Stepping into Wutong Villa, Shen Han looked at his own seat.

Still in the back left corner.

Even though he showed some talent at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, this treatment hasn't changed at all~

That's what he says, but in reality, the treatment has indeed changed.

In the past, sitting in the corner meant that no one would care about his feelings.

But today Shen Han noticed that the family servants frequently came over to serve him tea.

Among the Shen Family's upper echelons, he still wasn't welcomed.

However, in the eyes of the servants, they no longer dared to treat him as they once did.

The two guards accompanying Shen Han were stopped outside Wutong Villa, not allowed to enter.

Yet Shi Yuezhu, the Sword Immortal of Xiaoyao Peak, seemed to be guarding Shen Han, which the Shen Family was displeased with, but they dared not stop her.

Upon entering the villa, Shi Yuezhu realized her seat was actually in the front row.

But she did not hesitate, choosing to stand beside Shen Han.

Seeing this, Shen Qingshan's face slightly darkened, yet he did not speak further.

Around 3:00 PM, most of the Shen family members who were supposed to arrive had already arrived.

Before the competition began, Madam He led a child running into the villa.

As they walked towards their seat, the child's gaze was fixated on Shen Han.

With a fierce look in his eyes, he seemed to see Shen Han as a mortal enemy.

"My apologies, Patriarch, Ao'Er was delayed due to heavy study in the capital."

Upon hearing this, Shen Qingshan did not criticize or punish but simply nodded, gesturing for Shen Ao to sit down.

"At the end of the Winter Month, Shen Han ascended eighty steps at the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering.

Though there was some luck involved, it was still quite impressive.

When I heard the news, even while in the military, I often wondered.

If Shen Han could climb eighty steps at the gathering, why can't our other younger generation?

Perhaps their talents simply hadn't been revealed yet because we, as elders, didn't nurture them well."

Shen Qingshan's words were skillfully phrased, taking a step back to advance two steps forward.

"Today, during the family competition, the Shen family juniors should give their all. If talent is displayed, the Shen family will make every effort to nurture it."

Hearing these words, the previously tense Shen family juniors felt somewhat encouraged.

"This year, the competition will not be conducted with my examination and assessment.

These two young talents were invited by your elder brother, Shen Ye, to assist in our family competition."

"The competition method is simple: spar with these two young talents.

I, along with other elders, will keenly observe your talents and potential.

The outstanding will be rewarded, while the unsatisfactory will be punished!"

After Shen Qingshan's words, he instructed the servants to serve some refreshments and tea for everyone to enjoy while watching.

A large open space was cleared in the center of Wutong Villa.

The young man called Phoenix Fool was already standing there, holding a bamboo stick.

The many grandchildren of the Shen family glanced at Phoenix Fool, then exchanged looks with each other.

None dared to step forward recklessly.

Seeing this, Shen Qingshan's face darkened slightly.

With a wave of his hand, Shen Xuan, the second young master of the Shen family, was pushed into the arena by an invisible force.

"Give it your all, no need to feel too pressured."

After Shen Qingshan's words, Shen Xuan no longer hesitated, wielding a folding fan as he made his move.

The folding fan, considered a surprise attack weapon.

If used without a brilliant cultivation technique, it would be quite ineffective.

Far less sharp than conventional weapons.

Shen Xuan's position in the Shen family had always been awkward; as the second son, but with Shen Ye ahead as a prodigy, he had no chance to shine.

However, he never cared about it; Shen Xuan had no interest in power.

There was only one thing about him: he was a womanizer.

He practiced with the folding fan mainly because it looked good and could win favor from the ladies in town.

As long as he could remain a young master in the Shen family, he didn't care who inherited it.

In the center of the villa, the two of them exchanged formal greetings.

Shen Xuan didn't hesitate for long before making his move.

The folding fan pointed forward, unfolded, closed, and struck.

One had to admit that in wielding the folding fan as such a surprise attack weapon, Shen Xuan had practiced it fairly well.

Faced with Shen Xuan's techniques, Phoenix Fool dodged and sidestepped.

He would occasionally tap Shen Xuan lightly, clearly holding back.

His demeanor indeed gave Shen Qingshan ample opportunity to observe thoroughly.

Only the Shen family members observing Shen Xuan's performance couldn't help but lightly shake their heads.

His techniques might be graceful, but they're far from being effective in combat...

Shen Qingshan's expression gradually shifted from initial anticipation to disappointment.

Noticing Shen Qingshan glancing away, Phoenix Fool tapped gently with his right hand.

Shen Xuan stumbled, his footing unsteady, and nearly fell.

Phoenix Fool didn't let him lose face, supporting him so he didn't fall.

The first in the Shen family to make a move lost without any suspense.

Nevertheless, seeing that Shen Xuan lost gracefully, the younger generations of the Shen family seemed to have calmed down considerably.

Their greatest fear was going up there and losing instantly.

Remember, they are members of the Shen family.

Even in defeat, they must maintain their dignity.

The person invited by Shen Ye was certainly considerate.

He knew how to preserve the Shen family's reputation.

After Shen Xuan, the subsequent Shen family juniors felt much more at ease.

They simply displayed their skills, attacking Phoenix Fool.

The strongest among them was only Eighth Grade...

And even this Eighth Grade strength was achieved through ample Pill resources.

Against Phoenix Fool, they were overwhelmingly outmatched, even just in terms of technique.

At first, Shen Qingshan remained composed, but seeing his grandchildren...

Each move was feeble, lacking the demeanor of a Martial Arts cultivator.

Even those pursuing scholarly cultivation couldn't manage it.

They couldn't even summon a simple illusory phenomenon.

Seeing this, Madam Shen's expression turned unpleasant, yet she felt some relief.

The relief stemmed from the fact that the Shen family's lack of accomplishment lay in the juniors' poor talent, not her oversight as their matriarch.

The unpleasantness came from Madam Shen's annual end-of-year habit of only reporting good news, not worries.

Claiming the juniors had performed outstandingly, assuring Shen Qingshan not to worry.

The current performance only proved that her past statements were mere nonsense.

In contrast, Shen Han, often reprimanded by Madam Shen, displayed far superior talent and strength compared to other young masters and ladies.

"Next!"

It seemed Shen Qingshan found it hard to watch, allowing for a change even before Phoenix Fool could defeat him.

The next to step forward was Shen Lei.

Having taken a Pill early, Shen Lei's strength had indeed improved significantly.

But the cost of this improvement was not small.

As soon as Shen Lei took a step, Phoenix Fool noticed something amiss.

"General Shen, this young master may not be fit for a match with me today..."

Phoenix Fool put it very politely.

This type of Pill, while enhancing strength, had severe side effects.

Moreover, during this period, the greater the physical exertion, the greater the side effects would be.

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