At Chu Feng's current cultivation level, every person present — save for Wuming Fenghuo — was left stunned.
That included Chu Hanpeng, Chu Xuanchengfa, and every other member of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
Even if the Clan Master of the Chu Heavenly Clan were standing here, he too would be shocked upon witnessing Chu Feng's cultivation.
After all, the Chu Feng of before had only been a fifth rank Martial Immortal.
Yet in just a few short days, he had broken through in succession all the way to the seventh rank of the Martial Immortal realm — and while enduring the torture of Heavenly Lightning at that. How could that not leave people astonished?
In truth, Chu Feng's breakthrough to the sixth rank had been inevitable. Back within the ancient ruins of the Wuma Heavenly Clan, he had comprehended a great deal and already possessed the confidence to advance.
But his ability to push all the way to the seventh rank in a single burst was actually thanks to the Heavenly Lightning that had ceaselessly struck him upon the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform.
The Heavenly Lightning had dealt Chu Feng considerable harm, yet it had also brought him tremendous gains.
Through sheer force of will and a level of comprehension that far surpassed that of ordinary people, Chu Feng had — even as the Heavenly Lightning tortured him — mastered a deeper layer of control over his bloodline power. That, in turn, caused his cultivation to surge, allowing him to break through multiple ranks in succession.
Therefore, the torture Chu Feng had endured on the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform was nothing compared to the rewards he had reaped.
"I understand now — those two astonishing strikes of nine-colored Heavenly Lightning before weren't summoned by the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform. They were Divine Thunder summoned by Chu Feng's breakthrough."
"He achieved sudden enlightenment on the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform, broke through in succession, and that is how he attained today's cultivation."
Suddenly, someone cried out in shock. It was a member of the Chu Heavenly Clan.
"What? On the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform? How is that possible?"
However, upon hearing the Chu Heavenly Clan member's words, the members of the Fang Heavenly Clan, the Zhao Heavenly Clan, the Song Heavenly Clan, and others wore expressions of utter disbelief.
They too were members of Heavenly Clans. Their clans also possessed Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platforms, and they knew full well how terrifying those platforms were.
To endure even a single day on the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform was already considered a remarkable feat.
To break through in cultivation on the Heavenly Lightning Punishment Platform?
That was nothing short of a fantasy — utterly impossible.
At the very least, it was not something any human could accomplish.
"I was wondering why those two strikes of Heavenly Lightning seemed so extraordinary. In that case, Chu Feng — the cultivation technique you practice is the same Self-Punishment Mystic Art as your father's and grandfather's, isn't it?" Wuming Fenghuo asked.
"The same Mystic Art? Then that would mean...?"
The moment Wuming Fenghuo's words left his lips, a chill ran through the hearts of the Fang Heavenly Clan members and the allies they had brought along.
A Self-Punishment Mystic Art identical to Chu Hanxian's and Chu Xuanyuan's — could that mean the legendary God Punishment Mystic Art?
Wasn't this Chu Feng supposed to be a worthless cripple who could never cultivate?
Even if he could cultivate now, surely with his talent he couldn't possibly practice such a mystic art?
Otherwise, wouldn't that make Chu Feng the same kind of monster as his grandfather and his father?
"Sir, that is correct," Chu Feng replied.
"He... actually practices the God Punishment Mystic Art?"
Upon hearing Chu Feng's words, the Fang Heavenly Clan members and the others felt as though they had been struck by lightning themselves, completely at a loss for what to do.