To deal with these troubles, Shen Han had thought beforehand to prevail through the path of the king.
Since itâs the path of the king, thereâs no fear of whatever tricks you might pull.
Hearing Lin Fanâanâs words, Shen Han stepped aside.
"After all is said and done, itâs still thought that Yi Xingshanâs abilities donât live up to the name of an Inner Sect Disciple.
If thatâs the case, why not let Brother Yi step up and compare skills with which disciple?
See how much strength he truly has."
Before Shen Hanâs voice faded, Senior Brother Tian had already stepped forward.
"Alright then, no need to pick a day, letâs do it today.
Go to the Martial Arts Arena and let everyone see what kind of strength this Eldest Young Master Yi has."
Hearing these words, Shen Han looked to the side at Yi Xingshan.
He was slightly worried.
After all, this Senior Brother Tian had considerable strength within the Inner Sect.
However, despite the concern, Yi Xingshan wasnât afraid in his heart.
After exchanging a glance with Shen Han, he stepped forward.
"Since Senior Brother Tian wants to see this junior brotherâs skills, this junior brother shouldnât keep declining.
Today I have nothing else planned, so I ask Senior Brother Tian for the guidance."
After speaking, Yi Xingshan walked eastward with Shen Han.
That was where the Martial Arts Arena of the Celestial Sword Sect was located.
Yi Xingshan accepted the challenge to duel so calmly that not only was this Senior Brother Tian surprised,
but even those sent by the Grand Elder hadnât expected it.
They hesitated for a moment, pondering, and seemed to calm down a bit.
They hadnât known Yi Xingshan just today.
Previously among the Inner Sect Disciples, he was quite average, even lacking.
This time at the Star Tower, he had a duel with Jiang LingâEr, and even caused himself to have a hysteria.
Such strength, is it really something to worry about?
The previously lively courtyard suddenly became quiet.
In a hidden spot, a middle-aged man frowned as he watched the scene unfold.
"That young man just now, was he the Shen Han you spoke of?"
Beside him stood the old servant who had gone to the Star Tower with Yi Xingshan before.
"Returning to the patriarch, that child is indeed Shen Han.
He may look young, but he indeed has some skills.
Moreover, he is a fine person, well-read and courteous.
Amongst the many young people this old servant has met, he left a particularly good impression."
After hearing his old servantâs words, the Vice Sect Leader of the Celestial Sword Sect pondered for a moment.
"From the recent conversation, this child indeed seems wise and knows when to advance or retreat.
With Xingshan by his side, he can indeed learn a few things.
However, why is he letting Xingshan compete with Tian Fen?
Is he so confident in Xingshanâs abilities?"
As the father of Yi Xingshan, the Vice Sect Leader knew his sonâs abilities all too well.
He wasnât qualified to duel with Tian Fen.
Yet in his view, Shen Han was adept at clever arguments and should have easily avoided this duel.
Why did he intentionally push Yi Xingshan to duel with Tian Fen through his words?
"Elder Yin, you mentioned that after treating Xingshanâs hysteria, Shen Han also adjusted him a few times.
And Xingshanâs abilities have significantly improved; tell me the specifics."
Hearing this, the old servant leaned in close and relayed everything he had seen and heard to Yi Qi.
When he heard that Yi Xingshan executed techniques much more effortlessly than before,
this immediately caught Vice Sect Leader Yi Qiâs attention.
"You said that when Xingshan uses his cultivation technique, itâs much easier than before?"
"Yes, Patriarch, this old servant saw it clearly. The Young Masterâs actions are indeed much more relaxed than before.
Perhaps it was the hysteria that triggered an epiphany in him."
For the old servantâs speculation, Yi Qi shook his head directly.
"Xingshanâs issue was a physical one; even an epiphany would be meaningless.
If thereâs truly an improvement, it must be because of Shen Hanâs exceptional acupuncture technique.
If Xingshan truly progresses in strength, we must prepare a generous gift."
With that, the two also headed eastward.
The level of attention two Inner Sect Disciples can draw in a duel is usually limited.
But todayâs duel involves the Vice Sect Leader Yi Qiâs son.
Since revealing his identity at the Star Tower that day, the Celestial Sword Sect had already been rife with undercurrents.
Various discussions were rampant.
Especially regarding Yi Xingshan being favored and snatching resources from others, which sparked significant debate within the Celestial Sword Sect.
In the eyes of ordinary disciples, this was merely a matter of whether it adhered to the rules.
But to many who are quick-witted, itâs apparent that Yi Xingshan and Tian Fenâs duel is a power struggle between the Vice Sect Leader and the Grand Elder.
The average disciple, even with grievances, would not dare to confront Yi Xingshan directly.
Only those incited amongst the Celestial Sword Sect disciples would dare to do so.
The Celestial Sword Sectâs area for duels is sometimes used by disciples to spar.
However, without major sect matters, the place usually remains quiet.
Once the news of Yi Xingshan and Tian Fenâs duel spread, the area was quickly filled with people.
Upon hearing the news, Jiang LingâEr immediately rushed to the place of the duel.
She had no interest in the power struggle between the Vice Sect Leader and the Grand Elder.
The Jiang Family, between the two, wouldnât take sides but merely observe.
What truly intrigued her, secondary to the duel between Yi Xingshan and Tian Fen,
was observing Su Jinyuâs reaction.
Su Jinyu apprenticed under Junior Master Sun, who was aligned with the Grand Elderâs faction.
For this duel, she likely wouldnât miss it.
Jiang LingâEr overheard Shen Han mention that he was once acquainted with Su Jinyu.
Once, there was even an engagement between them.
Although it was canceled, with that layer of connection, Su Jinyu couldnât possibly not recognize Shen Han.
Jiang LingâEr only needed to hide among the crowd, observe Su Jinyuâs reaction, and from it, derive conclusions.
3:00 PM.
To seemingly allow more people to witness it, Tian Fen deliberately delayed the duel time.
At this moment, aside from sect disciples, even the upper echelons of the Celestial Sword Sect had arrived.
Standing slightly more distanced, stepping on a Magical Artifact, they hovered to watch from the sky.
Even including the elders of the Celestial Sword Sect, they were somewhat puzzled.
Not understanding how Yi Xingshan dared to duel with Tian Fen.
Knowing that Yi Xingshan, being the Vice Sect Leader Yi Qiâs descendant,
losing this duel would further confirm the Vice Sect Leaderâs selfishness, stealing the sectâs resources for this unworthy descendant.
This would severely impact his reputation.
Sometimes, a single blemish can overshadow numerous merits.
3:15 PM.
Tian Fen walked around for a while, and someone in the crowd nodded to him.
Then his expression slightly relaxed as he looked at Yi Xingshan before him.
"Junior Brother Yi, our Celestial Sword Sectâs rules have always been that oneâs abilities dictate oneâs treatment.
You who live in this secluded courtyard, enjoying the treatment of an Inner Sect Disciple with Pills and Cultivation Techniques,
Do you genuinely believe you deserve to be an Inner Sect Disciple of our Celestial Sword Sect?"
Tian Fen spoke lightly, full of confidence.