After the Hell Sect's Hell Envoy finished giving Chu Feng his instructions, he departed immediately, not even bringing Chu Feng along with him.
Chu Feng would have to find his own way.
Before leaving, Chu Feng entered the lake, hoping he might be able to find the person the Hell Sect's Hell Envoy had been searching for.
He understood perfectly well that the Hell Sect's Hell Envoy had originally wanted to help him. It was only because that person had issued a command that the Hell Envoy had no choice but to leave.
Chu Feng wanted to try. Perhaps, at the cost of joining the Hell Sect, he could convince that person to change their mind.
But upon entering the lake, he found nothing. He simply could not locate the person the Hell Envoy had seen.
Left with no other option, Chu Feng set out to find an ancient teleportation array to leave this place.
At this moment, Chu Feng was trapped in a state of utter helplessness.
After all, the situation now was vastly different from before.
Previously, he had only wanted to rescue Fairy Meow Meow.
But now, not only had he discovered that Master Yin Ren was actually Sima Xiangtu, but his own master, Old Ox-Nose, had been captured by Sima Xiangtu long ago.
Even Holy Light White Brow, Dao Sea Fairy Maiden, and the others — who had wanted to help Chu Feng — had all been taken by Sima Xiangtu as well.
Yet in truth, Holy Light White Brow and the rest had no enmity with Sima Xiangtu whatsoever. They had become involved solely because they wanted to help Chu Feng. Now they had been captured by Sima Xiangtu, and their lives might very well hang in the balance — all because they were implicated through Chu Feng.
This filled Chu Feng with deep shame.
But the cruel truth was that he simply did not have the power to stand against Sima Xiangtu.
If he couldn't even contend with Sima Xiangtu, let alone the Alchemy Immortal Sect standing behind him.
From the Lower Realm all the way to now, Chu Feng had faced countless powerful opponents and dire situations.
And every time, he had managed to find a way to overcome them.
But he had to admit — the situation before him right now truly made him feel powerless.
There had once been the Holy Valley's Holy Master to count on.
But now, it seemed unlikely that the Holy Master could match the Alchemy Immortal Sect either.
As for the Sleeping Dragon Martial Sect's Sect Master? She had made her position clear from the very beginning — she would not intervene in these affairs.
Chu Feng could only rely on himself now.
And yet, he currently lacked the strength to oppose those people.
"Senior, please help me. If you're willing to help me, I'll do anything you ask."
Desperate, Chu Feng began to beg. He was pleading with the existence inside his body — the Divine Deer.
Chu Feng knew full well that the Divine Deer would most likely refuse to help him. But he had no other choice.
Lives were at stake. When desperation struck, a person would grasp at any straw, no matter how slim the chance. He had to at least try.
"Kid, can you cut the chatter? Even if this deity were willing to help you, do you even know where they are now?"
Under Chu Feng's persistent pleas, the Divine Deer actually responded. But her reply was not only impatient — it also pointed out a very practical problem.
Even if Chu Feng truly had the ability to go rescue them right now, he had no idea where Sima Xiangtu currently was.
After all, Sima Xiangtu clearly had something he needed to do, so it was highly unlikely he would obediently return to the Nine Souls Holy Clan.
And before Chu Feng could even respond to the Divine Deer's words, she added another sentence.
"Even if you knew where to go, this deity still wouldn't help you."
"Moreover, this deity advises you — a gentleman may take ten years to exact his revenge, and it is not too late. You cannot contend with them right now. Rather than rushing to your death like a fool, you would be better off making a choice."
"If you don't go save them, your friends may die. But as long as you still live, you will have the chance to avenge them."
"If you're alive, you at least have the opportunity to seek revenge on their behalf. But if you throw your life away too, then none of you will have any chance at all."
"This deity has said all there is to say. What you do is your own decision."
"But do not disturb this deity's rest any further."
With those words, the Divine Deer fell silent. No matter what Chu Feng said — whether pleading softly or speaking harshly — she offered no further response.
Chu Feng understood the Divine Deer's reasoning perfectly well.
But if he followed that logic, then he wouldn't be Chu Feng.
So he didn't even consider the Divine Deer's words. He was going to rescue them — without question. Even if it meant his death, he would go.
In the end, Chu Feng decided to head for the Nine Souls Holy Clan.
Although the likelihood of Sima Xiangtu returning there was slim, the Nine Souls Holy Clan was currently the most probable place to find further clues about his whereabouts.
Perhaps Chu Feng's resolve moved the heavens.
Before he even reached the Nine Souls Holy Clan, he received news along the way.