Mo Yuhan's grandfather looked at Chu Feng, his eyes flickering with hesitation.
"Fine, let's just try it."
Then, abruptly, he made up his mind. With a flick of his finger, a thread of martial force transformed into a silver needle and shot toward Chu Feng.
The martial force needle concealed its aura, yet carried terrifying power. If it struck home, forget Half God realm—even an early-stage True God would perish without question.
The needle was miraculous. It pierced through walls without making a sound, only to dissolve when it was mere inches from Chu Feng.
Mo Yuhan's grandfather had pulled back at the last moment. He was merely testing the waters—he had no real intention of harming Chu Feng.
But Chu Feng still sensed it. He looked in the direction of the needle.
"Chu Feng, what's wrong?" Long Xiaoxiao asked.
"Nothing." Chu Feng shook his head. Just moments ago he had felt the threat of death, and he sensed that his defensive barrier had been pierced clean through.
Yet, bizarrely, the barrier was already restored—as if it had been nothing more than a figment of his imagination.
But Chu Feng was certain it was no hallucination.
"Chu Feng, it seems there's a top-tier powerhouse here," Eggie's voice chimed in.
"You sensed it too, Eggie?" Chu Feng asked.
"Probably not as clearly as you, but I felt we were just threatened with death," Eggie said.
"That's right. The other party is incredibly strong. Killing me would have been trivial," Chu Feng replied.
"Why didn't they go through with it? Was it a warning?" Eggie asked.
"I don't know. Maybe…" Chu Feng couldn't pinpoint the reason, but "warning" did seem like the most plausible explanation.
After all, with so many geniuses gathered here, it was only natural for someone to be standing guard. They were probably just reminding Chu Feng not to get too carried away.
After all, this was the Totem Heavenly River.
Meanwhile, high above in the sky, Mo Yuhan's grandfather threw his head back and laughed—but only Lord Ningyu could hear him.
"There's no one guarding that kid at all. He's a reckless fool—but I like this reckless fool."
"Ningyu, don't even think about competing with me. This Chu Feng is going to be my disciple. Because… I'm the one who proved he has no protector."
Mo Yuhan's grandfather was overjoyed—so much so that he pulled the wine gourd from his waist and began guzzling in great gulps.
Lord Ningyu, meanwhile, stared down at Chu Feng again, her face full of doubt.
"Really no one protecting him? He's entirely on his own?"
"Sigh…"
Suddenly, Lord Ningyu let out a sigh. She regretted it.
If she had known this earlier, she should have simply declared her intention to take Chu Feng as her disciple the moment Mo Yuhan's grandfather had tested him.
But now she knew that no matter what, he would never give Chu Feng up to her.
……
What the two top experts had done went entirely unnoticed by everyone except Chu Feng and Eggie.
The discussions among the geniuses still revolved around Chu Feng.
His actions had already given them a completely new impression of the Holy Light Galaxy.
Time flew, and in the blink of an eye, the day of the Strongest Trial had arrived. Experts from every faction—both openly and in secret—had converged on the place where the trial was to begin.
It was a vast plain, yet the number of cultivators gathered there made it look like an ocean of people.
Chu Feng and Long Xiaoxiao's group were among them.
In the shadows, Mo Yuhan's grandfather and Lord Ningyu remained hidden high in the sky, observing Chu Feng and the others.
"Why haven't you taken Chu Feng as your disciple yet?" Lord Ningyu asked.
"What's the rush? The timing isn't right yet." After speaking, Mo Yuhan's grandfather added, "I'm definitely taking this Chu Feng—don't even think about it, or don't blame me for getting angry."
The last part was said with a smile—a joking tone, though threaded with genuine seriousness.
"Relax. You've already tested him. I naturally won't fight you for him."
"But taking on a disciple—what kind of timing does that require?" Lord Ningyu pressed.
"That Daoist Wangxi is famously protective of his own. His disciple was killed by Chu Feng, so he'll absolutely come after Chu Feng."
"When Daoist Wangxi moves against him, I'll suppress him with overwhelming force. In Chu Feng's eyes, I'll shine like a god descended upon the world."
"That's when I'll offer to take him as my disciple. He'll never refuse," Mo Yuhan's grandfather said.
"Didn't Chu Feng say that a Second-tier Half God is no match for him? Unless Daoist Wangxi has stepped into the Third-tier, how could he possibly deal with Chu Feng?" Lord Ningyu asked.
"He says he's invincible, so you believe he's invincible?"
"The White Dragon God Robe is normally only comparable to a First-tier Half God. Being comparable to a Second-tier is already extraordinary—but it's only comparable. How could they really not be his match?" Mo Yuhan's grandfather said.
"So what do you think?" Lord Ningyu asked.
"I think Chu Feng is blowing hot air."
Suddenly, golden light erupted in the sky above, and the vast sea of white clouds was bathed in a golden glow.
At the sight, everyone visible above ground bowed respectfully toward the sky.
The Totem Dragon Clan had arrived.
An elder from the Totem Dragon Clan stepped forward.
"The Strongest Trial that all of you have waited years for—it has finally come."
"The reason the Strongest Trial took so long to prepare is because our Totem Dragon Clan invested enormous effort into it."
"To ensure fairness, the trial grounds are divided into four zones. Regardless of your realm, as long as you are outstanding enough, you can claim the title of first place."
"The four champions will enjoy equal treatment: within the Totem Heavenly River, each will receive a Death-exemption Gold Medal."
"Within the Totem Heavenly River, this medal can spare your life once. As long as your character is not depraved and you have just cause, even if you kill a member of our Totem Dragon Clan, we will still protect you."
"Apart from the Death-exemption Gold Medal, the four champions will also each receive a Dragon's Inner Pill."
When the elder finished, the vast ocean of people erupted in commotion.
Listening to the crowd's discussion, Chu Feng learned that the Dragon's Inner Pill was an extraordinarily precious cultivation treasure even within the Totem Dragon Clan.
Even geniuses had to meet strict requirements to obtain one. Most members of the Totem Dragon Clan would never be fortunate enough to receive one in their entire lives.
Beyond the four zone champions, those who performed exceptionally would also receive honor tokens and other rewards.