After Xue Ji departed, Chu Feng—who was deeply worried about Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong's safety—did not delay. He headed straight for the Drought Demon Dead Water Pool.
At last, Chu Feng arrived once more at the place where Wang Qiang, Zhao Hong, and that Kong Sheng had been trapped that day.
Although his cultivation had grown since then, Chu Feng still did not dare let his guard down upon reaching this location.
After all, even Zhao Hong had been no match for that mud figure monster, so naturally Chu Feng wouldn't be either.
"I've returned! The Hundred-Forged Jade Stone is right here!" Chu Feng held the jade stone aloft and called out in a loud voice.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh—
The moment Chu Feng finished speaking, the pool water began churning violently, forming a rapidly spinning whirlpool.
Before long, the same mud figure monster from that day rose from the water.
"I've brought what you want. Release my friends now," Chu Feng said.
"How can I know whether the Hundred-Forged Jade Stone in your hand is real or fake? Toss it over first so I can verify it," the mud figure monster replied.
"At least let me see my friends first," Chu Feng said.
"Fine. As you wish." The instant those words left the mud figure monster's mouth, another figure emerged from the pool.
It was Kong Sheng. Though he was still trapped, his complexion looked considerably better than it had that day.
It was clear that during the time Chu Feng and Kong Zheng had been away, the mud figure monster had kept its word and not made things difficult for Kong Sheng.
Chu Feng continued watching, waiting for Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong to appear, but after a moment, they did not surface.
"Where are my friends?" Chu Feng asked.
"Isn't that your friend right there?" Kong Sheng said.
"You're playing games with me?" A flash of anger crossed Chu Feng's face.
When he had left that day, the mud figure monster had told Chu Feng and Kong Zheng to compete for the Hundred-Forged Jade Stone—whoever brought it back first would have their friend freed.
That meant the mud figure monster had known from the very beginning that Chu Feng and Kong Sheng were not friends, but enemies.
And now it was saying something like this—it was clearly toying with Chu Feng.
"Oh, I know who you mean now—the stutterer, and that delicate-looking woman?"
"After you left, I asked them why they had come here. When I learned they had come for a different purpose, I let them go."
"As for what exactly they did, I have no idea," the mud figure monster said.
"..." Chu Feng's heart stirred. If Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong had truly left, then he knew exactly what they had gone to do—they had gone to help Wang Qiang find the treasure left behind by Master Kai Hong.
However, Chu Feng did not believe for a moment that the mud figure monster would have simply let Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong walk away without incident.
"I don't know what you want with this Hundred-Forged Jade Stone, but... since you're showing such little sincerity, I can't hand it over to you." Chu Feng put the jade stone away.
"Are you forcing me to take it by force?" the mud figure monster said.
Swoosh—
Chu Feng drew the Evil God Sword and fixed the mud figure monster with a cold stare. "Tell me where my friends went. Otherwise, I won't wait for you to make a move—I'll deal with you myself."
"Chu Feng, it isn't lying to you. Your friends really were released," Kong Sheng shouted.
Swoosh—
But Chu Feng paid no attention to Kong Sheng. Instead, he pointed the Evil God Sword at the mud figure monster and asked in an icy tone, "Where are my friends?"
"Chu Feng, don't be rash." The Queen sensed danger and hurriedly spoke up to advise caution.
As for Chu Feng, he knew full well how powerful the Evil God Sword was. But if Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong had truly met with some terrible fate, then even at the cost of his own life, he would wield the Evil God Sword and fight this monster before him to the death.
"Chu Feng, stop."
"Brother, I-I... we're fine."