"I'll say it again — this is a rare opportunity, and it should go to the most capable person," the president of the Red Butterfly Association declared firmly.
Her words nearly brought Liu Chengkun to tears. He truly hadn't expected that his disciple would go this far for him at such a critical moment.
Just yesterday, she had refused him. Yet today, to save her master's dignity, she had taken his side outright — disregarding Zhao Ruofan's status entirely. This moved Liu Chengkun to his core.
In that moment, he felt certain that entrusting the position of Red Butterfly Association president to his disciple had been the right choice.
In truth, it wasn't only Liu Chengkun who was moved. Even Chu Feng's impression of the Red Butterfly Association's president had shifted considerably, and he found himself looking at her in a new light.
In Chu Feng's view, no matter what hidden difficulties she had that led her to yield to Zhao Ruofan time and again, she at least respected her master and teacher. She truly cared about him.
If Liu Chengkun and Zhao Ruofan had really forced her to choose one, Chu Feng believed the Red Butterfly Association's president would have chosen Liu Chengkun.
"Forgive my presumption, Madam President, but how can you be certain that I'm inferior to young friend Chu Feng in spirit realm arts?" Zhao Ruofan mustered his courage and spoke.
"Oh? You want to compete with Chu Feng in spirit realm arts, to see who's superior?" The Red Butterfly Association's president asked, her displeasure evident.
The moment these words left her lips, the expressions of every elder present changed. Some even sent secret voice transmissions to Zhao Ruofan, urging him to stop arguing.
They could all feel that their president was angry, and if Zhao Ruofan kept pushing, he would not enjoy the consequences.
As for Zhao Ruofan — to say he wasn't panicked, wasn't afraid, would be an outright lie.
But he gritted his teeth and said, "If I lose, I'll willingly withdraw. It's just... I'm afraid young friend Chu Feng doesn't have the nerve."
With that, Zhao Ruofan turned his gaze toward Chu Feng, his eyes full of provocation.
At the same time, everyone's eyes fell upon Chu Feng — though their gazes were filled with deep concern.
In that moment, not only the Red Butterfly Association's president, but even the elders who had no prior connection to Chu Feng were breaking into a cold sweat on his behalf.
Even if Chu Feng was a Spirit Realm Asura Master, he was still only at the Royal Robe level. At his age, even a Royal Robe with a dragon pattern — how strong could he really be?
But Zhao Ruofan had cultivated the barrier technique for so long. His abilities were well known to all.
Everyone feared Chu Feng would lose. Some even felt his defeat was inevitable.
Their worry, however, wasn't born from genuine concern for Chu Feng. They simply didn't want to miss the opportunity to build a good relationship with him — after all, they all sensed that Chu Feng had the potential to become someone truly powerful.
But if Zhao Ruofan defeated Chu Feng today, it would mean the Red Butterfly Association had offended him. None of them wanted that to happen.
"Heh..." Seeing that Chu Feng was slow to respond, a smug look crept into Zhao Ruofan's already provocative gaze.
In his mind, this move was risky, but it was a guaranteed win.
He didn't believe Chu Feng had the nerve to compete with him in barrier technique. Chu Feng would surely find some excuse to decline.
But no matter what excuse Chu Feng offered, as long as he didn't compete, it would prove he was afraid — and that would earn Zhao Ruofan the qualification to travel to Cloud Crane Mountain.
"Vice President Zhao, there's one thing I, Chu Feng, am never short of, and that's nerve." Just then, Chu Feng spoke — not only spoke, but wore an expression of absolute confidence.
"You — you want to compete with me in barrier technique?" Zhao Ruofan asked, stunned. He hadn't expected Chu Feng to actually accept the challenge.
"I'll oblige at any time," Chu Feng said, composed and at ease.
These words sent a shock through the crowd. Chu Feng's calm, unruffled demeanor was clearly that of someone who had faced far greater situations than this — something none of them had anticipated.
Zhao Ruofan, above all, was wide-eyed with disbelief.
From Chu Feng's words, he heard absolute confidence — as though, if they competed, Chu Feng was fully certain of victory.
Fear. Despite his unwillingness to admit it, Zhao Ruofan was now truly afraid. He was afraid of losing to this brat, Chu Feng.
But the arrow had already been nocked. There was no turning back. After careful deliberation, he said, "Since you'll oblige at any time, then tomorrow — right here — you and I shall settle this."
"Very well." Chu Feng nodded.
"If there's nothing else, Madam President, then I'll take my leave." Zhao Ruofan bowed and, without waiting for the Red Butterfly Association's president to respond, turned and departed.
At this point, he had already torn half his face away from the Red Butterfly Association's president. There was no point in pretending anymore.