"My young friend, you really do have the gall to say anything."
At that moment, Grandmaster Kangping let out a cold smile, then said to Tang Long, "Young Master Tang, although your father's condition is quite unstable, I can still keep it under control. Since this young friend here is so confident, why not give him a chance?"
"Grandmaster Kangping, is that really okay?" Tang Long's face was filled with hesitation. He genuinely did not trust Chu Feng.
However, having lived for several thousand years, he could naturally see that Kangping wanted Chu Feng dead — that was the only reason he was letting Chu Feng try. Still, he had no desire to use his own father as a guinea pig.
"Big Brother, just let Chu Feng try. Do you really want me married off to the Cao family?"
"Father is gravely injured right now and nearly impossible to treat. This is the Cao family's best chance to destroy our Tang family."
"Even if I marry into the Cao family, there's no guarantee the Cao family will still spare us."
"The only way our Tang family has a chance is if Father's condition improves within one month," Tang Ying also urged.
"This..." Tang Long still found himself in a difficult position, sinking deep into thought. Perhaps he found Tang Ying's words quite reasonable, for in the end he said to Chu Feng, "Young friend Chu Feng, please proceed with caution."
"Rest easy." As he spoke, Chu Feng walked past the group and made his way deep into an inner chamber.
There, a peculiar bed awaited. It was constructed from a combination of barrier formations and countless medicinal herbs, specifically designed for healing injuries.
Lying upon that bed was an elderly man — thin-haired, his entire body covered in wrinkles, those wrinkles further marked by age spots. Fortunately, he still drew breath; otherwise, he would have been virtually indistinguishable from a mummified corpse.
This old man's age was surely beyond ten thousand years. Even if his injuries could be healed, he likely would not live much longer.
Yet his cultivation was not weak — a seventh-grade Half Ancestor. This, naturally, was the head of the Tang family.
The truth was, upon entering the chamber, Chu Feng had already secretly assessed the Tang family patriarch. Only after confirming that he could treat him had he dared to make those earlier remarks.
Now, Chu Feng spread his hands, and streams of Dragon Mark-level Spirit Power surged forth. He was ready to begin.
When the others saw Chu Feng's Spirit Power, everyone except Tang Ying lit up with surprise.
This was the first time they had witnessed Chu Feng practice the art of Spirit World cultivation. Although they already knew he was a Dragon Mark-level Imperial-cloak Spirit World Master, seeing it with their own eyes still left them somewhat stunned.
After all, a Dragon Mark-level Imperial-cloak Spirit World Master this young was exceedingly rare.
"My young friend, let me say this plainly — if something happens to the Tang family patriarch, even if you want to live, you won't be able to," Grandmaster Kangping suddenly interjected.
"A pity, then, that my life and death are not yours to decide," Chu Feng replied, turning his head.
"Of course not mine — it's the Tang family's," said Kangping.
"Wrong," Chu Feng said with a faint smile. "My life and death are decided by me alone."
"Hmph, how arrogant."
"If you can actually cure the Tang patriarch, I'll cripple my own cultivation." Grandmaster Kangping's face was twisted with rage. His displeasure toward Chu Feng had finally been laid bare.
"If you're just running your mouth, you'd better keep your word," Chu Feng said.
"I, Kangping, have always been true to my word," Grandmaster Kangping declared with supreme confidence. His confidence did not come from the weight of his promise — rather, he seemed to possess an absolute resolve that he would survive no matter what.
"Since you're so determined to walk into this, then I'll be happy to oblige."
Chu Feng smiled faintly, then his hands began to move as he set up a Spirit World formation. In no time, a grand barrier array materialized, expanding to encompass an entire area and sealing both Chu Feng and the Tang family patriarch within.
The moment this formation appeared, Grandmaster Kangping's expression shifted. He realized with shock that the Spirit World barrier array Chu Feng had constructed was something even he could not see through.
Though unwilling to admit it, a trace of panic flickered within Kangping's eyes.
However, that look of panic lasted only a brief moment before vanishing, replaced once again by his air of confidence.
Immediately after, the corner of Kangping's mouth curled slightly upward as he leisurely settled into a nearby chair and began sipping his tea.
"Grandmaster Kangping, is it really going to be okay?" Tang Long and his two brothers asked, their nerves visibly frayed.
"Hmph, how should I know?" Kangping sneered. Though he spoke dismissively, the certainty in his gaze made it clear — he was already convinced that Chu Feng would fail.
"Tang Ying, let me make this clear. If anything happens to Father, don't blame your brother for not going easy on your friend," Tang Long said to Tang Ying with a vicious glare.