Chapter 1246: Myth Becomes a Contrast

He returned, having won once more.

This time, however, Cao De dashed back, cradling a beautiful young woman in his arms, unlike his previous returns where he dragged opponents through the sand, roaring as he arrived.

The people of the Yongzhou camp wore peculiar expressions, their eyes gleaming, unsure whether to cheer him on or hide their faces in shame.

Behind him, millions of evolutionaries from Hezhou and Zhanzhou, ranging from Golden Body to Saint to God King, were all furiously denouncing him.

He was universally condemned; the evolutionaries from both major camps were enraged.

Everyone believed this Yongzhou youth was utterly despicable, resorting to intimidation and extortion to win without a fight. The crowd was fuming, desperate to capture and kill him on the spot!

At this point, interest in other duels across the battlefield waned, as everyone's attention converged on the Saint battlefield, gathering to watch.

This was because many had heard rumors of a morally bankrupt young scoundrel who had appeared here, inciting widespread anger and resentment.

People were not there to witness his prowess, but rather to see him decisively defeated, violently beaten, and to discover who would finally put an end to him.

The accumulated resentment from the two major camps was immense, as one could well imagine.

Even within the Yongzhou camp, people were dumbfounded, unsure what to say.

Though Cao De had achieved successive victories, they were oddly unconventional and bizarre to an infuriating degree.

“What are you waiting for? Bind them!”

Chu Feng spoke without a trace of embarrassment, handing the Golden Crow princess to two female cultivators, then instructing others to assist her brother.

The Golden Crow prodigy let out a long howl, filled with fervent ambition, only to become utterly dejected, then seething with resentment. He was frantic with hatred, trembling with rage.

His long golden hair writhed as if in a gale, and his entire being erupted in a golden aura!

Suddenly, an inexplicable surge of vital energy burst from the crown of his head, manifesting as a brilliant golden stellar sea.

In that moment, fueled by intense rage and extreme emotional upheaval, he nearly broke through directly to the Illumination Realm.

People were astonished; the Golden Crow prodigy was indeed terrifying, almost defying nature. He had reached the pinnacle of the Saint realm and nearly broke through without the aid of pollen?

If so, it would be legendary!

In the current evolutionary system, reaching the Saint realm typically requires the aid of pollen to achieve a major self-transformation.

Historically, only a handful of individuals have evolved due to unforeseen circumstances, but this is by no means a universal path to evolution.

Should one succeed, it would be a legend among legends!

Thus, many were stunned, realizing the immense power of this Golden Crow prodigy and the boundless potential of his future achievements.

However, even in this state of immense emotional turmoil, with his fury seemingly capable of incinerating the highest heavens, the Golden Crow prodigy regrettably couldn't fully cross that threshold, managing only a half-step.

Nevertheless, this was sufficient; immense benefits awaited him. A golden path of evolution had unfurled before him, leading to unknown, distant realms, its full extent unforeseeable.

Throughout this process, Chu Feng did not interfere. He waved his hand, instructing his allies to stand back and avoid disrupting the Golden Crow prodigy’s intense transformation.

In fact, on the Yongzhou side, Heavenly Venerate Qi Rong had already narrowed his eyes, streaks of divine light emanating from him, personally safeguarding the area to prevent any interference.

Despite their adversarial positions and differing allegiances, as a high-ranking figure from Yongzhou, he possessed this degree of magnanimity.

Across the way, evolutionaries from both Western Hezhou and Southern Zhanzhou, previously agitated, fell silent, watching the unfolding scene with disbelief.

The clamor ceased; no one was shouting threats or calls for battle. All eyes were fixed on the front line.

Above the Golden Crow prodigy’s head, the stellar sea of condensed golden vital energy shimmered enigmatically, resembling the dawn of creation, where the universe first took shape. A powerful aura flowed from it.

Within it, wisps of mysterious flowing light swirled, then cascaded from the golden stellar sea, enveloping his body.

Rumble!

Finally, this manifested phenomenon violently surged back into him, the entire golden galaxy merging into his body. His form shimmered brilliantly, and his powerful aura surged significantly.

The Golden Crow prodigy opened his eyes, his pupils like twin golden lightning bolts, emitting piercing beams as he stared at Chu Feng.

Chu Feng spoke boldly, “Well, how do you feel? Much stronger, almost achieving legendary status, though it wasn’t a complete breakthrough. Even so, it will benefit you for life, so why aren’t you thanking me yet?”

