In the courtyard, after Patriarch Yun and the uncle left, Yun Shuang turned to look at Han.
"Han, yesterday, the servants from the mansion brought news.
On the Shen familyâs side, they want you to return to participate in the clan assessment."
Yun Shuangâs expression was slightly somber, seemingly a bit dissatisfied.
"Clan assessment?
Even the term sounds somewhat unfamiliar."
Han smiled, wondering where the Shen family got the audacity to ask him back for a clan assessment.
What qualifications do they have to assess him?
"Han, I think, if itâs possible, donât participate in the clan assessment this time.
The people of the Shen family, who knows what kind of schemes they are hiding in their minds.
Youâve just managed to return, and they havenât spoken a single kind word or shown any concern.
Sending someone to deliver a message, mentioning only the clan assessment.
Itâs simply absurd, who do they think they are?"
Madam Yun finished speaking and looked at Han.
According to ethics, Han still bears the surname Shen and has received the marquis inheritance of the Shen family.
Matters like the clan assessment should indeed be attended.
But Han had just escaped from danger and returned for only a few days.
He hadnât even fully rested, and they wanted Han to participate in this so-called clan assessment.
"Han, these days, Iâve heard some rumors.
Shen Yeâs broken leg, he invited a master craftsman from Yan Country to attach a prosthetic.
According to the rumors from the Shen Mansionâs servants, after attaching this prosthetic, Shen Yeâs strength gradually recovered.
It even improved, reaching the Fourth Grade!"
This news surprised Han a bit.
At the time, he had injured Shen Yeâs thigh with that poison sword.
Luo Zuchen had to cut off his right leg to save his life.
Could a broken leg have a chance to heal again?
The leg was poisoned, leading to total withering.
"His whole leg was severed, and it can heal?
And his strength can even advance?"
Han was genuinely curious about this.
As for this question, Madam Yun had indeed inquired about it.
"According to the transmitted news, Shen Ye admitted that he had a mysterious spirit bone inside him.
After being injured, it helps him recover.
Before, when his leg was broken, Shen Ye thought his spirit bone couldnât recover such a severe injury.
Only after attaching the mechanized prosthetic did his spirit bone reactivate.
And it became increasingly powerful..."
With these words, Yun Shuangâs face grew increasingly worried.
She felt that Han was likely to participate in his clanâs grand competition.
"Han, the clan assessment is held at the Shen family.
Who knows what theyâll come up with?
You donât know what Shen family said during the two years you were missing.
Those members of the Shen family were all secretly cursing you.
So vile and disgusting.
If you go back, theyâre sure to plot something against you."
Madam Yun thought it wouldnât be right not to share this information with Han.
After all, Han needed to be informed and make his own decision.
After saying it, Madam Yun hoped Han wouldnât go.
And upon hearing this, Han nodded in agreement.
"As the Third Madam said, we can come up with any excuse to refuse this Shen family competition.
Thereâs no reward, no benefit in winning, and I may even be plotted against.
Why should I trouble myself for them, Iâll find a reason to brush them off."
Hearing Hanâs response, Madam Yun also smiled and nodded, then went to make arrangements herself.
Han sat in the courtyard, pondering slightly in his mind.
Spirit bone...
This was the first time he had heard of such a thing.
Perhaps Shen Ye isnât the only one with this item.
Shen Yeâs master, Luo Zuchen, might have it too.
Every time Luo Zuchen fought, he never feared getting injured; in duels, he was always quite reckless.
Perhaps he too possesses a spirit bone.
Thinking of this, Hanâs plan in his heart gained another layer.
With Luo Zuchenâs incredible recovery ability,
If dealing with him, it would be unacceptable to only injure him; even a severe wound couldnât be taken lightly.
Under this recovery ability, Luo Zuchen must be completely annihilated.
Leaving a sliver of vitality might be setting a trap for himself.
Removing that so-called spirit bone from him would be the wisest course.
Han recalled Luo Zuchenâs usual conduct.
The saying goes, discard the dross, take the essence.
In how he acted, Han should also be thorough; dealing with him isnât over without erasing every trace.
In the next few days, Han spent his days idly chatting and playing around with Madam Yun and Cailing.
At night, he conversed with Shi Yuezhu.
After stepping into the Immortal Realm, every step forward requires a lot of time, effort, and resources.
Han understood this clearly and didnât spend all his time solely on cultivation.
When itâs time to spend time resting with the family, he did so properly.
Patriarch Yun and the uncle of the Yun family hadnât come out since they entered the Pill Room the day before yesterday; they continued their research inside.
During this resting period, Dean Tianyi arrived.
The courtyard had been set up with many refreshments.
Madam Yun asked the kitchen to prepare a dinner banquet, inviting Dean Tianyi to stay at the mansion for two days.
"Why write letters for no reason, child?
Iâve heard the news from others before I received your letter."
Though the words were a bit complaining, his heart was actually filled with joy.
The child he nurtured has always remembered him.
In the letter, Han had described the incident from back then.
Sitting in the courtyard, Dean Tianyi recounted his experience of two years ago.
Han had actually heard from Shi Yuezhu.
Luo Changping, with her extraordinary strength, single-handedly blocked both Dean Tianyi and Shi Yuezhu back in those days.
Han already knew all this.
"Dean, you donât need to feel guilty. No one could have predicted what happened two years ago.
Luo Changpingâs appearance and her strength, who could have known?
The events have passed, and the fact that I am standing alive in front of you is enough.â
Upon hearing this, Dean Tianyi also smiled.
Not meeting for two years, Han noticed the dean seemed to have aged.
From the Seventh Grade onwards, cultivators age much slower than ordinary people.
Not to mention, Dean Tianyi was already at the Second Grade of the Immortal Realm.
Logically, he shouldnât have aged so quickly.
"Has the academy been well these past two years?"
Han still had a deep attachment to Tianyi Academy.
It was his second home.
Hearing Hanâs words, Dean Tianyi showed a bitter smile.
"With the top student representing Tianyi Academy in trouble, how can the academy be well...
The disciples with talent all chose not to come to Tianyi Academy.
The image you had supported for the academy was completely lost by me..."
At this point, Dean Tianyi also sighed.
One thought Tianyi Academy was about to thrive, but no one expected such an outcome...
Seeing the deanâs disappointed look, Han thought for a moment.
"Dean, the academy competition should be taking place around this time, right?
If possible, could I participate?
Though it might sound a bit arrogant, I think I could help earn some prestige for the academy."
As he spoke, a smile appeared on Hanâs face.
But upon hearing this, Dean Tianyi shook his head.
"You just returned, child, you should rest well and have a doctor check for any residual issues from your injuries."
"Donât worry, Dean. After returning, my grandfather already had a physician examine me.
The body is perfectly fine; the slight wounds from two years ago have long healed."
As Han said this, he persuaded Dean Tianyi a bit.
The dean didnât inquire much about Hanâs strength; as long as Han was healthy, even if his realm hadnât completely recovered, it would still be enough to gain placement for Tianyi Academy in the competition.
After all, two years ago, when Han competed in the Ten Nations Grand Competition, he single-handedly defeated many geniuses from other major nations.
The stage of returning to a Sixth Grade Half-Step would be enough for the academy competition.
"If you donât find it burdensome, you could participate.
This year weâre the host of the academy competition.
The rules this year are simple: academy students challenge each other.
Their rankings are judged based on the points each academy earns.
Youâre twenty-two now, not yet twenty-three.
Participating in the academy competition, you surely can."