"Then this aristocratic family gathering?" Lin Zhengguo frowned. "What's the specific plan?"
"On the surface, it's about redistributing cultivation resources, but in reality..." Han Feng made a throat-slitting gesture, "Mu Xiaoxiao is backed by the Youjing Clan, and the Shangguan family isn't the only one supporting her."
Lin Zhengguo was completely confused: "Wait, what's this Nether Crystal Clan? And what's the background of these extraterrestrial forces?"
Han Feng then realized that Lin Zhengguo's understanding of ancient martial arts families was still at the level of basic intelligence. He pondered for a moment, then raised his hand and conjured a holographic star map above the coffee table. The three were astonished by Han Feng's action. Han Feng coughed lightly: "Simply put, there are countless planes in the universe, and our Blue Star is just one of them. Beyond Blue Star, there are some special planes, some—like the Nether Crystal Clan—that can traverse interstellar space. But because of Blue Star's unique energy field, they cannot descend in their true forms."
Blue crystalline life forms emerged from the star map, attacking a model of Earth, but were blocked by a layer of golden light.
"So they found Mu Xiaoxiao?" Han's father astutely grasped the key point. "And what is their purpose?"
"That's right." Han Feng nodded. "Mu Xiaoxiao is trying to seize the Star Mirror for the Youjing Clan, attempting to destroy the defensive measures set up by the previous Star Soul Lord. And some ancient martial arts families are willing to become his lackeys for power. For example, the Shangguan family..."
Although Han's mother didn't understand the technical terms, she tensed up at the word "danger": "Xiaofeng, do you really have to do these things? Let the government, the army..."
"Mom." Han Feng grasped his mother's hand, his voice gentle yet firm, "The Star Soul Lord chose me, and this is my responsibility. But I promise you, I will return safely."
He looked at his father as he spoke, and their eyes met in a silent exchange. Han's father nodded almost imperceptibly, then put his arm around his wife's shoulder: "Our son has grown up and has his own path to walk. All we can do is not hold him back."
Lin Zhengguo interjected at the opportune moment: "Longyuan will fully cooperate. Just let us know if you need any equipment or personnel."
"Not for now." Han Feng shook his head. "Ordinary weapons have limited effect on ancient martial arts families. Besides..." He hesitated for a moment, "On Blue Star, no one is my match right now. Due to restrictions, Blue Star cultivators can only reach the Great Perfection of the Innate Realm at most, while I fused with all the Star Mirrors yesterday and broke through to the Great Dao Realm."
"What!?" Lin Zhengguo's mouth was practically agape, wide enough to fit a huge egg.
The living room fell silent for a moment. Outside the window, a nightingale chirped twice clearly from a branch.
After chatting for a while longer, Lin Zhengguo glanced at his watch, stood up, and said goodbye: "It's getting late. You and your family should have a good chat."
After seeing Lin Zhengguo off, Han's father used the excuse of cooking a late-night snack to send his wife away, leaving his son alone.
"Are you sure there's no problem?" He lowered his voice, his eyes flashing with the sharpness of a veteran. "Your mother's not here. Tell the truth."
Han Feng pondered for a moment, then conjured a miniature phantom of a star mirror at his fingertips: "Dad, I've collected the star mirrors of the three great families, and my strength has surpassed that of all cultivators on Blue Star. But..." His voice lowered further, "In the near future, I will definitely be heading to the extraterrestrial battlefield; that's something every Star Soul Master must go through."
Han's father stared at the slowly rotating light and shadow, then suddenly asked, "That girl from the Dongfang family, and the two girls in our family... do they know what you're about to face?"
"Wantang knows, but Mengran and Wanwan only know a little," Han Feng said, putting away the Star Mirror. "But some things are safer the less you know."
"You little rascal, you're better than your old man was back then." Mr. Han suddenly laughed, patting his son's shoulder. "Go on, I'll take care of your mother. Remember, no matter what happens, this place will always be your support."
The sounds of spatulas clattering and Han's mother humming a tune drifted from the kitchen. Han Feng gazed at his father's graying temples and suddenly remembered Jue Li's dying words. Protecting this ordinary warmth—perhaps that was the true meaning of the Star Soul Lord's existence.
When Han Feng pushed open the door, the living room lights were still on. The sight of the three girls turning around at the same time made him pause—Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan were squeezed together on the sofa, while Dongfang Wantang sat alone in the corner of the single sofa, like a deer that had wandered into unfamiliar territory.
"Hey, Big Radish is back." Su Wanwan tilted her head, a sly smile on her lips.
"A big radish?" Han Feng slammed the door shut behind him, looking completely bewildered. "What do you mean...?"
Liu Mengran chuckled: "Wanwan means you're a womanizer."
As soon as she finished speaking, Dongfang Wantang's face flushed red to her ears, and her fingers unconsciously gripped the sofa cushion tightly. Han Feng then realized that the embarrassment of being caught holding hands during the day was still fresh in his mind.
His gaze swept over three faces, each with a different expression yet equally captivating: Liu Mengran's eyes held a good-natured teasing, Su Wanwan's face was full of smug satisfaction at having pulled off a prank, and Dongfang Wantang's face held a hint of anticipation hidden beneath her shyness.
"Ahem..." Han Feng coughed lightly, then strode to the middle of the sofa, squeezing between Liu Mengran and Su Wanwan. He stretched out his long arm to embrace the two women, while simultaneously extending his other hand to Dongfang Wantang: "Wantang, come here."
This unexpected move stunned all three girls. Dongfang Wantang's eyes widened, and her fingers clenched even tighter; Su Wanwan stiffened like a cat whose tail had been stepped on; Liu Mengran's eyes widened slightly, and her breathing quickened noticeably.
"What are you standing there for?" Han Feng kept his hand outstretched. "Didn't you say I'm a womanizer? Well, I need to sit closer to spread my affections evenly."
This offhand remark broke the tense atmosphere. Su Wanwan was the first to react, grabbing a cushion and shoving it at Han Feng's face: "Shameless! Who wants to sit next to you..."
Liu Mengran blushed and lightly punched his shoulder: "What nonsense are you talking about..."
Dongfang Wantang relaxed amidst the laughter and chatter. After hesitating for a moment, she actually got up and sat on the armrest next to Han Feng. This action made the other two women stop what they were doing, and the living room suddenly became so quiet that the ticking of the clock could be heard.
Han Feng withdrew his arm, his expression suddenly becoming extremely serious: "No matter what, I will protect you all."
A simple sentence, yet like a pebble thrown into a calm lake, stirred ripples in three pairs of beautiful eyes. There were no flowery vows, no complicated explanations; he simply laid bare his heart.
Su Wanwan's ears twitched, and she suddenly turned her face away: "Who, who asked you to protect me..." But her voice was noticeably softer.
Liu Mengran lowered her head to straighten the not-so-messy hem of her clothes, but a subtle smile played on her lips. Dongfang Wantang softly hummed in agreement, her fingers finally releasing the sofa cushions that had been crumpled for so long.
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