"That
Now Gong Luyun was also at the first level of Xuan Martial. The fact that he had defeated Su Rou proved one thing: in terms of combat skill, Gong Luyun was likely stronger than Su Rou.
"He didn't just defeat my sister — even Elder Ouyang lost to him."
"Even Elder Ouyang lost?" Chu Feng's brows furrowed even tighter.
Few people knew the full extent of Elder Ouyang's abilities, because the old man kept a very low profile. But Chu Feng had learned from Su Mei that Elder Ouyang had stepped into the Xuan Martial Realm many years ago and was now pushing toward the second level of Xuan Martial — a true peak first-level Xuan Martial powerhouse.
Su Rou had a close relationship with Elder Ouyang and had sparred with him before. Although their matches ended in draws, in truth Elder Ouyang had been holding back.
And yet Gong Luyun had defeated both Su Rou and Elder Ouyang in succession. That made Chu Feng suddenly realize that Gong Luyun was not as simple as he had assumed.
"Chu Feng, while the elders from the Core Area haven't arrived yet, you should leave quickly. Go to my Vermilion Bird City — I can guarantee your safety there," Su Mei whispered into Chu Feng's ear.
"Is this your idea, or your sister's?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"It's my sister's idea, and mine too. Neither of us wants anything to happen to you." Su Mei's eyes were filled with a pleading look — she was genuinely afraid that Chu Feng would be stubborn and stay here to wait for death.
"You two are really good to me."
Chu Feng chuckled and reached out his large hand to affectionately ruffle Su Mei's soft, lustrous hair. Then he turned and began walking toward the edge of the crowd.
At this moment, all the frustration Chu Feng had been feeling before had completely dissipated, because he now understood that the Su sisters had not abandoned the
"Chu Feng, where are you going?" Seeing this, Su Mei grabbed hold of Chu Feng, because she noticed he was heading in the wrong direction.
"
"What? Are you insane? You're going to the Core Area to challenge Wu Jiu?" Su Mei was stunned by his words, but she couldn't hold him back. In the blink of an eye, Chu Feng had leaped past the crowd and was sprinting toward the Core Area.
"Chu Feng is running — grab him!"
"Su Rou, you are deliberately sheltering this boy. I will report today's events to the Sect Master!"
Seeing this, Liu Cheng'en panicked. Within the Azure Dragon Sect, Chu Feng could do whatever he wanted inside the Inner Sect and would certainly be put to death eventually, but if Chu Feng escaped, making good on his threat to kill him would become much harder.
At first, both Su Rou and Elder Ouyang were secretly pleased by this turn of events. They didn't give chase — instead, they took the opportunity to cause trouble, ordering their subordinates to interfere with Liu Cheng'en's men and cover Chu Feng's escape.
But when they realized the direction Chu Feng was heading, the joy on their faces turned to dark clouds. This wasn't an escape at all — he was walking straight into the tiger's den, heading off to court death.
"This guy, why does he have to be so impossible to deal with?"
Su Rouge was so angry her face flushed red, stomping her feet where she stood. After a moment's thought, she launched herself forward and dashed after Chu Feng. Elder Ouyang did the same, rushing after them to see what exactly Chu Feng had in mind.
Chu Feng moved quickly, bursting from the Inner Sect into the Core Area in no time. Once inside, he didn't stop — he headed straight for a plaza.
The plaza was circular and exquisitely constructed. At its very center was an enormous combat platform. The platform was red, as if stained with fresh blood, striking to the eye.
And at the center of the combat platform stood a massive red bell, with a large plaque hanging from it. On the plaque were several bold characters: "Grievance and Life-or-Death Stage."
Chu Feng vaulted up like a nimble monkey and arrived before the great bell. He struck it several times in succession. The pealing of the bell echoed throughout the entire Core Area, and soon Core Disciples began gathering, because they all recognized the sound — it was the bell of the Life-or-Death Stage.
The Life-or-Death Stage lived up to its name: grievances settled, lives decided. Although the Azure Dragon Sect had its rules, if two disciples had irreconcilable enmity that could only be resolved through life and death, they were indeed permitted to climb this stage — but only after signing a life-and-death contract beforehand.
Anyone who dared to strike that bell on the Life-or-Death Stage was declaring their intent to fight to the death. This kind of spectacle was exactly the sort of excitement people loved to watch. Right now, practically everyone in the Core Area was heading toward this place, and many elders had come as well.
"Look — isn't that Chu Feng? Wasn't he just on a killing spree in the Inner Sect? How does he dare show his face here?"
"This kid is unbelievably reckless. First he offended
Chu Feng's name had long since resounded throughout the Azure Dragon Sect, and even his portrait had been circulated — everyone could recognize him. His actions left them all bewildered, and at this moment the same thought ran through most of their minds: this kid is asking for death.
And just as the area outside the Grievance and Life-or-Death Stage was packed shoulder to shoulder with onlookers, Chu Feng finally stopped striking the bell. He straightened his back and bellowed down at the crowd below: "Which one of you is Wu Jiu? Come up here and collect your death!!!"