Facing Liu Xilan's inquiry, Shen Fu pursed her lips and recounted the tale of Shen Han's mother's escape and the fortune teller's predictions.
Upon hearing the reason, Liu Xilan frowned even more.
"The grudges of the previous generation must be passed on to the next, mustn't they..."
"He and his farmer mother are the same, detested by everyone. In any case, everyone dislikes him.
Sister Xilan, it's better if you stay away from him too; he truly brings calamity.
Besides, the Su Family Fairy will certainly not marry him. The Imperial Family's arranged marriage will be annulled no matter what!"
Shen Fu spoke with a firm tone, as if she knew some inside information.
"Also, Sister Xilan, you should wash up. Shen Han's courtyard is somewhat smelly; don't let it stain you with its stench."
She was still young, and Liu Xilan didn't intend to argue with her.
The so-called "everyone dislikes him" was merely because the high-ranking members of the Shen Family despised him, and everyone followed their lead.
At least from her perspective, this Young Master Shen Han was far more outstanding than imagined.
If he could overcome this tribulation, he might just ascend to greatness.
Returning to the large courtyard, Madam Shen was still warm and welcoming, holding Liu Xilan's hand, inviting her to stay for the night.
Several Shen Family sisters also gathered around her, acting coy to persuade her to stay.
Unable to resist, Liu Xilan eventually agreed.
At the banquet, Liu Xilan casually brought up Shen Han's matter.
She praised him in front of Madam Shen, commenting on his considerable talent, having successfully tempered his bones, and that entering the Ninth Grade of the Martial Path was imminent.
She hoped Madam Shen would consider family ties and Shen Han's talent, rather than pushing him into an abyss.
But before she could finish her words, Madam Shen interrupted her.
She simply replied, "Considerable talent? How does he compare to my Shen Ye?"
Liu Xilan was immediately at a loss for words.
She thought Shen Han was quite good, capable of comprehending the "Mountain and River Body Refining Skill," and with high perception.
But compared to Shen Ye, there indeed was quite a gap.
Given the Shen Family's internal matters, and with Madam Shen speaking as such, she, an outsider, indeed found it hard to say more.
After dinner, the grandchildren of the Shen Family gathered around Liu Xilan seeking advice.
To the east of Shen Mansion's courtyard.
Shen Han had a simple dinner and didn't waste any time.
Today, Liu Xilan gave him four items.
Two bottles of pills, a health-preserving secret manual, and a nameless sword manual.
Once free, Shen Han began to study these four items.
[Ordinary Pill]
[Pill with Excellent Efficacy]
[Faded Secret Manual]
[Altered Secret Manual]
Among the four items, both manuals were gray entries.
Only the Bone Healing Pill was a purple entry, [with Excellent Efficacy], which could be extracted and still be somewhat useful.
Shen Han's gaze was primarily focused on that nameless sword manual.
The characters on the cover of this sword manual had been scraped off, so it was no wonder it displayed as an [Altered] entry.
Gathering Qi, extracting!
The [Altered] gray entry was instantly removed.
The previously altered characters were fully restored as well.
"Celestial Dao Sword Momentum"
The large characters unexpectedly appeared on the cover, faintly exuding a majestic aura.
Just these four characters seemed to hold an inherent pressure.
Shen Han shook his head to maintain composure.
Thankfully, constantly extracting entries had significantly enhanced his spiritual power, otherwise, he might have been overwhelmed by this sword manual.
Opening the sword manual.
"Ten Thousand Swords Trapping Dragon Momentum!"
"Flying Sword Soaring Heaven Momentum!"
"Divine Sword Breaks Earth Momentum!"
After three sets of Sword Momentum, four large characters followed in a flowing script: "Sword and Man Unity!"
Shen Han only felt his breath quicken; merely seeing this text, he felt each strike start drilling into his mind.
This manual was not an ordinary secret manual, but more like a living entity intruding into his mind.
If not for his greatly improved spiritual power, Shen Han felt he would have passed out.
Two whole hours passed before Shen Han, drained, found the sword manual finally let him go...
Lying on the bed, Shen Han didn't even have the strength to move his foot.
In his mind, those three sets of Sword Momentum constantly appeared.
Even just imagining them in his mind allowed him to feel the immense pressure of the Sword Momentum.
The sky filled with flying swords, the sharp Divine Sword, all seemed to be under his control, attacking enemies.
After the three Sword Momentums were unleashed, one move of Sword and Man Unity caused the Momentum to break.
Transforming into an Intention Sword, grasped in his hand.
Shen Han knew he possessed something extraordinary.
But now, he had no strength to rise and attempt it.
Awakening at the cock's crow from afar, Shen Han gently stirred awake to a head still aching, akin to the feeling of a hangover.
Ignoring the headache, Shen Han quickly got up to find that nameless sword manual.
Last night, he had clearly extracted the [Altered] entry, yet the sword manual before him had reverted to its original state!
Shen Han stood in a daze for a while, even checking within his mind to confirm that last night's extracted [Altered] entry still remained...
This manual was too bizarre; after implanting the sword manual contents into his mind, it had reverted to its altered appearance...
Stepping out of the room, he picked a branch from the ground.
Attempting to activate the Sword Momentum.
Lightly waving the branch, the fallen twigs nearby seemed to move slightly.
It seemed this "Celestial Dao Sword Momentum" wasn't so easy to master.
Calming himself, Shen Han clearly understood this must be kept secret.
Even if he wished to pass this strange sword manual to Liu Xilan, he had to forgo it.
Otherwise, revealing his ability to extract entries could spell disaster.
Around 7:00 AM, Liu Xilan arrived.
"Senior Sister Liu."
Shen Han maintained his usual courtesy.
"Last night, I chatted with your Shen Family sisters, and learned of your experiences.
Today, I must return to Xiaoyao Peak. I leave you this 'World Understanding' and 'Sunset Sword Formulas' for you to study.
If you have talent in the Sword Dao, I can recommend you to join Xiaoyao Peak."
Liu Xilan, holding the "Mountain and River Qi Refining Technique" with detailed annotations, always felt she owed Shen Han a favor.
She was here today to repay some of it.
"Furthermore, Junior Sister Jinyu harbors feelings for your Shen Family's eldest son, Shen Ye.
This engagement is almost certain to be annulled..."
Shen Han bowed to Liu Xilan.
"What you say is indeed true, only, how to annul the marriage is not something I can decide...
I, Shen Han, have never said I wanted to cling to Su Jinyu, insisting on fulfilling this Imperial-arranged engagement.
A lone boat drifting, without oars, drifting with the current."
Liu Xilan didn't quite know what to say.
Fate seems to love toying with the young man before her; even without the heart to fight, he was swept into this whirlpool.
"Hopefully, next time we meet, you... remain well."
With that, Liu Xilan finally left through the air.
Watching Liu Xilan depart, Shen Han returned to the stone table.
The words just spoken by Senior Sister Liu gave Shen Han a glimmer of hope.
If he could become a disciple of Xiaoyao Peak, would those in authority in the Shen Family still dare to use those despicable means against him?
At the stone table, Shen Han looked at the two manuals left by Senior Sister Liu.
The "Sunset Sword Formulas" was naturally a swordsmanship manual.
The "World Understanding" was somewhat different; it wasn't related to cultivation, but introduced the current dynasty situation, the grand environment of the present world.