Unfortunately, Chu Feng had not yet fully fused with this secret skill.
He could sense its immense power but didn’t know its specific effects or how strong it truly was.
He couldn’t even use its power yet.
To fully integrate with it, the secret skill—*Demon Venerable’s Advent*—needed to willingly submit to Chu Feng, sealing its own consciousness and wholeheartedly lending its power to him.
“Trash! Even if you seal me in your pathetic body, you’ll never be worthy of my power! Release me now, or I’ll devour your soul!”
A piercing roar echoed within Chu Feng—the voice of the secret skill, defiant and unyielding.
As expected, it had no intention of cooperating with Chu Feng. It despised him, its arrogance clear in its tone.
“Let me ask you something. Are you unwilling to lend me your power?” Chu Feng asked.
“You, a worthless thing, dare dream of wielding my power? Ask yourself, are you worthy?” the secret skill retorted.
“Very well,” Chu Feng said with a faint smile.
Without further argument, he focused his mind, and a surge of power swept toward the secret skill.
“You bastard! What are you doing to me?”
The secret skill’s voice suddenly tinged with panic.
“You dare seal my mouth? I’ll kill you! I’ll tear you to pieces—ugh…”
Soon, its incessant chatter vanished from Chu Feng’s ears.
While Chu Feng’s ability to harness its power depended on its willingness to fully merge with him—and it clearly wasn’t willing—he had the means to silence it.
This was thanks to the Blood-Devouring Demon Venerable. The secret skill was extraordinary, its power formidable.
Without the Demon Venerable’s help, Chu Feng could never have integrated it into his body on his own.
But once it was within him, Chu Feng gained a degree of control. Even if he couldn’t access its power, he could suppress it.
At the very least, he could keep it from causing chaos inside him.
“Well? Isn’t this thing something else?” the Demon Venerable asked, watching Chu Feng. He knew that once the secret skill was infused, Chu Feng would feel its might.
“It’s truly a remarkable secret skill. Thank you, Senior,” Chu Feng said, clasping his fists in gratitude.
“Ever since I created it, I’ve been searching for a worthy master for it,” the Demon Venerable said.
“But this one isn’t easily tamed. For all these years, I couldn’t find the right person. But I believe you, kid, have what it takes to subdue it.”
“Still, I must warn you—it won’t be easy. You’ll need to put in a lot of effort.”
“I may lack talent, but I’m confident I’ll tame it eventually,” Chu Feng replied.
“Good. That’s the spirit a young man should have,” the Demon Venerable said approvingly.
“Little friend Chu Feng, this place was specially crafted for my cultivation and survival. It has unique properties.”
“Staying here too long isn’t good for you, so go say your farewells to Wang Qiang and the others.”
As he spoke, he opened a formation gate.
“Senior, when will you fuse with Wang Qiang?” Chu Feng asked.
In truth, Chu Feng was still uneasy.
Though he and the Demon Venerable were now on good terms, and he’d been gifted such a powerful secret skill, the earlier incident—where the Demon Venerable nearly killed him—cast a long shadow.
Even if the Demon Venerable claimed it was a test, Chu Feng couldn’t fully shake his doubts. The killing intent and malice had felt too real.
His concern for Wang Qiang deepened. He wanted to witness the fusion himself to be at ease.
“The Void Divine Tree’s power still needs refining, and my fusion with Wang Qiang will take some time,” the Demon Venerable said.
“Even after the fusion, it’ll take time to adjust. You don’t need to worry—everything is prepared, and the fusion will go smoothly.”
“Senior, I have one more question,” Chu Feng said.
“You’re clearly powerful enough without a vessel. Why insist on using one?”
“A vessel has its own consciousness. You’d have to guide it, losing your freedom. For a powerhouse like you, isn’t that a poor trade?”
“I’ve already explained to Wang Qiang why I need to fuse with him. He must’ve told you,” the Demon Venerable said, his tone shifting. “It seems you don’t fully trust me, little friend Chu Feng.”
“I wouldn’t dare. I’m just still unclear on some things,” Chu Feng said, unwilling to admit his suspicions.
“No matter. Since you want to know, I’ll tell you,” the Demon Venerable said.
“I’m not human, so my body’s nature requires a vessel.”
“Though I currently possess some power, I can’t maintain this state indefinitely. I’ve waited long enough—I’m at my limit.”
“And that’s only in this place I crafted. If I leave, I’ll lose all my power and die completely.”
“So, I need a vessel to survive and enter the true martial world.”
“You could say I have no choice.”
“But when the time is right, I can gain true freedom. Then, I won’t need a vessel anymore—we’ll part ways, each to our own path.”
“That requires many conditions, too complex to explain briefly.”
“The most frustrating part is that after fusing with Wang Qiang, though my power remains, I can’t use it. The path forward depends entirely on him.”
“If I don’t guide him to grow stronger, I’ll never break free. Only when he’s powerful enough can I separate and gain my own body.”
“As for Wang Qiang’s safety, you truly don’t need to worry. I won’t harm him—not just because I need him, but because I genuinely like him.”
“Thank you for clarifying, Senior,” Chu Feng said.
After a brief chat, Chu Feng stepped through the formation gate.
Upon seeing Wang Qiang again, Chu Feng didn’t mention the Demon Venerable’s near-fatal test.
Nor did he warn him.
It wasn’t that he fully trusted the Demon Venerable’s words. Rather, Chu Feng knew how powerful the Demon Venerable was.
If the Demon Venerable intended harm, neither he nor Wang Qiang could resist. They’d be at his mercy.
So, Chu Feng chose to trust Wang Qiang.
He believed Wang Qiang could handle the Demon Venerable.
At that moment, the formation gate to leave was open.
Wang Qiang, Zhang Yanfeng, Zhang Boyi, Zhang Shirui, the Demon Venerable, and his followers stood by the gate, seeing Chu Feng off.
Chu Feng glanced at his body. Faint blood marks had begun to appear on his skin.
Along with them came a subtle pain, and the condition was worsening.
This was rejection. This world, crafted by the Demon Venerable for his own existence, was indeed unsuitable for Chu Feng to linger in.
It was time for him to leave.
