Seeing the group deep in thought, the young man in strange clothes became even more interested and continued:
"While I don't deny that Han Xuanji is formidable, there are quite a few comparable figures in a state-level megacity like Nine Mysteries City."
"Getting first place isn't as easy as you think."
The young man in strange clothes did make some sense, but Wang Ping couldn't stand it. He was about to speak when Li Tiantong interrupted:
"Then how do you know that Brother Han can't do it?"
"Oh?"
Seeing that Li Tiantong was anxious, the young man in strange clothes spoke with a hint of condescension:
"You might as well think about it: if Han Xuanji really had that ability, why didn't he go to Nine Mysteries City to develop his career?"
Staying in Thousand Souls City, this remote borderland, is simply a matter of being a big fish in a small pond rather than a small fish in a big pond.
These words silenced many in the room.
This is not a new viewpoint, but a deeply ingrained prejudice.
Although Thousand Souls City is a large city, it can only be considered a border region in the Nine Mysteries Prefecture, and its resources and talents cannot compare with those of the state capital.
Those prodigies from the state capital have been exposed to more advanced Cultivation Method, purer Spiritual Qi, and more powerful opponents since childhood.
The same talent will develop at different rates depending on the environment.
"Of course, Zhou Lie also had a different understanding, which is why he went to Nine Mysteries City."
The young cultivator in unusual clothes added a final sentence, giving Wang Ping a meaningful look.
"You all know how it turned out."
The atmosphere in the private room became subtle.
Some people whispered in agreement, while others frowned and remained silent, but no one stood up to refute them.
Because the facts speak for themselves.
The geniuses of Thousand Souls City are indeed no match for those of Nine Mysteries City.
Examples like Zhou Lie are not uncommon. Many talented individuals who went to develop in larger cities either disappeared without a trace or returned to this land.
It's not uncommon for people to surge upwards, but those are mostly rumors; no one has actually witnessed it.
"He's so arrogant!"
The woman playing the zither inside the building spoke. She had witnessed Han Xuanji's brilliance before, and she was somewhat angry, but she couldn't use her strength against him.
In fact, some people inside the building were displeased, after all, Han Xuanji was a prodigy of Thousand Souls City.
For many years, these people from state capitals or megacities have always had a sense of superiority, looking down on them, the border cultivators, believing that they only come here to develop their careers when they can't make it in the state capitals.
But isn't this also a kind of irony?
After all, Thousand Souls City is a large city, and some of them go to smaller cities, also with a sense of superiority.
Regardless, knowing that this strangely dressed youth came from Nine Mysteries City, many people dared not approach him to argue.
A person's name, a tree's shadow.
Their strength is not something they boast about.
Wang Ping clenched his fist, his knuckles clearly defined.
He wanted to say something, but found himself unable to find words strong enough to refute it.
This is the downside of not reading much.
" Zhou Lie is Zhou Lie, Han Xuanji is Han Xuanji."
Everyone looked in the direction of the voice and saw Li Tiantong, whose expression remained calm, speaking:
" Zhou Lie lost, but that doesn't mean Han Xuanji will lose too."
Moreover, Zhou Lie lost to the prodigy of Nine Mysteries City, but Han Xuanji has not yet lost to anyone.
To judge a person based on something that hasn't happened yet is far too arbitrary.
"What a fine example of having a heart pounding with thunder but a face as calm as a still lake."
The young man in strange clothes glanced at him and raised an eyebrow:
"Who are you?"
"An unknown nobody."
Li Tiantong said calmly:
"I haven't met the prodigy you mentioned, but I have met Han Xuanji."
Upon hearing this, many people around cheered.
The young man in strange clothes wanted to say something, but the person next to him tugged at his sleeve and 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'll be participating in the Principle Conference eventually, won't you? We'll see!"
The young man in strange clothes uttered harsh words and stormed off.
The atmosphere in the private room did not lighten up; instead, it became somewhat heavy.
Wang Ping slowly relaxed his clenched fist, took a deep breath, and turned to look at Li Tiantong, his eyes filled with complex emotions.
"Brother Tiantong, thank you very much for earlier. You have excellent speaking skills."
If Li Tiantong hadn't been quick-witted, he would have made a fool of himself. If word got out, his reputation might be okay, but Han Xuanji's reputation would have been ruined.
Li Tiantong shook his head, his expression remaining calm.
"What good does arguing do? Winning an argument doesn't mean anything."
"If we really want to prove ourselves, we'll have to see who prevails at the Principle Conference."
Hun Jiuge held her wine cup, staring at the direction the strangely dressed youth had left, her brows furrowed.
"This person is from Nine Mysteries City. Judging from his demeanor, he's probably no ordinary person."
Hun Jiuge lowered his voice, his tone tinged with worry:
"Brother Tiantong, you just contradicted him. Before he left, he specifically asked you if you were going to participate in the Principle Conference. He's probably holding a grudge."
Li Tiantong his teacup, took a small sip, and said calmly:
"Let grudges be grudges. At the Principle Conference, everyone is supposed to rely on their own abilities."
If he has the ability to beat me, I have nothing to say.
If he's incompetent, holding a grudge is useless.
These words were spoken frankly and lightly, yet carried a hint of heaviness.
Hun Jiuge glanced at him, secretly admiring him.
This brother may not be as good as those top geniuses, but his temperament is indeed far beyond that of ordinary people.
Wang Ping slapped the table, stood up, glanced at the two of them, and said solemnly:
"Brother Tiantong is right. Rather than being gossiped about here, we should go back and cultivate ourselves properly."
At the Principle Conference, strength speaks for itself.
He paused, looking out the window at the twilight over Thousand Souls City, a resolute glint in his eyes:
"I am not a cultivator of the Dao of Principle, but I cannot allow anyone to look down on our Thousand Souls City."
Inspired by his words, Hun Jiuge stood up and raised her wine glass:
"Alright! Let's each do our best and not let anyone down!"
Li Tiantong also stood up, raised his glass, and lightly clinked it with the two men's glasses.
"Each of us should do our best."
The three people's eyes met, and without saying anything more, they all saw the same thing in each other's eyes.
That was determination, and an indomitable spirit.
On the other side.
Han Xuanji had something on her mind.
Who's got their eye on him now?
He was unaware that he had inexplicably stirred up another wave of hatred.
Even if I knew, I wouldn't feel anything about it.
No one in the world can be liked by everyone...
After the young man in strange clothes left, he did not leave Shallow Dream Pavilion. Instead, he wandered around and came to an even more luxurious private room.
Two gray-robed cultivators stood at the entrance, their auras restrained, yet giving off an unfathomable feeling.
Upon seeing the young man in unusual clothes, the two nodded slightly, neither stopping him nor speaking.
He straightened his robes, took a deep breath, and pushed open the door to enter.