The battlefield had been utterly silent, all eyes fixed on the scene, so quiet that a pin drop would be audible. But upon hearing Cao De demand gratitude, collective twitches appeared on the faces of many onlookers.

As for the Hezhou and Zhanzhou camps, the outrage was even more pronounced.

This despicable Yongzhou scoundrel, who had threatened the Golden Crow prodigy's sister and essentially kidnapped her, now had the audacity to demand thanks?!

A fierce backlash erupted from both the Hezhou and Zhanzhou camps.

“What’s all the fuss about?” Cao De sneered, “If I hadn’t provoked him, do you think he would have achieved this breakthrough?”

For a moment, some were indeed speechless, yet they couldn't shake the feeling that something was amiss. Were they truly expected to thank this disgraceful young scoundrel?

However, some individuals weren't swayed and reacted even more vehemently, expressing immense anger and denouncing Cao De as utterly shameless.

“You're repaying kindness with ingratitude! Did you not see what I just did? I had the Golden Crow twins captured, yet when I realized he was on the verge of a breakthrough, I gave him the opportunity and chose not to interfere. Show me another individual on this entire battlefield with such lofty moral integrity, I dare you!”

Chu Feng challenged the two major camps.

Upon hearing this, some people, though displeased, fell silent. He was right; had he interfered, the Golden Crow prodigy would not only have failed to evolve or become a near-legend but would also have lost his life, his enlightenment shattered, his very being ruined.

However, for that Yongzhou scoundrel to so brazenly praise himself, even invoking 'lofty moral integrity,' was truly beyond shameless.

Would a truly noble person ever praise themselves in such a manner?

“Bind him!”

At this, Chu Feng waved his hand, instructing the Yongzhou evolutionaries to bind the Golden Crow prodigy.

The youth with the flowing golden hair was deeply unwilling. He was confident he could defeat any opponent at his level, feeling incomparably powerful. Was he truly to surrender just like this?

“Do you really think you’re strong?” Chu Feng said indifferently. “You’re just another one of my defeated opponents. Don’t be so defiant.”

The Golden Crow prodigy felt his blood surge, wanting to engage him in a decisive battle right there, free from any threats.

From afar, the people of Western Hezhou and Southern Zhanzhou were even more vocal in their outrage, nearing a full-blown public uproar.

“Kill him! Take down this cunning scoundrel!”

Some shouted, convinced that a move from the Golden Crow prodigy at that moment would easily crush the odious Yongzhou youth.

At that moment, Chu Feng subtly emanated a concentrated surge of spiritual and vital energy. Though imperceptible to others, the Golden Crow prodigy clearly discerned it, as it was directed solely at him.

His pupils widened in shock. Within that fusion of vital energy and spirit, a young figure stood, as if poised at the dawn of creation, wreathed in tendrils of chaotic energy, striding across a fragmented ancient domain, looking down upon him with disdain.

In that instant, the Golden Crow prodigy felt an unparalleled, crushing pressure that nearly suffocated him.

In a flash, he understood: this was a Great Saint, and one approaching grand perfection. Legend held that such individuals, upon reaching a certain stage, could return to their original state and explore the fundamental secrets of heaven and earth.

This young scoundrel… he had reached this level?!

The Golden Crow prodigy was utterly stunned. He finally understood why his sister had been snatched away the moment she made a move: it was a result of sheer, absolute suppression, not the activation of some forbidden artifact's power.

He also realized that the Yongzhou youth’s earlier actions—seemingly opportunistic kidnappings of several seeded powerhouses—were neither frivolous nor accidental. They were founded on genuine strength, an inherent confidence that guaranteed overwhelming victory.

He knew that despite his own strength and ability to contend with the Yongzhou youth, he was destined to be defeated. A sigh escaped him at this realization.

The Golden Crow prodigy conceded defeat, allowing himself to be bound.

In the distance, the people of Hezhou and Zhanzhou erupted in an uproar, agitated and seething with righteous indignation, finding the surrender utterly unacceptable.

Such a powerful Golden Crow prodigy, a heaven-sent talent who had just nearly become a legend among legends and almost broken through on the spot, proving his might—how could he now voluntarily surrender?!

To many, this was a great pity, entirely the result of the Yongzhou scoundrel’s intimidation; the Golden Crow prodigy had sacrificed the duel for his sister.

