Chapter 1228: Great Benevolent Person Chu

Chu Feng rose, full of vigor. His body shimmered with a flowing light, as if forged from primordial metal, and he felt significantly stronger than when he had arrived. Most importantly, his Divine King core had been tempered. If he were to encounter Chi Feng, the Divine King of the Nine-Headed Bird race, and his group in the wilderness, he genuinely wanted to try and see if he could crush them.

Pink peach blossoms, carrying a delicate fragrance, drifted across the sky in this area. On the altar, even the roots and stems of the Dao-Integration Grass had withered. All the creation-essence had been completely absorbed by everyone.

"Let's go!"

The Monkey came over, patted Chu Feng's shoulder, and looked at him strangely. This "hot-headed brother," who had beaten him up upon arriving at the camp, was truly soaring in power this time. He had just witnessed Chu Feng absorb a massive amount of creation-essence, even more than what the Divine Kings had taken! This kind of substance determined a person's future potential. If Cao De was given time, his future achievements would be unpredictable and truly terrifying.

"Every substance has a saturation point," the Monkey whispered. "I reckon you've directly over-absorbed; it's a shameful waste!"

Peng Wanli and Xiao Yao also believed that Cao De absorbing so much was a waste; he couldn't possibly digest it all and had already reached saturation. Otherwise, he wouldn't have stopped at the Sub-Saint level; he should have advanced further.

Chu Feng smiled. He knew his situation; he simply didn't want to break through. Once he left, he could become a Saint instantly! Once he reached the peak of the Saint realm, he would consider the final purification, tempering, and tapping into his ultimate potential. After that, he would be as free as fish in the vast ocean or birds in the boundless sky. He would then begin to use the three seeds in the stone jar, absorbing pollen, and his strength might advance by leaps and bounds!

Chu Feng was truly looking forward to what changes would occur and what kind of flowers would bloom when the three seeds took root and sprouted in the Yang Realm. After all, these were said to be Yang Realm seeds!

"Mi Qing, your skin is getting whiter and whiter, and you're becoming even more pure and beautiful, with an ethereal aura," Chu Feng greeted her.

The Monkey shot him a disapproving look. How could he feel like this guy was flirting with his sister right in front of him?

Mi Qing had absorbed a significant amount of Dao-Integration Grass essence. Her skin was snow-white and translucent, and she wore a sweet smile, appearing quite composed and approachable. However, she also pouted, feeling jealous and envious because Cao De had gained so much this time; it was almost defying nature.

Next, Chu Feng said to Xiao Yao, "Old Xiao, your aunt is over there. Aren't you going to properly introduce me? Although I've greeted her, it wasn't a formal introduction!"

"Who are you calling 'Old Xiao'? I'm not even older than you!" Xiao Yao didn't like that. At the very least, after Chu Feng transformed into Cao De, his face appeared relatively mature, like a tall and robust young man. Chu Feng certainly didn't want people to think he was just a callow youth.

"Your aunt is looking this way," Chu Feng whispered.

"Just forget about it. Talk to me when you become a Divine King!" Xiao Yao retorted irritably, genuinely wanting to hit him with a stick and knock him unconscious.

The teasing stopped there; Chu Feng didn't provoke them further. He walked forward and formally expressed his gratitude to Li Jiuxiao and Divine King Mi Hong. Li Jiuxiao smiled, regarding him as a kindred spirit and considering him quite exceptional. Mi Hong, on the other hand, patted his shoulder and said, "Cao De, you are truly excellent, truly extraordinary." Then, Mi Hong called his sister Mi Qing over and formally introduced her, even mentioning Mi Qing's birthday and various preferences.

Mi Qing was speechless. Her elder brother was being a bit too meddlesome, wasn't he?

In the distance, the Monkey became even more displeased. He had tried to stop it repeatedly, yet his elder brother was so enthusiastic, almost wanting to marry off his sister Mi Qing directly to Chu Feng.

"Monkey, I think you should stop being the bad guy, or you'll be stuck in a dilemma!" Peng Wanli gloated.

Facing the two Divine Kings, Chu Feng felt a pang of guilt. The warmer they were, the more he felt uneasy, as if he had wronged them.

"Cao De," Li Jiuxiao said, his expression grim, making a request of Chu Feng. "Your name also contains 'De.' In the future, you'll surely be compared to that scoundrel of the 'De' generation. I hope someday you'll give him a good beating for me!"

"Yes, that person is Ji Dade," Mi Hong also chimed in, his eyes gleaming with golden light as he recalled the past incident. "He even threatened me and confronted me at the Wilderness Arena. Cao De, if you get the chance, help me teach him a lesson too!"

Chu Feng patted his chest and agreed, but inwardly, he felt a bit unsettled. However, he quickly shrugged it off. He was already planning his escape and didn't want to stay there much longer, so there probably wouldn't be much awkwardness. He'd find a chance to repay them later.

In the distance, Chi Feng, the Divine King of the Nine-Headed Bird race, stared at Chu Feng with cold, sinister eyes. His killing intent permeated the air, an unconcealed chill and menace, as if he wanted to pounce and kill him immediately.

Li Jiuxiao whirled around and declared, "Nine-Headed Bird, don't put on airs here. I'm stating it now: if you dare lay a finger on Cao De, I will kill you!"

Who was he? He was one of the strongest Divine Kings in the entire Yang Realm, far more renowned than Chi Feng! Furthermore, he came from the Li clan, one of the five strongest races in the Yang Realm. He had immense confidence and truly feared no competitor. Chu Feng felt a warmth in his heart. Divine King Li was a man of strong character, genuinely enthusiastic and kind towards him.

