Chapter 1342: Not Arrogant, Not Arrogant to Jiang Wang

Among the geniuses of the myriad nations, who is not possessed of a spirited heart?A single day's setback does not necessarily mean a thousand days' defeat.Even if one loses on the spot, the thought is always of reclaiming victory on a future day.This is the spirit of youth, and the arrogant bone of genius.If one loses the heart of invincibility, one cannot possess the aura of invincibility.Rarely does one see someone so utterly prostrate before a peer, to the point of uttering words like "willing to be a running dog at your gate."No one believes Lin Xian can achieve the Dao of Derivations, so his words, "Before the Dao of Derivations, I dare not compare myself to Jiang Wang," almost define his life's limit.To call Lin Xian spineless would be to ignore his bloody battle from start to finish against Chu Min of Xia at the Observation River Platform, never yielding an inch.Yet, if he is a man of mettle, why does he revere Jiang Wang to such an extent?He places himself far too low, while elevating Jiang Wang far too high!Many who did not personally attend the Observation River Platform couldn't help but re-examine the recent Yellow River Meet. Was the Inner Palace realm competition, lauded as one of the top three in history, even more spectacular than imagined?Was Jiang Wang, the champion of the Yellow River, even more powerfully strong than anticipated?"Hahahaha." Gao Zhe laughed heartily, clearly pleased. "As a close friend of Jiang Qingyang, I must endorse your judgment! You possess self-awareness. It seems the rumors in Rong State were not spread with your tacit approval!"In a condescending manner, and in his capacity as a friend of Jiang Wang, he expressed "understanding."Lin Xian glanced at him, then calmly asked, "Does Young Master Gao have anything further?""Willing to be a running dog at Jiang Qingyang's gate," in the eyes of others, might seem exaggerated or even obsequious. But to him, who personally witnessed that legendary battle, Jiang Wang, who achieved the status of the greatest Inner Palace realm cultivator in history, cannot be praised too highly. He has become the silhouette this life shall pursue... To restore the confidence of their populace, the people of Rong State indeed spread many rumors after Jiang Wang's disappearance. It is time for them to awaken!Self-deception is undesirable; the weaker one is, the more one should confront the disparity.Therefore, he simply seized this opportunity to openly declare his stance.He spoke from his heart, thus he was at ease, not feeling the slightest bit of subservience. As for how others saw it, he did not care.Born in a small country like Rong State, has he not endured enough discrimination and scorn?As for Gao Zhe's approval...One can only say, let that person be happy!Gao Zhe felt that he had suppressed the arrogance of the Rong State prodigy and, on behalf of Qi State, had delivered a reprimand to Rong State. At this moment, looking around with a sense of self-importance, he chuckled and asked, "Brother Lin possesses such discernment. What do you think, how do I compare to Jiang Wang?"Upon hearing this question, Yan Fu was the first to walk away. Among those who were friendly with Jiang Wang, only he and Gao Zhe could be considered to have some connection, but how deep that connection was is questionable.Yan Fu was gentle in his conduct and generous and forthright in his dealings with others. In the circle of young lords in Linzi, he maintained good relationships with many. Among these relationships, there were naturally varying degrees of intimacy.It was Jiang Wang who helped him resolve Jiang Wuyou's troubles, and it was Jiang Wang who accompanied him to the Liu family of Fufeng. Their relationship was not comparable to that of a mere drinking buddy like Gao Zhe.He would spend a thousand taels freely, never being stingy with anyone, but he carried a balance in his heart.In his view, Gao Zhe had become excessively swollen with pride. When he was formerly second in line within his family, he could still maintain humility. Now that he had secured the position of family heir, he seemed to have lost all sense of proportion.Leveraging the might of Qi State and the name of Jiang Wang to suppress Lin Xian was not enough; he also wanted to seize the opportunity to elevate himself?This is not something a friend should do, nor is it something a sufficiently clear-minded person would say.One can only say... one cannot form a deep friendship.Thus, he expressed his stance by leaving.Similarly hearing these words, Li Longchuan's sword-like eyebrows lifted, while Chong Xuan Sheng's eyes narrowed with laughter.And Lin Xian, standing opposite Gao Zhe, truly facing this question, merely smiled, said nothing, and turned to leave.Gao Zhe's expression instantly turned unpleasant. "Surname Lin, what do you mean?"Lin Xian did not stop his steps, merely casting his words behind him, "I do not know why Jiang Qingyang would have a friend like you. Even less do I know, what you would use to compare yourself to him.""Then what do you think..." Gao Zhe looked at his retreating figure, his voice sinister and threatening. "How do you compare to me?!"Lin Xian abruptly turned back, his eyes like cold lightning. "The great battle of the Star-Moon Plain is just beginning. It is not fitting to draw swords against one's own side. After this battle, you may certainly come to find me. If I allow you to survive the second exchange, then I, Lin Xian, lose!"Born in a small country, facing a prodigy from a