This time, Chu Feng's seclusion lasted a very long time. From the moment he entered, a full two months had passed, and Chu Feng still had not come out.
Under these circumstances, the people guarding outside the door had not decreased—if anything, they had gathered in ever greater numbers. Many had even set aside their work entirely, doing nothing but waiting right here.
Although everyone knew Chu Feng was extraordinarily talented, they were equally worried about him. After all, his goal this time was simply too difficult.
Setting up a grand barrier formation that even a peak Martial Emperor could not break through—this was something that even the countless Spirit World Masters of the Martial Holy Land wouldn't dare imagine, let alone actually attempt. Yet here Chu Feng was, doing it for real.
People weren't necessarily expecting Chu Feng to fail. They were just afraid he was pushing himself too hard and would end up hurting himself.
Rumble rumble rumble—
However, on the morning of the third day past the two-month mark of Chu Feng's seclusion, a deep rumbling sound slowly rose.
The tightly shut door had finally opened.
"Chu Feng!"
Seeing the door open, everyone was overjoyed and surged forward, surrounding Chu Feng in an instant.
"Chu Feng, what happened to you?" But upon actually seeing him, their expressions changed drastically, and they grew tense with alarm.
Chu Feng's face was deathly pale, and his entire body was grievously frail. He had lost a full three sizes compared to before his seclusion. He was now nothing but skin and bones, so gaunt that his features had become unrecognizable.
Yet despite everyone's worry, Chu Feng wore a smile as he looked at them and said, "Seniors… I… I succeeded."
Having uttered those few words in a feeble voice, Chu Feng's eyes closed, his body swayed, and he collapsed into unconsciousness.
"Chu Feng!!!" Seeing him pass out, the crowd grew even more frantic.
The Forging Weapon Immortal and the other Spirit World Masters not only caught Chu Feng at once but also immediately began examining his condition. In fact, while checking on him, they produced countless rare herbs and healing treasures. To save Chu Feng, never mind treasures—they would have willingly traded their own cultivation if it would help.
Chu Feng meant too much to them.
"How is Chu Feng really doing?" Nangong Longjian and the others couldn't help but press for an answer.
"There's no danger to his life."
"However—" The Forging Weapon Immortal's brow was deeply furrowed, his aged face full of anguish.
"However, what?" Everyone pressed again, their hearts nearly leaping from their chests. They were truly terrified that something might be wrong with Chu Feng.
"Chu Feng's body is far too drained. It's as though everything inside him has been hollowed out. His foundation has been damaged, and I'm afraid he won't be able to recover anytime soon," the Forging Weapon Immortal said.
"How could this happen?" The crowd was bewildered and grew even more worried.
"He must have pushed his body past its limits while researching the formation, forcing his Mental Power to communicate with the barrier's energy far beyond what he should have. That child—he pushes himself far too hard," said Zhang Ming, Zhang Tianyi's father.
Though Zhang Ming was not one of the Ten Immortals, he was a Dragon-patterned Spirit World Master with formidable barrier arts of his own, so he too was able to assess Chu Feng's current condition.
Hearing this, people from Qingmu Mountain such as Baili Xuankong, along with Chu Feng's close brothers Jiang Wushang and Zhang Tianyi, couldn't help but lower their heads in silence.