Seeing the murderous intent radiating from Chu Feng, even the three great figures outside were quite surprised — and Linghu Hongfei inside the formation went without saying.
Although Linghu Hongfei's expression remained calm on the surface, a trace of hesitation had unmistakably appeared in his eyes.
His hesitation stemmed not merely from the killing intent Chu Feng was emitting, which had forced him to take Chu Feng more seriously.
It was more because of that remark Chu Feng had made.
That Supreme Realm monster hadn't looked like any kind of fake, yet Chu Feng had destroyed it with a single punch.
And when he recalled how Chu Feng could move freely through the grand formation at will…
Linghu Hongfei was starting to lose his nerve.
If it were a contest of genuine cultivation, not even ten thousand Chu Fengs would be his match.
But facing Chu Feng, who wielded such extraordinary power within the grand formation, Linghu Hongfei no longer felt confident.
"Chu Feng, this Black Flame is far from simple. Even if you've fused with it and absorbed its power, you'll pay a price."
"Fusing with this much of it in one go — I'm afraid you won't be able to handle it." Linghu Hongfei said to Chu Feng.
"Brother Linghu, I'm afraid too. My appetite is really small — this much Black Flame, I truly don't think I can handle it."
"But I have no choice. This power seems dead set on entering my body, insisting on merging with me. I'm really quite helpless, but there's simply nothing I can do."
Chu Feng wore a look of deep worry, as though this were genuinely troubling him.
Watching this utterly shameless display from Chu Feng, Linghu Hongfei was so furious his organs felt ready to explode.
When it came to barefaced audacity, Chu Feng was clearly the greater master.
Under normal circumstances, Linghu Hongfei would have wanted to crush Chu Feng with a single hand. But now, having lost the confidence to deal with Chu Feng decisively, he chose not to reveal his emotions any further, and merely tossed out a cold remark:
"Don't get cocky, Chu Feng. The road is long — let's take it slow."
With that, Linghu Hongfei sat cross-legged on the ground and closed his eyes, seemingly unwilling to engage Chu Feng any further.
Linghu Hongfei's thinly veiled threat did nothing to wipe the smile from Chu Feng's face. After all, Chu Feng had not grown up being frightened into submission.
He had stepped on so-called geniuses, crushed so-called colossi, and clawed his way forward one step at a time.
Shortly after, Chu Feng also settled into a cross-legged position and began fusing with the Black Flame that had entered his body. Once the fusion was complete, a heaven-and-earth-shaking transformation began within him.
Vast surges of black energy transformed into a torrent of barrier power — but this barrier power did not belong to Chu Feng. It was wildly violent, and seemed to contain other forces woven within it, making it extremely difficult to control. It churned through Chu Feng's body like a raging tempest.
In this state, Chu Feng had no time to consider anything else. He could only pour every ounce of his focus into controlling that barrier power.
Otherwise, forget about breaking through to a new realm — he might suffer a devastating backlash.
"Master."
Seeing Chu Feng begin fusing with the Black Flame, Liangqiu Chengfeng turned to Master Liangqiu. "Chu Feng should be fine now. We…"
Master Liangqiu understood immediately what Liangqiu Chengfeng meant. Once Chu Feng finished fusing with the Black Flame, it would be the critical moment for their grand formation. Whether the breakthrough succeeded or not hinged on this single opportunity.
The reason Master Liangqiu had not entered the formation earlier was that Chu Feng's share had been stolen by Linghu Hongfei, leaving him with no heart to proceed. But now the situation was entirely different.
Linghu Hongfei had been checkmated by Chu Feng's countermove — not only had all the power been devoured by Chu Feng, but when Linghu Hongfei had considered resorting to force, even that plan had been abandoned out of wariness toward Chu Feng, and he had been compelled to yield.
Chu Feng now had the situation firmly under control, and Master Liangqiu's spirits soared. It was time to enter the grand formation and reap the results he had waited so eagerly for.
Still, a single doubt lingered in his mind, so he glanced at Linghu Yuhua beside him.
"Go ahead. You've prepared so carefully for this — don't let it go to waste."
"And don't worry on my account. Not only can I not enter that formation, but even if I could, I wouldn't disturb what's happening now. I said before — I won't interfere in matters between the younger generation. As long as no one harms Hongfei, I won't take action."
Linghu Yuhua was not only aware of the grand formation Master Liangqiu had been preparing, but also understood precisely what was troubling him.
"If the breakthrough succeeds, I'll treat you to a drink when this is over," Master Liangqiu said.
"And if it fails, no drink?" Linghu Yuhua asked.
"I'll still treat you," Master Liangqiu said.
"Then I want to taste that fine wine you've been aging for three thousand years," Linghu Yuhua said.
"Deal," Master Liangqiu said.
"Alright, hurry along now — don't miss the window." Linghu Yuhua waved her hand with a smile.
"Thank you." Master Liangqiu cupped his fists toward Linghu Yuhua. His gratitude was for the grace of her choosing not to take action against Chu Feng.
Otherwise, with Linghu Yuhua's strength, there would have been no one present capable of stopping her.
As those words fell, Master Liangqiu launched himself into the air, and Liangqiu Chengfeng, after offering a respectful bow to Linghu Yuhua, followed close behind.
In that moment, only Linghu Yuhua remained.
"It seems the youngest Holy Robe Spirit World Master truly is about to appear."