"There's actually such a saying?"
"Then, Clan Chief, how are they supposed to get out?"
Someone asked.
"Deep within the Nine Dragon Phenomenon Ridge, there are twenty hidden passage exits. Though the passages shift unpredictably, in general the entrance and exit are connected. If they can make it out alive, they should emerge from the thirteenth exit."
"Unfortunately, as far as I know, no one has ever been seen escaping alive from that passage. And… generally, one will die within the time it takes to burn a single incense stick."
"No one has ever managed to last longer than two incense sticks," Dantai Xiangnan said.
"Does that mean the lightning image will vanish after just one more incense stick's time?"
After hearing Dantai Xiangnan's words, many people were struck with surprise.
Those who were on good terms with Chu Feng were especially worried.
Of course, people like Master Liangqiu were taking a wait-and-see approach. They had witnessed a fair share of Chu Feng's abilities. Just because others couldn't accomplish something didn't mean Chu Feng couldn't.
Time flew by, and soon two incense sticks had passed.
Under these circumstances, the hearts that people like Master Liangqiu had been holding up in suspense began to gradually settle. According to what Dantai Xiangnan had said, Chu Feng and Wuma Shengjie had at least held on longer than everyone else couldn't—which was already proof that the two of them were no ordinary individuals.
"Look! The lightning image has disappeared!"
But just then, someone among the crowd cried out in alarm.
Immediately after, even the faces of Master Liangqiu and the others showed visible changes.
Just as that person had said, the lightning image over the thirteenth entrance had indeed vanished.
"Sigh, my Immortal Martial Stones — gone just like that."
At that moment, many people felt a pang of distress. Though it wasn't because of grief over Chu Feng's death, but rather heartache over their lost Immortal Martial Stones.
"Could it be that Young Master Chu Feng and Young Master Wuma Shengjie have truly perished just like that?"
"What a waste. A genius like Young Master Chu Feng — to think he would fall just like this. What a tragedy. This is a misfortune for our Ancestral Martial Starfield."
Those who had witnessed Chu Feng's strength began to lament his apparent fate.
However, people like Master Liangqiu found this outcome hard to accept and were unwilling to believe it was true. They still clung to a sliver of hope regarding Chu Feng's fate.
After all, they had seen what Chu Feng was capable of, and they felt that he was a man blessed by fortune. Someone like that couldn't simply die so easily — even the heavens would look after him.
As for Chu Feng and Wuma Shengjie, they had of course not died.
Chu Feng and Wuma Shengjie had already passed through the region of the Demon Subduing Curse.
And the moment they left that region, the lightning image had vanished.
As for why it vanished — or why a lightning image had even appeared in the first place upon entering the Demon Subduing Curse region — Chu Feng and Wuma Shengjie had no idea. In truth, they hadn't even known about the lightning image at all.
Moreover, they had no mind to think about such things, because from the moment they had left the region of the Demon Subduing Curse, they had entered an extremely dangerous area.
Below them, all was pitch black — an abyss with no discernible bottom, vast and empty. Yet from its depths came endless wails, roars, and even screams.
Heart-rending, brimming with resentment, piercing to the sky. Hearing those sounds, even Wuma Shengjie shuddered uncontrollably.