"It's hard to say whether speculation is right or wrong."
"But the Sect Master has sacrificed a great deal for the Wulong Martial Sect."
"Even if the Sect Master doesn't hold a grudge against you because of this, you should stop trying to break the records left by Lord Dugu Lingtian in the future."
"You've already proven yourself. There's no need to be the best at everything."
"Just consider it doing me a favor," Duan Liufeng said.
"Got it, Brother Duan. I'll be careful."
Chu Feng nodded.
He had originally wanted to break those records to prove himself to the Sect Master and earn the Sect Master's recognition.
If it had the opposite effect, Chu Feng would naturally take heed.
He would not forget the reason he had come to the Wulong Martial Sect in the first place — to rescue Zi Ling.
"There's something else I need to tell you."
"The Sect Master and I will be leaving the Wulong Martial Sect for a while."
"I've already arranged for Protector Zhao to watch over you in secret."
"But regarding my departure, it would be best not to let anyone know," Duan Liufeng said.
"You're leaving with the Sect Master?"
"Brother Duan, would it be convenient for you to tell me where you're headed?"
Chu Feng asked curiously.
The Sect Master was the strongest individual in the entire Wulong Martial Sect, and Duan Liufeng held the position of Wulong Chief. If both of them were leaving together, Chu Feng couldn't help but feel that whatever they intended to do was no simple matter.
"This calamity that has been obscuring the void is different from those of previous years."
"In past years, the Vice Sect Master could handle it on his own, but this time, even the Sect Master's intervention failed to resolve it."
"Actually, there's no harm in telling you, as long as you keep it under wraps. This matter must remain confidential," Duan Liufeng emphasized.
"Rest assured, Brother Duan. I'm very tight-lipped. If I give you my word to keep a secret, I wouldn't breathe a word of it even if someone threatened my life," Chu Feng promised.
"Brother, I trust your character."
Duan Liufeng patted Chu Feng on the shoulder before continuing his account.
"This calamity is no trivial matter. After the Sect Master came out of seclusion, he attempted to break through it."
"Not only did he fail, but the Sect Master was injured in the process," Duan Liufeng said.
"The Sect Master was injured?"
Chu Feng was somewhat surprised.
When he had first arrived at the Wulong Martial Sect and witnessed the calamity obscuring the void, he had realized its enormity, but at the time he had believed that the Sect Master would surely be able to resolve the crisis.
Now he understood that he had still underestimated the calamity.
"If the calamity can't be stopped, what happens?" Chu Feng asked.
"The founding ancestor left behind a scroll that can be opened when the calamity becomes unstoppable."
"However, it absolutely must not be opened unless there is no other option."
"So the Sect Master wishes to try other methods first. That is precisely why the Sect Master and I will be traveling to the Seven Realms River this time."
"The Seven Realms River?"
As Duan Liufeng spoke to Chu Feng, his tone remained fairly composed. But the moment those four words — Seven Realms River — entered Chu Feng's ears, they stirred up a tidal storm in his heart.
The Seven Realms River — the territory ruled by the Seven Realms Sacred Palace.
The place where his mother was imprisoned.
The place Chu Feng was destined to go to, yet did not dare approach.
"We're going to the Seven Realms River?"