"Hahahaha..."
Upon hearing Chu Feng's words, the Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect burst into hearty laughter. Even though Chu Feng had blocked his attack, he remained brimming with confidence.
He cast a contemptuous glance at the token Chu Feng had used to unleash its power, then looked at Chu Feng.
"Chu Feng, oh Chu Feng — you dare act so brazenly because you think that token is your crutch, don't you?"
"But do you truly believe that with borrowed outside power, you can stand against a genuine Heavenly God like me?"
the Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect asked.
"When you say things like that, you're not just looking down on me — you're looking down on this Era of the Gods. After all, this power was gathered within the Era of the Gods."
"But do you have the right to look down on the Era of the Gods?"
"If you were truly that capable, you wouldn't be stuck inside this combat platform along with me, following rules set by others," Chu Feng said.
"Heh..."
"Chu Feng, still sharpening your tongue at a time like this — you really haven't grasped the situation."
"I'll make you realize your true predicament soon enough."
The Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect smiled faintly, then unexpectedly shifted his gaze to Qin Xuan and the other young cultivators behind Chu Feng.
"All of you juniors, listen well. This Chu Feng has provoked me time and again, but his death-seeking behavior has nothing to do with you."
"Walk over to my side now, so that my next attack doesn't hurt you."
"As long as you come willingly, I won't strip all of the red aura from you. I'll leave some so you'll still have a chance to reach the upper platform and enter that barrier gate."
The Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect pointed at the massive barrier gate high above in the starry sky.
He was trying to break Chu Feng psychologically, turning his allies against him.
"If it weren't for Chu Feng, we wouldn't be standing here at all. What the future holds, I can't say — but at least right now, I stand with Chu Feng, through thick and thin."
Yuwen Yanri was the first to respond.
And after he spoke, the other young cultivators began voicing their support as well.
"Do whatever you want — kill us or torture us. If you're really so powerful, then take all of our red aura. Spare us the empty threats."
"We modern cultivators will never bow to you ancient ones."
The deafening voices rang out, unyielding and fierce. Though laced with fear, they carried unmistakable backbone.
"Well said! Our modern cultivators still have backbone — worthy of being the geniuses who dared defy the Seven Heavens Holy Mansion and follow Chu Feng. These are the true future of the cultivation world."
The forces outside the Era of the Gods particularly admired this defiant stance.
In truth, even the modern cultivators inside the Era of the Gods, though they dared not say it aloud, quietly praised this display of resolve.
This was a clash between the modern era and the ancient era.
Whatever grudge Chu Feng held against the Seven Heavens Holy Mansion, at this moment he represented all modern cultivators.
To betray Chu Feng now would earn nothing but contempt — especially under threat.
"Very well. You want to be people of backbone, do you?"
"But backbone comes at a price."
After the Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect finished speaking, the raging flames surrounding him let out furious roars.
They no longer resembled flames — more like countless bloodthirsty beasts gathered into one fearsome mass.
Yet the Sect Master still did not attack. Instead, he asked: "I'll give you one last chance. Will you suffer alongside that Chu Feng, or will you come and surrender now?"
"Enough talk. We are modern cultivators, and we will never submit to you. Kill us or torture us — we doubt you even have the ability."
As Qin Xuan spoke, he held up every token he had.
Seeing this, the other young cultivators also displayed all of their tokens.
Their stance was clear — they intended to follow Chu Feng into battle against the Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect.
Even though the power of their tokens was nowhere near sufficient to contend with the Sect Master of the Red Soul Sect.
They were still determined to try.