In the Rain Listening Pavilion, the maid Qingcao clutched the letter in her hand, still a bit hesitant.

"Miss...

The Patriarch has such an attitude towards Shen Han, yet you invite Shen Han to a duel. The Master will surely be furious..."

Su Jinyu's brows remained furrowed, already troubled by the rumors.

Meeting Shen Han today, he's still as glib as ever.

"Qingcao, you just need to send it out. If there's any problem, I'll take responsibility."

Hearing Su Jinyu's words, Qingcao slightly shook her head.

"Miss, it's not that Qingcao is afraid of punishment.

It's just that the Master did have some valid points today; Shen Han might really be important to the Su Family...

Moreover, the Moon Bamboo Peak Master often praises Shen Han in front of you. If she finds out, she'll definitely try to stop it."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu moved to the window and looked outside.

"My master went to Wuai Mountain to find something the day before yesterday; she won't be back for at least half a month.

As for my father, at most, he'll scold me once..."

In the past two days, Su Zhensheng had been strict with Su Jinyu several times, but she knew her father only spoke harshly.

He wouldn't really punish her.

Coddled since childhood, Su Jinyu had developed a bit of willfulness.

Seeing her mistress's insistence, Qingcao hesitated no longer and left the Rain Listening Pavilion with the invitation to duel.

...

A night passed, and when Shen Han woke up, it was already somewhat late.

Often like this, Shen Han had realized the reason.

Whenever he practiced "Unceasing Skill" at night, he would be extraordinarily fatigued the next day.

He often wouldn't wake up until nearly noon.

This "Unceasing Skill," which boosts recovery abilities, also came with its costs.

It required a vast amount of energy.

If energy were exhausted in battle, this "Unceasing Skill" would lose its effect.

Stepping out of the house, he found three of his classmates looking at him with seriousness.

"Brother Shen, you're the only one who can still sleep... This matter has spread throughout the entire Capital City..."

Chai Haifu held a letter in his hand and passed it to Shen Han.

Receiving the letter, Shen Han was somewhat confused.

He had only woken up a bit late, so it seemed he had missed something significant.

Opening the letter, it was Su Jinyu's handwriting.

Sword test, invitation to duel.

The letter was concise, with other implications passed on as hearsay.

"Brother Shen, did you say anything inappropriate when you met General Su yesterday?

Why is it that today, Su Jinyu invites you to duel...

Moreover, she declared boldly that if you lose, you shall never appear in her sight again.

You'd have to return to the Shen Mansion in Yun'an, live a reclusive life, confess daily in the Shen Family's ancestral hall, and offer sacrifices to the ancestors..."

Hearing this, Shen Han's expression didn't change much.

He merely asked one question, "What if she loses?"

"If Miss Su were to lose, you may name your terms, even if it means she becomes a servant or maid.

But Brother Shen, Miss Su, after all, bears the title of a prodigy.

Over a year ago, she seemed to have already stepped into the Sixth Grade Half-Step Realm.

Though she's a woman, Miss Su's Sword Dao prowess surpasses many renowned young sword dao experts in the Capital City.

At the beginning of the year, when she was still in the Capital City, many Sword Holders dared not draw their swords in front of her.

Having been without a worthy opponent for some time, she then went to Xiaoyao Peak for quiet cultivation...

Brother Shen, don't act impulsively..."

Chai Haifu looked at Shen Han with a face full of concern.

In youth, who isn't hot-blooded?

This invitation letter has been delivered right to his face, and it's become known throughout the entire Capital City.

Enduring and becoming a coward isn't something everyone can do; it requires courage.

Hearing Chai Haifu's advice, Shen Han simply smiled.

"My three classmates, rest assured. I have always acted with caution, there's no need to worry."

Hearing this, the three nodded.

Leaving the courtyard, Shen Han started towards Mr. Zhong Nan's courtyard.

On the way, he happened to encounter Mr. Zhong Nan, who was looking for him.

Upon meeting, Zhong Nan led Shen Han to his own courtyard.

"Coming to see me, it must be about Su Jinyu's challenge, right?

There are endless rumors between you and Su Jinyu now.

For her to challenge you at this time, she probably wants to clear the rumors in some way.

If that's how she wants to clear things up, let her be.

Shen Han, just consider this matter nonexistent; ignore her.

Since it's a challenge, there's no rule saying you can't refuse."

What Mr. Zhong Nan said was actually the most prudent approach.

Knowing Shen Han's nature, Mr. Zhong Nan wasn't too worried.

Shen Han had always been prudent in his actions; no need for lengthy explanations, and he'd never been impulsive.

But this time, hearing Mr. Zhong Nan, Shen Han bowed to him.

"Mr. Zhong, speaking of cultivation strength, I've also reached the Sixth Grade Realm.

I came to you to say one thing: I wish to accept this challenge..."

Upon hearing Shen Han's response, Zhong Nan was momentarily stunned.

He wanted to advise again, but upon seeing the determination in Shen Han's eyes, he held back.

This duel, Shen Han had already decided to accept.

He came to see Zhong Nan today, worried that in doing so, he'd disrupt the academy's plans for the competition.

Now, having stepped into the Sixth Grade Fruit Realm, which exceeds the strength realm displayed by Su Jinyu by one level.

Facing her provocation and challenge, why dodge?

Moreover, on the path of cultivation, to leap from Sixth Grade to Fifth Grade, he also needed a vast array of trials and tribulations.

Since Su Jinyu has come to challenge him, he might as well treat it as a trial...

Zhong Nan discussed with the principal, and in the end, nodded as well.

...

Perhaps to avoid Su Zhensheng's reproach, just by 7:00 AM, Su Jinyu had left the Rain Listening Pavilion with her maid.

Seemingly inadvertently, they walked towards the Mountain Sea Academy.

After hesitating for a moment, she then headed towards Shen Ye's courtyard.

Before reaching the courtyard gate, Shen Ye's scholar greeted her from afar.

"As Young Master Ye predicted, Fairy Jinyu indeed arrived today~

The young master has prepared some tea and snacks; I hope the fairy won't mind."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu couldn't help but feel a bit pleasantly surprised.

She knew Shen Ye had little interest in tea and such.

This preparation was truly for welcoming her.

A smile naturally appeared at the corner of her mouth.

Stepping into the small courtyard, Su Jinyu, for some reason, felt much more at ease.

The courtyard door was pushed open from inside, and Shen Ye emerged.

"Brother Ye...

It's been a while since we last met..."

With a hint of nostalgia, thoughts of her father's words crossed her mind, leaving her slightly worried.

The Shen and Su families were no longer as close as they once were.

Inviting Su Jinyu to sit, Shen Ye's face bore a trace of regret.

"I should apologize.

At the time of the annulment, I was in seclusion, and in the end, it was the Su Family that bore the cost..."

"Brother Ye need not worry; the Shen Family has already compensated the Su Family.

The blame does not rest with Brother Ye."

At this, the topic of the annulment was not further discussed.

Today's visit was naturally to talk about the duel.

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