Mortal: Starting with the Falling Cloud Sect, I proved my Dao through gacha pulls.

"Junior brother, be careful, I'm about to make my move."

Before he finished speaking, Song Yu activated his true energy, and the silver bell in his palm rose into the air. Layers of translucent sound waves swept towards Su Mu like a tide.

At the same time, her fingertips moved swiftly, forming hand seals that conjured several water ropes in mid-air, carrying a chilling, damp aura that locked onto Su Mu's limbs and joints. The attack and restraint were perfectly coordinated.

Faced with this situation, Su Mu remained calm and showed no sign of panic.

He slightly raised his fingertip, and an invisible, transparent flame quietly flickered. As soon as it appeared, the surrounding air suddenly distorted, and even the spiritual energy seemed to be scorched and sizzled.

With a gentle swirl, the flames transformed into rings of fire, completely protecting him.

The incoming sound waves collided with the ring of fire and were instantly incinerated. The water ropes, as soon as they approached, evaporated rapidly under the high temperature, leaving not a trace of moisture, and dissolved into nothingness.

The lingering flames continued to rise, making Su Mu's aura even more unpredictable.

"Senior sister, there's no need to test me. Just go ahead and do whatever you want without worrying about me."

Su Mu's tone was calm, yet it exuded a sense of composure and certainty, which made Song Yu's heart tremble slightly. Immediately afterward, she held nothing back.

With a change of her incantation, silver bells hummed incessantly in mid-air, their sound waves like knives, piercing straight to the mind.

At the same time, streams of water condensed in the air, transforming into dozens of sharp water arrows, densely packed, carrying a sharp whistling sound as they shot towards Su Mu from all directions.

Despite the barrage of water arrows and waves of sound, Su Mu remained unfazed.

He took out the Molten Fire Prison-Severing Seal, and poured all his true energy into it. The seal spun in the air, transforming into a giant seal over ten feet in size, carrying the force of burning and suppression, and crashed fiercely into the oncoming sound waves.

The sound wave shattered instantly, vanishing into nothingness in a flash. The Molten Hell Seal collided violently with the silver bell, causing the bell's surface to dim its spiritual light and nearly being smashed down from mid-air by the giant seal.

At the same time, Su Mu activated the Fallen Heart Flame in his palm, and the flames at his fingertips suddenly surged, transforming into a ferocious giant fire python.

With a flick of its tail, the fire python shattered all the water arrows that came from all directions. Then, its flaming tail continued its momentum, carrying a wave of scorching heat, and crashed down directly towards Song Yu.

Song Yu was startled and quickly made a hand seal. Instantly, multiple water shields appeared in front of her. She retreated hastily, took out a brocade-like defensive magic artifact, and with a burst of spiritual light, firmly protected herself in front of her.

The layers of water shield shattered under the bombardment of the flaming tail, sending water vapor billowing into the sky. The brocade handkerchief artifact groaned under the strain, its spiritual light dimming, before being violently smashed away by the tail.

Song Yu was jolted back several feet before she could barely regain her footing. But as soon as she looked up, she saw several chains of flame suddenly burst forth from the rising steam, instantly binding her tightly.

A strange binding force flowed through the chains, instantly suppressing her true essence, making it impossible for her to mobilize even a fraction of it. These chains were none other than the True Flame Binding Spirit Lock divine power attached to the cultivation technique "True Flame Nirvana Technique" practiced by Su Mu.

The next instant, the fiery chains vanished silently. Su Mu, a smile playing on his lips, stepped calmly out from the rising steam.

"Senior Sister Song, you are too kind. I apologize for my rudeness earlier."

Su Mu smiled slightly, his tone humble, but his smile was unrestrained and confident, revealing his uninhibited nature.

Song Yu was slightly stunned. The smile of the young man in front of her was like sunlight shining through the forest, not scorching, but shining into her heart in an instant.

A flicker of panic crossed her face, and she quickly and discreetly straightened herself. Her clear eyes remained lowered for a long time before she slowly raised them and glanced gently at Su Mu.

"Junior brother is too kind. I should thank you for showing mercy. I never expected your combat strength to be so astonishing. I am no match for you."

Song Yu raised her hand slightly, cupped her hands in a relaxed gesture, and seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, her tone even carrying a hint of ease.

