"Thank you for letting me win, Raymond Family Master," Su Yuan said.
"The skill of Su Royal Envoy’s transcendent swordsmanship... I have lost. Thank you for your mercy," Raymond clasped his hands toward Su Yuan, his expression rather complex.
He had thought of himself as a genius since his youth, but had always been overshadowed by Reinhardt.
And now, he was defeated by a junior from Great Flame, who had only emerged a mere ten years, and was bested in a frontal assault with unparalleled swordsmanship!
This feeling left Raymond with mixed emotions, a sense of momentary bewilderment.
"There’s no need to compare yourself to me," Su Yuan shook his head, "Surpassing others is not as important as surpassing oneself."
In Su Yuan’s view, Raymond, who mastered Ninth Grade Swordsmanship and possessed formidable strength, was undoubtedly a master of Deputy Commander level.
But with his system, the Ninth Grade Skill he developed by consuming ten billion Star Dust, along with the support of Void Divine Intent, was not much inferior to a Mythical Skill.
In addition to his vast Star Power...
Even a Ninth Stage King Level expert would find it difficult to escape unscathed from this strike, let alone someone at the Eighth Stage.
"Surpass oneself...?"
Hearing Su Yuan’s words, Raymond seemed to think of something and lowered his head in contemplation.
For a long time, Raymond regarded Reinhardt as his lifelong rival, no matter how many times he failed to challenge and pursued tirelessly to defeat him.
But in reality, after comprehending Ninth Grade Swordsmanship thirty years ago and still being easily defeated by Reinhardt, Raymond suddenly realized that Reinhardt’s strength had already far outpaced his own!
There are gaps even among geniuses; the so-called lifelong enemy was merely a joke. The opponent simply indulged him out of someone’s regard, as if participating in some farcical play...
This shattered the belief Raymond held for countless years, delivering a severe blow and deepening his resentment toward Reinhardt.
To surpass oneself...
Had someone mentioned this before, Raymond would have scoffed.
But at that moment, spoken from the mouth of this Great Flame genius who had bested him with a sword, it struck right at Raymond’s heart.
"The Su Royal Envoy is right!" Alpha nodded in agreement.
"There are always people outside of people, and heavens beyond heavens. There will always be someone more talented, and someone who, no matter how hard you try, you cannot surpass.
These individuals may serve as motivation, but one should not become trapped and unable to extricate themselves because of them.
Even if you cannot catch up to others, as long as you continuously surpass yourself, you will become stronger day by day!"
With a single thought, the horizon widened.
Hearing both of their words, Raymond’s contemplative gaze gradually brightened.
Though he wasn’t about to discard his obsession or have sudden enlightenment on the spot, the gloom in his eyes was swept away, clearly feeling more at ease and relaxed.
"Ha ha ha!" Raymond laughed heartily, "It’s funny that this old guy still needs the guidance of these juniors."
Seeing this, Su Yuan and Alpha also smiled.
"Then I’ll leave the introduction to you, sir," Su Yuan said.
Raymond nodded, responding earnestly, "Rest assured, Su Yuan Royal Envoy. Since I’ve agreed, I won’t go back on my word. You two, just return and wait for my news.
However... our family head has a peculiar temperament, so I can’t guarantee complete success, only that I’ll do my best to persuade him."
"I see..." Su Yuan nodded thoughtfully.
Raymond’s demeanor was outgoing and intense; their battle truly led to a deeper acquaintance. After being defeated by Su Yuan, he became even more enthusiastic.
The three chatted for quite a while in the small secret realm, until it was dark outside, and Su Yuan and Alpha bade farewell and left.
Before their departure, Raymond took Su Yuan and Alpha to a secret room to select some treasured wine, distributing it to them, and personally escorted them out of Star City.
"Today, I understand why Lord Reinhardt holds you in such high esteem," Alpha remarked under the night sky.
"Oh?" Su Yuan’s eyes flickered slightly as he asked, "Has this Imperial Sword Saint mentioned me?"
Alpha nodded, "As early as the beginning of the Earth Tribulation, during the New Dust Realm conflict, Lord Reinhardt had already noticed Su Royal Envoy.
During the Dragon Vein struggle, Lord Reinhardt commented that you will become the midstream pillar of Great Flame, and even remarked that his younger self in your age group does not surpass you,"
"The Sword Saint overpraises me," Su Yuan gently shook his head.
A genius doesn’t necessarily become a strong one, but a strong person must be a genius.
If experts like Reinhardt and Ling Xiao had a system, they wouldn’t do worse than me.
"In that case, let’s await the Raymond Family Master’s news," Su Yuan said.
Alpha nodded, bowed, and then retired to his room, where Floyd had already arranged accommodations for him.
Su Yuan returned to his suite, and under the night, the lights were already illuminated.
Without Su Yuan opening the door, the white-haired, red-eyed, delicately dressed Lolita Ashley preemptively opened it, as if she anticipated his return.
The softly flickering crystal lamp in the room cast light on her beautiful face, her splendid white hair, and her knee-high socks on the floor.
She resembled a beautiful witch under dim lights, shrouded in mystery with a touch of enticing danger.
"Boss," Ashley bowed.
Su Yuan gave a nod as he entered and sat down, asking, "Ashley, how was everything during the day?"