"My Lord, Chu Feng already possesses so many treasures — this old man doesn't really have anything impressive to offer."
"Truth be told, I did prepare something, but I was worried Chu Feng would look down on it, so I didn't bring it out."
"Chu Feng, please don't be offended."
The Clan Master of the Ling Clan smiled awkwardly, then produced a Universe Bag and handed it to Chu Feng.
"Open it and see what's inside," Jie Shanxian said.
Chu Feng released all the treasures contained within the Universe Bag in one go.
Inside were valuable items aplenty — numerous formation materials, rare spiritual treasures, things that couldn't even be found on the market.
Ling Sheng'er was moved to think that her notoriously stingy grandfather had actually shown this much sincerity.
But Jie Shanxian's voice rang out once more.
"Indeed, not all that impressive. No wonder you knew Chu Feng would turn his nose up at it."
Hearing this, both Ling Sheng'er and Ling Mo'er were stunned.
This wasn't impressive?
The Clan Master of the Ling Clan could only smile awkwardly.
In truth, he hadn't prepared anything at all. It was only after Jie Shanxian spoke up that, out of respect for her, he had rummaged through his possessions and gathered together the items he personally considered decent.
It had already pained him to part with them. This was the absolute limit of his sincerity.
"Little Ling, I recall that your Ling Clan obtained a treasure bestowed upon you by the first Palace Master — the Heaven-Shielding Shield Spirit. But no one has ever been able to awaken it."
"You're just keeping it around anyway. Why not let Chu Feng give it a try? Perhaps he'll be the one to awaken it."
Jie Shanxian continued.
"Well…"
The Clan Master of the Ling Clan looked troubled. He was about to say something, but Jie Shanxian cut him off.
"Don't tell me you didn't bring it. If you say you didn't bring it, I'll search you myself."
"I brought it, I brought it."
"Truthfully, I had considered gifting this to Chu Feng as well, but an item that no one can awaken doesn't exactly convey sincerity."
The Clan Master of the Ling Clan said.
"No, no, no — I think it shows plenty of sincerity. Don't you agree, Chu Feng?" Jie Shanxian looked toward Chu Feng.
"I believe the senior is right."
"As long as the Clan Master is willing to part with it, that in itself is the greatest sincerity. Whatever it may be, I will treasure it."
"Besides, this Heaven-Shielding Shield Spirit sounds extraordinary. I truly would love to see it for myself."
Chu Feng's eyes were practically gleaming.
Both Ling Sheng'er and Ling Mo'er were dumbfounded. The Heaven-Shielding Shield Spirit was indeed something no one could awaken, but it was the Ling Clan's most prized treasure.
Back when Ling Sheng'er had asked her grandfather for it, he had refused. He had only allowed her to attempt awakening it a few times, and once she failed, he wouldn't let her touch it again.
Would her grandfather — that old iron rooster — really be willing to part with something as precious as the Heaven-Shielding Shield Spirit?
Yet the Clan Master of the Ling Clan actually drew a palm-sized bronze artifact from within his robes and handed it to Chu Feng.
"Chu Feng, why don't you give it a try?"
Chu Feng accepted the object and found that it resembled a bronze mirror — only without a reflective surface.
Something was carved upon it, resembling a Fierce Beast of some sort. In any case, it looked quite ugly.
The moment Chu Feng took hold of the artifact, he sensed a gaze emanating from it and settling upon him.
It was observing him.
"This thing is alive?" Chu Feng asked.
"Alive?"
Ling Sheng'er and the others stared in astonishment.
But the Clan Master of the Ling Clan declared firmly, "It is not a living creature."
"It is a treasure that, once activated, can manifest an extremely powerful defensive formation," the Clan Master explained.
"Chu Feng, did you discover something?" Jie Shanxian asked him.
"I sensed a gaze just now — it emanated from this artifact and was sizing me up," Chu Feng said.
"Really?"
"Could it be that you truly can awaken it?"
At these words, the Clan Master of the Ling Clan's expression changed dramatically. This was the first time he had ever heard such a claim.
In truth, even Jie Shanxian, Jie Tiannian, and the others were hearing it for the very first time.