Chapter 44: Words That Shock Until Death

Chapter 44: Words That Shock Until Death

Clap clap clap!

Yuan Hualong couldn't help but applaud, his domineering face brimming with a thick smile, his eyes carrying an astonishingly oppressive aura that made others afraid to meet his gaze.

"Junior Brother Xiao, I too would like to know whether your Heavenly Apex Sacred Body is stronger or if my Black Dragon Battle Physique holds the upper hand." Yuan Hualong's tyrannical eyes locked onto Xiao Xuanwu as he spoke leisurely, a sharp glint flashing in his pupils, as if carrying a trace of battle intent.

"Then this junior brother can only strive to catch up, breaking through to the Body Forging Twelve Transformations before Senior Brother Yuan reaches the Supreme Body Forging Realm." Xiao Xuanwu also fixed his gaze on Yuan Hualong, his words carrying a fervent tone, the fighting spirit in his eyes growing even more intense.

Whether it was the Heavenly Apex Sacred Body or the Black Dragon Battle Physique, both were top-tier Saint-Grade Divine Traits.

Who would prove stronger?

Only a battle could decide.

As for the Supreme Body Forging Realm—the so-called Body Forging Thirteen Transformations—even those possessing top-tier Saint-Grade Divine Traits might not necessarily break through to this level.

"Then you’ll have to work even harder." Yuan Hualong chuckled before shifting his gaze to Chen Feng. "Junior Brother Chen, it’s said that you possess a hidden divine trait. May I ask what kind it is?"

Countless eyes immediately focused on Chen Feng once more.

Chen Feng couldn’t help but feel somewhat helpless.

Even when telling the truth, no one believed him. Did he really have to fabricate a lie?

Xiao Xuanwu also stared at Chen Feng—he had asked earlier, but Chen Feng hadn’t given a direct answer.

"Senior Brother Yuan, Senior Brother Xiao already asked me earlier," Chen Feng replied after a brief thought. "I said I don’t have an innate divine trait, but none of the senior and junior brothers believed me. So, I can only say that my comprehension is relatively high."

"A divine trait related to heightened comprehension..."

Many frowned at this.

"Relatively high comprehension" was a vague description, as it often didn’t manifest any special phenomena or power, making it impossible to discern or perceive.

"So that’s it. No wonder Junior Brother Chen was able to master two Top-grade Martial Arts." Yuan Hualong feigned sudden understanding before chuckling dismissively. "It seems Junior Brother Chen’s comprehension is indeed extraordinary, perhaps even surpassing that of a Saint-Grade Divine Trait."

Chen Feng remained silent.

The Top-grade Martial Arts he had mastered weren’t just two—but four.

The Three Ultimate Swords of Heavenly Wind, the Eight Lethal Strikes, the Wind Demon Hundred Strikes, and the Piercing Cloud Sword Finger!

Moreover, after repeated refinements, the Wind Shadow Sword Technique had steadily improved, nearing the level of a Top-grade Martial Art. And he had even mastered the first form of the Supreme-grade Martial Art, the Juejian Thirteen Swords—an achievement far more astonishing than mastering Top-grade Martial Arts.

"Having been named a Sect Heir Candidate this time, I will inevitably compete with other candidate senior brothers for the position of Sect Heir in the future." Yuan Hualong stared at Chen Feng, his words domineering and direct. "Thus, I need to build a faction. Junior Brother Chen, would you be willing to assist me?"

The crowd was stunned, and soon, many looked at Chen Feng with envy.

Yuan Hualong was openly recruiting him!

To be personally recruited by a peerless genius possessing a top-tier Saint-Grade Divine Trait and a Sect Heir Candidate—what an honor!

If he were to emerge victorious in the future competition and become the Sect Heir, he would be the future sect master’s successor, and the status of his followers would rise accordingly, granting them many benefits.

Chen Feng was also taken aback.

Unexpectedly, Chen Feng had no intention of following Yuan Hualong nor becoming anyone's follower.

"Thank you for your regard, Senior Brother Yuan," Chen Feng responded solemnly, his eyes gleaming with sharp determination. "However... the position of Sect Heir is something I, Chen Feng, also intend to claim."

