Old Man Xiao Poshān, aged nearly seventy, emerged from the manor and immediately adopted a fierce and domineering posture to confront outsiders like Yuchi Yuan, leaving absolutely no room for negotiation.

Xiao Poshān was the highest-ranking member of the current Xiao family generation; even Xiao Xing had to address him as Uncle. Like Xiao Xing, Xiao Poshān possessed the cultivation level of the Bagua Heaven Realm, with the sole difference being that Xiao Poshān had already reached the peak of this realm. In recent years, he had remained in seclusion, focusing on arduous cultivation, attempting to break through the Kuang Ju restriction of the current realm and ascend to the Jiugong Heaven Realm.

Yuchi Yuan was also a Bagua Heaven master, but compared to Xiao Poshān, he had not immersed himself in this level for nearly as long, falling far short of Xiao Poshān’s proficiency.

Consequently, Yuchi Yuan could not withstand the force of a single punch from Xiao Poshān and was forced to retreat.

Where Yuchi Yuan had been standing, a bottomless chasm now gaped, and Yuchi Yuan himself had vanished without a trace. After a moment, he reappeared near Song Xian and Changsun Deyun, his face etched with shock.

"Begone!" Xiao Poshān regarded Zhuang Yan and her group with a stern, cold expression.

Chu Shanxin and Zhuang Yan looked utterly embarrassed, seemingly helpless against the sudden appearance of Xiao Poshān. Both had heard of Xiao Poshān’s fearsome reputation and his difficult nature. They had presumed that his long seclusion must have resulted in some setback during his cultivation, perhaps driving him to seek a quieter spiritual haven.

Unexpectedly, Xiao Poshān remained within the Xiao family estate, and judging by his demeanor, his cultivation had deepened even further. This realization gave Chu Shanxin pause, making her hesitate about whether to seize the Xiao family at any cost.

On the Xiao family's side, the unexpected revelation of Ji Changkong possessing strength comparable to a Bagua Heaven master was already a shock. Who knew that Xiao Poshān would appear mid-stage? The emergence of two Bagua Heaven masters disrupted their carefully laid plans, forcing them to treat the affairs of the Xiao family with extreme caution.

Chu Shanxin, Yuchi Yuan, and the others exchanged glances, unable to make a quick decision. Xiao Poshān grew impatient. Seeing that the intruders seemed reluctant to leave, he let out a cold, hollow laugh and advanced once more toward Yuchi Yuan and his company.

Just then, a wave of intensely frigid energy surged from the lake in front of the Xiao residence.

A bone-chilling cold rose from the surface of the lake, disturbing the mirror-like water. A gaunt, skeletal figure gradually materialized from the depths.

The man exuded oppressive coldness, standing effortlessly on the water's surface, his eyes radiating icy intent, giving off an aura of extreme danger.

"Han Feng!"

Song Xian gasped, his face awash with horror.

"What business brings you to the Xiao residence? Do you have any idea that you have disturbed my cultivation?" The skeletal Han Feng glanced at Song Xian, a cold smirk playing on his lips. "Song Xian, what? Still thinking of challenging me to a duel?"

"You... you are actually at the Xiao residence?" Song Xian jumped back, suddenly sensing an unfathomable depth to the Xiao family's power.

Yuchi Yuan, Zhuang Yan, and the others froze before their expressions shifted rapidly. They instantly recalled Han Feng’s identity. Exchanging meaningful glances, retreat became their immediate impulse.

Zhuang Yan, Yuchi Yuan, Song Xian, and Changsun Deyun—four masters of the Bagua Heaven Realm—had arrived together, confident they could easily suppress the Xiao family. They never anticipated that the Xiao family, usually so discreet about its strength, harbored such profound reserves of power. By the looks of it, the Xiao family might be even more formidable than the Ye or Chen families.

"Pardon the intrusion; we shall pay another visit to Uncle Xiao next time," Chu Shanxin said with an awkward, forced smile, bowing to Xiao Xing. Without waiting for Xiao Xing to reply, Chu Shanxin promptly turned and headed for the exit.

The others, Zhuang Yan and the rest, wasted no time. They each nodded briefly to Xiao Xing and, without a word, followed Chu Shanxin out.

As Chu Shanxin was about to exit the Xiao compound, she looked back with a wry smile. Her gaze swept across Han Feng, Xiao Poshān, and Xiao Xing, finally settling on Ji Changkong, where her beautiful eyes paused, and she offered a charming smile: "Ji Changkong, I remember you!"

"Oh," Ji Changkong responded coolly, neither welcoming nor dismissive.

Chu Shanxin slipped through the narrow gap and gradually faded away with Zhuang Yan and the others. The retinues from the various families lurking outside quickly retreated, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Only after Chu Shanxin and her party had left did Ji Changkong withdraw his gaze. He looked at Xiao Poshān, then turned toward Han Feng, who had now fully emerged from the bottom of the Xiao lake, his face filled with surprise.

From start to finish, Xiao Xing had shown no sign of panic. Ji Changkong had initially assumed Xiao Xing was merely feigning composure, but now he realized Xiao Xing was genuinely unconcerned. Given the power the Xiao family had displayed, it seemed that this family, which had kept out of worldly disputes for so many years, possessed the strength comparable to any major clan.

Even the Chen family only boasted two Bagua Heaven masters, Chen Qisen and Chen Qilin. The Ye family, allegedly the head of the Seven Great Families, supposedly had only two as well. For ages, the Xiao family, by abstaining from all external conflicts, was considered the weakest among the Seven Great Families.

This perception was precisely why Chu Shanxin and her group dared to act so presumptuously at the Xiao residence.

However, the power the Xiao family exhibited today far surpassed the world's understanding. Three masters at the Bagua Heaven Realm—such strength not only matched the Ye family, the leader of the Seven Great Families, but perhaps even surpassed them.

"No wonder Uncle Xiao wasn't worried at all, hehe," Ji Changkong remarked, smiling at Xiao Xing.

Xiao Xing laughed heartily. "Though the Xiao family keeps to itself, it doesn't mean we are inferior to others. We have simply always valued discretion. Compared to the Seven Great Families, our Xiao family boasts a history spanning a thousand years, far more ancient than any of theirs. For these people to dare underestimate us is merely short-sightedness."

Han Feng, who had emerged from the lake, now displayed a faint smile after Chu Shanxin’s group departed. He walked directly toward Ji Changkong.

"You are the new generation Xuanyuan of the Ji family?" Han Feng’s tone softened considerably when addressing Ji Changkong, losing the icy edge he used on the others.

Ji Changkong felt a flicker of undeserved honor and stared in astonishment. "That is correct. I am Ji Changkong. And you are?"

"You know Han Hai, don't you?" Han Feng asked.

"Ah?" Ji Changkong let out a soft sound, then smiled. "Uncle Han has always been at the Ji residence; he hasn't left for years. Hehehe, Uncle Han took excellent care of me. You know Uncle Han?"

"How could I not know my own son?" Han Feng’s mouth twitched in a strange expression.

"You are Uncle Han's father?" Ji Changkong was even more shocked. He scrutinized Han Feng, noticing a slight resemblance to Han Hai. "I have never heard Uncle Han mention you. How... how did you end up here?"

"The Xiao family can provide me with sufficient cultivation resources, whereas your Ji family has been in decline and unable to gather the materials I require for my cultivation. That is why I am with the Xiao family." Han Feng spoke plainly, seemingly untroubled by the implication of pursuing cultivation materials.

After a moment’s hesitation, Han Feng asked, "How has Han Hai been recently?"

From his demeanor, it was apparent that he carried some unspoken burden.

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