“If our clan doesn’t protect you, then who should we protect?”
“So, that’s not a reward, it’s what our clan ought to do for you.” The Clan Leader said.
Hearing this, warmth surged in Chu Feng’s heart, the Clan Leader treated him genuinely like family, this wasn’t an act, it was sincere kindness toward Chu Feng.
“Senior, the Bloodline Cultivation Array is useless to me at present, but within the Bloodline Altar, I’ve gained some insights into the use of bloodline power.”
“However, bloodline power is hard to control, I’ve never truly tried to master it before, if there’s a backlash, the consequences could be dire, so… I’d like to request a good cultivation site from you, Senior.” Chu Feng said.
“Very well, follow me.” The Clan Leader spoke, stepping into the air and heading toward the depths of the forbidden area.
Seeing this, Chu Feng quickly took to the air, following closely behind.
“Senior, there’s something I’d like to mention.” Chu Feng said along the way.
“Chu Feng, when it’s just the two of us, no need for formalities, say whatever’s on your mind.” The Clan Leader replied, his tone very relaxed, less like a clan leader and more like a doting elder to Chu Feng.
“The current Bloodline Cultivation Array is miraculous for the Honoured Realm, but it’s of little use to those below it, I think… there’s no need to open it to those below the Honoured Realm, otherwise, with too many mouths talking, if word gets out… it might bring trouble.” Chu Feng said.
“Chu Feng, you really are thoughtful, but can you guess… what I was discussing with Chu Xuanzhengfa and Elder Hanpeng earlier?” The Clan Leader asked with a smile.
“So Senior had already thought of it, I spoke out of turn.” Chu Feng smiled, finally understanding what the Clan Leader had been discussing with Chu Xuanzhengfa and the others.
They were likely talking about keeping the power of the Bloodline Cultivation Arrays a secret.
This made sense, it had to be kept confidential, or if it leaked out, disaster would surely follow.
Not to mention the Li Heavenly Clan, other forces might also try to seize this place, perhaps even the Star Region’s main realm would intervene directly.
After all, a cultivation site that could enhance Honoured Realm cultivators was incredibly rare.
“It’s not speaking out of turn, it’s being considerate, look… today, those who entered the Bloodline Cultivation Array are the pillars of our clan, but after discovering its potency, only a few came out immediately to discuss secrecy with me.”
“Most chose to immerse themselves in cultivation, eager to break through quickly, casting the clan’s safety aside.”
“But you, a junior, outshine them by far.” The Clan Leader said.
“Senior, saying that makes me feel ashamed, I only came out because the gains in that array were too small for me.” Chu Feng gave an embarrassed smile.
“I know your character, even if you’d gained something in there, you’d still have come out to mention this.” The Clan Leader said.
At this moment, Chu Feng didn’t know how to respond, he just smiled again.
Because he wasn’t sure, if he’d made gains inside, whether he’d have come out immediately to discuss the arrays’ power.
Maybe he would, maybe he wouldn’t.
Who knows what hasn’t happened?
The Clan Leader strolled through the void as if on a leisurely walk, but his speed was actually swift, Chu Feng was drawn along by his power.
As they chatted, they arrived atop a mountain peak.
The peak stood like a sword thrust into the earth, piercing through the clouds, its summit wasn’t large, yet it held a palace.
Above the palace gate hung a plaque, boldly inscribed with five characters: “Supreme Technique Refinement Hall.”
The doors opened, revealing a vast expanse.
Inside was a different world, the ground was paved with white stones, seemingly ordinary, yet stretching for tens of thousands of li, boundless as far as the eye could see.
The ground was all stone, the sky above vast, standing here felt liberating, this was indeed a rare place for secluded cultivation.
“This is where I cultivate in seclusion, aside from me, no one else in the clan can use it, but from now on, you’re the exception.” The Clan Leader said.
“Senior, I’m afraid that’s not appropriate.” Chu Feng felt overwhelmed by the honour.
