In the study sat a middle-aged man, imposing and majestic. He was resting with his eyes closed on a chair made of rosewood. Shangguan Tanglong didn't dare to raise his head until he reached the desk, respectfully looking at him, yet he did not speak.
The man was Teng Zhuhai, the Family Head of the Yunteng Clan. According to Shangguan Tanglong's knowledge, Teng Zhuhai had entered the peak of the Object-Manipulating Realm earlier than him, and his strength was formidable and his schemes profound.
Several minutes had passed since Shangguan Tanglong entered, and Teng Zhuhai had not opened his eyes. His large hand gently tapped on the desk, as if humming a tune from an opera, seemingly completely unaware of Shangguan Tanglong's presence.
Standing in front of Teng Zhuhai, Shangguan Tanglong didn't even dare to breathe heavily now, fearing to disturb him.
Seeing that Teng Zhuhai ignored him, Shangguan Tanglong also didn't dare to speak up to remind him, for he knew the other party must be aware of his arrival. A master at the peak of the Object-Manipulating Realm was highly sensitive to every little movement around them. It was likely that Teng Zhuhai knew Shangguan Tanglong was there from the moment he reached the outside of the study.
After quite a while, Teng Zhuhai finally opened his eyes and scrutinized Shangguan Tanglong closely, his gaze unwavering, revealing nothing of his thoughts.
The expression on Teng Zhuhai's face was one of unprovoked authority, causing Shangguan Tanglong's body to stiffen involuntarily.
"Shangguan Tanglong pays respects to Family Head Yunteng!"
Upon seeing Teng Zhuhai finally open his eyes, Shangguan Tanglong immediately clasped his fists in greeting, bowing respectfully.
Teng Zhuhai nodded briefly and said tersely, "Sit."
Taken aback, Shangguan Tanglong noticed there were no chairs in front of the desk. Where was he to sit?
"Family Head Yunteng, this..."
Teng Zhuhai looked into Shangguan Tanglong's eyes with a gaze that brooked no doubt, his tone carrying a change, becoming louder.
Shangguan Tanglong, feeling helpless inside, had no choice but to take a horse stance and "sit" in front of Teng Zhuhai like that.
Seeing Shangguan Tanglong comply, Teng Zhuhai nodded in satisfaction. He picked up the teapot from the desk and slowly poured a cup for Shangguan Tanglong.
"Many thanks, Family Head Yunteng!"
Not daring to be negligent, Shangguan Tanglong immediately lifted the teacup to his mouth and drank in one gulp, beads of sweat forming on his forehead.
"Brother Shangguan has come this time, surely for some urgent matter."
Teng Zhuhai spoke in a nonchalant manner, his face maintaining a calmness that put immense pressure on Shangguan Tanglong.
Shangguan Tanglong nodded and began to explain, "That's right. My Shangguan Family has encountered a bit of a crisis. This time I came hoping to..."
"The Shangguan Family and our Yunteng Clan are old friends. If there's anything I can help with, just say the word. However, before that, I want to ask about something."
Teng Zhuhai said with a slight smile on his face, cutting Shangguan Tanglong off mid-sentence.
Though interrupted, Shangguan Tanglong only smiled, showing no sign of irritation, but he felt extremely helpless inside. They might call it a friendship between the families, but everyone knew the Shangguan Family was no more than an affiliate to the mighty Yunteng Clan, mere pawns under their command.
Seeking help from the Yunteng Family now, he wondered what kind of steep price the Shangguan Family would have to pay in the future. It seemed impossible now for them to ever break free from the Yunteng Family's control.
But what choice did they have when the Shangguan Family was the weaker party? They were in desperate need of the Yunteng Family's aid.
Moreover, the Yunteng Family was the only one that could offer assistance to the Shangguan Family now.
"Whatever Family Head Yunteng wishes to ask, please do so! I will withhold nothing and provide full answers."
Shangguan Tanglong ingratiatingly spoke, positioning himself quite clearly; before this man, he was nothing but a minor character.
"A fish on the chopping block," was the situation of not only Shangguan Tanglong but also of the entire Shangguan Family. They needed the protection of the Yunteng Family and had no other choice.
"I ask you, why couldn't your Shangguan Family deal with even a junior?"
Teng Zhuhai asked with a hint of curiosity, showing a trace of emotion on his face for the first time.
Indeed, he already knew everything, Shangguan Tanglong thought inwardly, feeling helpless while at the same time, powerless.
"Family Head Yunteng, the first time that Ning Fan caused trouble in our Shangguan Family, he was merely at the early stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm; he should have been unable to escape. However, there was an expert at the peak of the True Origin Realm with half-step Aerial Mastery who assisted him. Alas, that person's strength was unfathomable, and my Shangguan Family was unable to handle him," Shangguan Tanglong explained, ending with a deep sigh.
Initially, Ning Fan had just entered the early stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm, and although he could fight across ranks against the Twin Evils and him, he was not invincible. With a bit of time, they should have been able to take him down.
However, at that time, a powerful being with half-step Aerial Mastery unexpectedly appeared, forcefully protecting Ning Fan and his companions.
This incident filled Shangguan Tanglong with immense resentment.
"Oh, the first time there was a powerful being with half-step Aerial Mastery. What about the second and third times?"
Teng Zhuhai looked at Shangguan Tanglong with keen interest.
The first time it was a powerful being with half-step Aerial Mastery, but what about the second and third times?
According to Teng Zhuhai's knowledge, there was no such mighty being with half-step Aerial Mastery in the second and third incidents. It was just Ning Fan alone who disturbed the entire Shangguan Family to the point of unrest.
If it were as Shangguan Tanglong described, with Ning Fan being at just the early stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm, could the Shangguan Family really afford to watch Ning Fan act so brazenly?
Teng Zhuhai was quite curious, and likewise, Shangguan Tanglong could sense that he was getting angry.
The Shangguan Family, one of the largest in Jiangcheng, a titan in its own right, was brought to such a pathetic state by a young man—shameful!
Looking at Shangguan Tanglong's current state, disheveled and in great disarray, did he still resemble a strong practitioner at the peak of the Object-Manipulating Realm?
The word "humiliation" was the only way to describe Shangguan Tanglong at this moment.
Talking about this, Shangguan Tanglong couldn't maintain his composure. When Ning Fan came to Jiangcheng twice, he was like a different person. Before, he was only at the early stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm, but after breaking through to the intermediate stage, his strength became abnormally formidable.
"This kid Ning Fan, I don't know what method he used, but in just a few days he broke through to the intermediate stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm and his strength was terribly frightening. He was actually able to overwhelm us!"
Shangguan Tanglong's face reddened slightly, being suppressed by a junior in such a manner; speaking out about it was akin to slapping his own face.
Teng Zhuhai did not respond but touched his chin and pondered carefully.
"Your Shangguan Family can't handle a person at the intermediate stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm even with all your might?"
Teng Zhuhai questioned, his gaze filled with skepticism.
Just an individual at the intermediate stage of the Object-Manipulating Realm, how precisely did he defeat the entire Shangguan Family? Merely Shangguan Tanglong's word was not enough to convince Teng Zhuhai.
Shangguan Tanglong opened his mouth to speak but hesitated, unsure of how to explain.
This matter was indeed embarrassing. Logically, as a person at the peak of the Object-Manipulating Realm, he should have been able to crush Ning Fan.