Zhao Ji and the others were not from the martial arts world of Huaxia, so they did not know the world-destroying power possessed by peak Divine Realm experts.
He was still immersed in his own world, so with several allies by his side, he felt much more confident in confronting Zhang Fan.
"The family behind you?" Upon hearing Zhao Ji's words, Zhang Fan felt a sense of boredom, akin to a school child calling for their parents when they couldn't win a fight. He found it incredibly childish.
"Are you sure your Qi family wants to be my enemy?" Zhang Fan's gaze shifted to Qi Xiangyu, and he asked with a half-smile.
Hearing this, Qi Xiangyu's expression changed drastically. He quickly stood up and bowed, saying, "Holy Master Zhang, you misunderstand. My Qi family has no such intentions. Qi Jun having his legs broken by Holy Master Zhang was his own doing. We are grateful that Holy Master did not kill him."
Qi Xiangyu was filled with fear and trepidation, silently cursing Zhao Ji and his immortal companions countless times in his heart.
"If you idiot are looking for death, don't drag me into it!" Qi Xiangyu fumed, only wanting to distance himself from the situation.
He understood very well that although the Qi family was one of the top families in Huaxia, if they truly angered this Holy Master Zhang, who dominated the Huaxia martial arts world, it would be as simple as destroying them. Would the nation go to war with a peak Divine Realm expert for the sake of a single family?
Qi Xiangyu's reaction caught Zhao Ji off guard. He stared at Qi Xiangyu with bewilderment, as if he no longer recognized him.
Although Qi Xiangyu spoke little, every word and action displayed his assertive personality. At such a young age, he had cultivated to the late stage of Innate Grandmaster. He usually exuded arrogance when encountering others.
But now, the burly Qi Xiangyu, with a hint of ferocity about him, was as docile as a primary school student in front of Zhang Fan. It was incomprehensible to Zhao Ji.
Zhang Fan nodded. Since the Qi family had bowed their heads, he intended to let go of past grievances. However, if anyone from the Qi family dared to seek death, he would not show any mercy.
Then, his gaze swept past Wei Tong and landed on a refined young man.
"Does your Chen family also intend to continue being my enemy?" Zhang Fan asked.
Chen Ning Tian had a refined face and was much thinner than Qi Xiangyu. However, he possessed a calm demeanor that suggested even if the sky were to fall, he would remain unfazed. Even after witnessing Zhang Fan's power, he remained composed when facing him.
Seeing Chen Ning Tian's composure, which was completely different from Qi Xiangyu's earlier stance, many were filled with admiration, thinking that he truly lived up to his reputation as the Qi family's business prodigy, remaining unperturbed even in the face of the formidable Zhang Fan.
Qi Xiangyu, witnessing this, felt no shame. He merely sighed inwardly, thinking that ignorance indeed bred fearlessness. If Chen Ning Tian knew what kind of existence he was facing, would he still be able to maintain such composure?
"Mr. Zhang is undoubtedly an expert in the Huaxia martial arts world, but is it appropriate to arbitrarily injure my Chen family disciples and break my brother Chen Yilong's legs without explanation?" Chen Ning Tian said slowly.
Chen Ning Tian was not foolish. From the reactions of Qi Xiangyu and Wei Xiaowen, he knew that Zhang Fan's strength was formidable, and he likely held considerable prestige in the Huaxia martial arts world. However, he did not believe that the Chen family needed to fear him.
Moreover, what he said now represented the dignity of the Chen family. If he were to back down and apologize under Zhang Fan's pressure, it would not just be his own reputation that would be lost.
"An explanation?" Zhang Fan smiled. "Since you want one, I will give you one."
Zhang Fan surveyed the surroundings, his dark and deep eyes sweeping across the hall before finally settling on Chen Ning Tian. He said, "I, Zhang Fan, have always lived by the principle that I do not offend unless offended. But if anyone dares to provoke me, or my friends..."
"The precedent has been set, and I believe everyone already knows. If anyone is still unaware, they can go visit the second young master of the Chen family for a lesson!"
The young men present at this gathering were all scions of prestigious families in the Yan Jing upper-class circles. They were naturally aware of the incident where Chen Yilong, the second young master of the Chen family, had his legs broken not long ago.
However, for Zhang Fan to bring this up again was an undisguised slap in the face to the Chen family.
Indeed, Chen Ning Tian's gentle and calm face was now covered in frost. If he had not witnessed Zhang Fan's power, he would have been unable to resist attacking him personally.
"In that case, Mr. Zhang, are you not planning to cease hostilities with my Chen family?" Chen Ning Tian's refined eyebrows now carried a hint of sharpness as he asked in a deep voice.
"You think too highly of your Chen family. If you have any means, feel free to use them. However, next time, my actions will not be so gentle," Zhang Fan said dismissively, waving his hand. After speaking, he didn't even spare Chen Ning Tian another glance and led Qin Luoshui out of the hall.
Yan Wanqing looked at Chen Ning Tian as if he were an idiot. A smile played on her lips, exuding endless charm that attracted the attention of many men.
However, upon learning of Yan Wanqing's identity, no one dared to approach her. Being a junior sister to the "overlord" Wei Xiaowen, her strength was undoubtedly terrifying. A careless remark could result in a slap that few could withstand.
Seeing Zhang Fan depart, and with nothing else of interest in the hall, she too, in her high heels, left the venue.
"Brother Qin Mo, I apologize for my earlier transgressions. I offer my sincerest apologies here," Qi Xiangyu said, no longer speaking to Zhao Ji, but walking towards Qin Mo with an extremely courteous attitude.
Normally, even Qin Mo wouldn't have captured his attention. But now, things were different.
The renowned Holy Master Zhang was Qin Mo's brother-in-law. With such a powerful backing, Qi Xiangyu did not want to offend him.
"Brother Qi is too kind. If you have nothing else, shall we go up for a drink?" Qin Mo was somewhat surprised by Qi Xiangyu's sudden shift in attitude, but upon closer thought, he understood the reason.
"I have urgent matters to attend to today, so I must take my leave. I will host a banquet for you, Brother Qin Mo, next time," Qi Xiangyu declined politely. Although he wished to sit down and share a drink with Qin Mo to build rapport, he had more important matters to attend to at the moment.
The news that Zhang Fan was Holy Master Zhang needed to be relayed back to the Qi family immediately, so they could halt any foolish actions against Zhang Fan and avoid bringing utter ruin upon the Qi family.
After Zhang Fan left, the banquet did not end. Instead, it became even more lively than before. Of course, almost everyone was discussing the events that had transpired at the banquet that day.
Concurrently, a question lingered in their minds.
What did the title 'Holy Master Zhang' truly represent, to make the stubborn Wei Xiaowen bow in apology, and the Qi family's young master, Qi Xiangyu, tremble with fear?
As the banquet concluded and guests departed, the events of the day swept through the entire Yan Jing upper-class circle like a tidal wave.
The name 'Zhang Fan' once again reached the ears of the various prominent families in Yan Jing.
...