The night wind suddenly turned biting, and the rustling of the sycamore leaves sounded like countless whispers. The starlight pattern between Wang Hao's fingers flickered with the streetlights, the pupil-shaped mark appearing and disappearing as if an eye were peering into reality through the runes.
"Other dimensions... want to tear us apart?" Wang Hao's voice tightened. "What do you mean?"
Han Feng didn't answer immediately. He raised his hand and cast a star barrier, isolating himself from all outside observation. The streetlights returned to normal, but the runes on Wang Hao's fingertips became increasingly clear, even beginning to rotate on their own.
"Look at me." Han Feng pressed down on his brother's shoulder. "Those Star Soul Lords you dreamed about... they may have indeed done some less-than-honorable things. But history is always written by the victors."
The starlight in Wang Hao's eyes began to flicker uncontrollably: "Then why...?"
"Because I had no choice." Han Feng interrupted him, "The extraterrestrial forces' target has always been the Star Soul Lord. The longer I stay on Blue Star, the stronger the enemies they send will become. When a powerhouse capable of tearing through the void arrives..." He looked at the lights of the distant residential area, "the entire Blue Star will become a battlefield."
Wang Hao followed his gaze and suddenly shivered. He thought of his helpless parents, of ordinary people working nine-to-one jobs... If what Han Feng said was true, then—
"You have to leave," Wang Hao blurted out, "The sooner the better!"
Han Feng smiled with relief, yet tinged with bitterness: "But I can't just leave. Before I go, I must ensure that Blue Star has sufficient self-defense capabilities." He pointed his finger at Wang Hao's chest, "And you are one of the key figures."
"Me?" Wang Hao stared blankly at his right hand, which was still drawing runes. "But I can't even control this thing right now..."
"That's precisely the problem." Han Feng's expression was grave. "The ability you awakened is very special, it might even... not belong to the Star Soul system." He hesitated for a moment, then said, "I suspect that some being is spying on us through you."
Suddenly, all the streetlights went out, plunging the entire street into darkness. Only the rune in Wang Hao's hand emitted an eerie glow, and the pupil-shaped pattern on it fully opened, its cold gaze sweeping over the two of them.
Han Feng's eyes flashed with starlight as he slammed his palm towards the runes: "Disperse!"
The starlight and the ghostly light collided violently, producing a teeth-grinding tearing sound. In the end, the runes disintegrated into specks of light and dust, but at the last moment, both of them clearly heard a distant, inhuman, cold laugh.
"Damn it..." Wang Hao collapsed to the ground, his back soaked in cold sweat. "What the hell was that thing?"
Han Feng pulled him up, his expression more serious than ever before: "That's why you have to become stronger as soon as possible. If something like this comes knocking on my door after I leave..."
"I'll go with you!" Wang Hao suddenly grabbed Han Feng's arm. "Take me to that higher plane!"
Han Feng shook his head: "You're too weak right now. The minimum requirement for traversing a dimensional portal is the mid-stage of the Great Dao Realm; otherwise, you'll be torn to shreds by the spatial turbulence."
"Mid-stage of the Great Dao Realm..." Wang Hao muttered to himself. He had only just reached the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm, and the gap between them was like an insurmountable chasm.
"One month." Han Feng held up one finger. "I'll stay for a maximum of one more month. During this time, I'll train you with all my might, but how much you improve in the end depends on yourself."
A police siren sounded in the distance, apparently due to a major streetlight malfunction. Han Feng dispelled the barrier and patted Wang Hao on the shoulder: "Let's go back first. Don't tell anyone about tonight."
Wang Hao nodded, took two steps, then turned back: "Brother Feng...why are those extraterrestrial forces so determined to hunt down the Star Soul Lord?"
Han Feng gazed at the streetlights that had come back on and said softly, "Because of fear. They're afraid that the Star Soul Lord will truly take that step... and become an existence that even the laws of the plane cannot bind."
Wang Hao swallowed hard, unsure of what to say.
Han Feng said, "Alright, that's enough for today. Let's hurry back; my mom and the others are probably getting impatient."
---This is the dividing line---
The villa district of Kyoto Huafu was ablaze with lights. Han Feng led Wang Hao to the door of villa number 3, and before they could even ring the doorbell, the door opened from the inside.
"Hao Hao's here!" Han's mother warmly grabbed Wang Hao's hand. "Come in quickly, Auntie made your favorite sweet and sour pork ribs!"
Wang Hao was a little embarrassed by this enthusiasm, scratching his head and grinning sheepishly: "Auntie, you're too kind..."
"Don't be so polite, make yourself at home." Han's mother smiled and looked him over. "You seem to have lost some weight? Did Xiao Feng take you out to do something crazy again?"
Han Feng shrugged helplessly: "Mom, I'm your real son."
"Go away, go away, Hao Hao is much more sensible than you." Mother Han playfully slapped her son's arm, then called into the house, "Old Han! The children are back!"
Han's father, wearing an apron and holding a spatula, poked his head out of the kitchen: "Sit down, there'll be some soup soon." His gaze lingered on Wang Hao for a moment, then he nodded slightly. "You look good, much more energetic than the last time I saw you."
Wang Hao quickly bowed: "Hello, Uncle! Sorry to bother you!"
"Don't be shy." Mr. Han smiled, then looked at Han Feng, "Where are Mengran and the others? Didn't they come along?"
Han Feng hung his coat on the hanger: "Mengran went back to the Liu family to see the old man, and Wanwan and Wantang went with her."
Mother Han brought over a fruit platter, her eyes lighting up at the suggestion: "Speaking of which, shouldn't we give Old Master Liu a formal visit? And the Dongfang family..." She subtly glared at Father Han, "That girl comes to our house every day, and you two are so patient."
Han's father coughed lightly: "It's time to set a time." He glanced meaningfully at Han Feng, "You...you shouldn't be too busy lately, right?"
Han Feng took the teacup from his father, his fingertips tracing the rim for a moment: "Next weekend, perhaps. Let me discuss the specific time with Mengran first."
One month. He counted in his mind. Before leaving, he had to see all the people he needed to see and make all the necessary arrangements.
"Dinner's ready! Dinner's ready!" Wang Hao had already sat down at the table, his eyes shining as he stared at the braised pork. "Auntie, your cooking is amazing! I could smell it from the hallway!"
Han's mother was beaming with pride: "Eat more if you like it! Xiaofeng, you really don't bring Haohao home for meals very often."
Han Feng smiled and shook his head, then got up and took a bottle of Moutai from the liquor cabinet: "Dad, Haozi's here today, shall I have a drink with you?"
Mr. Han's eyes lit up immediately, but he subconsciously glanced at his wife. Mrs. Han glared at them for a few seconds, hands on her hips, before finally waving her hand helplessly: "Drink up, drink up, we'll make an exception today." As she spoke, she still put some liver-protecting spinach into Mr. Han's bowl, "Three cups at most!"
"Yes, sir!"
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