Chapter 274: Extraterrestrial Civilization Institute

A smile played on Chu Feng's lips; he found it amusing that the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations was so cavalier upon his arrival, seemingly oblivious to the catastrophe about to befall them.

Particularly striking was Huo Lin, a young man Chu Feng had never encountered, who approached him with an air of bold familiarity, addressing him as a brother with remarkable nonchalance.

"Brother Chu, I'll introduce you to some excellent friends from Gusu City later," Huo Lin said, stepping closer. His manner seemed affable, but it was clear he was quite self-important.

Just as he was about to clap Chu Feng on the shoulder, he instinctively withdrew his hand, not daring to make the contact.

In other places, the mere mention of "Demon King Chu" would cause even King-level beings to tremble, yet here, the members of the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations remained remarkably composed.

Not even a hint of awe was present; even a young man dared to forge a connection with Chu Feng.

"Chu Feng, your esteemed reputation truly precedes you, ringing like thunder," a middle-aged man remarked with a slight smile, stepping forward to introduce himself as Yang Jingxuan.

The Yang family, like the Huo family, was a prominent member of the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations.

Following them, several elders, senior figures from the Institute, approached. Conscious of their status, they only greeted Chu Feng after Yang Jingxuan's introduction.

While all of them smiled and maintained a polite demeanor, it was evident they felt secure, harboring no fear. Had they been truly apprehensive, they would not have appeared so composed upon Chu Feng's unannounced visit.

The female King, Huo Yan, directly questioned Chu Feng about the purpose of his visit.

Chu Feng's smile deepened. The individuals from the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations were clearly feigning ignorance, despite knowing the truth, seemingly fearless.

"Brother Chu, your presence naturally makes you a distinguished guest. Please, come inside," Huo Lin said again, cordially gesturing for Chu Feng to proceed deeper into the garden.

Chu Feng remained still, observing those present.

"Brother Chu, let's go," Huo Lin urged. Seeing Chu Feng's stillness, he approached, ready to place a hand on his shoulder.

At that instant, Chu Feng's shoulder shimmered with light, and Huo Lin was abruptly flung backward, sent sprawling onto a distant pavilion. Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his face was deathly pale; it had happened too suddenly.

"Brother Chu Feng, isn't it inappropriate to harm someone like this within our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations?" Yang Jingxuan's expression turned displeased.

"Chu Feng, what is the meaning of this?" Huo Yan demanded coldly. Huo Lin was her own son, bearing her surname, and her face was far from pleasant.

Chu Feng stated, "I merely wish to convey that the younger generation at your Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations is excessively overconfident and presumptuous. Even King-level cultivators would not dare to casually touch my shoulder."

"He was merely being enthusiastic. Wasn't it rather heartless of you to injure him like that?" Huo Yan's voice sharpened slightly.

"I am not acquainted with him," Chu Feng replied, still smiling. "Can you name any King who permits others to casually lay a hand on their shoulder?"

"It's merely a misunderstanding," one of the elders interjected. "Little Brother Chu Feng's visit to our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations is indeed an honor that illuminates our humble dwelling. Please, come right in."

Several elders attempted to defuse the situation, smiling cordially as they invited Chu Feng to proceed inside.

Huo Lin, despite being injured and startled, was an extraordinary individual. He cleanly leaped down from the pavilion, his eyes glinting with cold fury.

He glared at Chu Feng's retreating back, seething with indignation.

"What's so impressive?" he muttered behind Chu Feng. "He caused such a commotion at the Primordial Alliance, only to slink away in defeat. Now he comes to our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations to run wild? Does he truly think we're easily intimidated?"

Though barely audible, the skilled individuals present naturally overheard his words.

Chu Feng abruptly halted. Without turning around, he said, "Such youthful arrogance. The young people here seem unable to tolerate this slight."

"Little Brother Chu Feng, please don't pay it any mind," one of the elders smoothly interjected. "Everyone passes through that age, full of vigor and youthful impetuosity. There's no need to take him seriously."

"Let's proceed, Brother Chu," another elder urged, fearing the situation might escalate.

While they felt they had some leverage, they certainly did not wish to completely antagonize Chu Feng.

Huo Lin, though not daring to speak further, was clearly far from subdued.

"You are displeased, and hostile towards me?" Chu Feng asked, looking at him.

