Faced with Tu Yuanyuan's surprised expression and the skeptical gazes of everyone around, Chu Feng gave no direct answer. Instead, he walked straight toward the high platform.
The Duanmu brothers were still up on the platform, having yet to come down.
Seeing Chu Feng actually head toward the platform as well, the looks in their eyes shifted.
But Chu Feng paid them no mind. He strode directly up onto the platform and, through his actions, gave everyone his answer.
He… was going to participate in this competition for Zi Ling.
"Wait a moment."
But just as Chu Feng was about to pick up the brush and write his name on the wooden board— Duanmu Xiang, who stood upon the platform, suddenly called out to stop him.
He didn't just call out to stop him—his tone was rather hostile.
This changed Chu Feng's impression of Duanmu Xiang.
Originally, Chu Feng had thought the Duanmu brothers were reasonable people. Now it seemed he'd thought too highly of them.
And so, Chu Feng completely ignored Duanmu Xiang. He swiftly lifted the brush and inscribed his name upon the wooden board.
Moreover, Chu Feng wrote his name at the very front.
Not only ahead of Duanmu Xiang and Duanmu Yang, but also ahead of Zuoqiu Youyu and Zuoqiu Yanliang.
Chu Feng knew this move was improper and would offend people.
But that was precisely the point—he wanted to make his stance unmistakable.
Zi Ling was his beloved. No one else would be allowed to compete for her.
If anyone wanted to try, they would have to get in line behind him.
Chu Feng could compromise on other matters, but when it came to his woman, he would never yield.
Not a single step!!!
"I'm speaking to you—can you not hear me?"
Duanmu Xiang pressed Chu Feng further, his tone growing increasingly unfriendly.
"Oh, I'm sorry."
"So were you calling me just now?"
Chu Feng turned his head and looked at Duanmu Xiang.
"Of course. There are only three of us up here. If my brother wasn't calling you, would he be calling me?"
Duanmu Yang spoke up as well. Compared to Duanmu Xiang, his attitude was even worse.
At the very least, compared to how they treated others, the hostility they showed toward Chu Feng was obvious.
"You're human too. Why is it that when he speaks, it must be directed at me? Could it not be directed at you?"
Chu Feng narrowed his eyes, looking at Duanmu Yang with an expression of complete innocence and harmlessness.
But anyone with ears could tell that Chu Feng was clearly mocking Duanmu Yang.
"You dare insult me?"
Duanmu Yang roared at Chu Feng in fury.
"Insult you?"
"I said you're human, and that counts as an insult?"
"Should I have said you're not human instead? Would that not have been an insult?"
Chu Feng spread his hands and shrugged, wearing an expression of exaggerated helplessness.
"Insolent wretch—do you think I wouldn't dare teach you a lesson?"
As Duanmu Yang spoke, he released the pressure of his ninth-rank Supreme cultivation.
Ninth-rank Supreme—the strongest existence among the younger disciples present.
Otherwise, the two brothers would never have been named among the Crouching Dragon disciples.
But in truth, this place was a gathering of hidden talents. Setting aside the elders, even among the disciples who had already surpassed the younger generation, there were quite a few whose strength exceeded that of the Duanmu brothers.
And yet, seeing Duanmu Yang release his pressure, no one stepped forward to stop him.
People here enjoyed watching a good show just as much.
"What's this—trying to use your cultivation to bully others? Relying on strength to oppress the weak?"
But even facing Duanmu Yang's pressure, Chu Feng's smile did not fade. The only difference was that this smile was no longer the polite one from before—it was far more mocking.
At that moment, Duanmu Xiang reached over and patted Duanmu Yang, signaling him to retract his pressure.
Then Duanmu Xiang turned to look at Chu Feng: "Chu Feng."
"You're the one who—after just joining the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect—broke Lord Dugu Lingtian's record at the Snow Domain Heavenly Peak, aren't you?"
"That's me," Chu Feng replied.
"You'd just joined the Crouching Dragon Martial Sect and you've already made a name for yourself."
"I can understand that it's gone to your head a little."
"But as your senior brother, it's my duty to guide you, lest you go down the wrong path."
"Do you know what it means to write your name on this board?"
"Do you know what you're doing?"
Duanmu Xiang pointed at the wooden board as he spoke to Chu Feng.
"You don't need to spell it out. I, Chu Feng, know exactly what I'm doing."
Chu Feng said.
"And since you know—you still dare write your name up there?"
"Do you believe you have the right?"
Duanmu Xiang's voice grew harder, his tone increasingly forceful and tinged with anger.
"Why not? Is there some rule that says I can't write my name up there?"
Chu Feng dropped his smile as well, his expression turning solemn.
"Chu Feng, being young and spirited is fine, but you should also know your place."
"What manner of person is Junior Sister Zi Ling? She is the Sect Master's personal disciple. Her excellence demands that only the most outstanding person in the entire sect is worthy of her."
"You… are you worthy?"