"This is Shiyin Valley? But this is clearly a jungle," Hong Qiang said.
"No, Shiyin Valley lies below. This jungle is a barrier," Chu Feng explained.
"A barrier?" Hong Qiang was quite surprised.
"Young friend Chu Feng, as expected of a Dragon-marked Spirit World Master — you saw through it at a glance. Indeed, the master of this Shiyin Valley is also a Dragon-marked Spirit World Master," Yaojiao Guang said.
"A Dragon-marked Spirit World Master? Could he be one of the Ten Immortals?" Hong Qiang asked.
"Haha, the world only knows that the Ten Immortals are Dragon-marked Spirit World Masters, but in truth, the Martial Sacred Land has hidden talents aplenty. There aren't merely ten Dragon-marked Spirit World Masters — it's just that some of them are unknown to the public. This one here is a perfect example," Yaojiao Guang explained.
"Hidden talents indeed. This senior's barrier techniques far surpass my own," Chu Feng marveled repeatedly. Although both he and this person were Dragon-marked Spirit World Masters, the strength of one's Spirit World techniques was still influenced by the level of one's cultivation.
Chu Feng had only just stepped into the rank of Dragon-marked Spirit World Master. Relying solely on his Spirit World techniques, he could already contend with a second-grade Martial Emperor, but those techniques were far inferior to those of Zhang Tianyi's father, Zhang Ming.
Yet the barrier that this master of Shiyin Valley had set up was even more formidable than the fortress Zhang Tianyi's father had erected on the Bow Tyrant Plains. From this, Chu Feng deduced that this person's strength likely surpassed even Zhang Tianyi's father.
"Stop playing blind, Yin Gongfu! Open the door for me right now!!!" Yaojiao Guang bellowed toward the depths below, his voice so thunderous that heaven and earth trembled.
Hummmm— The moment his words fell, a figure shot out from the jungle below and landed before Chu Feng and the others.
It was a middle-aged man dressed plainly and of unremarkable appearance, yet he carried an air about him that ordinary people did not possess. His cultivation was the same as Yaojiao Guang's — both were third-grade Martial Emperors. This was Yin Gongfu.
"Brother Yaojiao, it's been a while! What brings you here today?" Yin Gongfu was surprised but clearly pleased to see Yaojiao Guang.
"I didn't come here for fun. I've brought two friends to introduce to you. Let me introduce them — this is..." Yaojiao Guang gestured to Chu Feng and Hong Qiang behind him.
"Chu Feng?" Upon seeing Chu Feng, Yin Gongfu's eyes widened in surprise.
"Quite the shock, eh? That's right — this is Chu Feng," Yaojiao Guang said proudly.
"Chu Feng pays his respects to Senior Yin." Chu Feng cupped his fists and bowed.
"Oh, no need for such formality, young friend Chu Feng! You're now one of the most talked-about figures in the Martial Sacred Land — virtually everyone knows your name. Seeing you in person, I can confirm you're every bit as extraordinary as the stories say. You're even stronger than I imagined." Yin Gongfu praised Chu Feng repeatedly, then turned to Hong Qiang. "And this is?"
"Benefactor, please accept my bow!" Hong Qiang spoke, and before anyone could stop him, he dropped to his knees in midair and performed a full kowtow before Yin Gongfu.
"Oh, get up quickly! What are you doing?" Yin Gongfu hurriedly helped Hong Qiang to his feet.
"Benefactor may not remember Hong Qiang, but Hong Qiang has never forgotten. When I was young, Benefactor saved my life," Hong Qiang said.
"Hong Qiang — you mean the young man who was being hunted by a Fierce Beast in the Alliance Domain all those years ago?" Yin Gongfu asked.
"That's right! So Benefactor still remembers me," Hong Qiang said, overjoyed.
"Of course I remember. It's just that back then you were a handsome young man, and now — like me — you've become an old bag of bones," Yin Gongfu sighed.
"Indeed, time flies. But what happened back then feels as vivid as yesterday. I've carried it in my heart every day and have always wished to repay Benefactor's great kindness," Hong Qiang said.
"Oh, let bygones be bygones. After all these years, the fact that we can meet again — that itself is our fate. Though I'm considerably older than you, neither of us is young anymore. Don't keep calling me 'Benefactor.' Just call me Yin Gongfu. From now on, we're friends." Yin Gongfu patted Hong Qiang on the arm.
"Alright," Hong Qiang agreed readily.