Visiting the Ming Family

The banquet ended, and Chen Tian took Xiao Lingling back.

In full view of everyone, Xiao Lingling got into that black car and slowly drove away amid the crowd's incredulous stares.

The next morning.

A message arrived on Chen Tian's communicator. It had been a long time since anyone had sent him one. The Earth Tiger Squad was resting as well, having chosen not to take on a mission in the Wilderness Area.

When he opened it, he was surprised to find that it was from War God Ming Long!

"He invited me to the Ming Family? Why did he suddenly invite me?" Chen Tian was bewildered. He was not familiar with any of the Ming Family's War Gods. Despite everything that had happened, he had barely interacted with them—apart from Ming He.

"Did Ming He tell him?" Chen Tian guessed.

After all, Ming He was meticulous and had achieved so much at such a young age. His words could certainly draw the Ming Family's attention.

"Heh, so be it. I'll just take it as paying them a visit."

Hua Xia City District, Chao Tian District, private estate.

Following the address Ming Long had given him, Chen Tian arrived at the Ming Family's residence.

The entrance was a huge iron gate, much like the entrance to a large amusement park.

"May I ask who you are?" A young butler drove over in a small vehicle and asked him.

"I was invited here by War God Ming Long," Chen Tian replied. "I've come to pay him a visit."

The butler nodded and invited Chen Tian into the vehicle, then drove him to the front of the estate.

Following the main avenue inward, Chen Tian saw a mansion that looked like a shopping mall. In front of it was a vast fountain pool, with a statue standing in the middle. At its feet were eight Dragon Lizard statues spouting water.

"Is that Old Man Ming?"

The statue had been carved to look somewhat young. Chen Tian wondered whether it depicted War God Ming He in his youth.

The butler smiled faintly and explained, "This is the founder of our Ming Family, War God Ming He. We've arrived. You can go straight inside."

Chen Tian nodded with a light smile to show his thanks.

"The Ming Family's house is truly enormous! It wouldn't be a problem for several thousand or even ten thousand people to live here!"

While marveling at the life of the wealthy, he stepped through the doors. The decorations in the center of the hall were beyond his expectations. He had thought he would see some unprecedented spectacle, with every precious material imaginable used inside.

Instead, there was only a very ordinary yet enormous crystal chandelier hanging overhead. The floor was made of fairly attractive but ordinary stone slabs, while the sofas and tables in the center were crafted from red wood.

The staircases on both sides were decorated with redwood as well. The upper floors were probably where the bedrooms and various pieces of equipment were kept.

Overall, the place was not particularly dazzling, but it gave off a calming feeling. From time to time, a faint fragrance drifted through the center of the living room.

"Brother Tian, you're here." Ming He came down the stairs. "Father is waiting for you. I'll take you upstairs."

"Mm."

When they reached the second floor, Ming He led him into a large room. Several people were already inside.

With so many people gathered here, Chen Tian suspected that all the Ming Family's decision-makers were present. He tilted his head and looked ahead. There was a bed, and someone lay on it, countless tubes inserted into his body. The machines beside him pulsed slowly and rhythmically.

These must be Old Man Ming's descendants.

Several of them had hair streaked with a great deal of white and looked to be middle-aged, around forty or fifty years old. They were probably Old Man Ming's children, while Ming He was his grandson.

Ming He's older brothers and sisters had already married and had children. Old Man Ming was over a hundred years old, and his family now spanned four generations under one roof.

"Father, War God Chen Tian has come to visit."

Ming Long turned around and met Chen Tian's gaze. After a long pause, he said, "You must be the War God Xiao He mentioned?"

"Hello, my name is Chen Tian. I'm affiliated with Peak Academy," Chen Tian replied.

The members of the Ming Family then sat down on stools, all carefully sizing Chen Tian up.

"Have a seat, my friend. There's no need to be so formal." Ming Long gestured with his hand. "To break through to Advanced War God at such a young age... With people like you in the future, us old fellows can retire in peace."

Chen Tian cupped his hands respectfully. "You flatter me, War God Ming Long. You are the foundation of humanity. We can only work hard to catch up."

"Hahaha."

Ming Long laughed heartily. "I wonder, what plans do you have for the future?"

Chen Tian answered without thinking, "I have no aspirations for the future. I only want to seize the present."

"Oh? And why is that?" Ming Long asked with interest.

Chen Tian smiled faintly. "War God Ming Long, think about it. Isn't today yesterday's future? And isn't tomorrow yesterday's past? Every day is both the past and the future. It's enough to grasp the present."

Ming Long nodded, seemingly having understood Chen Tian's answer long ago.

Ming Long then went to Old Man Ming's bedside. After a while, he said, "I heard Xiao He say that you were coming to treat my father."

"I'm only here to take a look. I can't guarantee that I'll be able to cure him."

Ming Long continued, "Our Ming Family has no ties of gratitude with you. Why have you come?"

"I need Ming He. I need him to help protect my younger sister at school. In exchange, I'll come and examine Old Man Ming's injuries."

"You don't even understand how he was injured, yet you dare come here!"

As soon as he finished speaking, an overwhelming killing aura erupted, instantly suppressing everyone in the room!

A trace of surprise flashed through Chen Tian's eyes. Then, with a casual wave of his hand, he dispersed the killing aura. This stunned every member of the Ming Family. Ming Long himself was an Advanced War God—and only one step away from becoming a Beyond War God! Ming Long turned around and smiled, withdrawing his killing aura. "As expected of an Advanced War God. It's Ming He's good fortune to have met you."

Ming Long still distrusted Chen Tian to some extent. After all, Chen Tian was far too young. Releasing his killing aura had merely been a test. If Chen Tian could not even withstand this little bit of pressure, he would be nothing more than a War God with an empty reputation.

Chen Tian understood this as well. To dispel the Ming Family's doubts, Ming Long's killing aura had not contained the slightest intent to kill. He then said that the two of them were merely taking what they needed from each other, and that it had nothing to do with good fortune.

Afterward, he also walked to Old Man Ming's bedside and examined him carefully for a while.

"How is it? Can you tell what's wrong?" Ming Long asked softly, afraid of disturbing Old Man Ming. "Long Ye and Tian Gang have both examined him as well, but neither could do anything."

Chen Tian did not answer. At that moment, he was using his Mental Power to probe Old Man Ming's entire body. He discovered a violent energy raging inside him.

It had been constantly consuming energy in order to suppress that force. No wonder his strength had declined so rapidly.

"Familiar energy. Is it the Deification Alliance?" Chen Tian muttered to himself. "Energy never seen before. No wonder no one could deal with it."

Heh, it could only succeed among War Gods. The Deification Alliance's power was extremely strange. If it was not suppressed, it would destroy the victim's internal organs.

"I've found the cause." Chen Tian withdrew his Mental Power as he spoke.

The words startled everyone into standing up at once. "You've found the cause?! What is it? Is there a way to solve it?"

"For you, it's unsolvable! But with me here, I can definitely help you resolve it." Chen Tian spoke calmly.

Ming Long's lips trembled with excitement. "If you can... can cure my father, then I—I..."

"Don't worry. It can be resolved!"

Seeing the Ming Family's emotional reactions, Chen Tian continued, "I have something to tell you, but you must keep your emotions under control."

"What is it?"

"Could it be that he can't be cured?"

The Ming Family's agitated questions left Chen Tian helpless inside. Old Man Ming was truly important to them.

"No. It's that Old Man Ming..."

Everyone held their breath, not daring to speak.

"Old Man Ming... has always been completely lucid!"