After passing the first twenty layers, Shen Han's speed of ascending each layer began to quicken.

With a mind both void and focused.

Attending this Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, Shen Han realized that achieving this Void Spirit Realm was indeed a substantial gain.

Future visualization and studies would greatly benefit from it.

The crow of the rooster rang out, and the sky was already beginning to brighten.

Without hesitation, Shen Han took another step upward.

At the forty-third layer, as both feet landed on the steps, his consciousness once again entered a vast world.

Void Spirit Realm greatly enhances one's concentration.

So much so that the flow of time during visualization differed from that of the real world.

Although several hours seemed to pass in this vast world, in reality, only half an hour had passed.

Just as he steadied himself in the world, a phantom emerged from behind.

Holding a large saber, its momentum fierce, it charged ferociously at him.

Shen Han focused slightly, and a shadow of a sword instantly appeared in his hand.

Grasping the sword hilt, he advanced against the saber's momentum.

In this vast world, Shen Han had no worries about his techniques being exposed.

Especially his most mysterious Celestial Dao Sword Momentum, here, it would go as he wished.

This was no longer about Stepping into the Thousand Autumns; it was clearly his own sword training ground.

"Divine Sword Breaks Earth Momentum!"

The sword shadow pierced through the ground, and in an instant, the opponent wielding the saber was penetrated.

His consciousness retreated, and he regained his senses.

Without hesitation, Shen Han took another step upward.

Forty-fourth layer...

On the outskirts of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, the mustached middle-aged man hurriedly picked up the communication treasure and once more sent a message to the Shen Mansion in Yun'an City.

Since last night, after Shen Han had passed the thirtieth layer, he had been messaging the Shen Mansion continuously.

But those at the Shen Mansion had all gone to rest early, not even giving a response.

Now, even though it was past 7:00 AM, if no one was there last night, someone should be paying attention to these messages this morning.

After sending messages three times in a row, there was finally a reply from the Shen Mansion.

[Shen Han has already passed the forty-third layer, report this to the Old Dowager swiftly!]

Clutching the message, Cai Xue hurried to the dining hall.

In the dining hall, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family was leisurely enjoying her breakfast.

The Old Dowager hadn't practiced the Martial Path, but through years of a privileged life, her health was quite well maintained.

Her appetite was good, and she could eat quite a lot every day.

"Why the hurry? One must maintain decorum at home."

Seeing Cai Xue rushing over, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family couldn't help but admonish her a bit.

Cai Xue took a deep breath, calmed down for a moment, then leaned toward the Old Dowager's ear.

"Old Dowager, Heyang City's side just sent a message saying that Young Master Han he..."

"Fell from the Thousand-Autumn steps? But he did endure for some time and reached the twentieth layer?"

The Old Dowager of the Shen Family picked up the napkin beside her and wiped her mouth.

"To advance to the Peak of Grade Eight in four months, reaching twenty layers with such strength is also commendable..."

Before the Old Dowager could finish speaking, Cai Xue couldn't hold back and interrupted:

"Old Dowager, you misunderstood, Young Master Han didn't fall, he is becoming steadier, the latest message says he's already reached the forty-third layer..."

The Old Dowager of the Shen Family turned her head, with some disbelief.

Seeing this expression, Cai Xue repeated herself.

She was certain she had heard clearly, indeed forty-three layers.

The Old Dowager unconsciously froze for a moment.

This girl Cai Xue had been by her side for years, always extremely reliable, hardly ever making mistakes.

If she said so, then Heyang City must truly have sent such news.

With her cane in hand, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family hurriedly asked Cai Xue to support her to the main hall.

Before the sound transmission magical artifact, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family personally inquired across.

A reply was received shortly.

"To the Old Dowager, Young Master Han just ascended the forty-fifth layer..."

Forty-fifth layer...

Hearing this number, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family was momentarily stunned, as if a flash of white light crossed before her eyes.

It was completely unexpected.

Before resting last night, Shen Han had taken a quarter of an hour to pass even one layer.

The higher, it should be slower.

How come after one night, he ascended over forty layers!

There was a trace of anger on the Old Dowager of the Shen Family's face, turning her head to look at the household servants surrounding her.

"Why wasn't the message delivered last night!"

The group of servants dared not speak, their heads bowed, occasionally glancing at Cai Xue.

Soon, Madam He and Madam Xie, upon hearing the news, hurriedly arrived at the main hall.

"Old Dowager, has Shen Han really ascended over forty layers?"

A hint of unease filled Madam He's heart, ever since the start of the Thousand-Autumn Grand Gathering, her eyelids had been twitching.

Looking at the Old Dowager's expression, she got no answer from her, but understood it to be true.

"He won't really be able to surpass Su Jinyu, will he..."

Shen Lingsheng once promised Shen Han that if he could prove himself better than Su Jinyu, the cost of breaking the engagement would not fall on him.

If it came true, how should the engagement be annulled?

The Old Dowager of the Shen Family tapped her cane on the ground twice.

"To be able to ascend over forty layers, it must be that troublemaker's limit.

Su Jinyu, after all, is renowned as a prodigy, how could he possibly be inferior."

The Old Dowager of the Shen Family spoke to reassure Madam He and Madam Xie.

But in actuality, her heart was uneasy.

The Shen Family had been military through generations, with Patriarch Shen Qingshan and his three sons all stationed outside.

In essence, everything at the Shen Mansion fell under her, the Old Dowager of the Shen Family's, control.

Ever since a prodigy, Shen Ye, emerged, Patriarch Shen Qingshan had placed greater trust in the Old Dowager of the Shen Family.

In past years, upon returning home for the year-end, when discussing how the younger generation was faring in their cultivation, and who among them deserved special focus,

Patriarch Shen would always listen to the Old Dowager's words.

Take Shen Ao, for instance, a mere child, lacking even basic etiquette.

The reason he received such attention from the Shen Family was mostly due to the Old Dowager's praise before the patriarch.

Yet in all these years, whenever she mentioned Shen Han, the Old Dowager's words were dismissive.

Even in the presence of her own third son, Shen Han's father, Shen Lingsheng, she would say Shen Han lacked talent and was unlikely to succeed.

Not acknowledging that Shen Han's lack of talent in the Martial Path was due to her never allowing him to practice it.

Previously, Shen Han was always silent, living alone in the small courtyard on the east side.

He had little opportunity to partake in grand gatherings or contests.

His hidden talent couldn't be discerned.

One silent, explosive moment became startling.

Within Stepping into the Thousand Autumns, even with unexpected factors, the achievements carried an element of luck.

But to suddenly ascend over forty layers, it shocked the Old Dowager of the Shen Family.

Shen Han's performance, even if due to luck, indicated some ability.

Wouldn't that imply the Old Dowager had been blind all along, never realizing the family had such a talent?

Not discovering was one thing, but treating Shen Han so poorly was another...

What if this achievement reached Patriarch Shen Qingshan's ears, or even those of her own third son's?

What would happen...

Would they hold her accountable...

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