After Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s scolding, the entire Chu Heavenly Clan fell silent.
Although the crowd also felt somewhat guilty for gossiping about Chu Feng behind his back, that was definitely not the main reason they refrained from arguing with Chu Xuan Zhengfa.
On the contrary… they were already displeased that Chu Feng had failed to activate the bloodline cultivation arrays, and now, after being scolded by Chu Xuan Zhengfa, they were even more furious.
The reason they were angry yet dared not speak up was actually fear—fear of Chu Xuan Zhengfa.
But what they feared even more was the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
They were merely venting their frustrations. How could they dare to truly trouble Chu Feng?
Even if they weren’t afraid of offending Chu Feng, they were certainly afraid of offending the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
“Chu Xuan Zhengfa, isn’t it a bit too much for you to say such things?”
At this moment, an elderly voice suddenly rang out.
Everyone turned to look, and even Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s expression shifted slightly. Those who had been complaining earlier, however, showed signs of delight.
The speaker was an old man, but he was no ordinary elder.
This person, named Chu Hanqing, was not only of the same generation as the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan, Chu Hanxian, and Chu Hanpeng, but he was also one of the clan’s Grand Elders.
Back in the day, he had played a significant role in expelling Chu Xuanyuan and Chu Feng from the Chu Heavenly Clan.
Due to some past grievances, he deeply disliked Chu Xuanyuan, and naturally, he also disliked Chu Xuanyuan’s son.
He had been in seclusion for a long time and only emerged after Chu Feng had gone to the Ancestral Martial Cultivation Realm.
After coming out of seclusion and learning about Chu Feng’s situation, he was well aware that Chu Feng’s status in the Chu Heavenly Clan was no longer what it used to be. Therefore, he had not taken any actions or made any remarks against Chu Feng, but in reality, he harbored a strong aversion to him.
Moreover, his dislike for Chu Feng was well-known to everyone.
Everyone knew that this Grand Elder would eventually cause trouble for Chu Feng.
This was why, when Chu Hanqing appeared, those who had been scolded by Chu Xuan Zhengfa wore smug smiles.
Because now, they had a backer.
They didn’t dare to argue with Chu Xuan Zhengfa, but this Grand Elder certainly did.
In terms of both status and seniority, this Grand Elder outranked Chu Xuan Zhengfa.
In fact, when Chu Hanqing appeared, Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s brow furrowed. He knew that Chu Hanqing was a difficult character to deal with.
But despite knowing this, Chu Xuan Zhengfa showed no fear. Instead, the anger in his eyes grew stronger.
Because Chu Xuan Zhengfa deeply despised those who were incompetent and only caused trouble.
These people were ruthless toward their own clan members but weak and ineffective against outsiders. In Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s eyes, such people, regardless of their status or seniority, were nothing but scum.
Moreover, today, Chu Feng had activated eight bloodline cultivation arrays, demonstrating unprecedented talent. Yet these people still insulted him.
Even if Chu Xuan Zhengfa could usually tolerate such behavior, today he absolutely could not.
“Grand Elder, what do you mean by that? Do you think it’s appropriate for an elder to speak of a junior in such a manner?” Chu Xuan Zhengfa asked sternly, clearly ready to argue with Chu Hanqing.
“I’m just stating the facts. What’s wrong with that?”
“No one has ever said that Chu Feng was wrong for defeating the juniors of the Li Heavenly Clan. On the contrary, everyone remembers his contributions to the clan.”
“But let’s be honest, as the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan, fighting for the clan is his duty. There’s nothing to boast about.”
“And today, the fact remains that he failed to activate the bloodline cultivation arrays. His limited talent is also a fact.”
“What? Are we not allowed to talk about his lack of talent?”
“Are we only allowed to praise and flatter Chu Feng, but not criticize him?”
“Since when did our Chu Heavenly Clan develop such an improper habit?”
“Chu Feng is just a junior, not an ancestor.”
The more the Grand Elder spoke, the more confident and angry he became, as if he had done something utterly heinous.
“Hanqing, if Chu Feng’s talent is lacking, then tell me, who in our Chu Heavenly Clan today has greater talent than Chu Feng? Who else can ascend to the tenth level of the Heavenly Thunder Platform?”
Another voice rang out, and when it did, even the arrogant expression on Chu Hanqing’s face immediately softened.
Because the person who had spoken was none other than the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
“Clan Leader, Chu Feng’s talent is indeed outstanding, but his status is also different. He is the grandson of Chu Hanxian. It’s only natural that the clan’s standards for judging him are higher.”
