The searing pain made Chu Feng dare not immerse any more of his body into the icy tub. In fact, he even withdrew a portion of what he had already submerged.
What Chu Feng had to endure was not merely pain, but also an oppressive force.
The golden liquid used for tempering was seeping into his bones, but in truth it was corroding even his soul.
Chu Feng could only proceed gradually — otherwise he would not be able to withstand it, and his life would be at stake.
"I'm fine. I can handle it."
Chu Feng not only suppressed the pain but forced a smile onto his face.
However, that smile, originally meant to comfort Zi Ling, only made her cry harder.
The golden liquid entered Chu Feng's bones and formed beautiful golden patterns, but as both a martial cultivator and a Spirit World Master, she understood exactly what Chu Feng was enduring.
The smile on Chu Feng's face quickly froze. After a brief period of adjustment, he had no choice but to submerge more of his body into the icy tub.
He clenched his teeth once more, his features twisting in agony.
Watching Chu Feng's flesh being corroded away, Zi Ling could no longer bear to look and turned away.
If there had been any other option, she would have urged Chu Feng to stop. Unfortunately, right now… there was no choice.
While Chu Feng was undergoing the tempering, the sect's Dragon Bell had already gathered all the elders and disciples of the Wolong Martial Sect.
The Sect Master personally explained the relationship between this great tribulation and Chu Feng, and announced that come tomorrow morning, the entire sect would pool its strength to activate the Wolong Heavenly God Formation and assist Chu Feng in breaking the tribulation.
The sect had been in a state of panic, and the Sect Master's words naturally served as a reassurance to all.
The younger generation, upon learning that the tribulation had been triggered because of Chu Feng and that it was one that could be broken, felt their respect for him deepen even further.
But it was only the older generation who felt a sense of unease.
The younger disciples knew nothing of the Wolong Heavenly God Formation, but the elders had heard of it. They worried whether a junior like Chu Feng could withstand the power of the Wolong Heavenly God Formation.
Once everything had been settled, everyone went to make preparations — the Sect Master included.
However, the Vice Sect Master followed the Sect Master back to her residence.
Now, within that grand and imposing hall, the Vice Sect Master was kneeling before the Sect Master.
And the Sect Master's face was filled with a look of distress.
"Sect Master, in all my life I have never once asked anything of you."
"I have always prioritized the sect above all else and would never do anything to harm it."
"I'm not asking for anything else — I only want to know the truth. Sect Master… please tell me. Did Zuoqiu Youyu meet with a terrible fate?"
The Vice Sect Master seemed to have already guessed at Zuoqiu Youyu's end. Even though he had not yet received confirmation, his aged eyes were already brimming with tears.
The Sect Master had always ruled with supreme authority, as though no challenge in the Wolong Martial Sect could ever stump her.
But now, the Vice Sect Master's question left her in an extremely difficult position.
She closed her eyes tightly, took a long deep breath, and then opened them again. Turning to face the Vice Sect Master, she spoke.
"This matter is not Chu Feng's fault."
"It was Zuoqiu Youyu who was in the wrong first."
The Sect Master had originally intended to tell the Vice Sect Master about this after the tribulation had been resolved.
But given their many years of friendship, and with the Vice Sect Master pleading so desperately, she could not bear to keep it from him.
And so she recounted the entire series of events to the Vice Sect Master.
"Thank you, Sect Master, for telling me."
After saying this, the Vice Sect Master rose to his feet — but his legs gave way, and he collapsed to the ground. Though he quickly managed to get up again, his steps were unsteady.
It was immense grief that had reduced this towering figure of the Wolong Martial Sect to such frailty.
Seeing this, the Sect Master did not step forward to comfort him.
She had anticipated as much.
The Vice Sect Master may have been stern on the surface, but in truth he doted deeply on his grandsons — and Zuoqiu Youyu in particular had been the one he prized above all.
Now, both grandsons had perished by Chu Feng's hand, one after the other. The depth of that grief, she could well imagine.
"Regardless of who was right or wrong, tomorrow's tribulation concerns the safety of the entire sect."