C28 Discover

With a dark scowl, Hanyu Huamao retorted, "Sister Shengxi may enjoy her jests, but am I mistaken? The entire clan is aware that Hanyu Xiaotian has been unable to cultivate since birth. He couldn't even muster inner Qi at the Qi Pavilion recently. What gives him the right to enter the Scripture Pavilion?"

"His right comes from the Chief's decree! What's the matter? Do you think you have the authority to challenge the Chief's decision? Or is someone pulling your strings?" Hanyu Shengxi replied coolly, her gaze growing icier by the second.

Stung by her piercing words, Hanyu Huamao lost his nerve. Being branded with such an accusation could spell disaster not just for him, but for his entire lineage. "You're taking it too far, Sister Shengxi. I wouldn't dare question the patriarch. It's just that I have my grievances with Hanyu Xiaotian." With that, he slunk away, shooting Hanyu Xiaotian a venomous look on his way out.

Meanwhile, Han Yulie was floundering, unsure of what to do next, when a voice caught his attention.

"Aren't you leaving yet?"

Feeling provoked, Han Yulie, already in a sour mood, shot a fierce look in the direction of the voice.

"Hanyu Duofeng!"

Upon seeing the familiar stoic face, Han Yulie bit back any harsh words and simply huffed before storming off. "Thank you," Hanyu Xiaotian expressed his gratitude sincerely.

Despite being contemporaries and recognized prodigies within the family, Hanyu Shengxi and Hanyu Duofeng never shunned him for being labeled 'defective.' They had shared countless childhood adventures and had always looked out for him. Hanyu Xiaotian held a deep respect for these friends.

"Hmm, you seem a bit different?" Hanyu Shengxi noted, her keen intuition picking up on subtle shifts in Hanyu Xiaotian's demeanor.

"Where? My face? Did I get even more handsome?" he quipped.

At that, Hanyu Duofeng couldn't resist a jab, "As if you could outdo me in looks!"

The two friends exchanged a glance, both catching the spark of amused discovery in each other's eyes. "Who knew our poker-faced friend could be such a dark horse?"

As the trio bantered, waiting for the Scripture Pavilion to open, the crowd around them swelled. Soon, a bell tolled, and the gathering made way for the center to clear.

An elder accompanied by two middle-aged men made their entrance. The men were none other than Liu Yuan and Cai Qing, deacons of the Hanyu Family, and the elder was the esteemed guardian of the Hanyu Family's Scripture Pavilion.

A hush fell over the crowd as Hanyu Xiaotian surveyed the assembly—over a hundred hopefuls had come to enter the Scripture Pavilion.

The elder's gaze swept over the crowd with a clarity that seemed to penetrate every soul, leaving no secrets hidden.

"The Scripture Pavilion is the legacy of our Hanyu Family's ancestors, who laid down their lives to forge this treasure," the elder began. "Generation after generation, they delved into the vast expanse of Martial arts throughout China's history, pioneering new paths and, in their final moments, etching their lifelong learnings into tomes for eternity. Without their dedication and spirit, the Scripture Pavilion of the Hanyu Family would not stand before us today."

At this moment, every member of the Hanyu Family's younger generation present, including Hanyu Huamao and Han Yulie, wore a solemn expression. Personal interests and emotions were set aside in deference to the family's honor—a principle deeply ingrained as one of the Hanyu Family's core tenets.

Even in these teenagers, who had yet to come into their own, one could discern the enduring spirit of the family—a legacy spanning thousands of years. To them, the family's honor was paramount, above all else.