She knew perfectly well that Su Mu had left her with a great deal of leeway. That strange flame alone was enough to leave her completely defenseless.

However, given how formidable this Junior Brother Su is, does the sect truly have a chance to claim the top spot in this Sword Trial Tournament?

Although she didn't know how strong the Mingxin Sword Body fighter from the Ancient Sword Sect was, she had a feeling that he was probably no match for Junior Brother Su.

"There's still over a month until the Sword Trial Tournament. I wonder what your plans are next, Senior Sister? I'm determined to win this tournament. That Mingxin Sword Body from the Ancient Sword Sect is nothing to fear."

Su Mu's tone was confident, not underestimating his opponent. With his current cultivation level, supernatural abilities, and physical strength, unless he encountered a hidden monster like Han Laomo, he couldn't think of anyone else in the Foundation Establishment stage who could be his match. This was the unique confidence that came with being a cheat-like individual.

Upon hearing this, a hint of confusion flashed across Song Yu's eyes, and her usually cool and aloof face now showed a touch of naivety.

The sword-testing tournament had been troubling her for a long time.

But after today, she will no longer have to worry about these things.

Previously, as a genius with a heavenly spiritual root who was being cultivated by the sect, she was burdened with the high expectations of many disciples and elders of the Luoyun Sect. She herself was also somewhat proud and arrogant. Under such heavy pressure, she inevitably had many worries.

With a prodigy like Su Mu in charge from now on, all her pressure will dissipate, and she can peacefully cultivate in seclusion on White Phoenix Peak without any more trivial worries.

Thinking of this, Song Yu's lips curved slightly, her smile gentle and captivating. Her eyes flickered, carrying a hint of languid nonchalance, and her usual aloof temperament quietly melted away, revealing a rare touch of liveliness and vivacity.

Seeing this, Su Mu was slightly lost in thought, and even his heart skipped a beat for no apparent reason.

"Since you have such confidence, then I wish you success in winning first place in the competition and achieving your goal." Song Yu felt a little uncomfortable under his gaze, and his tone softened slightly.

"As for the month or so before the conference begins, I will focus on my cultivation at White Phoenix Peak. If you need anything, junior brother, please feel free to come and find me."

After saying this, Song Yu herself was slightly taken aback. In all her life, this was the first time she had ever allowed a male cultivator to come to her door. A strange feeling welled up in her heart, one that she couldn't quite explain.

"really?!"

Su Mu's eyes lit up, then he coughed lightly, looking a little awkward.

"I was just thinking that since the Sword Testing Tournament brings together the young elites of the three sects, we shouldn't underestimate them. In the meantime, could I often spar and discuss cultivation techniques with my senior sister?"

Looking at his serious expression, Song Yu hesitated for a moment, but finally nodded slightly, as if she were possessed.

"Then we will do as my junior brother says."

As soon as he finished speaking, Song Yu's heart was already slightly flustered. Unwilling to stay any longer, he turned around and left in a hurry, as if fleeing in panic.

As Su Mu watched her departing figure, a smile deepened in his eyes. He was a normal person, with his own emotions and desires, and faced with Song Yu's graceful figure, he couldn't help but feel a momentary flutter in his heart.

He was unwilling to sever all emotions in pursuit of the Dao like Han Li in the original story, and only wanted to follow his heart.

Since he possesses a cheat-like ability, his path to immortality is inherently easier than others. In this life of cultivation, he naturally intends to live freely and unrestrained, true to his heart and worthy of the encounter.

With this thought in mind, Su Mu felt his mind clear and refreshed.

He immediately rode his weapon to the market and purchased a batch of materials needed for alchemy and weapon crafting. Afterward, he turned back to his cave and continued to devote himself to studying the art of alchemy and weapon crafting.

Every few days, he would make a trip to White Phoenix Peak. Sometimes he would spar with Song Yu in magic, and other times they would exchange cultivation insights. Sometimes he would simply sit and sip tea, listening to her gently pluck the strings of her zither, feeling a sense of peace and tranquility.

......

A month later, Su Mu completed a full cycle of breathing exercises in his cave and slowly opened his eyes. He casually stretched his limbs, strolled out of the cave, and calmly looked towards the main peak.

"It's finally starting!"