"Hmph, that's easy for you to say. What if you're after the secret technique and make a move against my brother behind my back?" The Demon Monkey King didn't trust him.
"Heh, if that's how you think, then I won't argue with you. Since you trust me so little, you and young friend Chu Feng can go in alone. I'll wait outside with the others." The Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty shook his head with a smile.
"Brother Monkey, I believe Elder Jiang means us no harm. Rest easy."
It was Chu Feng who spoke up. He had no choice but to intervene, because right now the Demon Monkey King, himself, and the Jiang Dynasty were in a partnership. If a rift formed at this point, it would surely have negative consequences and harm their future cooperation.
Seeing this, the Demon Monkey King had nothing more to say. He nodded and replied, "Fine then. If my brother agrees, I won't object."
"Fifth Brother, allow me to go in with you two. If there's real danger inside, with you and me together at least we can watch each other's backs." At that moment, the oldest Supreme Elder of the Jiang Dynasty spoke up.
Though his status was lower than the Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty, his generation was senior—he was the Ancestor's own elder brother.
"Mm, that works." The Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty agreed. His brother had lived for so many years, and setting aside his strength, his combat experience was extraordinarily rich. With his elder brother along, the Ancestor would have a much easier time dealing with any trouble they might encounter.
After that, Chu Feng, accompanied by the Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty and that Supreme Elder, walked together into the peculiar and magnificent building.
This unusual structure was strange not only on the outside but in its interior decoration as well. After navigating through layer upon layer of winding passages, Chu Feng and the others finally arrived at the destination. Before their eyes now stretched a vast, circular great hall.
On every wall surrounding this enormous hall hung murals crafted from a special material, each one depicting a unique bird. This bird—both beautiful and majestic—must have been the Vermilion Bird.
The content of the murals portrayed the Vermilion Bird battling all manner of demon beasts, and in every battle it emerged victorious. In short, each mural showcased the overwhelming power of the Vermilion Bird.
At the very center of the hall stood a statue a full ten zhang tall. It was also a Vermilion Bird, but this sculpture could only be described as a masterpiece of divine craftsmanship, carved with stunning lifelike detail.
Moreover, the statue had been endowed with a special barrier that enveloped it in layers of flame-like radiance, making it appear exceedingly sacred—as though it were not a mere statue at all, but the living, breathing Vermilion Bird itself.
"Chu Feng, I believe the secret technique is sealed within this statue. Once I break the seal, it will be yours." The Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty smiled at Chu Feng.
"Rest assured, Elder Jiang. I will do my utmost."
Before coming here, they had already devised a complete plan. The first step was to locate the secret technique within this entrance and have Chu Feng subdue it.
But before subduing it, Chu Feng was to extract information about the Emperor's Burial from the technique, so they could delve deeper.
"Mm." The Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty smiled at this and wasted no time. He stepped forward and began setting up a barrier-breaking formation. After a brief period of preparation, a massive purple barrier formation took shape.
"Break!" Once the formation was complete, the Ancestor shouted. The enormous purple array erupted like a volcanic explosion, spraying out layer after layer of purple light. That light intertwined with the reddish aura surrounding the statue and began to devour it.
"Incredible. The methods of a purple-robed Spirit World Master are truly formidable." Watching the special barrier being gradually broken apart, Chu Feng couldn't help but marvel inwardly. This barrier was extremely powerful—had he tried to break it himself, he would never have succeeded. But the Ancestor of the Jiang Dynasty was breaking it in merely a matter of moments. This really showed the vast gulf between a blue-robed Spirit World Master and a purple-robed one.
"Roooaar!"