As the monster struggled, its oppressive aura spilled outward.
Zhang Tianyi, Jiang Wushuang, and the others could all feel the monster's power.
Its true strength was far beyond that of a rank nine Half Ancestor — it was a power vastly superior to that level.
It was even more terrifying than that. It was a realm utterly beyond their reach.
Yet this fearsome monster was held firmly in Chu Feng's grip, unable to break free in the slightest, reduced to nothing more than a toy in his hand.
This forced them to wonder — just what realm had Chu Feng reached?
And when he recalled what he had said to Chu Feng earlier, Zhang Tianyi felt nothing but overwhelming shame.
He had assumed that by becoming a rank nine Half Ancestor, he had surpassed Chu Feng, never realizing that Chu Feng's cultivation had long since stepped into a realm he couldn't even begin to comprehend.
"You — how can you possibly possess such power? You're not from here. Who are you?!"
At that moment, panic flooded the monster's face.
"Who I am doesn't matter. What matters is who you are. Tell me honestly, or you'll suffer for it," Chu Feng said.
"Ha ha ha… it seems today is truly the day this king cannot escape fate. Fine, consider this king unlucky. Brat, even if I die here today, there will surely be someone in my clan who can avenge me."
With those words, a loud boom rang out as the monster self-destructed once again.
This time, it was truly dead.
Chu Feng hadn't expected the creature to be so resolute — choosing to destroy its own body rather than reveal anything more about itself.
"The Netherworld Royal Clan… what kind of clan is this? Has it been passed down since ancient times?"
Chu Feng murmured to himself.
"Brother Chu Feng, I knew you wouldn't abandon us!"
"Feng'er, we're truly sorry. You warned us that something was off with this volcano, and we actually doubted you. We're just… sigh."
In that moment, Chu Feng's loved ones gathered around him once more. But on their faces, there was more than just the joy of being rescued — there was also deep, heartfelt remorse.
How could they not feel ashamed? They were filled with guilt.
Among them were not only Chu Feng's family and closest friends, but even his Master.
And yet, when Zhang Tianyi had driven Chu Feng away, not one of them had spoken up.
They had to admit it — in that moment, they had been selfish. Driven by their desire for power, they had become so shamefully self-serving that now, just thinking about it, they wished they could slap themselves.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng." Just then, another voice rang out.
It was Zhang Tianyi. And when everyone turned to look, they were stunned to find that Zhang Tianyi had dropped to his knees.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, you came here for us, and yet I treated you like that. I'm not a man. I don't deserve to be your senior brother."
As he spoke, Zhang Tianyi raised his arm, intending to slap himself across the face.
However, his raised hand never landed on his own cheek — his motion was halted.
Not by himself. He had been restrained.
It was Chu Feng. Chu Feng had stopped him.
"Senior Brother Zhang, there's no need for this. Please, get up."
Chu Feng walked over to Zhang Tianyi and helped him to his feet.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, just hit me. Hit me hard. If you hit me, I might actually feel a little better."
"I was absolutely disgraceful — saying those things to you, doubting my own best brother. I'm less than human. I deserve to die."
After being helped up, Zhang Tianyi was practically trembling with emotion. His face was streaked with tears of regret, and he wept without restraint.
A grown man, crying like a broken child.
Pa— Pa— Pa— Pa— And then, one after another, crisp, resounding slaps rang through the air.