After spending quite some time in the waiting area before Star Oracle Hall feeling the competition atmosphere that had almost condensed into substance, Tang Xiaoqi felt the need to change environments to relax his mind, and also wanted to more intuitively experience the daily life of this Tian Shu City. He remembered Zhao Tiezhu was still at the inn, so he decided to return to "Clouds Come Inn" first, take him out to see things, and find a place to eat by the way.
Back at the inn, Zhao Tiezhu was indeed still sitting restlessly in his room, both excited and somewhat at a loss. Seeing Xiaoqi return, he was like finding a backbone, hurriedly coming forward: "Senior, you are back! Outside... how is it outside?"
"Many people, many geniuses too." Xiaoqi said concisely, "Let's go, I will take you to eat something, see what this Tian Shu City's restaurants are like."
Zhao Tiezhu's eyes immediately brightened upon hearing this, nodding repeatedly: "Oh! Good! I will follow Senior in everything!"
The two once again walked onto Starlight Avenue. This time, Tang Xiaoqi did not rush, but slowed his pace, taking Zhao Tiezhu to walk and look. Zhao Tiezhu still had that look of finding everything novel, but having had the previous shock, this time he finally did not shout loudly, just stared wide-eyed, occasionally making "tsk tsk" sounds of amazement.
Tang Xiaoqi noticed that besides those shops selling cultivation resources, there were also extremely many restaurants and eateries on both sides of the street, and with various styles. There was the "Drunken Immortal Tower" decorated luxuriously like an immortal palace jade tower, the "Rain Listening Pavilion" elegant and refined with string and wind instruments, and also the "Hundred Flavors Hall" lively and noisy, full of worldly atmosphere.
He thought for a moment and chose that "Hundred Flavors Hall" which looked to have the most popularity and was the most down-to-earth. This building was five stories high, with carved beams and painted rafters, attendants at the entrance calling out constantly. Cultivators entering and leaving were of all kinds, both gorgeously dressed sect disciples and travel-worn rogue cultivators, appearing quite full of worldly life.
Entering the restaurant, a wave of noise mixed with the mellow fragrance of spiritual wine, the heat of delicacies, and various discussions hit their faces. The main hall was almost full, voices buzzing. The waiter was sharp-eyed, seeing the two enter, immediately came forward with a full smile: "Two guests, are you here for food or wine? There are still a few seats in the main hall, and the private rooms on the second floor also have vacancies."
"Just in the main hall." Tang Xiaoqi said indifferently, he wanted to experience this worldly atmosphere in the first place.
"Very well! Two guests, please follow me!" The waiter deftly led them to a relatively quiet spot by a window.
After sitting down and ordering several signature spiritual dishes and a pot of the locally famous "Flame Burning Knife" spirit wine, Tang Xiaoqi seemingly casually observed the scene in the main hall, while his ears caught the noisy discussions around. Zhao Tiezhu sat somewhat stiffly, a pair of eyes not enough, looking everywhere, watching those dishes at other tables that had color, fragrance, and taste, even emitting spiritual light, secretly swallowing saliva.
Indeed, restaurants were still places where information gathered. Most topics still revolved around the upcoming "Wan Xiang Wen Dao Assembly" and the "Hidden Dragon List."
However, not long after, an especially arrogant, completely unmasked conversation and laughter came from a private room not far away, attracting Tang Xiaoqi's attention.
At that table sat five or six young cultivators, all dressed gorgeously with impressive auras, the lowest cultivation being Golden Core mid-stage, and the leader even reaching Golden Core late stage. They all had a sun-fire pattern embroidered on their cuffs, precisely disciples of "Blazing Sun Sect" that Tang Xiaoqi had met once outside the city. And that leading youth, with a haughty face and eyes carrying a sense of innate superiority, was that "Big Senior Brother" who had been frightened back by a trace of his aura at the city gate earlier.
At this moment, this Blazing Sun Sect young master seemed to have completely forgotten his embarrassment at the city gate, and was conversing loudly with his companions, his voice carrying, as if afraid others would not hear.
"Hmph, this assembly has fish and dragons mixed together, all sorts of cats and dogs running to join in the fun, truly lowering the standard!" That Blazing Sun Sect young master, named Yan Feng, took a sip of wine and spoke disdainfully.
"Brother Yan is right!" A disciple beside him immediately chimed in, "Especially those cultivators from so-called barbarian lands like Southeast Region or Northern Wastes, all rustic and low in cultivation, yet daring to call themselves geniuses? What a joke!"