The moment Chen Feng's words rang out, Yuan Hualong's expression stiffened, Xiao Xuanwu's face froze, and the surrounding disciples were left stunned, gaping in disbelief.

An eerie silence fell over the entire Shenglong Garden.

"How audacious..." "A man should know his limits. Even if your comprehension surpasses others, aiming for the Sect Heir position is nothing short of overestimating yourself."

"Arrogant and ignorant!"

After the silence, voices rose one after another, as if condemning him.

Yet Chen Feng acted as though he heard nothing, paying them no heed.

"Junior Brother Chen's ambition is truly bold," Xiao Xuanwu spoke, shaking his head with a faint sigh.

"Those who walk the martial path must harbor sky-reaching aspirations if they wish to tread ever forward and reach the pinnacle," Yuan Hualong said, gazing at Chen Feng with a mocking smile. "The position of Sect Heir in our Huntian Sect is open to all disciples, but..."

"People are born unequal, warriors differ in strength, and one must know their limits—understand when to advance and when to retreat."

"If an ordinary person lacks such judgment, they may only lose some wealth. But if a warrior fails to recognize their place, they risk ending up with nothing but ridicule, or worse—losing their life and cultivation."

"Still, since Junior Brother Chen possesses such lofty ambitions, he must first become a Quasi-Sect Heir before even being considered a Sect Heir Candidate."

Hearing this, the crowd shuddered inwardly before turning pitying gazes toward Chen Feng.

Yuan Hualong's words, while seemingly explanatory, carried an underlying message—competing for the Sect Heir position was no easy feat—and a hint of mockery.

Chen Feng had earlier claimed his divine trait was his extraordinary comprehension, which was the hardest to define.

Other divine traits had clear rankings, but comprehension was difficult to measure.

Moreover, exceptional comprehension only allowed one to grasp martial arts faster—it provided no direct aid in cultivation nor granted any special powers.

But divine traits?

They bestowed extraordinary abilities, each formidable and profound in its own way.

Furthermore, those with higher innate divine traits often surpassed ordinary warriors in comprehension, enabling them to master martial arts swiftly—sometimes even eclipsing those who relied solely on comprehension.

In short, while Chen Feng's ability to master two Top-grade Martial Arts proved his comprehension was extraordinary, it merely placed him on par with those possessing an Innate Saint-Grade Divine Trait—without the accompanying special powers.

Though this set him apart from ordinary warriors, to the crowd, his claim to vie for the Sect Heir position was nothing but delusion.

In terms of potential, he might not even compare to someone with an Innate King-Grade Divine Trait.

"Senior Brother Yuan need only wait and see," Chen Feng replied calmly, unfazed by the implications in Yuan Hualong's words.

"Hahahaha—"

Yuan Hualong paused briefly before bursting into laughter, offering no further response.

Approximately another half an hour passed, and the celebration finally came to an end. Throughout the event, not a single person spoke even half a word to Chen Feng, who found himself in undisturbed tranquility. Seizing the opportunity, he observed and contemplated the mysteries of the First Form of the Juejian Sword Art, gaining even deeper insights.

One by one, the crowd dispersed.

Chen Feng walked alone, with no one approaching within three meters of him, as if everyone was eager to distance themselves from him.

"Junior Brother Chen, sometimes you shouldn't focus solely on cultivation. Walk more, see more, listen more—only by understanding the world and yourself can you go further," Xiao Xuanwu said as he passed by Chen Feng, sighing faintly.

Chen Feng couldn't help but feel speechless.

He had merely voiced his true thoughts—how had it come to this, where he was scorned and belittled by others?

Truly... summer insects cannot speak of ice.

A blazing fire burned fiercely within Chen Feng's heart, growing ever more intense.

"When I stand as the Quasi-Sect Heir, a Sect Heir Candidate, or even seize the position of Sect Heir, let’s see how you all look then..."

Chen Feng muttered inwardly, his eyes as sharp as a heavenly sword, capable of shattering everything.

"Just wait. It won’t be long."

Chen Feng resolved that upon returning to Juejian Peak, he would devote himself entirely to cultivation, striving to break through to the Eleventh Transformation of the Body Forging Realm in the shortest time possible. Only then would he be qualified to compete further.