"Chu Feng, you've finally decided to come out." Kong Ruozeng fixed Chu Feng with a gaze brimming with resentment.
"Kong Ruozeng, you've been itching to spar with me. Today, I'll grant your wish—but I have one condition," Chu Feng said.
"A condition? You're not much to look at, yet you sure have a lot of demands."
"Fine, go ahead. As long as you're willing to spar with me, I'll agree to any condition," Kong Ruozeng said dismissively.
"My brother Wang Qiang and I came here as guests. As guests, we ought to follow the wishes of our hosts and avoid stirring up trouble."
"But you… you were simply relentless."
"Not only did you torment my brother Wang Qiang, you actually tried to kill him. Since you're so fond of entertaining murderous thoughts, then I, Chu Feng, will oblige you with a proper show."
"Today, I, Chu Feng, am willing to battle you, Kong Ruozeng—but I have one condition."
"Unless I die, or you fall, this battle does not end." Chu Feng's eyes burned like torches, and his voice rumbled like thunder.
Those words struck the hearts of the onlookers like a thunderclap, detonating within their minds.
"What? No death, no end to the fight? He's betting his life?!"
"Chu Feng—he's actually betting his life against a junior of the Kong Heavenly Clan?!"
Everyone stood slack-jawed, utterly stunned. It wasn't just the members of the Kong Heavenly Clan who were shocked—even the gathered guests were flabbergasted.
A spar and a life-and-death battle were two entirely different things.
While it was true that Kong Ruozeng had gone too far earlier, and one could understand Chu Feng's fury at seeing his brother humiliated—wanting to stand up for him was perfectly natural.
But this was, after all, the territory of the Kong Heavenly Clan. To kill a prodigy of the Kong Heavenly Clan on their own turf—that was pushing the limits of audacity.
It was as though he didn't consider the Kong Heavenly Clan worth his notice.
"I've long heard that Chu Feng is a man of true character—one who follows his convictions without fear. Seeing him today, it appears the rumors are true."
"At first glance it seems reckless, but that fearless bearing is something ordinary people simply don't possess. And those who carry such spirit are often the ones who go on to achieve great things. This Chu Feng is truly extraordinary."
"Our Hundred Refinements Mortal Realm hasn't produced a figure like this in a very long time."
"It seems coming to the Kong Heavenly Clan this time was the right call after all."
And once their initial shock subsided, the guests began casting looks of genuine admiration toward Chu Feng.
At the same time, a deep sense of anticipation welled up within them. They had come here precisely to witness Chu Feng's prowess, and today… they would finally see his true strength. Their wish was about to be fulfilled.
"Why aren't you speaking? Lost your nerve?" Chu Feng pressed when Kong Ruozeng remained silent for too long.
"Bullshit!!!"
"I am a proud prodigy of the Kong Heavenly Clan—why on earth would I fear you?!"
Though Kong Ruozeng's words were bold, the cold sweat beading on his forehead told a different story.
Right now, he was genuinely afraid.
A simple spar—he truly wasn't afraid of Chu Feng. After all, they shared the same bloodline and the same level of cultivation. They were evenly matched.
Moreover, having taken the forbidden medicine, his combat power would far surpass Chu Feng's. He was quite confident in himself.
But when Chu Feng had opened with a demand to bet their lives, it had instantly knocked the wind out of his sails.
Life—each person had only one. Once it was gone, everything was gone.
And Kong Ruozeng happened to be someone who feared death.
"Ruozeng, sons of the Kong Heavenly Clan know no fear." At that moment, Kong Moyu spoke up.
His meaning was quite clear. Chu Feng was a guest here, and even if they could prove that he was the one who had intruded into the Bereaved Mountains, without sufficient evidence to present to the public, it would be difficult to act against him directly.
But now that Chu Feng had voluntarily proposed a life-or-death battle, they could use Kong Ruozeng's hand to eliminate him outright.
"Rest assured, Grand Elder. I, Kong Ruozeng, will never disgrace the name of our Kong Heavenly Clan." Seeing Kong Moyu speak, Kong Ruozeng's confidence surged once more. He swept his gaze across the surroundings and declared in a loud voice:
"Today, with all you seniors present as witnesses, you can vouch for the battle between myself and Chu Feng."
"I originally intended a simple spar with him, but he insisted on betting our lives. It was his condition—I merely accepted."
"So even if I kill him afterward, it won't be the Kong Heavenly Clan failing in its hospitality. It will be the consequence of his own unreasonable demand."