The marriage arrangement between Su Jinyu and Shen Han of the Shen Family was originally just a farce, a struggle at the imperial court.

According to the original plan, this engagement should have been canceled long ago.

Now, at the end of the Winter Month, the engagement is still intact.

"After the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, if this engagement is still not annulled, then I won't stop my brother anymore."

A hint of determination appeared on Su Jinyu's face.

Su Hongyi of the Su Family had actually long wanted to go to the Shen Family to use his military merits to exchange for Shen Han's annulled engagement due to his disability.

Faced with her brother's plan, Su Jinyu originally felt a bit reluctant.

She kept persuading her brother.

But as the engagement dragged on, it was soon approaching the twelfth lunar month.

In the middle of the twelfth lunar month, that is when the wedding is supposed to take place.

Even if she felt reluctant, Su Jinyu knew that this engagement must be annulled.

The person she had thoughts and feelings for was Shen Ye of the Shen Family, not the despised Shen Han.

Since he kept entangling, he could only be made to suffer.

"Miss should have done this long ago. Even the Shen Family themselves dislike Shen Han, it's likely because his character is inferior.

Ao'Er, upon returning to the Capital City, often mentioned him to me, saying how extremely detestable Shen Han is.

He can speak nonsense at will, the dirty affairs of Madam Xie in the Shen Mansion are just fabricated by Shen Han."

Hearing this, Su Jinyu frowned even more.

The rumors about Madam Xie of the second branch of the Shen Family and a family servant had spread to the Capital City.

In brothels and teahouses, such stories about noble ladies and family servants are especially popular and widely spread.

It turns out these rumors were concocted by Shen Han.

"Who would have thought that Shen Han is such a contemptible person? He deserves to be disabled."

Su Jinyu said coldly, evaluating Shen Han's character.

While speaking, the maid beside Su Jinyu had already finished dressing her up.

Her black hair was all tied up, adorned with two bejeweled hairpins.

With a light makeup, her starry eyes sparkled, her pretty face was flawless like jade.

Any gentleman would involuntarily stop to take a few more glances.

The number of men who would envy those who could become close to her is countless.

After dressing up, the two of them boarded a rather luxurious carriage headed for Heyang City.

This carriage was different from those Shen Han had previously ridden, with the road's bumps making it uncomfortable.

Upon leaving the Capital City, a shadow appeared under the horse's hooves.

The shadow looked like a flat road, lifting the carriage into the air.

Looking up, it was as if a carriage was running in the sky, a truly spectacular sight.

The distance between Anyang City and Heyang City was already very close, it took about three hours in the carriage to reach Heyang City.

Just from the outside, Heyang City seemed much more imposing than Anyang City.

The city walls were much higher, exuding a certain majesty.

The outside of the city was bustling as well.

Because of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, many people had come to witness the grand event.

Many families, even if they didn't have younger members participating in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, would bring their own family members to see and experience it.

A child prodigy like Shen Ao, from the Shen Family, came to Heyang City to witness the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering at the age of eight.

Following her uncle, Shen Han and Cailing walked into the city.

They encountered no obstacles, Heyang City's governance was clear and straightforward, allowing entry into the city after a simple check.

Passing through the city walls, before them was the bustling Heyang City.

The main road was extremely wide, able to accommodate at least four carriages side by side.

On both sides of the road were various shops, taverns, inns, teahouses, fabric stores...

Aside from shops, there were many vendors along the way as well.

Just a glance gave a lively and comfortable feeling of life.

Upon stepping into Heyang City, Cailing's eyes widened.

There were many stalls selling snacks and sweets around, looking tempting after such a long carriage ride.

Shen Han chuckled, spoke with her uncle, then ran to the side to buy a bag of snacks.

He handed it over to Cailing.

"If you want something, just say so. If I'm not observant enough, I may miss it."

"Thank you, Young Master Han~"

Cailing smiled sweetly, courteously taking the snacks and putting them in her mouth.

They seemed to be some kind of glutinous rice pastry, soft and sticky, sprinkled with sesame and peanut crumbs on top.

Taking a bite, it had a chewy texture along with a hint of crispiness.

After eating a piece, Cailing picked up another piece and handed it to Shen Han.

Shen Han readily took it and put it in his mouth.

Back at the Shen Mansion, the two of them often shared food like this.

"Why do you kids like these things? Uncle will take you to the Heyang Tavern to taste fine delicacies~"

Following the Uncle from the Yun Family, they soon arrived at a luxurious tavern.

Looking at the tavern before him, Shen Han thought it might be the tallest tavern he had ever seen in Great Wei.

It stood twelve stories high.

Each level was ornately carved with jade and stone, with rows of lanterns hanging from the eaves, looking grand.

The three of them entered the tavern, and a young attendant immediately greeted them warmly.

They chose a table by the window, ordered food, and sat down.

If not for Shen Han holding his uncle back, they might have ordered much more.

The Yun Family didn't lack money.

"Is this your first time participating in the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering? Do you know much about it?"

Shen Han hesitated for a moment, saying he wasn't very familiar, though he had inquired about it.

He just didn't know much.

"The Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering is essentially a showcase for young talents of Great Wei.

Geniuses from various families of Great Wei are expected to have come here at some point,"

the uncle from the Yun Family paused before continuing.

"The main event of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering is of course Stepping into the Thousand Autumns.

Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, simply put, involves climbing a thousand-layered stone step.

Each layer is called Ten Autumns, with a hundred layers making the Thousand Autumns."

Upon hearing this, Shen Han couldn't help but furrow his brow.

Climbing the steps...

It shouldn't be that simple.

Little Cailing, hearing this, couldn't help but interject, "Though climbing a hundred layers of steps sounds tiring, I feel like I can do it..."

"Those are no ordinary steps,"

the Yun Family uncle chuckled, "Ordinary steps would be a breeze for martial arts cultivators, taking less than half a moment to finish.

But in reality, since the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering began more than two hundred years ago, no young person has completed it."

For over two hundred years, no one had completed it...

Despite the countless geniuses in the world, none had finished it.

"Don't think Stepping into the Thousand Autumns is merely climbing steps; each step takes you into another void realm created by the Thousand Autumns steps.

Those with weaker spiritual power can't even manage one step; as soon as they step on it, they experience a splitting headache..."

Shen Han listened intently, memorizing all this information.

Particularly about how each step led to another realm, was it like the world created by the Gen Mountain Secret Technique within one's consciousness?

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