Seeing the profound sorrow of the Chu Heavenly Clan’s Patriarch, Li Ruochu could empathize.
Chu Feng had entered the Dark Gate for their sake.
Witnessing someone sacrifice themselves to save you was not just moving—it was laden with guilt. If one’s strength had been sufficient, would they have needed others to make such a sacrifice?
Sorrow was fleeting, but guilt could linger for a lifetime.
Thus, even Li Ruochu’s heart ached, let alone the Chu Heavenly Clan’s Patriarch.
But what use was sorrow?
“Senior, as you said, Chu Feng entered that gate for us,” Li Ruochu said.
“And why did we take such risks to come here? Wasn’t it to seize the opportunity to cultivate?”
“Now, we stand in this Divine Hall because of Chu Feng. He traded his life for this chance for us.”
“If you refuse to cultivate, won’t that waste Chu Feng’s intentions? Wouldn’t his sacrifice be in vain?”
“Patriarch, Lady Li speaks wisely. Only when our clan grows strong can we avoid being bullied by others. That’s what Chu Feng would want to see,” added the elders of the Chu Heavenly Clan, their voices a mix of sincerity and persuasion.
Whether genuine or not, they urged their Patriarch to act. After all, if he didn’t cultivate, none of them could either.
And none wanted to squander this rare opportunity.
“Chu Patriarch, a word of advice: time here is limited. If you wish to cultivate, seize the moment,” came a stern voice from the Blood-devouring Demon Clan’s Patriarch.
His words were less persuasion and more a blunt reminder.
After speaking, the Blood-devouring Demon Clan’s Patriarch leapt toward one of the floating stone chairs.
His movement drew every eye in the hall.
They had long noticed the extraordinary nature of the floating chairs but hadn’t dared approach. Now, with someone taking the lead, all were eager to see the outcome.
Under their watchful gazes, the Blood-devouring Demon Clan’s Patriarch neared the stone chair.
*Buzz—*
Suddenly, a blinding light erupted. The once plain stone chair glowed like the sun, radiating dazzling golden light.
But it wasn’t just light—it resembled a barrier, seemingly intent on preventing the Patriarch from reaching the chair.
Yet, as the golden barrier appeared, a golden radiance emanated from the Patriarch’s body.
This golden light was peculiar, faintly patterned and exuding a rich, fruity fragrance.
Sheltered by this golden glow, the Patriarch passed through the chair’s barrier and settled onto it, sitting cross-legged.
In the next moment, visible streams of heaven-and-earth energy emanated from the chair, swirling around him.
Though contained within the barrier, the sight captivated nearly everyone present.
Clearly, the Blood-devouring Demon Clan Patriarch’s actions had revealed the purpose of the floating stone chairs.
They were treasures for cultivation!
*Swish, swish, swish—*
In an instant, the experts in the hall leapt into the air, vying to claim the stone chairs.
*Wails—*
But cries of agony soon followed.
As they approached, the chairs released barriers.
Unlike the Blood-devouring Demon Clan Patriarch, these contenders didn’t emit the golden, fragrant glow.
Not only could they not breach the barriers, but they crashed into them, the barriers’ power proving formidable.
Many were left bloodied, and the weaker ones suffered internal injuries.
“What’s happening?”
The injured were bewildered.
*Bang—*
A muffled explosion rang out as someone’s body shattered, perishing instantly.
They had rushed toward a unique emerald chair, which released a distinct, eerie aura that obliterated their body upon impact.
“Good heavens, these barriers!”
The crowd was forced to acknowledge the barriers’ terror.
“Utterly foolish,” came a mocking voice—Zhang Yanfeng.
“To attempt the Void Seats is one thing, but to dare aim for the Divine Tree Throne?”
His words, dripping with scorn, provoked the already frustrated crowd. Some wanted to retort, others to teach him a lesson.
But a chilling gaze swept down, freezing them in place, their faces paling. None dared speak, let alone act against Zhang Yanfeng.
The gaze came from a stone chair—the Blood-devouring Demon Clan Patriarch.
Though seated, he hadn’t begun cultivating. Instead, he watched the scene below with a cold, piercing stare.
Likely, he feared that once he started cultivating, someone might harm Zhang Yanfeng and his allies.
His vigilance was well-founded.
Without that chilling gaze, the crowd, enraged by their failure to claim the chairs, might have attacked Zhang Yanfeng.
“A bunch of cowards,” Zhang Yanfeng sneered, seeing their earlier hostility dissolve into fear under the Patriarch’s gaze.
He stepped forward, leaping toward a stone chair.
His movement drew many eyes, all curious to see the outcome of his attempt.
To their astonishment, as Zhang Yanfeng neared the chair, his body, like the Blood-devouring Demon Clan Patriarch’s, radiated a golden, fruit-scented glow.
With this glow, he successfully breached the barrier and settled onto the chair.
Soon, the chair enveloped him in dense heaven-and-earth energy, sparking envy among the onlookers.
But what shocked them most was what followed.
After Zhang Yanfeng, Zhang Boyi, Zhang Shirui, and several Blood-devouring Demon Clan experts leapt into the air—and all successfully claimed stone chairs.
