"Come in," Dragon Scale said.
"Lord Dragon Scale, something terrible has happened." After entering, Tai Shi Xing Zhong knelt on the ground once more.
He then told Dragon Scale about his son being captured by Chu Feng.
But what he emphasized was that Chu Feng had brought a powerful martial cultivator with him.
According to his estimation, that cultivator's strength was very likely at the peak of the True God realm.
Otherwise, it would have been impossible to rescue Chu Feng so effortlessly right under his nose.
But how could Tai Shi Xing Zhong have known that the person he was describing was Dragon Scale himself?
"That Chu Feng — he's the one who caused a massive disturbance at the Seven Realms Sacred Palace?" Dragon Scale asked.
"Lord Dragon Scale, that's exactly him," Tai Shi Xing Zhong said.
"This person caused a scene at the Seven Realms Sacred Palace and walked away unscathed. It would be strange if there wasn't someone protecting him from behind the scenes. What's there to be alarmed about?" Dragon Scale said.
"Lord Dragon Scale, this boy is extremely close to Long Chengyu and Long Muxi. He came here this time to rescue them, without a doubt," Tai Shi Xing Zhong said.
"Rest assured. He won't succeed." As Dragon Scale spoke, he rose to his feet, ready to leave.
"My lord, this boy is full of cunning tricks. We must not let our guard down. You should—"
Tai Shi Xing Zhong tried to persuade Dragon Scale further, but Dragon Scale's gaze suddenly turned cold.
Seeing this, Tai Shi Xing Zhong immediately fell silent, too frightened to speak another word.
"Tai Shi Xing Zhong, I understand your concern for your son. But as a father, failing to protect your own child is a dereliction of your duty."
"Handle this matter yourself."
With that, Dragon Scale departed.
Tai Shi Xing Zhong didn't dare say anything more, but his emotions were in turmoil, a far cry from the composure he had shown when he first confronted Chu Feng.
…
Chu Feng hadn't been idle while Dragon Scale was away.
Since Dragon Scale hadn't closed the door, Chu Feng could see Long Chengyu and the others.
He had been examining the door the entire time, looking for a way to open it. But this door was unique — it wasn't a simple barrier gate.
Chu Feng couldn't break through it at all. He couldn't enter, and he couldn't even communicate with Long Chengyu and the others through the door.
This was rather frustrating for Chu Feng.
The truth was, Chu Feng didn't trust Dragon Scale entirely, and Dragon Scale probably didn't trust Chu Feng completely either — otherwise, he wouldn't have prevented Chu Feng from meeting Long Chengyu and the others.
So if he could simply rescue Long Chengyu and the others directly, that would be the best course of action.
"Young friend Chu Feng, don't worry. Once you help me refine the Dragon Marrow, I'll naturally let you see them."
Just as Chu Feng was observing, Dragon Scale's voice came from behind him.
Chu Feng turned around and couldn't help but marvel — at the peak of the True God realm, one's power was truly extraordinary. With Chu Feng's perceptive abilities, Dragon Scale had appeared behind him without making the slightest sound.
"Senior, when did you get back?" Chu Feng asked with a smile.
"Just now."
As Dragon Scale spoke, he swept his large sleeve forward, and four items materialized before him.
A scroll.
A pearl.
A box.
A bottle.
Dragon Scale introduced them one by one.
Inside the box was a secret treasure that could merge with Chu Feng's body, disguising him as someone who carried dragon bloodline.
Inside the pearl was an array formation to assist the secret treasure in completing the disguise.
And inside the bottle was the Dragon Marrow.
"As for this—"
Dragon Scale picked up the scroll and opened it. Immediately, a blinding radiance appeared.
Six large characters were written on it, along with a Divine Restriction martial art: Dragon Breath.
"Senior, fusing with the Dragon Marrow also requires a Divine Restriction martial art?" Chu Feng asked.
"Of course not."
"I know that you're helping me partly out of our past bond, and partly because you want me to free your friends as quickly as possible and restore the Totem Dragon Clan to normal."
"But in the end, it's because you're a man of loyalty and righteousness, and I naturally can't let you help for nothing."
"Consider this Divine Restriction martial art as your reward for helping me." As Dragon Scale spoke, he handed the scroll to Chu Feng.
"Senior, this belongs to the Totem Dragon Clan. Wouldn't it be inappropriate for me to cultivate it?" Chu Feng asked.
"Chu Feng, regardless of anything else, I am still the patriarch of the Totem Dragon Clan. While I'm in charge, none of my people will dare to cause you trouble."
At this point, Dragon Scale pointed toward the interior of the gate, where Long Chengyu and the others were imprisoned. "I believe that even if they find out in the future, they won't make things difficult for you either."
"If they can't tolerate you cultivating a Divine Restriction martial art of the Totem Dragon Clan, then… they wouldn't be worth your friendship in the first place?"
"What you say makes sense, Senior. In that case, I'll humbly accept." Chu Feng took the Divine Restriction martial art.