The image in the grand hall fully materialized.
This person was the Saint Lord of the Dongfang family, a phantom image left behind before ascension, solely to protect the Dongfang family.
After all, although such an image possessed only the strength of the Tribulation Stage, it was more than enough in this world.
Furthermore, this was the extent of the power he could leave behind in this world.
"Saint Lord." Dongfang Yu and Dongfang Dang Kong immediately knelt and bowed to the phantom image in the sky.
Even the third son, Dongfang Liu, who was lying on the ground defeated, struggled to get up and prostrated himself before the phantom image.
"Rise. What has happened?" the phantom image in the sky said faintly.
Xia Feng stood there, unmoving. He hadn't suspected Xia Feng at all, as he didn't seem like a bad person.
He had thought something else had occurred.
"Saint Lord, please uphold justice for us and capture this villain!" Dongfang Yu said, pointing at Xia Feng.
Seeing where Dongfang Yu was pointing, the Saint Lord finally turned his gaze to Xia Feng.
"Damn it."
He had misjudged.
So the culprit was right in front of him. The phantom image then showed a fierce expression and angrily said to Xia Feng, "Who are you? How dare you trespass into my Dongfang family?"
Xia Feng crossed his arms, his expression casual, and said, "Do you have anything else to confess? You won't have a chance later."
"Haha... In this world, you are the first person to say such a thing to me. You have guts." The Saint Lord laughed instead of getting angry.
Although he was merely a phantom image, it did not affect his ability to put on a show.
Strength equals everything.
This was confidence, stemming from his confidence in his own strength.
In a thousand years, there had only been one person to ascend, and he was that singular, awe-inspiring existence.
"Since you have nothing more to say, let this be the end of it."
Xia Feng finished speaking and moved, walking directly towards the Saint Lord.
Though it was described as walking, it gave the impression of strolling through the air, as if there were hidden steps, carrying him towards the Saint Lord.
The Saint Lord's originally calm gaze suddenly became unsettled.
This was merely a phantom image, devoid of joy or sorrow, only a recognition of strength. Even without emotions, his expression became unnatural.
Because he discovered he could not move.
Clearly, Xia Feng had done nothing, only walked towards him step by step, yet his phantom image was rendered immobile under Xia Feng's pressure.
"Impossible."
The Saint Lord exclaimed, as this had completely overturned his worldview.
His phantom image possessed the strength of the Tribulation Stage, yet he couldn't move an inch in front of Xia Feng.
He could feel the pressure emanating from Xia Feng.
"There is no such thing as impossible. It's a pity you are merely a phantom image. If your true body were here, then I might have had to make a move."
Xia Feng interrupted the Saint Lord's flustered words.
His existence was to turn the impossible into the possible.
"The world is vast, and what you haven't seen does not mean it doesn't exist. Anything is possible."
"Disappear." Xia Feng raised his hand, preparing to disperse the Saint Lord's phantom image.
"Wait..." the Saint Lord quickly called out.
Xia Feng narrowed his eyes and looked at him, saying, "Speak."
"Could you enlighten me?" the Saint Lord inquired tentatively from Xia Feng.
Xia Feng nodded, indicating for him to continue.
"I can sense that your strength is above the Tribulation Stage. Why are you still in this world?" the Saint Lord urgently asked the question that had been burning in his mind.
This was the first time he had encountered such a situation.
As the man who had ascended from Earth, the Saint Lord had unique insights into ascension.
Xia Feng was the first person he had encountered who had reached the Tribulation Stage but not ascended.
Xia Feng also had his own questions; he had come to the Dongfang family precisely to understand ascension. It could be said that they had thought of the same thing.
The three people on the ground were dumbfounded.
They had heard the Saint Lord clearly state that he could sense Xia Feng's strength was above the Tribulation Stage.
"I... damn it..."
The three were utterly speechless.
No wonder he treated them like dogs, without even needing to make a move.
They had thought their strength was at least unrivaled, if not invincible, in the world.
However, they had been like frogs in a well; this world was far more terrifying than they had imagined.
Perhaps their current realms meant nothing.
"Actually, I don't understand either. This is why I came to the Dongfang family. I want to seek the reason for this." Xia Feng did not hide anything and revealed his own doubts.
Upon hearing this, Dongfang Yu and the other two were again rendered speechless. If you had shown your strength earlier, why would we have bothered fighting? What was the point of acting cool?
Looking at their injured companion, they were relieved. Fortunately, their third brother was impatient and had rushed forward first.
What a good person.
Hearing this, the Saint Lord fell silent for a moment, then said, "When you reached the Tribulation Stage, could you sense the call of the Heavenly Dao?"
Xia Feng shook his head, indicating he had not.
"That's strange. When I reached the Tribulation Stage, I could sense the call of the Heavenly Dao, and my body could absorb its power."
The Saint Lord was also somewhat perplexed. Then, as if recalling something, he quickly asked:
"You are not a cultivator?"
"I am a cultivator," Xia Feng stated directly.
"Swish..."
As soon as he said this, all four looked at Xia Feng, their eyes filled with disbelief.
Cultivators. These were people who only existed in ancient times. The word "cultivator" hadn't been heard in tens of thousands of years.
And now they were seeing one with their own eyes.
It was hard not to feel a surge of emotion.
"No wonder, no wonder," the Saint Lord muttered incessantly.
"Do you know why this is?" Xia Feng asked.
"I can't answer you yet. My phantom image only retains memories from Earth; I know nothing about what happens after ascension.
Even if I retract this phantom image, my true body on the other side will not be able to convey any further information to you, even if it knows about you."
The Saint Lord showed an expression of helplessness.
He was merely a phantom image now. Even if Xia Feng dispersed him, all his memories would return to his true body.
But what good would knowing do? He couldn't transmit any more information.
"Do you have any secrets for ascension?" Xia Feng changed the subject and asked.
"Yes," the Saint Lord did not deny it.
This was his first encounter with a cultivator, and he was even more curious than Xia Feng.
Moreover, he could confirm Xia Feng's strength was at the pinnacle of this world.
If Xia Feng intended to destroy their Dongfang family, it would be an effortless task.
This was something the Saint Lord did not wish to see, so he agreed to whatever Xia Feng asked.
"What is it?" Xia Feng asked.
"When we ascend, the Nangong family, Sima family, and Shangguan family must all be present. The secret to ascension is jointly held by our four families. Together, we can sense the call of the Heavenly Dao.
This is also why our four families must exist together; none can be missing."
The Saint Lord truthfully explained the actual situation of ascension, but the Dongfang family only possessed one-quarter of the secret.
Therefore, the cooperation of the other four families was essential.