"If this creature is so vicious, then why did that ancestor merely seal it instead of eradicating it completely?"
"Sealing it within the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm — wouldn't that be planting a hidden danger within the realm?" Chu Feng asked.
"The ancestor said that he had some familiarity with the creature and couldn't bring himself to kill it, so sealing it was all he could do."
"As for the matter of potential catastrophe, the abbot of our Buddha Light Celestial Temple once raised the same concern with the ancestor, and the ancestor's reply was... sigh." At this point, Master Pouch let out a helpless sigh, as though there were words he found difficult to speak.
"What was his reply?" Chu Feng asked.
"The ancestor said, 'What does the life or death of others have to do with me?'" Master Pouch's expression was filled with shame as he relayed those words.
Although the old cat was not a follower of Buddhism, it was still connected to the Buddha Light Celestial Temple in some way. They had venerated it as their ancestor, yet they also strove to follow the path of goodness. As a result, they naturally felt that having such an ancestor was something they could hardly speak of openly.
But after hearing Master Pouch's answer, Chu Feng actually found it entirely reasonable. Coming from that old cat's mouth, he wasn't the least bit surprised — in fact, it was perfectly in character for the creature.
Afterward, Chu Feng made further inquiries about the old cat, but Master Pouch's knowledge was limited. In short, the old cat had merely helped the Buddha Light Celestial Temple once in passing. Given its cunning and devious nature, it naturally wouldn't reveal much of itself to the temple's members. So Chu Feng believed that Master Pouch was not deceiving him — they truly knew very little about the old cat.
Although he hadn't managed to uncover any useful information about the old cat, Chu Feng did not return to the warship to rest.
Instead, he chose a secluded spot, set up a concealing formation, and hidden himself away.
He did this to give himself a quiet space in which to carefully study the book — the Heavenly Balance Weapon Refining Manual.
After all, if Chu Feng could fully master this text, it would be able to elevate his cultivation.
And that elevation wouldn't be limited to just one or two breakthroughs — it could be said to benefit him for the rest of his life.
But before Chu Feng had fully comprehended the Heavenly Balance Weapon Refining Manual, the allied army had already arrived at the Chen Heavenly City.
This Chen Heavenly City was a city ruled by the Chen Heavenly Clan.
The Chen Heavenly Clan possessed Heavenly-level bloodlines. Although they were far less formidable than the Kong Heavenly Clan or the Zhou Heavenly Clan, they were still a second-rate power within the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm. Their strength was comparable to the Falling Flower Valley and the Three Star Hall, but their reputation and prestige surpassed both of those factions.
Within the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm, the Chen Heavenly Clan was a widely renowned power.
And according to the invitation's instructions, as well as intelligence gathered from the Ghost Fiend Old Demon, this Chen Heavenly City was the lair of the Soul Infant Sect.
At present, not only were the gates of Chen Heavenly City tightly shut, but its defensive formation had already been activated. No outsider was permitted entry — only those already inside the city could remain.
Outside the Chen Heavenly City, hundreds of thousands of people had already gathered.
They had all come in response to the invitation, but after arriving, they found the city gates sealed shut with no one receiving them.
If not for the several great banners planted outside Chen Heavenly City bearing the characters "Soul Infant Sect" in bold script, people would have thought they'd been duped.
"Look! Who are those people, to carry such an imposing aura?"
"Heavens, it's Hero City, the Sword-Wielding Celestial Gate, and the Buddha Light Celestial Temple!"
"Why have they brought so many troops? Could it be... they also received that Soul Infant Sect's invitation?"
"That's unbelievable! What kind of background does this Soul Infant Sect possibly have, to be able to invite even these colossal powers?"
When the sight of the vast and mighty allied army came into view, the crowds gathered outside erupted into thunderous cheers.
After all, in their eyes, Hero City, the Sword-Wielding Celestial Gate, and the Buddha Light Celestial Temple — these three forces were the current rulers of the Hundred Refinements Ordinary Realm.
It was no exaggeration to say that for the masses, these three titans were like gods, holding the highest positions in the hearts of all living beings within the realm.
"To think that the Chen Heavenly Clan really was in cahoots with the Soul Infant Sect — they'd hidden it well enough."