Just then, Ling Yunhao, who was seated beside Chu Feng, gently kicked him under the table. At the same time, a voice transmission secretly entered Chu Feng's ears:
"Brother Chu Feng, change how you address her quickly. Our vice-captain absolutely hates being called 'Miss' by anyone younger than her."
"Last time, a descendant of the Ling Clan called her that and nearly got beaten to death."
Only after hearing that secret transmission did Chu Feng realize he had misspoken.
But seeing the terrified expressions on everyone's faces, Chu Feng couldn't help but recall a saying — serving a monarch is like serving a tiger.
Beneath this seemingly harmonious atmosphere, undercurrents surged and danger lurked everywhere.
And just then, Ling Xinian stood up, walked around the dining table, and came to Chu Feng's side.
"Chu Feng, apologize quickly," Ling Yunhao hurriedly transmitted.
But who could have expected that at the very moment Ling Yunhao sent his warning, Ling Xinian had already leaned her face close to Chu Feng's and flashed a brilliant smile:
"I'm older than you, you know. Call me Sister Xinian."
"Sister Xinian." Chu Feng called out immediately.
"Chu Feng, what a good boy." Ling Xinian reached out her small hand and patted Chu Feng on the head, her smile growing even brighter.
Seeing this, everyone else at the table also laughed along in agreement, and they all breathed a collective sigh of relief.
"Little brother Chu Feng, haven't you noticed that we dress differently from them?"
"Doesn't it make you curious why we're like this?" Ling Xinian asked after returning to her seat.
"A little curious, actually," Chu Feng said.
"Many ancient ruins, even primordial ruins, have restrictions that prohibit entry by anyone other than the younger generation."
"But the younger generation has limited ability. Some ruins are essentially just decorations — even if you know there are treasures inside, you can't extract them."
"That's precisely why our Seven Realms Sacred Palace established the Sky-Breaking Division — to research methods for overcoming those restrictions."
"And there are two conditions for participating in the Sky-Breaking Division."
"First, an age restriction. You must be between one hundred and one hundred and fifty years old upon joining, and you have to pass an examination to be admitted."
"Second, once you exceed three hundred years of age, you must also leave the Sky-Breaking Division," Ling Xinian explained.
"No wonder your armor looks rather special."
Chu Feng had already noticed that their armor contained a peculiar kind of power — not barrier energy, but something crafted from extraordinary treasures.
"Of course. Our armor was made with tremendous effort. The entire Seven Realms Sacred Palace possesses only a hundred sets," Ling Xinian said.
"So do you also undergo special training regularly?" Chu Feng asked.
"Naturally," Ling Xinian replied.
"And how are the results?" Chu Feng asked.
"Breaking through the restrictions placed on the younger generation — that's something our Seven Realms Sacred Palace has been working on since its founding."
"However, the Sky-Breaking Division was only formally established thirty thousand years ago. By our generation, significant progress has been made."
"In simple terms — we're almost there," Ling Xinian said proudly.
"So since you're the Ling Clan's Sky-Breaking Division, does that mean there's also a Jie Clan Sky-Breaking Division?" Chu Feng asked.
"Smart." Ling Xinian nodded, then added, "Actually, as it happens, there's an opportunity to enter the Sacred Palace for cultivation soon."
"We'll bring you along so you can broaden your horizons."
"Me? Can I really go?" Chu Feng asked.
"Of course. This is a privilege of our Ling Clan's Sky-Breaking Division — we're allowed to bring friends along," Ling Xinian said.
"Actually, it's the vice-captain's privilege," Ling Yunhao added.
"Meddlesome." Ling Xinian shot Ling Yunhao a glare.
"Thank you, Sister Xinian," Chu Feng said immediately.
Although he knew they were deliberately trying to befriend him, the fact that they were giving him this opportunity naturally warranted gratitude.
After finishing the meal, they did not continue on their journey. Instead, they arrived at the entrance of Ling Xinian's manor.
Right there stood a teleportation array.
In fact, it wasn't just at the entrance of Ling Xinian's manor — nearly every manor in the Upper Palace had a teleportation array at its doorstep.
The purpose was simply to make travel more convenient.
Once again stepping out of the teleportation array, what appeared before Chu Feng's eyes was a wall that sealed off heaven and earth, along with a towering gate that pierced straight from the ground into the sky.