5:00 AM, got up.

The sky outside was just beginning to brighten slightly.

However, inside the Heyang Tavern, it was already bustling.

Many people staying in the tavern had come from other places to Heyang City, just to witness the grand occasion of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

They went early to the event site to secure a good spot.

Cailing also got up early, remembering the instructions Madam Yun had given her.

Take care of Shen Han's daily affairs.

However, during this outing, Shen Han didn't need her assistance at all.

Living alone in the remote courtyard of the Shen Mansion for so long, how could he possibly not take care of himself?

The uncle from the Yun Family had also prepared himself.

The three of them had some breakfast at the Heyang Tavern and then headed to the location of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

Once outside the tavern, even if you didn't know the way, you could find the event site just by following the crowd.

Following the crowd all the way east of Heyang City.

Looking up eastward, there was a tall mountain standing.

Heyang City was built by the mountain.

The mountain stretched and enveloped the entire eastern side of Heyang City.

After walking for a while, they arrived at the easternmost part of Heyang City.

There was the foot of the mountain.

Looking up from below, there was a steep staircase.

This should be the steps one needed to ascend for the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns.

The staircase was even more dangerous than imagined.

Shen Han felt that if an ordinary person were to come, they would need to crawl rather than walk.

After walking several dozen steps, looking back, those who hadn't cultivated the Martial Path would probably tremble with fear.

"Young master, why is each step of this staircase so high..."

The steep staircase, just the sight of it left Cailing, the young girl, somewhat frightened.

"Compared to getting physically harmed, this isn't that frightening."

Looking at Cailing, Shen Han joked with a smile.

Hearing the joke, Cailing seemed even more worried.

"Take care..."

With a worried look on her face, her brows furrowed together.

Shen Han gently pinched her little braid, smiling as he patted it.

"Your young master is much more impressive than you think, don't worry~"

Finishing his words, Shen Han held the invitation to the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering and walked to the center of the event.

People surrounded him in circles.

The Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering wasn't a formal competition, but the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns could give people much insight.

Therefore, many outstanding youths of Great Wei often came to participate.

Others came to observe, hoping to see whether the major families had successors.

If they spotted someone suitable, they could even form alliances or friendships through marriage.

After showing the invitation in his hand, Shen Han wasn't stopped and wrote down his name and place of origin, walking into the center of the event.

"Yun'an City, Shen Han..."

The scholar responsible for recording on the side seemed to have seen something incredible.

His eyes lit up, inadvertently speaking out loud.

The surrounding spectators, hearing this, also cast their eyes on Shen Han.

One by one, they whispered to each other.

"Yun'an City, with the surname Shen... Could he be related to Shen Ye?"

"I feel he's Shen Ye's cousin, I wonder if he's as talented as Shen Ye."

"If he's Shen Ye's cousin, his achievements surely won't be far off."

The crowd whispered among themselves, their words filled with admiration for Shen Ye.

In the center of the event, several square platforms were set up.

The platforms were made with excellent materials and craftsmanship, probably quite expensive.

People continued to enter, and the previously vacant platforms gradually filled up with people.

Shen Han looked around, and saw that there were about two hundred platforms in the center of the event.

It seemed that the qualification to participate was quite hard to obtain.

It seemed his debt to Liu Xilan had deepened a bit.

Around 7:00 AM, a middle-aged man with a heroic presence came before the people.

From Shen Han's understanding of his introduction, this seemed to be the organizer of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, Captain Ye of Heyang City.

He looked around, seeing that nearly all of the more than two hundred platforms were occupied.

Only a few at the very front were empty.

The middle-aged captain began to introduce the origin of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

Over two hundred years ago, there was a great figure of Great Wei, known posthumously as the Immortal Heyang.

After stepping into the Second Grade of the Immortal Realm, this great figure of Great Wei was very selfless.

On the side of the high mountain east of Heyang City, he created the mystical Thousand Autumn Steps.

Every step represented his enlightenment back then, a reflection of his life.

At the same time, he left this as a help to the younger generation of Great Wei, aiding the advancement of the young generation.

After a long talk, a group of attendants brought in vessels with wine.

They filled each participant's glass to toast to the Immortal Heyang, the sage.

Shen Han raised his glass, his heart filled with a sense of reverence and respect.

He wasn't as selfless as the sages, but he should express his respect for their selflessness.

After the toast, the attendants began bringing in plates of snack foods.

The platforms were soon filled with them.

Not far away on the pavilion.

This was a perfect place to watch the scenes of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering unfold below.

Originally meant to be in the center of the event, Su Jinyu was now standing by the pavilion.

"Miss, that's Shen Han.

He does look more handsome than expected..."

Standing next to Su Jinyu, her maid Qingcao pointed towards the center of the event.

It was the first time for both of them to see Shen Han.

From Shen Ao's earlier description, they had thought he was a sleazy man full of nonsense.

Unexpectedly, he was different from what Shen Ao had described.

Regardless of personality.

His looks and appearance were... not bad...

Hearing her maid's comment, Su Jinyu didn't say much, though she thought the same inside.

Previously, she might have listened with prejudice.

On the platform, plates of exquisite snacks were laid before them.

At the same time, a huge painting was unveiled at the very front.

The painting depicted a majestic high mountain, with a clear stream flowing beneath it.

The sides of the stream were lush and green.

By the roadside, it seemed like a couple, hand in hand, playing by the stream.

The middle-aged captain from earlier stepped out again.

"Everyone, this painting was personally done by the Immortal Heyang during his lifetime. The principles it contains are for the young people to understand on their own.

The snacks on the platform were also once favored by the Immortal Heyang, who would always sample them during his enlightenment sessions.

All of you here are welcome to taste, and if you'd like to take some with you, you can."

With these words, other participants around him focused on the painting.

Shen Han picked up a piece of snack, tasting it. It had a crispy texture, yet the surface was coated with a layer of soft sweetness.

The mix of flavors brought a unique taste.

"For the next two hours, you all can meditate and comprehend on your own; after noon, it will be time to Step into the Thousand Autumns."

With the captain's words, the people sitting by the platforms started to relax.

Admiring the painting by the Immortal Heyang, and tasting the sage's favorite snacks, it seemed they hoped people would gain insights from it.

To possibly advance further in the Stepping into the Thousand Autumns.

Shen Han tried a piece of each snack stacked neatly.

Since quite a bit remained, he took out a piece of cloth, preparing to wrap up the leftovers to bring back for Cailing to try.

From the distant pavilion, Su Jinyu and her maid watched this scene, both couldn't help frown.

"Miss, that Shen Han... he really intends to take the snacks, this is so embarrassing..."

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