It seemed to sense that someone had arrived, for Yao'er finally opened her clear eyes.
"Chu Feng!"
Upon seeing Chu Feng and the others, Yao'er's face lit up with delight. An incredibly bright smile bloomed across her innocent features as she sprang to her feet and ran toward them.
Hummm—
But just then, a flash of golden light suddenly appeared, blocking Yao'er's path. When the golden light faded, the figure of a middle-aged man materialized before Chu Feng and the others.
It was the man who called himself Long Lin.
This mysterious existence — even looking at him again today, he was still an enigma. Those deep, unfathomable eyes and that faint smile were utterly unlike anyone else's.
He left Chu Feng unable to fathom him, unable to guess his true background, and even less able to see through his strength.
Long Lin had clearly noticed Baili Xuankong and the others, but he paid them absolutely no regard — he didn't even spare them a glance. Instead, his gaze went straight to Chu Feng.
Such a dismissive attitude caused Baili Xuankong and the rest to raise their brows slightly, a flicker of displeasure crossing their faces.
Yet none of them spoke up or took any action, for the man before them was far too deep and unfathomable.
Even Baili Xuankong could tell that this man's strength was most likely above his own — he would not be easy to deal with.
He truly hadn't expected to encounter such an existence within these ancient ruins. How many years had the man lived? Could it be that he was truly a being from the primordial era?
"Chu Feng, you've really given me a pleasant surprise. I gave you a two-year deadline to reach Half Emperor and come here, but it's barely been a little over a year and you're already a third-grade Half Emperor. Your rate of progress is quite impressive."
"Honestly, you've exceeded my expectations." Long Lin smiled faintly with narrowed eyes. It was clear that Chu Feng's return had brought him genuine happiness.
"Can you let Yao'er go now?" Chu Feng asked.
"Why not claim those fruits first? I know they would be extremely useful to you." Long Lin pointed toward the fruits covering the tree.
"Yao'er is more important to me than those fruits," Chu Feng said.
"..."
Hearing those words, Yao'er's eyes flickered. Her small mouth parted slightly, and a glimmer of tears welled up in those large eyes. In that moment, her heart was overflowing with emotion.
Back then, Chu Feng had come here for the treasure. For the sake of that treasure, he had risked his life to enter the Ancient Killing Formation.
That alone showed just how important this treasure was to him.
But now, Chu Feng was placing her above even that treasure. How could she not be moved?
The reason Yao'er had helped Chu Feng before was gratitude — he had saved her once. And now, that gratitude in her heart had grown immeasurably deeper.
In truth, it wasn't just her. Even Baili Xuankong and the others were nodding in quiet approval.
Baili Xuankong in particular felt he had not been wrong about Chu Feng. Such loyalty and devotion — that was what made him worthy of being cultivated with everything one had.
"Good, what a righteous and sentimental man. In this world of martial cultivation, where deception reigns and profit is king, someone like you truly is rare." Long Lin praised him with a clap of his hands.
"Can I take Yao'er away now?" Chu Feng asked.
"No rush." Long Lin smiled faintly, then pointed his right hand toward the sealed chest.
Swoosh—
From his finger shot a beam of golden light that entered the chest. With a resounding crack, the treasure chest actually swung open.