"An Elite Token? You actually placed in the rankings?"
The juniors watching from the sidelines all knew those two. Most of them had been eliminated in the very first round and never even received an Elite Token, so they had no idea what the Elite Token actually represented. They all assumed Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo were quite impressive.
But seeing the two of them show off, Mo Yuhan wore a look of contempt. "An Elite Token? Isn't that just a consolation prize?"
"Miss Mo, you…"
Hearing this, the expressions on Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo's faces turned rather ugly. They knew it was a consolation prize, but in their view, even a consolation prize wasn't something just anyone could earn. It was something worth flaunting — why did she have to make them sound so pathetic?
The two of them were furious, but they didn't dare lash out. After all, the person they were dealing with was Mo Yuhan.
What they couldn't understand was why Mo Yuhan had suddenly targeted them. They were certain they hadn't offended her.
At that moment, even Chu Feng couldn't help but laugh.
And it was Chu Feng's laugh that gave Zhao Yunmo someone to vent his frustration on.
"What are you laughing at? Even at my worst, I at least have an Elite Token. That still makes me better than someone who has nothing." Zhao Yunmo snarled at Chu Feng.
Chu Feng didn't get angry. Instead, he smiled. "You're right — I don't have a consolation prize."
Hearing this, Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo were just about to gloat when Chu Feng spoke again.
"However, I have this." With that, Chu Feng produced a token.
The moment that token came into view, every person nearby — with the exception of Mo Yuhan and Long Xiaoxiao — had their expressions change dramatically.
Because it was the token of the Strongest in the Martial Emperor late stage.
"He's… the Strongest in the Martial Emperor late stage?"
"Who is he? I've never seen him before?"
In that instant, the eyes of many onlookers turned toward Chu Feng. Whether elders or juniors, they all examined him carefully.
After all, they hadn't entered the late-stage Strongest Trial and had never met Chu Feng.
"Hahaha…"
But just then, Cheng Tiancan suddenly burst into loud laughter.
"Chu Feng, I never imagined you'd be this shameless."
"If you'd forged an Elite Token, I might have barely believed you. But you forged the Strongest Token? Who would buy that? Do you think we're fools?" Cheng Tiancan said to Chu Feng.
"Forged?"
"Very possibly — no one here has ever seen him."
"Sigh, there really are too many shameless people out there."
Many felt that Cheng Tiancan had a point.
Seeing everyone chime in with agreement, Cheng Tiancan's expression grew even more smug. He had been waiting for an opportunity to see Chu Feng humiliate himself, and today… he had finally gotten his chance.
He had Chu Feng to thank for this — he never expected Chu Feng to be so foolish as to impersonate the Strongest.
But just then, a booming voice rang out from beyond the sky — the voice of a Totem Dragon Clan elder.
"The Strongest Trial — the Strongest designations are announced."
"Martial Emperor early stage: Long Xiaoxiao."
"Martial Emperor late stage: Chu Feng."
"Half-God late stage: Liu Kuo."
When these words echoed through the air, everyone present froze.
None of these three names rang any bells.
But on Chu Feng's end, things were very different. Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo, who had been showing off moments ago, now looked so awkward they seemed petrified.
This was an official announcement from the Totem Dragon Clan. Chu Feng… was truly the Strongest in the Martial Emperor late stage?
"Well? Does my token still look forged to you?" Chu Feng looked toward Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo.
"…"
Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo's faces twitched. They were so embarrassed they couldn't even form words.
The others looked at Chu Feng with undisguised surprise. They had known he was strong, but they hadn't expected him to be this strong.
The Strongest in the Martial Emperor late stage — what an extraordinary honor that was.
Meanwhile, Mo Yuhan turned her gaze toward Long Xiaoxiao, a newfound respect in her eyes.
Though she had already witnessed Chu Feng claim the title of Strongest, she hadn't expected Long Xiaoxiao to earn one as well.
Of course, Mo Yuhan wasn't the only one impressed by Long Xiaoxiao.
"Miss Xiaoxiao, congratulations!"
"Brother Chu Feng, congratulations!"
Countless people stepped forward to offer their congratulations to Chu Feng and Long Xiaoxiao.
"Junior Sister, you've actually earned the title of Strongest in the Martial Emperor early stage. You've truly brought honor to our Master. Your Senior Brother is proud of you."
Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo, desperate to ease their own embarrassment, hurried over to Long Xiaoxiao with fawning smiles.
But Long Xiaoxiao, at that moment, didn't even want to speak to them.
"Wait, why wasn't the Strongest in the Half-God early stage announced?"
"Is it because the one who claimed the title was Long Chengyu, so they chose not to announce it?"
Quite a few people raised questions.
As if having anticipated this reaction, the Totem Dragon Clan elder spoke again.
"I am aware of the many rumors circulating, but no member of our Totem Dragon Clan participated in this Strongest Trial," the elder said.
"So Long Chengyu didn't participate after all?" People were somewhat surprised.
"It's not that we chose not to announce it — rather, the Strongest of the Half-God early stage declined to accept the Strongest Token and its accompanying rewards. As such, that slot has been left vacant."
When the Totem Dragon Clan patriarch finished speaking, the crowd erupted.
"Declined?"
"Why would anyone give up such an honor?"
"Setting aside the token that can save one's life, the Dragon Inner Pill is an extraordinary treasure. To refuse even that?"
No one could make sense of it. They couldn't understand why someone would come to compete in the Strongest Trial only to refuse everything.
"That sister truly is… something else," Long Xiaoxiao said to Chu Feng through a secret voice transmission.
After all, the two of them already knew that the Strongest of the Half-God early stage was that cold, white-haired woman.
Though countless questions remained, the Strongest Trial came to an end.
"Brother Chu Feng, Miss Xiaoxiao — we may not have known each other long, but we did cross paths, and having friends like the two of us is truly our honor. To celebrate you both claiming the throne of Strongest, we'd like to throw a victory banquet for you."
With that, a group of juniors walked over.
Cheng Tiancan and Zhao Yunmo's faces soured at the sight.
These were supposed to be their friends. Yet this time, these people had organized the invitation with Chu Feng and Long Xiaoxiao as the guests of honor, completely ignoring the two of them. It made them feel utterly humiliated.