hegemonic nation's aristocratic family...His arrogance is thus as well!The entire field was astonished!Lin Xian is indeed not spineless.It turns out he is not without arrogance, but simply not arrogant towards Jiang Wang!Wen Lianmu, on the sidelines, couldn't help but narrow his gaze slightly.Lin Xian possesses a top-tier divine ability like Unbound, and is also tenacious in character, with outstanding blade techniques. As a military scribe for the Heaven-Covering Army, he had seriously studied this person. After all, the next few decades, even centuries, in the Eastern Domain will involve these prodigies.Although Jiang Wang was the champion of the Observation River Platform and is undoubtedly the greatest Inner Palace realm cultivator in the world, it's not as if there is absolutely no hope of surpassing him. He shouldn't cause Lin Xian to look up to him to such an extent.So... did something else happen later?During the period of Jiang Wang's disappearance, did he hide in Rong State?After the Yellow River Meet, to what extent did Jiang Wang actually progress?It was enough to make Lin Xian confident that he could defeat Gao Zhe in a single strike, yet completely devoid of the desire to compare himself to him?He couldn't help but glance at Wang Yi Wu.That person stood like a spear, his expression unchanged. He didn't seem to think... there was anything excessive about Lin Xian's words.That's right, arrogant as Wang Yi Wu is, the only peer he acknowledges as a worthy opponent is Jiang Wang. So, if using himself as a comparison, no matter how much praise is given to Jiang Wang, he would likely agree...In his eyes, not only is Gao Zhe not worth a punch, even Lin Xian is probably not worth extending a fist for.He even stopped to observe this dispute only because he heard the words "Jiang Wang." Lin Xian and Gao Zhe, are they worth a glance?This mentality of invincibility is something Wen Lianmu envies, but it also gives him a hidden worry. The current Wang Yi Wu is no less than the Jiang Meng Xiong of that time at the same stage. But while Jiang Meng Xiong could be invincible at that stage, today there is Jiang Qingyang!Once Wang Yi Wu realizes one day that he can never catch up to Jiang Wang, what will he do? Can he, like Lin Xian, calmly face the disparity? Or... will he fall into despair and never recover?Wen Lianmu quickly dispelled this dangerous thought in his mind.It won't happen... No matter what else Jiang Wang has done, it is impossible to pull Wang Yi Wu so far away. Perhaps it is just because Lin Xian himself is inexperienced.Thinking thus, Wen Lianmu couldn't help but look at Lin Xian again.That person's aura was like a deep abyss, standing prominently in the field.However one looked at him, he did not appear to be someone who had not seen the world...Lin Xian, who claimed to be a running dog at Jiang Qingyang's gate, uttered wild words to Gao Zhe, boasting that he wouldn't need a second strike, showing absolutely no respect for the Gao family of Jinghai.Gao Zhe was momentarily left stranded on the stage, unable to advance or retreat. His purpose in coming to provoke was merely to leverage his influence to oppress others. In terms of his own cultivation, how could he have reached the Observation River Platform? Could he really contend with Lin Xian? Could he truly withstand Lin Xian's second strike?After a moment's hesitation, Lin Xian had already strode away.He gritted his teeth, about to utter some harsh words, but then felt that anything he said now would be too late.He turned to look at Yan Fu, but Yan Fu was already gone.He looked back at Chong Xuan Sheng and Li Longchuan, but only saw two retreating figures.To think that he, the dignified heir of the Gao family of Jinghai, a young master of Qi State's newly risen prominent family, could step on someone from a small country and yet suffer such a loss of face?The Gao family's strongest connections were ultimately in the palace. Their local influence had only begun to be cultivated in recent years, and they had no foundation in the military. At this moment, being in the military camp, whether it was Li Longchuan or Chong Xuan Sheng who stepped forward, it would not be difficult to forcefully suppress the Rong State side and make Lin Xian yield. But now they clearly had no intention of interfering...Did they hold grudges?Where would they get grudges from!He, Gao Zhe, and Jiang Wang, how could they not be considered close as brothers? How many drinks had they shared together? To borrow a tiger's skin and a bit of reputation, what was the big deal? Why go to such lengths?!Yan Fu, Li Longchuan, Chong Xuan Sheng, these people... relying on their family backgrounds, had never truly respected him! They always revolved around Jiang Wang, often neglecting his feelings. One moment asking Jiang Wang if he wanted this, the next asking Jiang Wang if that was good, yet no one ever asked him how he was. When visiting pleasure houses or attending banquets together, he was always like a peripheral figure, always like a little follower behind the young lords.It was like this before, and it was still like this now that he was the heir of the Gao family!He looked around, feeling as if everyone was mocking him.But the prodigies from the small countries were still far away. Among those nearby... could he vent his anger on Wang Yi Wu, or on Wen Lianmu?"Heh, this is also interesting." Finally, he could only let out such a cold laugh and depart alone.But before that, the "audience" had already dispersed, and no one was watching his performance.