"Senior, you're actually…?" At that moment, Chu Feng was truly overwhelmed with joy, unable to find words to describe how he felt.
So this mysterious old man was someone from the Green Wood Mountain. In that case, he would most certainly be willing to help him.
Just knowing he had such a powerful backer made Chu Feng, who was currently wanted by the Nangong Imperial Clan, feel a great deal more at ease.
It was like a homeless child finally finding someone to depend on — and not just anyone, but someone who could truly stand up for him.
"Chu Feng, let me introduce you. This is Elder Guan Hong of our Green Wood Sacred Council." Dugu Xingfeng gestured toward the red-faced old man as he made the introduction.
"Chu Feng greets Elder Guan Hong." Upon hearing this, Chu Feng immediately clasped his fists and bowed. Since this man was an elder of the Green Wood Sacred Council, courtesy demanded he show respect. In terms of seniority, the elder was indeed Chu Feng's elder — after all, Chu Feng was a disciple of Green Wood Mountain.
Despite the red-faced old man's fierce appearance, his gaze toward Chu Feng was remarkably warm, and when Chu Feng bowed, he nodded with an approving smile.
"As for this one — he's even more impressive. This is the Council Master of our Green Wood Sacred Council." Dugu Xingfeng then turned to the white-faced old man and introduced him.
Hearing this, Chu Feng was quite startled. He had assumed that the elderly man with the refined, sage-like bearing would be the Council Master. Clearly, he had guessed wrong.
But the Council Master was supposed to be the highest authority within the Green Wood Sacred Council — the true ruler of Green Wood Mountain.
If this white-faced old man was the Council Master, then who was the other elder whose strength was obviously even greater and who also wore the Green Wood Sacred Council's robes?
"Chu Feng greets the Council Master."
Despite the questions swirling in his mind, Chu Feng hurried over and bowed to the white-faced old man. The Council Master of the Green Wood Sacred Council held the highest status and position within Green Wood Mountain — even Dugu Xingfeng was far beneath him.
As a mere disciple, it was already an honor just to meet the Council Master. The fact that the Council Master had been secretly protecting him filled Chu Feng with even deeper gratitude.
"Young friend Chu Feng, no need to be so formal. My name is Yin Chengkong. If you don't mind, you can simply call me Senior Yin — no need for 'Council Master,' which only puts distance between us."
Compared to Elder Guan Hong, the Council Master showed even greater fondness for Chu Feng. It was easy to see how highly he thought of the young man.
"And as for this last one — well, he's the most impressive of all. I don't even need to introduce him. Just hearing his name will tell you everything." After finishing his introductions, Dugu Xingfeng looked at the elderly man with the refined, sage-like bearing with a deliberate air of mystery and said: "This is Lord Baili Xuankong."
"Baili Xuankong?!"
Hearing this name, Chu Feng was completely shocked — genuinely, profoundly stunned. The feeling was like a calm lake suddenly erupting with towering waves.
Who was Baili Xuankong? Ever since Chu Feng had first set foot in the Martial Sacred Continent, he had heard the great name of this man.
He was the founding ancestor of the Green Wood Southern Forest and had been one of the most powerful figures in Green Wood Mountain in days gone by.
But hadn't Baili Xuankong been dead for ages? How could he possibly be standing right here before him?
Moreover, Chu Feng had once seen a statue of Baili Xuankong inside the ancient tower of the Ascension Sect. That statue bore absolutely no resemblance to the Baili Xuankong standing before him now.
"I understand now." After a moment of reasoning, the realization dawned on Chu Feng. Back inside that ancient tower, when he had turned his back to the statue of Baili Xuankong, he had felt a gaze upon him.
That gaze had emanated from the statue itself. Though when Chu Feng had spun around and examined it carefully, he had found nothing — leading him to believe at the time that it had most likely been his imagination.