Four sinister and terrifying beasts materialized, composed of red, green, blue, and purple light.
Though their bodies were made purely of radiant energy rather than physical substance, the oppressive aura they emanated was more than enough to suffocate anyone.
Moreover, from each of the four beasts, a beam of light — like a chain — extended outward, linking them to Wang Qiang's body.
The four beams of different colors converged simultaneously upon Wang Qiang, and it was this fusion that produced the multicolored radiance and blazing aura surrounding him.
"Surely this isn't an inherited bloodline?" Chu Feng asked.
Chu Feng was both amazed and delighted at the sight — amazed by the sheer power of this force, and overjoyed that Wang Qiang had become its master.
However, to his eyes, the four beasts before him, though brimming with a dark and sinister aura, reminded him of his own four secret arts — the Four Sacred Beast Body.
So Chu Feng instinctively felt that this power within Wang Qiang was likely a Heaven-ordained divine ability, and quite a formidable one at that.
"It certainly doesn't resemble an ordinary inherited bloodline, but neither does it seem like a typical Heaven-ordained divine ability. I have never encountered such a peculiar divine ability before," said the Golden Crane True Immortal.
"Well, whatever it is, the power inside my husband certainly seems incredibly strong."
Zhao Hong saw that Wang Qiang was unharmed, and the delight on her face grew ever brighter. Her beautiful eyes seemed to glow as they continuously swept over the four beasts.
"Wang Qiang's power has only just awakened and is not yet stable. Once it has fully awakened, we will know whether it is a special inherited bloodline or a unique Heaven-ordained divine ability," the Golden Crane True Immortal said.
"Senior, based on your estimation, how much longer will the full awakening take?" Chu Feng asked.
"That is difficult to say. However, I have witnessed the awakening of latent power within many individuals before."
"Based on my past experience, once the power has fully awakened, the strength of its master will increase as well."
"And the longer the awakening takes, the stronger the power will be. So a longer duration is not necessarily a bad thing for Wang Qiang."
"Before his power has fully awakened, let him remain here with me," the Golden Crane True Immortal said to Chu Feng.
"Thank you, Senior." Chu Feng and Zhao Hong quickly expressed their gratitude.
Both of them understood that the Golden Crane True Immortal's Cloud Crane Mountain was arguably one of the safest places in the entire Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm.
Unless an expert from the Upper Realm intervened, virtually no one within the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm would dare cause trouble on Cloud Crane Mountain.
If Wang Qiang could remain here, the power within his body would undoubtedly awaken without any risk.
"It seems my brother's suffering wasn't in vain. At the very least, it brought about the awakening of this power inside him — a blessing in disguise," Chu Feng said with a smile.
"Yes, indeed," Zhao Hong nodded repeatedly, beaming with a radiant smile.
Afterward, Chu Feng and Zhao Hong exchanged further pleasantries with the Golden Crane True Immortal.
The Golden Crane True Immortal also learned of how Chu Feng and Zhao Hong had slain Dugu Jianxu and the others.
"Chu Feng, Zhao Hong, I must say — what you two did was far too reckless."
"However, since it has already happened, I won't belabor the point. Just know that you have now offended all four of the first-tier powers in the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm. When you leave here, you must exercise extreme caution."
"Otherwise, a single lapse in attention could cost you both your lives, and you can forget about ever venturing to the Upper Realm," the Golden Crane True Immortal said.
"Rest assured, Senior. I, Zhao Hong, was the one who caused this trouble, and I can bear the responsibility."
"I absolutely will not remain hidden away on Cloud Crane Mountain. I will be leaving right now."
As she spoke, Zhao Hong cupped her fists toward the Golden Crane True Immortal once more and said, "Senior, thank you for your hospitality, and even more so for protecting my husband Wang Qiang. I, Zhao Hong, will remember your kindness, and I will repay it in the future."
Having said those words, Zhao Hong immediately rose to her feet and began making her way out of Cloud Crane Mountain.