Outside the Nine Heavens Summit, a golden aura blanketed the world, alarming every expert both within and beyond it.
But inside the Nine Heavens Summit — within the very cultivation ground where Chu Feng resided — a wisp of golden aura had also appeared, intertwining with the power of his bloodlines.
The three forces were clashing.
The Heavenly Thunder Bloodline and the King's Bloodline stood on the same side, working to suppress the golden aura.
Yet that golden aura was remarkably arrogant. Faced with this formidable dual-bloodline combination, it showed not the slightest fear, radiating an aura that screamed absolute dominance — as if nothing in all the world could stand against it.
Unfortunately, this world ultimately bowed to strength.
That held true not only for martial cultivators and Spirit World Masters, but even for the clash of bloodlines.
The golden aura had started out towering and overwhelming, and its power was no bluff — it possessed genuine might.
Had it faced only the Heavenly Thunder Bloodline or the King's Bloodline alone, it might have held its own for a time.
But against the two bloodlines joined as one, it quickly fell to a disadvantage.
This golden aura was identical to the one blanketing the world outside.
Yet there were differences. The golden aura within the trial grounds was far smaller in area.
But the golden aura that appeared within the trial grounds was far more powerful.
If the golden aura sealing the world outside was a fusion of phenomenon and power — something where real and illusory were hard to tell apart — then the golden aura within the trial grounds was pure power, containing not a shred of deception. It was real, tangible force.
This golden aura had been incredibly violent at first, even attempting to attack Chu Feng. But under the suppression of his dual bloodlines, it grew increasingly calm.
Once the violent energy within the golden aura had fully dissipated, Chu Feng's Heavenly-grade Bloodline and King's Bloodline both returned to his body.
And Chu Feng finally opened his eyes.
"I never expected that such a treasure was hidden within this trial ground."
"What kind of power is this?"
Chu Feng rose to his feet and carefully examined the golden aura that had manifested inside the trial grounds.
But no matter how he observed it, he could not determine what this power actually was.
None of his observational methods or barrier techniques had any effect. His Heavenly Eye likewise detected nothing unusual.
Similarly, when he produced the Heavenly Master's Whisk, it offered no guidance whatsoever.
Chu Feng could only rely on his most instinctive feelings to assess this power.
And what it gave him could be summed up in five words.
Powerful and mysterious.
"Well, I can refine it, so I'll refine it."
Unable to determine the power's exact purpose, Chu Feng simply sat cross-legged, formed hand seals, and attempted to refine it.
The refinement process went exceptionally smoothly.
But afterward, neither his martial cultivation nor his barrier arts showed any improvement.
However, he had gained a unique power — it had enhanced his mastery over his bloodlines.
And this mastery was different from the Path of Specialization.
Because the improvement in his control over bloodline power applied not only to his Heavenly-grade Bloodline, but to the King's Bloodline as well.
Chu Feng even projected his consciousness into his Dantian and gazed once more at that tremendous red thunder beast. Before long, a look of joy surfaced on his face.
After all this time, he could finally perceive something of what the red thunder beast's power truly was.
"So this is its power... I can't wait."
Despite having gained no increase in cultivation and no boost in combat strength, Chu Feng was elated.
Because the benefits that golden aura had brought him — only he himself knew.
"Brother Chu Feng, congratulations."
Before long, Liu Kuo's voice rang out from outside.
Hearing this, Chu Feng hastily rose. Sure enough, Liu Kuo was standing outside.
Only now did Chu Feng take notice of the phenomenon in the sky above — the very manifestation produced when the testing formation had been broken through, signaling that the Nine Heavens Summit was officially open.