“Sir, if Chu Xuanyuan has truly left the forbidden land and his cultivation has advanced, then if he joins forces with the Linghu Heavenly Clan, wouldn’t we be caught between two fronts and doomed to defeat?” The thought sent a wave of dread through Wuming Gangxiong, even despair.
Facing just the Linghu Heavenly Clan alone, the Starfield Master Realm could still hold its ground with its deep reserves. But add Chu Xuanyuan into the mix? That was a different story—one they couldn’t handle.
In Wuming Gangxiong’s eyes, if Chu Xuanyuan’s cultivation now surpassed his past strength, he’d be a far more terrifying foe than the Linghu Heavenly Clan.
“No need to worry about that. Chu Xuanyuan’s temperament makes it impossible for him to ally with the Linghu Heavenly Clan,” Wuming Fenghuo replied.
“But we still don’t know what Chu Xuanyuan’s thinking. He hasn’t even shown his face,” Wuming Gangxiong muttered.
“Exactly. Until we confirm his current strength, we absolutely cannot make an enemy of the Chu Heavenly Clan. Otherwise, we’d be driving our clan into a dead end,” Wuming Fenghuo said sharply.
“Indeed,” Wuming Gangxiong nodded.
“And if I hadn’t come this time, you’d have caused a disaster,” Wuming Fenghuo’s gaze turned piercing as he fixed it on Wuming Gangxiong.
“Sir, I don’t understand—what disaster?” Wuming Gangxiong asked, confused.
“Do you think I don’t know you took bribes from the Fang Heavenly Clan to arrange this ridiculous duel?” Wuming Fenghuo’s voice was icy.
“Sir, I was wrong! Please, give me a chance!” Wuming Gangxiong’s face paled. He dropped to his knees in midair, pleading for mercy.
“Get up. If I wanted to punish you, I’d have done it already,” Wuming Fenghuo said. “With the Starfield Master Realm facing such threats, now’s not the time for infighting.”
“Thank you, sir!” Wuming Gangxiong scrambled to his feet, wiping cold sweat from his face. He’d been genuinely terrified—Wuming Fenghuo’s ruthless nature was no secret.
Wuming Fenghuo despised underhanded acts among clansmen. Once, a member had colluded with outsiders and had their cultivation crippled by him.
That Wuming Gangxiong escaped punishment today was likely only because of the looming crises with the Linghu Heavenly Clan and Chu Xuanyuan.
“Chu Xuanyuan’s situation was supposed to be a secret. I shouldn’t have told you,” Wuming Fenghuo said.
“Then why did you, sir?” Wuming Gangxiong asked, bowing respectfully.
“Everyone in the Starfield Master Realm knows Chu Xuanyuan’s a threat, but most don’t grasp how terrifying he truly is. The majority underestimate him,” Wuming Fenghuo explained. “You’re one of the few who understand his danger. I’m telling you this because I need you to do something.”
“Anything, sir,” Wuming Gangxiong replied earnestly.
“Go back to the clan and find the six elders. If you can reach the Domain Lord directly, even better,” Wuming Fenghuo instructed. “Tell them I’ve met Chu Feng. This boy’s talent is extraordinary—above Linghu Hongfei, maybe even rivaling Chu Xuanyuan in his prime. His appearance isn’t random. I suspect Chu Xuanyuan has left the forbidden land and returned to the starfield with him. The story of Chu Xuanyuan being stripped of his clan status and imprisoned was likely a ruse. If it was, then he’s stronger now than ever. And this time, he’s in the shadows while we’re exposed. Fortunately, he doesn’t seem intent on warring with us. As long as we don’t provoke him, he might leave us alone. So, make it clear to the clan: from now on, no one is to trouble the Chu Heavenly Clan or Chu Feng. With the Linghu Heavenly Clan as our enemy, we cannot afford to antagonize the Chu Heavenly Clan too.”
“Why don’t you tell them yourself, sir? They’d take it more seriously coming from you,” Wuming Gangxiong asked.
“I’ll say it when I return, but I’ve got other matters to handle now,” Wuming Fenghuo replied.
“Understood, sir. I’ll do my utmost to convey this,” Wuming Gangxiong vowed, his tone resolute.
He wasn’t just placating—his words were heartfelt. Though Wuming Fenghuo was ruthless and greedy, far from a saint, his loyalty to the Starfield Master Realm was unwavering. Having witnessed Chu Xuanyuan’s might firsthand, Wuming Gangxiong knew the peril of his return.
After further instructions, Wuming Fenghuo sent Wuming Gangxiong and the Starfield Master Realm’s forces on their way.
Now alone, Wuming Fenghuo didn’t leave immediately. He stood in place, his gaze sweeping the vast starry expanse with a mix of awe and fear, as if searching for something.
His dread stemmed from one man.
Chu Xuanyuan.
There was one thing he hadn’t told Wuming Gangxiong—or anyone in the clan.
He believed Chu Xuanyuan now surpassed every power and person in the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
Even the Starfield Master Realm, with all its might, couldn’t match him alone.
They could offend anyone—except that man.
Suddenly, Wuming Fenghuo did something absurd.
He knelt in midair.
“Chu Xuanyuan, I don’t know if you’re here, but I hope you are,” he said, voice trembling. “I want to apologize on behalf of my clan. What happened back then was our fault. But you’re a reasonable man. The Domain Lord isn’t just the Starfield Master Realm’s ruler—he’s our clan’s patriarch. He has to consider our people. If you want the Ancestral Martial Starfield’s throne, I know we can’t stop you. But I beg you… spare my clan. Give us a way to survive.”
Laughable—absurdly so.
One of the Starfield Master Realm’s top ten, a lofty figure, uttering such humble words to a member of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
He didn’t even know if Chu Xuanyuan was present, yet he acted anyway—pathetic.
But it laid bare his terror of Chu Xuanyuan.
Who but someone gripped by absolute fear would do something so ridiculous?
Especially a man like Wuming Fenghuo?
His fear wasn’t just of Chu Xuanyuan’s power—it was paired with a crushing sense of helplessness.
He knew Chu Xuanyuan’s strength, but not everyone in the Starfield Master Realm did.
Compared to the upright Chu Xuanyuan, he feared his own clan’s arrogant, blind fools more.
He dreaded them provoking the Chu Heavenly Clan again—especially harming Chu Xuanyuan’s son, Chu Feng.
He’d seen it with his own eyes—Chu Xuanyuan slaughtering masses in a fury to protect Chu Feng.
Having witnessed that rage, he understood how vital Chu Feng was to him.
Chu Xuanyuan might overlook the past.
But if anyone in the Starfield Master Realm hurt his son?
Chu Xuanyuan would teach them…
What true despair really meant!!!
