Can I have a word with you?

“An Eastern Domain cultivator?”

The group of high-ranking officials exchanged glances.

In their eyes, the Eastern Domain was synonymous with poverty and backwardness.

“Someone from such a garbage place dares to set their sights on our Nangong Family? Do they really think our Nangong Family has no one?”

“Family Head, please wait. Let me deal with this person and hang his body at the entrance. It will serve as a good deterrent to those petty individuals.”

“Let the world see that our Nangong Family is not a place where just anyone can run wild.”

The Third Elder said, brimming with killing intent.

He perfectly exemplified what it meant to be subservient to the strong and ruthless to the weak.

Clearly, he had mistaken Zhong Qing for a weakling.

Nangong Xiangtian said nothing, evidently assenting to the action.

These past few days, many small-time individuals had been probing and gathering intelligence on the Nangong Family.

It had become a constant annoyance for him.

It was undoubtedly necessary to give these people a proper warning.

Just as the Third Elder was about to leave,

the person reporting the news spoke again, “Third Elder, please wait.”

As he spoke, he bowed and presented a square, long box.

“This is a gift from that Eastern Domain cultivator who came to visit.”

“He said that once the Family Head sees it, he might change his mind and wish to meet him.”

These words piqued Nangong Xiangtian's interest.

“What a boastful claim.”

“This old man would like to see what it is that presumes to make this old man change his mind.”

He took the long box.

He immediately opened a corner.

Then his pupils contracted sharply.

After a long moment, he slowly spoke, “Please let him in!”

This made the others curious.

The First Elder asked, “Family Head, what is it?”

Nangong Xiangtian handed the box to the others.

After the elders clearly saw what was inside the box, they were visibly surprised.

Inside the square box lay a long sword.

Judging by its quality, it was clearly a Wang-level Divine Weapon!

It must be said that a Wang-level Divine Weapon was extremely valuable.

It was an existence capable of serving as the foundation of a major power.

The other party actually used such a Divine Weapon as a meeting gift.

Such a grand gesture was truly rare.

It was worth their Family Head personally receiving him.

On the other side!

Zhong Qing, who had come to visit, was quickly led into a grand hall and reception room.

After the servants served him tea and water, and he had sat for a while, Nangong Xiangtian, dressed in a sky-blue long robe, arrived.

After an exchange of pleasantries and introductions, Nangong Xiangtian directly asked, cutting to the chase.

“I recall that our Nangong Family has no dealings with the Eastern Domain. Your Excellency, for sending such a heavy gift on this trip, what is your purpose?”

Zhong Qing also did not beat around the bush.

He directly stated his intention.

“I heard that the Nangong Family possesses an Overlord Body Inheritance, so I came.”

“This visit, I wish to make a transaction with the Nangong Family Head.”

“I am willing to exchange items for the Overlord Body Inheritance held by the Nangong Family. What do you think, Nangong Family Head?”

These words made Nangong Xiangtian feel a strange urge to laugh.

It was for the Overlord Body Inheritance again!

Zhong Qing did not seem old, but his tone was quite bold.

To present a Wang-level Divine Weapon as a grand gift upon arrival.

This move was indeed extraordinary.

But in this world, there were truly few things that could compare to the Overlord Body Inheritance.

He did not believe Zhong Qing could afford the price.

“Your Excellency, from wherever you came, return there!”

“This Overlord Body Inheritance is not for exchange!”

If not for the Wang-level Divine Weapon Zhong Qing sent, he would probably have been directly thrown out.

Even the three major first-rate family heads had come for this Overlord Body Inheritance and returned empty-handed.

Nangong Xiangtian did not know Zhong Qing before this, and for him to demand an exchange for the Overlord Body Inheritance right away was simply outrageous.

Just then!

A startled cry came from outside the door.

“The Eldest Young Lady is back!”

Before long, a tall young woman was seen hurrying in, full of vigor.

“Father!”

As she entered the grand hall and reception room, she first called out to Nangong Xiangtian.

Then her gaze fell upon Zhong Qing.

She was suddenly startled.

