It would have been fine if Bai Suhuan was asking for Shen Lian to emerge as a victor in the battle. However, he only wanted Shen Lian to withstand three of his moves. How should Shen Lian face Bai Suhuan in the future then?
Regardless, Shen Lian would be inferior to Bai Suhuan.
This was different from Zhang Ruoxu being respectful to Bai Suhuan. Both of them had attained the state of Powang, and Zhang Ruoxu was a well-loved figure in the sect. In Qing Xuan, he was looked up by everyone, and not even Bai Suhuan could impose his views on him.
Shen Lian was young, to begin with. If he were to take up the position as the chief only after he had received Bai Suhuan's validation, would that not mean that Bai Suhuan was the High Chief?
Some were confused; Bai Suhuan had always been a loner, and he did not have much time left seeing how he could not break through the Absurd State. Why would he pull such a stunt now?