"It's just…" Lin Yan narrowed his eyes slightly.
"At the council, why would Huang Feng, a Rank 5 expert, deliberately make things difficult for me?"
Lin Yan quickly saw through the situation and vaguely grasped Huang Feng's intentions. His performance had been too outstanding. If he had only revealed a killer move, he might have been drawn into Huang Feng's camp. But being too exceptional meant something else—he could one day replace him.
A rising dragon always threatens the one already in the sky.
"Forget it… I'll choose my core Gu first."
Lin Yan set the matter aside, wrote a letter to Shan Shayuan requesting information on Flame Path Gu, and began to carefully consider his combat system.
At the same time, the three A-grade geniuses also learned of Lin Yan's situation. Lin Qingyao felt a deep sense of unease. "How is he this lucky? Another Red Steel Relic Gu… doesn't that mean he's already at Peak Rank 2?"
Unlike the others, she paid close attention to his Relic Gu. She clearly remembered that he had already obtained one when trading his killer move.
Meanwhile, she had spent three months cultivating painstakingly, only reaching mid Rank 2. Not only had the gap failed to close—it had widened. Back during the competition, she had still been ahead of him.
As for Huang Xi, the youngest son of the Clan Head, he showed no reaction at all. Losing the newcomer competition suited him just fine. Staying low-key and hiding one's strength—that was the true path of a king.
Lin Yan had no idea what the three A-grade geniuses were thinking, but to him, if he couldn't even leave those he had already surpassed far behind, then speaking of Immortal Ascension would be nothing but a joke.
At this moment, Shen Kuang arrived at the residence together with Shan Xia.
At the entrance, Aunt Liu stood gracefully, surrounded by several maids and servants. Seeing the two approaches, she stepped forward and bowed politely. "May I ask who you two are…?"
Shen Kuang's expression immediately darkened. He snorted coldly, "These juniors grow more arrogant by the day. I came personally, yet no one came out to receive me. Did you not receive the Family's notice?"
Aunt Liu quickly explained, "Young Master is not being negligent. He is currently in seclusion for a breakthrough and has instructed that he is not to be disturbed."
"Hmph!" Shen Kuang had not expected to be refused outright. His anger rose instantly as he fixed her with a cold stare. "Either Lin Yan comes out immediately, or I will enter myself."
Hearing this, a thin layer of sweat formed on Aunt Liu's forehead. The pressure was immense, yet she still held her ground.
"Breaking into a Gu Master's place of seclusion… goes against the Family's rules."
Shen Kuang laughed in anger, his expression turning grim as he stepped forward, clearly intending to force his way in. Just as the situation was about to escalate, Shan Xia sensed the danger and quickly stepped in to stop him.
At that moment, a calm voice drifted from the end of the street, carrying a faint chill, "At your age, you should be waiting quietly for death. Why come out and make a spectacle of yourself?"
The moment those words fell, Shen Kuang's face twisted with rage. He turned sharply and roared, "Who dares?!"
A tall, broad-shouldered middle-aged man stood there, arms crossed, his presence steady and unmoving.
Shen Kuang's eyes narrowed. "Shan Shayuan… you arrogant brat. No wonder Lin Yan shows no respect for his seniors. It runs in the family—both uncle and nephew are rebellious to the core."
"You old dog." Shan Shayuan's voice turned cold as he stepped forward. "You fear death, yet you don't consider the consequences. If that Human Elixir Gu recipe falls into the Family's hands, how many people like you will start harming innocent children to extend your lives? Would we still dare call ourselves righteous?"
"You're the one setting this precedent. When that happens, you'll be the sinner of the entire Family."
Shen Kuang's face flushed with fury as he snapped back, "Don't twist my words. You're the one hoarding the recipe—I'd say you're the one with ulterior motives."
"If individuals refine Human Elixir Gu, we can still deal with them. But if the Family itself starts refining it… who would dare stop it then?" Shan Shayuan said calmly.
"And enough nonsense. The Human Elixir Gu is with me. If you want it, either kneel and beg, or we fight. If I win, you take nothing. If I lose, you can have it—but you swear this matter ends here."
Hearing this, Shen Kuang's expression steadied, but his eyes were filled with killing intent. "Good… good… good. I'd like to see what this junior is capable of."
Shan Xia rubbed her forehead lightly, a headache forming. She hadn't expected things to escalate this far.
Inside the residence, Lin Yan had been observing everything. Seeing Shan Shayuan step in, he finally relaxed slightly, a cold sneer forming on his lips. He had no interest in dealing with such a malicious old dog himself. If not for his current lack of strength, he would have already beaten him senseless.
Before long, Shan Shayuan and Shen Kuang arrived at the training ground, and the news spread rapidly throughout the entire Family.
The Gu Masters were instantly stirred into excitement.
"What? Crazy Sand is challenging an Elder?"
"I heard it's over the Human Elixir Gu… something about extending lifespan."
"That's perfect! It's been a long time since we've seen a Rank 3 battle. Shan Shayuan has risen fiercely in recent years, and Shen Kuang is an old-generation expert—both are at Peak Rank 3, with strength close to Rank 4."
"Let's go watch!"