“Is the clan leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan really sick?”
Suddenly, Wuming Gangxiong addressed Chu Hanpeng, his gaze sharp and piercing, as if interrogating a criminal. The oppressive pressure made Chu Hanpeng feel immense strain.
But facing Wuming Gangxiong, he didn’t dare show the slightest negligence. “In response to Your Excellency, our clan leader is indeed ill. Otherwise, he wouldn’t have failed to come greet you.”
“Who knows if that’s true or not? Go fetch your clan leader—I’ll see for myself whether he’s really sick or just pretending,” Wuming Gangxiong demanded.
His words sent a mix of anger and tension rippling through the Chu Heavenly Clan members. They were furious at Wuming Gangxiong’s overbearing attitude, yet even more anxious that he might be looking for an excuse to trouble their clan.
“Your Excellency, our clan leader is currently in a coma. It’s… inconvenient for him to come here,” Chu Hanpeng explained.
“Inconvenient? Unless he’s dead, I can’t imagine what could be so inconvenient,” Wuming Gangxiong retorted, his eyes flashing with anger at Chu Hanpeng’s defiance.
Seeing Wuming Gangxiong’s temper flare, Chu Hanpeng’s face paled with fear, yet he was at a loss. He couldn’t possibly drag the clan leader here.
After all, the Chu Heavenly Clan leader was currently afflicted with a deadly poison. Exposing him in such a state before the Fang Heavenly Clan’s leader would be disastrous.
The Fang Heavenly Clan was, after all, their sworn enemy.
If they learned of this, who knew if the Fang Heavenly Clan would seize the opportunity to press their advantage and do something even more detrimental to the Chu Heavenly Clan?
“Elder Gangxiong, I believe the Chu Heavenly Clan wouldn’t deceive us. Why make things difficult for them?” At that moment, a voice emerged from the war chariot.
The moment this voice spoke, not only did the others from the Starfield Main Realm quickly step aside, instinctively clearing a path from the chariot, but even a figure like Wuming Gangxiong stood rigidly to one side, almost like a guard.
All eyes instinctively turned toward the war chariot, realizing that Wuming Gangxiong wasn’t the only major figure from the Ancestral Martial Starfield to arrive.
Someone even more formidable had come.
As Wuming Gangxiong and the others lined up, a figure indeed emerged from the chariot’s direction.
It was a middle-aged man with ink-black hair tied neatly atop his head. His attire was simple, yet he exuded an extraordinary presence. Though he appeared middle-aged, his refined features gave him a youthful, almost scholarly air.
At first glance, he seemed like a novice scholar stepping into the world.
But when people saw him, their expressions shifted to shock. Not only Chu Hanpeng and the Chu Heavenly Clan members, but even those from the Fang Heavenly Clan and other factions hurriedly knelt in reverence.
“We pay our respects to Lord Fenghuo!” they chorused.
Wuming Fenghuo, one of the ten greatest experts of the Starfield Main Realm, held a status second only to the Six Supreme Elders.
These ten experts weren’t just high-ranking; their strength was immense. Each was at the peak of the Venerable Realm, a mere step away from the supreme Exalted Realm.
Though his voice had hinted at the arrival of someone greater than Wuming Gangxiong, no one had expected it to be Wuming Fenghuo.
Given his status and power, he was far too exalted to attend such an event.
Since Chu Xuanyuan’s imprisonment, no figure of Wuming Fenghuo’s caliber had visited the Chu Heavenly Clan.
“Lord Fenghuo, we never imagined you’d grace our Chu Heavenly Clan with your presence. It’s an honor for all our clan members!” Chu Hanqing and others fawned shamelessly.
“Enough, everyone, rise,” Wuming Fenghuo said with a wave of his hand. Compared to Wuming Gangxiong, he was far more approachable.
Yet everyone knew how formidable he was. Even with his easy demeanor, no one dared show the slightest disrespect toward such a figure.
“But don’t celebrate too soon. Our visit today might not be good news for your Chu Heavenly Clan. I hope your younger generation is prepared for today’s contest,” Wuming Fenghuo added.
His words tightened the hearts of Chu Hanpeng and the others.
Wuming Fenghuo’s meaning was clear: they were here to oversee today’s duel, the outcome of which would determine the ownership of the Purple Tree Mortal Realm.
The Fang Heavenly Clan was clearly ready, but the Chu Heavenly Clan wasn’t. In today’s battle, the Chu Heavenly Clan was doomed to lose control of the Purple Tree Mortal Realm.
They were about to lose the legacy left by their ancestors.
“In response to Your Excellency, our clan is prepared. But… how will this duel proceed?” Chu Hanpeng asked, forcing the words out.
“I’m just here to watch the show. Elder Gangxiong will handle the details,” Wuming Fenghuo said with a casual wave.
*Boom!*
At that moment, a deafening roar erupted. Looking toward the sound, a dazzling array of multicolored lightning descended from the heavens with overwhelming force, striking deep within the Chu Heavenly Clan’s territory.
The lightning was so brilliant it drew every eye, including those of Wuming Fenghuo and Wuming Gangxiong.
“Is someone in your clan breaking through in seclusion?” Wuming Fenghuo asked.
“In response to Your Excellency, it’s not a breakthrough. Someone in our clan committed a grave error and is currently being punished on the Heavenly Thunder Punishment Platform,” Chu Hanqing quickly replied.
“Oh, I see,” Wuming Fenghuo nodded.
He was familiar with the Heavenly Thunder Punishment Platform. It wasn’t unique to the Chu Heavenly Clan—many heavenly clans had one.
The lightning summoned from the heavens by the platform resembled the thunder drawn by the Self-Punishment Mysterious Technique. Though the earlier display was unusually intense—hundreds of times more terrifying than typical thunder—it wasn’t unheard of for the platform to occasionally produce such a powerful bolt. Thus, it didn’t strike him as odd.
Wuming Fenghuo asked no further questions, just as he hadn’t pressed about why the Chu Heavenly Clan leader was ill.
He was merely here for entertainment. The affairs and people of the Chu Heavenly Clan didn’t concern him. Whether someone was being punished or the clan leader had died, it wouldn’t stir the slightest ripple in his heart.
To him, even the Chu Heavenly Clan leader was a minor figure, unworthy of his attention.
“Please, Your Excellency,” Chu Hanpeng and the others ushered.
Wuming Fenghuo, Wuming Gangxiong, the Fang Heavenly Clan leader, and other dignitaries were escorted to the VIP seats. Wuming Fenghuo took the main seat, reserved solely for the Chu Heavenly Clan leader.
There was no helping it—his status was too lofty. Even if the Chu Heavenly Clan leader were present, that seat would still belong to Wuming Fenghuo.
To show their respect, Chu Hanpeng and the other supreme elders didn’t dare sit. Instead, they stood behind Wuming Fenghuo and Wuming Gangxiong like servants, ready to attend to the two great figures at any moment.
No one could blame them for their subservience. These two were beyond their ability to offend or neglect.
Suddenly, Wuming Gangxiong, already seated, stood up to announce the specific rules for the contest over the Purple Tree Mortal Realm’s ownership.
*Boom!*
But at that moment, another thunderous roar sounded.
This time, it was even more ear-piercing. Looking toward it, the nine-colored lightning was even more dazzling than before, its power growing more terrifying.
Though they were far away, everyone could feel the ground beneath them trembling.
Just like before, the mighty lightning from the heavens struck the same spot as the previous bolt.
