"Young Hero Chu Feng, you truly are a prodigy." Zhan Yuanmo looked at Chu Feng beside him, his eyes filled with undisguised admiration and reverence.
Chu Feng had already demonstrated his overwhelming strength in martial cultivation, but he had never expected that Chu Feng's attainment in the art of barriers would be equally extraordinary.
"Grandfather, Big Brother Chu Feng is not only a Robe-ranking Spirit World Master — he also reached the third floor of the Enlightenment Ground," Zhan Lingtong said.
"The third floor?" The moment Zhan Lingtong uttered those words, the revelation landed like a thunderbolt in everyone's hearts.
At this moment, no one could remain calm. Excitement and disbelief warred across every face.
A Robe-ranking Spirit World Master who had reached the third floor of the Enlightenment Ground — both were feats that belonged to legend.
It seemed that apart from Zhan Haichuan, no one had ever managed to ascend to the third floor.
Yet Chu Feng had accomplished it. Standing before them now, he seemed almost godlike in their eyes.
"Ugh—"
However, just as everyone was still reeling from the staggering tale of Chu Feng's accomplishments, Zhan Yuanmo's expression suddenly began to twist. Moments later, a sound of unbearable pain escaped his lips.
"Sir!" Upon seeing this, the members of the Ancient Battle Clan rushed forward.
Swoosh—
But Zhan Yuanmo raised a hand and said, "Don't be alarmed. I'm fine."
He then lifted his head and swept his complicated gaze across the crowd. "Regardless, imprisoning Young Hero Chu Feng was an act of dishonor on the part of our Ancient Battle Clan. Young Hero Chu Feng may choose not to pursue the matter, but we cannot truly let it end there."
"Senior, please, let the matter rest. After all, my current cultivation is owed in part to my training at the Enlightenment Ground," Chu Feng said.
"Young Hero Chu Feng, please hear me out. This debt is ultimately ours to bear. Even if you truly have no intention of pressing the issue, the Ancient Battle Clan must still offer you some form of compensation," Zhan Yuanmo said.
"Compensation must be given. Father, you decide," the clan master of the Ancient Battle Clan said.
"No — this matter I cannot decide," Zhan Yuanmo said, shaking his head.
…………
Hearing this, the members of the Ancient Battle Clan all froze, their expressions going blank with confusion.
Though Zhan Yuanmo no longer held the title of clan master, he had in truth always been the most authoritative figure within the Ancient Battle Clan.
If even he could not decide this matter, then who in the entire Ancient Battle Clan possibly could?
"This matter must be decided by Lord War Axe," Zhan Yuanmo said.
"Lord War Axe — the Ancient War Axe?" Everyone's realization dawned at once.
"Father, what are Lord War Axe's instructions?" the clan master asked.
"Lord War Axe wishes to convey this personally," Zhan Yuanmo said.
"Personally?" Everyone was secretly astonished. The Ancient War Axe was a Secret Technique, and while it could communicate with Zhan Yuanmo, speaking on its own was an exceedingly difficult feat to achieve.
"This will require Young Hero Chu Feng's assistance. A Secret Technique bonded to the body cannot be separated except by death — but this restriction does not apply to Robe-ranking Spirit World Masters."
"Young Hero Chu Feng, as a Robe-ranking Spirit World Master, I ask that you help me release Lord War Axe from within me," Zhan Yuanmo said to Chu Feng.
"Father, if you truly wish for Lord War Axe to depart from your body, we could simply use the grand formation left behind by our ancestors. There would be no need for Young Hero Chu Feng to intervene," the clan master said.
In truth, he did not entirely trust Chu Feng. Although Chu Feng was indeed a Robe-ranking Spirit World Master, the Secret Technique was no ordinary matter. When it came to something of such gravity, he would rather place his faith in the ancestral formation.
"Silence! This matter must be handled by Young Hero Chu Feng."
Zhan Yuanmo shot his son a glare, then turned back to Chu Feng. "Young Hero Chu Feng, please — you must help me."
"I am certainly capable of accomplishing this, but… it would put considerable strain on your body. You are already injured, and this may not be the most opportune moment," Chu Feng said.
"Young Hero Chu Feng, this is Lord War Axe's will. I cannot defy Lord War Axe's will. I beg you — please help me." As he spoke these words, Zhan Yuanmo actually moved to drop to his knees before Chu Feng.
"Senior, please don't." Chu Feng quickly caught Zhan Yuanmo and held him up, then said with a helpless expression, "Very well. I'll help you."
With that, Chu Feng began to set up a specialized formation, working to separate the Secret Technique from within Zhan Yuanmo's body.
Chu Feng was now a Snake-mark-level Robe-ranking Spirit World Master, and so the moment his barrier arts were unleashed, they blazed with resplendent splendor, illuminating heaven and earth.