The fifth day since the incident happened.
Ban Wu was dead, without the slightest suspense.
Despite whatever efforts Nine Heavens Palace tried, or whoever they brought in.
As long as they saw the withered wounds on his body, they were powerless.
The wounds scabbed over, dry.
It was actually a sign of healing.
But on Ban Wu, those withered wounds still spread...
Nine Heavens Palace set up a mourning hall for Ban Wu.
The distance between Tiger Peak Manor and Nine Heavens Palace was quite far. Even after receiving the news, it would still take four or five days for the people of Tiger Peak Manor to arrive.
Inside the coffin, Ban Wu had lost all signs of life.
Yet his body continued to wither.
Just like Yu Yan, his body was like deadwood.
Not far away, Lv Xinrong looked at the coffin, completely engrossed.
She and Ban Wu had just reconciled, yet now this happened...
In her heart, she wanted revenge.
However, in her mind, she kept replaying the scene when Shen Han struck.
The move Shen Han used to kill Ban Wu, she couldn’t block it either.
If he targeted her, she wouldn’t survive.
Wanting revenge, she was definitely not enough.
With her limited skills, encountering Shen Han again would result in her death.
After thinking it over, it seemed she could only ask for help from the elders in the palace.
But, Shen Han was always elusive.
Even Tiger Peak Manor couldn’t find him. Could she find him even with the help of the palace elders?
Moreover, after calming down, Lv Xinrong also thought of something.
Initially, it was Tiger Peak Manor that went to vent anger for Shen Ao, taking action against others.
Provoking Shen Han ended in such a fate.
Tiger Peak Manor wanted Shen Han’s life, so Shen Han retaliated.
If Lv Xinrong got involved, would Nine Heavens Palace also become Shen Han’s target?
Looking at Ban Wu’s coffin, Lv Xinrong’s expression was incredibly complex.
On one side was her tragically deceased lover, on the other were her sect’s kin.
If she really went to seek revenge on Shen Han, it might involve Nine Heavens Palace in the vortex too...
Ban Wu was already placed in the coffin, and news of his death couldn’t be hidden.
Even though the people of Tiger Peak Manor hadn’t arrived yet, the news had already spread throughout the Southern Heaven Continent.
More than half a year ago, a Core Disciple had just died.
The year hadn’t even ended, and now another person had died...
Qianjin Hall.
Previously, whatever happened, the Sect Leader always communicated through Elder Ding.
But today, the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall directly summoned Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang to his courtyard.
On the way, both of their faces looked somewhat grim.
Watching Elder Ding leading the way, Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang slowed their pace.
"Elder, why has the Sect Leader called us?
Is it because of those recent rumors..."
Qianmu Fan asked this, clearly he had heard related news.
Upon hearing this, Elder Ding also halted.
"Xiao Fan, just how deep is the grudge between you and Shen Han?"
Hearing this, Qianmu Fan paused for a moment.
But in an instant, he understood the implied meaning.
Qianjin Hall didn’t want him to provoke Shen Han.
The sect had been frightened.
Qianmu Fan’s face turned unsightly, yet he wanted to see Shen Han fall and suffer.
But he didn’t expect that even after provoking the people of Tiger Peak Manor, Shen Han remained unscathed.
The revenge against Tiger Peak Manor became unbearable for them instead.
"I have no deep animosity with Shen Han, I just find him detestable...
Chenyang, too, only has minor conflicts with Shen Han..."
While saying this, Tang Chenyang seemed to want to say something.
But seeing him about to speak, Qianmu Fan immediately shot him a look.
As he finished speaking, Elder Ding seemed to sigh with relief.
"Just minor conflicts, then that’s good, that’s good.
When you meet the Sect Leader later, be mindful of your words, don’t speak recklessly.
The old man can tell you, the Sect Leader’s intentions might not please you.
But now, anything involving Shen Han is no longer just your personal matters.
Alright, the Sect Leader will discuss this with you shortly."
With that, Elder Ding said no more.
Walking alone in front, Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang exchanged a look, faces grim, but could only follow.
Soon, the three of them arrived at the Sect Leader’s courtyard.
The courtyard of the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall wasn’t big; one could say it was a small courtyard.
It’s said that the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall has always been frugal. Despite holding a high position, he maintained the lifestyle of when he was poor.
This thriftiness earned him more respect from the people of Qianjin Hall.
Most importantly, the Sect Leader advocated for frugality only for himself, not imposing on others.
Thus, he naturally garnered more respect.
Entering the small courtyard, two elders were already discussing matters there.
Seeing Elder Ding bringing in Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang, the two elders prepared to leave.
The Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall waved his hand.
"We are all on the same side, no need to avoid this matter."
Hearing this, the two Elders also paused and sat back down, choosing not to leave.
"Sit down, there’s no need to be too restrained."
The three of them sat at the table, and the servants in the courtyard were quite perceptive, immediately bringing over a few cups of tea before promptly retreating.