Huo Lin's lip curled in a hint of disdain. "You speak as if you're so extraordinary," he scoffed. "If you were truly as formidable as you claim, how did you end up humiliated at the Primordial Alliance?"

He had previously heard Zhang Cheng assert that Chu Feng was a pathetic figure, a widely known fact within their exclusive circle.

At the time, Zhang Cheng had claimed that Demon King Chu was insignificant; the Zhang family had simply contacted the Master of Jade Void Palace, who had immediately suppressed Chu Feng, forcing him to retreat ignominiously without daring to utter another word!

Huo Lin believed that since his family had connections with the Eight Sceneries Palace, they likewise had no reason to fear Chu Feng and could easily subdue him.

"Our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations doesn't seek trouble, but we certainly aren't afraid of it either!" Huo Lin declared coldly.

"Enough!" one of the elders snapped.

"Oh, so you're challenging me?" Chu Feng turned, raised his hand, and pressed it forward. A faint golden light shimmered, and a terrifying surge of energy instantly erupted.

"You!" Huo Yan gasped in shock, scrambling to intervene.

Yet, Chu Feng's power was incredibly fierce, his movements swifter than hers. The moment his palm print was unleashed, a torrent of energy beams surged forth, striking their target irresistibly.

Huo Lin was flung upward like a rag doll, his body beginning to disintegrate in mid-air, his face contorted in sheer terror.

With a hum, Huo Yan exerted every ounce of her strength, leaping skyward. With both hands, she desperately grasped Huo Lin's upper torso, vigorously channeling surging life energy into him.

She struggled to neutralize the palm force left by Chu Feng, preventing Huo Lin's upper body from tearing apart, though his skin was covered in numerous horrifying cracks.

As for his lower body, it had directly exploded moments before; Huo Yan had been too late to suppress it as well, and could not prevent its destruction.

"Chu Feng, you've gone too far! How dare you come to our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations and kill someone!" Huo Yan exclaimed in shock and fury, for Huo Lin was her own son.

She had temporarily saved Huo Lin's life, but the loss of his lower body meant permanent disability, causing her eyes to redden with anguish.

"Going too far?" Chu Feng calmly retorted. "When you dispatched people to assassinate me and hunted me alongside extraterrestrial beings, why did these words not come to mind?"

"Don't spout such nonsense!" Huo Yan retorted, denying the accusation.

Several elders sensed impending disaster and quickly tried to intervene. One began, "It's all a misunderstanding, Chu Feng. Please don't be angry; let's sit down and talk."

This was a picturesque garden filled with pavilions and elegant structures. They hoped to invite Chu Feng to sit and discuss matters there first, to avoid further conflict.

Simultaneously, one elder considered contacting the Master of the Eight Sceneries Palace, hoping to enlist his aid in suppressing Chu Feng, fearing that otherwise, a major catastrophe would unfold today!

"You retreated from the Primordial Alliance, not daring to be insolent, so why do you dare to come to our Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations and perpetrate such violence?" After being crippled, Huo Lin's eyes blazed with fury, and he was consumed by a stubborn desire for an answer.

At that moment, the large black ox burst into laughter. "Boasting can be deadly," he stated. "Zhang Cheng from your little circle has already lost his head. To plot against a King behind his back, his audacity was simply boundless."

Just then, a messenger rushed into the garden, delivering a urgent report to the important figures present. Upon seeing Chu Feng, the man stumbled in fright, nearly collapsing.

Several slips of paper appeared in the hands of the elders and Huo Yan. They all stiffened in horror, then abruptly looked up at Chu Feng in unison.

"You annihilated the Zhang family, killed Liu Ziheng, and broke... into the Primordial Alliance's treasury?!" Huo Yan's voice trembled with disbelief.

Upon hearing this, everyone present immediately reeled back, their faces turning ashen, all sensing impending catastrophe!

Hadn't the Master of Jade Void Palace intervened to suppress this fiend previously? How could such events still unfold!

Huo Lin's face contorted in terror. This was entirely contrary to his understanding. Hadn't Zhang Cheng claimed that the intervention of Jade Void Palace and Eight Sceneries Palace would be sufficient to suppress Demon King Chu? Yet, ultimately, the Zhang family had been annihilated!

The thought of his recent words and actions made his body tremble uncontrollably.

