"Huh? Who's that?"
The people from the various tribes saw Chu Feng and grew excited, but Xiao Yueya and her companions were strangers to them.
The younger generation, however, paid no such mind. They cheered and shouted toward Chu Feng without restraint, making no secret of their adoration and admiration.
This left Jia Chengying and Bai Yunqing deeply displeased. Even they hadn't received such a grand welcome when they'd made their entrance.
What gave Chu Feng the right?
"Senior, I hope I'm not too late?" Chu Feng asked the crowd after entering the square.
"Not at all. You've arrived at just the right time."
"Young hero Chu Feng, I am the current leader of the Ancient World. On behalf of the Ancient World, I welcome your arrival," the Ancient World leader said to Chu Feng.
"Younger generation Chu Feng pays respects to the Leader," Chu Feng said politely, offering a respectful bow.
The Ancient World leader then explained the rules of the talent assessment to Chu Feng. It was quite simple — those who had entered the Ancient World through the trial, like Chu Feng, were each to choose a Sacred Stele.
As long as they placed their palm upon the Sacred Stele, the talent assessment would proceed naturally.
However, before the test could begin, each participant had to form a bond with one of the tribes.
Chu Feng understood that this so-called talent assessment was the ancestral worship, but it was an unavoidable step, so he accepted it.
Before the Ancient World leader had even finished speaking, several covert voice transmissions had already entered Chu Feng's ears. The leaders of the various tribes were inviting Chu Feng, hoping he would bond with their tribe.
Many of them even offered benefits. But faced with all these temptations, Chu Feng merely glanced at Xiao Yueya before turning his gaze back to the Ancient World leader.
"Leader, I already have a tribe in mind for my bond. I will be bonding with the Origin Vein Tribe."
Boom—
The moment these words left his mouth, everyone was stunned.
The Origin Vein Tribe?
Outsiders might not know, but how could the people of the Ancient World be unaware?
The Ancient World leader's gaze grew complicated.
Even the white-haired woman's eyes flickered with a trace of worry.
A covert voice transmission entered Chu Feng's ear — it was the white-haired woman.
"Chu Feng, don't choose the Origin Vein Tribe."
"I'll make this short. The Origin Vein Tribe was once a contender for the leadership of the Ancient World. After their defeat, they were nearly wiped out."
"So whatever you do, don't choose the Origin Vein Tribe. Otherwise, you won't just offend the other tribes — you'll also offend the current leader's bloodline," the white-haired woman said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng finally understood the severity of the situation.
He had already guessed that the Origin Vein Tribe's current decline was the result of infighting within the Ancient World, but he hadn't expected that the opposing force had been the current leader himself.
And judging by everyone's reaction, it seemed the other tribes all harbored ill feelings toward the Origin Vein Tribe as well.
"Big brother, let's bond," Xiao Yueya said.
The little girl extended her small arm, revealing the binding formation inscribed upon it.
"That little girl — she's from the Origin Vein Tribe?" No one had expected Xiao Yueya to belong to the Origin Vein Tribe.
It was as though the mere existence of a young girl from the Origin Vein Tribe was something utterly inconceivable.
Chu Feng smiled at Xiao Yueya, then reached out and placed his wrist against the formation on her arm.
Even after learning the gravity of the situation, Chu Feng still chose Xiao Yueya.
"This is—!"
Seeing this, the representatives from every tribe wore expressions of unwillingness. They wanted to speak, but a glance at the Ancient World leader silenced them.
Buzz—
The formation rippled, and the contract was formed. An identical symbol to the one on Xiao Yueya's arm appeared on Chu Feng's wrist.
"Whoa, it's a little warm! But it feels pretty special."
"Big brother, do your best!" Xiao Yueya said cheerfully, cheering him on with a bright, adorable smile.
Now that Chu Feng had completed his bond with Xiao Yueya, the leaders and elders of the various tribes had long since lost their earlier smiles. They stared at Chu Feng with cold, unfriendly eyes.
Even among the younger generation, who had initially welcomed Chu Feng, some had begun to change their attitude toward him.
Still, the majority continued to look at Chu Feng with burning eyes. It was clear that the Ancient World's admiration for the strong was deeply rooted, especially among the youth.
But in the Ancient World leader's eyes, a flicker of cold light passed — though it vanished so quickly that no one noticed.
The Ancient World leader turned to the white-haired woman. "Miss Xiaobai."
As he spoke, he rolled up his sleeve, revealing the binding formation on his arm.
They must have discussed this beforehand, because the white-haired woman didn't hesitate. She placed her wrist directly upon his.
When the light of the formation faded, the white-haired woman and the Ancient World leader had successfully bonded.
"Now that all of you young heroes have completed your bonds, please proceed to the Sacred Steles for your talent assessments."
"The radiance emitted by the Sacred Steles will be used to judge the level of one's talent."