Seeing Chu Feng so excited, Master Liangqiu spoke again.
“World spiritists can heal, forge weapons, craft formations martial cultivators can’t, and even construct intricate relics. Their methods are boundless—practically omnipotent. If there are gods in this world, judged by their abilities, world spiritists would surely be seen as divine by mortals.”
“But alas, despite their many skills, their combat power is pitifully low. That’s why many with talent for boundary techniques refuse to invest too much effort in them.”
“However, after reaching Saint Cloak level, a world spiritist’s combat power finally begins to rise.”
“At Insect-Mark Saint Cloak, it’s comparable to a First Rank Venerable. Whether they can defeat a Venerable depends on personal skill, but below Venerable, they’re unmatched.”
“At Serpent-Mark level, combat power rises further—comparable to a Fifth Rank Venerable.”
“And now, having stepped into Dragon-Mark level, I can feel my boundary power’s combat strength has surged again.”
Hearing this, Chu Feng’s eyes sparkled with anticipation as he stared at Master Liangqiu, waiting for him to reveal his current strength.
Seeing Chu Feng’s eager look, Master Liangqiu didn’t tease him, blurting out, “It’s now comparable to a First Rank Supreme!”
*Hiss—*
Chu Feng gasped, then said, “I never imagined boundary techniques could wield such power.”
“What about Divine Cloak, Master? Do Divine Cloak World Spiritists truly possess the strength to shatter heavens and tear worlds apart?” Chu Feng pressed.
“I believe they can,” Master Liangqiu replied.
He then shared everything he knew about world spiritist power, including tales of True Dragon World Spiritists he’d heard from Master Longxuan.
“It’s incredible to think there are realms beyond Divine Cloak,” Chu Feng mused.
Though Master Liangqiu clarified these were hearsay from Master Longxuan and unverified, Chu Feng’s eyes brimmed with yearning.
*Cough, cough…*
Suddenly, Master Liangqiu began coughing violently.
The sound was gut-wrenching, and with each cough, he seemed to weaken further.
“Master!” Chu Feng’s face filled with worry and guilt.
If not for helping him undo the seal, Master Liangqiu’s condition wouldn’t have worsened.
“It’s fine,” Master Liangqiu waved dismissively. After steadying his coughs, he looked at Chu Feng. “Young friend, is the Nine Dragons Saint Robe still with you?”
He asked because, on that day, the Nine Dragons Saint Robe had chosen Chu Feng, making him shine unmatched. Yet now, there was no sign of it.
Master Liangqiu had heard from Liangqiu Chengfeng about Chu Feng’s ordeal—his refusal to answer and sudden disappearance, all due to the robe’s influence.
This told Master Liangqiu the robe’s power might surpass his own.
But he didn’t know where it was now.
“Honestly, Senior, I don’t know if it’s still with me,” Chu Feng said. “I can faintly sense its aura—very weak—but I can’t feel anything on me. The aura seems to come from around me, not within.”
“It seems the Nine Dragons Saint Robe is a sentient object. That’s not surprising—even secret skills and Emperor weapons have spirits, let alone a Saint Robe crafted by the Immortal King of World Spirits,” Master Liangqiu said.
“Young friend Chu Feng, don’t worry. I believe it’s still with you. Its power is likely too vast for you to wield without sufficient strength. When the time’s right, it should reveal itself.”
“May your words come true, Master,” Chu Feng replied.
“Young friend Chu Feng, there’s something I’ve been pondering without an answer. Could you give me one now?” Master Liangqiu asked. “That day, I sincerely offered to take you as my disciple. I wonder if you…”
As he spoke, the usually composed Master Liangqiu’s gaze flickered with nervousness.
His outward calm belied the intense anxiety within.
To him, Chu Feng wasn’t just a disciple to mend regrets—he was a hope to reach heights he never could.
“Master, I…” Chu Feng didn’t answer directly, his face showing deep conflict.
“I understand your answer, young friend,” Master Liangqiu said. “But I’d like to know why you won’t take a master. Do you… already have one?”
“Senior, I once swore never to take another master,” Chu Feng explained. “Along my journey, many esteemed seniors offered to take me as their disciple. But because of this oath, I rejected them all without exception.”
“Among them, was there anyone whose boundary techniques surpassed mine?” Master Liangqiu asked.
“In terms of strength and status, you’re the greatest among them, Master. But I didn’t refuse them for their abilities. Having rejected them back then, if I accepted you now, I couldn’t face them—or myself,” Chu Feng said.
“Young friend, you’ve seen Linghu Hongfei. He seems righteous on the surface but is cunning and ruthless inside. Truth be told, the prophecy of the youngest world spiritist was spread by them to bolster his reputation.”
“You took his glory, and he won’t let it go easily.”
“My skills may not rival the Linghu Clan, but I have connections. If you were my disciple, I couldn’t promise to tangle with them, but I could ensure your safety,” Master Liangqiu said.
“Thank you for your kindness, Master, but…”
“Don’t rush to refuse, young friend. Think it over. If you take me as your master, I’ll teach you everything I know. And after you graduate, I’ll pass my lifetime’s treasures to you,” Master Liangqiu offered.
“Master, I really…”
Chu Feng started to decline, but Master Liangqiu cut in, “Young friend, just consider it a bit more.”
*Cough, cough…*
He began coughing violently again.
Seeing this, Chu Feng couldn’t bring himself to refuse outright. Though he’d firmly decided against it, he said, “Alright, Master… I’ll consider it seriously.”
*Cough, cough…* “Good, I’ll await your answer,” Master Liangqiu said, still coughing but visibly brighter in mood.
After some casual chat, Master Liangqiu resumed healing his backlash, while Chu Feng left the formation to rejoin Wuma Shengjie and the Wuma Clan Patriarch.
Learning Chu Feng’s seal was partially undone, they both sighed in relief.
“Young friend Chu Feng, will you join the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection?” the Wuma Clan Patriarch asked.
“Yes,” Chu Feng affirmed.
“Excellent! That’s the answer I was hoping for,” the Patriarch said, even more thrilled than Chu Feng.
“There’s still time before the selection. Where are you headed now?” Liangqiu Chengfeng asked.
Wuma Shengjie and the Patriarch turned to Chu Feng, awaiting his decision.
“I need to find Sister Liluo and check on her,” Chu Feng said.
“Very well, I’ll take you to the Tantai Clan for the gathering,” the Wuma Clan Patriarch replied.
