The first semester at Mingzhu Martial Arts University was nearing its end, and the first ranking battle for Lightning Element freshmen had also concluded.
The ranking results left many students both dissatisfied and helpless, as the gap in strength was obvious.
Although several students successfully made a comeback, the top few in the rankings remained as solid as a rock.
With the winter break approaching, many students had already taken high-speed trains home, leaving the campus unusually empty.
Shen Han, on the other hand, was all alone in this world. He had originally planned to return to Yang City to visit Uncle Li and Principal Wang, but Uncle Li had to go out on a mission, and Principal Wang, not being a local of Yang City, also had to go back for the New Year, so his plans fell through.
"Han-ge, my dad has to go on a mission during the winter break, so I'll be staying in Mingzhu. Why don't we both just stay here?" Li Muhua informed Shen Han of his winter break plans.
Shen Han smiled slightly, nodded, and said, "That's good. There's nothing particularly important for me to do back in Yang City for now, so it's a good opportunity to Cultivate here for a few more days. I'll make sure to call and check in with Principal Wang and the others when I have a moment."
"Let's get together, those of us from Yang City who are still in Mingzhu. The winter break is so long; staying in school to Cultivate all the time will drive us crazy," Li Muhua suggested.
"No problem, I'll wait for your message then." Shen Han hadn't seen anyone from Yang City in a long time either.
Three days later, Shen Han received a message from Li Muhua saying that the gathering had been arranged at a hotel next to Mingzhu University Town.
Arriving at the hotel's private room, he pushed the door open and saw several familiar faces. Li Muhua waved and enthusiastically called out, "Han-ge, over here!"
Shen Han smiled and nodded, his gaze sweeping across the private room. Besides Li Muhua, there were some unexpected "old friends": his ex-girlfriend Song Ziqing, Li Mingxuan, whom he had met a few times at Yang City No. 2 High School, and even Wen Tingting, whom he hadn't contacted in a long time.
As the gathering began, everyone exchanged pleasantries, and many started chatting about university life and their respective "glorious achievements."
Li Mingxuan stepped forward to greet him: "Shen Han, long time no see! You're at the famous Mingzhu Martial Arts University now! But I heard you're not very well-known at school. Have you seen the true Genius of the big city and become just another face in the crowd?"
Li Mingxuan had always been jealous of Shen Han's achievements, but since they weren't in the same high school, he never had the chance to voice it. Now, seeing that Shen Han hadn't made a name for himself in over half a year, he couldn't help but sneer.
He was once the popular figure at Yang City No. 2 High School and was now Cultivating at another Martial Dao academy. Although its reputation wasn't as good as Mingzhu Martial Arts University, he was confident that his strength was not inferior to his peers and held a slight disdain for Shen Han.
Shen Han smiled faintly, noncommittally. They were all Martial Artist who had managed to come out of the small city of Yang City, and he didn't want to make things unpleasant.
The few people in the room also seemed to sense Li Mingxuan's attitude, and the atmosphere became delicate.
Just then, Song Ziqing sneered and said, "Shen Han, no matter what, you're still the pride of our school. We all remember how you desperately studied the Martial Dao to get into Mingzhu Martial Arts University back in senior year; it really surprised everyone. However, since you're studying Martial Arts, you shouldn't bury your head too much, otherwise, wouldn't it be a waste to have entered this school?"
Song Ziqing was Shen Han's ex-girlfriend. They had a brief relationship in high school, but Song Ziqing, doubting Shen Han's future, chose to break up.
Sitting beside Song Ziqing was a distinguished young man named Xu Haojie, Song Ziqing's current boyfriend. He was the top student at Lingjiang Martial Arts University and highly talented. Xu Haojie looked at Shen Han with cold eyes, carrying a hint of arrogance.
"Han-ge, it seems Song Ziqing has climbed to a higher branch," Li Muhua whispered beside him.
"Shen Han, what rank are you at Mingzhu Martial Arts University? Since we're all here today, why don't we have a spar and let us see your progress?" Xu Haojie's words carried a hint of provocation.
Shen Han smiled faintly, still unfazed: "I've only just started Cultivating; it's nothing worth mentioning." He really wasn't interested in battles of this level.
"It's alright, I don't mind going easy." Xu Haojie smiled proudly, clearly not putting Shen Han in his eyes.
Li Muhua saw that the atmosphere was a bit awkward and quickly interjected, "Alright, everyone, it's a rare gathering, there's no need to be so confrontational!"
Wen Tingting looked at Shen Han and smiled, defusing the situation: "Shen Han has always been very low-key, unlike some people who show off their achievements every day."
The atmosphere of the gathering eased slightly. Everyone chatted about their school lives and Cultivation progress, and Shen Han maintained a low-key attitude.
However, Li Mingxuan seemed unwilling to let go of this opportunity and deliberately said loudly, "Speaking of which, we've all made progress in the past six months. Shen Han, why don't you show us your strength? It's rare for us classmates to gather, wouldn't it be too boring not to have a little spar?"
Shen Han glanced at him indifferently, his tone calm: "I'm just an ordinary student, nothing special."
Li Mingxuan sneered: "How could someone like you get into Mingzhu Martial Arts University? Did you just get lucky? How about this, I'll give you a chance to compete with me. If you can win, I'll pay for today's gathering. How about it?"
After being provoked repeatedly with such words, Shen Han's temper flared.
"Since that's the case, why don't we add some stakes? I have a Profound Rank Martial Skill for saber techniques. If I lose, I'll hand it over with both hands. What do you say, do you dare to bet?"
When Li Mingxuan heard this, his Aura instantly weakened a bit, and he looked back at Xu Haojie, clearly seeking his opinion.
Seeing this, Shen Han laughed mockingly: "So you've latched onto Xu Haojie, serving your master. No wonder you're so energetic today."
Li Mingxuan's face flushed red, and he snorted, "What do you know? Young Master Xu is the Young Master of the Mingzhu Xu Family! Any Cultivation resources he casually leaks are enough for us to struggle for half a lifetime. His starting point is already a finish line we can never catch up to."
Shen Han's gaze turned coldly to Xu Haojie, and he smiled lightly: "Then, Young Master Xu, do you dare to bet? I'm currently lacking resources and Martial Skill. If Young Master Xu is interested, why not make the stakes more substantial?"
Provoked to such an extent, Xu Haojie could only bite the bullet and agree. He pulled out a Martial Skill from his storage ring and said lightly, "This is a Mental Martial Skill I have called 'Soul Search.' After using it, it can make a person's Divine Soul submit and reveal their deepest secrets. What do you say, do you dare to accept?"
Shen Han glanced at the Martial Skill in his hand without batting an eye, a hint of joy flashing in his eyes, but on the surface, he smiled nonchalantly: "A Mental Martial Skill, huh? Not bad. You thought I didn't have a Mental Special Ability, which is why you brought out this Martial Skill, right? Well, it doesn't matter. If I win, I can sell it for a good price and earn some resources."
Inwardly, Shen Han was secretly delighted—this was a rare Mental Martial Skill, almost impossible to find, and he hadn't expected to obtain it so easily. It was truly heaven's help.