Heavenly King Realm, even provoking a siege from the East Sea Demon Clan that drew the attention of the Kun Jing Great Emperor himself. Had the news of the Black Whale's death spread, Saint You Heng's shock would have been even greater.

Now, Su Han had returned from the East Sea, not only as a Heavenly King Realm expert but also as the tenth-ranked talent on the Prodigy Rankings. A figure of his caliber was no weaker than the Saint Heirs and Emperor's Daughters; even Tongyan paled slightly in comparison. Looking at the young man before him, Saint You Heng sighed with wonder. Not even in his wildest imagination could he have foreseen Su Han making such monumental progress in such a short time.

"Greetings, Saint You Heng. Thank you for rescuing me on multiple occasions. I will engrave this kindness in my heart and never dare to forget it!" Su Han said, cupping his fists with sincere gratitude.

Whether it was killing the Great Qian King with a single finger or sending Master Gong Ming to the East Sea this time, both were immense acts of grace. Su Han believed in repaying both kindness and enmity, and he would naturally never forget such great favors.

"Su Han, you are very impressive. I hope you continue on this path. Since you've returned from the East Sea, you might as well stay here for now. As for your grudge in Qingmo Province, wait until you break through to the Supreme Realm before seeking revenge. Honing the axe doesn't delay the woodcutting," Saint You Heng praised.

The Saint's invitation was not forceful, but a form of protection. Ye Chuanfeng and the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign were both experts at the Supreme Realm Ninth Layer, and even Qin Wushuang was a Supreme Realm expert. Although Su Han was a prodigy, he was only at the Heavenly King Realm Fourth Level. Even wearing the Ghostly Face Mask and entering the Demonized State, he could at best fight a Martial Artist at the Heavenly King Realm Ninth Level. Supreme Realm experts controlled space and possessed their own Domains, their power far beyond what a Heavenly King could match. Su Han's current strength was insufficient for revenge.

Su Han naturally understood Saint You Heng's protective intent. "Thank you, Saint You Heng. In that case, I shall impose for a few days."

He nodded in agreement. He was eager for revenge, but he wouldn't senselessly throw his life away. Once he broke through to the Supreme Realm, with the Ghostly Face Mask and his other techniques, he was confident he could kill Qin Wushuang and even contend with Ye Chuanfeng and the Earth Fiend Demon Sovereign. No matter what, he would have his vengeance against the Seven Stars Sect and the Heavenly Demon Cult!

"Tongyan, I'll leave him in your hands for now," Saint You Heng said, nodding at Su Han with even greater approval before suddenly addressing Tongyan, leaving Su Han a little confused.

Soon, Saint You Heng departed with Gong Ming, leaving Su Han and Tongyan alone.

"Su Han, I'm leaving."

Tongyan's first words struck Su Han like a bolt of lightning. She's leaving? Where is she going? It would be a lie to say his heart hadn't been stirred by Tongyan; she was arguably the only woman who had ever made him feel this way. His feelings for Lu Yunxian, in contrast, were purely those of a brother for his sister. Tongyan had always been a tremendous help to him. Without her, it would have taken him at least another three to five years to get to where he was, a period that would have been fraught with endless hardship. The spot for the East Sea Dragon Palace Ruins was a gift from her, and she had even guided him through the ruins to find various opportunities.

Though Su Han had never expressed his feelings, his heart had always held a deep affection for her. Now, having just returned from the East Sea, he was faced with another farewell the moment they reunited. There was no telling when they would meet again.

"Actually, I was supposed to leave as soon as I returned from the East Sea, but I was worried about you, so I waited here. Now that you're back safely, my mind is at ease," Tongyan said with a radiant smile, her voice as gentle as a flowing stream that soothed the heart. "I gained a great deal from our trip to the Dragon Palace Ruins. Thank you for adventuring with me. I will treasure these beautiful memories forever."

Her words startled Su Han, filling him with a bad premonition. Where on earth is she going? It sounds like she's traveling somewhere very far away.

"Don't worry about me," she continued, revealing a few details to ease his mind. "I'm following my mother's arrangements to go cultivate in a Blessed Land. You know I have the Qi Holy Body, which grants me great Destiny and access to major opportunities. Who knows, the next time we meet, I might already be a Saint!"

"Then when can we meet again?" Su Han asked. He understood her departure was already decided and couldn't be changed, but the yearning in his heart made him desperate to know.

"I don't know," Tongyan said, shaking her head. The matter was not for her to decide; she had to follow her mother's arrangements. This was part of the price she had paid to save him. "It could be a month or two, or it could be a year or two. But when I am able to leave, I promise I'll come find you immediately. After all, you still owe me three favors!"

Su Han fell silent. He never expected to part ways so soon after reuniting, with their next meeting so distant and uncertain.

"Before I go, I want a hug... to commemorate our friendship," she said, stepping forward to gently embrace Su Han.

Her warmth, her faint fragrance, and the sound of her racing heart all made Su Han realize her true feelings. So, she likes me too!

"Goodbye!" Tongyan waved as a space-time channel materialized around her, teleporting her away instantly.

Watching her depart, Su Han's heart ached with sorrow. For the first time, he tasted the bitterness of love.