Upon hearing the word "help," Chu Feng found it reasonable. Though Long Chengyu owed him a favor, the value of divine artifacts was indeed quite high.
Favors, at times, truly couldn't compare with such treasures.
But Chu Feng couldn't fathom what kind of help someone of Long Chengyu's stature would ever need from him.
Just as Chu Feng was pondering, Long Chengyu's voice rang out once more…
"Chu Feng, I knew you would agree to my request. It's only a small favor — I'll tell you the details later."
After transmitting his message in secret, Long Chengyu then addressed Chu Feng openly:
"Oh right, Brother Chu Feng, our Totem Dragon Clan has collected quite a few divine artifacts, all sealed away in the Weapon Repository Hall and nurtured by formations on a daily basis."
"As it happens, the time has come for the hall's annual opening."
"Each time the Weapon Repository Hall opens, members of our Totem Dragon Clan enter it to see if any of the divine artifacts will acknowledge them."
"Since you don't possess a divine artifact either, would you like to come along?"
"Perhaps among the divine artifacts collected by our Totem Dragon Clan, there is one willing to serve you."
The moment Long Chengyu said this, the expressions of everyone present — everyone except Chu Feng — shifted to varying degrees.
Long Kuitian, in particular, reacted the most strongly.
"Young Master, you wish to invite Young Friend Chu Feng into the Weapon Repository Hall to claim one of our Totem Dragon Clan's divine artifacts as his own?" Long Kuitian asked.
"That's right." Long Chengyu nodded.
"Young Master, this matter—" Long Kuitian furrowed his brow and was about to say more, but before he could finish, Long Chengyu cut in: "Can I handle this matter on my own?"
Long Kuitian's frown deepened: "Of course you can, but divine artifacts are so incredibly precious. Without the Clan Master's approval, I'm afraid outsiders cannot claim them."
The moment Long Kuitian said this, the Queen curled her lips in disdain.
"This old fox — he could have reminded you in secret, but instead he chose to say it right to your face. He simply doesn't want you going. He's afraid you might actually walk away with one of their divine artifacts."
"What a stingy old geezer."
Chu Feng did not respond. He and Long Kuitian were not close, and wanting to prevent someone from taking something as precious as a divine artifact was only natural.
"I can handle this. I trust no one will object," Long Chengyu said.
"Young Master—"
Long Kuitian tried to dissuade him further, but Long Chengyu let out a soft bark of warning.
"Elder Tian." Those two words from Long Chengyu carried considerable weight, and his gaze turned sharp as a blade.
He was… angry.
Seeing this, Long Kuitian said nothing more.
Though his status and strength were both considerable, it was clear that he still harbored some fear of Long Chengyu.
"Brother Chu Feng, I rarely invite anyone. This is the first time I've extended such an invitation to a peer. Give me some face, will you?"
Long Chengyu turned to look at Chu Feng once more, the sharpness in his eyes replaced by a warm, hospitable sincerity.
"Divine artifacts are so precious — wouldn't it be inappropriate?" Chu Feng asked.
"Brother Chu Feng, we're not strangers. I'll be straightforward with you."
"Divine artifacts are extraordinarily valuable. You could say that whenever one emerges, every faction under heaven will scramble and fight over it."
"But I, Long Chengyu, not only find you agreeable — I also see great potential in you. I believe you will accomplish extraordinary things in the future, which is why I want to befriend you."
"Divine artifacts may be precious, but in my eyes, they absolutely cannot compare to you, Brother Chu Feng."
"Your future is boundless — how could a mere divine artifact possibly measure up?"
"Of course, a divine artifact must acknowledge its master before it can be wielded. If the divine artifacts of our Totem Dragon Clan do not acknowledge you, then naturally you won't be able to take any of them."
"So whether or not you can leave with a divine artifact from our Totem Dragon Clan — that depends entirely on you, Brother Chu Feng," Long Chengyu said.
"In that case, I humbly accept," Chu Feng agreed.
The moment Chu Feng agreed, Long Kuitian's expression grew noticeably worse.
Chu Feng knew Long Kuitian didn't want him to go, and within the Totem Dragon Clan there were likely many others who felt the same way.
But divine artifacts were such precious things, and now that this opportunity had presented itself, why should he care what they thought?
If he obtained a divine artifact, the favor he owed would be to Long Chengyu alone.
If he failed to obtain one, then at least he would have tried and missed nothing — no regrets.
Seeing Chu Feng agree, Long Chengyu was not the least bit surprised. Instead, he immediately turned to Long Muxi: "Sis, this opportunity is rare. You should go back as well."
As he said this, the confident expression that usually adorned his face gave way to an unmistakable hint of anxiety and nervousness.
He was not the only one — Long Suqing and Long Kuitian both grew tense as well. So did the Barrier Painting Master.