Seeing that the few were lost in thought, the interest in the eyes of the youth in exotic clothing grew, and he continued:
"Although Han Xuanji is formidable, I do not deny that, but in a province-level giant city like Jiuxuan City, there are not a few who can rival him."
"Wanting to take first place is not as simple as you think."
What the youth in exotic clothing said indeed had some truth, but how could Wang Ping endure it? Just as he was about to speak, Li Tiantong spoke first:
"Then how do you know Brother Han cannot do it?"
"Oh?"
Seeing Li Tiantong get anxious, the youth in exotic clothing spoke with a condescending tone:
"You might as well think about it. If Han Xuanji truly had that ability, why not go to Jiuxuan City to develop? Staying in this border land of Qianhun City is nothing more than preferring to be the head of a chicken rather than the tail of a Phoenix."
These words made many present fall silent.
This was not a new viewpoint, but a deep-rooted prejudice.
Although Qianhun City is a large city, it can only be considered a border region within Jiuxuan Prefecture; its resources and talents cannot compare to the provincial capital.
Those Prodigies from the provincial capital have been exposed to more Advanced Cultivation Techniques, purer Spiritual Qi, and more powerful opponents since they were young.
The same talent placed in different environments results in different growth speeds.
"Of course, Centurion Zhou Lie also held another realization, which is why he went to Jiuxuan City."
The Cultivator in exotic clothing added a final sentence and looked at Wang Ping meaningfully, "You all know what the result was."
The atmosphere in the private room became subtle.
Some whispered in agreement, others frowned in silence, but no one stood up to refute.
Because the facts were right there.
A Genius from Qianhun City, upon arriving in Jiuxuan City, is indeed not much to look at.
Examples like Centurion Zhou Lie are actually not uncommon; many Prodigies who went to larger cities to develop either disappeared without a trace or returned to this land.
It is not that there are none who surged all the way up, but those are basically things from rumors; no one has seen it with their own eyes.
"He is so arrogant!"
The woman playing the zither in the pavilion spoke. She was someone who had witnessed Han Xuanji's demeanor. She was a bit indignant, but she couldn't do anything about it.
In fact, some people in the pavilion were also somewhat displeased; after all, Han Xuanji was a Prodigy of Qianhun City.
For so many years, these people from the provincial capital or giant cities have always had a sense of psychological superiority, looking down on them, these border Cultivators, believing that only those who cannot survive in the provincial capital would come here to develop.
However, isn't this also a kind of irony?
After all, Qianhun City is considered a major city, and among them, there are also people who go to those small and medium-sized cities, also holding a sense of psychological superiority.
But regardless, knowing that this youth in exotic clothing came from Jiuxuan City, many people did not dare to go up and argue with him.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
The strength of others is truly not something blown out of proportion.
Wang Ping clenched his fists, his knuckles white.
He wanted to say something, but found he couldn't find words powerful enough to refute.
This is the disadvantage of reading too little.
"Centurion Zhou Lie is Centurion Zhou Lie, Han Xuanji is Han Xuanji."
Everyone looked toward the sound, only to see Li Tiantong's expression remained calm, and he said:
"Centurion Zhou Lie lost, it does not mean Han Xuanji will also lose.
Moreover, Centurion Zhou Lie lost to a Prodigy of Jiuxuan City, but currently, Han Xuanji has not lost to anyone.
Using something that has not yet happened to deny a person is too arbitrary."
"What a 'heart like thunder, face like a calm lake'."
The youth in exotic clothing glanced at him and raised an eyebrow: "Who are you?"
"A nobody." Li Tiantong said indifferently: "I haven't seen the Prodigy you spoke of, but I have seen Han Xuanji."
As soon as these words were spoken, many people around cheered.
The youth in exotic clothing wanted to say something else, but was tugged on the sleeve by the person beside him, who whispered a few words.
His expression changed slightly, he glanced at Li Tiantong, and snorted: "I can't be bothered with you for now. You are also going to participate in the Law Conference, right? We'll see then!"
The youth in exotic clothing left a harsh threat and flicked his sleeves as he departed.
The atmosphere in the private room did not lighten because of this; instead, it became even heavier.
Wang Ping slowly loosened his clenched fists, took a deep breath, and turned to look at Li Tiantong, his eyes carrying a touch of complex emotion.
"Brother Tiantong, thank you for just now. You have quite the eloquence."
If it hadn't been for Li Tiantong's quick thinking just now, it would have been embarrassing. If word got out, his own reputation would be fine, but Han Xuanji's reputation would have been ruined by him.
Li Tiantong shook his head, his expression remaining calm: "What good would arguing do? Winning with words doesn't mean anything. If you really want to fight for this breath, you still have to see the real results at the Law Conference."
Hun Jiuge held his wine cup, staring at the direction in which the youth in exotic clothing left, his brows tightly locked.
"This person came from Jiuxuan City. Looking at his bearing, he shouldn't be an ordinary person."
Hun Jiuge lowered his voice, his tone carrying a touch of worry: "Brother Tiantong, you just confronted him, and when he was leaving, he specifically asked if you were participating in the Law Conference. I'm afraid he holds a grudge."
Li Tiantong picked up his teacup, took a light sip, and said indifferently: "Let him hold a grudge. At the Law Conference, it is all about one's own ability. If he has the ability to beat me, I have nothing to say. If he has no ability, holding a grudge is useless."
These words were spoken with openness and ease, but they also carried a hint of weight. Hun Jiuge glanced at him, secretly admiring him in his heart.
Although this brother might not be able to compare to those top Prodigies, this Heart-Nature is truly far beyond the average person.
Wang Ping slapped the table, stood up, his gaze sweeping over the two, his tone solemn: "Brother Tiantong is right. Instead of being gossiped about here, it's better to go back and cultivate well. At the Law Conference, let strength do the talking."
He paused, looked at the twilight of Qianhun City outside the window, a flash of determination in his eyes: "I am not a Cultivator of the Way of Laws, but I also do not want to let people look down on our Qianhun City."
Hun Jiuge was infected by his words, stood up, and raised his wine cup: "Good! Then let us each work hard, and no one can lose face!"
Li Tiantong also stood up, raised his cup, and gently clinked it with the two. "Let us each work hard."
The three people's gazes met, and without saying anything more, they all saw the same thing in each other's eyes.
That was determination, and also an unyielding spirit.
Han Xuanji did not know that he had been inexplicably held a grudge against.
If he knew, he wouldn't think it was a problem.
There is no one in the world who can be liked by everyone...
...
After the youth in exotic clothing left, he did not leave Qianmeng Pavilion; wandering around, he came to a more luxurious private room.
Standing at the door were two Cultivators in gray robes, their aura restrained, yet giving people a feeling of being unfathomable.
Seeing the youth in exotic clothing, the two nodded slightly, without blocking him or speaking.
He adjusted his robes, took a deep breath, and pushed the door open to enter.