"Senior, you've misunderstood me. I absolutely did not mean it that way."
Chu Feng hurried to explain.
"It doesn't matter whether you meant it that way or not."
"It's all irrelevant now."
As the Wish-Granting Granny's disciple spoke, her robes billowed and a torrent of oppressive might surged from within her body, enveloping Chu Feng like an invisible cage that bound him in place.
Chu Feng could feel that the pressure was at the Martial Lord realm.
Though it was only a first-level Martial Lord—less powerful than he had imagined.
But to Chu Feng, it was still insurmountable.
More importantly, killing intent was concealed within that oppressive might.
Did the Wish-Granting Granny's disciple actually intend to kill him?
"Senior, wh-what—what do you mean by this?"
"If you want the Primordial Hero Sword, I can withdraw."
"There's no need for this, is there?"
"After all, we have no deep enmity between us."
Seeing the situation turn dire, Chu Feng quickly capitulated and begged for mercy.
"Chu Feng, to be honest, I actually admire you a little."
"You brat—you're not only gifted, but quite clever too."
"Completely different from every other genius I've met before."
"The ones I've seen relied on the forces behind them, on backers who propped them up, which is why they dared to strut around and throw their weight about."
"But you—you have real ability. Even on your own, you should be able to carve out your own path."
"But today you made one wrong choice: you shouldn't have challenged the Primordial Hero Sword."
The Wish-Granting Granny's disciple said to Chu Feng.
"Senior, I've already said it—if you want the Primordial Hero Sword, I can withdraw."
"I can leave right now. Immediately. This very instant. Without a moment's hesitation."
Chu Feng said.
"Withdraw?"
"How exactly would you withdraw?"
"Look at that stone stele. It's written there in black and white."
"Right now, you've collected more butterflies from the paintings than anyone. You will inevitably earn the recognition of the Primordial Hero Sword."
"As long as you're alive here, I don't stand a chance."
The Wish-Granting Granny's disciple said.
"Senior, wouldn't it work if I simply left this place?"
Chu Feng said.
"Leave through where?"
"There's no barrier gate here at all. What—would you leave through *that*?"
The Wish-Granting Granny's disciple turned her gaze toward the void above, where the crimson barrier gate hung.
That was the very place Chu Feng had emerged from moments ago.
As for the Wish-Granting Granny's own barrier gate—once she had entered, it had vanished. To leave this place, one presumably needed to either obtain the Hero Sword or fail the challenge.
But that crimson barrier gate had remained.
It was just that the crimson barrier gate was far too terrifying.
Even she didn't dare enter it rashly. Would Chu Feng be willing to go back?
After all, the state Chu Feng had been in when he crawled out of that crimson barrier gate just moments ago had been absolutely wretched.
"Senior, I'm willing to leave."
"I'll leave through the same place I came in. Senior, please let me go."
Chu Feng said.
"Fine. You're the one choosing to leave—I'm not forcing you."
"Since you insist on going, then go now. I'll watch you leave with my own eyes."
As the Wish-Granting Granny's disciple spoke, she indeed withdrew the pressure that had been binding Chu Feng.
However, the oppressive might still locked down the entire area like an enlarged cage.
Though Chu Feng now had more room to move, the cage still trapped them within.
As for Chu Feng, he didn't hesitate. He immediately sprang into the air and plunged into that blood-red barrier gate that wailed endlessly like the mouth of hell itself.
Hummmm—