"Brother Chu, your Chu Heavenly Clan has truly received the blessings of the heavens. To have produced three extraordinary talents in succession — what a joyous occasion indeed!" Star Saint Monk clasped his fists and addressed the Clan Master of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
In response to the Star Saint Monk's praise, the Clan Master of the Chu Heavenly Clan returned the gesture with a cupped-fist salute and replied with a smile, "This is indeed a blessing upon our Chu Heavenly Clan."
"Now that is a blessing that breeds envy," the Star Saint Monk remarked.
Having said that, he actually stepped through the air and descended gracefully from the sky onto the battle platform, landing right before Chu Feng.
"Junior greets the Saint Monk," Chu Feng hastily bowed in greeting.
"Young friend Chu Feng, no need for such formalities. Did you know that the one I most wanted to see today was actually you?" the Star Saint Monk said.
"Thank you for your generous regard, Senior," Chu Feng replied.
"It is not mere regard. Your grandfather and your father are truly extraordinary individuals."
"I was most curious to see what kind of person their successor would be."
"And your performance today makes you worthy of being Chu Hanxian's grandson and Chu Xuanyuan's son," the Star Saint Monk declared.
Hearing these words from the Star Saint Monk, many of the younger generation showed envy in their eyes — yet they all understood that among everyone present, only Chu Feng could truly bear such praise.
"Senior flatters me," Chu Feng said.
"Strong in power, yet humble in character — that is a rare quality indeed," the Star Saint Monk commended.
At this, Chu Feng gave an awkward smile. "Senior, when I clashed with the younger generation of the Li Clan earlier, I do not think I was being particularly humble."
"That hardly counts. When two sides are in battle, they should meet each other head-on. Even verbal taunting is a form of psychological warfare — how could one be humble in such a moment? True humility means remaining modest even after victory," the Star Saint Monk explained.
"Thank you for the guidance, Senior," Chu Feng said with a smile as well.
"Young friend Chu Feng, this old man has a gift for you today," the Star Saint Monk announced.
Whoosh —
With a sweep of his great sleeve, the Star Saint Monk forcibly stripped the Fire Qilin Armor — the very gift he had bestowed upon Chu Zhiyuan moments ago — right off the latter's body.
The tremendous force sent Chu Zhiyuan tumbling to the ground, leaving him sprawled in a rather wretched state.
"Young friend, I originally intended this armor for the most outstanding junior in the entire Upper Realm of the Great Thousand."
"You clearly did not meet my requirements. I shall now pass it on to Chu Feng instead. Do you have any objections?"
The Star Saint Monk spoke to Chu Zhiyuan.
By now Chu Zhiyuan could barely look after himself, let alone dare defy the Star Saint Monk's wishes.
Still, having something that was already worn on one's body forcibly ripped away left him with a burning shame on his face.
Today had been nothing short of a nightmare for him.
To say he had fallen from the heavens into hell would be no exaggeration.
Under the weight of such a devastating blow, the corners of Chu Zhiyuan's mouth began to twitch, his body swayed, and then his mouth twisted to one side as he collapsed unconscious on the spot.
He had actually passed out, unable to bear the blows of this day.
"Zhiyuan!"
This sight horrified his grandfather, who rushed over and began diagnosing his condition.
"Rest assured, he has merely fainted. His life is not in danger."
"But my words concern your lives," Chu Feng spoke up suddenly.
At the sound of Chu Feng's words, Chu Zhiyuan's grandfather, Chu Haoyan's grandfather, Chu Ruoshi, and Chu Haoyan himself all trembled, their faces turning deathly pale as they looked toward Chu Feng.
How could they forget that Chu Feng now held the power over their very lives and deaths?
All eyes turned to Chu Feng. Many people held their breath, not daring to so much as exhale loudly.
The external enemies had been driven away. Now it was time to deal with the ones within.
Everyone wanted to know how Chu Feng would punish these despicable, shameless clansmen who had resorted to every filthy scheme to bring him down.
"Clan Master, I have only one request — spare their lives. As for the specific punishment, I leave that to you, Clan Master," Chu Feng said, turning toward the Clan Master of the Chu Heavenly Clan with clasped fists.
"What?"
"Chu Feng is going to let them live?"
His words exceeded everyone's expectations.
Even Chu Ruoshi and the others had not anticipated that Chu Feng would say such a thing.
After all, what they had done to Chu Feng was unforgivable.
Now that he held their lives in his hands, nearly everyone — including the accused themselves — had assumed their deaths were certain, the only variables being how they died and what torments they would endure beforehand.
Yet no one had imagined that Chu Feng would actually spare them.
"Chu Feng, why not kill them?" Even the Queen could not help but question him at this moment.