With the departure of the heavyweight Hun Qianxue, the hall once again returned to its clamorous state. Fine wine and delicacies were served in succession, and everyone raised their glasses, offering congratulations to Hun Qianling or toasting Brother Han to show goodwill.
Many also took the initiative to approach, their faces adorned with ingratiating smiles, holding various Cultivation resources as gifts. Their words were full of flattery and sycophancy, eager to win him over.
"Young Friend Han, your extraordinary talent is evident. To be designated an S-Class talent at such a young age means you are destined to become a pillar of our Hun Family in the future. This old man toasts you!"
"Young Friend Han, these are a few Soul-Gathering Pills I have treasured. They are greatly beneficial for nourishing your Soul. Please accept them. If you have any needs in the future, do not hesitate to ask!"
Going even further, some of the more attractive female Disciples of the Hun Family took the initiative to strike up conversations, hinting through their words that they wished to become his Dao Companion, hoping to latch onto this 'potential stock.'
After all, in the eyes of many within the Hun Family, an S-Class talent signified a high likelihood of impacting the Eternal True God realm, even touching the threshold of a Saint. Showing goodwill now meant they could benefit from Han Xuanji's future growth.
Most of these people belonged to the neutral faction, with little desire for power, content to guard their own small plots. After all, no matter who ultimately became the Family head, they would still have a place.
Han Xuanji remained composed, responding to everyone's toasts, tactfully declining overly valuable gifts. He only accepted a few items of modest worth, neither offending anyone nor revealing his true thoughts, never displaying an ounce of unnecessary strength.
Of course, not everyone at the banquet fawned over him. Some looked at him with curiosity, wariness, and even hostility in their eyes.
These were mostly the local young Prodigies of the Hun Family, or Geniuses like him who were recruited from the outside. Fierce competition already existed among them. Han Xuanji's sudden arrival and immediate elevation to S-Class talent undoubtedly diverted attention and resources that originally belonged to them, naturally displeasing them.
Among them, several youths in brocade robes occasionally cast glances at Han Xuanji, their eyes filled with a sense of Unconvinced. They were also at the Eternal Dao Lord realm and had decent comprehension in the Way of Laws, yet they had never been rated as S-Class talents. Now, Han Xuanji, an outsider Cultivator with no achievements or honors to his name, received such preferential treatment. It was hard for them not to feel unbalanced.
Not long after, a young man in white robes, holding a wine cup, strode quickly to Han Xuanji. The youth had a haughty face and exuded the aura of an Eternal Dao Lord. This was Hun Hao, a Genius from a branch line of the Hun Family, one of the few Cultivators in the clan who practiced the Way of Laws. He prided himself on his decent talent but had only managed an A-Class rating based on his status as a Core Disciple.
"S-Class Prodigy, I've long heard of your fame."
Hun Hao wore an expression of deliberate enthusiasm, but the corner of his mouth curled into a disdainful arc. The Unconvinced in his eyes was almost overflowing.
"I've heard Brother Han is a Genius in the Way of Laws, designated an S-Class talent immediately upon reaching the Eternal Dao Lord realm. Hun Hao is filled with admiration and has come specifically to seek some guidance from Brother Han. I hope you won't be Stingy with your teachings."
Through hearsay, he had learned that Han Xuanji had actually obtained his S-Class treatment due to his connection with Hun Qianling. His true strength was unknown, but it likely wasn't impressive; otherwise, he wouldn't be completely unknown.
If Han Xuanji's strength proved inadequate, Hun Hao intended to publicly humiliate him, exposing his 'undeserved reputation.' He could then step over Han Xuanji to rise higher, perhaps even be viewed differently and inherit the S-Class title.
Han Xuanji's first reaction was: Where did this guy come from?
Under the System's investigation, it turned out the other party was genuinely a reckless youth. There was indeed no one behind him instructing; it was pure Unconvinced.
To be honest, this type of person was truly the most annoying.
"It really is a case of 'Fame is both a blessing and a curse...'"
Han Xuanji thought to himself. He merely lifted his eyes slightly, not even granting Hun Hao an extra glance. Picking up his wine cup, he took a small sip, his tone so dull it bordered on indifferent:
"No time."
