“Tch—” Wuma Shengjie rolled her eyes at Chu Feng.
“What’s with the ‘tch’? Your cultivation’s gone up again so quickly—you’re pretty impressive, girl. You’re definitely a worthy rival of mine,” Chu Feng said with a grin.
He wasn’t joking. Wuma Shengjie’s cultivation had indeed improved again.
She was no longer a Fifth Rank Martial Immortal but had reached Sixth Rank Martial Immortal.
Her pace of advancement was in no way inferior to Chu Feng’s.
After all, if it weren’t for the gains he’d made at the Punishment Thunder Platform, Chu Feng would likely be a Sixth Rank Martial Immortal himself right now.
“Haha, little friend Chu Feng, no need to be modest. Shengjie told me you’re the one who unlocked the seal on the Thunder Armor,” said the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader, smiling warmly at Chu Feng, his gaze carrying a deeper meaning. “Even if Shengjie faced you, I doubt she’d be your match. Besides, since Shengjie gained something from that ancient ruin, I’d wager you did too, didn’t you?”
Chu Feng was currently concealing his cultivation, but how could the Clan Leader not see through it? Knowing Shengjie’s breakthrough came from insights gained in the ancient ruin, he speculated that Chu Feng was hiding his true strength to keep something in reserve—likely a cultivation breakthrough of his own.
He guessed Chu Feng’s real cultivation had also stepped into Sixth Rank Martial Immortal.
“Not just ‘maybe’—definitely,” Wuma Shengjie interjected.
“You caught me,” Chu Feng said with a chuckle. With a thought, he released his aura, revealing his Seventh Rank Martial Immortal cultivation.
“Little friend Chu Feng, you… you broke through two ranks in a row?” The Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader’s face lit up with surprise. Chu Feng’s cultivation exceeded his expectations by a full rank.
It wasn’t just him—even Wuma Shengjie’s gaze toward Chu Feng was filled with astonishment.
“Little friend Chu Feng, your comprehension is downright astonishing,” the Clan Leader exclaimed, full of admiration.
“I did gain something in that ancient ruin, but reaching this level today actually came from another opportunity,” Chu Feng replied. As he spoke, he concealed his aura once more.
In the world of martial cultivators, there was an unwritten rule: hiding one’s cultivation from elders could be seen as disrespectful.
But unless someone was deliberately looking for trouble, no one really cared.
There was another saying in the martial world: juniors hiding their cultivation was a sign of humility.
In fact, it wasn’t just juniors—many seniors had the habit of concealing their strength too.
As for Chu Feng, it wasn’t about humility. He just did what he felt like.
He hid his cultivation when he wanted to and revealed it when he didn’t. Right now… he just felt like hiding it again.
“What other opportunity did you stumble into?” Wuma Shengjie asked curiously, her expression showing genuine interest in how Chu Feng had reached Seventh Rank Martial Immortal.
After all, everyone has a competitive streak. She’d finally caught up to Chu Feng, only to be overtaken again. Anyone in her shoes would feel a bit frustrated.
If Chu Feng had truly advanced elsewhere, she’d feel a little better about it.
But if not, it’d sting—proof that Chu Feng’s comprehension far outstripped hers, leaving her with a sense of defeat.
“Really, I wouldn’t lie to you,” Chu Feng said.
“Then where’d this opportunity come from?”
Wuma Shengjie, usually a girl of few words, pressed him further. Clearly, this mattered to her.
“What if I said it came from getting struck by lightning—would you believe me?” Chu Feng replied.
“Forget it if you won’t tell me,” Wuma Shengjie shot him a sidelong glance, clearly skeptical of his claim.
“I’m serious, no kidding,” Chu Feng said with a cheeky grin.
But seeing his playful attitude, Wuma Shengjie grew even more convinced he was messing with her. She promptly ignored him.
“Shengjie, don’t be rude,” the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader chided softly, though she paid him no mind.
Evidently, this Clan Leader held little authority over her, which left him slightly embarrassed.
“Senior, it’s fine, really. Shengjie and I are good friends—it’s normal between buddies,” Chu Feng said with a smile.
“Tch—” Wuma Shengjie pursed her lips, acting like she didn’t care for his friendliness, though a faint glimmer of joy flickered in her eyes.
“For Shengjie to have a friend like you, little friend Chu Feng, is truly her good fortune. If only she could be as sensible as you, I’d rest easy,” the Clan Leader sighed.
On the journey that followed, the Clan Leader and Chu Feng continued chatting, while Wuma Shengjie remained aloof, barely glancing at Chu Feng. Only when something piqued her curiosity would she sneak a look.
Before they knew it, the trio had passed through an ancient teleportation array and arrived at the Nine Dragons Upper Realm.
The moment Chu Feng stepped out of the array, his spirit jolted.
Leaving aside the breathtaking, majestic scenery of the Nine Dragons Upper Realm, the sheer intensity of the world’s energy hit him like a wave—far stronger than in the Great Chiliocosm Upper Realm.
The difference in world energy directly affected a cultivator’s progress.
Clearly, the Nine Dragons Upper Realm’s value far surpassed that of the Great Chiliocosm Upper Realm. No wonder the Tantai Heavenly Clan had settled here.
More striking still was the teleportation array’s exit: a sea of people stretched across the sky and ground, a bustling throng that could only be described as overcrowded.
And behind Chu Feng and his companions, more kept pouring out of the array.
Figures from all sorts of factions were present, including many hidden Venerable-level experts.
This was just one of the many teleportation arrays in the Nine Dragons Upper Realm.
Yet the number of powerhouses here was so great that even someone like the Wuma Heavenly Clan Leader wouldn’t dare claim to be the strongest.
It was clear just how many big shots had gathered in the Nine Dragons Upper Realm right now.
“Looks like this time, I’ll really get to broaden my horizons,” Chu Feng said, his excitement surging at the sight.
The wilder the waves, the higher true dragons soar.
The Nine Dragons Upper Realm was the perfect stage for Chu Feng to prove himself.
In that moment, he made a silent vow: if he could unlock Bai Liluo’s seal ahead of time, he’d absolutely join the contest for the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars.
He’d make sure everyone in the Ancestral Martial Star Region knew—Chu Xuanyuan’s son was back.