“Come now, it’s just a cultivation site, if it could truly help our clan members advance by leaps and bounds, I’d let anyone use it, but alas… there’s no such person in the clan, except, of course, you.” The Clan Leader said with a smile, his eyes brimming with fondness and expectation.
Hearing this, Chu Feng had intended to offer a few more humble words.
But who’d have thought the Clan Leader would urge him on?
Chu Feng wasn’t one to miss a kindness, with the Clan Leader’s sincerity so clear, he stopped refusing, sat cross-legged, and closed his eyes.
What Chu Feng was about to do was no small matter, he aimed to commune with the nine thunder beasts within his body, to make them serve him.
This attempt lasted an hour.
An hour later, Chu Feng finally opened his eyes.
At this moment, his face was pale, sweat poured down, though he’d only sat cross-legged for an hour, he looked as if he’d fought a fierce battle, utterly drained.
Most importantly, a trace of disappointment flickered in Chu Feng’s eyes, disappointment in himself.
The reason was that this cultivation session hadn’t gone well.
Chu Feng had clearly gained something in the Bloodline Altar, and it wasn’t trivial, he’d初步掌握 (initially grasped) a method to wield bloodline power, as evidenced by the eternal activation of the eight arrays, what he’d comprehended wasn’t superficial.
Yet, despite this, Chu Feng still couldn’t wield his bloodline power.
Though controlling it was harder than imagined, Chu Feng didn’t lose heart, after a brief rest, he closed his eyes again, ready to try once more.
“Chu Feng.” But just then, the Clan Leader’s voice suddenly rang out.
Chu Feng opened his eyes, looking toward the sound, only to find… the Clan Leader standing in the void ten thousand metres away, his expression grave.
Sensing something amiss, Chu Feng stood immediately and asked, “Senior, what’s wrong?”
“Chu Feng, what did you just do?” The Clan Leader asked.
“I… just used the method I grasped in the Bloodline Altar to commune with my bloodline power, but sadly… I failed.” Chu Feng shook his head, his smile a bit awkward.
“Failed?” Hearing this, the Clan Leader’s expression shifted, a flash of disbelief in his eyes, he then said, “What happened earlier didn’t look like failure.”
“Earlier?” Chu Feng caught the deeper meaning in his words, quickly asking, “Senior, did something happen just now?”
“About the time it takes an incense stick to burn, nine-coloured lightning erupted from your body, it surged and roared, centred on you, covering ten thousand metres, its aura was so powerful, it was astonishing.”
“That lightning wasn’t just overwhelming in might, it genuinely possessed terrifying power.” The Clan Leader said.
“Terrifying power?” Chu Feng felt shocked, realising this was no small matter.
He hadn’t controlled his bloodline power, so how could it have burst from his body with destructive force?
What… was going on?
“Chu Feng, you should know, this place was built by a mysterious master, these stones on the ground aren’t just sturdy, they’re imbued with a barrier, that master once said, unless one’s cultivation exceeds the Honoured Realm, they can’t scratch these stones, now… look around you.” The Clan Leader said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng hurriedly looked down, scanning his surroundings, only then noticing that within ten thousand metres of him, the stones were covered in scratches.
Though the scratches weren’t deep, the stones were indeed damaged, and focusing now, he hadn’t noticed earlier, but he could faintly smell a scorched scent from them.
This was damage from lightning strikes.
And with scratches this dense, it couldn’t have been one bolt, it must have been thousands, striking repeatedly.
“Senior, did I do this?” Chu Feng asked again.
“I saw it with my own eyes, it was indeed you.” The Clan Leader said with certainty.
“Senior, can only those above the Honoured Realm damage these stones?” Chu Feng asked once more.
“Absolutely certain.” The Clan Leader replied.
“Hiss—”
Hearing this, even Chu Feng couldn’t help but gasp, his eyes filled with shock.
Only those above the Honoured Realm could damage them.
That meant… the Supreme Realm!!!
