The mysterious entity was astonished because, while it had used a special, subtle method to observe Chu Feng, he had still pinpointed its location. This suggested Chu Feng was prepared, a level of vigilance that made him seem less like a young cultivator and more like a seasoned old monster.
Moreover, Chu Feng had effortlessly gained the Thunder Curse’s approval—an extraordinary talent. A young Saint-Rank Spiritist who could achieve such a feat, combined with his meticulous mind, left the mysterious entity thoroughly impressed.
“Senior, I’m just an ordinary martial cultivator,” Chu Feng said modestly, pointing to Li Yue’er in the formation’s core. “If you must know, I have some connection with this girl.”
“Some connection, and you’d take such a risk? You’re quite humble, kid. Someone like you is worth remembering,” the voice said, now clearly emanating from the stone frog statue, which Chu Feng saw speaking with its own mouth.
But Chu Feng knew this being was far more than a talking statue.
“Junior Chu Feng. May I ask how to address you, Senior?” Chu Feng asked, clasping his fists.
“Just call me Lord Frog,” the entity replied.
“Junior Chu Feng pays respects to Lord Frog,” Chu Feng said, offering a deep bow.
“You’re a sharp one, kid. But since you’ve gained the Thunder Curse’s approval, if you don’t cultivate soon, its power will dissipate,” Lord Frog said.
“Then, Lord Frog, I’ll attempt a breakthrough,” Chu Feng replied.
“Hurry up, don’t miss the opportunity,” Lord Frog said, waving a hand.
Chu Feng sat cross-legged and began cultivating. Lord Frog’s strength far surpassed his own, so Chu Feng wasn’t worried about harm. If Lord Frog meant ill, no amount of caution would save him.
…
Outside the Li Clan’s Ancestral Formation, the Li Clan members were in good spirits.
The previously unstable formation had stabilized.
“That kid from the Chu Clan has some real skill,” Li Zhan Kuang couldn’t help but praise.
“He’s Chu Xuanyuan’s son, after all,” the Li Clan Patriarch said calmly.
That single sentence carried immense recognition for Chu Feng.
“But wasn’t it rumored that Chu Feng couldn’t cultivate? How did he reach this level?” Li Taiyi asked, puzzled.
“Perhaps Chu Xuanyuan planned it, or maybe the Chu Clan did,” the Patriarch replied.
“The Chu Clan? Their attitude toward Chu Feng and Chu Xuanyuan back then wasn’t…” Li Taiyi and several elders exchanged confused looks.
To them, the Chu Clan were fools, with only Chu Hanxian and Chu Xuanyuan worthy of respect—and now, perhaps Chu Feng.
“When the Starfield Master Realm was eyeing us, how would our clan protect a genius?” the Patriarch asked.
“Could it really have been intentional concealment?” The Li Clan members were struck with realization, though it still felt unbelievable.
“Only the Chu Clan knows the truth,” the Patriarch said. “But it doesn’t matter now. Even setting Chu Xuanyuan aside, with a talent like Chu Feng, the entire Ancestral Martial Starfield will remember the Chu Clan.”
“Patriarch, even if the Upper Realm Gate fully opens, must we coexist peacefully with the Chu Clan?” Li Taiyi asked.
“If not peacefully, then what? Didn’t you and Ruochu say Chu Feng has a Supreme Realm expert backing him?” the Patriarch countered.
“Well… we can’t confirm if it’s a Supreme, and those two have left. Their relationship with Chu Feng is unclear, so I…” Li Taiyi’s face grew uneasy.
He and Li Ruochu had reported the events at the Wuma Clan’s ruins, so his earlier provocation of Chu Feng was deliberate, making him feel guilty.
Fearing punishment, others, including Li Zhan Kuang, began pleading on Li Taiyi’s behalf.
To everyone’s surprise, the Patriarch didn’t reprimand him. Instead, he sighed, “Whether those mysterious women would back Chu Feng or not, we can’t afford to be enemies with the Chu Clan.”
“Ruochu, when Chu Feng emerges, you and I will accompany him to the Chu Clan,” he said to Li Ruochu. “It’s time to resolve the grievances between our clans.”
His words made it clear he intended to reconcile with the Chu Clan, and his personal involvement showed sincerity.
In the past, some might have questioned this decision, but now they understood.
With a talent like Chu Feng, the Li Clan would be wise to avoid enmity.
Li Ruochu was especially pleased, having advocated against conflict with the Chu Clan from the start.
“Patriarch, Elder Taiyi should come too,” Li Ruochu said, glancing at Li Taiyi.
Li Taiyi’s heart sank, displeased.
He knew the Patriarch was going to negotiate peace, and Li Ruochu was joining due to her ties with Chu Feng.
But his role would be different—he’d be apologizing to the Chu Clan Patriarch for nearly killing him at the Wuma Clan’s ruins.
“Yes, Taiyi, you’re coming,” the Patriarch said, his gaze threatening.
Terrified, Li Taiyi, despite his reluctance, bowed deeply and said, “As you command.”
*Rumble—*
Suddenly, thunder roared from the heavens.
The Li Clan members’ expressions shifted.
For Heavenly Bloodline holders, breakthroughs often triggered lightning tribulations—a common sight in the Li Clan.
But the thunder above was exceptionally fierce, captivating even those accustomed to such phenomena.