Two simple words instantly froze Hun Hao in place, his smile abruptly halting.
It was like punching cotton; he had nowhere to exert his force, leaving him awkward and uncomfortable.
The surrounding clamor also instinctively quieted a few degrees. Many turned their gazes here, their eyes carrying the look of spectators anticipating a show.
Hun Hao's face instantly flushed red. Discontent and humiliation intertwined in his heart, sharpening his tone:
"You... you're being ungrateful! You're just an outsider Cultivator who recently entered the Eternal Dao Lord realm, lucky enough to be designated an S-Class Prodigy, and you dare to be so arrogant?
I came seeking guidance in good faith, and this is your attitude? Is this all an S-Class Prodigy amounts to?"
His voice wasn't small, carrying to every corner of the great hall. The previously bustling banquet fell completely silent. Everyone's gaze focused on the two, filled with curiosity, anticipation for drama, and a hint of schadenfreude.
After all, many harbored dissatisfaction with Han Xuanji's S-Class title and were eager to see him embarrassed.
At that moment, a slightly hurried voice sounded. Wang Ping quickly walked over from a corner, positioning himself in front of Han Xuanji. He glared angrily at Hun Hao, his tone laced with disdain:
"Hun Hao, who do you think you are? How dare you speak to Brother Han like that!
What level are you? Everyone present knows perfectly well! Or are you saying the people of the Hun Family have no manners, relying on being local members to casually harass an honored guest from outside?"
Although Wang Ping's talent was average, he was a man who valued loyalty. Han Xuanji had just conversed and laughed with him without any airs. Seeing Han Xuanji being troubled by a member of the Hun Family, he couldn't help but step forward in his defense.
His words both vented anger for Han Xuanji and subtly implied that Hun Hao lacked propriety. For a moment, many looked at Hun Hao with a different light in their eyes.
Indeed, causing trouble for someone who just arrived seemed absurd, whether to the old-timers of the Hun Family or other guests.
At the same time, Wang Ping secretly transmitted a message to Han Xuanji:
"Brother Han, I know you're in the Hun Family and it's not good for you to clash with these spoiled young masters of the clan. Leave it to me. I, Wang Ping, am not a member of the Hun Family anyway, so I'm not afraid of offending them."
Hearing this, Han Xuanji didn't offer any excuse. In truth, it wasn't that he feared this reckless youth from the Hun Family; he simply couldn't be bothered to escalate matters. Avoiding the fight would, at worst, cost him some reputation—something that couldn't be used as Cultivation resources.
However, Wang Ping meant well, so Han Xuanji naturally wouldn't blame him for meddling.
Hun Hao was left speechless by Wang Ping's retort, his face alternating between green and pale. He wanted to flare up but was hindered by the fact that Wang Ping's words held truth. For a moment, he was at a loss.
Seeing this, the surrounding people began to murmur even more, some quietly ridiculing Hun Hao for overestimating himself.
After all, no matter what, Han Xuanji was an S-Class talent personally recognized by the head of the Hun Family. It wasn't Hun Hao's place to speak. If there were real issues, they would be discussed by the Family's upper echelons. If any Hun Family Disciple could random question it, regardless of right or wrong, wouldn't it invite ridicule from outsiders?
In the crowd, Ling Feng's eyes suddenly flashed with a sharp light. He slowly stood up, passed through the throng, and walked to stand before Han Xuanji. The aura around him fluctuated slightly, carrying a sense of oppressive feeling.
"Hun Hao was indeed rash and ignorant of propriety."
Ling Feng spoke, his tone dull yet carrying a somewhat From a high vantage point attitude. His gaze fell upon Han Xuanji, filled with scrutiny:
"However, Brother Han, as an S-Class Prodigy, your attitude is Unavoidable too arrogant. If Hun Hao isn't qualified to seek your guidance, then I, as another S-Class talent, should be qualified, right?
I, too, would like to witness the true extent of Brother Han's prowess in the Way of Laws—to see if it's worthy of the Family head's regard and worthy of the title of S-Class Prodigy."