“What is your father’s name?”
The terrifying presence’s voice echoed from the void.
“My father?”
“Senior, why do you ask about this?”
Chu Feng’s heart was filled with confusion, faintly tinged with unease.
If it were anyone else asking, Chu Feng wouldn’t feel so nervous.
But this was no ordinary being. What kind of existence was this?
For such a terrifying entity to suddenly inquire about his father, Chu Feng couldn’t shake the feeling that this might not be a good thing.
“This venerable one means no harm. No need to be so secretive, is there?” the terrifying presence said.
“This junior intends no disrespect,” Chu Feng replied.
“But why does Senior suddenly ask about my father? Do you know him, or is there another reason?”
Chu Feng was genuinely afraid of the being in the void. Its power was overwhelming.
Yet, when it came to his father, Chu Feng wanted to understand the reason.
Even if his response might displease the entity, he chose to press for answers.
“You little brat, compared to before, your cultivation has progressed immensely. Your talent is quite remarkable,” the presence said.
“As they say, a tiger father breeds no weak son. This venerable one guesses your father must be no ordinary man. Just curiosity, nothing more. If you don’t wish to say, pretend I never asked.”
To Chu Feng’s surprise, the terrifying presence wasn’t angered. Its tone was surprisingly amicable, even carrying a hint of praise for Chu Feng.
In this situation, Chu Feng thought it over. If he still refused to answer, it would seem too discourteous.
Besides, it was just a name. Countless people in the Upper Realm knew who his father was.
“Senior, my father’s name is Chu Xuanyuan,” Chu Feng said.
“Mm, noted,” the presence replied.
“Go back now. As for those three girls, this venerable one will handle it.”
“Senior, then this junior takes his leave.”
Chu Feng bowed and stepped into the teleportation array.
After he left, the giant eye in the void seemed lost in thought.
“Chu Xuanyuan, huh?”
…
Upon returning to the Gale Hunting Clan, Chu Feng found that the clan leader, having received instructions from the terrifying presence, didn’t let him leave immediately.
Instead, he was arranged to wait in a prestigious palace within the clan.
Unbeknownst to Chu Feng, three people had secretly followed him inside: Xianhai Shaoyu, Xianhai Xin’er, and Xianhai Gusu.
They were in a concealed state, completely unnoticed by Chu Feng.
“Look at Brother Chu Feng’s happy expression. It must have gone well,” Xianhai Shaoyu said with a grin, his mood upbeat despite the earlier ordeal, which seemed to have left no impact on him.
“If it weren’t for the young master stepping in, there might have been only two outcomes,” Gusu said.
“I don’t think that’s certain. The Gale Hunting Clan leader seems like a principled man,” Xianhai Shaoyu replied.
“He noticed Chu Feng and his master sneaking in but didn’t act immediately. He waited until they were inside before making a move, which suggests he might not have killed Chu Feng.”
“Regardless, if the young master hadn’t intervened, he wouldn’t have learned everything so smoothly,” Gusu said.
“But, Young Master, you mustn’t act like this again.”
Suddenly, Gusu’s tone shifted, carrying a hint of pleading, while her face was etched with solemnity.
“Senior Gusu, speak plainly,” Xianhai Shaoyu said, turning to her.
“I know you, Young Master, always do things your own way, with your own judgment,” Gusu said.
“But you and Chu Feng don’t share deep ties. There’s no need to take such risks for him.”
“That ancient being earlier was extremely dangerous. Luckily, it was only testing you. But what if it wasn’t a test? You could have faced mortal danger.”
“Senior Gusu, I did this because I believe Brother Chu Feng is worth it,” Xianhai Shaoyu said with a smile.
“Besides, I came out fine, didn’t I?”
“Young Master, that’s exactly the problem,” Gusu said.
“You are the future heir to the Xianhai Fish Clan’s throne. Your status is too noble to put yourself in danger for an outsider. Neither for yourself nor for the clan should you act this way.”
“If you continue, I’ll have no choice but to report this to the clan leader.”
After speaking, Gusu bowed deeply.
“Senior Gusu, are you threatening me?” Xianhai Shaoyu’s gaze subtly shifted.
“I wouldn’t dare threaten you, Young Master,” Gusu said.
“But it’s my duty to ensure your safety and keep you from dangerous situations. If I witness you making risky decisions and do nothing, I’d be failing in my duty. If anything happened to you, I’d have committed an unforgivable sin.”
Gusu knelt as she finished speaking.
“Alright, alright, it’s not that serious,” Xianhai Shaoyu said, quickly helping her up.
“Senior Gusu, get up. I’ll listen to you from now on.”
During this exchange, Xianhai Xin’er remained silent.
In the past, she would have sided with Gusu without hesitation, urging Shaoyu to reconsider.
But after spending time with Chu Feng, she also felt he was a good person and wanted to help him more.
Neither Xianhai Shaoyu nor Xin’er noticed that as they thought the tension had passed, Gusu’s gaze toward Chu Feng had subtly changed.
Xianhai Gusu was assigned by the Xianhai Fish Clan leader to protect Shaoyu.
Her duty was to ensure his safety at all costs, even if it meant being ruthless.
Right or wrong, she would eliminate anyone she deemed an obstacle to Shaoyu’s safety.
Previously, she hadn’t seen Chu Feng as a threat and even had a good impression of him.
But after witnessing the killing intent of that terrifying presence today, her view of Chu Feng had shifted.
*Creak*—
At that moment, the tightly shut palace doors opened.
Three graceful figures stepped inside: Yan Ruyu, Murong Wan, and Ya Fei.
Seeing them, Chu Feng quickly stood up.
Especially when he saw their expressions, his heart stirred with a mix of excitement and guilt.
Though Yan Ruyu and the others still bore the Gale Hunting Clan’s appearance, not their true faces, Chu Feng knew from their gazes alone that the real them had returned.
