Zhang Lan took a deep breath, finding it somewhat unbelievable.
He pinched his thigh hard.
It hurt a lot.
It wasn't a dream...
Zhang Lan slowly exhaled.
On the other side, Elder Feng began to talk about Mo Hua:
"In the Taixu Gate opposite, the strongest disciple is the young sword dao genius at the front, Linghu Xiao."
"Linghu Xiao, originally a rare sword dao genius from the Chongxu Sect in centuries. Later, after the Three Sects' unification, he joined the Taixu Gate, allowing the Taixu Gate to gain a bargain."
"And behind Linghu Xiao, the shortest one is the one I've mentioned to Brother Dao before - 'Mo Hua'..."
"This child is exceptionally intelligent, with very strong divine sense."
"His talent in formations is extraordinarily high."
"Alas... his reputation is extremely poor..."
Great Elder Zhang was puzzled, "Why is his reputation poor?"
Elder Feng replied, "His temperament is terrible; he likes to use low-level spells to tease people. Moreover, he is very insidious, often using trickery techniques to trap people, employing devious spells to disgust others."
"He does have some talent, but there is not a bit of virtue."
"Most abominable is that this child prefers to use the 'Fireball Technique' to kill people for amusement..."
"Is there really such a thing..." Great Elder Zhang exclaimed, "This child is truly despicable."
Zhang Lan: "..."
If it weren't for the difference in seniority, making it inappropriate to speak casually, he'd have to defend Mo Hua to clear his name.
Could Mo Hua be such a person?
Mo Hua, he...
Zhang Lan was slightly stunned, falling into contemplation, then into silence.
After thinking it over multiple times, he realized...
Mo Hua seemed... just like that?
From his perspective, Mo Hua was indeed a good kid, a good young man, just sometimes acting unpredictably, a bit headache-inducing.
But from others' perspectives, only the "headache" part remained.
At this time, it was apparent that not only Elder Feng was speaking poorly of Mo Hua. Zhang Lan perked his ears, hearing the surrounding cultivators indignantly:
"This Mo Hua is really despicable..."
"How many rounds has he played with a Concealment Technique? Can't anyone control him?"
"A good Qianxue Debate, a contest for prodigies, was turned into 'hide and seek' by him, is that reasonable?"
"Indeed!"
"It is lamentable that in this sword discussion so far, countless sect talents, young heroes, have fallen at the hands of this despicable person, truly hateful!"
"Is my Lu Fairy's face something he can blow up with a Fireball Technique?!"
"Someone, one sword to cut down this evil monster, and I'll recognize him as my big brother on the spot."
"If not a big brother, I'll recognize him as my foster father..."
...
Zhang Lan remained silent for a while, speechless; however, he began considering:
Maybe it would be better to pretend not to know Mo Hua in the future?
Just then, the disciples from both sides took their places and the sword discussion began.
Elder Feng spoke with anticipation: "This child Mo Hua is indeed very annoying; numerous talented disciples have fallen at his hands before."
"But today is different; this child, with all his schemes, deserves disaster, Brother Zhang..."
Elder Feng looked at Great Elder Zhang, speaking generously:
"Today, let's see how my family's prodigy cuts down this child under the sword, earning thunderous applause, living up to expectations."
Great Elder Zhang nodded delightedly: "That would be excellent!"
Zhang Lan instinctively shrank back, tightly closed his mouth, and didn't dare say a word.