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Chapter 496: 496: Gongsun Xiao
Chapter 496: 496: Gongsun Xiao
Chapter 496: Chapter 496: Gongsun Xiao
Many people looked on with disgust. They declared that even though the geniuses from the Lower Three Kingdoms amounted to little, couldn’t Fang Lin dare to admit his own identity? What kind of genius did that make him?
Fang Lin, however, did not get angry. Instead, he watched the tall young man with a serious look: “You are wrong. I am not afraid to admit who I am, I am just someone who prefers to keep a low profile. Furthermore, I believe the most important trait to cultivate is modesty. People who are full of arrogance and complacency, like you, will probably not even know how they die one day.”
As soon as these words were spoken, they were met with shock from all quarters. The tall young man stood there stunned and his face swiftly turned red with anger.
The expressions on the faces of the other six people turned quite strange. Fang Lin indeed had the audacity to utter these words, isn’t this just pointing out that they were too arrogant?
Sun Kai and Zhang Detian did not expect Fang Lin to respond in this way, however, they were secretly pleased. Now, Fang Lin was likely to make an enemy of this tall young man.
“Do you know who I am?” The tall young man asked coldly, his eyes flashing dangerously, expressing his eagerness to fight.
Recently, he had heard Fang Lin’s name so many times that he was now thoroughly exasperated. Calls of Alchemy and Martial Genius, and a once in a millennium prodigy from the Lower Three Kingdoms, all seemed like bullshit to him.
The Lower Three Kingdoms, what real talents could possibly come from there? He, Lu Yunfei, didn’t believe such nonsense one bit.
Now, this Fang Lin was standing right in front of him. Naturally, Lu Yunfei wanted to challenge Fang Lin and trample him underfoot. This was to prove that there were no true geniuses in the Lower Three Kingdoms.
Fang Lin shook his head: “I just arrived in Xuan Country, how could I possibly know you? But looking at you, I can tell you must hail from a powerful background.”
Lu Yunfei snorted, retorting: “Indeed, I, Lu Yunfei, am a direct disciple of the Shenxiao Sect. You, a bumpkin from the Lower Three Kingdoms, of course, wouldn’t know me.”
Fang Lin seemed helpless as he asked: “Is there any need for this? I have no grudges against you, why are you so antagonistic towards me?”
At this point, a young man in white approached, laughing: “Brother Lu, Fang Lin is new here, there’s no need for you to be so hostile towards him.”
Seeing the youth in white speak, Lu Yunfei sneered, “Who said I’m against him? I just want to learn from him a thing or two, that’s all.”
The young man in white laughed: “Who in Xuan Country doesn’t know the strength of Lu Yunfei? Fang Lin is merely an upstart from the Lower Three Kingdoms. For you to want to learn from him, isn’t that bullying?”
Lu Yunfei snorted at his words, glared at Fang Lin, and refrained from further comment.
Fang Lin looked at the youth in white, who gave him a friendly smile.
Fang Lin nodded to acknowledge him but didn’t think much of him. Having just arrived, he naturally couldn’t trust anyone so easily.
Sun Kai and Zhang Detian were somewhat disappointed. They were initially anticipating that Lu Yunfei would teach Fang Lin a stern lesson, but they didn’t expect someone to intervene on Fang Lin’s behalf.
However, Sun Kai and Zhang Detian’s aim had already been achieved. They had successfully exposed Fang Lin to the public. Besides, being hailed as the top genius from the Lower Three Kingdoms, he would undoubtedly attract numerous troublemakers.
The youth in white turned to Fang Lin and said, “I am Gongsun Xiao. Your name, brother Fang Lin, is one that I hear often. Now that I’ve met you today, you truly live up to the reputation.”
Fang Lin paid his respects humbly, “My name is unworthy of mention. It is you, Gongsun, who are the true genius.”
Despite saying so, Fang Lin had no idea who this Gongsun Xiao was. Perhaps he was from a prestigious family in Xuan Country.
Gongsun Xiao beamed as he said, “In half a month’s time, the Crown Prince of Xuan Country will be hosting a banquet for geniuses. Why don’t you accompany us, brother Fang Lin?”
Upon hearing this, Sun Kai and Zhang Detian were immediately taken aback. What now? Were they even going to invite Fang Lin to the Crown Prince’s banquet?
Not only the two of them but the others from the Pill Alliance also expressed their astonishment. Gongsun Xiao was actually inviting Fang Lin to the Crown Prince’s banquet. This was an extraordinary honor indeed.
Everybody knew that the Crown Prince of Xuan Country was organizing a banquet for geniuses. Talents from all parts of Xuan Country, in both Martial Arts and Alchemy Tao, were being invited. Being a part of such an elite gathering would certainly make many people green with envy.
Even within the Xuan Country’s Pill Alliance, only three or four people had made it to this banquet list. What virtues or talents did Fang Lin possess to qualify for attendance at this prestigious event?
Sun Kai and Zhang Detian were seeing red. It felt as if they had shot themselves in the foot. If Fang Lin went with the flow and accompanied Gongsun Xiao to the banquet, wouldn’t they find it even harder to raise their heads in front of Fang Lin in the future?
“Gongsun, the Crown Prince’s banquet isn’t a place that he can attend. Isn’t this just messing around?” Lu Yunfei frowned as he spoke.
Not just Lu Yunfei, but others also showed a bit of their unwelcoming expressions. After all, they were all influential figures in Xuan Country and deserved to be respected anywhere they went. They were qualified to attend the banquet of the Crown Prince.
But what about this Fang Lin? He was just a bumpkin from the Lower Three Kingdoms. Inviting someone like him to the Crown Prince’s banquet was not only questionable for the Crown Prince’s approval, but it would also damage their own reputations.
Gongsun Xiao shook his head: “Brother Fang Lin’s talent in Alchemy Tao is beyond doubt, worthy of being called a genius. Therefore, it is only right and proper for him to attend the Crown Prince’s banquet.”
Nevertheless, the others were still somewhat upset, they all had statuses. Even if they didn’t express it overtly, deep down they still had some contempt for Fang Lin.
Fang Lin didn’t know what kind of banquet this was, and he was not interested in attending anyway. He shook his head and said: “I am not the type who enjoys crowded places. Perhaps another time.”
“Humph! Gongsun is kindly inviting you, and you dare to refuse. You really think too highly of yourself,” Lu Yunfei scoffed immediately.
Fang Lin rolled his eyes at this, reminding himself to remain calm, to repress the urge to beat up this Lu fellow.
“Not to worry. We still have half a month to go. If you change your mind, you can reach me with this Jade Slip.” Saying so, Gongsun Xiao handed Fang Lin a Message-Transmitting Jade Slip, making their acquaintance official.
Fang Lin took the Jade Slip, and in his heart, he wondered what Gongsun Xiao was up to. Why was he being so warm and welcoming at their first meeting? That was really unusual.
Gongsun Xiao and his companions left the Pill Alliance, leaving the Alliance members staring weirdly at Fang Lin.
“There’s no comparison between people. A country bumpkin from the Lower Three Kingdoms actually managed to get close to the genius of the Gongsun Family,” one of them commented with a sense of bitter resentment.
As if he hadn’t heard a thing, Fang Lin had learned about Mo Ziming’s whereabouts, and was now on his way to pay him a visit.
Mo Ziming was a Steward within the Xuan Country’s Pill Alliance. Even though his official title was just ‘Steward’, his status was akin to any of the elders, making him a unique figure within the Xuan Country’s Pill Alliance.