Xuanyuan Zhou's suggestion was simple but brilliant. Both Xiao Wu and Mu Ran looked crestfallen upon realising that Han Xuhan had let such a precious opportunity slip out of his grasp.
But Han Xuhan shook his head in disagreement.
"Chen Yan would've gone all out from the beginning of the duel either way. His character is just like that. Isn't it apparent from his actions till now?
The moment he gained the confidence to emerge victorious in this duel and evade the sect master's displeasure, he spread a bunch of rumors among the disciples about the Holy Land of Laws and my connection to that place.
Even though he had the confidence to win, he approached me before the duel and tried to shake my morale and conviction while testing whether I had other backup plans.
It was only when he realized that I had already foreseen the worst outcomes and may have prepared for them that he decided to retreat."
