The crowd gasped in astonishment, but Chu Feng had no mind for any of that.
He only wanted to free Baili Xuankong and the others from their restraints as quickly as possible.
"Patriarch, your cultivation?" However, after a brief moment, Chu Feng's brows furrowed. He discovered that the restriction binding Baili Xuankong and the others was no ordinary formation — it was a Dragon Vein-level formation.
Moreover, the mastery behind this formation was extraordinary. Even Chu Feng, who was well-versed in all manner of profound formation techniques, would likely be unable to break through this particular binding in a short amount of time.
This meant that a Dragon Vein-level Spirit World Master was serving the Four Great Imperial Clans — and that this Dragon Vein-level, Imperial-robed Spirit World Master was no ordinary figure.
"The Four Great Imperial Clans have been reduced to such a state by a single Chu Feng. You are truly useless."
Just as Chu Feng was wrestling with these concerns, several figures suddenly shot out from the distant horizon.
Every one of them wore black robes and strange masks — they were members of the Dark Hall.
"The Dark Hall? The Dark Hall is connected to the Four Great Imperial Clans?" Upon seeing these people, Chu Feng's heart tightened.
Though only a hundred or so Dark Hall members had appeared, every single one of them was a Martial Emperor — genuine, bona fide Martial Emperors.
The one leading them was especially notable. His hair was half snow-white, half jet-black, an utterly eerie sight. His cultivation was unfathomably deep; even Chu Feng could not gauge his realm. Yet after only a single glance, Chu Feng already felt profoundly uneasy, sensing an immense threat radiating from the man.
"The Dark Hall?!" At that moment, everyone present was shocked. Though many had never heard the name before, not a single person dared show the slightest disrespect — the aura emanating from these newcomers was far too powerful.
Everyone realized that the Dark Hall was no simple organization.
"You've finally arrived. Hurry, strike down Chu Feng!" Upon seeing the Dark Hall members appear, the Supreme Elders of the Four Great Imperial Clans looked as though they had found their saviors. Ximen Baiyuan in particular was practically ecstatic.
"Are you giving me orders?" However, a glint of murderous intent flashed through the blood-red eyes of the Dark Hall's leader as he swept a frigid gaze over Ximen Baiyuan and the rest of the Four Great Imperial Clans.
"Y—You!!"
Faced with that look, let alone the other clansmen, even Ximen Baiyuan's face went pale. Though he was displeased, he didn't dare talk back. From their expressions, it was clear that the Four Great Imperial Clans feared the Dark Hall.
"Who exactly are you?" Chu Feng called out loudly. In his eyes, the Dark Hall was an exceedingly dangerous force that absolutely could not be underestimated.
"That is a fine question. Who we are doesn't matter — you need only know that the Dark Hall will be the future ruler of the Martial Continent," the leader said with a smile.
Though he spoke those words with a smile on his lips, his tone was saturated with an intensely sinister meaning.
The moment those words left his mouth, not only Chu Feng and his allies, but even the spectators couldn't help but shudder, a chill creeping through their bodies. Nearly everyone felt a deep sense of foreboding.
A faction no one had ever heard of appeared out of nowhere and uttered such a proclamation — it was deeply unsettling.
After all, not even the Three Palaces dared to utter the word "ruler," yet this Dark Hall actually had the audacity to do so?
"A future ruler — how quaintly ambitious," Chu Feng remarked with a mocking smirk.
"Ha ha ha, this is no mere ambition. It is a goal that will assuredly be achieved. Chu Feng… I can see that you are a man of talent. I won't kill you — all you need do is agree to join our Dark Hall, and I will destroy the Four Great Imperial Clans on your behalf," the Dark Hall leader said.
"What did you say?!" Upon hearing these words, Ximen Baiyuan and the rest of the Four Great Imperial Clans were aghast, their faces twisting as though they had swallowed something revolting.
Even the spectators were taken aback. When the Dark Hall members first appeared, they had assumed these were reinforcements for the Four Great Imperial Clans — who could have predicted such a dramatic turn of events?
The Dark Hall intended to annihilate the Four Great Imperial Clans in order to recruit Chu Feng?
"Heh heh…"
As for the Dark Hall's offer, Chu Feng merely let out a calm laugh, as though he had seen through everything. He said: "And what if I refuse?"