"Father, I don't plan on leaving. I came back this time to fully prepare for the Tournament of Prodigies a year from now," said Chu Huanyu.
"Time really does fly. Before you know it, the Tournament of Prodigies is almost here again — once every three years," said Chu Kongtong.
"One year, two months, and twenty-one days," said Chu Huanyu.
"Then doing the math, Chu Qing won't be able to participate in the next Tournament of Prodigies," said Chu Kongtong.
"In one year, one month, and eighteen days, Chu Qing will turn a hundred and will no longer qualify as a junior. He won't be able to continue competing in the Tournament of Prodigies," said Chu Huanyu.
"Once Chu Qing ages out, that frees up a spot. My Huanyu's ranking will climb one more."
"Good, truly good," said Chu Kongtong.
"Father, this time, my goal goes far beyond climbing one spot," said Chu Huanyu.
"Huanyu, then what is your goal?" asked Chu Kongtong.
"Since Chu Qing can no longer participate in the Tournament of Prodigies, then my goal is first place," said Chu Huanyu.
"Good — you've got ambition. You truly are my, Chu Kongtong's, son."
"However, Huanyu, that girl Chu Ruoshi, as well as Song Yunfei from the Starfall Holy Land, are not to be underestimated. How confident are you?" asked Chu Kongtong.
"Father, don't worry. I'm eighty percent confident this time," said Chu Huanyu.
"Good, excellent. Huanyu, your talent for the martial path far surpasses your father's. Your future accomplishments are bound to be limitless."
Seeing Chu Huanyu so brimming with confidence, Chu Kongtong grew even more pleased.
After that, Chu Kongtong and Chu Huanyu chatted for a long while.
It wasn't until dark had fallen that Chu Huanyu finally left Chu Kongtong's residence.
However, the moment he stepped out, he realized that Chu Xianshuo was waiting for him.
"Little brother, I heard that you've already reached the seventh rank of True Immortal. That's truly incredible."
"Right now, you've already surpassed Chu Haoyan. Among all the juniors of the Chu Heavenly Clan, besides Chu Qing, only Chu Ruoshi can be mentioned in the same breath as you," said Chu Xianshuo, approaching with an ingratiating look on his face.
"Hmph. Chu Haoyan was never worthy of being compared to me. As for Chu Ruoshi, I'll surpass her sooner or later. And Chu Qing won't be a junior for much longer, so there's no need for me to compare myself to him."
Chu Huanyu was brimming with confidence. Every inch of his being radiated an air of arrogance — as if none could stand above him.
"Of course, of course."
Chu Xianshuo nodded in agreement, fawning over him, completely devoid of the pride he once held.
"I heard you were defeated by an outsider. How could you be so pathetic?"
Chu Huanyu looked Chu Xianshuo up and down with contempt. There was no familial warmth in his gaze — only disdain and disgust.
"Little brother, you don't understand. That kid called Chu Feng — no one knows where he came from, but he's incredibly powerful. He's definitely no ordinary character," said Chu Xianshuo.
"Hmph — no ordinary character?"
"Among all the juniors of the Great Thousand Upper Realm, the only ones who can even remotely catch my eye are Chu Qing, Chu Ruoshi, Song Yunfei, and Chu Haoyan."
"Apart from these four, no one else possesses the talent to even remotely compare with me. The rest are all trash," said Chu Huanyu.
"Little brother, I'm really not lying to you. That Chu Feng really is extraordinary. Otherwise, how could I — a fourth rank True Immortal — have lost to him, a second rank True Immortal?" said Chu Xianshuo.
"That's because you're incompetent," said Chu Huanyu.
"Little brother, although my talent can't compare to yours, among the juniors I am by no means weak."
"You really shouldn't underestimate that Chu Feng. He's truly not simple. There are even rumors that he's Chu Xuanyuan's son," said Chu Xianshuo.
"What?" Hearing those words, Chu Huanyu's gaze instantly turned razor-sharp.
"What nonsense are you spouting? Didn't that Chu Feng die long ago? Father saw it with his own eyes," said Chu Huanyu.
"I'm really not talking nonsense. Setting aside the fact that this Chu Feng shares the same name, his age matches perfectly. Most importantly, how was this Chu Feng able to defeat me — a fourth rank True Immortal — as a second rank True Immortal?"
"It's because he cultivated the legendary Divine Punishment Mystic Art! Throughout history, only Chu Xuanyuan and Chu Hanxian have ever cultivated the Divine Punishment Mystic Art. Apart from them, not even our Chu Heavenly Clan possesses the cultivation method for it."
"And beyond the Divine Punishment Mystic Art, that Chu Feng also commands a very peculiar secret technique. The combat power of that technique can allow him to fight an entire rank above his own."
"This is far too unusual. These are not techniques native to our Great Thousand Upper Realm," said Chu Xianshuo.