“This is utterly disgraceful! The heaven-blessed Golden Crow, the very prototype of a glorious ultimate being, voluntarily surrendering! I can barely stomach it.”

“Oh, dear Golden Crow brother, I understand you. You are such a good brother, a truly noble elder sibling. I wish I could be your sister.”

The battlefield erupted into complete chaos, with many shouting and several female evolutionaries expressing their indignation on behalf of the Golden Crow prodigy.

Meanwhile, among the high-ranking officials of the Western Hezhou camp, a Heavenly Venerate had already secretly contacted Qi Rong, requesting assurances for the Golden Crow prodigy’s safety, with conditions left open for Yongzhou to name.

The battlefield buzzed with fervent discussion and agitation.

Only the Golden Crow prodigy offered a bitter smile, sighing inwardly. He truly couldn't defeat the Yongzhou youth, and by now, he fully understood Cao De's intentions.

This was a classic tactic to draw enmity, forcing all seeded experts to enter the fray and confront him.

He clearly saw that Cao De intended to conquer vast territories, to win all the secret realms, even resorting to bizarre and vexing tactics to provoke misjudgment and anger, ultimately compelling everyone to gamble and fight him.

He yearned to transmit a warning, but Chu Feng’s gaze instantly silenced him.

At the same time, Heavenly Venerate Qi Rong cooperated by sealing off the area.

The Golden Crow prodigy knew the truth would soon be revealed. Cao De was likely provoking everyone to join the fray simultaneously, intending to settle everything in one decisive battle and claim all the secret realms.

By then, Cao De’s true identity as a Great Saint would be impossible to hide.

After being bound, the Golden Crow princess slowly regained consciousness, still feeling somewhat groggy. When she saw Cao De standing nearby, she was slightly bewildered and instinctively remarked, “That’s odd, I should have won. Why does my head hurt a little now?”

Then she called out to Chu Feng, “Hey, captive! You’re a prisoner now. Do you submit, or not?”

At this, the Golden Crow prodigy covered his face, feeling utterly mortified. His sister was clearly not fully conscious yet; how could she not realize that *he* was the one who had become a captive?

For a moment, many chuckled, finding her naiveté endearing.

Even Chu Feng was momentarily speechless, finding her somewhat endearingly naive, much like an old acquaintance, Ziyuan, the maid he had once subdued.

He wondered how she was doing, having long since entered the Yang realm. He hoped she was well.

He shook his head and stepped onto the battlefield. This, he thought, would be the final confrontation; he intended to decisively settle everything with everyone.

Indeed, old acquaintances were observing the battlefield, some with strange, suspicious, or uncertain expressions, fixated on the figure in the arena.

“How strange,” mused the grown silver-haired girl from the Demi-Immortal race, her wide, sparkling eyes blinking with a peculiar glint. “A strange intuition makes my heart race!”

Further afield, a young boy of the Barbarian Ox race, perched on the neck of a burly man, let his cigar clatter to the ground, singeing a large hole in his father’s formal attire, completely unnoticed by the boy.

From another direction, whispers could also be heard.

An old servant remarked, “Mistress, what do you make of this young man? He’s the one we spoke of—quite peculiar, and now it seems he might even be considered a significant villain?”

The now exquisite Maiden Xi, with her luminous hair and stunningly beautiful face, tilted her head towards the battlefield and said, “Hmm, let’s observe further. His style is rather… unusual.”

Several old servants desperately wanted to interject that the boy was utterly depraved, vile, and shameless, having incited widespread public outrage. How could anything about him be described as "fresh and unique"?

Just then, Cao De's powerful voice boomed across the battlefield: “Who dares to face me in battle?!”

“I do!”

“I do!”

It was as if a single call had roused a thousand mountains; roars from the evolutionaries of both camps echoed everywhere, many eager to engage him in a decisive battle immediately.

“Then come at me, all of you!” Chu Feng shouted, standing alone in the battlefield with his hands clasped behind his back, like a golden javelin planted firmly in the ground, facing all the seeded experts.

Behind him, within the Yongzhou camp, the Golden Crow prodigy’s heart pounded, feeling a sudden surge of excitement.

He knew Cao De was about to make his true move, revealing the fact that a Great Saint had reappeared in the world. Brilliant vital energy was about to sweep across the cosmos, destined to shake the entire battlefield.