"Brother Chu Feng, what should I do?" Bai Yunqing asked.
"Just use your own method. There's no need to assist me," Chu Feng said.
"Alright." Bai Yunqing obeyed Chu Feng without hesitation and began refining the formation using her own approach.
As for Ling Hang, he said nothing more and continued driving the formation he had been working on earlier.
With the three of them working together, the formation quickly blazed with radiant light.
"It's done! Thank you, young friends — the formation is complete."
Upon seeing the dazzling formation, Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle was overjoyed.
The formation had been successfully refined.
"Hmph, and that's all thanks to Young Master Ling Hang," Li Ta'er said.
"Sister Ta'er, when it comes to refining this formation, my Brother Chu Feng clearly contributed the most," Bai Yunqing said.
This was the first time Bai Yunqing had ever contradicted Li Ta'er since Chu Feng had known her — and she wasn't doing it for herself, but for Chu Feng.
"What a joke. His formation was just putting on a show. I refuse to believe that a Blue Dragon God Cloak could truly produce a formation on par with a Golden Dragon God Cloak," Li Ta'er said.
"Martial Uncle, you should be able to tell who actually contributed the most," Bai Yunqing looked to her Martial Uncle.
"I honestly can't tell, but that's not important. The fact that this formation has been successfully refined is cause for celebration. All three of you played significant roles," Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng sneered inwardly.
Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle couldn't possibly have failed to notice. He was only saying this to give Ling Hang face.
So Chu Feng said nothing — he was doing it for Bai Yunqing's sake.
"Truthfully, I don't care about the credit. When three people contribute, it's impossible for the effort to be exactly equal."
"And since Young Master Chu Feng claims his formation is on par with a Golden Dragon God Cloak's, I think it's only fair to give him due credit."
"Why don't we use a different method to prove that Young Master Chu Feng's talent truly surpasses both Brother Bai's and mine?"
"That way, we'll restore the fairness that Young Master Chu Feng deserves," Ling Hang said.
"Does Young Master Ling want to compete against us?" Bai Yunqing asked.
"There's no need for a competition. We're not enemies — what would we even compete over?"
"I do have a method that doesn't require a competition yet can still determine which of us three has the greatest talent." As he spoke, Ling Hang produced an item.
The moment they laid eyes on it, everyone was captivated — even Chu Feng.
It was a palm-sized object, a miniature palace forged from bronze.
At a single glance, Chu Feng could tell this was no ordinary artifact.
"Young Master Ling Hang, what is this?" Li Ta'er was already asking with keen curiosity.
"Miss Ta'er, this is an ancient supreme treasure and also a special cultivation sacred site. My grandfather's grandfather's grandfather earned it as a reward from the Seven Realms Sacred Residence for his great service. You could say it's our family's heirloom," Ling Hang explained.
"How do you cultivate in it?" Li Ta'er's eyes lit up at the words "cultivation sacred site."
In truth, Chu Feng and Bai Yunqing were also quite interested.
"You simply enter it to cultivate," Ling Hang said.
"Then how do we determine whose talent is better?" Li Ta'er asked again.
"There are three methods."
"First, entering this tower requires a key."
"But even having a key isn't enough. There are two additional restrictions. One is that you must be a junior cultivator, and the other is… comprehension."
"If your comprehension is insufficient, even with a key you won't be able to enter this tower."
"Second is the method of breaking through formations. Once inside, you'll need to break through formations. If you fail, the tower will expel you, and you won't qualify to cultivate."
"Third is the power you obtain."
"After breaking through the formations, the tower bestows power based on the strength of your talent. This power greatly aids cultivation."
"Of course, the reason I'm willing to bring this out is because I want to share it with Miss Ta'er and both of you, my brothers," Ling Hang said with a smile.
"Young Master Ling Hang is truly generous, unlike these two who are awfully stingy," Li Ta'er said.
"Is this woman sick? Where did she get the idea that you're stingy?" the Queen couldn't help but curse.
"Eggy, don't bother with her. I think she's got issues," Chu Feng said.
"What kind of issues?" the Queen asked.
"A bootlicker's disease. Look at her — she's acting like a female sycophant, frantically kissing up to this Ling Hang," Chu Feng said.
"Now that you mention it, she really is," the Queen laughed.
Rumble— At that moment, the great hall trembled faintly, and simultaneously the hall's own formation began establishing a connection with the formation at its center that Chu Feng and the others had refined.
"The formation has been refined. It's time for the final compression."
"This is no longer a safe place to stay. Let's move somewhere else to talk," Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle said.
After that, Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle led Chu Feng and the others to a separate palace reserved for honored guests.
Then he left — in a great hurry.
Chu Feng noticed that Bai Yunqing's Martial Uncle had actually been very interested in the item Ling Hang had produced.
But the fact that he'd now left in such a rush meant there was urgent business to attend to.
And Chu Feng guessed it likely had to do with the formation they had just refined.
Moments ago, the great hall had displayed an immensely powerful formation force. Someone had to be driving it.
That formation was formidable, and whoever was driving it had to be equally powerful — otherwise they wouldn't be able to unleash that kind of might.
Chu Feng suspected it was probably Bai Yunqing's Master, the one who had yet to show their face, who was behind it.
Perhaps the Martial Uncle had gone to help.
"Miss Ta'er, brothers."
At this point, Ling Hang produced three keys and handed them to Li Ta'er, Chu Feng, and Bai Yunqing respectively.
The keys were very small — only the length of a fingernail — but they were indeed complete keys, forged from ancient bronze and matching the material of the palace.
"These keys are limited in number. Having been passed down through the generations, very few remain."
"Even the juniors of our Seven Realms Sacred Residence — even if they offered a fortune to my father, he might not grant them this opportunity."