This news was naturally the first one he had leaked.
He paid a considerable price to obtain this information from someone who had emerged from the Life and Death Ravine, and then had some people "inadvertently" mention it among the common people.
One person tells ten, ten tell a hundred; rumors snowball, growing bigger and bigger, more and more outrageous.
The results were even better than he had expected.
Today, when Han Xuanji is mentioned in the city, opinions are mixed.
At this time, news of Zhou Lie's feat of single-handedly slaying True Master- level wild beast spread, and the difference in skill between them was immediately apparent.
"Once I've made a name for myself, the title of 'Number One Prodigy' will still be mine."
Zhou Lie smiled and downed the wine in his glass in one gulp.
To gain both fame and fortune—isn't that wonderful?
To be honest, Zhou Lie didn't want to resort to such low-level tactics.
Unfortunately, when he challenged Han Xuanji to a duel, the latter completely ignored him.
He couldn't just attack the Soul Household because they disagreed, could he?
In Thousand Souls City, although his Tiger and Panther Legion was powerful, it was still somewhat inferior to the Soul Household, which held the authority of the city lord.
His pursuit of fame and fortune stemmed from two main reasons. Firstly, he came from the Zhou Household, which was not a prominent Lineage. The elders in the clan valued him, and he felt he could only repay the Lineage in this way.
On the other hand, thanks to this title, the most outstanding talents from all the major forces in the city used to respectfully address him as "Senior Brother Zhou."
Of course, in reality, whether it is cultivation level, combat strength, or battle record, he is indeed far superior to other people of the same age.
Back then, he was the pinnacle of Thousand Souls City.
Until Han Xuanji appeared.
He ascended the Five Elements Heavenly Stairway, becoming famous throughout Thousand Souls City. Even the master of the Five Elements Pavilion Tower personally offered to take him as a disciple.
Later, he displayed astonishing willpower and won over Baili Qianchi.
In the teahouses and taverns of the city, everyone was talking about "Young Master Han," and no one mentioned Zhou Lie anymore.
What's even more ridiculous is that, starting sometime during this period, some people began calling him "the second prodigy of Thousand Souls City " behind his back.
second.
These two words were like a thorn stuck in his heart, impossible to remove.
While Zhou Lie was still thinking about this, he suddenly received a message.
After he finished reading it, a smile immediately appeared on his lips, and he was overjoyed.
"Okay, okay, okay!"
"I also follow the Dao of Principle, and I have already condensed the tenth Eternal Dao Principle. I will show you who the real 'genius' is!"
On the other side.
Han Xuanji has already told Hun Qianxue about her desire to go to the Creation Platform.
Hun Qianxue responded very quickly and did not object to Han Xuanji's swift withdrawal from the Life and Death Ravine last time.
[Leave this to me. I'll immediately send someone to negotiate with the Tiger and Panther Legion, who controls the Creation Platform, but it will take some time.]
Hun Qianxue was not dissatisfied at all; on the contrary, he comforted Han Xuanji.
[By the way, Xuanji, don't pay attention to the rumors. I'll handle it.]
Han Xuanji was somewhat puzzled upon seeing the reply.
What rumor?
[It's alright, just focus on your cultivation.]
Seeing that Han Xuanji seemed genuinely unaware, Hun Qianxue understood.
I reckon this person is truly in seclusion, completely ignoring the situation outside.
This is consistent with Han Xuanji's usual style.
Thinking of this, Hun Qianxue didn't say anything more, indicating that he would fully support Han Xuanji and that he shouldn't think too much about it.
Although Han Xuanji was somewhat puzzled, he thanked her and then hung up the call.
"Could it be that someone is causing trouble again?"
Han Xuanji took out another private communication token and glanced at the message.
Wang Ping sent him a few messages.
After reading it, Han Xuanji frowned slightly.
"Rumors targeting me?"
He had sensed something was amiss when Hun Qianxue asked him to "ignore the rumors."
He hadn't asked for details at the time, but Wang Ping's words now revealed the truth to him.
However, he was not angry, nor did he show any emotional fluctuation.
Rumors, to put it another way, are essentially just people who can't stand to see someone doing well.
He just couldn't quite understand it.
"I figured that all the people who have a grudge against me, who have always kept a low profile, should be dead by now."
Han Xuanji leaned back in his chair, secretly making plans in his mind.
Hun Qianchen and Hun Zangfeng have been executed, and the people of the Heavenly Martial Sect have been almost entirely wiped out by the Soul Household. Those in the Hun Lineage who were once hostile to him have long since fallen silent after Ling Feng's apology and dare not cause any more trouble.
Who else would go to such lengths to smear him?
"Could they be remnants of the Heavenly Martial Sect? Or someone else entirely?"
Han Xuanji pondered for a moment.
Because his behavior actually deviates from his behavior in the simulation, it will inevitably lead to changes in the future.
However, major events should not have any impact.
He had no leads and was too lazy to investigate.
Now that Hun Qianxue knows about this, he will definitely investigate it thoroughly.
The Soul Household's secret guards are not to be trifled with; in Thousand Souls City, nothing can escape the Soul Household's eyes.
Forget it, I don't want to think about it anymore.
And for me, it makes no difference.
Han Xuanji placed the jade talisman aside and closed her eyes.
To be honest, such rumors are not only not harmful to him, but may even be beneficial.
He never wanted to be in the limelight; he understood better than anyone the principle that the bigger the tree, the more the wind will blow against it.
In the Eternal Continent, he was just a newcomer with a shallow foundation and weak strength. Exposing himself to the spotlight would only bring more unnecessary trouble.
Hun Qianxue helped him block most of the damage, but that could only be done temporarily, not forever.
Now that someone is helping him "cool down," causing him to fall from his pedestal as a "peerless genius" and become someone with "mixed reputation," this may not necessarily be a bad thing.
"May you live a peaceful and uneventful life, and get through this developmental period without any major problems."
Han Xuanji's lips curled up slightly.
He has a system at his disposal; given enough time, his Wuliang.
At that time, all rumors and gossip, all empty fame and fleeting fortune, will be worthless.
He took a deep breath and continued to consolidate his cultivation.
The door to the cultivation room was tightly closed, with only indistinct restrictions constantly operating all around.
The noise and commotion outside had nothing to do with him.
Hun Qianxue put down the communication jade talisman, and the smile on his face gradually faded, replaced by a solemn expression.
Han Xuanji didn't take the gossip to heart, and was completely unaware that people were talking behind her back.
This kind of mindset is truly rare.
But precisely because of this, Hun Qianxue felt even more that he couldn't let him suffer any injustice.
"How's the investigation going with the secret guards?"
Hun Qianxue asked in a deep voice.
From the shadows within the hall, a figure silently emerged.
The man was completely shrouded in a black robe, his face mostly obscured by a hood, revealing only a pair of sharp eyes.
"Reporting to the patriarch, the matter has been investigated and resolved."
The black-robed man's voice was hoarse and deep:
"The initial news originated from a Rogue Cultivator named Wu Daoyuan, who, after emerging from the Life and Death Ravine, sold the information that Young Master Han had left the secret realm ahead of schedule to several people."