Zheng Changnian furrowed his brows slightly.
Losing the duel, being confined, demanded to practice diligently.
This is common in Cangxuan Valley, quite normal.
But the one who lost the duel was only Ying Jiu.
She didnāt come today, Zheng Changnian understood.
But itās indeed surprising that his own brother, Guan Yutang, and some others did not come.
"What exactly happened? Speak directly if you have something to say, donāt hesitate."
Zheng Changnian frowned, looking at the Outer Sect disciple next to him.
Yet that Outer Sect disciple hesitated for a while before speaking.
He knew that telling the reason would surely make Zheng Changnian very excited.
"Senior Brother Zheng, actually thereās some change in the Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition...
At that time, Qin Tianlang from Snow Manor won against six people consecutively, making their Manor Master somewhat arrogant and conceited.
Right in front of all our Cangxuan Valley disciples, he said anyone could come and challenge.
And then just... then just..."
"Who did it? Was it Zhao Chao or Fang Yu?"
Zheng Changnian instinctively thought it must be one of Cangxuan Valleyās other two talents.
But hearing this, the Outer Sect disciple still shook his head.
"The one who did it was Shen Han..."
"Who?"
Upon hearing Shen Hanās name, Zheng Changnian didnāt react for a moment.
Instinctively, he didnāt conceive that Shen Han could participate in the Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition.
Shen Han previously defeated Guan Yutang, but that was just the Outer Sect disciple moving into the Inner Sect disciple competition.
The Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition is a duel between young talents from the Three Domains.
"Youāre saying Shen Han?
Is it that Outer Sect disciple from Chuixue Mansion, Shen Han?
Heās qualified to participate in the Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition?"
When Zheng Changnian mentioned Shen Hanās name, his words were still disdainful.
The Outer Sect disciple next to him knew he wouldnāt believe it.
He didnāt emphasize verbally but continued narrating.
"That day at the Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition, Qin Tianlang from Snow Manor was deemed unmatched by peers in strength.
Though Senior Brother Zheng didnāt believe it, indeed, only Shen Han stepped forward.
And in the end, he defeated Qin Tianlang..."
Mentioning Shen Hanās victory once more, his voice quieted significantly.
"Shen Han won?
A disciple who consecutively won against six people, defeating even Ying Jiu, finally lost to Shen Han?
Do you think this is possible?"
Zheng Changnian absolutely didnāt believe it.
He only thought the Outer Sect disciple in front of him was exaggerating more and more, even those storytellers in the secular world wouldnāt dare to speak such nonsense.
Thinking over this, Zheng Changnian hesitated for a moment, then called two other laboring Outer Sect disciples nearby.
Afterquiring carefully, he found out those previous words werenāt a lie.
Shen Han defeated the hidden talent of Snow Manor right in front of Cangxuan Valley members and other sects.
Initially, it was thought Shen Han was saving face for Cangxuan Valley.
But in front of so many people, Shen Han immediately said he wanted to leave Cangxuan Valley and join Star Tower.
After hearing the following events, Zheng Changnian found they largely matched his speculation.
Before so many people, Shen Han caused Cangxuan Valley to lose face.
Valley Master Yue Bugong certainly felt extremely angry.
Shen Hanās victory over Qin Tianlang naturally showcased his prowess.
Being able to win against such talent and still unable to enter Cangxuan Valleyās Inner Sect, how could the Valley Master not be angry?
Hence, the Mansion Masters being punished and Guan Yutang being forced into closed-door practice was predictable.
"Didnāt the Mansion Master inform the Valley Master that Shen Han hasnāt nurtured Divine Soul yet?
Without Divine Soul, his current strength is just temporary.
His potential is far inferior to other disciples."
Zheng Changnian clearly remembered during Shen Hanās duel with Guan Yutang, he showed no trace of Divine Soul power.
Moreover, he came from a small place in the Northern Mountain Domain, highly unlikely to have a Divine Soul.
"Without Divine Soul, yet Star Tower wants him; heās indeed fortunate."
Zheng Changnian continued speaking, but the Outer Sect disciple nearby awkwardly interjected.
"Senior Brother Zheng might not know, but actually, Shen Han had long nurtured his Divine Soul. He just disdain using it...
Mansion Master Xu also said he didnāt have a Divine Soul, but on leaving, Shen Han deliberately showcased his Divine Soul in front of everyone..."
Shen Han, with Divine Soul...
Hearing this news, like others, Zheng Changnian also paused in surprise.
So it turns out during the Outer Sect discipleās promotion duel, Shen Han didnāt exhibit his full strength.
The prowess shown during his bout with Guan Yutang was just a fraction.
Thinking over this, Zheng Changnian finally understood.
"No wonder, no wonder he dared such audacity, because he thought he had some skill."
Recalling Shen Hanās previous behavior, Zheng Changnian now found it reasonable.
He always wondered why Shen Han, the Outer Sect disciple, showed no timidity before him.
Turns out it was the boldness born from skill.
"I really want to see how truly skilled you are."
Zheng Changnian laughed lightly; even upon hearing Shen Han possessed a Divine Soul, he remained unafraid.
Of those Zheng Changnian defeated, who didnāt have a Divine Soul?
Seeing Zheng Changnianās relaxed demeanor, the Outer Sect disciple beside him frowned deeply.
"Senior Brother Zheng, this Shen Han might actually be quite extraordinary.
After he left with Star Tower people, Valley Master severely scolded the Mansion Masters.
He said their criteria for selecting disciples were unsuitable, excluding even the likes of Shen Han out of the Inner Sect."
Today, probably many Mansion Masters are still under reproach."
As those words fell, another Outer Sect disciple beside also chimed in.
"Previously, Mansion Master Xu forced Shen Han to hand over the Pill he won, and Mansion Master Xie allowed Shen Han only ten thousand Contribution Points...
In the end, they were sternly castigated by the Valley Master.
Valley Master also said... said Zheng Senior Brother should learn a lesson, losing a hundred thousand Contribution Points..."
Upon hearing these, Zheng Changnianās expression turned slightly sullen.
"Anything else?"
Valley Masterās words made him, a talented disciple, feel somewhat humiliated.
The two Outer Sect disciples hesitated, murmuring a brief sentence: "Back then, Shen Han also said, once he upgrades in Star Tower, heāll challenge Senior Brother Zheng...
If he wins, heāll make Senior Brother Zheng kneel and apologize..."
These words made Zheng Changnian laugh aloud.
"Thinking the victory in one duel at the Seven Sects Martial Arts Competition means heās invincible worldwide?
Itās like nobody else has emerged victorious in the competition."
After those Outer Sect disciples finished speaking, offering a few pleasantries, they intended to leave.
Zheng Changnian didnāt hold them back, but casually threw some rewards.
Despite feeling unhappy with their words, Zheng Changnian wasnāt foolish enough not to grant rewards.
If he only rewarded those delivering good news, henceforth all heād hear would be good news.
People around him would only present joyful tidings, never the unpleasant ones.
Zheng Changnianās journey to this point isnāt without some mindfulness.