Boom—
Suddenly, the raging sea of fire in the valley began to sink beneath the surging waves of flame, as if a massive gap had opened at the bottom of the valley and everything was draining through it.
Soon, the sea of fire had vanished entirely, and the valley's floor came into view before Chu Feng's eyes.
The valley floor was nothing like what Chu Feng and the others had expected. Far from desolate and barren, it was lush with greenery—various strange plants blanketed the depths of the valley floor, brimming with vitality.
But there, amidst the greenery, sat an elder.
This elder's white hair surpassed winter snow, his crimson robe outshone the sun, and his aura was as deep and unfathomable as water at the bottom of a well.
Sitting there, he would have gone completely unnoticed if you didn't look closely—but once you laid eyes on him, you could feel just how terrifying he was.
And this, without question, was the old ancestor of the Yan Clan.
"Xingfeng, it's been so long. I didn't expect you to still remember this old man," the Yan Clan ancestor said with a smile.
"Senior, how could Xingfeng ever forget you? It's just that you've been in closed-door cultivation, and I didn't want to impose," Dugu Xingfeng quickly descended to the valley floor and clasped his fists in greeting.
"This junior, Miao Renlong." "This junior, Hong Qiang." "This junior, Chu Feng." "We pay our respects to the senior."
At the same time, Chu Feng and the others also descended. The first thing they did was bow to the Yan Clan ancestor.
"This young one is quite impressive. Chu Feng, is it?" The Yan Clan ancestor swept his gaze over the group, but ultimately settled it on Chu Feng.
"Reporting to Senior—this junior is indeed called Chu Feng," Chu Feng replied.
"Fine talent. You will surely accomplish great things in the future," the Yan Clan ancestor offered his evaluation.
"Thank you for Senior's kind words," Chu Feng expressed his gratitude once more.
"Xingfeng, nurture him well. In a few years, your Green Wood Sacred Assembly will gain a Martial Emperor," the Yan Clan ancestor said to Dugu Xingfeng.
"Rest assured, Senior. Chu Feng is currently my most valued disciple. I will devote everything to his cultivation," Dugu Xingfeng said. "Senior, actually, I came this time to ask a favor."
"Xingfeng, if it were anyone else asking me for a favor, I wouldn't even bother responding—I'd just tell them to scram."
"But since it's you, I won't chase you off or berate you. I'll only ask one thing: does this favor require me to leave this place?" the Yan Clan ancestor asked.
"Reporting to Senior, I'm afraid this matter would require you to leave here for a time," Dugu Xingfeng said.
"Then forget it. Let's not mention it further—no sense ruining our friendship over it." The Yan Clan ancestor waved his hand, signaling Dugu Xingfeng to say no more. If he continued, the ancestor would grow displeased.
At this moment, Dugu Xingfeng hesitated. Hong Qiang and the others also didn't know what to do. They hadn't expected the Yan Clan ancestor to be so unreasonable.
But thinking it over, it was understandable. At the level of the Yan Clan ancestor, his heart for seeking the Dao burned fiercely. He wished to detach himself from worldly affairs in order to better comprehend the Dao and pursue ever higher realms.
This Yan Clan ancestor didn't even bother with his own clan's affairs—how could he readily meddle in the affairs of outsiders? The fact that he was even conversing with Dugu Xingfeng so cordially was already quite generous.
"Senior, please hear me out. This isn't my affair—it's Chu Feng's."
"Chu Feng is the most talented disciple Green Wood Mountain has produced in many years. Not only does he possess heaven-defying battle strength, but at such a young age, he has already become an Imperial Robe Spirit World Master."
"He excels in both martial cultivation and barrier techniques—a combination exceedingly rare across the entire Sacred Land of Martial Arts."
"Right now, Chu Feng has something he absolutely must accomplish. I will escort and protect him, but I cannot guarantee success with full confidence."
"That is why I wished to ask for Senior's help." After a moment of hesitation, Dugu Xingfeng risked the Yan Clan ancestor's wrath and spoke again. It was clear that for Chu Feng's sake, he was putting everything on the line.
"Dugu Xingfeng, let me ask you—whose disciple is this Chu Feng?" the Yan Clan ancestor asked.
"He is a disciple of our Green Wood Mountain," Dugu Xingfeng replied.
"Your Green Wood Mountain's disciple. What does that have to do with my Yan Clan? Why should I help him?"