After leaving the Sect Master's territory,
After all, his grudge with Nangong Yuliu had yet to be settled.
By the time Chu Feng returned, the Pond was still packed with people, and even more had gathered than before—more than when Chu Feng had been there earlier.
"Chu Feng! Chu Feng is back!"
"Chu Feng, I told them that the phenomenon just now was caused by you, but they didn't believe me!"
"You came back at the perfect time. Quickly, show them!"
Seeing Chu Feng's return, the already bustling crowd became even more uproarious.
Not only the disciples, but even some elders looked at Chu Feng with undisguised admiration.
What Chu Feng had accomplished today was something no one had managed since the founding of the Wolong Martial Sect—not even the renowned Dugu Lingtian.
If before, there were still those who suspected that Chu Feng breaking Dugu Lingtian's record at the Snow Summit Heavenly Peak was mere luck, now more people were willing to believe it was pure skill.
A small number even began to discuss whether Chu Feng could truly surpass Dugu Lingtian.
For this reason, whether elders or disciples, everyone who spoke to Chu Feng did so with an ingratiating air.
They all wanted to build a relationship with him before he fully rose to prominence.
"Elders, senior brothers and sisters—it's not that I refuse to demonstrate."
"Elder Wolong has ordered that I must not abuse this power again."
"So please forgive me."
Chu Feng explained to the crowd.
The people had only asked him to demonstrate for his benefit, and since he had put it that way, no one pressed the issue.
Chu Feng, meanwhile, scanned the crowd. On the surface, although more and more people had gathered, Nangong Yuliu's figure was nowhere to be seen.
Nangong Yuliu seemed to have sensed trouble and slipped away.
"Everyone, if any of you know Nangong Yuliu, please pass along a message for me."
"Though I won our bet, being fellow disciples, I have no intention of making things difficult for him."
"The bet originated at the Wolong Martial Arts Library, where Nangong Yuliu unprovokedly bullied
"The terms were: if I could break Dugu Lingtian's record at the Pond, Nangong Yuliu would have to publicly apologize to Senior Sister Zhao Shi, and Senior Sister Zhao Shi would be allowed to slap him ten times in public."
"But this matter ultimately concerns Senior Sister Zhao Shi, so I have only one request: Nangong Yuliu must apologize to Senior Sister Zhao Shi. As for the slapping—if Senior Sister Zhao Shi doesn't wish to do it, I have no objections."
Chu Feng said to the crowd.
The moment he said this, everyone nodded in approval.
They had already seen the sign that Nangong Yuliu had prepared for Chu Feng. Nangong Yuliu had been utterly ruthless—one could even say excessively cruel.
Yet even after such treatment, Chu Feng could still say something like this, giving Nangong Yuliu more than enough face.
In truth, Chu Feng had no intention of being generous. Given his personality, he would never have let Nangong Yuliu off easy.
The reason he said this was for Zhao Shi's sake.
He could see that Zhao Shi deeply feared Nangong Yuliu. If this matter were pursued too far, it wouldn't matter to Chu Feng, but it might cause trouble for Zhao Shi.
That was why Chu Feng had lightened Nangong Yuliu's punishment.
After that, Chu Feng returned to his North Xuan Academy.
Chu Feng had wanted to rest, but the head of the North Xuan Academy and the elders were so overjoyed that they insisted on having a few drinks with him.
Chu Feng didn't want to dampen their spirits, so he went along.
They had just finished a celebration banquet, and now they were going for drinks again—the feasts just kept piling up.
But joy lifted the spirits. Since he was in high spirits today, Chu Feng was happy to oblige.
The matter at the Pond spread rapidly, and Chu Feng's public declaration that he would not make things difficult for Nangong Yuliu quickly reached Nangong Yuliu's ears.
"Senior Brother Nangong, this Chu Feng stole the spotlight today, but he didn't make things difficult for you. Seems like he's not all bad."
Inside Nangong Yuliu's residence, several of his lackeys had gathered.
They had been trying to console him, believing that Chu Feng would certainly not let him off easy.
It was precisely because of this expectation that upon hearing Chu Feng would not pursue the matter, they were so relieved.
Among them, a fairly attractive female disciple stood out. She had a special relationship with Nangong Yuliu and cared about him more than the rest.
So of everyone there, the smile on her face was the brightest.
"What did you say? Say that again."
Nangong Yuliu turned to look at the beaming female disciple beside him.
"I—"
This female disciple had stayed by Nangong Yuliu's side for years. Sensing the shift in his mood, her previously smiling face immediately turned tense.
Slap—
But before she could finish, Nangong Yuliu swung his sleeve and a slap landed across her face.
The single blow sent her crashing to the ground.
Her once delicate face was torn open by the strike, blood dripping freely.
But Nangong Yuliu did not stop there.