Great Elder Zhang turned his head and shot him a cold glare.
The blue-robed cultivator's scalp immediately went numb. He flicked his sleeve, rose to his feet, and cupped his hands in apology. "This junior has been discourteous."
Elder Feng smiled kindly.
Great Elder Zhang said, "The youngster has no manners. Elder Feng, please do not take offense."
"It is nothing..." Elder Feng waved a hand, studied the blue-robed cultivator, and asked, "And this is...?"
The blue-robed cultivator bowed. "This junior is Zhang Lan."
"Zhang Lan..."
Elder Feng pondered. Seeing his green robes, his refined bearing, the free-spirited yet steady cast of his brows and eyes, and the fact that he had already attained Golden Core cultivation at such a young age, he could not help but marvel. He praised him, saying:
"A name that suits the man—talented and dashing, with Canglan in his heart. The Zhang Family truly produces outstanding talents in endless succession..."
Great Elder Zhang waved his hand. "Brother Feng flatters him. This brat has always lacked proper conduct. No matter where he goes, he never has a serious bone in his body."
Though he said that, a trace of gratification still showed in his eyes.
He had watched Zhang Lan grow up.
Before, he had only thought the boy lazy and undisciplined, fickle in all he did, surely incapable of achieving anything great.
Yet after going out to gain experience, who knew what he had gone through? He had instead become much steadier. He could now settle his heart into cultivation, and his cultivation had advanced by leaps and bounds. At least he had not wasted his exceptional talent.
Elder Feng poured tea for Great Elder Zhang.
An attendant also respectfully stepped forward and refilled Zhang Lan's cup.
"Have some tea," the Feng Family elder said,