After that, Chu Feng went on to question Old Monk Yi Ku about the current strength of the younger generation within the Situ Spirit Gate.
He learned that although the Situ Spirit Gate had fallen into decline, the current generation of young cultivators was indeed brimming with talent.
As such, the Situ Spirit Gate had placed great hopes upon these geniuses, even believing that whether or not the sect could rise again depended entirely on this generation.
The young cultivators of the Situ Spirit Gate predominantly practiced the art of spirit formations.
Twenty-one had reached the seventh level of the Dragon Transformation realm.
Three had reached the eighth level of the Dragon Transformation realm.
And the young cultivator who, fifty years ago, had hunted down the spirit beast harboring a spirit formation — was one of those three at the eighth level of Dragon Transformation.
Though they all deserved the title of spirit formation geniuses, they were clearly no match for Chu Feng.
So as long as Chu Feng could successfully infiltrate their ranks, he could slaughter them to his heart's content.
"The strongest generation of young cultivators since the sect's founding?"
Upon learning this, Chu Feng grew even more excited.
The more they valued this generation, the more it would hurt when he was done with them!!!
Having made his decision, Chu Feng set off toward that Spirit Beast Upper Realm together with Song Yuwei and the other two.
......
Meanwhile, in a certain Upper Realm within the Totem Galactic River, there stood an ancient grand hall.
The hall was dimly lit, yet it harbored extraordinarily powerful spirit formation energy. Though this energy was formidable, no one was cultivating with it.
It was not that the place was empty — rather, the people within were too preoccupied with their thoughts to practice cultivation.
Daoist Long Seven, Daoist Long Eight, and Daoist Long Nine all stood inside this great hall.
But before them stood yet another figure — a white-haired old man with a goatee.
This was Daoist Long Six.
At the moment, Daoist Long Six had his brow furrowed deeply, one hand propping his chin as he paced back and forth, evidently weighed down by a heavy matter.
Suddenly, Daoist Long Six stopped and turned his head to look at the other three.
"Are you certain that creature claimed to be Taowu — the ancient spirit beast from primordial times?"
It turned out the three Daoists had relayed to Daoist Long Six everything they had encountered in the Demon Coffin World.
"Without a doubt. And the aura it released did not seem fake — I have never felt such a terrifying presence," Daoist Long Seven said.
"It shouldn't be fake. That aura was too horrifying."
Daoist Long Eight and Daoist Long Nine echoed in agreement.
"Then why did the three of you come running back?"
"And Chu Feng — why didn't you go protect him?"
"Aren't you afraid that if something happens to Chu Feng, Taowu will find out and kill you for it?"
Daoist Long Six asked.
"We did consider protecting Chu Feng, Brother Six."
"After all, that old monster Taowu said that if anything happened to Chu Feng, it would hold us accountable."
"But at the time, we were too terrified — afraid that Taowu might go back on its word. We figured if we could escape, we should do it quickly, so we just ran," Daoist Long Seven explained.
"Brother Six, right now the rest of our brothers are either in seclusion or away from the Totem Galactic River. It's just the four of us left."
"You're the one who needs to make the call — what exactly should we do now?"
"Should we just hide and stay out of sight, or go protect Chu Feng?"
Daoist Long Eight asked.
Even now as he spoke, cold sweat streamed down his face. He had been thoroughly frightened.
"Indeed, Brother Six."
Daoist Long Nine echoed as well. Between his words, he kept wiping the cold sweat from his face. His hands were even trembling — he was more afraid than Daoist Long Eight.
"With a being like Taowu backing Chu Feng, nobody should be able to touch him, right?"
"Besides, aura alone can't guarantee authenticity. Whether this Taowu is the real thing is still up in the air."
"But when it comes to these matters, better safe than sorry. If Taowu really is the legendary ancient spirit beast, and if Chu Feng really does meet with misfortune..."
"Then who among us could possibly stand against that Taowu?"
"Setting aside us — even Big Brother and Second Brother would struggle, I suspect."
Daoist Long Six analyzed.
"Then, Brother Six, in your opinion, what should we do?"
Daoist Long Seven asked.
"We still need to protect Chu Feng."
Daoist Long Six made his decision.
"Then I'll put out a proclamation right away — announce to the world that Chu Feng is someone under the protection of the Nine Totem Daoists."
"Because from what I've seen, that Chu Feng looks like the type who loves to stir up trouble. I'm genuinely afraid that if we're too late to make the announcement, he'll get himself killed by someone else."