“Chu Feng! It’s Chu Feng!”
“And his cultivation… he’s a Fifth Rank Exalted!”
After a brief silence, the heavens and earth erupted.
When they confirmed it was truly Chu Feng, many were so excited their hair stood on end.
After all, Chu Feng was the true protagonist of today’s wager.
If he didn’t show up, the event would lose its meaning.
Now, with both protagonists present, the real show could begin.
This was why the crowd was so thrilled.
Most importantly, when Chu Feng blocked Linghu Hongfei’s strike, his cultivation was revealed.
Fifth Rank Exalted—everyone felt it.
Despite rumors of Chu Feng’s rapid progress, three months ago, he was only a Third Rank Exalted.
Back then, he’d fought Chu Lingxi at the Chu Heavenly Clan, a battle witnessed by many.
Now, in just three months, he’d advanced two ranks.
Such a breakthrough speed was astonishing.
“Unbelievable… Chu Feng actually came.”
“Didn’t he hear about Heavenly Mechanism Venerable’s prophecy?”
“Or is he so bold that, knowing he might die, he still came to fight?”
While excited, the crowd still believed Chu Feng was no match for Linghu Hongfei.
This wasn’t just confidence in Linghu Hongfei but faith in the prophecy.
For years, Heavenly Mechanism Venerable’s predictions had never failed.
His prophecies were like divine mandates, unquestioned by the masses.
But regardless of their thoughts, all eyes were glued to Chu Feng and Linghu Hongfei.
A battle was imminent, and they didn’t want to miss a moment.
“Lingxi, head back,” Chu Feng said to Chu Lingxi behind him.
“But…”
Chu Lingxi’s eyes were full of worry. Having just experienced Linghu Hongfei’s strength firsthand, she knew the gap.
As a Fourth Rank Exalted, she was utterly outclassed by Linghu Hongfei, who hadn’t even needed to act seriously—just his pressure had left her helpless.
Though Chu Feng’s cultivation was higher, she still lacked confidence.
She sensed Linghu Hongfei’s true power hadn’t been fully revealed.
“Don’t worry,” Chu Feng said with a smile, sensing her concern.
Though Chu Lingxi didn’t know what trump cards Chu Feng held, his smile eased her fears significantly.
There was something about this man that always reassured her.
No matter the danger, his smile calmed her emotions, giving her a sense of security.
“Be careful. There’s something odd about Linghu Hongfei.”
“His pressure can bind me, so don’t hold back. Use every technique you have early, or if his pressure traps you, it’ll be trouble.”
Chu Lingxi sent this warning via voice transmission, then headed back to the Chu Heavenly Clan.
“Clan Leader Linghu, will this duel be fair?” Chu Feng asked, turning to Linghu Zhishi.
“Of course it will,” Linghu Zhishi replied.
“Then, Clan Leader Linghu, could you retract your pressure?”
“Otherwise, with it blanketing the heavens, I might be affected,” Chu Feng said.
Linghu Zhishi smiled faintly, understanding Chu Feng’s intent. He wasn’t truly afraid of the pressure.
Chu Feng was trying to free Gu Mingyuan.
While Linghu Zhishi’s pressure posed no threat to others, it was different for Gu Mingyuan, who was suffering under its suppression.
Her strained appearance made that clear.
“Chu Feng, you’re mistaken. My pressure ensures fairness.”
“Without it, someone might harm my clansmen,” Linghu Zhishi said, glancing at Gu Mingyuan.
Her appearance was terrifying. Though her freedom and power were bound, her killing intent wasn’t.
She looked like a raging tiger, ready to slaughter if freed.
“Senior, rest easy. Leave the rest to me,” Chu Feng said to Gu Mingyuan.
His words drew mocking smiles, especially from those who knew Gu Mingyuan.
They found Chu Feng laughable.
Gu Mingyuan was a fiery figure, sparing no one’s face when enraged.
Her recent attack on a Linghu Heavenly Clan Supreme Elder proved that.
Now, thoroughly provoked, she seemed to have lost all reason.
No one in the Ancestral Martial Starfield could likely calm her.
Let alone a junior like Chu Feng?
“Alright.”
To everyone’s shock, Gu Mingyuan responded.
“Did I hear that right? Did Gu Mingyuan just say ‘alright’?”
Her words left the crowd in disbelief, doubting their ears.
They turned to Gu Mingyuan to confirm.
To their astonishment, the near-mad Gu Mingyuan had not only withdrawn her killing intent but also regained a calm expression.
She looked as if nothing had happened.
“This is too unbelievable.”
“What’s their relationship?”
Seeing Gu Mingyuan heed Chu Feng, the crowd’s gazes toward him grew complex.
They realized not only had Gu Mingyuan listened to him, but Chu Lingxi had as well.
This mother-daughter pair were both fiery and fearless, as their recent actions had shown.
Yet, they obeyed Chu Feng so readily, leaving the crowd shocked, puzzled, and curious about their connection.
“Gu Mingyuan, you’d best behave. If you act out again, I won’t just restrain you,” Linghu Zhishi warned, then withdrew his pressure.
Gu Mingyuan said nothing, returning to the Chu Heavenly Clan’s ranks.
“Chu Feng, is it fair now?” Linghu Hongfei asked, his tone and expression dripping with mockery.
“It’s fair,” Chu Feng replied.
“Can we start?” Linghu Hongfei pressed.
“What’s the rush? By my count, there’s still some time before our three-month wager expires,” Chu Feng said.
“Trying to stall?”
“No matter how you delay, the outcome is set,” Linghu Hongfei sneered.
“Stall? I’m already here—what’s the point?” Chu Feng smiled faintly, then waved his sleeve, sending an object into the air.
It was a scroll. As it left his hand, it unfurled.
When it opened, the words on it were clear to all.
The first three words stood out: Life-and-Death Contract.
