“Something’s off.”
The crowd quickly noticed something unusual.
They were stunned to see a dazzling white radiance emanating from Gu Mingyuan.
Bathed in that light, she appeared exceptionally divine.
Most importantly, her aura had changed.
No longer a First Rank Supreme, she was now a Second Rank Supreme.
“Heavens, Gu Mingyuan’s cultivation has risen!”
“Is that the power of her ancient clan bloodline?”
“The ancient clan bloodline is that strong?”
In an instant, the crowd erupted.
As martial cultivators of the Ancestral Martial Starfield, they knew one thing well.
Whether it was Heavenly Bloodlines, Divine Bodies, or other bloodlines, no matter how many techniques one unlocked before the Supreme realm, those powers would be sealed upon reaching it.
In other words, regardless of the gaps between cultivators before the Supreme realm, once they stepped into it, they started on equal footing.
All their powers were sealed upon entering the Supreme realm. To regain the ability to boost cultivation, they had to unlock those sealed powers anew.
But that was easier said than done.
Until now, no Supreme realm cultivator in the Ancestral Martial Starfield had ever managed to unseal their powers.
Yet now, someone had—Gu Mingyuan.
“Incredible! She unsealed her powers in the Supreme realm!”
“Truly one of the two most dazzling geniuses of the Ancestral Martial Starfield’s past.”
“Gu Mingyuan lives up to her name!”
Witnessing her feat, many were dumbfounded.
She had accomplished something unprecedented in the starfield.
Her talent shone so brightly that even Linghu Hongfei paled in comparison.
“Gu Mingyuan, you’re not to be underestimated.”
“To cultivate your ancient clan bloodline to such a level.”
As the crowd marveled at her strength, a voice rang out from the sky.
Looking toward it, they saw a figure standing on the deck of the Linghu Heavenly Clan’s main warship.
The crowd instantly grew respectful.
They couldn’t fail to recognize him.
This was Linghu Zhishi, not only the Linghu Heavenly Clan’s leader but now the strongest in the Ancestral Martial Starfield.
Though Gu Mingyuan had used her bloodline to reach Second Rank Supreme, everyone knew Linghu Zhishi was already a Second Rank Supreme.
“Linghu Zhishi, you’ve failed to teach your juniors properly. Today, I, Gu Mingyuan, will discipline them for you,” she declared.
“Is that so?” Linghu Zhishi responded with a faint smile.
*Buzz—*
Suddenly, his gaze shifted, and a vast pressure blanketed the heavens.
It was his Second Rank Supreme pressure, clearly stronger than Gu Mingyuan’s.
“Damn it.”
The crowd could see Gu Mingyuan struggling and roaring in the void.
But no matter how she fought, it was futile, as if she were trapped in midair.
“Useless. Even if you’ve used your bloodline to reach Second Rank Supreme, it doesn’t mean you truly wield its power.”
“Gu Mingyuan, as an elder, stay out of the juniors’ affairs.”
“Be a good spectator, like me.”
The faint curve of Linghu Zhishi’s lips turned into a scornful sneer.
Hearing this, the crowd understood why Gu Mingyuan was struggling.
She was trapped!
And who else could trap her but the Linghu Heavenly Clan’s leader, Linghu Zhishi?
Looking at Linghu Zhishi standing atop the warship, commanding and composed, the crowd’s hearts trembled. Many broke out in cold sweat.
Once, the Ancestral Martial Starfield’s strongest was Wuming Doutian, leader of the Wuming Clan.
But now, the Wuming Clan was defeated, Wuming Doutian’s fate unknown.
Linghu Zhishi was the one who defeated him.
Seeing his commanding presence, everyone knew he was the starfield’s supreme powerhouse. Even Gu Mingyuan, with her extraordinary talent, was destined to fall short against him.
Looking back at Chu Lingxi and Linghu Hongfei, the crowd felt a different sentiment.
Chu Lingxi challenged Linghu Hongfei, only to be restrained, now in grave danger.
Gu Mingyuan challenged the Linghu Heavenly Clan, only to be trapped, also in peril.
Mother and daughter, both rare geniuses—an undeniable fact.
But sadly, they’d chosen the wrong opponent…
“Chu Lingxi, your mother seems even less polite than you.”
“How about this? I won’t make you kneel and apologize. Convince your mother to kneel and apologize, and I’ll spare you.”
Linghu Hongfei taunted Chu Lingxi.
Such mockery. Chu Lingxi wouldn’t even kneel herself—how could she urge her mother to?
It was an insult to her dignity.
*Spit—*
Suddenly, Chu Lingxi spat at Linghu Hongfei.
Furious but helpless, spitting was her only means of retaliation.
Unfortunately, Linghu Hongfei dodged it with a slight tilt.
But when he turned back, his eyes gleamed with cold malice.
“Since you’re so ungrateful, I’ll make you pay.”
*Swoosh—*
He thrust two fingers toward Chu Lingxi’s eyes.
He was really going to gouge them out!
Most despairing was that neither Gu Mingyuan, the Chu Heavenly Clan, nor Chu Lingxi herself could act.
Her body was locked by Linghu Hongfei’s pressure, immobile, like a target watching his fingers approach her eyes.
Many closed their eyes or turned away, unable to bear watching a young woman like Chu Lingxi suffer such cruelty.
Unable to change the outcome, they chose to avoid it…
*Snap—*
But after they turned away, the expected scream didn’t come.
Curious, those who’d looked away turned back to Linghu Hongfei and Chu Lingxi.
“What’s that?”
The sight stunned everyone, including the Linghu Heavenly Clan’s members!
Even Linghu Zhishi’s gaze flickered.
Before Linghu Hongfei stood a figure.
This person had blocked his attack, saving Chu Lingxi’s life.
And nearly everyone present recognized him!
“Linghu Hongfei, from now on, I, Chu Feng, am your opponent.”
Chu Feng declared.
