"Qin Shao, your brother-in-law is truly extraordinary," Wei Wen said to Qin Mo with great emotion after the banquet ended.
Wei Wen knew his elder sister, Wei Xiaowen, very well. She had been taken in as a disciple by a master from Great Dragon Temple since she was young, possessing exceptional martial arts talent. By her early twenties, she had already reached the realm of a congenital grandmaster.
Later, Wei Xiaowen was even invited by the mysterious Dark Organization to serve as its leader, but she refused.
Even the esteemed protectors hired by their Wei family held Wei Xiaowen in high regard, and her current strength was unfathomable.
Yet, even so, she was defeated by Zhang Fan. Moreover, judging by the course of the fight, Zhang Fan had been in a leisurely state throughout, and any discerning observer could tell he hadn't exerted his full strength.
"Haha, I also didn't expect Zhang Fan to be so strong. No wonder he didn't consider Wei Xiaowen a worthy opponent before," Qin Mo said, feeling quite pleased upon hearing Wei Wen's praise. He was increasingly satisfied with Zhang Fan.
"My little sister is not getting any younger. Perhaps during Grandpa's birthday banquet tomorrow, I can bring this matter up," Qin Mo thought to himself, deciding it would be best to settle this matter sooner rather than later.
If Zhang Fan's strength wasn't sufficient, he wouldn't have the nerve to bring it up to Grandpa himself. But with Zhang Fan's current achievements, he felt it would be an honor to speak on his behalf.
"Brother Wei, do you know why Wei Xiaowen called Zhang Fan 'Saint Master Zhang'? Does this title have any special meaning?" Qin Mo asked, a hint of confusion in his voice.
At the banquet today, both Wei Xiaowen and Qi Xiangyu had addressed Zhang Fan as 'Saint Master Zhang,' but neither of them understood the reason behind this appellation.
"Perhaps it's Zhang Fan's reputation in the Chinese martial arts world." Wei Wen, not being part of the Chinese martial arts community, had no clear understanding of this.
After all, he had little interest in martial arts. At most, he would occasionally converse with the family's protectors, gaining only a partial understanding.
However, he resolved to investigate the meaning behind the title 'Saint Master Zhang' upon returning home, to understand what kind of existence could so awe his fearless elder sister.
...
"Young Master Chen, it seems Zhang Fan is not as simple as he appears on the surface. I suggest we investigate him thoroughly before making any further moves," Zhao Ji said.
Although Qi Xiangyu had been intimidated by Zhang Fan and retreated, Zhao Ji and Chen Ningtian had not given up. Zhao Ji felt that their failure this time was due to a lack of understanding of their opponent, and thus, he decided to return and consult his father about who exactly this Zhang Fan was.
"Brother Zhao's thoughts align precisely with mine," Chen Ningtian agreed. He always acted with deliberation, only proceeding when he had a high degree of certainty. This incident, which had caused him such significant embarrassment, fueled his simmering anger.
After bidding farewell to Chen Ningtian, Zhao Ji sped off in his sports car, eager to question his father.
As for Han Xueqi, whom he had intended to casually play with, she had long since slipped his mind. No matter how famous a star she was, in his eyes, she was merely an actress. Once Zhang Fan was dealt with, handling Han Xueqi would be as easy as flipping a hand.
Han Xueqi had initially been quite noticeable at the banquet, but after Zhang Fan's appearance, everyone seemed to have forgotten her.
However, after the banquet ended, she unexpectedly received a great deal of attention. Many young masters from the usually aloof prominent families greeted her with smiles, nodding their heads. Even Qin Mo personally told her that if she encountered any problems in Yan Jing in the future, she could seek his assistance.
Although many were aware that Han Xueqi was merely a catalyst for the evening's events, a pretext for Zhao Ji and others to target Zhang Fan, Zhang Fan's willingness to intervene on her behalf was enough to indicate an extraordinary relationship.
Previously, many believed that Han Xueqi's offending the Chen family and facing a potential blacklist was only a matter of time. But now, with Zhang Fan's backing, who would dare to foolishly threaten her?
The minor celebrities who had previously ignored her now surrounded her with flattering smiles, calling her "Sister Xueqi" with immense warmth. They likely wouldn't have been this proactive even when facing their own parents.
Despite her experiences, Han Xueqi couldn't help but feel a pang of emotion at this turn of events.
"Is it all because of Zhang Fan?" Han Xueqi thought with a touch of bitterness. That young man only considered her a friend, nothing more.
...
What everyone initially believed to be a casual gathering of the younger generation from Yan Jing's elite circles unexpectedly became the stage for an earth-shattering event.
Members of the younger generation from Yan Jing's four major families were implicated. Simultaneously, to everyone's surprise, Zhang Fan, who had caused a stir in Yan Jing not long ago, was revealed to be the central figure of the banquet.
Even the "Iron Lady" of the Wei family and Qi Xiangyu, the young master of the Qi family, bowed their heads to him.
Tonight, Zhang Fan's name finally spread throughout Yan Jing, capturing the attention of various parties.
...
"Once news of tonight's events gets out, the major families of Yan Jing will likely be in an uproar," Qin Luoshui said, her arm linked with Zhang Fan's as they walked slowly up the mountain path towards the summit of Yan Mountain, appearing demure.
"It's good that I've been exposed. These people in high positions, immersed in their own worlds, should be made to realize that their so-called power is nothing but a joke in the face of absolute strength," Zhang Fan replied with a smile.
He knew that given Wei Xiaowen's and Qi Xiangyu's attitudes towards him, even if the major families didn't understand the meaning behind the title 'Saint Master Zhang,' they would undoubtedly investigate him frantically.
And those who were even remotely well-informed in the Chinese martial arts world would likely know him intimately.
"Let's go. We won't talk about worldly matters tonight. Speaking of which, it's been a while since I last watched the stars with you," Zhang Fan said softly, a trace of reminiscence in his eyes and a sense of emotion in his heart.
"Mm," Qin Luoshui nodded, her exquisite face filled with sweetness.
The last time they watched the stars together was atop Kunlong Mountain, but this time, Zhang Fan's mood was entirely different.
"Brother Zhang Fan, do you think there are people living on those stars?"
"The universe is so vast; surely we aren't the only intelligent beings on Earth?" Leaning against the cliff edge, Qin Luoshui marveled at the beauty of the star-filled sky, her mind brimming with curiosity.
Zhang Fan smiled at her question. "Of course, we are not the only intelligent beings."
"The solar system, and even the entire Milky Way galaxy, is but a speck of dust in the boundless universe. To conclude that Earth is the only place with life simply because we haven't discovered other extraterrestrial life would be utterly ridiculous and ignorant," Zhang Fan said, shaking his head.
"Then what do extraterrestrial beings look like?" Qin Luoshui asked, her eyes, which sparkled brighter than the night stars, fixed on Zhang Fan with immense curiosity.
"Different environments naturally give rise to life forms of various shapes. On Earth alone, there are millions of known species, not to mention countless others that remain undiscovered.
"Compared to the vastness of the cosmos, Earth is truly minuscule."
"If you truly wish to know, I will take you to see them in the future," Zhang Fan said with a smile.
"Mm-hmm," Qin Luoshui nodded her head, a hint of anticipation in her eyes.
However, Zhang Fan's next words caused her pretty face to cloud over with a touch of melancholy.
...