Looking at the expression on Zhao Laoba's face — one that clearly showed he was struggling to accept what he'd just heard — Chu Feng said: "It's completely normal not to understand. After all, your knowledge of the Bloodline Opportunity Mountain isn't deep enough."
"Not deep enough? Our Zhao Immortal Clan's understanding of the Bloodline Opportunity Mountain isn't deep enough? This mountain belongs to us!" Zhao Laoba retorted.
"You said earlier that the comprehension formation on the Bloodline Opportunity Mountain has two layers. The first layer is the conventional comprehension formation."
"The second layer allows you to absorb the formation power of whoever comprehended the first layer."
"But in reality, the comprehension formation here has three layers."
Hearing this, Zhao Laoba was shocked. "Three layers?"
"That's right. The third layer requires you to first fuse with the formation, then deplete all of the formation's power, pushing your condition to its absolute limit. Only then, when the Yuan Yang shines upon you, can you absorb the maximum amount of its power."
Chu Feng explained.
"..."
Zhao Laoba's brows furrowed tightly, his expression shifting between several complex emotions. He clearly found this explanation difficult to accept.
But looking at Chu Feng's current state, and the beam of light from the Yuan Yang that had fallen upon him — all of it was real.
Whether he wanted to accept it or not, the facts were right in front of him.
"So you comprehended the third layer?"
"You did it on purpose? Deliberately depleting yourself?"
"Even after helping Zhuyin activate hers and being in such a weakened state, you still challenged our Zhao Immortal Clan's geniuses — just to push yourself to the brink?"
Zhao Laoba asked.
"Yes. But that part was easy."
"The hardest part was figuring out how to fully deplete the formation's power. Fortunately... you all made thorough preparations, allowing Zhao Zhuyin to reach the second layer." Chu Feng smiled.
"So you're saying our meticulous preparations actually served your purposes." Zhao Laoba said.
Chu Feng didn't answer directly. He gave a faint smile, then asked: "Senior, why do you think the comprehension formation has a second layer in the first place?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Zhao Laoba's expression changed drastically.
A very bad premonition took root in his heart.
Especially when he looked at that shameless grin on Chu Feng's face — the premonition grew even stronger.
But his curiosity was equally powerful.
So he asked tentatively: "The second-layer comprehenders... exist to serve the third-layer comprehenders?"
"That's your interpretation — I never said that." Chu Feng said with a smile.
But regardless of whether Chu Feng admitted it or not, everyone understood that what Zhao Laoba had said was the answer.
"Ha ha ha ha..."
Suddenly, Zhao Laoba laughed.
"Young friend Chu Feng, I, Zhao, truly underestimated you."
With that, Zhao Laoba turned and walked away.
"He just... left?" Qin Xuan asked.
He had been terrified just moments ago, especially when Chu Feng confessed so openly. He truly worried that the Zhao Immortal Clan's patriarch might fly into a rage and start killing everyone on the spot.
"It means he might not be as bad a person as we thought," Chu Feng said.
Qin Xuan's worry had also been Chu Feng's. However, with the Divine Deer's power, Chu Feng was only concerned that Zhao Laoba might attack — he wasn't afraid of being killed by him.
That confession had also served as a test.
The outcome of that test would determine how Chu Feng dealt with the Zhao Immortal Clan going forward.
The Yuan Yang's illumination didn't last particularly long.
But once it faded, Chu Feng's complexion had returned to a healthy glow.
"So? Has your bloodline recovered at all?" Egg asked eagerly.
Previously, while fighting the God Race to save Little Fish, Chu Feng had nearly lost his life. That battle had damaged his bloodline foundation.
No one expected the Bloodline Opportunity Mountain to restore Chu Feng completely, but even a partial recovery would be worth celebrating.
"The Bloodline Opportunity Mountain is actually quite powerful. If it still had the strength of its peak, it might have been able to restore me completely."
"Because even with the little power that remains, I can already feel a clear change in my bloodline."
"It's not what it once was, but give me some time and use the Bloodline Soul Puppet method for recuperation, and I'll be able to use the Bloodline Technique again," Chu Feng told Egg.
"Really? Then this trip was absolutely worth it!" Egg's eyes widened with delight.
Chu Feng's Bloodline Technique was his strongest means of crossing major realms.