"There’s a good show to watch!"
This was the thought of everyone present.
Shen Xinglan and Phoenix were already the most dazzling figures in the audience; their every move attracted countless people’s nerves and captured everyone’s attention.
Seeing Shen Xinglan taking the initiative to walk towards where Tang Fei was, their expressions all became excited.
"Look, look, Shen Xinglan is going to Tang Fei... the kings don’t see each other, are these two going to fight?"
"It shouldn’t be, right? How could someone like Shen Xinglan, a favored son of heaven, stoop to fight over a woman? That would really be too embarrassing."
"If that woman is the Princess, then it’s understandable... They probably won’t fight, but it’s likely he’ll actively challenge Tang Fei like Qin Jianyi did... If Tang Fei accepts the challenge, then he will only get beaten up by Shen Xinglan. If he doesn’t accept, that would look even worse than losing..."
"How could Tang Fei possibly be a match for Shen Xinglan? Shen Xinglan still holds the record for the youngest promotion in the Tongyou Realm..."
"That Tang Fei is not to be trifled with either, even Qin Jianyi was not his opponent..."
Phoenix and others also noticed Shen Xinglan walking towards them, Phoenix’s mouth slightly opened, wanting to say something, but in the end, she didn’t say anything.
From her perspective, a lot of things were better left unsaid.
Besides, Shen Xinglan didn’t say or do anything, so she couldn’t be too overt in defending him...
Tang Fei’s face wore a brilliant smile, like he was greeting an old friend who had traveled from afar, obscuring his true thoughts.
Only Sheng Xinhua’s smile carried a teasing tone as she spoke aloud, "A fair lady, a gentleman’s good match. It’s just unfortunate our beloved Princess Xiu Xue is too charming; even I, a woman, wish I could hold her in my arms and cherish her."
"I must say, Shen Xinglan does have quite a good appeal..."
Phoenix glared fiercely at her; this woman really didn’t know when to hold her tongue. Should the Shen family hear Sheng Xinhua commenting on their gem Shen Xinglan’s ’appeal’, it would surely provoke a lot of trouble.
Sheng Xinhua clearly understood Phoenix’s warning, speaking aloud, "Don’t worry, I’m only saying this among us... He can’t hear it."
"Can’t I just deny it? A literature professor at the Imperial First Military Academy, how could I say such lewd remarks? Perhaps someone is deliberately framing me, trying to undermine my father’s relationship with the Shen family?"
Indeed, shamelessness is unbeatable.
Under everyone’s watchful eyes, Shen Xinglan approached Tang Fei, smiling as he said, "Tang Fei?"
Shen Xinglan extended his hand to Tang Fei and said, "As a friend of Phoenix, I am grateful to you for stepping in to help during such a dangerous moment, allowing her to return safely to New Star..."
Hmm? Is this asserting dominance?
"Don’t mention it, as a friend of Phoenix, it was my duty," Tang Fei responded.
"Also, welcome to New Star, I hope we can have more exchanges and learn from each other in the future."
"There will definitely be opportunities," Tang Fei said with a cheerful laugh.
Want to challenge me? No way.
For now, I am not going to accept your challenge.
Tang Fei wasn’t foolish, a refugee boy from the Old Land, wasn’t delusional enough to think he could defeat everyone in New Star with his skills.
So, if Shen Xinglan didn’t voice a challenge, that was fine.
But if he dared to challenge, Tang Fei would show him what was called the most brutal refusal in history...
Shen Xinglan was also sizing up Tang Fei who was very close, an extraordinary man with delicate features and a clean smile, but what was most striking was the vigor he embodied.
True to his name, he exuded an air of banditry.
This gave people a sense of stubbornness that was not easily submissive.
"I watched your forest duel with Shen Qingping; it was quite spectacular. Your familiarity with the forest and use of the terrain were textbook level, I can assure you, on this New Star, no one can understand this map better than you..."
Shen Qingping was one of Shen family, his cousin.
However, from his mouth, it seemed like he was talking about an unimportant stranger.
"Thank you," Tang Fei expressed his gratitude.
But inside, he found it odd, was this guy praising him? And putting quite an effort into it?
"However, your cultivation foundation is not solid enough, and the circulation and manipulation of Yin Yang Qi are not stable..."
"When you lopped off an arm and struck from the thirty-seventh to the thirty-ninth sword, there was clearly a sensation of unobstructed Qi and blood, did you notice that?"
Tang Fei’s eyes sharpened as he looked at Shen Xinglan and asked, "You watched that closely?"
"From everyone, there is something to learn. I haven’t seen such a spectacular forest battle in a long time, naturally, I had to fully appreciate and learn from it."
Shen Xinglan’s voice was calm, and his smile remained gentle, as if he was discussing trivial matters. "The conditions in the Old Land weren’t mature enough, which has led to your weaknesses. You can find your own Cultivation Technique to consolidate again, or you can find a method to solidify and nurture the foundation on New Star to repair it, making the Yin Yang Qi flow smoothly..."
