Chu Feng's sword pierced deeply into Wang Haoxuan's body, though not fatally.
Yet even so, the sight was enough to send chills down the spines of every spectator. Those with sharp eyes could tell that Chu Feng's blade had stopped mere millimeters from Wang Haoxuan's Dantian — a hair's breadth more and it would have pierced the man's Dantian, permanently destroying his cultivation.
"You and I had no quarrel, yet you provoked me without cause."
"There's a drug inside your body — a drug that boosts your strength."
"Speak. Who put you up to this? Who prepared you and sent you after me?"
Chu Feng sent those words via secret transmission. He knew Wang Haoxuan wouldn't attack him without reason, and he also knew the man would never dare state the truth openly. By pressing him quietly, it would be far easier to get Wang Haoxuan to reveal the mastermind.
"Nobody put me up to anything. I just couldn't stand how arrogant you are — I wanted to teach you a lesson," Wang Haoxuan replied through secret transmission.
"Good. Spine. But you should know that I could destroy your cultivation in the next instant." Chu Feng smiled coldly and made to shift the Demon-Sealing Sword in his hand.
"Don't! Chu Feng, stop!" Feeling the sword begin to move, Wang Haoxuan panicked and blurted out: "It… it was the Punishment Hall."
The moment those words left his mouth, he clamped his lips shut, his face twisted with regret and lingering terror — as though he had committed an unforgivable sin and invited catastrophe upon himself.
Chu Feng asked nothing more. In truth, he had anticipated this — had already guessed it was the Punishment Hall. But as the saying goes, every wrong has its author. He needed to confirm his suspicion was correct so that he could exact his revenge later.
With that confirmed, he asked no further questions and raised no fuss. Now was not the time. It was not yet the time to confront the Punishment Hall.
He pulled the Demon-Sealing Sword free, gave Bai Ruochen a faint smile, and prepared to leave.
"Wang Haoxuan — a mere waste like you dared challenge me?" But just then, a figure strode through the air toward them.
It was a male disciple. Ordinary in appearance, yet his aura was anything but — one glance was enough to tell he was no ordinary man.
Chu Feng's eyes narrowed. The newcomer had made no effort to conceal his cultivation — like Wang Haoxuan and Long Chenyi, he was a sixth-rank Martial King. But the feeling he gave Chu Feng was one of considerable strength, even a faint hint of pressure.
"Wang Jingzhi?" At the sight of him, every disciple present lit up, their faces filling with varying degrees of reverence — a reverence no less than what they showed Chu Feng, perhaps even greater.
For this man was not only hailed as a monster-class genius on par with Chu Feng, but currently held the ninth position on the Green Wood Inheritance Ranking.
"Wang Jingzhi, today's duel is postponed. I'll fight you another day." Upon seeing Wang Jingzhi, Wang Haoxuan managed those words in a feeble voice.
"Heh. Fight me? You're no longer worthy." Wang Jingzhi cast a dismissive glance at Wang Haoxuan, his eyes full of contempt. Then he addressed the crowd:
"I came here today at Wang Haoxuan's invitation. He wanted to challenge me — said he would reclaim the ninth spot on the Green Wood Inheritance Ranking."
"But he's gravely wounded, so naturally I won't press a man when he's down. That said, I know that beyond Wang Haoxuan, there are plenty of others who have their eyes on my ninth place."
"So I'll simply crush their ambitions today." With that, Wang Jingzhi suddenly turned his piercing gaze toward Long Chenyi and said: "Long Chenyi. Make your move."