The crowd was stunned with amazement, but Chu Feng had no mind for any of that.
All he wanted was to free Baili Xuankong and the others from their restraints as quickly as possible.
"Ancestor, your cultivation?" However, after a brief moment, Chu Feng's brows furrowed. He had discovered that what bound the cultivation of Baili Xuankong and the others was no ordinary barrier — it was a Dragon Vein level barrier.
Moreover, this barrier technique was extraordinarily sophisticated. Even Chu Feng, who had mastered all manner of profound barrier arts, would not be able to break through these restraints in a short amount of time.
This meant that a Dragon Vein level Spirit World Master was serving the Four Great Emperor Clans — and that this Dragon Vein level Royal-robed Spirit World Master was no ordinary figure.
"The Four Great Emperor Clans have been reduced to this state by a single Chu Feng? You are truly useless."
Just as Chu Feng was lost in thought, several silhouettes suddenly shot out from the distant horizon.
Every one of them wore black robes and strange masks — they were members of the Dark Hall.
"The Dark Hall? The Dark Hall is connected to the Four Great Emperor Clans?" Upon seeing these figures, Chu Feng's heart tightened.
Though only a hundred or so members of the Dark Hall had appeared, every single one was a Martial Emperor — genuine, bona fide Martial Emperors.
The one at their head was especially striking. Half of his hair was snow-white, and the other half pitch-black, an eerie sight.
His cultivation was unfathomably deep. Even Chu Feng could not discern his exact realm, and upon merely glancing at him, an intense sense of unease welled up from within. He could feel an overwhelming threat radiating from this man.
"The Dark Hall?!" The crowd was collectively stunned. Though many had never heard the name "Dark Hall" before, not a single person dared show even the slightest disrespect — the auras emanating from these newcomers were simply far too powerful.
Everyone realized that the Dark Hall was not a force to be taken lightly.
"You've finally arrived! Hurry, strike now and destroy Chu Feng!" The moment the Dark Hall members revealed themselves, the Supreme Elders of the Four Great Emperor Clans reacted as if they had seen their saviors. Ximen Baiyuan, in particular, was practically overflowing with wild joy.
"Are you giving me orders?" However, the leader of the Dark Hall swept a gaze laden with killing intent — cold to the extreme — over Ximen Baiyuan and the others from the Four Great Emperor Clans. His blood-red eyes glinted with menace.
"You—!!"
Confronted by that gaze, forget the rest of the Four Great Emperor Clans — even Ximen Baiyuan's face went pale. Though resentment flickered in his eyes, he dared not talk back. From their expressions alone, it was clear that they feared the Dark Hall members.
"Who exactly are you?" Chu Feng called out loudly. In his view, the Dark Hall was an exceedingly dangerous force that absolutely could not be underestimated.
"Good question. Who we are doesn't matter — all you need to know is that the Dark Hall will be the future rulers of the Martial Continent," the leader said with a smile.
Though the words came with a smile, his tone radiated an extremely potent aura of evil.
The moment these words left his mouth, not only Chu Feng and his companions, but even the onlookers could not help but shudder. A chill crept through their bodies, and nearly everyone felt a foreboding sense of dread.
A faction that no one had ever heard of had appeared and, within moments of revealing itself, made such a proclamation. It was deeply unsettling.
After all, even the Three Houses would not dare use the word "rulers" — yet the Dark Hall had the audacity to claim it?
"The future rulers — every dream is a beautiful one," Chu Feng said with a contemptuous smirk, his mockery unmistakable.
"Haha, this is no dream. It is an inevitability. Chu Feng… I can see that you are a talent. I have no need to kill you. As long as you are willing to join our Dark Hall, I can destroy the Four Great Emperor Clans on your behalf," the Dark Hall leader said.
"What did you say?!" Upon hearing these words, Ximen Baiyuan and all the members of the Four Great Emperor Clans turned deathly pale, their faces twisted as if they had just tasted something revolting.
Not only them — even the onlookers were caught off guard. When the Dark Hall first appeared, everyone had assumed they were reinforcements for the Four Great Emperor Clans. How had the situation taken such a dramatic turn?
The Dark Hall was willing to destroy the Four Great Emperor Clans for Chu Feng's sake?
"Heh…"
Yet, regarding the Dark Hall's invitation, Chu Feng simply smiled with a calm detachment, as though he had seen through everything. "And what if I refuse?"
"Then today, it won't just be you who dies. All of your friends will perish as well." The moment these words left the Dark Hall leader's mouth, a frigid killing intent flooded the heavens and earth.
That killing intent was horrifying — utterly, bone-piercingly cold. In an instant, this stretch of the world was transformed into the depths of a bitter winter. Freezing winds lashed at everything, all living things were coated in ice, and a vast expanse of white frost blanketed the land. Even the beards of many onlookers froze solid into icicles.