"What's going on? Did something go wrong?"
"How could an outsider obtain something like this?"
Many from the Seven Realms Sacred Residence were buzzing with discussion. The members of the Jie Clan, in particular, were far from satisfied with what Chu Feng had received.
Their first reaction was to assume some error had occurred.
"Shut your filthy mouths."
"What error? In all these years, has there ever been a mistake here? Is it really that hard to admit that someone's better than you?" Ling Sheng'er shouted furiously.
Once she spoke, those people fell silent.
Part of it was the authority Ling Sheng'er commanded. But thinking it over, they also had to admit that what she said made sense — in all these years, there truly had never been an error here.
But if it was genuine ability, then did that mean this Chu Feng really was a genius?
Even after realizing this, only a small handful of people looked at Chu Feng in a new light. The rest remained hostile.
Why were the members of the Seven Realms Sacred Residence so arrogant?
It was because they believed the greatest Spirit World Masters in all the land resided within the Sacred Residence. They were members of the Seven Realms Sacred Residence — the blood of the strongest Spirit World Masters flowed through their veins.
Outsiders? They were all useless, one and the same.
Yet now, an outsider had obtained recognition from these statues that surpassed their own.
Their first reaction was displeasure — the need to make excuses for themselves.
This wasn't just conceit. It was a deeply ingrained response, one formed over many years: outsiders simply should not be better than them.
"Brother Chu Feng is truly something else."
"No wonder Sister Sheng'er invited him to help us."
At this moment, Jie Zhou spoke. Though he wore a smile and appeared amiable, there was a faint trace of pallor in his complexion.
"Look at that one — his face has turned green and he's still forcing a smile. A textbook hypocrite," the Queen remarked.
Chu Feng neither agreed nor disagreed. He, too, had noticed Jie Zhou's odd behavior.
"I have to say, Jie Zhou, with Chu Feng here, the cultivation resources my sisters and I obtain this time might really surpass yours," Ling Sheng'er said, making no attempt to be modest. Her confidence was clear.
"This place has always been a trial ground. If Sister Sheng'er is able to obtain more cultivation resources, that is a blessing for the Seven Realms Sacred Residence. I'd be happy for you," Jie Zhou replied with a smile.
"Tch, what a fake," the Queen cursed.
Ling Sheng'er said nothing in response. She… seemed not to like Jie Zhou very much either.
"Since everyone is ready, let us head inside." After Ling Mo'er said this, she looked toward Chu Feng.
"Young Master Chu Feng, please follow me." With that, she began walking toward the left side of the ancient palace.
Chu Feng had already noticed that the palace had over a dozen large doors.
Ling Mo'er headed for the leftmost one, while Jie Zhou went toward the rightmost. The others each headed for different entrances.
It seemed as though the entrances had been assigned long ago — everyone moved with a clear target in mind.
"Hey, why are you following us? Go to the fifth entrance," Yao Luo suddenly said to Bai Yunqing.
"Miss, I'd like to go with Brother Chu Feng," Bai Yunqing said.
"That won't work. Normally only three people can go through here. With Chu Feng, that's already one extra. Adding you makes five — it'll increase the difficulty of breaking through the trial," Yao Luo replied.
"Miss, I'm a blue-robed Spirit World Master. Having me along would only be an asset, never a burden."
To prove himself, Bai Yunqing released the power of his barrier as he spoke.
But Yao Luo was unmoved, her attitude firm. "I told you to go to the fifth entrance, so go to the fifth entrance."
"Miss Yao Luo, let Brother Bai come with us. I promise he won't be a burden," Chu Feng said.
Facing Chu Feng, Yao Luo's tone softened considerably — almost to the point of sounding aggrieved. "Chu Feng, it's not that I don't want him to come with us. It really won't work."
But at that moment, Ling Mo'er spoke up. "It's fine. Young Master Bai may come with us as well."
"Miss—" Yao Luo began, as if she wanted to say more.
"Luo'er." Ling Sheng'er also spoke.
Seeing this, Yao Luo said nothing further.
It was worth noting that the rightmost entrance where Jie Zhou and his group stood also had only three people, while the other entrances had larger groups.
"Jie Yu, you'll accompany me this time," Jie Zhou said suddenly.
"Young Master Jie Zhou, there's no need. I'm used to it on my own — I won't trouble you," Jie Yu replied with a smile.
"It's no trouble. You're coming with me this time." Jie Zhou then turned to a person beside him. "You and Jie Yu will switch."
Hearing this, the person at Jie Zhou's side looked reluctant but had no choice but to comply.
Seeing this, Jie Yu had no option but to move to Jie Zhou's side.
"What's that guy scheming? He probably wants to pump Jie Yu for information about you. Could he be planning to deal with you?" the Queen said.
"Most likely," Chu Feng agreed. He, too, felt that Jie Zhou might be targeting him.
After all, according to the prophecy, Jie Zhou was the one who could unravel the secrets of this place.
Having had his thunder stolen by Chu Feng today, he was naturally displeased. Beneath that polite exterior, he had likely already marked Chu Feng as an enemy.
But Chu Feng couldn't care less. He was long used to this sort of thing.