Chu Feng was only a single step away from stepping into the Martial Emperor realm.
And with Chu Feng's capabilities, at his current cultivation level, he could truly say that no one beneath the Martial Emperor realm was his equal.
Calculating the time, Chu Feng had only been in the Wolong Martial Academy for a handful of days.
In such a short period, he had broken through from the Sixth Level Supreme all the way to the Ninth Level Supreme. This speed left even Chu Feng himself ecstatic with joy.
What delighted him most was that the Martial Emperor realm, which had once seemed impossibly distant, was now right before his eyes.
Of course, Chu Feng had not spread word of this.
He was waiting — waiting for the power within the Fierce Beast's Prison World to dissipate, waiting for those trapped within the Wolong Illusory Palace to be freed.
When that time came, news of Chu Feng's deeds would spread once more.
Compared to breaking Senior Dugu Lingtian's record, the shock this would cause would be even greater.
After all, this was something that even Senior Dugu Lingtian had never accomplished.
Because the Head Steward and the others were all worried about Chu Feng's current situation and his state of mind, the celebratory banquet did not last very long.
After it ended, Chu Feng returned to his residence.
But outside his residence, a crowd had already gathered.
Not only were there disciples and elders from the Northern Profound Court, but even some disciples from the Southern Phoenix Court had come.
The reason so many people had been drawn here was because of a single person.
That person was a disciple of the Southern Phoenix Court — Xia Ran.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, you've finally come back."
When Xia Ran saw Chu Feng, rather than being angry, he actually wore an incredibly cheerful smile.
An outsider would have thought the two of them were the best of friends.
This scene caught everyone off guard. Everyone had assumed Xia Ran was here to cause trouble for Chu Feng. Who would have thought that Xia Ran would react this way upon seeing him?
"Xia Ran, what's with this act? Are you a weasel paying New Year's visits to a chicken?"
Chu Feng scoffed at Xia Ran's sudden warmth.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, I know I was in the wrong before."
"I came here today with no other intention — I came specifically to apologize to you."
"I, Xia Ran, am sincere, and I hope Junior Brother Chu Feng can let go of any hard feelings from the past."
After saying this, Xia Ran looked back at the six Southern Phoenix Court disciples behind him.
The six disciples understood his meaning and each produced a chest from their Universe Bags.
Six chests, all identical in appearance, yet each contained entirely different treasures within.
They were all manner of rare and extraordinary items — some for cultivation, some for defensive formations, some for forging weapons, and some for refining pills.
There were even three half-step Emperor weapons, and all of them were of the highest quality.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, a small token of my sincerity. Please accept it."
Xia Ran said to Chu Feng.
"I appreciate the sentiment, but keep the gifts."
"You may leave."
Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively.
Though what Xia Ran offered was genuinely valuable, Chu Feng truly had no interest in it.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, please wait a moment."
"There is one more thing I wish to discuss with you. Could we... go inside to talk?"
Xia Ran said.
"Whatever it is, we can discuss it here."
Chu Feng said.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, it would be better to go inside. This isn't really the place."
Xia Ran said.
"Oh?"
"Fine. Wait a moment."
Chu Feng first walked into the residence by himself, but quickly opened the hall doors again.
"Come in."
Chu Feng waved his hand, motioning for Xia Ran and the others to enter.
Seeing this, Xia Ran did not stand on ceremony. He and the six Southern Phoenix Court disciples who had accompanied him walked into Chu Feng's residence together.
But before long, the doors of Chu Feng's residence burst open with a bang.
Immediately after, six Southern Phoenix Court disciples came rushing out in a panic.
As they ran, they shouted at the top of their lungs.
"Someone come quick, help! Go fetch the elders!"
"Chu Feng has gone mad — he's trying to kill Senior Brother Xia Ran!"
At this, the surrounding elders and disciples all hurried to look inside.
And when they did, they saw that Xia Ran was indeed lying on the ground in a grievously weakened state. Vast amounts of blood were not only spurting from his mouth, but also pouring from his ears and nose.