Dongfang Xun's words echoed in Han Feng's mind. The purity of the primordial energy he helped everyone cultivate was extremely high, but he didn't expect that it would be recognized at a glance by the people from the ancient martial arts families.
"Brother Dongfang seems to know everything about the people around me." Han Feng picked up the teapot to refill the other man's water, his movements so steady they showed no sign of emotion. "He even knows Liu Mengran's cultivation progress perfectly."
Dongfang Xun accepted the teacup with both hands: "Brother Han, you misunderstand. Although the Liu family has declined, it was once among the most prestigious ancient martial arts families in China. The fact that their young lady suddenly became a cultivator, and has never even touched the family's cultivation stones, naturally spread throughout the ancient martial arts world."
The teacup clinked against the tray, making a crisp sound. Han Feng noticed that when Dongfang Xun spoke, the jade ring on his left ring finger glowed faintly with a bluish light.
"As far as I know, Liu Mengran has never touched the Liu family's cultivation stone," Dongfang Xun said, sipping his tea. "Yet she reached a level that others would take twenty or thirty years to cultivate in just a few months. Brother Han, don't you find that strange?"
Fine beads of sweat appeared on Han Feng's back. He had indeed used the power of the stars to regulate Liu Mengran's meridians, but at the time he only intended it as an aid; he hadn't expected it to directly help her refine her primordial energy. Didn't this mean...?
"Ancient martial arts families are not as simple as Brother Han thinks," Dongfang Xun said, as if reading his thoughts. "Each family's cultivation stone contains laws passed down for thousands of years. Even if an ordinary person obtains the incantation, without the corresponding bloodline and the guidance of a cultivation stone, they will never be able to even glimpse the path in their entire life."
"So, Brother Dongfang, you've come here...?" Han Feng raised his eyes, "is it because you're worried I'll break the rules of the ancient martial arts world? Or is it because the Dongfang family has taken a liking to my abilities?"
Dongfang Xun shook his head: "I'm just reminding you to prevent any malicious people from interfering. Also, I'm here simply to follow the orders of the family head."
Han Feng asked, somewhat puzzled, "Why is the Dongfang family telling me this?"
"Because of Brother Han's abilities, the millennia-old balance of the ancient martial arts world has been shaken." Dongfang Xun looked directly into Han Feng's eyes. "You can allow ordinary people to skip the cultivation stone and directly obtain the power of origin—this is a blessing for some, but a threat to others."
The water in the teapot had long since cooled. Han Feng suddenly realized that his casual action might have stirred up a much bigger ripple than he had imagined.
Dongfang Xun continued, "Brother Han, you can rest assured that my Dongfang family has no ill intentions towards you. Furthermore, you can also explain any needs you may have to my Dongfang family."
Han Feng raised an eyebrow: "Does the Dongfang family need me to do something?"
At this moment, the atmosphere in the tea room instantly quieted down. The sandalwood incense on the table had burned out, and the last wisp of smoke rose between the two of them.
Dongfang Xun gently played with the Star Mirror in his hand. The Star Mirror glowed slightly with his movements, reflecting his angular profile.
"Brother Han, you misunderstand." Dongfang Xun's voice was calm as still water. "The Dongfang family doesn't need you to do anything; you are merely following the orders of the family head."
Han Feng narrowed his eyes: "You keep mentioning the patriarch in every other sentence. It seems this patriarch has many things he can't tell me directly?"
Dongfang Xun's lips curled slightly, neither confirming nor denying. He raised his hand and pushed the Star Mirror in front of Han Feng: "Brother Han, you have witnessed the unusual phenomenon of the Star Mirror just now. There are three Star Mirrors, one held by each of the three great ancient martial arts families. Since your essence can trigger the resonance of the Star Mirrors..."
He paused meaningfully, then said, "Perhaps the reasons behind this are unknown even to yourself."
"A connection?" Han Feng's heart skipped a beat. He remembered Zero saying that the power of stars originated from the very source of the universe and was one of the highest-level powers. Could it be that he truly had some connection with these ancient martial arts families?
"Three days later, the Dongfang family will host a banquet." Dongfang Xun suddenly became serious. "The patriarch wishes to speak with Brother Han in person." He took out a jade slip from his sleeve and placed it on the table. "Take this to Tingtao Pavilion in Xishan, and someone will guide you."
Han Feng did not immediately accept the jade slip. His gaze swept across Dongfang Xun's face, trying to discern any hidden intentions. But this envoy from the Dongfang family remained as calm as a deep pool.
"Why me?" Han Feng asked bluntly. "If it's just because I can activate the Star Mirror, you could have simply kidnapped me."
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Xun chuckled softly: "Brother Han, you jest. The Dongfang family has stood for a thousand years; we wouldn't stoop so low." He stood up, his sleeve brushing across the table, "Besides..." His voice suddenly lowered, "Those who can activate the Star Mirror, are they not something that can be forced?"
These words sent chills down Han Feng's spine. Dongfang Xun's words were loaded with meaning, seemingly implying that the Star Mirror had chosen him, rather than the other way around.
Just as the atmosphere became tense, Dongfang Xun walked to the door and suddenly turned back: "By the way, there's some news that Brother Han might be interested in."
\"What?\"
"Mu Xiaoxiao." Han Feng's pupils contracted sharply when Dongfang Xun uttered this name. "She has recently been in contact with the Nangong family and the Shangguan family."
"What?!" Han Feng jumped to his feet, the chair scraping loudly on the floor. "How could she possibly have contact with an ancient martial arts family? And... the Shangguan family, one of the three great families of China?"
Dongfang Xun looked at him meaningfully: "This is precisely one of the things the patriarch wishes to discuss with you in detail." He pushed open the door, letting moonlight stream into the courtyard. "Three days from now, at Chenshi (7-9 AM), I await Brother Han's arrival."
As his figure was about to disappear into the night, Dongfang Xun added, "I suggest Brother Han not leave Kyoto for the next three days. Some people... are already watching you."
Han Feng took out his phone and quickly dialed Lin Zhengguo's number.
"Uncle Lin, there's new information." His voice was tense. "It's about the ancient martial arts families... and Mu Xiaoxiao."
There was a few seconds of silence on the other end of the phone: "Let's talk in person. See you at the usual place in an hour."
After hanging up the phone, Han Feng took one last look at the tea room. On the rim of the teacup Dongfang Xun had used, a faint silver line was visible—a trace of stellar power. This envoy from the Dongfang family had clearly also cultivated techniques related to stars.
"Three days later..." Han Feng murmured to himself, putting the jade slip into his pocket. Regardless of the Dongfang family's motives, this might be his best chance to learn the truth about the power of stars. Meanwhile, Mu Xiaoxiao's connections with the Nangong and Shangguan families made the entire situation even more dangerous.
Han Feng walked out of the teahouse, where Liu Mengran had been waiting for a long time. Seeing Han Feng come out, Liu Mengran stepped forward and asked, "What's wrong? What did that person want with you?"
Han Feng smiled and said, "It's nothing, they just want to invite me to the Dongfang family."
"Will it be dangerous? Do you need me to go with you?" Liu Mengran asked with some concern.
Han Feng affectionately touched Liu Mengran's cheek and said, "Don't worry, if they have any ill intentions towards me, they will take me away today."
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