"Original Scripture, Chaos Technique, Infallible Method are all legitimate foundation-strengthening books, and they’re not hard to find... There should be quite a few at Phoenix..."
"If I’m not mistaken, the Cultivation Technique you’re practicing is the Dragon Elephant Demon Suppressing Skill, right? With your current realm and strength, the Dragon Elephant has always been formed but not solidified, simply because your foundations are not firmly established. If you fill in this gap, practicing this set of techniques in the future will definitely be more efficient..."
Tang Fei looked at Shen Xinglan with a stunned face. What is big brother trying to say?
Aren’t we natural rivals? Aren’t we born competitors?
Aren’t you supposed to insult and provoke me, throwing down a glove in challenge?
What are you actually doing?
Telling me you’ve spotted my cultivation flaws and then providing a pile of recommendations for corrections and improvements?
What’s even more heart-stabbing is that after thinking it over, Tang Fei realized that every word Shen Xinglan had said was true.
He saw his problems clearly, and the solutions he proposed were precise.
He hadn’t treated Tang Fei as a competitor at all, he was even willing to extend a helping hand...
Kid, you got this problem wrong, you need to do it again.
I’m telling you there’s a better way to solve it...
Is this the crushing defeat of a top student against a poor student?
In the Old Land, the living conditions were extremely harsh.
Thus, Tang Fei developed a combative nature, fighting against the heavens, the earth, other people, and wild beasts. His first reaction to anyone, even a dog, was whether it might harm him.
After arriving on New Star, he wasn’t able to shake off this habit.
He remained cautious and guarded against everyone, fearing the slightest negligence could cost both his and Little Fatty’s lives. Every word was carefully spoken, and every step was like walking on thin ice.
He was guarded against Shen Xinglan, and one might even say he harbored hostility.
Because of Phoenix...
Because of the saying, "Phoenix perches on Mount Xi..."
And because he was too outstanding, so outstanding that he didn’t seem like a man of this world, but rather like a celestial being living in the highest courts of heaven.
Which man would like such a man?
When Shen Xinglan approached him, Tang Fei was mentally prepared for the worst.
If he challenged him, he would throw himself on the ground and say that he was wounded by a sword Qi from Qin Jianyi. "Wait for me for fifty years, and after fifty years, let’s fight a decisive battle..."
He knew he was no match for Shen Xinglan.
Rather than being maimed in the duel, losing his limbs or having his head cut off, it’s better to admit defeat cleanly and wait for an opportunity to strike back.
Yes, it’s despicable, shameless, and disgraceful...
But in such a situation, such a moment, could he afford to care about saving face?
The difference in their realms was as vast as between heaven and earth.
However, Shen Xinglan did nothing of the sort.
No, he feared what Shen Xinglan might do to him, yet Shen Xinglan did none of it.
He first praised Tang Fei’s grasp of the forest map and his use of the terrain, which was textbook level, then calmly pointed out Tang Fei’s insufficient foundation establishment, the slight blockade in his Yin Yang Qi, and conveniently offered several solutions...
Not only did he completely surprise Tang Fei, but he also left everyone present dumbfounded.
"Shen Xinglan didn’t challenge Tang Fei? He even pointed out Tang Fei’s cultivation flaws to help him improve?"
"This is the Head of the Seven Stars, Shen Xinglan... truly awe-inspiring..."
"Such magnanimity and vision, we mortals feel utterly ashamed..."
"Shen Xinglan, oh Shen Xinglan... from today onwards, if anyone speaks ill of Shen Xinglan again, I’ll fight them to the death..."
Shen Xinglan did not challenge Tang Fei, nor did he stir up conflict.
Yet, such a Shen Xinglan has even greater personal charisma and is more respected.
In this moment, Shen Xinglan was simply radiant.
"Cultivation is foremost about talent, followed by diligence. Your talent is not bad, but you lack guidance from a famous mentor and systematic training..."
"Although the Ancient Martial Department of the Imperial First Military Academy is quite strong, it is just that—decent... If you could enter White Crane Academy, where the headmaster is Great Grandmaster Xuanyuan Mingjing and several Grandmasters are instructors... If you could receive their guidance, it would greatly benefit you for life, elevating your rank as easily as drinking tea, breaking through realms like splitting bamboo..."
Shen Xinglan paid no attention to the admiring gazes and words of praise but just patted Tang Fei on the shoulder and said, "I’ll be waiting for you at White Crane Academy."
Without waiting for Tang Fei’s reply, he patted Xiao Bai on the head. Xiao Bai understood, spread his huge wings, and soared into the sky.
Shen Xinglan leapt up, riding on Bai Lu into the blue sky, disappearing from the view and astonishment of the crowd.
Tang Fei stared as the white figure vanished, feeling a profound sense of loss.
He felt as though he had lost a lover.