The two young cultivators, who had mustered the courage to speak with Jiang Yixing, returned to the crowd in a daze. People around them gathered around, asking, "Hey, what were you doing? Why were you eating together?"
"Who are they? Do you know them?"
"No way, what are you two grinning about? It's disgusting!"
The two men wiped the smiles off their faces and glared at the cultivator who had spoken. "You're the disgusting one! We're just happy!"
"What's so exciting? By the way, what are you two doing with that notebook? Let me see it."
"Go away, what are you looking at? This is our cultivation secret formula. Do you think you can see it?"
"What secret recipe? You just chatted with those two good-looking newcomers for a while, didn't you?"
"You won't be seduced by their good looks, will you?"
The two raised their hands, stopping the crowd of people making wild guesses. "You dare call them newcomers?"
"They're Foundation Establishment level experts! They even serve as advisors to the alliance!"
"Impossible! Don't talk nonsense! How young are they? Foundation Establishment stage??"
"That's right, you can't just say things like that!"
"Hey, would I lie to you? Otherwise, why do you think they deserve to sit alongside the four great families?" the young cultivator argued.
The other person retorted, "Did you see who brought these two seniors in? Zhou Weihe! The head of the Zhou family in City B!"
The group exchanged glances, wanting to retort but unable to find a reason. They were right; if Jiang Yixing and Rong Hang weren't Foundation Establishment cultivators, why were they allowed to sit in the front row? Why were they allowed to communicate with representatives of the four major clans? Why were Zhou Wei and others leading the way for them?
Others stubbornly refused to believe it: "I just don't believe it! How could they be Foundation Establishment cultivators at such a young age? They might be descendants of some powerful beings!"
The two cultivators sneered, notebooks in their hands, about to say something, when they were drawn to everyone's gaze. Turning around, they saw that Gu Chun had walked over to Jiang Yixing and Rong Hang, and was sitting down to eat with them!
There's no need to say anything more now. Gu Chun—the highest combat power in the cultivation world—can sit and eat with them. Isn't his identity obvious?
The cultivators exchanged incredulous glances. Could it be that there really was a Foundation Establishment cultivator in his twenties?
Jiang Yixing smiled at Gu Chun: "What brings you here?"
Gu Chun flicked his sleeve, and a little hamster popped out from it.
“This was made by Ji Fuxin; he insisted that I bring it to you.”
Gu Chun handed the other one to Rong Hang, saying, "This is yours."
Jiang Yixing picked up the hamster; it was still fluffy, and he couldn't help but stroke it a couple more times. "What's this?"
"A small communicator, also with listening and monitoring functions."
"It's quite cute."
Jiang Yixing pushed a plate of pastries over, "By the way, this is a new product that Rong Hang and I just discovered, it's delicious."
Gu Chun picked one up, put it in his mouth, and nodded. "I'll pack a plate to take back later. Ji Fu likes to eat it."
Jiang Yixing smiled upon hearing this, "Pack a few portions for us too, so we can eat them while catching our flight."
Gu Chun nodded, indicating that he could.
The forum was finally about to begin, and Gu Chun returned to his seat.
The first half of the flashback was really dull and boring, and Jiang Yixing's drowsiness was brought out, so he couldn't help but doze off in his seat.
"Keep an eye on things for me, I'm so sleepy," Jiang Yixing instructed Rong Hang.
Rong Hang nodded and set up a soundproof barrier for Jiang Yixing.
Jiang Yixing slept soundly until Rong Hang took the stage.
Jiang Yixing opened his eyes and heard the host introducing Rong Hang, adding a lot of titles to Rong Hang's introduction - "a cultivation genius that is rare in a century", "a newly promoted Foundation Establishment cultivator", "an honorary advisor of the alliance", and so on.
Rong Hang's speech was much shorter and simpler than the titles given to him, and its main point was to stay true to oneself and not be disturbed by external things.
Jiang Yixing clutched the speech draft Rong Hang had written for him, feeling extremely guilty, suspecting that Rong Hang had used all his literary talent in this speech.
When Rong Hang stepped down, there was a sparse round of applause from the audience.
Suddenly, a cold snort came from below the stage: "Showy but impractical, all talk and no action."
Rong Hang glanced at Xie Shun, who was speaking, but did not stop walking. His expression was natural as he walked off the stage.
The atmosphere became tense. Everyone realized that Xie Shun didn't like the newcomer. Suddenly, the applause stopped, and the scene fell silent.
None of this affected Rong Hang. He quietly returned to his seat, as if he hadn't heard Xie Shun's speech.
The people present breathed a sigh of relief, but at the same time felt that Rong Hang was timid, not even saying a word in rebuttal.
Rong Hang returned to his seat, dressed in a black suit that fit him perfectly, looking every bit the young man.
Xie Shun was also very unhappy. Rong Hang's silence made him feel ignored.
Xie Shun picked up the tea beside him, took a sip, and before the host came on stage, the room was still silent. The only sound in the room was Xie Shun's voice: "These young people nowadays are so arrogant."
The host, who was already preparing to go on stage, broke out in a cold sweat upon hearing Xie Shun's words. How was he supposed to warm up the atmosphere now that Xie Shun had said that?! The host gripped his cue cards tightly. What bad luck! To run into something like this!
Just as the host, who had finally mentally prepared himself, was about to go on stage, a clear, melodious female voice said, "Hmm? Does Patriarch Xie wish to discuss philosophy with us young people?"
"I thought I was here for a simple sharing session, where everyone could express their opinions and learn from each other's strengths. I never expected to have to debate like this?"
Everyone present gasped. Jiang Yixing's words were a blatant slap in the face to Xie Shun, clearly accusing him of breaking the rules and taking advantage of his seniority!
The atmosphere grew even colder, and everyone held their breath, fearing that the fighting would spread to them.
Xie Shun's face had turned pale, and he glared at Jiang Yixing with hostility.
Jiang Yixing smiled and turned to look at the host who was still frozen in the audience. "I'm next. Why don't I introduce myself?"
The host nodded repeatedly, "Okay, okay, please go ahead."
He dared not participate in such a scene, but fortunately Jiang Yixing volunteered to go on stage. Dressed in an exquisite suit, the host's heart was pounding with excitement. Fellow Daoist Jiang is so handsome!
Jiang Yixing straightened his clothes, picked up his four-page speech, and calmly walked onto the stage.
The view from the stage was crystal clear, and everyone held their breath. Jiang Yixing met Xie Shun's gaze directly. "My name is Jiang Yixing. I'm a Foundation Establishment cultivator this year and just joined the alliance. I've known Fellow Daoist Rong Hang for a long time. Fellow Daoist Xie Shun, if you have any questions, please let me answer them for you."
Everyone, even the representatives of the four major families, swallowed hard. She called Xie Shun, Fellow Daoist?
Some junior cultivators in the Qi Refining stage had already entered a state of sagehood, silently chanting in their hearts: It's none of my business, it's none of my business.
Xie Shun's face was cold, his drooping eyes looking extremely imposing. He slightly raised his eyes, his gaze piercing like a knife. "Junior, how dare you speak to me like that?"
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