Chu Feng's name echoed across the heavens, reverberating in every direction.
The sound was endless, as though it would ring on until the end of time itself.
Suddenly, the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan raised his hand.
The moment he did so, the crowd—who had been shouting at the peak of their fervor—immediately fell silent.
In the blink of an eye, everyone present closed their mouths, yet the words "Chu Feng" still lingered in the air before gradually fading away.
Only once the sound had completely died down did the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan step through the air and come to a stop before Chu Feng.
He placed his hand upon Chu Feng's forehead.
In that instant, Chu Feng's forehead felt no particular sensation, but he could feel his soul being struck by an enormous wave of impact and influence. Yet this wave was warm.
Chu Feng could sense something being drawn away from his soul—something that had never truly belonged to him in the first place.
It was the mark. The character "Waste" branded into his soul.
The mark that the Chu Heavenly Clan had once branded upon him with their own hands was now being wiped away by this very Clan Leader.
"Senior?" Chu Feng's heart was a tangled mess of emotions.
He wanted to express his gratitude, but the words would not come out—just as his father had once said.
This mark of "Waste" had been branded into his soul. Even if the mark could be removed, the shame that he and his father had endured could never be erased.
The Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan gazed at the complex emotions swirling in Chu Feng's eyes. He seemed to understand, but he said nothing. Instead, he offered a faint smile.
Then he turned his gaze upon the crowd.
"As everyone can see, Chu Feng is by no means incapable of martial cultivation."
"It was I who failed in my duty. It was the Chu Heavenly Clan that failed in its duty. Therefore…"
After speaking, the Clan Leader turned his eyes back to Chu Feng and said, "I owe you an apology."
Then the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan bowed at the waist, performing a grand salute to Chu Feng.
"Senior, you mustn't."
Seeing this, Chu Feng hurried forward to stop him, but he found that he was completely unable to do so.
"Chu Feng, back then, my eyes were clouded and my ears were deaf. I made the wrong decision."
"Now, I wish to make amends. I do not know if it is too late, and I do not know whether you—Chu Feng—can find it in yourself to forgive my transgressions, to forgive this clan."
Hearing these words, Chu Feng froze, momentarily dazed.
The Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan was truly apologizing for what had happened all those years ago.
"Chu Feng, come back."
And at that very moment, every member of the Chu Heavenly Clan present performed a grand salute to Chu Feng in unison, calling out together, hoping that Chu Feng would return to the Chu Heavenly Clan.
Whether their words came from the heart or not, at the very least they had all spoken the words inviting Chu Feng back to the Chu Heavenly Clan.
In that moment, every eye in the entire Upper Realm was fixed upon Chu Feng.
They were all waiting for his answer.
Indeed, for the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan and all its members to admit their wrongs to a junior like Chu Feng—this was something truly unbelievable.
But Chu Feng's performance today had made it abundantly clear to everyone what kind of genius he was and what extraordinary talent he possessed.
Chu Feng had earned the right to have the Chu Heavenly Clan bow their heads and invite him back.
"Actually, my father once told me this long ago."
"Whether the Chu Heavenly Clan acknowledges us father and son or not, the blood flowing through our veins is the blood of the Chu Heavenly Clan."
"So from the very beginning, I, Chu Feng, have always been a member of the Chu Heavenly Clan."
After speaking, Chu Feng turned his gaze to the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan and smiled.
"Senior, please rise. There is no need to bring up the past. What matters is the future of our clan."
As he spoke, Chu Feng helped the Clan Leader of the Chu Heavenly Clan to his feet.