"Mm."
Chu Feng nodded. He understood what his father meant — he was trying to tell him that the test results did not necessarily determine one's future accomplishments. Yet the guilt in his heart had not diminished at all.
"Feng'er, it's getting late. You should go now. But there's one thing I need to remind you of." Chu Xuanyuan glanced toward Chu Feng's Universe Bag and said, "That Evil God Sword of yours is somewhat special. I'm afraid you won't be able to fully wield it, but don't discard it either. Just be careful when using it."
"Father, is that Evil God Sword an Emperor Armament?" Chu Feng pressed.
"An Emperor Armament? The power of that weapon cannot be measured by the standard grading of armaments. But it is very treacherous — if used well, it will become a powerful ally. If used poorly, it will be the very weapon that kills you."
"Still, it is a rare treasure. Since you've encountered it, it is your fortune. It would be a great pity to throw it away," Chu Xuanyuan said.
"Father, I understand. I won't discard the Evil God Sword. I'll use it carefully," Chu Feng said.
"Whether it brings blessing or calamity depends entirely on your ability to control it. If you truly cannot master it, don't force yourself — there's no harm in letting it go," Chu Xuanyuan said.
"I understand." Chu Feng nodded once more.
"Good. Go now, Feng'er. Go out into the world beyond and make your mark," Chu Xuanyuan said.
"Father, Uncle Ape, Ziling — I'll be going now." Chu Feng looked at the three figures before him. Whether it was Chu Xuanyuan, the Old Ape, or Ziling, their eyes were filled with a deep reluctance to part.
And Chu Feng could tell that all three of them were equally reluctant to see him go. Especially Ziling — though she wore a sweet smile on her face, her eyes had already turned red.
In Chu Feng's memory, Ziling was not the kind of girl who cried easily.
"I'm leaving." Chu Feng turned around and strode away alongside the blind elder.
He had truly decided to go. Though many questions still lingered in his mind, he did not intend to ask his father about all of them.
His father had said so much today precisely because he wanted Chu Feng to rely on himself in all things. And Chu Feng would live up to his father's expectations.
The path of cultivation ahead would be bitter, but Chu Feng was determined to carve his way through on his own — no longer depending on his father.
"Feng'er." Just then, Chu Xuanyuan's voice suddenly rang out behind him.
Chu Feng turned to look. Chu Xuanyuan was still watching him, a faint smile on his lips. "Although I cannot tell you about your mother right now, you must know this — your mother loves you very much."
Hearing those words, Chu Feng's nose stung, and tears nearly surged from his eyes.
He had always known his mother loved him. Otherwise, why would she have gone to such great lengths to leave a world spirit inside his body?
Yet when his father spoke those words aloud, he was still deeply moved. The longing for his mother swelled almost beyond his control.
"Father, I know. I will cultivate hard, and then I will go find Mother and bring her back." Chu Feng said this with a smile. He did not cry. In that moment, he made a decision — no matter how great the storms ahead, he would not cry again.
He would be strong, stronger than ever before, because he knew the road ahead would only grow more difficult.
But he had no choice but to press forward. For the sake of his family, he had to give it everything.
Chu Feng and the blind elder departed from the forbidden grounds, but they could not return the way they had come. They had to continue along the Heavenly Path and only take a passage back to the Eastern Sea once they reached the Golden-Entering Martial Saint Continent.
By now, Chu Feng and the blind elder had been gone for some time. Yet Chu Xuanyuan, Ziling, and the Old Ape still stood where they were, their gazes fixed on the direction in which Chu Feng had departed.