Upon learning that there was actually a way to kill Chu Feng, Linghu Tiemian's eyes changed dramatically, and his heart surged with excitement.
His hatred for Chu Feng ran so deep that even in his dreams he wished for Chu Feng's death.
"What method?" Linghu Tiemian asked.
"I have a secret treasure. This treasure cannot kill Chu Feng itself, but it carries tremendous explosive power. If you aim it at Chu Feng, there's no way he can dodge — he will be severely injured."
As Dantai Xing'er spoke, she produced a small sphere the size of a pearl from her hand.
The sphere was black, yet its surface was densely covered with intricate talismanic patterns.
The sphere had flashed by so quickly that no one had noticed it, but Linghu Tiemian had caught sight of it.
"That appears to be the legendary Dark Thunder-Wind Talisman," Linghu Tiemian sighed in admiration.
The Dark Thunder-Wind Talisman was a rare and precious treasure — though to call it a treasure was perhaps inaccurate, for it was more fittingly described as a rare weapon.
The Dark Thunder-Wind Talisman possessed immense destructive power. It was said to be capable of annihilating Martial Immortal realm cultivators, and only Venerable realm experts could hope to withstand it.
"It is indeed the Dark Thunder-Wind Talisman, but its power isn't quite as strong as the legends claim. So on its own, it cannot take Chu Feng's life."
"You said it could kill him. If this thing can't kill anyone, then what exactly do you want me to do with it?" Linghu Tiemian asked.
"I originally intended to hold on to it and use it against Chu Feng by surprise. Though it couldn't kill him, it could have created an opening to defeat him."
"But things are different now. The anomaly has appeared and pointed out a path of certain death. All you need to do is use the Dark Thunder-Wind Talisman to push Chu Feng into that passage, and he will surely die without question," Dantai Xing'er said.
"Really?" Linghu Tiemian asked.
"If you don't believe me, then forget it," Dantai Xing'er said.
"Then why don't you do it yourself?" Linghu Tiemian asked.
"Because I don't want to be the one to play the villain," Dantai Xing'er said.
"For once, you're being refreshingly direct," Linghu Tiemian said, quite speechless.
Dantai Xing'er didn't want to play the villain — as if he, Linghu Tiemian, wanted to play the villain either.
Geniuses like them all wished for a good reputation. Even if they were typically arrogant and ran roughshod over everyone, committing every manner of misdeed, in front of so many elders, so many powerful experts, and so many witnesses, they still tried their best to maintain a respectable image.
"Think it over carefully. This is a rare opportunity," Dantai Xing'er said.
"I want to kill him, and there will be plenty of chances in the future," Linghu Tiemian said.
"There will indeed be plenty of chances in the future. But what about today? Today Linghu Hongfei isn't participating in the Ancestral Martial Ten Stars selection. Who in your clan can contend with Chu Feng? If you let this Chu Feng claim first place, it will be an indelible stain on your clan — one that can never be erased. Even if Chu Feng dies later, what good will it do?" Dantai Xing'er said.
Hearing these words, Linghu Tiemian's face darkened as he sank into deep thought.
Chu Feng had not noticed the secret dealings between Linghu Tiemian and Dantai Xing'er.
At this moment, Chu Feng stood before the twelfth gate.
This was the gate Chu Feng felt was the safest, and also the one that could be passed through most quickly to reach the exit.
However, though Chu Feng stood before the twelfth gate, his gaze remained fixed upon the thirteenth gate.
Although the anomaly had now dissipated and the gaze observing Chu Feng had likewise vanished, the Nine Dragons Sacred Robe that had been awakened within him still responded.
The Nine Dragons Sacred Robe did not manifest visibly — no one else could perceive the anomaly.
But Chu Feng could feel the surging of the Sacred Robe's power. It felt as though he were being summoned, and the one doing the summoning was none other than that thirteenth gate.
"Perhaps the legend is true."
Chu Feng arrived at this thought. He believed the legend might actually be real — that the thirteenth gate could truly be the passage leading to the deepest reaches of the Nine Dragons Upper Realm.
As for those who had entered and never returned, that merely proved the path was extraordinarily dangerous, and also that their strength had been insufficient.
If he could, Chu Feng truly wanted to venture inside and find out for himself.