Mr. Han urged Han Feng and Wang Hao to come inside. The living room of the villa was filled with the aroma of preserved egg and lean pork congee. Mrs. Han brought over a steaming bowl and, without a word, shoved it into Wang Hao's hands: "Eat it while it's hot. Auntie added extra lean pork."
"Thank you, Auntie." Wang Hao held the bowl, the steam making his eyes red. After several days of inhuman suffering, this ordinary bowl of porridge made his throat tighten.
Han's father sat on the opposite single sofa, his gaze both kind and scrutinizing: "Haozi, I heard from Xiaofeng that you joined a photography group that encountered a landslide while on a field trip?"
Han Feng, who was drinking water, nearly choked upon hearing this—it was an excuse he'd made up on the spot. Wang Hao, however, reacted quickly, stirring his porridge as he replied, "Yes, the signal tower collapsed, and we haven't been able to contact the outside world."
"Are you hurt anywhere?" Han's mother anxiously checked Wang Hao's exposed skin. "Xiao Feng didn't explain clearly. I should have had Old Han drive to pick you up."
"It's nothing, Auntie, just a scrape." Wang Hao subconsciously touched the spot of his wound, which was currently hidden by his clothes. He glanced at Han Feng and received a warning look.
Han's father keenly noticed this subtle movement and then asked, "Did you gain anything from your field trip?"
"Ah, we found many suitable shooting locations," Wang Hao said, forcing a lie. "But there was a landslide, and a lot of people's equipment got caught in the mud and damaged..."
Han Feng interjected at the opportune moment: "Dad, Haozi has been working hard for several days. Let him rest first."
"Yes, yes, the guest rooms are all ready." Mother Han got up and led the way. "The water heater is on, take a shower and get a good night's sleep."
After Wang Hao followed Han's mother upstairs, Han's father immediately lowered his voice and asked, "You brat, what exactly happened?"
"It really is a landslide." Han Feng remained expressionless. "However... we encountered a different situation." He carefully chose his words. "Haozi might... have awakened some special abilities."
Han's father raised his eyebrows high. As a former member of Longyuan, he understood all too well the weight of those words.
\"Sure?\"
"Yes, and it's related to me." Han Feng nodded. "So I think..."
"You want to bring him along to continue the plan?" Han's father asked bluntly. Seeing his son's tacit agreement, he sighed, "He's only just awakened; can he master those things? Should he undergo some training?"
"I will personally mentor him," Han Feng said firmly. "Besides, Haozi's abilities are quite unique; they might be helpful in finding Mu Xiaoxiao's laboratory."
Footsteps sounded on the stairs, and the two immediately stopped talking. Wang Hao changed into Han's father's old pajamas, making him look exceptionally thin. Han's mother nagged from behind, "The clothes will be dry by tomorrow, and there's a midnight snack in the fridge if you're hungry..."
"Auntie and Uncle, you've really gone to so much trouble for me." Wang Hao rubbed his hands, clearly not used to being taken care of like this.
"Don't mention it!" Han's father patted his shoulder, then suddenly frowned, "Why is your temperature so low?"
Han Feng's heart tightened. Had the power of the Nether Crystal Clan been leaked again? Sure enough, Wang Hao hurriedly withdrew his hand: "It's cold in the mountains at night, I might have caught a cold..."
"I'll go get the thermometer," Han's mother said hurriedly as she walked toward the medicine box.
Taking advantage of the brief lull, Han Feng pulled Wang Hao aside and whispered, "Don't be nervous, my parents know something... about the special circumstances. But don't tell us the details yet."
Wang Hao's eyes widened: "They know about you?"
"My dad used to be in... a special department," Han Feng said vaguely. "Anyway, you should rest and recuperate first. I'll take you somewhere tomorrow."
Han's mother returned with a thermometer, and after taking the temperature, she breathed a sigh of relief: "36.5 degrees Celsius, normal." She pushed the two young people, "Go and rest! Xiaofeng, why don't you stay here today? There are empty rooms upstairs."
Han Feng shook his head: "I have to go back. Mengran and the others must be worried." He changed his shoes at the door. "I'm leaving Haozi in your care."
The night breeze carried the chill of early autumn. As Han Feng walked towards Villa No. 1, his phone vibrated. It was a message from Lin Zhengguo: "I know what happened. Is there anything I can do?"
Without hesitation, Han Feng replied, "I'll bring some people to the base tomorrow; they need some training."
After replying, Han Feng looked up at the window of Villa No. 1—Liu Mengran's room light was still on. He suddenly remembered something and sent another message to Wang Hao: "Haozi, if you notice anything unusual about your body, call me immediately."
After sending this message, Han Feng paused for a moment in front of the door. The faint sounds of girls' laughter drifted from inside, while in Villa No. 3 were his brothers-in-arms. Beneath this tranquil night, a much larger storm was brewing.
Wang Hao's awakening was not accidental, and Han Feng vaguely felt that this might be the turning point to break the deadlock. After all, to deal with Mu Xiaoxiao and those extraterrestrial forces, he needed all the forces he could gather.
When Han Feng pushed open the door, the television was playing exaggerated laughter from a variety show. Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan were nestled at opposite ends of the sofa, one holding a bucket of snacks, the other scribbling in a notebook. Dongfang Wantang, on the other hand, sat cross-legged on the carpet, surrounded by various ancient books and electronic devices.
"You're back?" Liu Mengran was the first to notice him, her eyes lighting up. "Have you eaten? Want some...?"
"No need." Han Feng waved his hand, his gaze sweeping over the pile of documents in front of Dongfang Wantang. "How's the preparation going?"
Dongfang Wantang held up a map covered in runes: "We've basically pinpointed the locations of those problematic families, but..." She bit her lower lip, "I'm worried about a leak; those families will be on guard in advance."
Su Wanwan interjected without looking up, "I've already used the Longyuan satellite system to pinpoint their locations, so we can monitor each company's energy fluctuations in real time."
Han Feng nodded, then suddenly noticed four cups of hot cocoa on the coffee table, one of which was still steaming, clearly freshly poured. A warmth filled his heart, and he picked up the cup and drank it all in one gulp.
"I'm going into seclusion tonight." He put down his cup, ruffled Liu Mengran's hair, and said, "I'll take Wang Hao to the base first thing tomorrow morning."
Su Wanwan finally looked up from her notebook: "Haozi? What ability did he awaken? I heard it's quite dangerous."
"So I'll take him to the base for special training tomorrow." Han Feng was already heading towards the stairs. "You guys get some rest."
After entering the bedroom and closing the door, Han Feng entered the cultivation space. A familiar starry sky scene unfolded, and Zero's figure immediately appeared in front of Han Feng.
Before Ling could speak, Han Feng asked first, "Wang Hao awakened that Star Soul Priest ability, is that normal?"
Zero was somewhat surprised by Han Feng's words: "The Star Soul Priest has appeared?"
"What do you mean?" Han Feng frowned. "Are you saying Wang Hao's abilities came too early?"
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