Although this city was a trapping mechanism created by Lu Wantong, he hadn't made his encirclement overt. Even the guards stationed here were hidden in the shadows.
On the surface, the ones manning the gates were still members of the Wanzhou Ancient Clan. The place looked as though it were Wanzhou Ancient Clan territory.
And when Chu Feng entered alongside Gu Yang, no one stopped them.
After entering the city, Gu Yang continued leading the way, eventually stopping in front of a mansion deep within.
"Young friend Chu Feng, Lingxi and Mingyuan are inside this palace."
"I won't be going in with you."
After saying this to Chu Feng, Gu Yang turned and left.
As for Chu Feng, he could see through to the inside of the palace from where he stood.
He didn't see Chu Lingxi, but he did spot Gu Mingyuan in the palace within the courtyard. Once he confirmed that Gu Yang hadn't lied to him, Chu Feng made no move to stop Gu Yang from leaving.
However, Chu Feng noticed that there was something off about the look in Gu Yang's eyes as he departed — and the direction he was heading was toward the city's entrance.
Chu Feng sensed that something was off about Gu Yang, but he still didn't stop him. He wasn't afraid of Gu Yang playing any tricks.
In fact, he had already guessed what Gu Yang was planning.
And what Gu Yang intended to do actually aligned perfectly with Chu Feng's own wishes.
So Chu Feng paid Gu Yang no mind and walked directly into the courtyard.
"Senior Gu."
Before Chu Feng even reached the palace doors, he called out.
Although the palace was constructed from barriers, they had no sound-isolating properties, so Chu Feng knew Gu Mingyuan could hear him perfectly well.
"Chu Feng?"
"It really is you — I didn't expect to see you here."
Sure enough, the moment Gu Mingyuan heard Chu Feng's voice, she burst through the doors. Upon seeing that it was truly Chu Feng, she was absolutely delighted.
If not for considerations of status, the way Gu Mingyuan was beaming, she might have pulled Chu Feng into a hug.
After all, Gu Mingyuan was quite fond of Chu Feng as a junior.
"Chu Feng, you've really made a name for yourself now. I heard that even Wuming Doutian was defeated by you. Your Chu Heavenly Clan is now the undisputed overlord of the Ancestral Martial Starfield — no one dares to defy that."
"And that's all thanks to you, kid," Gu Mingyuan said.
"Hehe, that's only because I had the benefit of your guidance, Senior."
Chu Feng said with a grin.
"You little charmer, your tongue is sweet enough."
"But seriously, your rate of improvement is frankly absurd. I'd say even your father can't match you now," Gu Mingyuan said.
"Senior, please don't flatter me."
"How could I possibly compare to my father? I still have a long way to go."
Chu Feng wasn't being modest. In his heart, his father was extraordinarily powerful. Though he didn't know his father's exact cultivation level, he knew that the gap between them was vast.
"All right, enough modesty. At the very least, your current achievements have long since surpassed your father's."
"Oh, and you didn't come here just to watch the spectacle — you're here to compete in the Strongest Young Generation Tournament, aren't you?" Gu Mingyuan asked.
"You're right, Senior. I came precisely for the Strongest Young Generation Tournament. I happened to run into Gu Yang and learned you were all here, so I came to pay a visit," Chu Feng said.
"Gu Yang?"
"Gu Yang brought you here?"
"What kind of scheme is he up to this time?"
At the mention of Gu Yang's name, Gu Mingyuan's expression shifted slightly.
And from the change in her expression, Chu Feng could sense that Gu Mingyuan held Gu Yang in very low regard.
"That Gu Yang sought me out because he wanted me to try to persuade Lingxi," Chu Feng told her.
"He told you about Lingxi's situation?" Gu Mingyuan asked.
"He did. He said that after you all arrived here, you happened to encounter someone named Lu Wantong, and that Lu Wantong took a fancy to Lingxi and insists on marrying her," Chu Feng said.
"Happened to encounter?"
"As if it was by chance."
"That Gu Yang — how did I never realize before just how despicable he could be?"
After hearing Chu Feng's words, Gu Mingyuan was so angry she was gritting her teeth.
Seeing Gu Mingyuan's reaction, Chu Feng realized that what Gu Yang had told him was apparently not the full truth. He quickly said:
"Senior, please don't be angry just yet. Why don't you tell me what actually happened?"
…………
Meanwhile, Gu Yang had already walked out of the city.