Jia Chengxiong also realized how embarrassing the situation was. After emerging, he said nothing and immediately chose one of the lower gates to slip through.
"This…"
Everyone exchanged looks, feeling utterly speechless.
Jia Chengxiong's talent was undeniable, but his courage clearly couldn't compare to Chu Feng's. To think he'd been scared out — he might as well not have entered in the first place.
But precisely because Jia Chengxiong had been scared out, it proved two things.
First, what lay behind that red gate was indeed dangerous.
Second, Chu Feng was truly brave. After all, even Jia Chengxiong had fled in terror, yet Chu Feng hadn't emerged — that was proof enough of his prowess.
In truth, there was no actual danger within the red gate. However, once inside, the fear one felt compared to what was sensed outside would continuously intensify, eventually multiplying several times over. It was like invisible worms burrowing into one's body, affecting one's state of mind.
In other words, this trial tested one's courage. Cowards simply couldn't endure it — they would literally be frightened to death.
This was an irresistible terror. Telling yourself it wasn't real wouldn't work — it truly affected you.
Fortunately, Chu Feng's mental fortitude was strong enough, and his courage was great enough, so he wasn't affected too badly.
Chu Feng flew forward swiftly, and before long, he spotted the white-haired woman.
The white-haired woman looked strained at the moment, but was still inching forward.
"Are you alright?" Chu Feng walked over.
The moment the white-haired woman looked up at Chu Feng, their eyes met.
Chu Feng could see that the white-haired woman's delicate face had turned pale green — she had truly been frightened.
The white-haired woman, on the other hand, was filled with surprise.
"You… you're not afraid?" the white-haired woman asked.
"It's all fake. What is there to be afraid of?" Chu Feng said.
The white-haired woman was momentarily speechless.
She knew it was fake, of course. It was merely a type of sensory attack, much like a mental attack.
But the point was that she couldn't withstand it, whereas Chu Feng seemed to have endured it without even being affected.
How much courage did this guy have?
"I'm fine. You go ahead," the white-haired woman said, though her voice was trembling.
"Then you should head back. After all, there's only one spot," Chu Feng said.
The white-haired woman said nothing and kept walking. Even knowing she couldn't compete with Chu Feng, she refused to give up.
"This girl is really stubborn," Her Majesty sighed.
"She must be trying to challenge herself." Chu Feng saw through the white-haired woman's intentions. Adapting to this kind of fear was also a form of cultivation, and a rare opportunity at that.
After all, the strength of one's inner heart determined how far one could go in the future.
However, this type of cultivation was useless for Chu Feng. Having come this far, he had long since tempered his mental state to a sufficient degree.
That was why so many top geniuses hadn't dared to enter — they'd been frightened into changing their routes — yet Chu Feng could venture deep inside without being significantly affected.
This wasn't something he was born with. It was forged through the hardships Chu Feng had endured and the cultivation he had undergone.
Chu Feng pressed onward, and before long, he reached the deepest point.
There stood a barrier gate. Pass through it, and Chu Feng would have passed the trial.
But Chu Feng stopped.
"That's it…"
"No more rewards?" Chu Feng was surprised.
"There is a reward — the Demigod-grade Sacred Temple Bead," Her Majesty said.
"I know, but…"
"On the way here, I sensed that the other ten entrances contained the Dao of Martial Cultivation," Chu Feng said.
"How did you sense that?"
"Could it be that this entrance is connected to the others?" Her Majesty asked curiously.
"I don't have absolute proof. I'd call it more of an intuition," Chu Feng said.
"An intuition? Are you sure?" Her Majesty asked.
"It's not a pure intuition. I genuinely felt this possibility, but I don't have clear evidence," Chu Feng said.
"Then it's up to you — do you want the Demigod-grade Sacred Temple Bead, or do you want to experience the Dao of Martial Cultivation? Is that Dao very strong? Would it help you?" Her Majesty asked.
"It's not particularly strong, but it would help to some degree. I don't want to miss it," Chu Feng said.
"Chu Feng, this is a Demigod-grade Sacred Temple Bead."
"Think carefully," Her Majesty said.
"Eggy, is there any chance I can have both?" Chu Feng asked.
"Both? The white-haired woman is almost here. If you go challenge another entrance now and then run back, you definitely won't make it in time," Her Majesty said.
"Let's try." With that, Chu Feng turned and ran back.
Before long, he saw the white-haired woman again.
"Why did you come back?"
"Is there something up ahead?" The white-haired woman furrowed her brow, assuming Chu Feng had returned because there was some danger up ahead that was too difficult to pass.
"No. Hold on — you're almost there," Chu Feng said.
"Did you come back specifically to comfort me?" the white-haired woman asked.
"Not exactly. I wanted to discuss something with you," Chu Feng said.
"What is it?" the white-haired woman asked.
"How about this — you take first place, but give me the Demigod-grade Sacred Temple Bead?" Chu Feng asked.
"You don't want first place?" the white-haired woman asked.
"It's not that. To be honest, my cultivation is still too weak. I sensed that the other entrances contain the Dao of Martial Cultivation. It's not very intense, but I don't want to miss the chance to comprehend it, so I want to go experience it," Chu Feng said.
"Alright, I agree. First place is mine, and the reward is yours."
The white-haired woman was quite straightforward and agreed on the spot.
"Thanks."
With that, Chu Feng ran outward.
"To actually do that — only you could come up with such a plan," Her Majesty said. She hadn't thought of this method herself.