"Chu Feng, whatever you do, do not follow me. With your level of cultivation, you cannot withstand the pressure inside. If you follow, you will certainly die."
"Remember, if you wish to enter the Outer Realm, you must find another way." Dragon Scale said to Chu Feng.
Whoosh—
With those words, he soared into the sky, racing along the celestial path that the golden palace had carved open, and vanished into the horizon.
Though Dragon Scale had departed, the celestial path carved by the golden palace lingered for quite some time before it finally began to dissipate.
But… even after that celestial path had completely faded and this stretch of heaven and earth had returned to tranquility, the hearts of all present could not be calmed.
"The Outer Realm — there truly are martial cultivators out there. That one called Dragon Scale was a martial cultivator from the Outer Realm." Lord Lianghua said in astonishment. In that moment, the ever-composed elder was so excited that even his aged hands were trembling.
"Lord Lianghua, are you saying… that among those vast stars, there are martial cultivators as well?" Baili Xuankong asked in disbelief, for this matter was of tremendous significance — nothing short of momentous.
"There are, of course there are. Didn't you all just witness it? That one called Dragon Scale entered the Outer Realm. He was a martial cultivator who came from the Outer Realm."
"Martial cultivators are not confined to our Land of Martial Arts. Beyond that vast sky, there are more." Lord Lianghua was so excited in that moment that even his voice trembled with emotion.
"If that's the case, then Chu Feng—" In that instant, everyone turned their gaze toward Chu Feng, as though hoping to learn more about the Outer Realm from him.
Because no matter how prominent a figure they might be in the Land of Martial Arts, once Dragon Scale had opened that celestial path, they had all been struck by the feeling that they were nothing more than frogs at the bottom of a well.
Though they had been unable to see a thing through that celestial path, they had all glimpsed the boundless sky and the star-studded night, and they knew just how magnificent, how vast, how awe-inspiring that greater world truly was.
"Esteemed seniors, I did indeed come from the Outer Realm. However, I know nothing of what lies beyond. Ever since I could remember, I have been in this world. All of my earliest memories took place in the Eastern Sea Region." Chu Feng said.
"So that's how it is." Upon hearing Chu Feng's words, Nangong Longjian and the others ceased their questioning, though their faces still carried a measure of disappointment and regret. How desperately they wished to know more about the Outer Realm.
"Chu Feng is from the Outer Realm — if that's true, then doesn't that mean the Master of the Dark Hall is also a martial cultivator from the Outer Realm?" Lord Lianghua suddenly said.
At those words, everyone except Chu Feng fell silent. Only now did they truly grasp the enormity of the Dark Hall Master's power.
"Forget it. No matter what the Dark Hall is about, that's a matter for careful deliberation. For now, the fact that we've successfully rescued Yao'er is what matters."
"I think we should celebrate. After all, Lord Lianghua has come all this way, and our Greenwood Mountain has yet to properly extend its hospitality." It was Baili Xuankong who spoke first.
"Oh, there's no need for such extravagance." Lord Lianghua smiled and shook his head, though it was plain to see that he was quite pleased to be held in such high regard by Greenwood Mountain.
"The ancestor is right. Regardless, Lord Lianghua has traveled such a great distance — the least we can do is throw a proper welcome banquet." Chu Feng voiced his agreement, and the others quickly followed suit.
Unable to refuse such warm hospitality, Lord Lianghua relented. In truth, he had never truly intended to refuse.
At that moment, Chu Feng turned his gaze toward Yao'er and noticed that after Dragon Scale's departure, her expression carried a hint of melancholy.
It was hardly Yao'er's fault. Though Dragon Scale had kept her confined for a long time, he had apparently treated her well — the improvements in her cultivation were proof enough.
"Yao'er." Suddenly, Chu Feng reached out and took the small girl's hand.
Feeling the warmth from Chu Feng's palm, Yao'er was momentarily stunned before shyly lifting her gaze to meet his.
"Come. I'll take you home." Chu Feng said.
"Mm." At those words, a radiant smile bloomed across Yao'er's face.