The reason Chu Feng had been able to break through was primarily thanks to those two beads from the Huangfu Heavenly Clan.
However, those two beads had already reached their limit. Even if he obtained new ones, he would no longer be able to use them.
As for the cultivation site, training there over a long period would naturally allow Chu Feng to break through as well.
But in the short term, another breakthrough would be very difficult.
"Huangfu Jiangyao mentioned before that the trial ground isn't just a cultivation array — it's also a testing array."
"The Nine Heavens Summit's trial can only be opened if someone breaks through the testing array."
"Could the testing array he spoke of be the third layer hidden within this trial ground?"
"No point overthinking it. I'll just give it a try."
Chu Feng wasted no time. He sat cross-legged within the trial ground, growing more focused and absorbed by the moment.
As time passed, the dual powers of the Nine-Colored Lightning and the King's Bloodline began to seep from his body, merging with the trial ground.
……
At the same time, in a modest dwelling, five people were gathered — Huangfu Shengyu, Huangfu Jiangyao, Huangfu Shangyang, Huangfu Shangwu, and Huangfu Fanni.
Huangfu Shengyu sat cross-legged on the ground with his eyes closed in meditation, but his complexion was grim.
Huangfu Jiangyao and the others stood off to the side, exchanging glances. None of them dared to speak.
In the end, it was Huangfu Jiangyao who gritted his teeth and spoke first: "Young Master, that Chu Feng using a World Spirit was completely cheating — it wasn't his own ability. He's the one who should be ashamed."
But upon hearing those words, Huangfu Shengyu's eyes snapped open, his gaze piercingly sharp.
Huangfu Jiangyao's body trembled, and he immediately clamped his mouth shut.
"You think I would let something like that bother me?" Huangfu Shengyu said.
"Young Master, of course that's not what I meant. I—"
Huangfu Jiangyao tried to explain further, but Huangfu Shengyu cut him off: "This time, I did indeed lose to Chu Feng."
"I'll consider it a lesson learned. This Chu Feng is truly different from the others — he cannot be underestimated."
"But the Nine Heavens Summit — now that we've come, no one will snatch the title of strongest from before my eyes. The title of strongest belongs to Huangfu Shengyu and no one else."
"In a straightforward fight, I am not his match. I admit that."
"But the competition at the Nine Heavens Summit is far more than what meets the eye."
"Besides, we have long since gained the upper hand."
"I'm thinking hard about it right now, and an epiphany is about to come."
"Once I achieve my epiphany, I will break through the testing array in one decisive push and open the Nine Heavens Summit."
"I will let everyone know that Chu Feng is nothing — everything ultimately depends on Huangfu Shengyu."
"If not for me, they wouldn't even have the chance to begin the competition."
As soon as Huangfu Shengyu finished speaking, Huangfu Jiangyao and the others immediately chimed in with agreement.
"Of course, of course! Without you, Young Master, how could they possibly open the Nine Heavens Summit?"
"Enough. You may leave now. Your presence here only distracts me," Huangfu Shengyu said.
At that, Huangfu Jiangyao and the others filed out.
But they did not go far. They stood just outside the door, awaiting good news from Huangfu Shengyu.
In truth, none of them had been training in the cultivation ground these past days.
Their method of cultivation was rather unique. Aside from their clan's own cultivation array, they generally avoided other forms of cultivation.
So each night during this period, they had been waiting outside Huangfu Shengyu's door, hoping their young master would break through that array.
Once outside, the four of them exchanged no words. They seemed to share little in the way of camaraderie.
Before long, however, the ground trembled faintly, and a dazzling anomaly blazed to life in the night sky.
"Could this phenomenon mean he succeeded?"
When they first saw the vision, Huangfu Jiangyao and the others were not entirely certain.
But soon, Liu Kuo's voice echoed through the void: "Everyone, someone has broken through the testing array within the trial ground. The Nine Heavens Summit has now officially opened."
"At the hour of the Rabbit tomorrow, all participants are to gather in the plaza."
"You will determine who is the greatest genius in the vast martial cultivation world today."
Liu Kuo's voice fell silent after that, but it dispelled every last trace of doubt in Huangfu Jiangyao and the others.
"The Young Master really did it — but that was incredibly fast."
"As expected of the Young Master!"
Wild elation surged across all their faces.
They had been worried that Huangfu Shengyu was still brooding over Chu Feng, but now that the Nine Heavens Summit had been opened, it was a remarkable feat — one that should smooth over any lingering displeasure in the Young Master's heart.
They immediately pushed open the door, ready to offer their congratulations.
But the moment they stepped inside, every one of them froze in place, their expressions complicated, at a complete loss.
Huangfu Shengyu was sitting on the ground, his face an exceptionally dark shade of gloom.
He… had not yet entered the trial ground.
That meant the phenomenon outside had nothing to do with Huangfu Shengyu.
Someone else had accomplished this feat.
……
"The trial ground really did contain a testing array. Huangfu Jiangyao was right after all."