"Nangong Wentian! I am Han Feng, and I have come to the Nangong family to demand an explanation!"
The roar was like a thunderclap, the stellar power contained within the sound wave causing the two guards' eardrums to ache and their vision to go black. In that split second, Han Feng's true body had already flashed ten meters away like a ghost, leaving behind a clone that was exactly the same as him—this was the Star Clone Technique that he had practiced diligently in the system space for a long time.
\"presumptuous!\"
A furious shout echoed from the depths of the manor, followed by a streak of azure light piercing the sky as Nangong Wentian arrived. The Nangong family head, dressed in a dark green robe, his white hair flowing like silver threads behind his head, his eyes blazing with fury. The instant he landed, the oppressive aura of a peak Innate Realm expert spread outwards like a tidal wave, causing the bluestone slabs on the ground to crack inch by inch.
"Han Feng!" Nangong Wentian glared at the young man before him. "You dare to come here and provoke me after injuring my grandson? Do you really think the Nangong family has no one to rely on?!"
The star avatar calmly took a step forward, its stellar power erupting forth. The pale blue energy field collided head-on with Nangong Wentian's oppressive aura, creating visible ripples in the air. To the astonishment of all the Nangong clan members, this young man, who appeared to be no more than twenty years old, possessed an aura comparable to that of the clan leader!
"He really is at the mid-stage of the Innate Realm?" an elder of the Nangong family exclaimed in shock. "How is this possible!"
A flicker of surprise crossed Nangong Wentian's eyes, but it was quickly replaced by a deeper rage. He secretly increased his pressure, only to find the other party as steady as a mountain, with even a hint of... mockery in those star-like eyes?
"Senior Nangong." Dongfang Wantang stepped forward at the opportune moment, gracefully performing a traditional family greeting. "This junior is Dongfang Wantang, and I apologize for the intrusion."
She wore a moon-white cheongsam, with only a white jade phoenix hairpin in her hair, exuding an undeniable air of nobility. Nangong Wentian had to be distracted to return the greeting—as the eldest daughter of the Dongfang family, even he, as the head of the family, dared not show her any disrespect.
"Han Feng deeply regrets the accidental injury to your grandson the other day," Dongfang Wantang said in a clear and melodious voice, her words perfectly measured. "He has specially requested that I accompany him to express his apologies and condolences."
These words left Nangong Wentian's expression uncertain. His gaze swept back and forth between the two—Dongfang Wantang's demeanor was impeccable, while Han Feng, though imposing, stood still without uttering another word of disrespect. On the surface, it did indeed seem like he had come to apologize...
"Hmph!" Nangong Wentian suppressed his anger, flicked his sleeve to dispel his oppressive aura, and said, "In that case, please come inside for a discussion."
As he turned to lead the way, he gave a concealment signal to his clansmen hidden in the shadows. Dozens of auras immediately moved silently throughout the manor, and the defensive array was activated to its critical state.
Han Feng's clone exchanged a glance with Dongfang Wantang and followed in unison. The clone could sense at least seven killing intents locked onto it, while the real Han Feng should already be...
At the same time, Han Feng's true form had already stealthily moved to the east side of the manor. Using the power of the stars to perceive energy, he clearly "saw" that the entire manor was shrouded in a light blue barrier, and that the barrier in one part of the courtyard where he was now was fluctuating abnormally—something must be hidden there.
"Iron Tower, I'm in position," Han Feng whispered into the miniature communicator. "Nangong Wentian is being held back in the main hall by my clone. You all remain hidden and be ready to provide backup at any time."
"Understood." The voice from the iron tower was accompanied by a slight mechanical hum.
Han Feng gathered a wisp of starlight power at his fingertips and gently touched the weakest point of the barrier. Like a drop of water merging into a lake, a gap appeared silently in the barrier, just wide enough for one person to pass through. He flashed and disappeared into the shadows of the courtyard.
Inside the main hall, Nangong Wentian sat high in the main seat, his gaze fixed menacingly on Han Feng below him. The tea and snacks served by the waiters remained untouched; the atmosphere was so tense it seemed like water could be squeezed out of the vessel.
"I wonder how young friend Han intends to 'apologize'?" Nangong Wentian deliberately emphasized the last two words, his words filled with a threatening tone.
The star avatar calmly picked up his teacup: "Senior Nangong, you misunderstand. I've come today primarily to inquire about Young Master Nangong Ao's injuries." He took a sip of tea, then suddenly changed the subject, "Of course, I also wanted to mention my wife, Liu Mengran, to demand an explanation."
The teacup turned to dust in Nangong Wentian's hands.
"What did you say? What explanation do I, the Nangong family, need to give you?!" An elder of the Nangong family slammed his fist on the table and stood up. "The Nangong family acts with integrity and uprightness. Don't you dare slander me!"
Dongfang Wantang gracefully set down her teacup: "Elder, please be patient. You can wait until Han Feng finishes speaking."
"Absurd!" Nangong Wentian laughed angrily. "Dongfang girl, do you know what crime it is to falsely accuse a noble family?"
"So, you're just going to let bygones be bygones about the fact that your Nangong family seized my wife's family's cultivation stone?" Han Feng's clone said casually, tapping the edge of the teacup lightly with his fingertips, making a crisp tinkling sound.
A faint smile played at the corners of his lips, but his eyes were as cold as ice.
The temperature in the hall seemed to drop ten degrees. Several elders of the Nangong family turned ashen-faced, their fingers unconsciously reaching for the weapons at their waists. The auras of the experts lying in ambush visibly faltered for a moment; no one had expected Han Feng to so directly tear off the mask of civility.
Nangong Wentian's forehead veins bulged as he suppressed his raging anger: "Han Feng, you can't just say whatever you want. The Liu family's cultivation stone doesn't seem to have anything to do with you, does it?"
"Oh?" Han Feng's clone leaned back slightly in the armchair, his posture relaxed as if he were in his own courtyard. "More than ten years ago, your entire family bullied the Liu family when it was weak, forcibly seizing the Liu family's cultivation stones, and even tried to kidnap my wife to make her your grandson's wife. Now Liu Mengran is mine, so the Liu family's affairs are my affairs."
These words struck Nangong Wentian like a hammer blow to the chest. The old man's pupils contracted sharply—the Liu family had actually climbed up to this young man before him; how could he have gone to such lengths for the Liu family...?
Dongfang Wantang cleared her throat at the opportune moment: "Senior Nangong, if you don't want people to know, then don't do it in the first place. That cultivation stone is an heirloom of the Liu family, and it's only effective for the Liu family, whose cultivation primarily relies on cold energy. Your Nangong family cultivates fire-based techniques, so what's the point of forcibly taking it?"
"Nonsense!" Nangong Wentian slammed his fist on the table, reducing the solid wood coffee table to dust beneath his hand. "Han Feng, I can return the Liu family's cultivation stone, but if you can't give my grandson a reasonable explanation, don't even think about leaving the Nangong family's gates!"
The sound of hurried footsteps came from behind the screens on all four sides of the hall, and at least twenty fully armed guards appeared, surrounding Han Feng and Dongfang Wantang. Each of them had scorching fire-elemental true energy wrapped around their hands, and the air distorted due to the high temperature.
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