"Sikong Zhaixing, I know where your confidence comes from — it's all because of that Chu Feng, isn't it? Yes, I know. Chu Feng has gotten very arrogant these days. Not only did he make it onto the Green Wood Ranking, he even defeated Bai Yunxiao and the others, and he's earned the favor of Lord White Ape Half-Emperor. His fame has soared incredibly."
"But let me tell you something — that's all in the past now. Fortune favors no one forever, and disasters can strike without warning. Chu Feng's good days are over. He won't be alive much longer. And the rise of your Southern Green Wood Forest? It ends here." The Stargazer Observatory's leader spoke with vicious satisfaction.
"What did you say? Chu Feng won't be alive? What happened to him? What's going on?" Hearing these words, Sikong Zhaixing's face went pale with shock, his expression drained of all color.
"Heh, you want to know? Fine, I'll tell you. I've received word that Chu Feng returned to Green Wood Mountain some days ago and has become a registered disciple of the Spirit World Alliance. He's preparing to participate in the Nine Factions Hunt."
"But what Chu Feng doesn't know is that when he defeated Bai Yunxiao and the others and made a name for himself, he also offended someone he can't afford to offend."
"If he'd been smart enough to stay away, nothing would have happened to him. But now that he's come back, disaster is inevitable."
"At the Nine Factions Hunt, he'll be eliminated. And if you count the days, the hunt should already be over. So I'd say Chu Feng isn't about to die — he's already dead." The Stargazer Observatory's leader spoke with undisguised glee.
The Nine Factions Hunt had ended only recently, and news of Chu Feng's first-place victory hadn't spread far yet. The Stargazer Observatory was located some distance from Green Wood Mountain, so the correct information hadn't reached them.
And the Stargazer Observatory's leader had heard some baseless rumor that Chu Feng was doomed to die, and had taken it as gospel truth — which was precisely why he'd come to cause trouble for the Southern Green Wood Forest.
"Impossible. That's impossible." Hearing this, Sikong Zhaixing's expression turned grim. What he feared wasn't that the Southern Green Wood Forest would lose its backer — it was the possibility that something had truly happened to Chu Feng.
"You don't believe me? That's fine. I've already sent people to investigate the results of the Nine Factions Hunt, and specifically to confirm whether Chu Feng is alive or dead. The news should reach us very soon. When that happens, with everything laid out before you, let's see if you still refuse to believe it."
"Hmph, Chu Feng — I told you, your arrogance would catch up with you. You killed my disciple Yuan Qing, destroyed the reputation of the Stargazer Observatory, and sent our standing plummeting from what it once was."
"But I'll tell you this: retribution isn't denied — it's only delayed. You can't be arrogant now, can you? You're going to be killed by someone, ha ha ha! I tell you, you deserve it!" The Stargazer Observatory's leader burst into laughter, his voice dripping with malice. The depth of his hatred for Chu Feng was plain for all to see.
BOOM—
But just at that moment, a deafening crash rang out as the tightly shut palace doors were kicked open with a single blow.
"Who goes there?!" The sudden noise put every Stargazer Observatory elder on high alert, and they all turned to look toward the entrance.
"No need to investigate — I, Chu Feng, am not dead yet." At the same time, a figure strode through the shattered doorway. It was none other than Chu Feng himself.
"Chu Feng?!!!" Every person present was stunned. They had all seen Chu Feng before and recognized him on sight. And it was precisely because they recognized him that the shock was so overwhelming. According to what they'd heard, wasn't Chu Feng supposed to be dead? How could he be alive — and how had he shown up here of all places?
"I'm terribly sorry to disappoint you, but I, Chu Feng, am very much alive." Chu Feng walked in with a cold smile.
"You… you… you…" The other Stargazer Observatory elders were so nervous they couldn't even speak. Even the Stargazer Observatory's leader had become visibly tense.
Why had they had the nerve to come and cause trouble at the Southern Green Wood Forest? Because they were absolutely convinced that Chu Feng was dead.
But now not only was Chu Feng alive and well — he had appeared right here in front of them. It was as if they were looking at a walking corpse, and they were thoroughly terrified.
"You've got quite a bit of nerve. Breaking your word is one thing, but coming here to the Southern Green Wood Forest to rob us? If I were to report this to Sect Leader Dugu, what do you suppose… he would do about it?" Chu Feng's voice was ice-cold.