While Chu Feng had been inside the Fierce Beast Prison Realm, he had mastered the Prison King's power, granting him near-absolute dominion over everything within.
However, Chu Feng also understood that once he left the Fierce Beast Prison Realm and lost control of the Prison King's power, the situation would change.
He had long seen through the fact that Zuoqiu Yanliang was not the type to let things go.
That was why, while still inside the Fierce Beast Prison Realm, he had used the Prison King's power to plant a thread of the Prison King's energy inside the bodies of Zuoqiu Yanliang and the other disciples, including Song Qian.
Chu Feng had said at the time that this was merely a safeguard.
If everyone spoke truthfully after leaving the Fierce Beast Prison Realm, Chu Feng would not hold it against anyone.
But if anyone dared to fabricate lies and falsely accuse him, Chu Feng would use the Prison King's power to execute them.
What Chu Feng hadn't known, however, was that the moment he stepped into the Wolong Illusionary Palace, Zuoqiu Yanliang had fed poison to those disciples.
He had forced them all to coordinate their stories and frame Chu Feng.
Those disciples had found themselves caught in a dilemma, unsure whether to tell the truth or follow Zuoqiu Yanliang's orders.
In the end, under Song Qian's persuasion, they had made their decision.
They chose to obey Zuoqiu Yanliang.
After all, the poison Zuoqiu Yanliang had given them was genuinely lethal.
As for the Prison King's power Chu Feng had fused into their bodies, they couldn't feel it at all — it seemed like nothing more than an empty threat.
Besides, even if Chu Feng could use the Prison King's power while inside the Fierce Beast Prison Realm, it stood to reason that he wouldn't be able to use it once outside.
So they had gambled — gambled that after leaving the Fierce Beast Prison Realm, Chu Feng would have no way of using the Prison King's power to kill them.
But now they had realized they were wrong.
Chu Feng still commanded the Prison King's power. Though they couldn't sense it, the deaths of those true inheritors just now could only have been Chu Feng's doing.
If they didn't come clean now, they would suffer the same fate — exploding on the spot.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, we were wrong, we were wrong!"
Immediately, every disciple who had come to testify against Chu Feng — all except Zuoqiu Yanliang — dropped to their knees.
Even the Duanmu brothers were no exception.
"Wrong?"
"Where exactly were you wrong?"
"Tell me the truth, or… bear the consequences yourself."
Chu Feng asked.
"It was Senior Brother Zuoqiu — Senior Brother Zuoqiu forced us to take poison."
"He made us swallow the poison and compelled us to wrong you. Only by doing as he said could we receive the antidote and keep our lives."
"The poison is still inside our bodies — Elder Wolong should be able to detect it."
"Elder Wolong, what we're saying is the truth. We didn't willingly frame Chu Feng — Senior Brother Zuoqiu forced us."
"Elder Wolong, please, you must stand up for us!"
Song Qian was the first to speak, pleading with Huyan Xiaotian for help.
The other disciples quickly followed, each explaining the full story.
At this point, they had no choice but to expose Zuoqiu Yanliang.
Doing so would surely earn his wrath, and their days ahead might be difficult.
But if they didn't, they would die right here and now.
"Zuoqiu Yanliang, is what they say true?"
Huyan Xiaotian asked in a stern voice, fixing Zuoqiu Yanliang with a hard stare.
"Yes, I did it. It was I who harbored resentment toward Junior Brother Chu Feng and resorted to this scheme."
What happened next caught everyone off guard — Zuoqiu Yanliang actually confessed.
He then turned to look at Chu Feng, his face full of shame.
"Junior Brother Chu Feng, it was my fault. Please, let me go."
Zuoqiu Yanliang had actually bowed his head to Chu Feng.
"You think a single 'my fault' will make me let you off?"
"Zuoqiu Yanliang, you should know — right now, your life is in my hands."
"Iff I want you dead, not even your grandfather can save you."
Chu Feng said.
"I know, Junior Brother Chu Feng. Tell me — what do I have to do for you to vent your anger?"
Zuoqiu Yanliang's tone was utterly servile.
"Kneel down, and kowtow to me in apology."
Chu Feng said.
"What? Make Zuoqiu Yanliang kneel?"
"And kowtow in apology?"
The crowd could hardly believe what they were hearing.
Some even thought Chu Feng had lost his mind.
No matter how justified Chu Feng might be, who was Zuoqiu Yanliang?
Setting aside his grandfather, Zuoqiu Yanliang's own strength placed him among the very peak of the younger generation.
He had always looked down upon everyone from on high.
Making him kneel — was that even possible?