162 Xiao Wu's new divine position comes from the other shore flower of the River Styx.
The corners of Chu Feng's mouth curved in a wicked smile; the people present probably still had no idea how savage Hongbao could be.
In the Ten Thousand Monster Forest, plenty of minor demons had their spiritual energy devoured by it.
Xiao Wu stared in shock as Hongbao's body grew to a hundred zhang tall; after all, this World was created by White God Path and, unlike the human realm, wasn't restricted by the Heavenly Dao.
Therefore Hongbao could unleash its full power—it had to prove it was no mere cute monkey.
The black-and-white fur on its body ignited with violet flames, sharp fangs bared; the Mysterious Birds in the sky scattered in terror.
But where could they flee? This place had boundaries.
Hongbao sprinted forward, roaring repeatedly; the entire space shook violently.
Those rare spirit beasts weren't completely without chance to resist—they leapt and flung themselves at Hongbao, tearing at it, but it was all in vain.
Miserable shrieks echoed throughout the space.
Xiao Wu raised a shield, enveloping everyone. The blood of the beasts slaughtered by Hongbao splashed across the verdant nature, dyeing it red.
Thankfully this was happening only inside this space; if such carnage occurred in the human realm, the consequences would be unthinkable.
From outside the sphere came Bai Xu's shout, "City Lord Bai has returned."
Chu Feng then called to Hongbao, "Take your time eating, but remember to leave some—don't be too cruel."
Afterward the group left the Beast Park; White God Path held immense allure for them all.
White God Path clapped in the main hall to welcome the arrivals. "I'm already investigating the assassin, but once tomorrow's contest begins we'll be opponents—so rest well tonight."
He spoke without restraint, which made sense—this was, after all, his own territory.
"Thanks for hosting us; otherwise I might not even have a place to sleep tonight." Chu Feng yawned and picked up the fruit on the table.
"Little Sword, can't you show some manners?" Qian Renxue had reverted to her old self—always meddling.
"No problem. We're joining the tournament purely for fun. I'm especially looking forward to young master Chu Feng's performance; my master, Elder Qie Jiang, said you Entered the Realm today and ascended two tiers in one go—quite like me in the old days!" White God Path laughed, raising his cup.
Xiao Wu had no interest in such pointless chatter; he noticed that ever since White God Path appeared, Zhu Zhuqing and Bai Xu had vanished.
One was White God Path's blood brother, the other his own son; neither had any reason to be absent.
Xiao Wu cleared his throat, about to ask, but Zhu Zhuqing stood first and said, "It's late; we'd better rest. We'll take our leave."
Chu Feng watched Xiao Wu and Zhu Zhuqing hurry away, puzzled, but he only cared about the wine and meat in his hands; as for the contest—whatever… Outside the stronghold, on a small path, Zhu Zhuqing had never been so flustered. "You almost ruined everything!"
"Senior, you're usually cautious enough; why react like that just now?"
"I can only tell you storms keep brewing inside Tianyun City. When I Entered the Realm alone today, Elder Qie Jiang urged me to be careful."
"Senior, you're being incomprehensible."
"Anyway, be extra careful in tomorrow's contest."
Zhu Zhuqing cloaked their conversation with intense spiritual energy to block any eavesdropping.
Of course, he might have forgotten Hongbao was still inside the sphere; when the monkey bounded out, it happened to overhear everything.
Though puzzled, Xiao Wu knew that as fellow Sword Sect disciples he had to heed his senior… That night Chu Feng lay on his bed while the others slept—cultivators had no need for sleep, it was just an excuse; everyone had their own plans after dark.
Hongbao leapt in through the window. Chu Feng pointed at it. "You gained several centuries of cultivation today; if you don't perform well in the contest, I'll hold you accountable."
Unexpectedly, Hongbao could now speak: "Master trusts me, that's why you keep me by your side. Back then I secretly ate quite a few of your herbs."
Chu Feng wondered if he was dreaming; first the panda, now this monkey could talk. "You can speak already? Your human form must be close!"
"Still far off—for beasts in the human realm there's little hope. But from now on, whatever you order, master, I'll obey without question." Hongbao pledged loyalty.
"Then get some early rest. Tomorrow we'll show those guys what we're made of."
…Hongbao had its own thoughts; it didn't intend to tell Chu Feng everything. Though a beast, it knew Chu Feng's fiery temperament—this matter mustn't be taken lightly… The next day the sun rose early, kicking the moon aside; even the heavens seemed eager for the tournament.
Chu Feng hadn't closed his eyes all night; the after-effects of Entering the Realm still surged through him, leaving him brimming with energy.
Hongbao lay asleep on the rooftop outside—after all, it was still a monkey at heart.
"Come out and look—this tournament might be trickier than we thought!" Hongbao's voice was low; its confidence had taken a hit.
Indeed, overnight the arena had more than tripled in size, and it was no ordinary stage: powerful spiritual energy blanketed it—grand arrays laid down by top-tier cultivators to prevent any mishaps.
Chu Feng could sense it through his body, but what worried Hongbao were the contestants.
Last night Chu Feng had received the roster and felt no unease—until he saw hundreds of Zhenren. Nascent Soul Stage, he learned, was supposedly the minimum level for this tournament.
No wonder the Hundred Sects Assembly averaged only two participants per power—each was the mightiest junior their Sect could field.
This was also the first time Chu Feng truly understood the saying: beyond the heavens there are heavens, beyond the people there are people.
"So seeing all those experts on the stage scares you?" Qian Renxue stepped out in a fresh silk gown.
"Not really. I'm just worried I won't know my own strength—if they all end up like Bai Kai, whom I crippled before, every Sect will hate me." Chu Feng's strength indeed gave him the right to say so.
In the past Qian Renxue would have rapped his head with a stick, but she knew ascension was now possible for Chu Feng.
"Sister Xi!" Hongbao greeted.
"Sure enough, after devouring high-tier spirit beasts you're different—you can even speak." Xiao Wu arrived as well.
Hongbao shyly turned its head away; it seemed to have developed a crush on Xiao Wu.
Bai Yun's expression was resolute as he stared at the group of talented disciples from the various Sects on the stage ahead.
This battle was destined to be stormy.
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