7:00 PM.

After the Spring Equinox, the nights darkened much later.

But once it reached 7:00 PM, every household in the Capital City lit up their lamps.

Su Jinyu and her maid Qingcao returned to the Rain Listening Pavilion at this time.

Upon entering the courtyard, Su Jinyu discovered that Su Zhensheng was sitting on a stone chair, waiting silently for her.

"Father..."

As she approached Su Zhensheng, she had a feeling she would surely be scolded.

But today, Su Zhensheng remained silent.

Outside the railing, the lantern light from the bamboo lamps by the roadside cast shadows on Su Zhensheng's face.

His face was expressionless, as if frozen.

"Father..."

At another call, Su Zhensheng moved slightly.

"Do you really think so highly of Shen Han...

What exactly makes him excel? He's merely borrowing the power of the Yun Family..."

Upon hearing Su Jinyu's words, Su Zhensheng let out a sigh.

"Jinyu, in terms of cultivation, Shen Han is not superior to you.

This invitation to battle, I suppose he can't even withstand a single strike from you.

But your strength, in the future, unless you step into the rumored First Grade, capable of facing a nation on your own.

Even stepping into the Immortal Realm, it's hard to escape the constraints of the court.

If Shen Han climbs to a high position in the future, you can protect your own safety, but what about the vast Su Family?

What will the other members of the Su Family do..."

Upon hearing this, Su Jinyu felt a sense of defiance.

"Will he definitely reach a high position?"

Su Zhensheng nodded: "Tianyi Academy has the support of the Imperial Family, and over the years, more and more of its students are entering the court.

Shen Han's temperament is steady, and even somewhat mature beyond his years.

If he is careful, it's almost impossible to catch him in any impolite act.

Such a person will thrive in the court.

What usually takes years of grinding to learn, he might already understand clearly."

Saying this, Su Zhensheng's gaze again fell on Su Jinyu.

"Despite saying so much, you'll probably just think I'm nagging.

Right now in your eyes, there should only be Shen Ye.

These are your own choices, and since you've decided, you can only continue on this path."

After speaking, Su Zhensheng stood up and left the Rain Listening Pavilion.

With nothing but such expressions of discontent, what else could he do, his own child...

...

The invitation to battle was set for Noon on the fifth day.

In the Martial Arts Arena of Tianyi Academy, many had already gathered early to wait.

Watching the excitement seemed to have a certain allure, attracting many onlookers.

Though they had nothing to do with this invitation to battle, and came not to observe Sword Techniques.

Purely to see the spectacle, which was enough to draw a crowd.

Many from Tianyi Academy arrived early to secure a good spot.

Chai Haifu and his two companions also rose early, arriving more than two hours ahead of Shen Han, the person involved.

As dawn broke, the surrounding people chattered endlessly.

The trio listened to a lot, but among those discussing the battle, hardly anyone had confidence in Shen Han...

Listening carefully in several places, they finally heard someone on the south side mention Shen Han's strengths.

"Don't think this battle is without suspense. Shen Han previously won against Su Jinyu in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

Though it wasn't a true competition, it still showed Shen Han's remarkable potential.

Moreover, he defeated the Tutor Dugu Tian from Tianyi Academy.

You should know, Dugu Tian is a Fifth Grade master..."

Chai Haifu and his companions' eyes brightened, surprised to find someone who recognized Shen Han's potential.

Just as they were about to speak, someone stood out from behind.

"Don't be fooled by him; this person is from the West Garden Gambling House.

Today's battle is overwhelmingly uneven, and few placed bets at the gambling house.

Even those who did bet, mostly bet on Su Jinyu to win.

The gambling house couldn't profit, so they sent people everywhere, spouting nonsense, just to boast about Shen Han."

On hearing this, the person who had just praised Shen Han changed their expression instantly.

Perhaps seeing the speaker dressed elegantly, with some background.

With a cold glance, they merged into the crowd and left.

Seeing this, Chai Haifu couldn't help but sigh.

Indeed, the price of failure in this battle was heavy.

If Su Jinyu lost, according to her, she would let Shen Han make any demands, even becoming a servant.

Daring to set such terms, she wouldn't lose.

Just a moment before Noon, Shen Han arrived.

Walking into the Martial Arts Arena, he remained calm and composed.

The onlooking men gazed at Shen Han with mocking expressions.

Conversely, many women showed a hint of concern upon seeing Shen Han.

In their imaginations, Shen Han might have seemed timid and unsightly.

But upon seeing him today, they found Shen Han rather handsome.

Several female students from Mountain Sea Academy also came to observe, naturally comparing Shen Han to Shen Ye upon seeing him.

In fact, Shen Han looked a bit better...

A moment after Noon, the crowd parted to make a path.

Su Jinyu stepped into the Martial Arts Arena.

Accompanying her was Shen Ye.

Seeing this scene, Qiu Shuyin's eyes almost burned with envy.

Beside her, Fu Meng'Er felt similarly, holding some disdain for Su Jinyu.

With the main characters present, everyone fell silent, looking toward the Martial Arts Arena.

Compared to that night's banquet, today Su Jinyu was remarkably calm, even looking at Shen Han with a hint of indifference.

A spring breeze carried the scent of violets.

"I never understood why you held such great resentment towards the Shen Family.

After speaking with Brother Ye these days, I finally understand.

Actually, I get it: it's not the lack, but the inequality that bothers you. The Shen Family spent vast resources on Brother Ye, neglecting you.

It's normal to harbor resentment."

Su Jinyu paused here, looking at Shen Han.

She thought what she understood was the truth.

"But the resentment you hold stems from your own narrow-mindedness.

Ask yourself, would the Shen Family cultivate you over Brother Ye?

The Shen Family may favor Brother Ye, but as the elder brother, he's always remembered brotherly bonds.

When you were to be sacrificed back then, Brother Ye promised the Shen Family would take care of you for life..."

Before the battle, a lengthy monologue to assert one's righteousness.

Hearing this, Shen Han couldn't help but laugh: "Take care of me for a lifetime?

Why wouldn't he end up crippled, and I would take care of him forever, too."

Su Jinyu shook her head slightly as if she anticipated this, glancing at Shen Ye with helplessness.

The next moment, her gaze turned sharp.

A long sword flashed blue, suddenly appearing.

With a flick of the wrist, the sword's edge was drawn.

Like lightning, like a dream, the sword sliced through, dragging like a dragon.

The onlookers were dazed, as Su Jinyu unsheathed her sword with such might...

Even though they were just watching, the pressure was not exerted upon them.

The name of a prodigy, the number one in this generation's Sword Dao, lives up to its reputation!

If you find any errors ( broken links, non-standard content, etc.. ), Please let us know < report chapter > so we can fix it as soon as possible.