Chu Feng walked up to the Boundary Artisan. "Senior, let's talk somewhere else."
This was something Chu Feng had to explain, after all. The monster originally belonged to the Hall of Equal Standing, and the Boundary Artisan was the master of that hall.
But here was hardly a convenient place for such a conversation.
"Very well." The Boundary Artisan nodded.
After that, Long Kuitian moved to restrain Jia Lingyi, and Chu Feng, along with Long Muxi, Long Chengyu, and the others, entered the valley within the Hall of Equal Standing.
Chu Feng held nothing back. He recounted everything that had happened, telling the Boundary Artisan the full story.
That included how he was able to control the monster — because he possessed a power known as the Path of Ultimate Darkness.
Truthfully, Chu Feng also wanted to use this opportunity to indirectly inquire about the Path of Ultimate Darkness. Although he had obtained it and it served him well, Chu Feng felt that this power was far too bizarre, and his understanding of it remained lacking. The Boundary Artisan and the others were experienced and well-traveled — perhaps they had heard something about it.
"I never expected young friend Chu Feng to have such an extraordinary encounter and obtain such a powerful force."
"Though I do not know what this Path of Ultimate Darkness is, the fact that you can control this sinister creature means it must be an even more remarkable existence."
Upon hearing the full account, the Boundary Artisan could not help but offer his praise.
"It seems young friend Chu Feng is a man of great fortune."
Long Kuitian and Long Suqing likewise marveled at Chu Feng's opportunity. But from their reactions, Chu Feng could tell that they knew nothing about the Path of Ultimate Darkness — they had never even heard of it.
"Senior, I owe you an apology. I took this creature without your permission, and I know that was wrong."
"Whatever punishment you see fit to impose, I will accept it."
"And whatever compensation you require, you need only tell me. Even if I cannot gather it immediately, I will find a way to do so in the future," Chu Feng said to the Boundary Artisan.
"Young friend Chu Feng, there is truly no need."
"That creature within the Hall of Equal Standing was an unstable element to begin with. As you've seen, there were already people coveting it."
"With the power it possesses, had it truly been released, even I would have suffered for it."
"Young friend Chu Feng, by taking it away, you have done me a great favor. I should be thanking you — why on earth would I punish you?" the Boundary Artisan said with a smile.
"Young friend Chu Feng, the Boundary Artisan is absolutely right. Just accept it with peace of mind," Long Suqing added.
"Brother, you don't need to feel guilty about any of this. It's all the will of heaven."
"You obtained that Path of Ultimate Darkness to forge a secret technique, didn't you? And you just so happened to need a vessel. You came here and just so happened to run into this monster, and this monster just so happened to meet all the requirements."
"What is fate if not this? This is destiny, and the will of heaven cannot be defied."
Long Chengyu chimed in as well. Compared to the others, he spoke with even greater conviction, going so far as to invoke the will of heaven itself.
"Young friend Chu Feng, do not even think about offering compensation. Even if you did, I would not accept it," the Boundary Artisan said once more.
"In that case, I shall humbly accept your generosity."
"Also, Senior, I have one more bold request." Chu Feng suddenly looked a bit sheepish.
"Young friend Chu Feng, speak your mind. Though we have known each other only briefly, I find you very pleasing to the eye," the Boundary Artisan said.
"When I forge a secret technique, having a specialized formation to support the process would make things far more efficient. Does the Hall of Equal Standing have a place like that?" Chu Feng asked.
"Of course it does. My Hall of Equal Standing has halls for cultivating martial arts, halls for studying boundary techniques, halls for forging weapons, and halls for creating martial arts and secret techniques."
"However, the hall for forging secret techniques has not been used in a long time, and activating its formation will take some time. Can you wait, young friend Chu Feng?" the Boundary Artisan asked.
"I can wait — there's no rush," Chu Feng replied.
"Good. I shall go activate it then." With those words, the Boundary Artisan made his way to the very valley where Chu Feng had admired the paintings earlier.
He began channeling his hand seals, and faintly, a boundary gate materialized along the rocky wall of the valley.