Tang Zhan might be speaking apologetically, but he did not look like he was apologizing at all. Rather, he seemed rather proud. Ning Chenba and Yan Benkai were old friends of his, but neither were residents of this Bloodsin City. They had only arrived two days prior.

They had come so their children could head to the Dragon Phoenix Academy together. That way, the children could also help each other out. Tang Longfei's strength was above Ning Wenhuang's and Yan Shengqiu's. Thus, they naturally wished that Tang Longfei would be able to give their children some help.

Xiang Shaoyun's visit was a coincidence, and Tang Longfei had only mentioned that he would be traveling with them. It was natural that they would look down on Xiang Shaoyun's cultivation level of seventh-stage Skysoar Realm.

They were even worried that Xiang Shaoyun's participation would affect the future of their children and cause them shame. Coupled with the bad reputation Xiang Shaoyun had back at the Ziling Sect, they started speaking to him with mockery.

But now, they had indescribable expressions on their faces. Their eyes were opened wide, and their mouths were agape with disbelief. A disciple the four academies had fought to recruit was right before them, yet they had assumed that he was merely a burden, a kid that had yet to grow up. But now, it was clear they were the ones who were ignorant.

"Wenhuang, go spend some time with your Big Brother Tang. You mentioned that it has been a while since the two of you last met, right?" said Ning Chenba to his daughter.

"Yes, Father," said Ning Wenhuang. After excusing herself before Tang Zhan, she left.

After some hesitation, Yan Benkai said, "Shenqiu, you go as well. You youngsters should stick together. You have more topics in common anyway."

Yan Shengqiu also left without hesitation.

"Brother Tang, i-is that really Xiang Yangzhan's son?" Yan Benkai asked.

"Yes," said Tang Zhan.

Ning Chenba said, "A tiger father indeed begets a tiger son. Some rumors are not believable after all."

"True. Looks like I'm really getting old. Brother Tang, don't mind my earlier insolence," sighed Yan Benkai.

"There is no need to be so polite between us. I was planning to tell you of the two follower spots Shaoyun has. If any of the children happened to fail the test, we can get him to provide some help. But seems like I've messed it up," said Tang Zhan with a helpless smile.

"Brother Tang, I'm to blame for that. With the years of friendship we have, you need to speak to that child on my behalf. If Shengqiu fails to get through the test, he has to help. I thank you in advance," said Yan Benkai nervously.

Ning Chenba couldn't remain calm anymore. "Yes, Brother Tang, you gotta help us. We will never forget this favor."

The quotas to enter the Dragon Phoenix Academy were extremely valuable. From more than 100,000 young geniuses, less than 10 percent of them would end up recruited. Any youth managing to enter the Dragon Phoenix Academy was practically guaranteed to end up as a powerful individual capable of dominating vast swathes of land in the future.

Naturally, the two also wished that their respective child could be guaranteed a spot into the academy. Unfortunately for them, they had personally ruined the opportunity presented before them.

When Tang Zhan saw his friends admitting their faults, he agreed to their request as he thought, If Shaoyun wants to retake the sect in the future, he will need some helpers. I hope he can understand what I'm trying to do for him.

Tang Zhan was unaware that Xiang Shaoyun had promised the spots to the Han Clan sisters. Otherwise, he wouldn't have dared to promise his two friends he would help.

At the city hall's backyard, Xiang Shaoyun, Tang Longfei, Ning Wenhuang, and Yan Shengqiu were gathered. Xiang Shaoyun did not have a good opinion of Ning Wenhuang and Yan Shengqiu, but he did not show them his displeasure. He merely treated them with indifference.

After all, it did not matter if others looked down on him. He had confidence in himself, and for him, that was enough. Tang Longfei also knew that Xiang Shaoyun was unhappy with what had happened. Thus, he did not seem too enthusiastic when talking to Ning Wenhuang and Yan Shengqiu either.

Ultimately, Ning Wenhuang displayed his outspoken nature and raised her glass of liquor. She said, "Xiang Shaoyun, my words earlier were improper. I shouldn't have judged a person by mere appearances. I hope you wouldn't mind that. To show my regret, I will punish myself with three glasses of liquor."

She then downed three glasses of liquor in a row, displaying her gallant spirit.

With Ning Wenhuang taking the lead, Yan Shengqiu no longer dared to put on airs anymore. He quickly said, "Xiang Shaoyun, my apologies for my words earlier. I hope you can show me leniency."

After saying that, he did the same thing and downed three glasses of liquor in a row, showing ample sincerity in his apology. Even so, the two still couldn't understand how a seventh-stage Skysoar Realm was a War Emperor. In fact, they were still filled with disbelief. However, they did not think that someone like Tang Zhan would bother lying to them.

Perhaps he is using some secret technique to hide his true strength? the two concluded.

Xiang Shaoyun did not say anything, but he replied with action as he lifted his glass and started drinking as well. He downed six glasses of liquor in a row in a gallant manner.

"Don't let that bother you. I, Xiang Shaoyun, am a person with a big heart. Since you are Big Brother Tang's friends, you are also my friends," said Xiang Shaoyun in a straightforward manner.

He had noticed that Tang Longfei had been wearing an ashen expression. He understood that Tang Longfei was unhappy about the mockery he had received, but he also understood that being stuck between the two parties wasn't a pleasant experience for Tang Longfei to have either. Since they had already apologized, he couldn't be too petty. He would forgive them for the Tang Longfei's sake.

Sure enough, after hearing Xiang Shaoyun's words, Tang Longfei patted his shoulder and downed several glasses of liquor as well. He said, "Shaoyun is right. We are all friends. Don't let something so trifle harm our friendship."

He then looked at Ning Wenhuang and Yan Shengqiu and said, "You might not know, but Shaoyun is also the Yu Clan's son-in-law candidate. Although he is only a candidate with low priority, you should still know the importance of that identity."

Both Ning Wenhuang and Yan Shengqiu were left speechless. They had heard from Tang Longfei before about the Holy Maiden candidate's trip to the city. She had went went on an expedition to the Devil Domain for the yin devil wind, but in truth, it was a competition to select a son-in-law candidate.

Of course, those in the know would be aware that it was more a search for a follower than a search for a son-in-law. Regardless, that was enough of an identity to awe both Ning Wenhuang and Yan Shengqiu.

They both had considerable backgrounds, but compared to a massive organization like the Yu Clan, their backgrounds were far too lacking. On top of that, Xiang Shaoyun was now a special-recruit disciple of the Dragon Phoenix Academy.

After knowing all that, when they recalled how they had offended Xiang Shaoyun, they were filled with fear. A genius like Xiang Shaoyun would most definitely grow into an existence they could only look up at. Fortunately, Xiang Shaoyun did not seem to hold any grudge against them. They reached a decision to repair their relationship with him no matter what.