The reception room was so quiet you could hear a pin drop. The Nangong family members stood frozen, their gazes shifting between Han Feng and the corpse on the ground. The Innate Realm guard's neck was twisted at an eerie angle, his eyes still holding the terror of his dying moments—no one had seen how Han Feng had made his move.

"Anyone else want to try?" Han Feng flicked his wrist, as if he had just swatted a mosquito.

Dongfang Wantang stepped forward at the opportune moment, her jade-like hand gently touching the jade pendant at her waist. This seemingly casual gesture caused the pupils of several elders of the Nangong family to shrink sharply—the jade pendant was the token of the Dongfang family head, signifying that she represented the will of the entire Dongfang family on this occasion.

Nangong Wentian's Adam's apple bobbed, and fine beads of sweat appeared on his forehead. As the head of the family, he naturally saw the terrifying power contained in Han Feng's attack just now. To instantly kill someone at the early stage of the Innate Realm—even a Great Perfection Innate Realm cultivator might not be able to do it so effortlessly...

The surrounding crowd couldn't help but wonder: Just who is this kid? When did the Liu family acquire such a powerful backer?

"Since nobody wants to try," Han Feng said, magically producing a beautifully packaged fruit basket from behind him, "let's talk about compensation first."

The Nangong family members stared dumbfounded as the fruit basket bearing the inscription "Get well soon" was placed on the coffee table. Han Feng cleared his throat, suddenly adopting an exaggeratedly apologetic expression:

"Patriarch Nangong, I'm so sorry~" he drawled, sounding like a spoiled brat, "This junior accidentally injured your esteemed young master. This little bit of fruit is nothing but a token of my respect. I hope the Nangong family patriarch will forgive my petty mistake~"

Several apples rolled out of the fruit basket, one of them landing right at Nangong Wentian's feet. The patriarch's face turned from pale to red, then from red to purple, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked, but he dared not retaliate.

Dongfang Wantang pursed her lips, suppressing a smile. She knew Han Feng was acting, but his smug look was just too convincing.

"Young friend Han...you flatter me." Nangong Wentian forced a smile, his eyes constantly glancing towards the door. "When young people spar, mistakes are inevitable."

Han Feng sat casually in the main seat, picking up an orange from the fruit basket and peeling it: "Patriarch Nangong is indeed magnanimous! Now, next..." He changed the subject, "...we should talk about returning the cultivation stones to the Liu family."

The orange segment was tossed into the mouth, juice splashing everywhere. This rude action drew disgust from several elders of the Nangong family, but no one dared to speak out against it.

Just then, a guard quietly approached and whispered in Nangong Wentian's ear: "The Shangguan family has arrived at the foot of the mountain and will be there within ten minutes."

A flicker of joy flashed in Nangong Wentian's eyes, which quickly turned into a troubled expression: "Young friend Han, you've misunderstood. Since you insist... Someone, go to the storeroom and fetch the Liu family's cultivation stones!" He deliberately raised his voice, "And quickly!"

An elder understood and bowed as he withdrew. Han Feng and Dongfang Wantang exchanged a knowing glance—they knew, of course, that this was a delaying tactic, but it suited their purposes perfectly.

"The Nangong family head is indeed reasonable." Han Feng crossed his legs. "Then... shall we wait?"

"Of course, of course," Nangong Wentian said with a smile, personally pouring tea for Han Feng. "May I ask, young friend Han, is your relationship with Miss Dongfang quite close?"

Han Feng took the teacup, a half-smile playing on his lips: "What, is Patriarch Nangong interested in my private life?"

"No, no, not at all." Nangong Wentian chuckled dryly, "I'm just curious when the Liu family produced such a talented young man..."

The atmosphere in the reception room was eerily tense. One side pretended not to know that the other was stalling for time, while the other nervously waited for reinforcements with a forced smile. Dongfang Wantang stood quietly behind Han Feng, her fingers never leaving the jade pendant at her waist.

Seven minutes later, a series of urgent bell tolled from deep within the Nangong family compound. Nangong Wentian's spirits lifted—this was the coded signal that the Shangguan family had arrived!

Almost simultaneously, a barely perceptible smile curved Han Feng's lips. Through the synchronization of information between his clone and his true self, he knew the real main event was about to begin...

"Report—!" A guard rushed in, flustered. "The Shangguan family head has arrived with his men!"

Nangong Wentian, feeling as if granted a pardon, immediately straightened his back: "Please come in!" Turning to Han Feng, he resumed his respectful demeanor, "Young friend Han Feng, a senior from the Shangguan family happens to be visiting, perhaps..."

"What a coincidence." Han Feng slowly put down his teacup. "I was just about to meet the Shangguan family."

Han Feng's clone calmly stood up and nodded slightly to Nangong Wentian: "I'm going to the restroom first, please excuse me for a moment."

Nangong Wentian was eager for this troublesome figure to leave temporarily, and quickly waved his hand: "Please, please go ahead!"

The clone emerged from the reception room and, guided by the guards, headed towards the restroom. The moment it turned the corner of the corridor, its form rippled like water, gradually becoming transparent – ​​a sign that Han Feng had deactivated the clone from a distance.

Meanwhile, outside the western wall of the Nangong family compound, Han Feng's true form opened his eyes. The five members of the Reverse Scale Squad immediately gathered around, and Yu Die took the potion that emitted an eerie blue light and carefully placed it into a specially made container.

"Send it back to base immediately and hand it over to Elder Lin personally." Han Feng's voice was extremely low. "This might be a key sample for cracking the gene-editing drug."

Rain Butterfly nodded, her figure disappearing into the night like a ghost. The remaining four team members—Iron Tower, Viper, Chen Feng, and Night Owl—waited silently for the next instruction.

Han Feng gazed at the brightly lit Nangong family mansion, his eyes sparkling: "The Shangguan family will be here soon. You guard the four exits. If any Nangong family members escape..." He made a throat-slitting gesture, "But don't give yourself away. Wait for my signal."

"Boss, what about you?" Iron Tower's rugged face was full of worry.

Han Feng's lips curled into a slight smile: "I'm going to meet the Shangguan family's 'distinguished guests.'"

Having said that, he took out two ancient-looking tokens from his robes—communication artifacts between the Zhang and Dongfang families. With a light tap of his fingertip, the tokens glowed faintly, and Han Feng quickly transmitted the information: "The Shangguan family has arrived at Nangong. Proceed according to plan."

The token flashed twice in response. Han Feng put away the magical artifact with satisfaction, his figure suddenly blurring as he leaped over the high wall in a blur. When he landed, he was standing exactly at the corner of the corridor where his clone had disappeared, the timing was perfect.

Han Feng's lips curled into a slight smile: Now, the real show is just beginning...

Han Feng straightened his collar and swaggered towards the reception room. The power of the stars within his body quietly circulated, forming a barely perceptible energy film on the surface of his skin.

The atmosphere in the reception room had changed. Beside Nangong Wentian stood an elderly man with white hair and a youthful face—none other than Shangguan Ce, the head of the Shangguan family. The two were conversing in hushed tones when they saw Han Feng return, and immediately ceased their conversation.