“If I could, I’d stay with you longer,” Chu Feng said, looking at Wang Qiang.
“Brother, there’s… there’s… plenty of time ahead,” Wang Qiang replied. “Cultivate hard, and we brothers will… will… meet at the pinnacle of martial arts.”
“The pinnacle will have us both, but no need to just meet—it’d take too long. Let’s walk side by side,” Chu Feng said.
“Deal.” Wang Qiang grinned.
“Take care.” Chu Feng clasped his fists to everyone, then turned and stepped into the formation gate.
Wang Qiang and the others watched him go. As Chu Feng vanished, a wave of reluctance filled the air. But in their longing for him, no one noticed the strange glint that flickered in the Blood-Devouring Demon Venerable’s eyes.
—
After entering the formation gate, Chu Feng didn’t immediately return to the Great Thousand Upper Realm. Instead, he found himself in a formation tunnel.
Within the tunnel, his thoughts drifted to the Demon Venerable.
This ancient monster, surviving from the Ancient Era, still unsettled him.
At the same time, Chu Feng couldn’t stop pondering the Demon Venerable’s words.
“Who sealed the Evil God Sword? Who helped me?”
“And what’s this formation in my body he mentioned?”
To find answers, Chu Feng had to carefully recall his experiences.
“Could it be Father?” A possibility struck him.
Back in the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm, when Chu Feng used the Evil God Sword and nearly had his soul devoured, he awoke to find himself healed—and the sword silent ever since.
If the sword had been sealed, that period of unconsciousness was the likeliest time.
Though he was out cold, Chu Feng vaguely recalled seeing his father.
He’d thought it was a dream, the image too surreal, like a fleeting illusion.
But now, he wondered if it was real.
After all, someone willing and capable of sealing the Evil God Sword? His father fit perfectly.
“You said you’d let me train on my own, but you’re still helping me in secret?”
Though he couldn’t be certain, a warm smile crept onto Chu Feng’s face.
Deep down, he’d already accepted that his father was the one who sealed the sword.
As for the formation the Demon Venerable mentioned, Chu Feng was still in the dark.
He’d asked further, but the Demon Venerable only said, “If they don’t want you to know, I won’t say.”
So, Chu Feng could only guess that the formation was likely tied to his father as well, though its nature remained a mystery.
—
No matter how long the formation tunnel, it eventually ended.
Upon returning to the Great Thousand Upper Realm, Chu Feng found not only the Chu Heavenly Clan’s Clan Chief and Chu Xuanzhengfa waiting, but also Li Ruochu, Kong Tianhui, Xia Yun’er, and many others.
Seeing Chu Feng return, their worried faces lit up with joy.
Inevitably, they asked where he’d been.
Chu Feng said he’d been trapped in a formation tunnel and emerged here upon escaping.
He didn’t tell the truth—for their sake and to avoid unnecessary trouble.
If he revealed he’d entered a separate space with the Blood-Devouring Demon Clan, met the Demon Venerable, and aided him, people would bombard him with questions. Worse, some might target him or the Chu Heavenly Clan, stirring up serious trouble.
From the others, Chu Feng learned of the Void Divine Tree’s disappearance.
He wasn’t surprised. He knew the towering tree was a facade—the true Void Divine Tree was the little girl.
And she was now within him.
After a brief chat, Chu Feng didn’t return to the Chu Heavenly Clan. He’d promised Kong Tianhui to visit the Divine Body Royal City.
The Clan Chief wanted to come along, but Kong Tianhui firmly objected, joking about wanting a “two-person world” with Chu Feng.
In truth, everyone understood.
The Divine Body Royal City wasn’t a place just anyone could visit.
Though the Clan Chief, bolstered by Chu Feng’s cultivation treasure, was now at the peak of the Venerable Realm, that strength might impress other forces but not necessarily the Divine Body Royal City, where peak Venerables were plentiful.
Moreover, the Divine Body Royal City was reclusive, rarely interacting with others except the Ancestral Martial Dragon City and the Monstrous Clan’s Holy City. For years, they’d given face to no one.
Even if Kong Tianhui welcomed the Clan Chief, the city might not.
Chu Feng was different. As Chu Xuanyuan’s son and a genius who fought Linghu Hongfei to a draw, his reputation earned the city’s respect.
Otherwise, Kong Tianhui wouldn’t have challenged him.
Thus, Chu Feng and Kong Tianhui set off together.
But after leaving the Great Thousand Upper Realm, their destination wasn’t the Divine Body Royal City’s realm.
It was… the Nine Dragons Upper Realm.
The domain ruled by the Tantai Heavenly Clan.
“Brother Chu Feng, are you really going to the Tantai Heavenly Clan?” Kong Tianhui asked.
“You killed their clansmen in the Void Divine Tree.”
“Now you’re walking right into their territory. Isn’t that asking for trouble?”
“I’m from the Divine Body Royal City, but if you do this, even I can’t protect you.”
“You think it’s dangerous too, don’t you?” Chu Feng asked.
“Duh! It’s not just me—anyone can see that!” Kong Tianhui exclaimed.
“Wanna bet?” Chu Feng asked.
“Bet on what?” Kong Tianhui replied.
“Whether the Tantai Heavenly Clan will make things difficult for me.” With that, Chu Feng leaped into the air, flying toward the clan’s territory.
“What’s the stake?” Kong Tianhui called, chasing after him.
“We’ll figure that out later,” Chu Feng said with a smile.
Chu Feng’s reason for visiting was his concern for Bai Liluo. He needed to check on her.
Upon arriving, not only did the Tantai Heavenly Clan refrain from troubling him, they welcomed him warmly, leaving Kong Tianhui baffled.
At first, Kong Tianhui suspected they were feigning hospitality, planning to deal with Chu Feng once inside.
But he was wrong. From start to finish, the clan treated Chu Feng with genuine warmth, showing no intent to harm him.
The Clan Chief even personally received Chu Feng, apologizing for their clansmen’s actions in the Void Divine Tree.
Naturally, Chu Feng met the Black-Haired Specter.
He tried communicating with Bai Liluo again. Though obstacles still hindered smooth exchange, they managed to connect.
From this, Chu Feng learned good news: Bai Liluo was attempting to fuse with the Black-Haired Specter. If successful, she wouldn’t just regain her freedom—she might gain its power.
Relieved, Chu Feng’s worries eased.
He knew Bai Liluo’s strength. Fusing with the Specter might be difficult for others, but she had a strong chance, given her unique and immeasurable power.
The Tantai Heavenly Clan wanted Chu Feng to stay longer.
Even setting him aside, Kong Tianhui was a distinguished guest.
But Chu Feng’s goal was to check on Bai Liluo. Seeing she was fine, he had no reason to linger.
So, the two soon set off again…
This time, Chu Feng was truly heading with Kong Tianhui to the Divine Body Royal City, to meet the geniuses of the Divine Body Royal City, the Monstrous Clan’s Holy City, and the Ancestral Martial Dragon City.
