"That was already the final stage of the hidden area. Once he passes through that stretch, he can leave this place."
"As for whether you lot live or die, it all depends on him — depends on whether he… is willing to come back and save you."
After the woman finished speaking, her palm gently twisted a few more times.
Then she pointed at the frost that was projecting the scene of Chu Feng, and a wisp of frost energy merged into it.
What was astonishing was that the wisp of frost energy actually appeared in Chu Feng's scene, and it took on the form of the woman.
Now, two women formed from frost flames stood in separate scenes.
One was in the scene where the group was located, and the other was in the scene where Chu Feng was.
The moment that woman appeared, all the attacks in Chu Feng's scene immediately stopped.
Then the woman explained the situation to Chu Feng.
The others could hear what she said crystal clear as well. And precisely because they heard it so clearly, the moment her words registered, every member of the Jie family turned deathly pale.
They all felt they were as good as dead.
Because that woman had already explained to Chu Feng the situation the Jie family members were in.
If Chu Feng turned back now, he could come to save them.
But the woman had also told him how the Jie family members had reacted after he left.
Now, recalling what had just been said, even the Jie family members themselves were ashamed. Once Chu Feng found out, he would surely be furious — so why would he save them?
On one side was the hidden area, just a single step away from being cleared.
On the other were people whose lives and deaths had nothing to do with him, who harbored hostility toward him and had constantly been making snide remarks.
If it were them in his shoes, they would never choose the latter.
Swoosh— But they saw Chu Feng give the woman a respectful bow, then turn around and actually begin flying back in their direction.
"Seems like he's already made his decision," the woman said with a faint smile.
And the moment those words left her lips, the frozen space returned to normal. Those fierce killing formations once again surged toward Chu Feng.
"Is Chu Feng really going to save us?"
Seeing this, even the Jie family members themselves could hardly believe it.
More importantly, as Chu Feng rushed back, the attacking formations not only continued to assault him, but the attacks seemed to have grown even fiercer.
"Going against the flow brings even greater resistance."
"But this boy has the heart to save you all. This sovereign is willing to wait here."
"Don't celebrate too early, though. Setting aside whether he can even make it back — even if he does, you'll have to see if he's willing to bear the suffering on your behalf."
The woman spoke, and what she said was the truth.
Through the frost, everyone could see that Chu Feng's return journey was fraught with mortal peril.
"Chu Feng… why would he come back?"
Ling Sheng'er's face was filled with confusion. She wasn't the only one — practically everyone present was bewildered.
In fact, even Her Majesty the Queen was puzzled.
"Chu Feng, why would you go back to save those people? Wouldn't they just deserve to die?" the Queen asked.
Right now, she was also feeling a bit of distress on his behalf, because this place was no easy trial. Chu Feng had expended considerable effort to make it this far.
He had been on the verge of clearing it, yet now he had to race back — and worst of all, the return path was even more perilous than the journey in. She feared something might go wrong for Chu Feng.
"Dan Dan, when I first broke through the Ice Mountain formation, I received a hint."
"The hint was only two characters — 'Great Love.' And now with this happening, I'm almost certain."
"If I simply break through the formations normally, even if I pass every stage, I'll at most leave this place. I might not necessarily gain any real benefit."
"But if I bring everyone out safely, that would be a different matter entirely," Chu Feng said.
"Then be careful," the Queen replied. She had always trusted Chu Feng's judgment, so she said nothing more to dissuade him.
After that, Chu Feng broke through layer upon layer of formations as he pressed onward. It didn't take him long before he arrived back.
And there he saw the pillar-of-light formation that had trapped everyone.
But upon seeing this scene, Chu Feng actually wanted to laugh. These people were absolutely foolish beyond belief — he had warned them himself, yet they simply refused to listen.
Their current predicament was truly both awkward and absurd.
But none of them knew what Chu Feng was thinking.
When they saw Chu Feng return, it was as though they were witnessing a hero descending upon the world.
Among the Jie family women who were trapped, some even had tears brimming in their eyes.
Because in this moment, in this scene, wasn't Chu Feng's appearance exactly the peerless hero they had always longed for?
Even the men wore expressions of deep shame. Though they said nothing, the way they looked at Chu Feng had completely changed.
Because through the frost, they had been able to watch every step of Chu Feng's grueling return journey.
They couldn't even begin to understand why Chu Feng would push himself so hard to save them — when they had been so hostile toward him.
"Senior, I've returned. May you release them?" Chu Feng said to the woman.
"If you wish to save them, you'll have to take their place and be trapped by this formation. Do you truly intend to save them?" the woman asked.
"Senior, I've already come all this way — I can hardly turn back now, can I?" Chu Feng replied with a smile. In contrast to the tense and anxious crowd, Chu Feng's demeanor was calm and composed.
"This boy is truly extraordinary." Watching Chu Feng like this, even Ling Mo'er couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration.
In truth, it wasn't just her. Every junior member of the Seven Realms Sacred Palace felt the same.
"Then I understand your intentions. Very well — prepare yourself." With that, the woman swept her sleeve.
The next instant, the formation that had been sealing everyone dissipated.
Although the others were freed, the dispersed formation energy immediately converged upon Chu Feng — and this time, there was no pause.
Once it locked onto Chu Feng, it rushed inward at terrifying speed, intent on swiftly obliterating him.
But Chu Feng immediately unleashed his own formations to counter, holding back the rapidly contracting pillar of light.
Right after, another formation burst forth from within his body. With a thunderous boom, the pillar-of-light formation shattered completely.
Broken!!
The very formation that had trapped all the Jie family members — Chu Feng had broken it so effortlessly.