“Clan Leader Chu, the Blood-devouring Demon Clan has risen from the dead, and their Clan Leader has even reached the Martial Supreme realm. This is no small matter. I must return to my clan immediately to report this and prepare accordingly. I’ll take my leave now.”
“Clan Leader Chu, during this journey to the Void Divine Tree, we all gained immensely, and these gains were all thanks to young friend Chu Feng. We will remember everything he has done.”
Representatives from various factions approached the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader to bid farewell.
Having gone through so much in the Void Divine Tree, and with Chu Feng’s fate currently unknown, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader had no mood to entertain them further. Their departure suited him just fine.
“Brother Chu, I’m truly sorry. My failure to discipline my clan led to their grave mistakes. On behalf of my clan, I apologize to you.”
Tantai Yinjian, accompanied by the Tantai Heavenly Clan members, approached the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader and offered a deep bow.
“Let’s not dwell on the past. After all, those who erred have paid the price,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Exactly. The past isn’t important—what matters is the future.”
“I sincerely hope that past unpleasantness won’t affect the future relationship between our clans,” Tantai Yinjian said with genuine sincerity.
Hearing this, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader was momentarily taken aback.
Even a fool could tell that Tantai Yinjian was seeking reconciliation.
But this was Tantai Yinjian, representing the Tantai Heavenly Clan.
Weren’t such a faction and such a figure known for their domineering ways?
Why, today, had he set aside his lofty airs? Despite the unpleasantness that had occurred, he was being so amicable, even taking the initiative to express a desire for continued friendly relations.
Chu Feng. It had to be Chu Feng.
After a brief moment of surprise, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader realized the reason.
It was because of Chu Feng that the Tantai Heavenly Clan and other factions had come from afar in the first place.
And within the Void Divine Tree, it was because of Chu Feng that everyone had returned safely.
Chu Feng’s talent was evident to all…
But this time, what they saw wasn’t just his talent—it was also his character.
No wonder, despite the unpleasant incidents, everyone was still treating the Chu Heavenly Clan with such friendliness.
After brief farewells, the various factions departed.
Only the people from the Great Chiliocosm Upper Realm lingered, gazing at the spot where the Void Divine Tree had stood, their hearts filled with mixed emotions.
For others, it was merely the loss of a cultivation sanctuary.
But for the martial cultivators of the Great Chiliocosm Upper Realm, what had vanished was a miracle that belonged to their realm.
When the Void Divine Tree was still present, people didn’t think much of it.
But now that it was gone, they realized how precious it had been.
From now on, there would be no such cultivation sanctuary.
And for future generations, it was even more tragic—they wouldn’t even have the chance to see the Void Divine Tree. For them, it would become a legend passed down by their elders…
“Clan Leader, do you think… Chu Feng might have been taken by the Blood-devouring Demon Clan?” Chu Xuanzhengfa approached the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader, his face full of anxiety. His concern for Chu Feng was no less than the Clan Leader’s.
“I actually hope Chu Feng was taken by the Blood-devouring Demon Clan Leader. After all, it seems he’s not entirely bad,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“I feel the same.”
“This encounter has changed my impression of the Blood-devouring Demon Clan.”
“Clan Leader, you’ve dealt with the Blood-devouring Demon Clan back in the day. Did they really commit all those atrocities?” Chu Xuanzhengfa asked.
“Back then, though the Blood-devouring Demon Clan was called a demonic clan, they never oppressed others. Compared to those factions that proclaimed themselves righteous, the Blood-devouring Demon Clan actually did more just deeds.”
“The rumor that they refined others to boost their cultivation only surfaced after the great war began.”
“So, it’s not impossible that the Blood-devouring Demon Clan was wronged back then,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said via secret transmission.
After all, the Starfield Master Realm still dominated this starfield.
If he openly suggested that the Blood-devouring Demon Clan might have been framed, it would be tantamount to opposing the Starfield Master Realm.
“Sigh… If that’s true, then a war between the Blood-devouring Demon Clan and the Starfield Master Realm is inevitable. And now… the Linghu Heavenly Clan is also stirring.”
“The current situation is anything but peaceful,” Chu Xuanzhengfa said with a sigh.
A war between the Starfield Master Realm and the Linghu Heavenly Clan was unavoidable.
Once it began, many factions would surely join, and the conflict would engulf the entire Ancestral Martial Starfield.
The Great Chiliocosm Upper Realm would hardly remain a safe haven.
Chu Xuanzhengfa was worried—worried that the Chu Heavenly Clan would be dragged into a war that had nothing to do with them, leading to unnecessary losses.
“If it’s a blessing, it’s not a curse. If it’s a curse, it can’t be avoided,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Clan Leader, what do we do now?” Chu Xuanzhengfa asked.
“You all go back first. I’ll stay here and wait. Perhaps… I’ll find some trace of Chu Feng,” the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader said.
“Clan Leader, I’d like to stay and wait too. Let me keep you company,” Chu Xuanzhengfa said.
The Chu Heavenly Clan Leader glanced at Chu Xuanzhengfa. By rights, as a member of the Punishment Hall, Chu Xuanzhengfa had heavy responsibilities and shouldn’t linger here.
But seeing the worry etched on Chu Xuanzhengfa’s face, the Chu Heavenly Clan Leader nodded, indicating he could stay.
…
Chu Feng, of course, hadn’t vanished.
Nor had he been abducted by the Blood-devouring Demon Clan.
When everyone else was forcibly expelled from the Divine Hall by the Void Divine Tree’s power, they had left the Divine Hall.
Now, Chu Feng and all the Blood-devouring Demon Clan members were in the same place.
It was an unknown location.
Desolate—not just desolate, but eerily so…
The ground was pitch black, as if dyed with ink, and the sky was overcast. Most notably, the surrounding mountains and trees were barren.
This desolate scene stretched endlessly, with no horizon in sight, as if the entire world were like this.
Being in such a place felt oppressive.
But at this moment, Chu Feng’s concern wasn’t the place he was in.
He was pondering a question.
Before, whether in the darkness, the Divine Hall, or the jungle, Chu Feng could always sense the aura of the Void Divine Tree…
But just moments ago, he felt that aura vanish.
This sensation made Chu Feng feel uneasy.
So much so that he wasn’t even sure whether this desolate place he now stood in was still within the Void Divine Tree.
