"Let's go." Baili Xuankong walked directly past those people, heading toward Qingmu Mountain without sparing a glance at the Imperial Clan members who were constructing the giant bounty proclamation.
As for Chu Feng, he similarly ignored them. He understood perfectly well that if they left the matter alone, Qingmu Mountain would suffer nothing more than humiliation.
But if they intervened and slaughtered those Imperial Clan members, it would hand the four great Imperial Clans a pretext to move against Qingmu Mountain.
So for now, they had to endure — even if the humiliation had been brought right to their doorstep.
Baili Xuankong, as a founding ancestor-level figure of Qingmu Mountain, possessed special methods and privileges. Once inside the mountain, he brought Chu Feng straight into the heavily guarded ancient ruins that had been designated a forbidden zone.
However, he did not immediately lead Chu Feng deeper. Instead, using a special method, he summoned three individuals — Yin Chengkong, Guan Hong, and Dugu Xingfeng — the only three Martial Emperors Qingmu Mountain currently had on the surface.
"Lord Xuankong." Upon seeing that Baili Xuankong and Chu Feng had returned safely, all three were overjoyed — Dugu Xingfeng especially so.
"Take these." Baili Xuankong handed three small cyan bells to Yin Chengkong, Guan Hong, and Dugu Xingfeng, one each.
The bells were somewhat unusual — they were actually made of wood. Though only palm-sized, they looked exceedingly ancient, as if they had existed for countless ages.
Moreover, four characters were carved into the surface of each bell: Qingmu Emperor Bell. The characters glimmered faintly, as though imbued with soul and containing tremendous power.
"The Qingmu Emperor Bell!!!"
When they saw the Qingmu Emperor Bell, the expressions of all three — Yin Chengkong, Guan Hong, and Dugu Xingfeng — changed dramatically. Others might not know the origins of this treasure, but they were intimately familiar with it.
It was a supreme treasure of Qingmu Mountain — a treasure usable for both offense and defense — left behind by Qingmu Mountain's founding ancestor. Although only Martial Emperors could wield it, tens of thousands of years had seen the Qingmu Emperor Bells used until almost none remained.
The three in their hands were very likely the last three Qingmu Emperor Bells that Qingmu Mountain possessed. As such, these three bells were extraordinarily precious.
Such precious treasures — why would Baili Xuankong hand them over to the three of them? Could it be that under the pressure of the four great Imperial Clans, Qingmu Mountain truly stood in mortal danger, and Baili Xuankong was giving them these three Qingmu Emperor Bells so they could protect themselves?
"Chu Feng, you explain." Baili Xuankong looked toward Chu Feng.
Thereupon, Chu Feng recounted the entire series of events to Yin Chengkong, Guan Hong, and Dugu Xingfeng.
After hearing Chu Feng's account, all three were utterly stunned. Their slack-jawed expressions were even more astonished than Baili Xuankong's had been when he first heard the news.
It was not that their capacity to bear shocking news was lacking — it was simply that this matter was far too staggering. Throughout all of history, how many powerhouses had been stopped by the Ancient Killing Formation?
Yet now, Chu Feng had managed to break through it and had already laid eyes on the legendary treasure within.
If those powerhouses who had perished in the Ancient Killing Formation were still alive and learned that Chu Feng, at the cultivation of an eighth-grade Martial King, had used the map in his mind to pass through the Ancient Killing Formation unscathed, they would probably drop dead from rage on the spot.
"That fellow called Long Lin — being able to survive inside the Ancient Killing Formation for so long, there's a strong chance he's some kind of demon."
"We cannot place full trust in talk of demons. If he honors his promise, we won't make things difficult for him. But if he breaks his word, then I will most certainly demand an explanation."
"The only thing is, I'm not confident I can defeat him. If I fall, use the Qingmu Emperor Bell to protect Chu Feng and get him out."
"Remember — even if it costs you your lives, you must keep Chu Feng safe." Baili Xuankong spoke with a grave and solemn expression.