Wang Hao choked on the pill, his eyes rolling back in his head. After finally swallowing it, he suddenly became serious: "So... I really became some kind of Star Soul Priest? Does this thing pay?"

Han Feng and Dongfang Wantang both rubbed their foreheads.

"The Star Soul Priests are subordinates of the Star Soul Lord," Dongfang Wantang patiently explained. "You need to cultivate a specific technique, always maintaining a one-realm lower cultivation level than the Star Lord... to completely eradicate them, otherwise your life will be in danger."

"Wait a minute." Han Feng interrupted her, frowning as he looked at Dongfang Wantang, "What realm is he at now?"

Dongfang Wantang examined him carefully: "He's only at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm, and at the first level."

Han Feng's pupils contracted slightly. In his perception, the energy fluctuations within Wang Hao's body had indeed reached the Innate Realm, but this was far from sufficient in the face of their current enemy.

"This is a big problem." Han Feng rubbed his temples. "I'm in..."

"Eighth level of the early stage of the Great Dao Realm," Dongfang Wantang replied, a look of amazement flashing in her eyes. "Just one step away from breaking through to the ninth level."

Wang Hao's eyes widened: "What the heck? How long am I supposed to keep chasing this? What's with this realm division system?" He suddenly grabbed Han Feng's shoulder, "Bro, do you have a crash course?"

The cave suddenly fell silent. The sound of dripping water in the distance was exceptionally clear, thump, thump, like a countdown.

"Yes." Han Feng finally spoke, standing up and helping Wang Hao to his feet. "But we need to leave here first." He turned to Dongfang Wantang, "About today..."

"I will keep my mouth shut." Dongfang Wantang nodded knowingly.

Han Feng helped Wang Hao walk towards the cave entrance: "By the way, keep an eye on the Alliance situation too. They're preparing to make their move in two days."

As the three emerged from the cave, the eastern sky was already beginning to lighten. Morning mist shrouded the mountains and forests, creating a scene reminiscent of a fairyland. Wang Hao took a deep breath of fresh air, then suddenly coughed violently, a trickle of blood escaping from the corner of his mouth.

"Damn it!" Han Feng grabbed him and steadied him. "Wan Tang, is this normal?"

Dongfang Wantang quickly took his pulse, her expression grave: "The power of the Nether Crystal is resisting the suppression. We must begin his cultivation as soon as possible, otherwise..."

"Understood." Han Feng picked up Wang Hao without a word. "I'll take him home first. Wan Tang, please clean up after this."

Dongfang Wantang hesitated for a moment, then simply nodded and watched Han Feng carry his friend and disappear into the woods.

The SUV bumped along the mountain road, morning mist condensing into fine droplets on the windshield. Han Feng gripped the steering wheel with one hand, while the other adjusted the air conditioning temperature—Wang Hao's face alternated between pale and flushed, clearly indicating that two opposing forces within him were still fiercely battling.

"Hey, drive carefully..." Wang Hao protested weakly, "I'm about to throw up in the car."

"If you dare spit, I'll make you lick it clean." Han Feng retorted sharply, but secretly slowed down. He pulled a bottle of water from the glove compartment and tossed it over, "Drink some water, don't actually die in my car."

Wang Hao unscrewed the bottle cap and took two gulps, then suddenly narrowed his eyes as if remembering something: "Speaking of which, that Miss Dongfang... the way she looked at you wasn't quite right?" He deliberately dragged out the words, "What's your relationship?"

Han Feng gazed ahead, a smile playing on his lips: "Wan Tang, the eldest daughter of the Dongfang family, one of my wives."

\"puff--!\"

Mineral water sprayed across the dashboard. Wang Hao coughed and wiped his mouth with his sleeve, his eyes wide as saucers: "One of them?!"

"What?" Han Feng disdainfully pulled out a tissue to wipe the center console. "You have a problem with that?"

Wang Hao's expression was like he'd swallowed a frog whole: "Where's Liu Mengran? Where's Su Wanwan? Good grief, are you collecting stamps here?" He counted on his fingers, "The aloof school beauty, the genius hacker, and now this martial arts princess... I haven't even had my first love yet!"

Han Feng finally couldn't help but laugh out loud: "What's the rush? You'll meet your soulmate eventually."

"It's easy for you to talk when you're not the one suffering!" Wang Hao groaned as he slumped in his chair. "It's one thing for so many school beauties to fawn over you, but now even the young lady from an ancient martial arts family... Ouch!" He suddenly clutched his chest, a wisp of blue light seeping through his fingers.

Han Feng immediately pulled over, his palm glowing with starlight as he pressed it against Wang Hao's chest: "Don't get agitated, the power of the Nether Crystal will be triggered by emotions."

As the power of the stars flowed in, the pain on Wang Hao's face gradually subsided. He gasped for breath and gave a bitter smile: "I'm about to die and I still have to endure this dog food (a Chinese slang term for witnessing public displays of affection). What kind of life is this..."

"He won't die." Han Feng restarted the car. "With me here, I can help you control the power of this Nether Crystal Clan."

After a moment of silence, Wang Hao suddenly leaned closer with a cheeky grin: "Seriously, don't those girls... know how to fight?"

"If you want to get beaten up, just say so." Han Feng glanced at him. "Wan Tang's divination skills can make you unable to find your own manhood for three days."

"Excuse me!" Wang Hao immediately covered his groin with both hands, then asked curiously, "What about Liu Mengran? She seems so quiet and gentle..."

Han Feng chuckled: "She now possesses the strength of the late-stage Innate Realm; you are definitely no match for her."

"Sister Wanwan can't be that perverted, can she? She's a tech enthusiast, after all."

"Oh? Wanwan's strength is on par with Mengran's. By the way, I taught them both."

Wang Hao remained silent for a moment, then stopped speaking.

As the car entered the Kyoto Loop, the skyline gradually came into focus. Wang Hao gazed at the scenery rushing past the window and suddenly sighed, "You know... if I could awaken some kind of superpower, would girls like me?"

"If you don't lose some weight, you might awaken a humanoid robot from Naruto," Han Feng joked. "But you'd probably flatten the girls first."

"Get lost!"

The two started playfully fighting like before. Wang Hao weakly threw a punch, but Han Feng held his head down with one hand, preventing him from moving. Laughter, a sound they hadn't heard in a long time, echoed in the car, as if they had returned to those simpler days.

When the car stopped in front of Villa No. 3 in Kyoto Huafu, Wang Hao had regained some of his health.

Han Feng had just turned off the engine when the villa gate opened. Han's father stood in the doorway: "Haozi's back?"

"Dad, I had him call to let me know he's safe, but you guys might need to agree on what to say." Han Feng helped Wang Hao out of the car. "Otherwise, Auntie and Uncle will worry..."

Before he could finish speaking, Han's father strode over and grabbed Wang Hao's wrist: "Come inside and talk. Your mother cooked some porridge; let Hao rest for a bit."

Wang Hao scratched his head a little embarrassedly: "I'm sorry, uncles and aunts, I've caused you trouble."

Mr. Han looked at him gently and said, “What trouble is there? You and Xiaofeng have been good friends since you were little. Your aunt and I have always treated you like our own child.”