"Young friend Chu Feng, is something on your mind?" Nangong Longjian noticed something was off and couldn't help but ask.
"Chu Feng, saving Senior Duan Jidao and the others isn't as simple as just wanting to. This matter needs to be carefully thought through. Don't be too hasty, or you'll hurt yourself." Bai Ruochen assumed that Chu Feng was worrying about Duan Jidao and the others.
But Chu Feng shook his head. "Of course Senior Duan Jidao and Senior Yin Gongfu must be saved. But what concerns me more right now is the safety of Qingmu Mountain."
At that moment, Nangong Longjian and the others suddenly realized—this was what Chu Feng had been worried about.
But after thinking it over carefully, they felt Chu Feng's concern was entirely justified. If even Duan Jidao's group had been ambushed, there was no guarantee that Qingmu Mountain hadn't suffered the same fate.
And at that moment, a look of self-reproach crossed Nangong Longjian's face. He knew that, given Chu Feng's nature, Chu Feng must have thought of this long ago.
But he hadn't gone directly to Qingmu Mountain. Instead, he had remained here for days—and the reason was that he was worried about Nangong Longjian. Chu Feng had delayed his trip to Qingmu Mountain in order to treat his illness.
"Young friend Chu Feng, I, Nangong Longjian, will go to Qingmu Mountain right now to investigate. If Qingmu Mountain has also met with this disaster, I will dig three feet into the earth to find the Dark Hall and make them pay in blood." Nangong Longjian's expression was solemn as he spoke.
Hearing Nangong Longjian's words, Chu Feng's heart stirred. His previously taut mood immediately loosened, as though a heavy stone that had been pressing on his chest had finally fallen away.
In truth, he could have gone to Qingmu Mountain immediately after treating Nangong Longjian. But the reason Chu Feng hadn't gone was that the date he had agreed upon with Xian Miaomiao was fast approaching.
Setting aside the matter of honoring one's commitments, the most crucial thing was that the Blood-Devouring Armors had a time limit. Once that period expired, the insects would die, and once the insects died, the Blood-Devouring Armors would become useless.
If Chu Feng went to Qingmu Mountain, the round trip would take some time. While this delay wouldn't cause the Blood-Devouring Armors to lose their effectiveness on its own—
—but once they entered the Blood-Devouring Killing Formation, things might not go smoothly. If the Blood-Devouring Armors suddenly lost their effectiveness while they were inside, both Chu Feng and Xian Miaomiao would die there. That was why Chu Feng didn't want to waste a single moment.
But he was also worried about Qingmu Mountain's safety. Now that Nangong Longjian was willing to go in his stead, he could finally put his mind at ease. After all, Nangong Longjian was a Sixth Rank Martial Emperor—far stronger than he was.
"Thank you, Senior Longjian." Chu Feng clasped his fists and bowed, his gratitude sincere and heartfelt.
"Young friend Chu Feng, don't say that. If not for you, I would already be at death's door."
"My life has been extended because of you."
"I am able to continue my cultivation because of you."
"I can be reunited with my family because of you."
"My life—Nangong Longjian's life—was essentially given by you. The kindness you have shown me is something I could never repay in a lifetime," Nangong Longjian said.
"You're too kind, Senior. Setting aside the fact that you once saved me—even if you hadn't, just based on my relationship with Ruochen, I would have done everything in my power to treat your illness," Chu Feng said.
"All right, enough sentimentality. The most urgent matter right now is to determine whether Qingmu Mountain is safe."
"Young friend Chu Feng, you still have matters to attend to, so there's no need for you to return to Qingmu Mountain. I'll go with Nangong Longjian," the Luopan Immortal spoke up. As he talked, he produced an item and handed it to Chu Feng. "Young friend Chu Feng, leave a mark on this. If Qingmu Mountain is fine, I'll notify you."
Seeing the item before him, Chu Feng's eyes lit up. "A Golden Flash Bird?" For what the Luopan Immortal had handed him was indeed the nearly extinct Golden Flash Bird.
"That's right. Back in the day, I traded quite a few treasures to get my hands on this thing." Seeing Chu Feng's astonishment, the Luopan Immortal nodded with considerable pride.
Thereafter, Nangong Longjian and the Luopan Immortal departed for Qingmu Mountain to check whether the others had returned safely.
As for Bai Ruochen, Bai Suyan, Jiang Wushang, and the rest, they continued to remain at the Purple Flame Black Mountain. Although the pressure there was considerable, there was a special formation within the mountain cave that would keep them safe.