As soon as those words left Chu Feng's lips, Nangong Yuliu's face turned green on the spot.
But he wasn't the only one whose face changed color — Zhao Shi's did too.
Though in her case, it was from fear.
"Senior Brother Nangong, Junior Brother Chu Feng didn't mean it that way."
Seeing that things were spiraling, Zhao Shi hurried forward, trying to explain on Chu Feng's behalf.
Slap!
But who could have expected that Nangong Yuliu would simply sweep his sleeve, and with a crisp crack, land a resounding slap across Zhao Shi's face.
At the same time, his aura surged outward.
Ninth Level Supreme — he had truly raised his cultivation.
"Zhao Shi, have you become Li Muzhi's little lackey after sticking by his side?"
"You dare talk back to me now?"
"Are you even worthy?"
Nangong Yuliu fixed Zhao Shi with a furious glare.
That look in his eyes — as though Zhao Shi were nothing more than a servant in his sight, not a true disciple at all.
"Senior Brother Nangong, I wasn't trying to talk back, it's just that—"
Even after being slapped in front of everyone, Zhao Shi didn't get angry. Instead, she remained entirely submissive, continuing to explain.
Sizzle!
But while Zhao Shi was still speaking, the sound of rumbling thunder erupted from behind her.
Turning toward the sound, everyone was shocked.
There stood Chu Feng, with lightning runes surging across his forehead, and a suit of thunder armor enveloping his entire body.
"This guy — he can actually use both the lightning runes and the thunder armor simultaneously in the Supreme realm?"
"Wait, something's off — what's going on with his aura? Wasn't he a Sixth Level Supreme?"
"Why does his cultivation appear to have reached the Ninth Level Supreme after manifesting the lightning runes and thunder armor?"
"Could it be that his true cultivation has already reached the Seventh Level Supreme?"
"Could he have been the one who caused that Heavenly Thunder phenomenon in the sky earlier?"
The sight of the lightning runes and thunder armor on Chu Feng's body drew complex gazes from the crowd.
Word about the lightning runes and thunder armor had already spread.
But Chu Feng's current level of cultivation clearly exceeded everyone's expectations.
And when they recalled the terrifying phenomenon that had shrouded the heavens just moments ago, their hearts trembled all the more.
Not for any other reason — that phenomenon had simply been too terrifying.
Yet Chu Feng paid no attention whatsoever to the crowd's opinions.
His blazing, fury-filled eyes locked onto only one person — Nangong Yuliu.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, please don't be rash."
But seeing Chu Feng in this state, Zhao Shi lunged at him, wrapping her arms tightly around him and refusing to let him make a move.
"What's with that look in your eyes? Are you actually thinking of attacking me?"
Even though Chu Feng's cultivation had now reached the Ninth Level Supreme — putting him on equal footing — Nangong Yuliu still remained utterly unconcerned.
His gaze was filled with contempt, tinged with a hint of mockery.
"Striking a woman for no reason at all."
"You deserve to die," Chu Feng said.
"Oh really? Then go ahead and try."
"I'd love to see which one of us dies today."
Nangong Yuliu looked at Chu Feng with disdain.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, please don't do this. Calm yourself."
Seeing this, Zhao Shi hugged Chu Feng even tighter.
She knew that if Chu Feng struck first today, it would put him at an enormous disadvantage.
"What, you don't dare? Then stop putting on an act."
"Can Zhao Shi really hold you back?" Nangong Yuliu sneered.
"Sister Zhao, this slap was dealt because of me, Chu Feng. I will absolutely get justice for it."
"Don't blame me."
With those words, Chu Feng pushed Zhao Shi aside.
"Stop."
But at that very moment, a figure suddenly stepped in and blocked Chu Feng's path.