Zhao Feng laughed coldly after being angered by Chu Hao.
"You are a sixth-stage Grandmaster Realm cultivator, I am a third-stage Qi Refinement cultivator. I am no match for you, nor is there a need to fight".
As soon as he finished speaking, Chu Hao's shoulder trembled, energy surging.
The sound of crushing bones echoed, and Chu Hao's left arm hung limp. He had truly chosen to cripple one arm, shattering it to the bone.
The atmosphere became deadly silent, but Chu Hao still kept a calm face, seemingly uncaring of the arm dangling by his side.
He paid no mind to the gazes of others, simply reaching out to pull Chu Ling'er, who was still dazed, away from that place.
"How cowardly, a cultivator yet possessing no courage at all. Chu Hao willingly crippled one arm, yet did not dare to contend with Zhao Feng. Truly, he invites disdain from others".
A mocking voice resounded.
Others looked back and were startled, for the one who had just spoken was also a rather well-known young man.
"It's true, if Chu Hao had dared to accept Zhao Feng's challenge, even if he had died, it would have been a glorious death. One who lacks such courage, what can they cultivate? They are surely useless".
Someone spoke up, echoing he. And those who agreed with this opinion were not a few, turning to mock and criticize Chu Hao as cowardly.
However, Zhao Feng, the one involved, said nothing, merely lowering his head in contemplation. For he had faced Chu Hao's gaze at that moment; would someone with such eyes fear death?
"This is truly a talented individual".
In the most lavish place, a female voice rang out.
This was a girl clad in resplendent red attire, possessing a fiery figure capable of captivating countless talented youths in Jade City. Compared to Chu Ling'er, who appeared gentle and frail, easily evoking a desire to protect her, this girl was more mature, alluring, and noble.
She had observed all of Chu Hao's actions from her elevated position, seeing them clearly. Unlike those shortsighted individuals who scorned Chu Hao, she held a different insight.
"Young Mistress, I do not quite understand. Did you not say that one should know how to stand firm, preferring to break rather than bend? This person crippled an arm and endured ridicule, yet why do you praise him?"
Beside Mo Mei, a servant opened his mouth, puzzled.
"What I said is not wrong. However, one must also know how to choose. To knowingly charge into a pointless death is not courage, but foolishness".
"One who is governed by desire, encountering a blocking boulder, will rage and try to kick the boulder aside. Whereas a clear-headed person will choose to walk around, not needing to argue with a boulder, as long as the path ahead remains passable".
"This is the difference between courage and ignorance. That youth decisively crippled his own arm, without lengthy entanglement, and without fear of pain. It can be seen that his willpower is exceptionally strong".
"You should remember well: enduring violence and humiliation is not cowardice, as long as you regard such useless things as fleeting wind and passing clouds".
Mo Mei spoke at length, causing her servant to widen his eyes in surprise, not expecting this young mistress to evaluate Chu Hao so highly. One must know that Mo Mei was actually very proud; even the talented youths of Jade City were not worthy of appearing in her eyes. Only the top geniuses of Yunmeng Nation could be valued by Mo Mei. Yet Chu Hao could achieve this?
"He endures humiliation today; tomorrow, he will surely rise. On my behalf, deliver to him a Bone Restoration Pill, and also clear that debt scroll. Consider it a good deed".
Mo Mei commanded.
…
"Chu Hao, you should not have done that just now".
Chu Ling'er said, then painfully shed tears, blaming herself. "If it weren't for me, you wouldn't be in this plight. Chu Hao, does it hurt? If it hurts, then speak it. In front of your sister, there's no need to pretend..."
She gently raised Chu Hao's crippled left arm, her eyes filled with sorrow.
"From childhood to adulthood, it was always you who protected me. After I was poisoned, it was still always you who protected me. To cure my poison, you left nothing for yourself".
Although he spoke calmly, his voice seemed to tremble. For him, Chu Ling'er was only the elder sister of the former Chu Hao, not his own. But the moment he looked into her clear eyes, countless memories flooded Chu Hao's mind. Those were all the experiences the former Chu Hao had shared with Chu Ling'er.
From childhood to adulthood, Chu Ling'er had always sheltered and defended Chu Hao. After Chu Hao was poisoned, only Chu Ling'er persistently cared for him. Although each time the poison flared, Chu Hao suffered immense pain, compared to him, Chu Ling'er's pain was even more deeply etched into her soul. To buy Profound Ice Herbs for him, Chu Ling'er always spent all that she earned. Even the jewelry she loved so much was sold without hesitation. All these things truly stirred the current Chu Hao. Because no matter how long his previous life had been, he had never experienced this. This was family affection.
Initially, he thought crippling his own arm was also a way to repay Chu Ling'er's kindness. But he discovered he was wrong.
Chu Hao valued loyalty and righteousness. In the past, he had dared to challenge a Divine Being for the sake of a single individual, even though he was only a Celestial Venerable Realm cultivator at the time. That was the most arduous battle of his life. A peerless battle, shaking the entire world. In one battle, he fought a Divine Being to a standstill. Even a being as mighty as a Divine Being had to yield before him. But now, he was not only Chu Hao, the "closest to a God," but also Chu Hao, Chu Ling'er's younger brother.
"Sister, it's just an arm, I don't hurt. In truth, the only thing I worry about is not being able to protect you."