"Hmph!"
Han Lang and Ma Long couldn't help but scoff.
"Fairness is stifled at the very first selection stage. What's the point of fairness later on?"
Ma Long chimed in, "Exactly! For us rogue cultivators without aristocratic backgrounds, to enter a special task force, we almost have to grovel at the feet of your immortal cultivation families, right? If you ask me, Young Master! It's better if we don't participate in such a unit!"
Seeing their righteous indignation, Tang Haoran could only shake his head helplessly. Even Tang Geng, a young master from an immortal cultivation family, lowered his head in shame.
"Brother Han, Ma Long! I can deeply empathize with your anger!"
"Believe it or not, my Tang family strongly opposes such selection methods."
"Geniuses do not solely emerge from aristocratic families."
"By virtue of family influence, the disciples of aristocratic families already enjoy a much superior cultivation environment compared to other cultivators. In national talent selection, such manipulations should indeed not be made!"
"This is greatly detrimental to the nation's development!"
"But... as you know. Even an immortal cultivation family like the Tang family is merely a drop in the ocean for the entire cultivator world! We also lack the ability to change decisions made by higher authorities!"
"In the end, who wouldn't covet and desire cultivation resources like those of the special task force? Although the cultivator world is now unified and managed by the state, it still cannot escape the fundamental principle of the survival of the fittest!"
"Therefore, for our Tang family, the only way to achieve the best of both worlds is to join them while upholding our original intentions!"
"Just like you are now!"
"If you have the ability and talent, my Tang family will support you wholeheartedly!"
"Not for anything else, but simply to contribute truly talented individuals to the nation within our capabilities!"
Tang Haoran spoke at length, deeply moving everyone present.
Tang Geng also raised his head, filled with ambition, and continued.
"That's right! In this era of scarce spiritual energy, our Tang family firmly believes that only by allowing truly capable individuals to cultivate to the peak can we unleash great divine abilities to save the entire Blue Star, whose spiritual energy is on the verge of depletion! To save the cultivator world of Xia Country!"
Tang Qin also chimed in with emotion.
"At the very least, letting people with true ability and noble sentiments control the major powers of the cultivator world and change these selection methods is also a good way out, isn't it?"
Han Lang and Ma Long exchanged glances after hearing this.
Han Lang spoke directly, "But, this is all your side of the story. In the current situation, to be frank, Brother Tang, should we trust your Tang family?"
"Heh!"
Tang Haoran chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Brother Han! Suspicion is normal when facing such matters! If you didn't question it, I could only say that I misjudged you!"
"However..." Tang Haoran said again, "Regarding your question, I think it's necessary for me to explain. As for whether you consider this sophistry or the truth, I believe you will make your own judgment!"
Han Lang replied without hesitation, "Yes! You speak. We will judge for ourselves!"
Tang Haoran nodded and then continued.
"Then I will speak plainly!"
"From the time we met until now, I don't need to elaborate on how many secrets you possess, do I? Shen Nong Tian Yi, elixirs, cultivation speed, techniques, even the formations of Ling Yue Villa, any one of these would be enough to cause a frenzy of contention in the cultivator world, right?"
"However, have I ever proactively inquired about them? Have I ever coveted them in the slightest? Have I made any of this public, or tried to seize them, or even reported them to the Tang family of Xingcheng?"
"Furthermore, as the heir of the Tang family, has Tang Geng ever harbored any ill intentions towards you since you met?"
Speaking of this, Tang Qin suddenly raised her hand, "Except for me! Only I had bad intentions and tricked you into the special task force. However, my goal was indeed to find a powerful external helper! Heh heh..."
Han Lang rolled his eyes at Tang Qin upon hearing this.
"You finally admit you tricked me back then?"
Tang Qin shrugged and acted cute.
Han Lang didn't dwell on it further, but turned to look at Tang Haoran.
"To be honest, Brother Tang! Your innate respect for everyone is truly admirable! If not for that, I wouldn't have easily revealed the secrets I possess to you! Therefore, I trust you, but that doesn't mean..."
As Han Lang spoke, he looked at Tang Geng.
Tang Geng gave a wry smile.
Fearing Tang Geng would misunderstand, Han Lang was about to explain, but Tang Geng stopped him.
"I understand what Brother Han means. You're saying you have a certain level of trust in me, but not necessarily in the Tang family behind me, right?"
Han Lang nodded.
Tang Geng continued with a smile, "I understand! If a few words could earn your absolute trust in the Tang family, then the Tang family might as well give up being an immortal cultivation family and go into pyramid schemes; it might be more promising?"
"Haha..."
Everyone was amused.
Then Tang Geng continued.
"However, Brother Han, trust needs to be accumulated and understood. Even if my uncle and I say anything today, it will be of no avail. It's better for us to formally become friends and get to know each other slowly!"
Tang Haoran laughed heartily upon hearing this and quickly agreed, "That makes sense! Only after getting to know each other will Brother Han and Ma Long believe that they are not the only ambitious individuals in this world. Don't you agree, Brother Han?"
"Tch."
Han Lang couldn't help but snicker.
He looked at Ma Long again.
Ma Long nodded slightly and said.
"I think that for Tang Geng, as the young master of an aristocratic family, to lower his status and explain for so long to us rogue cultivators is enough to show some things. Moreover, fairness, wherever there are people, there will never be absolute fairness. There are only two immortal cultivation families in Xingcheng. If we don't trust the Tang family, can we really trust that Zhao family?"
Han Lang smiled faintly.
"That makes sense! If that's the case, then shall we let bygones be bygones with a cup of wine?"
Saying this, he proactively raised his wine glass to Tang Haoran and Tang Geng.
Tang Haoran and Tang Geng also smiled brightly and raised their glasses in return.
"Time will prove everything!"
After the wine was downed, the atmosphere quickly returned to its previous pleasantness.
As it neared the end, Han Lang leaned closer to Tang Haoran and said with a hint of teasing.
"Brother Tang, to apologize for my suspicion just now, I've decided to take this opportunity to compensate you!"
Tang Haoran waved his hand without hesitation, saying indifferently, "No worries, no worries! Didn't I just say that your suspicions were all correct? Besides, as the head of a prominent family, I'm not short of money, nor can I cultivate. Why would I need you to compensate me!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Tang Haoran seemed to remember something and suddenly became excited.
"No, Brother Han... you mean... to take this opportunity to... treat me?"
Han Lang smiled and nodded, saying playfully.
"What? You don't want it?"
Tang Haoran, hearing this, immediately became excited.
"I do! How could I not want it? Heh heh, Brother Han, when exactly should we start? Is there anything I need to prepare?"
Han Lang slowly put down his wine glass, stretched, and then said.
"No need! We can start now!"