"The moon waxes and wanes, dynasties rise and fall, and cultivators also experience peaks and valleys," Chi Feng said indifferently, not giving Li Jiuxiao a chance to erupt. "Divine King Li, you are indeed powerful on your path of rapid advancement, but no one can guarantee they'll always be at the absolute peak. It's fine for you to look down upon the world like this, and if you want to protect certain people, that's also fine. However, I believe it's not worth it. Don't let it ultimately implicate yourself. No one can guarantee they'll always be on an uphill path; there will always be a time when one hits rock bottom!"

Chi Feng said this indifferently, not allowing Li Jiuxiao to react, then turned and left, transforming into his bird form, flapping his wings, and disappearing into the horizon.

Li Jiuxiao scoffed, watched him leave, then patted Chu Feng's shoulder and said, "Be careful. The Nine-Headed Bird race is the most insidious; they eat people without spitting out bones. Don't leave the encampment recently."

"Divine King Li, you should also be careful!" Chu Feng replied.

"I actually wish he were bolder. Unfortunately, he lacks that kind of courage," Li Jiuxiao said as he left. A group of Divine Kings vanished first.

Chu Feng glanced at Qing Yin not far away but ultimately said nothing. He turned and walked towards the Monkey and the others, leaving with them, as he felt it wasn't the right time for a reunion, and he wasn't sure about Qing Yin's true feelings or attitude.

In the various encampments, from Golden Body to Divine King levels, all areas were abuzz with discussions. This was because those who had participated in the Dao-Integration Grass event had returned, bringing back various pieces of news. "Brother Frank" Cao De had challenged Divine Kings at the event, competing for the Dao-Integration Grass with a group of people, and surprisingly held his own? He had acquired the most creation-essence.

Cao De instantly became famous. People quickly learned that Kunlong and Yuntu had been defeated by him at the event, shocking both the Saint and Divine-level encampments. Many had personally seen Kunlong being carried back, and Yuntu, who originally had three heads, was left with only one—a truly horrific sight. Although there had been rumors circulating earlier, most people hadn't believed them. It seemed too brutal: the top Saint had actually been crippled. And that three-headed divine dragon, Yuntu, was almost beaten to death!

"That's nothing," someone explained. "You weren't there to witness it. That Cao De received heaven's favor; even Divine King Nine-Headed Bird failed to compete with him for the creation-essence, making the Divine King envious to the point of almost spitting blood."

"What happened?" many wondered. Even Divine Kings couldn't contend with that "Brother Frank"?

Someone explained, "Heavenly Venerate once said that Cao De's mind is pure, utterly good and benevolent, making it easier for him to commune with the Great Dao!"

"No wonder! Everyone said Cao De was straightforward and blunt, even teasing him as 'Brother Frank.' So that's how it is—his heart is like crystal, untainted by dust, possessing the innocence of a child!" As this spread, many people had expressions of sudden realization, feeling they finally "understood."

In all the encampments, people were discussing Chu Feng as utterly good and benevolent, a naturally pure-hearted person with integrity, worthy of friendship. Upon hearing this, those involved, such as Jin Lie and the recently revived Yuntu, were so enraged they almost spat blood. "How could such a rumor even spread?!" they thought. "Utterly good and benevolent my foot! That 'Black Hand' Cao is rotten to the core, not a good person at all. How could he possibly be praised like this?" Of course, their differing perspectives led to their indignation and strong disbelief!

Moreover, as the story further developed, Yuntu and Kunlong, who had previously fought Chu Feng, became negative examples. This was because people believed that the enemies of someone utterly good and benevolent were likely not good people themselves. When this conclusion emerged, those on the opposing side—Chi Feng, Jin Lie, and the recently revived Yuntu, among others—were dumbfounded and truly felt like spitting blood. They quickly launched a counter-campaign, sending people to explain and inform others that the so-called pure and benevolent person had actually ambushed and played dirty tricks at the event, proving to be utterly unscrupulous.

When Chu Feng returned to the Golden Body encampment, he soon noticed that the Monkey and his friends were looking at him differently. This was because, in terms of strength, Chu Feng should now enter the Sub-Saint encampment and would soon be moving out. This made the Monkey and his companions feel a bit sour. They had all attended the event together, but upon returning, Cao De had directly broken through, surpassing them by an entire major realm. However, they weren't disheartened. Normally, as long as they continued their secluded cultivation for a while, the essence of the Dao-Integration Grass would ferment within them, and they too would break through their current levels and catch up.

Chu Feng remained calm, but inwardly, he was pondering how to make a quick escape. He constantly felt that having gained such immense good fortune, he had become an eyesore to some people. Why would he stay here for the New Year? The sooner he ran, the sooner he'd be free!

"Where is Cao De?" Suddenly, someone called out. It was an old man, his voice wavering from left to right, very ethereal. His strength was formidable, at least that of a peak Divine King.

"Cao De, my virtuous son-in-law, where are you?"

Then, another voice came, and a middle-aged man descended into the encampment. His power was terrifying, with the Divine King's aura permeating the air, inspiring awe.

Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh! Lights flickered, and over a dozen figures descended one after another. They were likely all late-stage Divine Kings, powerful individuals, and all from strong clans.

"My virtuous son-in-law, Cao De, come here!"

Chu Feng was dumbfounded, frozen in place. The Six-Eared Macaque, Peng Wanli, and Xiao Yao were also wide-eyed in astonishment. What was going on? Cao De's group of potential fathers-in-law had arrived?!