"After defeating the Palace Master of the Dao Palace, Chu Xuanyuan stepped down from his position as the Head of the Punishment Hall and left the Upper Realm."
"And once he left, he was gone for a full eight hundred years."
"Eight hundred years with no word from him—no one knew where he had gone, nor what he had experienced."
"When he finally returned, he brought back an infant, and that child was Chu Feng."
"Chu Feng was the son of Chu Xuanyuan, the grandson of Chu Hanxian. His appearance sent shockwaves throughout the entire star field."
"Because Chu Feng had inherited the strongest bloodline of our Chu Heavenly Clan."
"Powerful figures from all sides came rushing over, eager to learn what kind of talent Chu Xuanyuan's son might possess."
"And the clan swiftly prepared that talent assessment for Chu Feng."
"That assessment was, without exaggeration, the grandest event the clan had seen in all those years. It was simply too spectacular."
"Everyone was filled with anticipation, and yet…"
"Ahhhhh…"
At this point, Chu Xuanzhengfa let out a heavy sigh, his voice brimming with helplessness.
"As you already know, Chu Feng was found to possess no martial cultivation talent—he was declared a waste incapable of cultivating."
"Everyone was deeply disappointed. Some even openly humiliated Chu Feng."
"But Chu Xuanyuan would never tolerate his son being insulted. He flew into a rage and slaughtered every last person who had mocked Chu Feng."
"However, most of those people were distinguished guests of our Chu Heavenly Clan—some were even from the Star Field's Main Realm. Not even our Chu Heavenly Clan could afford to offend them."
"In order to quell the outrage and offer an explanation to the Main Realm, the clan had no choice but to expel both Chu Xuanyuan and Chu Feng, and to impose severe punishment upon them."
"Truthfully, given the circumstances at the time, the fact that Chu Xuanyuan survived at all was nothing short of a miracle."
"And Chu Xuanyuan himself, facing the clan that wished to punish him, offered no resistance. He simply surrendered without a fight."
"Many believed that Chu Xuanyuan didn't dare resist, knowing he couldn't possibly stand against the entire Chu Heavenly Clan, let alone the guests from all sides."
"But I don't see it that way. I was there at the time. I looked into his eyes, and there wasn't a trace of fear in them," Chu Xuanzhengfa said.
"So he willingly accepted the punishment? But… why? Even if he didn't want to go to war with the clan, he could have fled. Why subject himself to such suffering?" Chu Lingxi asked.
"Who knows? Ever since he was young, he's always been unfathomable like that. I, his father… have never once seen through him." Chu Xuanzhengfa shook his head.
At this, Chu Lingxi fell silent.
"Lingxi, don't tell me you've been rattled?" Chu Xuanzhengfa asked with a smile.
He knew his daughter was a deeply proud girl, and hearing tales of Chu Xuanyuan's exploits was bound to sting.
After all, no matter how brilliant a genius might be, they were nothing compared to Chu Xuanyuan.
"Suddenly, I very much hope that Chu Xuanyuan's son is still alive," Chu Lingxi said.
"Why is that?" Chu Xuanzhengfa asked.
"Because of the age gap, I could never hope to compare myself to Chu Xuanyuan. But if his son is still alive, I could measure myself against him," Chu Lingxi said.
"You may just have that chance," Chu Xuanzhengfa said.
"Father, do you truly believe that Chu Feng is still alive? That he wasn't devoured by the demonic weapon?" Chu Lingxi asked.
"Whether that Chu Feng is still alive, I cannot say for certain. But if he truly is Chu Xuanyuan's son, then I guarantee you—he is most certainly still alive," Chu Xuanzhengfa said.
"Why?" Chu Lingxi asked.
"Simply because he is the son of Chu Xuanyuan, and the grandson of Chu Hanxian," Chu Xuanzhengfa said.
Upon hearing those words, Chu Lingxi was stunned for a brief moment. But soon, a breathtaking smile bloomed across her delicate face.
And within her beautiful eyes, there burned a deep sense of anticipation.
…
While Chu Lingxi and Chu Xuanzhengfa were having their conversation, outside the Punishment Hall, Chu Huai and Chu Yue had been standing guard the entire time.
Chu Yue kept her eyes fixed on the doors of the Punishment Hall, not blinking even once.
From the look of it, they were waiting for someone—and the person they were waiting for was either Chu Xuanzhengfa or Chu Lingxi.
After all, once the two of them had entered, only Chu Xuanzhengfa and Chu Lingxi remained inside the Punishment Hall.
Finally, the doors swung open, and Chu Lingxi stepped out from within.