"Exactly!" Another person also sneered, "I heard the Southeast Region does not even have a decent Nascent Soul sect, the strongest are just a few Golden Core late stage small sects, placed in our Central Plains, they would not even count as third-rate forces! I really do not know why Star Oracle Hall would give 'Dao Inquiry Invitations' to such places!"
Yan Feng proudly swayed his wine cup, speaking contemptuously: "Barbarian lands, what kind of figures could they produce? Nothing more than frogs in a well, luckily getting some opportunity, then not knowing the height of heaven and earth. Like our Blazing Sun Sect, dominating the Central Plains Western Region, with ten thousand years of inheritance, dozens of Nascent Soul elders within the sect, and several Spirit Transformation ancestors, that is what a true great cultivation sect is! Those barbarian cultivators, upon seeing us, should bow and offer resources, begging for guidance, that would be the proper way!"
His words drew a burst of laughter from his companions at the same table, all offering flattery.
"What Brother Yan says is absolutely right! Those barbarians, how can they be mentioned in the same breath as us?"
"I heard Brother Yan is ranked ninety-seventh on the 'Hidden Dragon List,' this assembly will surely advance further, spreading our Blazing Sun Sect's prestige!"
"Naturally! Brother Yan's 'Nine Sun Scorching Heaven Art' has been cultivated to the sixth level, ordinary Golden Core late stage are not opponents, dealing with those barbarian cultivators would be as easy as turning one's hand!"
The surrounding diners hearing their discussion, some showed indignation, but seeing they were from Blazing Sun Sect, and that Yan Feng was a named figure on the "Hidden Dragon List," most chose silence, either lowering their heads to eat or changing topics. Blazing Sun Sect had considerable influence in the Central Plains Western Region, and this Yan Feng was the sect young master with top talent and strength, no one wanted to easily offend them.
Zhao Tiezhu naturally also heard these words. Though honest, he could also hear the extreme disdain for "Southeast Region" in the other party's words, which reminded him of his own background, and also of Senior Tang's sect Qingxu Temple. He was immediately flushed with anger, fists clenched, about to stand up and argue.
Tang Xiaoqi however reached out and pressed his shoulder, slightly shaking his head, signaling him to stay calm. His face was calm, as if he had not heard those ear-piercing remarks, just picked up his wine cup and gently sipped that spicy "Flame Burning Knife," his gaze indifferently watching the flowing crowd outside the window.
Yan Feng and his group's words, though unpleasant, in his view were nothing more than the noise of clowns jumping about. True strength was not boasted with lips, but proven on the arena. Arguing with such people was meaningless, and instead lowered one's status.
However, the tree wanted to be still but the wind would not stop.
That Yan Feng seemed to have noticed the gaze from Tang Xiaoqi's direction (Zhao Tiezhu's angry stare was detected by him), and seeing Tang Xiaoqi's aura not obvious and clothes ordinary, with a silly-looking attendant, that suppressed evil fire from being humiliated at the city gate seemed to find an outlet.
He held his wine cup, stood up, took a few companions, and swaggered over to Tang Xiaoqi's table, looking down at him from above, that signature haughty smile at the corner of his mouth:
"This fellow daoist, you look very unfamiliar? Also here to participate in the assembly? May I ask which immortal mountain or precious land you come from?" His tone carried undisguised teasing and scrutiny, his gaze especially sweeping over Tang Xiaoqi's ordinary cyan robe and Zhao Tiezhu.
The several Blazing Sun Sect disciples at the same table also gathered around, arms crossed, faces wearing teasing smiles, looking like they were enjoying a show.
The main hall instantly quieted down considerably, many gazes focused on this table. Someone recognized Yan Feng and whispered: "It is Blazing Sun Sect's Yan Feng! Ranked ninety-seventh on the Hidden Dragon List!""Who are those two opposite him? Have not seen them before.""Looks like there is going to be a conflict.""That cyan-robed kid is in trouble, Yan Feng is famous for being domineering."
Zhao Tiezhu nervously stood up, blocking in front of Tang Xiaoqi, though afraid, he refused to retreat a single step.
Tang Xiaoqi slowly put down his wine cup, raised his head, his gaze calmly meeting Yan Feng's provocative eyes, and spoke indifferently:
"Southeast Region, Qingxu Temple, Tang Xiaoqi."