"If you're unwilling to speak, then this junior will ask no more. But you said my life will be filled with tribulations and misfortunes, and that you wish to help. So how, exactly, do you plan to help me?"
From the old man's gaze, Chu Feng sensed that he wasn't here to harm him—his intentions actually seemed benevolent. So Chu Feng relaxed his vigilance. Besides, even if he wanted to stay on guard against someone like this, it would be useless. If the old man desired his death, there would be no escape.
"Calamities that fall from heaven cannot be avoided. Misfortunes stirred by people cannot be escaped. Yours are called 'heaven-sent' because your talent is extraordinary. With great talent comes envy; you are seen as a threat."
"People are naturally afraid of uncertainty. The best solution is to eliminate the threat. That is why you are destined for tribulations—your very talent ensures someone will always be out to get you," the old man explained.
"I implore you, senior, to tell this junior how to resolve it," Chu Feng asked respectfully.
"Tribulations are not to be avoided, but to be broken. Misfortunes are not to be escaped, but to be shattered."
"Contemplate that meaning for yourself," the old man said with a smile.
"Here it comes." Suddenly, the old man's eyes flashed. He flicked his fishing rod, which transformed into a streak of light, shooting up towards the sky.
Whoosh!
In an instant, waves surged to the heavens and the world trembled. A giant aquatic monster, over a hundred meters long and as big as a small hill, burst out of the lake. Its foul-smelling maw gaped wide as it lunged to swallow the old man.
With its appearance, a formidable pressure swept out. Even though Chu Feng and Du Wanwu were far from the Poison Lake, the force of that pressure sent them tumbling several li before they could regain their footing.
"It's the lake's poison creature, formed from toxic gas. It has no intelligence, only a heart for slaughter."
"It... it's already reached the Martial Emperor realm!" Du Wanwu cried out in shock upon seeing the monster.
The creature was even more formidable than he had imagined—not at the peak of half-emperor, but actually at the first-level Martial Emperor stage. Though mindless, it truly possessed the power of a first-level Martial Emperor.
At that moment, not only was Du Wanwu stunned, but even Chu Feng's expression grew solemn. After all, this creature was terrifyingly powerful. Not only was its own strength immense, but situated within the Poison Lake, it held every geographical advantage, wielding the lake's toxic energy as its own.
Yet despite all this, the old man remained utterly composed, his expression unchanged.
"Subdue."
With a soft command, the enormous poison creature simply vanished. In the same moment, the old man disappeared as well.
Even the churning lake surface returned to its previous state, as if nothing had ever happened. The sudden tranquility was almost eerie.
"Though this poison creature cannot leave Five Poison Mountain, it can leave the Poison Lake. Even if you hadn't crossed the lake directly, it would have attacked you eventually."
"I have broken this tribulation for you. The rest, you must face on your own."
Although the poison creature and the old man had both vanished, the old man's voice echoed once more. After these final words, he fell silent. No matter how Chu Feng thanked him, there was no reply.
"Chu Feng, who was that?" Du Wanwu asked.
"I don't know. I've never seen him before," Chu Feng replied.
"He was incredibly powerful. Even a first-level Martial Emperor poison creature, he handled with ease. If he hadn't intervened, we really might have become that monster's meal."