Before the Divine Contract, the Asura King actually cupped his fists and bowed to Chu Feng.
"I am Kui Ting, a Spirit of the Asura Spirit World."
"Today, I wish to form a contract with Lord Chu Feng."
As his words fell, the dark aura radiating from his body surged upward like flames, pouring into the Divine Contract. At the same time, he raised his palm and placed it upon the contract.
*Hummm—*
In that moment, the power of the formation stirred. Between Chu Feng, the Divine Contract, and the Asura King, an identical aura emerged.
"Your Majesty!!!"
Seeing this scene, the gathered Asura evil spirits all wore complicated expressions.
They knew all too well how proud and arrogant this Asura King was. Even if they were willing, the Asura King would never consent.
So how was it that, when even they were still hesitating, the Asura King had chosen to form a contract with Chu Feng?
The contract was completed swiftly, and the Asura King's appearance underwent a transformation. From a terrifying evil spirit, he reverted to a normal human form — though he no longer looked as fearsome as before.
Yet the aura he radiated now appeared even more majestic and domineering.
After all, he was an Asura World Spirit. The aura of an Asura World Spirit was far darker than that of a Demon Spirit World Spirit. Even without a terrifying appearance, his presence alone was enough to freeze one's blood.
Yet looking at the Asura King now, a trace of guilt inevitably welled up in Chu Feng's heart.
The moment the Divine Contract was completed, Chu Feng could sense the change in the Asura King's cultivation. This Asura King was incredibly strong — his original cultivation had been at the seventh rank of Half-God, truly formidable.
At least to Chu Feng, his power had been beyond imagination.
But now, the Asura King's cultivation had regressed to the fourth rank of Half-God.
This… was all because he had formed a contract with Chu Feng.
"As expected, just as I guessed."
Yet upon sensing his own diminished cultivation, the Asura King showed not the slightest regret. Instead, he smiled with a sense of relief.
Then he turned to face the subordinates who had followed him for tens of thousands of years.
"Everyone — I have formed a contract with Lord Chu Feng, but this represents only my own choice."
"You and I no longer have any connection. I am no longer your king. I am merely a world spirit belonging to Lord Chu Feng."
"Therefore, whether you wish to follow Lord Chu Feng is entirely up to your own discretion. You need not consider my decision."
After saying this, the Asura King walked over to Lord Yun Liang.
"Yun Liang, I apologize for the wrongs I committed against you."
Having said this, the Asura King actually bowed deeply to Yun Liang.
This scene shocked all the Asuras. Setting aside the fact that Yun Liang had his own faults — the Asura King's status alone should have precluded him from offering such a deep bow to Yun Liang.
"Your Majesty, please don't say that. From your position, you were not wrong either. You were acting in the best interests of our Asura people."
"And by standing against you, we became your enemies — especially this old man, who went so far as to conspire with outsiders to steal away the princess."
"But even so, you did not kill this old man. You spared my life. Otherwise, I would never have had the opportunity to meet Lord Chu Feng today."
"I will remember your grace for as long as I live."
Lord Yun Liang spoke from the bottom of his heart. While he resented the Asura King and the other evil spirits for abandoning their loyalty to the Slaughter Heavenly King, he harbored no ill will toward the Asura King for what had been done to him personally. Even after his cultivation was crippled and he had endured no small amount of torment… he still harbored no resentment.
"Enough. Let's leave the past behind."
"Come — accompany me to free those of our kin who have been imprisoned. I wish to apologize to them face to face."
With that, the Asura King departed with Lord Yun Liang.
At this point, only Chu Feng, Yaoyao, and the still-hesitating Asura evil spirits remained.
In theory, with both the Asura King — who had backed Chu Feng — and Yun Liang gone, facing such a massive Asura army, Chu Feng should have felt quite insecure.
But Chu Feng's expression did not change in the slightest. If anything, his gaze grew even more resolute.
"Everyone — I have said all there is to say."
"The situation is exactly as you can see. Forming a contract with me will indeed cause your cultivation to regress."
"But I promise you — though my cultivation is weak now, I will not remain this way forever. The day will come when I grow into the strongest being across this vast Martial Cultivation World."
"You may not believe me when I say this now, but this has always been my goal — and it always will be."
Chu Feng addressed the assembled Asura evil spirits.
"Lord Chu Feng, then what is your reason for wanting to become the strongest? Is it to rule over the vast Martial Cultivation World?" asked the Asura evil spirit named Xiang Ji.
To this question, Chu Feng simply smiled before answering.