Over the drinking table, the conversation between master and disciple grew even more lively. Zhuge Liuyun, who usually gave off an aura of cold ruthlessness, had lowered his guard with Chu Feng, showing he truly didn't consider him an outsider but a trusted disciple.
Chu Feng learned that Zhuge Liuyun had come from a decent family in his youth, but because his parents offended a powerful figure in the Lingyun Sect, they were forced to flee.
However, during their escape, someone betrayed them. People from that great sect caught up and slaughtered his entire family, leaving not one alive. Only Zhuge Liuyun managed to escape, but the price was the merciless death of his parents.
From then on, Zhuge Liuyun rarely trusted others. One could say that deep in his heart, he had built a cold, impenetrable wall against outsiders.
In his youth, this might have been manageable, but as people age, they often seek someone to rely on, a successor to pass their skills to. Zhuge Liuyun was no exception.
Initially, he had high hopes for Leng Wuzui, but later discovered Leng was far too selfish and extreme in his actions. Leng Wuzui had no friends, only tools he could use. He wasn't worthy of Zhuge Liuyun's trust.
Yet in terms of talent, within the Qingzhou region, especially in the Azure Dragon Sect, it was difficult to find a young person like Leng Wuzui.
So Zhuge Liuyun was in a difficult position, hesitating whether to pass on his mantle to Leng Wuzui.
Just then, Chu Feng entered Zhuge Liuyun's view. In fact, Zhuge Liuyun had investigated Chu Feng's identity from the very beginning.
He discovered that while Chu Feng could be impulsive in his actions, his motives were never to harm others. Instead, he often caused immense trouble for the sake of those around him.
To outsiders, Chu Feng's deeds might seem foolish, but Zhuge Liuyun found him exceptionally endearing.
As for the later matter with Leng Wuzui, it was truly a test Zhuge Liuyun gave him. Unfortunately, Leng ultimately disappointed him.
"Master, after a Spirit World Master forms a contract with a Spirit World entity, could a situation like this arise?"
"For some reason, the Spirit World entity suffers severe damage and vanishes into the Spirit Realm Space. The Master can't sense even a trace of its presence, but the contract still exists." seizing the moment when Zhuge Liuyun was in high spirits, Chu Feng inquired about Dandan.
"Hmm, such a situation does indeed occur. After forming a contract with a Spirit World Master, most Spirit World entities find it very difficult to return to the Spirit World unless the contract is broken or the entity has transcendent abilities. Otherwise, they will remain in the Master's spiritual world, the Spirit Realm Space, for life."
"The situation you describe also happens from time to time. After all, Spirit World entities fight for their Masters, and battles often result in injuries. However, as long as the contract isn't destroyed, it means the entity is still alive, just severely wounded and needing time to recover," Zhuge Liuyun explained.
"Recover? How long would that take?" Chu Feng's heart surged with joy. As long as Dandan was safe, he could rest easy.
"That's hard to say. It could be fast, taking ten to eight years, or slow, taking over a hundred years," Zhuge Liuyun replied nonchalantly.
"What? That long?"
Hearing this, Chu Feng felt as if he had received a devastating blow. Ten to eight years fast, over a hundred years slow? Did that mean he and Dandan wouldn't be able to meet for at least ten years? Or perhaps for the rest of his life?
"Why are you so nervous, kid? Don't tell me you've formed a contract with a Spirit World entity?" Zhuge Liuyun asked with a mischievous glint.
"Of course not. I was just curious..." Chu Feng quickly shook his head. Dandan was his secret and couldn't be known by anyone.
"I doubt you're that incredible. Spirit World entities are proud creatures, very intelligent—their wisdom isn't lower than humans, perhaps even higher."
"To be honest, in my spiritual world right now, there is such a Spirit World entity. But despite my offerings to it all this time, it still refuses to form a contract with me."
"Although forming a contract with a Spirit World entity greatly aids in mastering barrier techniques and one's own cultivation—a dream for countless Spirit World Masters—gaining a Spirit World entity's approval is actually very difficult." Zhuge Liuyun's words held both pride and melancholy.
His pride stemmed from the fact that, as a Spirit World Master, he had successfully communicated with a Spirit World entity, which now showed intention to form a contract with him.
His melancholy came from the fact that although the entity had shown intention, it hadn't yet formed the contract, meaning he still hadn't gained its approval. Adding to that, he was already advanced in years; he truly didn't know if, within his lifetime, that Spirit World entity would ever agree to form a contract.
Hearing this, Chu Feng secretly rejoiced, grateful for his good family. In his Spirit Realm Space, two Spirit World entities were sealed, and one had already formed a contract with him.
If not for that, relying solely on himself to explore, he had no idea how many ages it would take to form a contract with a Spirit World entity. It was even possible he might end up like Zhuge Liuyun, never forming one in his entire life.
While grateful to his family, Chu Feng couldn't help but think of his clan. All the clues suggested that his family, at least his parents, were remarkable, possessing heaven-defying methods.
Such powerful individuals hadn't appeared in the Nine Provinces Continent in recent centuries. Therefore, it was conceivable that his parents came from beyond the Nine Provinces Continent.
The world is vast; the Nine Provinces Continent is merely an iceberg's tip within it. Chu Feng didn't know what the outside world was like, but he could imagine it was dangerous—so dangerous that even his formidable parents had to entrust him to someone else for adoption.
"Master, if a Spirit World entity truly suffers severe damage, apart from letting it recover on its own, is there nothing we Spirit World Masters can do?" After some casual chat, Chu Feng skillfully steered the conversation back to this point.
"There is, of course. The reason Spirit World entities are willing to form contracts with Masters, giving up their beloved homeland to be confined in that cramped spiritual world, is because the world of living beings offers them immense benefits."
"Spirit World entities have very long lifespans. Unlike us humans, no matter how strong our cultivation, we have only a century's limit. Spirit World entities can live at least three hundred years, and some powerful ones are said to live for thousands."
"This is why Spirit World entities are willing to form contracts and live in that cramped spiritual world. Because when the Master dies, the contract dissolves, and the entity can return to the Spirit World. At that point, what it gained from the Master will become its capital to stand firm in the Spirit World."