“Moreover, while it’s true that he ascended to the tenth level of the Heavenly Thunder Platform, it’s also true that he failed to activate the bloodline cultivation arrays.”
“Overall, Chu Feng’s talent is indeed far inferior to his grandfather’s. That is also a fact.”
Facing the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan, Chu Hanqing did not back down and even rebutted.
“A fact? Hmph, are you so sure that Chu Feng didn’t activate the bloodline cultivation arrays?” Chu Xuan Zhengfa snorted coldly.
“What we saw in the forbidden area earlier was witnessed by everyone. What more is there to say?” Chu Hanqing said with a look of disdain.
“Whether what you saw is the truth or not, come with me to the forbidden area and see for yourself.”
“By then, you’ll feel ashamed of what you said earlier.” Chu Xuan Zhengfa replied.
Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s words carried a hidden meaning, and Chu Hanqing sensed something was off.
Therefore, he naturally had no intention of actually following Chu Xuan Zhengfa to the forbidden area. Instead, he changed the subject and spoke in an angry tone.
“You think I’ll go just because you told me to? Who do you think you are?”
“Chu Xuan Zhengfa, even if your father were here, he wouldn’t dare speak to me in this manner.”
“You’re just the deputy head of the Punishment Hall, while I am a Grand Elder of the Chu Heavenly Clan. Don’t forget your place.”
Faced with such an unreasonable Chu Hanqing, Chu Xuan Zhengfa did not engage further. Instead, he bowed to the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan and said:
“Clan Leader, a major change has occurred at the bloodline altar. I request that you order the entire clan to return to the forbidden area.”
“A major change? Zhengfa, what exactly has happened?”
At this moment, the Clan Leader’s expression turned serious.
After all, this concerned the bloodline altar, and he had to take it seriously.
“Clan Leader, the bloodline altar has disappeared,” Chu Xuan Zhengfa said.
“What?”
Hearing this, not only the Clan Leader but everyone present tensed up, their faces filled with panic and disbelief.
The bloodline altar has disappeared?
Is this true?
Whoosh—
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew, and the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan vanished.
Following him, Chu Hanqing and the other elders also disappeared from the scene.
Seeing this, the members of the Chu Heavenly Clan immediately took to the skies.
They all knew where the Clan Leader and Chu Hanqing had gone—they must have headed to the forbidden area.
Now, the rest of the clan, still unaware of the truth, also rushed to the forbidden area to investigate.
The bloodline altar was of utmost importance. If it had truly disappeared, it would be a disaster for the Chu Heavenly Clan.
“The bloodline altar has disappeared?”
However, as the crowd moved, Chu Feng, who was standing at the entrance of the palace, was momentarily stunned.
This news shocked him, mainly because he felt it was unlikely.
“Chu Feng, congratulations.”
Just as Chu Feng was lost in thought, a figure landed in front of him. It was none other than Chu Xuan Zhengfa.
“Congratulations? Senior, what do I have to celebrate?” Chu Feng looked at Chu Xuan Zhengfa in confusion.
“Go to the forbidden area and see for yourself. You’ll understand then,” Chu Xuan Zhengfa said with a smile.
“Senior, has the bloodline altar really disappeared?” Chu Feng asked.
“It has indeed disappeared,” Chu Xuan Zhengfa replied.
“Why is it that when the altar disappeared, you don’t seem worried but instead congratulate me?”
Chu Feng felt something was off. Normally, if the bloodline altar had truly disappeared, Chu Xuan Zhengfa should have been upset. How could he be smiling?
For a moment, Chu Feng couldn’t figure out what was going on, but he had a vague feeling that something good had happened.
“Haha,” hearing Chu Feng’s words, Chu Xuan Zhengfa’s smile grew even wider.
“Go to the forbidden area and see for yourself. You’ll understand then,” Chu Xuan Zhengfa said as he waved his sleeve. In the next moment, both Chu Feng and Chu Xuan Zhengfa vanished from the spot.
Chu Xuan Zhengfa moved too quickly. As Chu Feng flew alongside him, everything around him was a blur.
When he regained his balance and his vision cleared, he found himself deep within the forbidden area. Besides Chu Xuan Zhengfa, Chu Hanpeng was also there.
Of course, the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan, Chu Hanqing, and the others who had left first had also arrived.
At this moment, everyone present was staring in shock at what lay before them. Even Chu Feng himself was stunned by the sight.
Before long, the rest of the Chu Heavenly Clan members arrived one after another.
“Heavens, am I seeing this correctly?”
“What… what exactly is going on?”
Without exception, when people saw what was before them, they were all filled with shock and disbelief.
