It wasn't just Wang Qiang — Chu Feng, who was standing right beside him, had also become the center of everyone's attention.
Everyone assumed the "brother" Wang Qiang was referring to was Chu Feng. The two of them must have done something together.
"Brother, I believe you. Just stop talking already."
"Even if you want to say something, let's talk in private. Don't do this here — it's embarrassing."
Chu Feng hastily grabbed Wang Qiang's hand and pulled it down from where he'd been swearing an oath.
"I-I-I was saying it in public to show how sincere I am."
Then he added, "Brother, you didn't take it the wrong way, did you? I really didn't mean anything by it."
"I know."
When it came to Wang Qiang's character, Chu Feng did trust him. Sure, Wang Qiang's mouth was obnoxious — but he was a brother you could rely on.
Before long, people began filing out of the Illusion Formation one after another.
Most wore grim expressions, with only a small handful looking genuinely elated.
This Illusion Formation had been crafted by a Heavenly Dragon World Spirit Master. The moment they stepped inside, they completely forgot it was a formation — a test. They believed the experience was real.
And within that formation, they had all been shown the same scenario.
They entered the Ancient Bloodline Tower together. Chu Feng saved their lives. Then Chu Feng fell into danger, and they faced a choice.
Betray Chu Feng, and they would escape safely.
Help Chu Feng, and they risked losing their lives.
Those with grim expressions had chosen to betray Chu Feng.
Those with elated expressions had chosen to help him.
But among the kind-hearted, there were precious few. Out of the thirty thousand-plus people who had entered, only a meager thirty-seven had chosen to help Chu Feng.
Chu Feng waved his sleeve and tossed a Universe Bag of a different color toward those thirty-seven.
This Universe Bag was a different color from the ones he had originally promised as rewards.
And they quickly discovered they couldn't open it at all.
Just as they were about to ask about it, Chu Feng spoke: "You have been eliminated."
"Huh? Why?"
"We helped you inside that formation!"
The thirty-seven were deeply confused — even aggrieved.
Even those who had chosen to betray Chu Feng were caught off guard. They hadn't expected that anyone had actually helped him.
And these people who helped Chu Feng — they were the ones being eliminated?
"You are not suited for this journey. Leave now. The farther, the better." Chu Feng waved his hand dismissively.
"Th-then… what about us?" asked those who had betrayed Chu Feng within the Illusion Formation.
"You may stay." Chu Feng replied.
Hearing this, those who had betrayed Chu Feng in the illusion were initially stunned, but in the next instant, smug grins spread across their faces.
Some even addressed the thirty-seven with provocative taunts: "The martial world is about the strong devouring the weak."
"People like you don't belong in this world. This lord is right — you should get as far away as possible, or sooner or later someone will eat you alive."
This remark drew agreement from a great many.
"That's right. Stop pretending to be good people. Tch."
"Serves you right."
Those who had initially hung their heads in shame, believing they had been eliminated — once they learned they would have a chance to be selected, their earlier regret vanished entirely. Now they were brimming with smug satisfaction.
In truth, there had never been any real remorse. The only thing they regretted was failing the Illusion Formation's test.
But once they learned that betrayal was what passed the test, all that remained was self-satisfaction.
"Bro-bro-brother… what's going on here?" Even Wang Qiang was confused and turned to Chu Feng for answers.
"Oh right — there's something I forgot to tell you."
"If the Ancient Bloodline Tower is fully activated, the tower will turn transparent. Every move we make inside will be visible to the outside world."
"But most importantly, our disguises will most likely be undone. We'll be exposed — our true identities revealed." Chu Feng said through a mental transmission.
"Oh, I get it. You were afraid that if our identities were exposed, the people following us would be dragged into it too." Wang Qiang's face lit up with understanding.
"Exactly. We can't let kind-hearted people suffer because of us."
Chu Feng turned his gaze to the crowd — the very people who had betrayed him, yet no longer felt any shame, and were instead swelling with pride.
"As for these people, it's up to fate. If the Huangfu Heavenly Clan doesn't pursue them, they're lucky."
"But if they do…"