Even though many of the Huangfu Heavenly Clan members had used "time ran out" as the explanation for the shattering of the Ancient Lightning Summoning Pillar, it was, at least in part, to save face.
Whether they were the ones saying it or the ones hearing it, they all felt a twinge of unease.
"What do you mean t-time… time ran out?"
"It clearly couldn't take the pressure."
"This this this… this thing is no good? It couldn't handle my brother's bloodline?"
"So it seems the Saint King grade isn't the strongest bloodline after all, because my brother is obviously even stronger than the Saint King grade."
Wang Qiang's stuttering voice rang out through the crowd, effectively kicking down the face the Huangfu Heavenly Clan had just managed to prop up.
He couldn't care less about any of it. Chu Feng had agreed to the test because he wanted to show off his bloodline, and Wang Qiang was going to make sure the Huangfu Heavenly Clan understood that Chu Feng's bloodline wasn't just strong—it was invincibly strong.
This put the Huangfu Heavenly Clan members in an awkward position.
Because what Wang Qiang said actually made sense. After all, what Chu Feng had released wasn't just nine-colored lightning, but nine massive lightning beasts, and before the Ancient Lightning Summoning Pillar had shattered, Chu Feng's bloodline had already burst out of the pillar entirely. These were all facts.
But if what Wang Qiang said was really the case, then that was just too staggering.
The Saint King grade had held that kind of dominance even in the ancient era.
And something above the Saint King grade—what would that even mean?
"It was indeed a case of time running out."
"But we cannot rule out other possibilities."
"However, regardless of the explanation, Chu Feng's talent is definitely not the Saint Common grade. It is most likely the Saint Superior grade, and even the legendary Saint King grade is not beyond possibility."
The patriarch of the Huangfu Heavenly Clan looked at Chu Feng, his eyes filled with admiration.
"What do you mean 'not beyond possibility'? My brother is at the very le-le-least a Saint King grade," Wang Qiang said.
The patriarch of the Huangfu Heavenly Clan chose not to respond, finding this stutterer to be thoroughly irritating and completely lacking in tact—as much of an idiot as that big fool back there. Had he not known Chu Feng, he would have slapped this stutterer dead with a single palm.
"Senior, is the Saint King grade truly the strongest bloodline recorded in the ancient texts?" Chu Feng asked.
He wanted to clarify exactly what grade his bloodline belonged to.
"It is," the patriarch of the Huangfu Heavenly Clan replied.
"Chu Feng, the ancient records may not necessarily be correct."
"Take the Nine Provinces Continent, for example. Before you appeared, the Emperor grade bloodline was considered the strongest. They hadn't even heard of the Heavenly grade bloodline."
"In this queen's opinion, you are certainly above the Saint King grade."
Egg's voice rang out. She was seated in a cross-legged position within the Spirit Creation Space, her hands resting on her snow-white thighs. She had watched everything that had just happened with crystal clarity—perhaps even more eagerly than many of the people outside. At this moment, her small lips were pressed together, and on her delicate cheeks, there still lingered a look of wanting more.
"To be honest, Egg, I'm thinking the same thing. But what grade could be above the Saint King grade?"
"Senior, do you know?" This last question was directed inward.
He wasn't just asking the Divine Deer—he was also asking that crimson lightning beast. Both of these beings were vastly experienced and likely knew more than the Huangfu Heavenly Clan.
The crimson lightning beast did not answer.
The Divine Deer, however, spoke: "What he said is true. According to the ancient records, the strongest Heavenly grade bloodline was indeed the Saint King grade."
"But the ancient records are not necessarily the final word. There may have been even stronger bloodlines in the primordial era."
The Divine Deer's words were quite similar to Egg's.
After that, Chu Feng exchanged a few brief pleasantries with the Huangfu Heavenly Clan, then produced a divine-grade spear of superior quality and handed it to Huangfu Shengyu.
"What is the meaning of this?" Huangfu Shengyu asked, confused.
"You lost your previous divine weapon because of me. Consider this compensation."
"Take it, and the past matter will be put to rest." Chu Feng's words carried a double meaning.
Huangfu Shengyu was a clever man as well, so he replied: "Since it's being put to rest, then there's no need to return the weapon."
"But rest assured—when I said 'put to rest,' I meant completely. I know those people at the Nine Heavens' Peak are your friends. I won't pursue it."
"However, Chu Feng, remember this—I'm letting it go for your sake."