"Young friend, you really do dare to say just about anything, don't you?"
At that moment, Grandmaster Kangping let out a cold laugh, then said to Tang Long, "Young Master Tang, although your father's condition is highly unstable, I can still keep it under control. Since this young friend is so confident, why not give him a chance?"
"Grandmaster Kangping, is that really alright?" Tang Long's expression grew troubled — he truly did not trust Chu Feng.
However, having lived for several thousand years, he could naturally see that Kangping wanted Chu Feng to die and was deliberately encouraging him to take action. But he had no intention of using his own father as a test subject.
"Big brother, just let Chu Feng try. Do you really want me to marry into the Cao Family?"
"Right now, Father is gravely injured and beyond treatment. This is the Cao Family's best opportunity to destroy our Tang Family."
"Even if I marry into the Cao Family, it's far from certain that they would spare us."
"Only if Father's condition improves within one month will our Tang Family have a chance," Tang Ying urged as well.
"This…" Tang Long remained deeply conflicted, sinking into thought. Perhaps he found Tang Ying's words persuasive, for he finally said to Chu Feng, "Young friend Chu Feng, please be careful."
"Relax." As he spoke, Chu Feng passed through the group and made his way deep into the inner chambers of the bedroom.
There, a peculiar bed awaited — it was crafted from a combination of barrier formations and an abundance of medicinal herbs, designed specifically for healing the sick.
Upon that bed lay an elderly man. His hair was sparse, his entire body covered in wrinkles, and age spots dotted every fold of weathered skin. Fortunately, he still drew breath — otherwise, he would have been nearly indistinguishable from a desiccated corpse.
This old man's age, Chu Feng estimated, had surely exceeded ten thousand years. Even if his injuries could be cured, he likely wouldn't live much longer.
But his cultivation was far from weak — a seventh-level half-Ancestor. This was none other than the head of the Tang Family.
In truth, ever since entering the bedroom, Chu Feng had been secretly observing the Tang Family patriarch. It was only after confirming that he could treat the man's condition that he had dared to speak so boldly.
Now, Chu Feng spread his hands, and wave after wave of Dragon-clothed formation power surged forth. He was ready to begin.
When the others saw Chu Feng's formation energy, every person present except Tang Ying found their eyes lighting up.
This was the first time they had witnessed Chu Feng deploy his formation arts. Although they already knew he was a Dragon-clothed, Imperial-robed Spirit World Master, seeing it with their own eyes still came as a shock.
After all, a Dragon-clothed Imperial-robed Spirit World Master this young was exceedingly rare.
"Young friend, let me be blunt — if something goes wrong with the Tang Family patriarch, you won't be walking out of here alive, no matter how much you beg," Grandmaster Kangping suddenly spoke up.
"A pity, then, that my life and death are not yours to decide," Chu Feng replied, turning his head.
"Of course not mine — the Tang Family's," Kangping said.
"Wrong." Chu Feng smiled faintly. "My life and death are decided by me alone."
"Hmph, what arrogance."
"If you can actually cure the Tang Family patriarch, I'll abolish my own cultivation." Grandmaster Kangping's face darkened with anger, and his hostility toward Chu Feng finally showed itself in full.
"If those are just words, you'd better be prepared to keep your promise," Chu Feng said.
"I, Kangping, have always kept my word," Grandmaster Kangping declared with supreme confidence. That confidence, however, did not stem from the weight of his pledge — it seemed to come from an absolute conviction that he would survive regardless.
"If you're so determined to bring this upon yourself, then I'll gladly oblige."
Chu Feng smiled slightly, then waved his hands and began constructing a barrier formation. In short order, a massive formation array materialized, expanding to cover a wide area — engulfing both Chu Feng and the Tang Family patriarch within its bounds.
The moment this formation appeared, Grandmaster Kangping's expression shifted. He stared in disbelief — the barrier array Chu Feng had laid down was something that even he could not see through.
Though it pained him to admit it, a flicker of alarm now surfaced in Kangping's eyes.
That flash of panic, however, lasted only a moment before vanishing, replaced once more by unwavering confidence.
A thin smile curled the corner of Kangping's mouth, and he casually settled into a nearby chair, leisurely sipping tea.
"Grandmaster Kangping, will he really be alright?" Tang Long and his two brothers asked anxiously.
"Hmph, how should I know?" Kangping sneered. Though he spoke dismissively, the self-assurance in his gaze made it clear — he had already decided that Chu Feng was certain to fail.
"Tang Ying, let me be blunt. If anything happens to Father, don't blame your brother for not going easy on your friend here," Tang Long said to Tang Ying with a venomous edge.