Chu Feng naturally couldn’t tell these outsiders that his father had already left the Chu Clan’s forbidden grounds. So, he could only lie: “My father’s still the same as ever.”
Hearing this, everyone understood. Back then, Chu Xuanyuan had offended the Starfield Master Realm and was imprisoned by the Chu Clan, supposedly for life.
This “same as ever” clearly meant he was still locked up in that forbidden area.
“Sigh…” The Gong Clan patriarch let out a long sigh. “Xuanyuan’s potential was once limitless. It’s a pity he was too impulsive back then.”
“But it’s precisely that fiery spirit that made him who he was.”
“Perhaps that’s just fate.”
From the Gong Clan patriarch’s lament, it was clear he held great admiration for Chu Xuanyuan.
Many people admired Chu Xuanyuan, especially the older generation, but few dared to praise him publicly.
After all, everyone knew Chu Xuanyuan’s downfall stemmed from offending the dominant power in the Ancestral Martial Starfield—the Starfield Master Realm.
In the Ancestral Martial Starfield, openly praising someone the Starfield Master Realm disliked took real courage.
“Young friend, did your clan patriarch truly never mention the betrothal between you and Mingyue?” the Gong Clan patriarch suddenly asked.
It was evident he took this matter very seriously.
So Chu Feng’s earlier words had clearly weighed on his mind.
“Grandfather, I don’t agree to this betrothal.”
At that moment, a voice rang out from behind the Gong Clan patriarch—it was Gong Mingyue.
“Mingyue, don’t be reckless! A lifelong commitment isn’t a game!” the patriarch scolded angrily.
“It’s precisely because it’s a lifelong commitment that I should decide for myself,” Gong Mingyue replied firmly.
“There’s no room for discussion,” the patriarch declared.
“Grandfather, you…”
“Fine, even if you’ve chosen my betrothed for me, shouldn’t at least one condition be that his strength surpasses mine? Does this Chu Feng have that kind of power?” Gong Mingyue challenged.
“This…” The patriarch faltered, unsure how to respond. Even he couldn’t discern Chu Feng’s cultivation level or what realm he’d reached.
This wasn’t surprising. Though the Gong Clan patriarch was a Venerable-level expert, his spirit techniques were weak, so his perception wasn’t particularly sharp.
Thus, he turned his gaze to Chu Feng.
He hoped Chu Feng would answer this himself.
“Chu Feng, do you dare accept the challenge?”
At that moment, the Gong Clan members not only fixed their eyes on Chu Feng but one of them openly taunted him with a provocative tone.
They naturally hoped Chu Feng would take the challenge. They believed that if he did, he’d surely lose, and then this absurd betrothal could be dissolved.
After all, no matter how thick-skinned Chu Feng was, he wouldn’t marry a woman who didn’t want him—and who was stronger than him—right?
The onlookers also turned their attention to Chu Feng, eager to use this chance to gauge the strength of Chu Xuanyuan’s son.
Facing their expectant stares, Chu Feng gave a faint smile. “No need for a match—I concede.”
“What?”
Chu Feng’s words stunned everyone.
Not just the Gong Clan members, but even the surrounding crowd was taken aback.
Men typically cared deeply about pride.
Gong Mingyue’s public rejection of the betrothal was an outright insult to Chu Feng. Any normal man would try to prove himself by accepting her challenge.
So Chu Feng’s reaction was beyond anyone’s expectations.
What shocked them most was how calmly he conceded—without a trace of shame, as if it were a trivial matter.
This made people’s impressions of Chu Feng grow more complex and harder to pin down—this heir of Chu Xuanyuan.
“Young Friend Chu Feng, don’t mind Mingyue’s nonsense,” the Gong Clan patriarch said.
“She’s still young and immature. I’ll discipline her more in the future.”
“As for this betrothal, it was an agreement between me and your clan patriarch. Unless he says otherwise, the Gong Clan will never break it.”
“Grandfather, you…”
“You’re forcing me like this—I’d rather die!”
Tears welled in Gong Mingyue’s reddened eyes. She leapt into the air and fled.
“Patriarch, this…” The Gong Clan members turned to their leader, awaiting his decision.
“Sigh, that girl’s been spoiled rotten by me.”
“Young friend, today’s events must have been a spectacle for you, but don’t take it to heart. The betrothal still stands.”
After speaking to Chu Feng, the Gong Clan patriarch leapt after Gong Mingyue.
The other Gong Clan members shot Chu Feng a fierce glare before following their patriarch in pursuit of Gong Mingyue.
“Senior, let’s go too,” Chu Feng said to Chu Chengkong.
“Where to?” Chu Chengkong asked.
“To Ice Summit Peak,” Chu Feng replied.
With his cultivation currently sealed, Chu Feng didn’t know how to restore it. He needed to seek help from Master Liangqiu and the others. At this level, even self-preservation was difficult—being in a foreign realm was dangerous.
Plus, Bai Liluo was still at Ice Summit Peak, her seal yet to be undone, and Chu Feng was deeply concerned for her.
“Alright, I’ll go with you,” Chu Chengkong agreed without asking why Chu Feng wanted to visit Ice Summit Peak.
“What, planning to slip away already?”
Just then, a cold laugh rang out.
Several figures emerged from the void above, descending to surround Chu Feng and Chu Chengkong.
Seeing them, Chu Feng’s brows furrowed slightly. They were the same Xu Clan members he’d scared off earlier.
As expected, they hadn’t truly left—they’d been watching from the shadows.
