Extra's Strategy: Cultivate Protagonists, Become Invincible-Chapter 252: Han Xuhan Was Led By The Nose?!

Han Xuhan’s question cut through the commotion raised by Chen Yan’s self-report, like a hook piercing into flesh, causing an eruption of fresh blood, which in this case, was a wave of suspicion directed towards Chen Yan and his restrained spiritual aura.

The Elders on their raised seats exchanged sharp looks, the older disciples around the arena grew alarmed, and the younger disciples and sect servants were left confused.

Xuanyuan Zhou’s eyes grew bright as she analyzed the sudden turn of events.

"I get it now! Chen Yan volunteered to provide that report with at least two goals in mind.

Firstly, he was hoping to distract and intimidate Han Xuhan. By naming those two Mystic Arts that almost no junior disciple can access, achieving the higher ground from a psychological perspective is quite easy!"

She pointed at Mu Ran and Xiao Wu, who were listening with slack jaws.

"You two became so confused and worried for Han Xuhan when you heard Chen Yan report the names of those Mystic Arts and how far he has cultivated them. So how could he, as Chen Yan’s opponent, not fall into a pit of self-doubt and panic? Mystic Arts are his biggest weakness, after all!"

Her gaze then shifted towards the other disciples around them.

"Secondly, because of Zhanxian’s refusal to provide a report, Chen Yan’s acceptance of the rule gives him the moral high ground as well in the eyes of the audience.

Since Chen Yan has already revealed that one of his weapons to deal with Xuhan is his control of the public opinion in the sect, this was intended to be another slash of that weapon, aimed to decimate Xuhan’s reputation further!

So, Xuhan had no other choice except to strike back and raise a point of doubt at Chen Yan’s ’chivalrous’ act."

Mu Ran and Xiao Wu profusely cursed Chen Yan and his cunning strategies. But the situation outside the arena was not so favorable.

The rule declared by the arena official indeed provided that one should report their cultivation level. However, making such a report itself was a voluntary act, and keeping one’s cultivation level a secret was deemed a prudent practice.

Hence, during public duels, cultivation levels were rarely announced alongside the other information. Chen Yan hadn’t done anything wrong in the eyes of the experienced members of the sect. They found Han Xuhan’s request rather excessive.

The official frowned at Han Xuhan, obviously not happy that a random junior disciple dared to challenge a tradition of the dueling arena. But before he could say anything, Chen Yan spoke up.

"My apologies, I simply followed the typical manner of self-reporting during official duels. Since you’ve demanded the information, I shall obviously comply. My cultivation level..."

At that moment, he stopped hiding the traces of his spiritual aura. Those at the front rows of the arena, nearest to Chen Yan’s position, inhaled sharply as they sensed the overwhelming pressure, blowing through them like fierce wind.

"...Is at the initial stage of the Soul Reformation realm!"

The words of confirmation were not even needed, because those who had sensed his aura had already jumped to their feet, and those who were seated too far away gleaned the information by their reactions.

For a while, an explosion of utter chaos enveloped the arena.

"An outer court disciple who has broken past the Physique Transformation realm!"

"A talent capable of entering the Inner Court!"

"What kind of duel is this?! Who are these disciples?!"

"Don’t tell me we’re going to watch a Physique Transformation realm expert get thrashed by a Soul Reformation realm novice!"

Curiosity! Disbelief! Intrigue! Amazement!

The vast crowd’s response ran in the same vein.

But those who were aware of Chen Yan’s identity behind that mask had diverse reactions. Some were indignant, some were jubilant, and some looked aghast, lost for words.

Older disciples on Han Xuhan’s side, like Senior Sister Qing Hua and Senior Brother Lin, exhaled a weary breath, deep resignation surfacing on their faces.

The worst that could have happened... had happened.

The trio of Han Xuhan’s martial siblings, albeit having foreseen this possibility already, couldn’t help but sigh. Xuanyuan Zhou even looked somewhat disgusted.

"This tactic... really leaves one feeling suffocated. I was blinded by my own cautious approach in such matters. Now I can see it more clearly. Chen Yan had a third goal when he decided to provide that report!"

Xiao Wu caught on to the implication as well. "He intentionally left out the information about his cultivation level! It was a trap.

If Han Xuhan had avoided pointing it out, his cultivation level could have been kept a secret. But now that he ’has been forced to’ reveal his cultivation..."

"Those supporting Han Xuhan are going to rethink their choice!" Xuanyuan Zhou coldly concluded.

"This strike has multiple layers as well! Externally, it’s going to shake the disciples who are on Han Xuhan’s side because of friendship, greed, or other interests, like the continuation of free lectures on law cultivation. They wouldn’t want to earn the ire of someone this talented and powerful.

But internally, this strike is meant to destroy one of Han Xuhan’s main trump cards. He has always threatened Chen Yan with the fact that he can get other senior disciples to duel Chen Yan on his behalf.

Now, with the revelation that Chen Yan’s cultivation has surpassed everyone else in the outer court, who will dare to represent Xuhan to fight that guy in the arena today?"

Mu Ran shuddered, feeling goosebumps rise on his skin. "Is the situation that horrifying? Are you certain that Underling Xuhan was led by the nose like this?"

Xuanyuan Zhou stared at Han Xuhan’s back, her gaze calculating.

Xiao Wu hesitantly muttered, "All things considered, if we can analyze this move, Brother Xuhan should have already foreseen this move. The question should be... whether he has prepared a counter move or not."

Similarly, innumerable discussions around the arena began to flow in the same direction, regardless of how deep or how accurate the insight they brought to the disciples. Eyes gathered on two figures at the edge of the arena—Zhanxian and Han Xuhan, eager to see what they would do now.

Even the Elders and the arena officials looked in their direction. Some of them wore expressions of schadenfreude and curiosity, while some looked at them with compassionate eyes, as if trying to convey, ’Just surrender, young man. What else can you do?’

Holding the attention of thousands, all curious to see his next move, Zhanxian raised a hand this time, silencing the remainder of the frenzied discussions.

Eyes, ears, and hearts, every element of perception around him seemed to fall inside that three-inch-wide expanse of blue jade and white bone.

In the dead quiet arena, a boisterous voice rang out.

"This whole time, I was under the impression that one of my peers, one of my equals, was scheming against me. Turns out I was wrong!"

Chen Yan’s disdainful smile became apparent in his gaze alone. It was as if he wanted to say, ’Is this your excuse to avoid a disgraceful defeat?’ 𝕗𝕣𝐞𝐞𝘄𝐞𝚋𝚗𝗼𝘃𝗲𝗹.𝚌𝕠𝚖

"Turns out the one scheming against me was a pathetically weak brat who has just broken through to the Soul Reformation realm! How humiliating!"

"....?!"

Chen Yan’s stunned reaction mirrored the nonplussed feeling thousand others in the audience.

"This duel doesn’t even require my intervention!" Zhanxian harrumphed with the arrogance of a supreme expert.

"I’m afraid of killing you by accident, puny ant! This duel can be handled by my junior brother, Han Xuhan!"