"You mentioned that little girl — she's called Jie Ranqing, I believe? This deity recalls that she failed the trial, didn't she?" the colossal being asked.
"Your subordinate respectfully reports: although she did not pass the trial, her performance that year surpassed the first trial performance of the Killing Heavenly King from that same era."
"That self-proclaimed Killing Heavenly King only passed the trial on his third entry into the Nine Heavens Secret Land."
"Furthermore, nearly a thousand years separated his third attempt from his first. By the time he finally passed, he was no longer taking the path of the juniors."
"But your subordinate believes that if the little girl from the Seven Realms Holy Palace were to enter a second time, she would be able to pass."
"Moreover, judging by her performance back then, she should have been able to return very quickly."
"It was only due to certain circumstances that she never came back," the subordinate said.
"If that's the case, then it makes sense." The colossal being offered its approval.
"However, your subordinate recently stumbled upon something rather interesting," the subordinate added.
"What is it?" the colossal being asked.
"This Chu Feng — he is in fact the son of that little girl from back then," the subordinate said.
"Oh? Then would you say Chu Feng was able to pass the trial because of his mother's guidance?" the colossal being asked.
"That should not be the case. Your subordinate was just listening to the conversation between Fuxing and Chu Feng, and learned that mother and son have not seen each other since Chu Feng grew up, due to certain reasons," the subordinate said.
"So he relied on his own ability?"
"Then this child's talent is truly remarkable."
"Very well — give me your assessment of this Chu Feng," the colossal being said.
"Your subordinate respectfully reports: if your subordinate were to assess him, it would be… if the Nine Heavens Secret Land had not been damaged, with this Chu Feng's abilities, he would not only be able to pass the trial…"
"He would most certainly be able to leave his name upon the Dominator's Stone Tablet of the Nine Heavens Secret Land," the subordinate said.
"Leave his name upon the Dominator's Stone Tablet? Is that assessment not rather low?" the colossal being asked.
"Too low?" The subordinate was somewhat surprised — he had considered that assessment to be exceedingly high.
That was the Dominator's Stone Tablet of the Nine Heavens Secret Land!!!
Anyone who knew of it understood just how much weight it carried.
"If this deity remembers correctly, those who passed the trial on their very first attempt…"
"In the ancient era, it seems only that Qin Jiu ever accomplished it," the colossal being said.
"Your subordinate respectfully reports: six names were inscribed upon the Dominator's Stone Tablet of the ancient era, and among them, the only one to pass the trial on the first attempt was indeed Qin Jiu alone."
At this, the subordinate suddenly came to realization and let out a bitter laugh.
"It seems your subordinate's assessment of Chu Feng was indeed too low."
"Rivaling Qin Jiu — that would be a more fitting judgment," the subordinate said.
"This Chu Feng — what is he doing now? Has he left?" The colossal being had clearly grown more curious about Chu Feng.
"Your subordinate respectfully reports: Chu Feng and Fuxing have not left. They are observing the Boundary Gate," the subordinate said.
"Surely he can tell that the Boundary Gate is already damaged and cannot be opened?" the colossal being asked.
"He may need a bit more time to confirm it. After all, even when his mother left all those years ago, she was unable to confirm that the Star Gate had been destroyed."
"As for that Killing Heavenly Kid, it was only on his third entry into the Nine Heavens Secret Land that he determined the Star Gate was damaged and could not be opened," the subordinate said.
But the moment these words left his mouth, his expression froze, and his entire being became as if petrified.
"What happened?" the colossal being asked.
From the subordinate's eyes, the colossal being could tell that the subordinate was currently observing the Nine Heavens Secret Land.
Something must have been discovered to elicit such a reaction.
"Your subordinate respectfully reports: Chu Feng's observational ability is even stronger than your subordinate anticipated."
"It turns out that back in the Trial Hall, he not only comprehended the method to break the seal, but also comprehended the method to open the Star Gate," the subordinate said.
"Comprehending the method is one thing — he would still need to be able to construct the formation," the colossal being said.
"Your subordinate — he has constructed it. And the opening formation he laid out approaches perfection. No… not approaches — it is flawless. Utterly perfect," the subordinate said.
"Are you certain?" the colossal being asked.
"Your subordinate is certain. It is a flawless opening formation," the subordinate said.
"To think this world could still produce such extraordinary talent?"
"What a pity the Nine Heavens Secret Land has been damaged. Otherwise, he could truly leave his name upon the Dominator's Stone Tablet." Now even the colossal being let out a sigh of lament.
"Your subordinate." Suddenly the subordinate spoke again, his voice brimming with shock.
The colossal being knew this man well — for him to react this way, something truly extraordinary must have occurred.
And so it asked: "What now?"
"Your subordinate."
"Did you not say that the Nine Heavens Secret Land's damage was so severe that the Star Gate could never be opened?" the subordinate asked.
"That is correct," the colossal being said.
"Your subordinate — the Star Gate… it is now responding," the subordinate said.