After making his decision,
Though the city was not large, it was only modest compared to the other settlements within the Hundred Refinements Boundary. When measured against the
Yet according to Liu Chengkun, the most powerful figure in this city was its lord, whose cultivation was merely at the peak of half-emperor.
Under the city lord's stewardship, everything ran in an orderly fashion, and the citizens within could live peaceful, contented lives.
But no one would have guessed that beneath this seemingly unremarkable city lay an underground settlement—and that was… the headquarters of the Red Butterfly Association.
Right now, Chu Feng had already followed Liu Chengkun and the others into this subterranean world.
Though it was called an underground world, thanks to powerful barrier techniques, this realm had its own blue sky, white clouds, and a blazing sun—and that sun not only radiated scorching light but also rose in the east and set in the west.
It looked like an entirely separate world, but Chu Feng could tell at a glance that this was merely the handiwork of a Spirit World Master. Simply put, this underground world was essentially an independent space, one that had been created by a Dragon-Veined Spirit World Master.
Though it was an independent space, within it lay multiple formidable defensive formations as well as offensive battle arrays.
To pass through those barrier formations, one had to go through a barrier gate. And standing in orderly formation outside that gate were a full one hundred half-ancestor level experts.
Each of these guards wore grave, vigilant expressions, their eyes scanning their surroundings with sharp alertness. In their hands, they each gripped a half-complete ancestor weapon, truly living up to their title as guards.
At the very least, this was the first time Chu Feng had ever seen guards so utterly devoted to their duty.
"Greetings, Elder."
But the moment these guards caught sight of Liu Chengkun, reverence lit up in their eyes, and they bowed to him one after another.
Moreover, the guards promptly opened the barrier gate.
"You've worked hard," Liu Chengkun said to the guards, without the slightest hint of an elder's arrogance, his concern for them genuine and heartfelt.
"It is no trouble," the guards replied in unison, their voices booming. From their demeanor, it was clear that their respect for Liu Chengkun came from the bottom of their hearts.
"Well now, if it isn't Elder Liu. The old man finally decided to come back, did he?"
However, before Liu Chengkun, Chu Feng, and the other two could step through, a voice drifted out from beyond the barrier gate.
Chu Feng looked up, and his expression shifted immediately. Two figures stood there—one appeared to be a middle-aged man, the other a youth.
Chu Feng recognized the youth—he was the very same fellow who had looked at Chu Feng with open hostility the first time Liu Chengkun and the others had found him. Chu Feng still remembered his name: Zhao Xiao.
As for the middle-aged man, his features bore a certain resemblance to Zhao Xiao's. Chu Feng surmised that this man was most likely Zhao Xiao's father.
Neither of the two was concealing his cultivation. Zhao Xiao's cultivation was the same as Chu Feng's—a second-level half-ancestor.
As for Zhao Xiao's father, his cultivation was on par with Elder Huang Luo's—a ninth-level half-ancestor.
"Hm?" Suddenly, Zhao Xiao's father caught sight of Chu Feng, and his expression changed drastically. He pointed at Chu Feng and barked, "Who is this man?"
"Father, that is Chu Feng," Zhao Xiao said, and the word "father" confirmed Chu Feng's guess—the two were indeed father and son.
"Chu Feng? How can someone like this be allowed into our Red Butterfly Association's headquarters? Guards—seize him at once!" Zhao Xiao's father bellowed.
"Let's see anyone try!" Elder Liu Chengkun let out a cold snarl, and the moment those words left his lips, not a single guard dared to move a muscle.
"Elder Liu, how could you bring a man like this to our Red Butterfly Association's headquarters?"
"As an elder of the Red Butterfly Association, have you forgotten even the most basic rules? Not to mention that he's an outsider—even for one of our own, without making sufficient contributions, entry to the headquarters is not permitted!" Zhao Xiao's father shouted.
"Presumptuous! What is your standing, to dare speak to me in such a manner?" Liu Chengkun's anger flared, and not only did he grow furious—he released his own oppressive aura.
The moment the pressure of a first-level martial ancestor erupted forth, not only did Zhao Xiao blanch, but even Zhao Xiao's father's face drained of color.