At that moment, Chu Feng's brows furrowed slightly, a flash of displeasure crossing his eyes. The one thing he could least tolerate was someone provoking him, no matter who they were.
"Brother Zimo, it's just a handshake. How about I shake yours instead?"
Yet just then, a powerful hand suddenly reached out and gripped Bei Tang Zimo's hand firmly. It was Nan Gong Ya.
Nan Gong Ya had come over first, and Nan Gong Baihe and the others were hurrying over as well—they had clearly come to help Chu Feng out of his predicament.
"There's no rush, Brother Nan Gong. Once this Bestowal Assembly is over, I'll settle things with you. But for now, I'd like to conserve my strength."
Bei Tang Zimo smiled faintly and withdrew his hand. Then he looked toward Nan Gong Baihe and Nan Gong Moli who were approaching, a wicked grin spreading across his face.
"Your two sisters are quite pretty. A pair of sisters, aren't they? Not bad—I like them. Give it a couple more years and I'll go to the Nan Gong household to propose. I'll marry both of them."
"Hmph! Who would want to marry you?" Nan Gong Baihe snorted coldly, spitting a large gob of saliva on the ground, her face full of disdain and contempt.
"Oh, the little girl's got quite the temper. But I like that in a woman. Oh, and let me tell you something—if I want to marry you sisters, there's really nothing you can do to stop me. After all, the gap in our status is enormous. Marrying your sisters would be their good fortune. Hahaha…" With a burst of arrogant laughter, Bei Tang Zimo departed.
"That Bei Tang Zimo is absolutely despicable! Brother, why must we cooperate with someone like that? Can't our Nan Gong Imperial Clan reach Immortal Island on our own?" Nan Gong Baihe's face was flushed red with anger, her teeth clenched.
"Bei Tang Zimo is a bit of a scoundrel, but the Bei Tang family's strength is considerable. This sea has been treacherous—you've seen that yourself along the way. And the road ahead is even more unpredictable. Cooperating with the Bei Tang family is the best option," Nan Gong Ya explained.
"Either way, I'm not marrying that guy." Suddenly, Nan Gong Moli pouted her little mouth and spoke.
"Haha, don't worry. I would never let you marry that guy." Nan Gong Ya laughed.
"Brother Chu Feng, that's just how Bei Tang Zimo is—whenever he sees a beauty he can't walk straight. With a woman of Miss Dantai's appearance, he's naturally drooling, which is why he sees you as a rival."
"But don't worry. With me here, I absolutely won't let him lay a finger on you." Nan Gong Ya guaranteed to Chu Feng.
"I understand." Chu Feng smiled calmly, then said to Nan Gong Ya, "Brother Nan Gong, I've noticed something. I'm not sure if it'll be of any help for our journey ahead."
Chu Feng felt that Nan Gong Ya was a decent person, so he didn't conceal the matter of the stone tablet from him. Instead, he shared everything with Nan Gong Ya.
"Brother Chu Feng, are you absolutely certain there used to be a stone tablet here?" Nan Gong Ya was also a Spirit World Master, though a gold-robed one. Having heard Chu Feng's words, he examined the stone platform with tense scrutiny, yet he couldn't detect anything out of the ordinary.
"Brother, don't doubt him. Chu Feng's barrier technique is extremely powerful, especially his eyes—they see things with perfect accuracy. I believe what he's saying is true." Before Chu Feng could even speak, Nan Gong Baihe declared with unwavering conviction.
"You girl, I never said I didn't believe Brother Chu Feng." Nan Gong Ya gave a wry smile, then addressed the other members of the Nan Gong Imperial Clan. "Keep this to yourselves for now. It may prove useful to us."
"Yes." The members of the Nan Gong Imperial Clan answered in unison, without a shred of hesitation.
Among the younger generation of the Nan Gong Imperial Clan, Nan Gong Ya held considerable prestige. Whether in strength or character, he was well-regarded, making him the de facto leader among the juniors on this expedition.