Chu Feng, Linghu Yueyue, Linghu Tiemian, Tantai Xing’er, Linghu Mingye, Linghu Lun, Nightmare Wushuang, Tongtian Yuanming, Tang Zhenghao, Wuma Shengjie.
This was the ranking of the ten pillars of honour.
However, the ranking for the betting pillars was somewhat different.
Linghu Yueyue, Linghu Tiemian, Tantai Xing’er, Linghu Mingye, Linghu Lun, Wuma Shengjie, Nightmare Wushuang, Tongtian Yuanming, Tang Zhenghao, Others, Chu Feng.
Despite being first on the pillars of honour, Chu Feng was ranked dead last for the betting pillars—even the pillar representing all others outranked him.
This situation made Chu Feng the focal point of discussion once again.
“See, I told you he’s a failure.”
“Exactly! I saw with my own eyes that day—he was beaten up by members of the Xu Heavenly Clan. A mere First Rank True Immortal—how could he possibly replace Linghu Hongfei?”
Many had witnessed the Linghu Heavenly Clan members bullying Chu Feng that day, and now this news began to spread.
Soon, more people learned that Chu Feng was indeed the son of Chu Xuanyuan, that he hadn’t died, and that while he could cultivate, his talent was genuinely limited. He hadn’t inherited the monstrous genius of Chu Hanxian or Chu Xuanyuan.
In short, Chu Feng was still a failure.
“It seems this Chu Feng really lacks talent.”
The chatter about Chu Feng grew louder, quickly spreading through the sea of people. Those around the Gong Heavenly Clan began to believe that what the Gong patriarch and the junior had said was true—Chu Feng was likely just a First Rank True Immortal.
In this atmosphere, the juniors of the Gong Heavenly Clan began casting glances at Gong Mingyue.
Their looks seemed to say: *Mingyue, this guy’s a failure. We don’t know why Tantai Xing’er thinks so highly of him or why the Starfield Master Realm chose him, but he’s still a failure. This Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection will expose him for what he is—he’s still unworthy of you.*
However, compared to her clansmen, Gong Mingyue’s gaze was far more complex.
Though she didn’t know Chu Feng’s true capabilities, she felt that Tantai Xing’er and the Starfield Master Realm wouldn’t champion him without reason.
“Look! Someone’s actually betting on Chu Feng!”
“They must be mad—betting on a failure like him?”
Suddenly, the crowd erupted, because Chu Feng’s previously empty pillar now had Immortal Martial Stones inside—and no small amount either, a full million stones.
“It’s that guy! Why’s this old fellow betting so much on Chu Feng?” Soon, someone recognised the bettor.
Though not a renowned figure in the Ancestral Martial Starfield, he held some status and was one of those who had witnessed Chu Feng’s abilities in the ancient ruins within the Li Heavenly Clan’s territory.
After that, more people began betting on Chu Feng.
Though their numbers were few, their bets were substantial.
None were less than a million Immortal Martial Stones.
The highest bettor even wagered ten million stones—a truly lavish sum.
These were all people who had seen Chu Feng’s prowess in the ancient ruins of the Li Heavenly Clan.
Others might not know Chu Feng’s strength, but they had seen it firsthand.
They had even tried spreading word that Chu Feng was impressive.
But people seemed more inclined to believe negative stories about others than positive ones.
Thus, many believed Chu Feng was just a First Rank True Immortal.
Hardly anyone believed he was actually a prodigious genius.
“Are these people insane, betting so much on Chu Feng?”
“Idiots—absolute idiots. They think because Chu Hanxian and Chu Xuanyuan were great, Chu Feng must be too.”
“Hmph, we saw with our own eyes that day—Chu Feng’s just a First Rank True Immortal. We’ve told everyone, but if they don’t believe us, that’s their fault.”
“What a pity—not heeding good advice, they’ll regret it soon enough.”
Faced with those betting heavily on Chu Feng, those who disliked him—especially the Gong Heavenly Clan members—were thoroughly displeased.
Some even concluded that those betting on Chu Feng were bound to lose miserably.
*Whoosh—*
At that moment, a dazzling beam of light stood out among the countless others.
It was also Immortal Martial Stones, but what drew attention was the sheer quantity.
As cultivators, they could tell at a glance—it was fifty million Immortal Martial Stones.
This surpassed all previous bets, making it the highest wager so far.
And this massive bet wasn’t for Linghu Yueyue or Tantai Xing’er—it was for Chu Feng.
“I’m not seeing things, am I? Fifty million Immortal Martial Stones—someone’s betting that much on Chu Feng?”
“Who is it? Who’s so wealthy and bold? Are they mad?”
This time, many turned their gazes to the bettor.
At first glance, many were stunned.
It was a young woman, not only youthful but strikingly beautiful—a true beauty of breathtaking allure.
Clad in a red dress, her aura was otherworldly, almost transcendent.
In fact, even before she placed her bet, she had already drawn attention purely for her appearance.
This woman was simply too beautiful.
Among those present, perhaps only Linghu Yueyue and Tantai Xing’er could rival her.
“Who is she? Not only so beautiful, but with such an extraordinary aura—and so lavish. She’s no ordinary person.”
When others bet on Chu Feng, people mocked them as fools.
But when this woman acted, they began to praise her.
Not for any other reason—she was just too exceptional.
“It’s Li Ruochu from the Li Heavenly Clan! I didn’t expect her to show up.”
While few juniors recognised her, many among the older generation did, identifying her as Li Ruochu at a glance.
“What? Li Ruochu? The former top of the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars, the greatest genius in the Li Heavenly Clan’s history?”
“Didn’t they say she vanished years ago and died? So she’s alive?”
“I’d heard she was formidable, but I never imagined she’d be this beautiful. She’s practically a celestial fairy.”
Upon hearing the name Li Ruochu, the juniors looked at her with renewed awe.
Even the proud Gong Mingyue, as well as Linghu Yueyue and Tantai Xing’er atop their pillars, shifted their gazes toward Li Ruochu.
The name Li Ruochu had once been renowned in the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
Years ago, she was the starfield’s greatest genius, on par with the likes of Linghu Hongfei today.
Rumours had claimed she was dead, but now everyone knew—Li Ruochu was alive.
Her survival was good news for others, but for people like Linghu Yueyue and Tantai Xing’er, it was bad news.
Though Li Ruochu was older, in the context of the cultivation world, she was still very young—not much older than them.
As the former top of the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars, she would inevitably be compared to them.
And compared to Li Ruochu’s past achievements, they fell short.
Against her record, they were thoroughly outmatched.
One could imagine the pressure Li Ruochu’s presence placed on these younger prodigies.
“I’ve heard Li Ruochu isn’t just immensely talented but also incredibly astute. Someone as wise as her wouldn’t act recklessly. She’s betting on Chu Feng—could she know something we don’t? Is it possible Chu Feng isn’t as useless as the rumours claim?”
Soon, another sentiment arose.
Because of Li Ruochu’s bet, people began to reconsider, wondering if they knew too little about Chu Feng.
Perhaps he wasn’t a failure after all.
“This lass’s influence is quite something.”
“It puts some pressure on this old man. If I act and my influence doesn’t match hers, it’d be rather embarrassing.”
At that moment, Wuming Xingyun, standing within the Tantai Heavenly Clan’s warship, stepped out with a smile.
In one hand, he held a glowing orb.
The orb, palm-sized, was actually a formation.
Within the formation were Immortal Martial Stones.
And the number of stones? One billion!!!
