Chapter 1582 — The Ancient Feng Family

Feng Tianlong's sigh left Wei Zhao and the others thoroughly bewildered. Perhaps behind him there lay some unknown story, but such matters were far beyond Wei Zhao's understanding.

"Jianpai-ge, tell us how the trial went! There's nothing else to do right now anyway, and I want to hear about it," Shen Yushu said.

Earlier, on the way to the testing grounds, Wei Zhao had only given Tang Yun, Gu Mengyao, and Shen Yushu a cursory account of what had happened. He had not gone into the heart-stopping details, so now that Shen Yushu was eager to listen, Wei Zhao naturally recounted everything that had transpired, bit by bit, including how he had come to know Zhao Qitan.

When Wei Zhao reached the part about beating Feng Nitian into critical condition, Feng Tianlong's expression froze. A strange look flickered across his face, and he blurted out in shock: "Someone from the Ancient Feng Family? Feng Nitian?"

"Yes. Uncle Feng — do you know him?" Wei Zhao found Feng Tianlong's astonishment somewhat puzzling. "Uncle Feng, you know who Feng Nitian is?"

"No... not personally..." Feng Tianlong shook his head. "Go on... I've only heard of the Ancient Feng Family. Since we share the same surname, I took an interest in them. I never expected that someone would actually master the Heaven-Defying Divine Art... only for you to cripple him. I wonder how heartbroken the Feng Family must be this time."

"Feng Nitian brought it upon himself; I had no choice." Wei Zhao had the nagging sense that Feng Tianlong was hiding something — or perhaps there was some unknown connection between the man and the Ancient Feng Family? Both bore the surname Feng. Could it really be mere coincidence?

"Yes, he brought it upon himself! Even if not, it wouldn't matter. You had to win the trial for Xiaoxiao's sake — even killing him would have been justified." Feng Tianlong shook his head, a trace of melancholy in his eyes. "I'm tired, Xiao Yi. I'll take my leave for today. I want to go see Susu. I can't hold back the excitement in my heart — I need to see Susu, talk to her!"

"All right then, Uncle Feng. Take care." Wei Zhao didn't press further and rose to see Feng Tianlong off.

It was plain to see that a certain desolation hung over Feng Tianlong's features — all the more so after learning that Feng Nitian had been crippled by Wei Zhao.

The Ancient Feng Family.

Feng Nitian had been escorted back by the Ice Palace's people. The one who came out to greet them was none other than Feng Tianlin, the current Young Master of the Ancient Feng Family! For a visiting envoy, this was already an extraordinarily high level of reception. The Ice Palace had sent only a messenger, while the Feng Family had dispatched their Young Master — the relative standing of the Ancient Feng Family and the Ice Palace was plain for all to see.

"Feng Tianlin, on behalf of the Ancient Feng Family, respectfully welcomes the envoy of the Ice Palace!" Feng Tianlin strode out into the family's great courtyard and announced in a ringing voice.

Feng Tianlin naturally understood the purpose of the Ice Palace envoy's visit. But Feng Nitian was not his own son — he was his nephew. And Feng Tianlin was well aware of the young man's ruthless ambition. So although he felt some regret that Feng Nitian had become a cripple, he was far more relieved than anything else.

Feng Nitian's talent was unquestionably capable of carrying the Ancient Feng Family to new heights. But at the same time, should Feng Nitian rise, Feng Tianlin himself would be shoved aside! Ever since the eldest brother had left the Feng Family, the struggle for the position of Patriarch had grown ferociously intense. Twenty years had passed in the blink of an eye, yet Feng Tianlin still had not been elevated from Young Master to Family Head. The old master showed no sign of stepping down, and so the competition within the Feng Family remained as fierce as ever.

Ever since Feng Nitian's Heaven-Defying Divine Art first reached completion, the third brother's branch of the family had grown increasingly arrogant, openly showing the momentum to replace Feng Tianlin. Though Feng Tianlin said nothing, a growing sense of urgency gnawed at his heart.

But now, the third brother's entire line had been utterly destroyed. Feng Tianlin's ascent to Family Head had become an inevitability!

"Young Master Feng, I come by orders of the Ice Palace Master to escort the Feng Family disciple Feng Nitian back to you. Feng Nitian clashed with someone during the trial and was defeated due to insufficient strength. His qualification has been revoked!" the Ice Palace envoy told Feng Tianlin.

"Yes! Thank you for escorting him back!" Feng Tianlin sighed. Only a great sect like the Ice Palace could be so imperious — a man got injured in their territory, and they still had the gall to revoke his trial qualification upon returning him!

"The man has been delivered. I must now return to report," the Ice Palace envoy said.

"Envoy, I have prepared food and wine. Might you rest a moment and have something to eat before departing?" Feng Tianlin asked.

"No need. The Palace Master does not permit me to linger. Farewell!" The envoy clasped his fists, turned, and departed without a backward glance.

At that moment, Feng Nitian sat in a wooden chair, his eyes hollow as he gazed upon the Feng Family's imposing gates and sprawling courtyard, his face steeped in bitterness.

"Men, carry Nitian inside to rest!" Feng Tianlin waved to his subordinates and ordered.

Feng Nitian was carried into the Feng Family compound just like that. Feng Tianlin watched the retreating figure of the Ice Palace envoy, sighed, and turned to walk back into the courtyard.

A letter from the Ice Palace had arrived at the Feng Family long ago, mentioning Feng Nitian's injury as well. But the letter had been maddeningly vague, offering no explanation for how he had been hurt. The Feng Family could do nothing but wait for Feng Nitian to return before drawing any conclusions.

The moment Feng Tianlin stepped into the great courtyard, a Feng Family disciple came rushing up to him. "Young Master, the Patriarch has convened a family assembly in the conference hall and asks that you attend at once!"

"Very well, I'll go now." Feng Tianlin nodded. His father's reaction was exactly as he had anticipated — with such a major event befalling the Feng Family, it was only natural to convene a meeting and discuss countermeasures.

Feng Tianlin hurried to the conference hall. Already inside were his third brother, Feng Tianhu — who happened to be Feng Nitian's father — sitting in his seat with a dark and brooding expression; and beside him sat the fourth brother, Feng Tianniao.

The Family Head's seat sat conspicuously empty — clearly, he had not yet arrived. But beside it, three elders had already taken their places: the Feng Family's First Elder, Second Elder, and an outside Guest Elder who bore a different surname.

The First Elder and Second Elder, though both surnamed Feng, shared no blood ties with the main family. They were Feng Family disciples who had been promoted to the rank of elder.

The Guest Elder, on the other hand, had only come to serve the Feng Family later in life. In terms of loyalty, the First Elder and Second Elder were naturally far closer to the Feng Family's core.

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