She exclaimed in surprise, “It’s you?”

The person who arrived was none other than Nangong Xiaoman, who had met Zhong Qing once in Fuguang Cave.

Zhong Qing was also somewhat surprised.

“Hello!”

He politely greeted the other party.

“May I ask, why has Mister come here?”

Nangong Xiaoman asked with some excitement.

“If there’s anything you need help with, please let me know.”

“In this small corner of Nameless City, the Nangong Family still has some influence.”

It was no wonder she was so enthusiastic.

Zhong Qing’s identity was too terrifying.

His own strength was unfathomable.

He had directly annihilated two ice mountains with one palm.

And he even had a Heaven Profound expert as his servant.

Such a person could only be appeased; her Nangong Family absolutely could not afford to offend him.

Facing Nangong Xiaoman’s inquiry, Zhong Qing once again stated his purpose.

“This trip, I wish to make a transaction with the Nangong Family to exchange for the Overlord Body Inheritance in your possession!”

These words made Nangong Xiaoman’s expression freeze for a moment, but quickly, she cupped her hands and bowed, “Mister, could you please wait while I discuss this with my father?”

“Please do!”

Zhong Qing naturally had no objections.

At this moment, Nangong Xiaoman turned to her father, Nangong Xiangtian, and said, “Father, may I have a word with you in private?”

Upon hearing this, Nangong Xiangtian silently left the reception room with Nangong Xiaoman and entered a secret chamber.

“You… two, know each other?”

At this point, Nangong Xiangtian finally began to ask the doubts in his heart.

“We don’t know each other, but we had a brief encounter before.”

“However, Father, this person is unfathomable.”

“We can only befriend him; we absolutely must not offend him.”

Nangong Xiaoman said with a solemn expression.

These words made Nangong Xiangtian frown deeply.

“What is so special about him? That he makes you treat him like this?”

“And you cannot offend him? Could it be that he is even more formidable than the three major first-rate families?”

Before Nangong Xiaoman could speak, Nangong Xiangtian had already said earnestly,

“Xiaoman!”

“Your talent is considered the strongest among the younger generation of our Nangong Family. The reason why your father so eagerly brought you here is to entrust the Overlord Body Inheritance to you.”

“You carry the hopes of our Nangong Family; do not lose sight of the bigger picture for a small gain!”

This earnest instruction made Nangong Xiaoman’s shoulders slump.

She knew that her father was preparing to stake everything of the Nangong Family and place this great treasure upon her.

Although she had just returned,

she was well aware of the current predicament of the Nangong Family.

How could she, with her meager abilities, bear such a heavy responsibility?

“Father!”

Nangong Xiaoman pondered for a moment, then said bitterly.

“Although the Overlord Body Inheritance is good, it still needs time to mature.”

“Given the current situation, how could outsiders give our Nangong Family a chance to develop?”

“This thing has already become a source of disaster.”

“I hope Father will prioritize the safety of the family and not do anything foolish!”

If it meant gambling the entire family just for a chance to become stronger,

then Nangong Xiaoman would rather not have it.

The price was too heavy, so heavy that she could not bear it.

Looking at his daughter’s resolute refusal, Nangong Xiangtian felt a deep sense of powerlessness.

The sorrow of the weak lay precisely here.

A peerless opportunity was in hand, yet they hesitated and worried because they could not protect it.

There was even the risk of family ruin.

He couldn't help but ask himself.

Doing this?

Was it really worth it?

This question had no answer.

“Xiaoman, if you don’t want this Overlord Body Inheritance, do you really mean to tell your father to just give it away for free?”

Nangong Xiangtian’s unwillingness was almost palpable, like a surging sea.

“How can it be given away for free?”

“Didn’t Mister just say? He is willing to exchange with us. Father, you might want to consider it carefully.”

Seeing his daughter mention Zhong Qing repeatedly,

Nangong Xiangtian was also puzzled.

He simply couldn't understand why his daughter held such respect for a young man.

Especially since this person came from the Eastern Domain, known for its poverty and backwardness.

...