At this point, Yang Jingxuan could no longer remain composed, nor could the elders maintain their self-possession. It was as if their spines had been broken; they were chilled to the bone.

Only moments earlier, they had been perfectly calm, appearing utterly composed, showing no fear or reverence for Demon King Chu, who had come uninvited.

Now, everything had changed entirely. The news from the Primordial Alliance was explosive, sending shivers down their spines!

"Brother Chu, please allow us to explain."

An elder bowed deeply, cold sweat beading on his forehead. His demeanor instantly became subservient, fearing that Chu Feng would unleash a massacre at the slightest provocation.

"Why did you attack me?" Chu Feng inquired. He was somewhat bewildered, as the human Kings from the financial conglomerates had been even more vicious in their assaults. How had he offended them?

Several elders were now profusely sweating cold. One of them hastily dialed the communicator of the Master of the Eight Sceneries Palace.

Another, steeling himself, offered an explanation: "It was all for self-preservation. Extraterrestrial beings are destined to descend eventually, and we sought to acquire an unparalleled breathing technique and secure renowned mountains to establish our foothold."

"Greed!"

Chu Feng's voice was cold as he unleashed a powerful palm strike with a resounding thud, aimed directly at Huo Lin.

"How dare you harm my son!" Huo Yan cried out, her eyes wide with panic as she retreated rapidly. She, too, was now terrified, having lost her earlier composure.

"What is there to fear? I will even kill you. Don't assume I didn't recognize you; you were among the armored human Kings who besieged me that day!" Chu Feng stated coldly.

From the moment Huo Yan intervened to save Huo Lin and unleashed her aura, Chu Feng knew that she had been among the Kings who besieged him on that fateful night.

"No!"

"Ah..."

Huo Lin screamed in terror, while Huo Yan shrieked, but it was utterly futile. As Chu Feng's palm descended, Huo Lin was utterly crushed and torn apart.

Huo Yan could momentarily withstand the torrent of energy, but Huo Lin, whom she held, instantly succumbed and perished.

"You're next!" Chu Feng declared, his killing intent surging. He took a decisive step, truly moving now, no longer merely unleashing palm strikes from a stationary position.

"You dog! I'll fight you to the death! Give me back my son's life!" Huo Yan shrieked, consumed by madness.

"Little Brother Chu Feng, stop immediately! The Master of the Eight Sceneries Palace wishes to speak with you!" an elder behind him anxiously cried out, his face utterly devoid of color, deathly pale.

Indeed, the high-ranking members of the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations were now consumed by panic!

Hearing this, a surge of anger and resentment welled up in Chu Feng's chest. When he had arrived at the Primordial Alliance, the Master of Jade Void Palace had intervened to stop him. Now, at the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations, the Master of the Eight Sceneries Palace sought to champion them and obstruct his path.

It was important to remember that both the Primordial Alliance and the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations had previously attempted to kill him, deploying King-level experts to participate in the hunt. They were his mortal enemies!

"Allow me to kill someone first, then I'll speak with him!" Chu Feng retorted.

His fist techniques erupted; the Bull Demon Fist from his left hand and the Dragon Demon Fist from his right struck horizontally. The ethereal forms of an ancient wild bull and a flood dragon emerged, tearing through the air with unparalleled ferocity.

How could Huo Yan possibly withstand this? Under Chu Feng's most powerful, enraged strike, she was sent soaring horizontally, her entire body cracking like porcelain shattered by a heavy blow.

Finally, with a wet thud, she exploded, dissolving into a cloud of blood mist.

A stunned silence descended. Throughout the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations, everyone present felt a chilling dread.

"Ah, I let anger get the better of me. This shouldn't have happened," Chu Feng sighed, shaking his head and reproaching himself.

The individuals from the Institute of Extraterrestrial Civilizations felt a wave of relief, sensing the intense atmosphere subside.

However, Chu Feng's next words instantly re-tightened their nerves.

"It is acceptable to eliminate enemies, but my mind ought to remain serene and brilliantly clear," Chu Feng murmured to himself. He activated his breathing technique, and divine radiance soon flowed across his body, emanating a sacred aura.

He had indeed been provoked moments earlier, but now, calm and collected, he took the communicator from the elder and began his conversation with the Master of the Eight Sceneries Palace.