"You should have all heard about the recent events, right?
Especially you two, your hearts have always harbored some resentment towards Shen Han.
If nothing unexpected happens, you should have been keeping an eye on him all this while, correct?"
The Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall spoke in a gentle tone, his face expressing a faint, benevolent smile, almost displaying an aura of kindness.
Hearing these words, Qianmu Fan looked up at his Sect Leader, not knowing what he should say.
"The Core Disciple of Tiger Peak Manor, Ban Wu, died three days ago.
Counting this, two Core Disciples of Tiger Peak Manor have died this year.
Do you two understand what that signifies?"
Actually, Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang were not acquainted with Ban Wu.
They had only heard that another Core Disciple from Tiger Peak Manor had died.
"Sect Leader, did you summon us today to warn me and Senior Brother Chenyang not to provoke Shen Han, is that the matter?"
Qianmu Fan hesitated before speaking up first.
"Yes, you are absolutely correct. The old me did indeed call you here to discuss precisely this.
However, you haven’t completely addressed everything.
The old me not only hopes you won’t provoke him but also that when you encounter Shen Han in the future, you’ll treat him with kindness.
If you can establish a good relationship, that would be even more appropriate."
With a single sentence from the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall, the expression on their faces instantly turned extremely bleak.
If anyone else had said this, Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang might have been ready to speak out in anger.
But given that he had the identity of a Sect Leader,
In their hearts, they were already cursing.
"Judging by your expressions, you seem somewhat unwilling, correct?"
Qianmu Fan looked up at his Sect Leader, hesitating before nodding.
"Replying to the Sect Leader, the disciple’s heart is agitated. Speaking candidly, indeed... unwilling...
That Shen Han bullied and humiliated me and Senior Brother Chenyang. If we bow down to him, we might find it hard to maintain the spirit of a strong person."
Qianmu Fan seemed to want to argue further.
Elder Ding, at his side, tried to stop him from speaking recklessly, but the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall waved his hand, indicating he should continue.
"Speak your thoughts, so I can clearly explain the pros and cons to you."
Hearing this from their Sect Leader, Tang Chenyang also stood up and spoke.
"Sect Leader, you know us well.
Junior Brother Qianmu and I have always disliked that Shen Han, and asking us to get along with him is truly difficult for us.
Furthermore, as cultivators, we set goals in our hearts.
Our goal is to surpass him, to rise above him, to subdue him!
Isn’t this the kind of temperament that the younger generation should possess?"
Tang Chenyang seemed to have learned something and had matured emotionally a lot.
Had this been earlier, he wouldn’t have spoken so tactfully.
Elder Ding also glanced at him.
He thought Tang Chenyang had grown, having learned a lot since getting closer to Qianmu Fan.
Hearing his words, the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall also nodded.
"Chenyang, you are indeed not wrong; for cultivators, it’s indeed important to have an unwilling-to-admit-defeat spirit.
You and Qianmu are both talented disciples who have unlocked seven bindings; in the future, you will go far in cultivation.
A resilient temperament holds great significance for you.
But the reason the old me advises you not to provoke Shen Han is not without basis."
As if preparing to address serious matters, the tone of the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall turned much more solemn.
"Listening to how you speak, it’s clear to the old me that you don’t have a clear understanding of Shen Han.
In less than a year, he has caused the deaths of two Core Disciples of Tiger Peak Manor.
Are you aware of the nature of the Tiger Peak Manor sect?
They are protective and vengeful.
Yet such a sect cannot do anything against Shen Han.
Not only have they failed to punish him, they have also lost another Core Disciple to him.
The old me asks you two, if Shen Han targeted you two for revenge, can you imagine whether you’d still be alive?
The Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall looked at Tang Chenyang and Qianmu Fan, and hearing these words, they indeed fell into silence.
Seeing the two silent, the Sect Leader of Qianjin Hall continued speaking.
"This Shen Han is not someone you just met. You know he is a practitioner of the Old Cultivation Method.
His aura is extremely well-hidden, and despite Tiger Peak Manor’s exhaustive efforts, they have not been able to expose him.
If he were to haunt around you like a ghost in the future, even if he doesn’t deal a crippling blow, how will you find the peace of mind to cultivate?"
Every sentence strikes the core of the matter.
Hearing this, Qianmu Fan and Tang Chenyang fell even more silent.
"Apart from these reasons, the old me perhaps needs to pour cold water on you.
From what the old me knows, Ban Wu’s death was solely due to Shen Han’s actions.
You might not know who Ban Wu is, but the old me has met him.
His aptitude is no less than yours, being another genius who has unlocked seven bindings.
Moreover, he had a slight chance of becoming the next Manor Master of Tiger Peak Manor.
Yet he died at Shen Han’s hands just like that.
Shen Han’s strength has already surpassed Ban Wu’s.
His strength has already far surpassed the younger generation to which you belong.
Provoking him and seeing him as a rival could only lead to your discouragement and disheartenment."

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