Extra's Strategy: Cultivate Protagonists, Become Invincible-Chapter 246: House Of Cards

Xiao Mei couldn't believe it. After everything he had said so far, and all the truths he had deduced till now, he still wasn't done?

Good heavens! It was just one casual attempt at rattling him before the duel, that had led to this!

How the hell did this guy figure out so much from so little?

This confrontation between Han Xuhan and Chen Yan was breaking and rewriting her worldview at every turn!

"The second possibility that could have made you ditch the plan to rob me is far simpler."

Han Xuhan took a deep breath, and for the first time since he had begun his deduction, his smile disappeared.

"You no longer need my wealth to buy a second voidboat ticket. You probably don't have the time or opportunity to buy it either.

Which leads us to only one conclusion. You don't actually need a second ticket. Under which condition can that situation arise?

If you manage to break through to the Soul Reformation realm, our sect itself shall support your journey to the Inner Court in order to nurture your talent. It is recorded in the rulebook of our sect."

Every face in the small gathering turned grim by the time his deduction reached that stage.

Mu Ran suddenly looked wary, seemingly calculating something as he surveyed Chen Yan from head to toe.

Xuanyuan Zhou's eyes had a look that screamed, 'I knew it!'

Xiao Wu simply looked dazed, probably overwhelmed by too many bizarre twists and turns since this conversation had begun. Xiao Mei found his reaction the most relatable.

'Look at that! That's what a normal person should look like in this situation. That's a human reaction. This Xiao Wu not only shares my surname, but also my line of thinking!'

The thought brought her some consolation. She wasn't the misfit here after all!

"Senior Brother Yan, you've already broken through to the Soul Reformation realm, haven't you? The voidboat ticket Sister Mei's clan acquired was always going to be used by her.

And now you can accompany her by grabbing one of the seats reserved for Crimson Snow Sect's top talents."

Chen Yan started laughing. In the middle of the laugh, he even stepped forward and patted Han Xuhan on the shoulders.

"Junior Brother, I wish your conclusion were the correct one, I truly do! But if breaking through to the Soul Reformation realm was so easy, I would've succeeded long ago.

Do you know how long I've been stuck at the peak of the Physique Transformation realm? It has been years!

Regardless, I'll take this long-winded deduction of yours as some words of praise. You seem to believe in me more than my own family did, hahahaha!"

Xiao Mei's lips trembled as she caught the bitterness and resentment hidden in Chen Yan's words. But fortunately, no one was paying any attention to her at this point.

"You can't hide it from me, senior brother. I'm certain that you've broken through to the Soul Reformation realm," Han Xuhan said.

"Can't you recall how this entire deduction of mine began? I asked you a simple question: whether you've considered the possibility of a defeat or not."

"I have not," Chen Yan replied. "Because I don't need to. You were defeated by one of my peers whose martial cultivation has been stuck below the fifth phase for many years now. Do you think I'm weaker than that guy?"

"But that equation would have never come into play if, in this duel, I got some powerful senior disciple to represent me and face you.

Five weeks ago, I explicitly warned you that I might do so. That threat was a pit I dug for you, in order to test your true cultivation level.

There are plenty of senior disciples in the outer court who have been consolidating their foundation at the peak of the Physique Transformation realm.

The only reason why you wouldn't consider the possibility of a defeat while facing them is if you've already crossed the bridge they've yet to cross, reaching the next major realm of cultivation."

Chen Yan's hands, still gripping Han Xuhan's shoulders, began to grow rigid. Under the mask, his serene gaze started giving way to malicious intent.

"Your breakthrough gave you the confidence to automatically assume that you'd definitely win this duel. It also facilitates your clean entry into the Inner Court of the Crimson Snow Sect, breaking past the control Sister Mei's clan has over you.

After all, no one wants to be treated like a dog; certainly not someone with your character."

His gaze flickered towards Xiao Mei's pale face for a moment. She bit her lips and closed her eyes, recalling many of the instances when she had used that exact word to insult Chen Yan.

Was it during the aftermath of their second duel that Han Xuhan had overheard her?

Oh well, words and arrows, once let loose, can't be taken back. There was no point in regretting it.

Xiao Mei opened her eyes and faced this new reality. Three steps ahead of her, Chen Yan also seemed to regain his footing. He patted Han Xuhan once more on the shoulders and retracted his hands.

"Junior Brother Xuhan, you always find a way to amaze me. If I still keep refuting your logic, I'll be making a fool of myself.

But there is something that I feel like I should point out.

Do you remember why you began this deduction of yours? It was in response to the unfavorable piece of news I provided you.

Your little house of cards has already crumbled. Not even Sect Master Xuan Zi can prop it up for you today. No matter what you deduce and how many secrets you dig out, it won't change that truth.

So why don't you accept your defeat gracefully instead of making a fool of yourself in the arena?"

Han Xuhan seemed to seriously consider the suggestion. Xiao Mei was almost convinced for a moment that he'd nod and agree. But when he opened his mouth...

"Senior Brother Yan, your confidence seems to surpass the limits of an outer court disciple who has just stepped into the Soul Reformation realm.

I can understand that you don't fear me or your peers. But you don't even seem to fear retribution from our Sect Master himself.

The Sect Master openly supported my scheme, and I daresay he even guided me towards it back then. It wasn't that he couldn't undo the enslavement seal on my foundation tower, he just didn't want to do it!"

There was no way Chen Yan or Xiao Mei could have known this small detail. Both of their hearts clenched upon hearing it.

What was the Sect Master really planning?!

"Xuan Zi won't let you go, senior brother, now that you've openly tried to ruin his arrangements. You should have known that.

But you still had the confidence to continue scheming. Such gall...

When I look back at our exchanges in the past, I can't see that bravado in you.

Back then, you didn't even dare to acknowledge that you and I were involved in this tug of war for resources. What changed today?

Surely, you don't think that a breakthrough to the Soul Reformation realm can allow you to challenge our sect master?

Did someone guarantee your safety, regardless of your victory or loss?

How strong is that person? Is it one of the Elders of our sect or sister Mei's clan?

But can even all of them combined stand a chance against Xuan Zi?"