"Qingzhou? I don't know where that Chu Feng is from, but a genius that powerful can't possibly be from Qingzhou, right?"
"Exactly. How could a place like Qingzhou ever produce a genius like Chu Feng?" The several people glanced at Zhuge Liuyun, then all shook their heads.
"Then, was this Chu Feng wearing a blue robe, with fair skin, thick eyebrows and large eyes, a straight nose, and a youthful face?"
"And did he excel at a peculiar martial art, able to control Yuan Force and freely condense it into various golden weapons — using them with incredible skill?"
"Especially when he condensed a golden longbow — his arrows never missed, and not even a Yuan Martial fifth-level expert could block them?" Zhuge Liuyun continued pressing.
"Well... I'm not too clear on his clothing and appearance, but it does seem he really does command some kind of fifth-rank martial art that can condense weapon forms. Oh right, I've also heard he's skilled at some kind of impressive movement technique — lightning crackles beneath his feet, and his speed is absolutely terrifying." One of them answered.
Hearing this, Zhuge Liuyun was elated. He slapped his fist into his palm and declared, "That's definitely him!"
"Hm? Brother, from the way you're talking, it sounds like you know that Chu Feng?" Several of them looked puzzled.
Looking at their curious expressions, Zhuge Liuyun straightened his posture, puffed out his chest, and patted it proudly. "To tell you the truth, that Chu Feng is none other than my own disciple."
"Ha ha ha ha ha!" But Zhuge Liuyun's words were met with thunderous laughter from the group, who doubled over as if they had just heard the greatest joke in the world.
At this, Zhuge Liuyun's expression soured, though he had no way to refute them. Back in the Azure Dragon Sect, he was someone everyone feared, but here, he truly was nothing special.
Setting aside others, the very people he was conversing with right now were all Xuan Wu Realm experts. Here, he couldn't find any sense of superiority at all, because among his peers in this place, there were very few who were weaker than him.
"Look! It's the Spirit World Guild!" But at that very moment, someone suddenly pointed into the distance and cried out in alarm.
Zhuge Liuyun looked, and sure enough, he saw a procession of over a hundred from the Spirit World Guild marching toward them. At that sight, even Zhuge Liuyun's face took on an expression of reverence.
As a Spirit World Master, who wouldn't want to join the Spirit World Guild and become part of this colossal organization? But the Guild's requirements were extremely strict — possessing a certain level of cultivation alone wasn't enough. They demanded talent in the ways of a Spirit World Master, and on top of that, you had to sign a special contract.
This contract was essentially a deed of servitude — it sold not only yourself, but your descendants for generations to come, binding them to serve the Spirit World Guild lifetime after lifetime. The restrictions were immense.
So this contract made many who had the chance to join the Spirit World Guild — yet who valued their freedom — turn away.
What surprised Zhuge Liuyun, however, was that the group from the Spirit World Guild actually stopped right in front of him. The middle-aged man at the front checked a portrait in his hand, then politely addressed Zhuge Liuyun: "Excuse me — are you Mr. Zhuge Liuyun?"
"That's me!" Zhuge Liuyun replied cautiously, his tone very respectful. Toward people from the Spirit World Guild, he wouldn't dare show even the slightest disrespect — even if their cultivation was below his.
"Congratulations, Mr. Zhuge. Your disciple Chu Feng has claimed first place in this White Robe Examination. On the elder's orders, I invite you to visit our Spirit World Guild as an honored guest." After confirming Zhuge Liuyun's identity, the man's attitude became even more courteous.
"You — you — you... you really are...!!!" Before Zhuge Liuyun could even react, the people standing beside him erupted in shock, their faces full of disbelief — for they realized they had truly been blind to the greatness standing right before them.
As for Zhuge Liuyun himself, he was bursting with joy, so excited he didn't know what to do with himself. He never imagined the Spirit World Guild would extend such a grand invitation — it was a tremendous honor.
Of course, what pleased him even more was that the Spirit World Guild had given him an answer: his disciple Chu Feng had truly claimed first place in the White Robe Examination. For him, this was an incredibly proud moment.
Afterward, Zhuge Liuyun entered the Spirit World Guild, where Elder Li personally received both Chu Feng and Elder Zhuge, and even invited Chu Feng and Zhuge Liuyun to become members of the Spirit World Guild.
Most importantly, the identity tokens they received were of a very special kind — more akin to the status of guest elders. They enjoyed complete freedom without restrictions, yet could access all the benefits of the Spirit World Guild, with even more generous provisions.
This delighted both Chu Feng and Zhuge Liuyun, especially Zhuge Liuyun — for him, it was as though an impossible wish had finally come true. At last, he had become a member of the Spirit World Guild.
After joining the Spirit World Guild, Zhuge Liuyun accepted an invitation to stay there for a few days. Chu Feng, however, cited urgent matters and said he needed to return to Qingzhou as soon as possible.
Before parting, Chu Feng presented Zhuge Liuyun with the mature spirit fruits he had cultivated inside the Asura Ghost Pagoda. This made even Elder Li extremely envious, as mature spirit fruits were immensely valuable and greatly beneficial to one's mental power.
As for Zhuge Liuyun, he was deeply moved. He knew he had chosen the right disciple — all those years of waiting had not been in vain, for he had taken on an extraordinary student.
That very day, Chu Feng departed the Spirit World Guild and set off back toward Qingzhou — because when he counted the days, Su Mei's wedding was fast approaching.