How could Huanzhen not recognize Shen Lian? Just that, Shen Lian was a different person then. If Huanzhen had attacked Shen Lian before Shen Lian achieved Huandan, people would regard him as a bully. Moreover, Shen Lian was a disciple of Qing Xuan. If he had killed or injured him, it would mean war between the two sects and the people of Qing Xuan would give him a taste of his own medicine.

Unless if he stayed in and never step out of his abode until he obtained immortality.

Although he was more experienced than Shen Lian, they could be classified as the same level considering that Shen Lian achieved Huandan. His plan was to obtain the upper hand by striking first just before Shen Lian could announce his background. Once he gets to restrain Shen Lian, he would identify Shen Lian's ties with Qing Xuan and at the same time humiliate Qing Xuan. This would traumatize Shen Lian and disrupt his process of achieving Powang.

His train of thoughts moved so quickly like a driller and he was n