Chapter 372 - 371: The Extremely Silent Shen Mansion

Cen Yunzi smiled: "I’m not blaming you, Lin Yuanlong is merely our Xiaoyao Peak’s tributor, and he can choose to pass on his techniques to whomever he wishes, beyond my control.

It just seems that you and that Shen Han kid are somewhat close."

Liu Xilan nodded, indeed they were quite familiar.

But it felt like her master was speaking a bit oddly today, and Liu Xilan was somewhat puzzled by his meaning.

"Since you’re already close, it’s fine to get even closer.

That kid’s talent in the Sword Dao is astonishing. From my perspective, his understanding of the Misty Sword Intent is already no weaker than Lin Yuanlong’s.

He seems to have grasped the essence of the Illusion and Reality Technique clearly.

Being with him allows you to explore the Sword Dao together, and I’m sure you’ll have endless conversations.

At your age, you could actually look for a..."

Upon hearing this, Liu Xilan finally understood what her master meant.

A blush involuntarily appeared on her beautiful face.

"Master, what are you talking about...

Your disciple and Shen Han are only close friends, there’s nothing more..."

"I’m just making a casual remark, the rest is up to you, Xilan.

But let me state my stance clearly, if that kid has a good character, given his handsome looks and outstanding talent in the Sword Dao, I’m exceedingly satisfied."

Without waiting for Liu Xilan to respond, Shi Yuezhu, by her side, couldn’t help but interject.

"Senior Brother Cen, maybe you should stay out of these things. These matters concerning the younger generation, let them decide for themselves, don’t give unsolicited advice."

While Shi Yuezhu tried to restrain herself while saying this, there was an involuntary chill in her words.

With that said, no one spoke more on the matter.

Shi Yuezhu also found an excuse to leave, not staying with the others.

"Why does Junior Master Yuezhu seem a bit off today..."

"Indeed, Junior Master Yuezhu always speaks so gently, why does she seem a bit cold today..."

...

The lively atmosphere quickly faded away as well.

In just two moments, all the numerous guests at the Shen Mansion dispersed.

The entire Shen Mansion appeared extremely quiet.

As if everything had ended.

At this moment, Shen Ye still sat slumped on the ground, his clothes were torn in many places.

Blood kept trickling from the corner of his mouth.

These injuries weren’t much of an issue for Shen Ye.

The most grievous wound was in his heart.

Shen Ye believed he had paid sufficient attention to this duel.

His Spirit Bone enhancement method was meant to be activated upon reaching the Immortal Realm, when the Profound Power within his Spirit Bone would be unleashed.

But for this duel, Shen Ye didn’t wait any longer.

Even when facing Shen Han, he elevated his strength to the Fourth Grade...

But he still lost.

As Shen Ye sat there in dejection, Luo Zuchen walked up to him.

"Get up, being so despondent, where’s your trace of a prodigy?"

Luo Zuchen’s tone was serious. He hadn’t expected today’s duel to end like this either.

According to his predictions, Shen Ye stepping into the Fourth Grade should have been enough to utterly defeat Shen Han.

Yet in the end, he still lost...

"It’s over, everything’s over...

I’ve lost, Shen Ye has lost everything..."

The light seemed to have vanished from Shen Ye’s eyes, as if he’d lost everything.

"You lost this time, just win it back next time, right?"

Luo Zuchen’s words were lighthearted; he wanted to encourage Shen Ye.

But this time, a few words weren’t enough to help Shen Ye regain his confidence.

Being defeated wasn’t entirely unacceptable.

Shen Ye was in such agony partly because he lost the Shen Family’s title.

The title that was supposed to be his to inherit had now fallen into Shen Han’s hands.

Secondly, it was Shen Han.

In Shen Ye’s eyes, Shen Han belonged to a very lowly class.

Even though Shen Han had now risen up, the past prejudice remained in his heart.

Losing to Ye Tianxing, losing to Liu Xilan, losing to other prodigies from Mountain Sea Academy.

Shen Ye wouldn’t feel as bad losing to them.

It’s just that he lost to someone he utterly despised...

"Next time, maybe there won’t be a next time...

I’ve cultivated four years longer than him, yet I’m still being caught up.

Just two years ago, he was still no different than a servant here at Shen Mansion...

As we both cultivate, I’ll only continue to fall further behind him, ultimately unable to even see his shadow."

Shen Ye was already in despair, he had even lost the confidence to compare to Shen Han.

Hearing this, Luo Zuchen wanted to console him.

Yet even he, Luo Zuchen, couldn’t deny these facts.

Indeed, from the current situation, Shen Han would only leave Shen Ye further behind in the future.

Without some earth-shattering fortuitous encounter, catch up would be utterly impossible.

The two remained silent for a while.

After a moment, Shen Ye stood up and bowed to Luo Zuchen: "I’m sorry to disappoint you, Mr. Luo...

I couldn’t even defeat someone I once considered a waste like Shen Han, I don’t even know what to do..."

Shen Ye’s words caused Luo Zuchen to be slightly taken aback.

It seems this blow was indeed quite heavy.

Luo Zuchen didn’t respond immediately, hesitated for a moment, and then looked at Shen Ye again.

"Ye’er, I’ve often told you that temperament is a crucial part of cultivation.

How many who were once more talented than I have now surpassed my achievements?"

"But... if Shen Han continues like this, stepping into the Immortal Realm is almost certain.

Moreover, I’ve already used my Spirit Bone, yet I still did not surpass him...

In the future, will I ever have another chance to surpass him?"

Luo Zuchen, hearing this, smiled brightly.

"Who says he’ll definitely step into the Immortal Realm?

The future is long, how can he be sure to live to see that day?"

Shen Ye understood what Luo Zuchen meant.

"In the future, there will only be more protection for Shen Han.

With two or three Immortal Realm guardians by his side, it’s not easy to harm him.

Moreover, once he gains the qualification to inherit the title, attempting to take his life would be opposing the Court Hall.

By then, I’m afraid the entire Great Wei won’t tolerate it..."

Shen Ye spoke frankly about how, in the future, anyone who attacked Shen Han would be effectively standing against the Great Wei Court Hall.

Even Luo Zuchen, as flamboyant as he was, never dared to show any dissent towards the Court Hall.

Hearing Shen Ye’s words, a relaxed smile appeared on Luo Zuchen’s face.

"I’ve spent so many years in Great Wei, it’s time to venture into the outside world.

This is a good opportunity to eliminate the hidden threat of Shen Han.

Afterward, I’ll wander the world freely, isn’t that wonderful?"

Hearing this, Shen Ye was slightly taken aback.

He hadn’t expected his master to be willing to go so far...

"Mr. Luo..."

"Don’t worry, even if I leave Great Wei, I’ll be fine as an Immortal Realm expert.

Just take good care of yourself, Ye’er.

In the future, we can only communicate through voice transmission."