At last, Chu Feng was brought to the residence of the Rosy Dawn Valley Master. However, before he could even approach the estate, an old man blocked his path.
This old man actually possessed a cultivation at the Seventh Grade of the Martial Ancestor realm, and the gaze he directed at Chu Feng was filled with fury.
Without anyone telling him, Chu Feng could guess that this had to be Li Rui's master—the Chief Enforcement Elder of Rosy Dawn Valley.
"Greetings, Chief Enforcement Elder." Sure enough, the moment the enforcement elders saw Li Rui's master, they all hurriedly bowed.
But Li Rui's master paid no heed to his lackeys. Instead, he walked straight toward Chu Feng, and upon reaching him, said in a low voice: "I know what you're thinking. You want to use your identity as an Immortal-Robe Spirit World Master to trade for your life and escape execution."
"But I must tell you—you've gravely underestimated me. Since I dared to bring you before the Valley Master, I've already made preparations to ensure your death."
"The Valley Master does not know you're an Immortal-Robe Spirit World Master, nor does he know about the mess between Su Jingrui, the Luyang Pavilion, and the Red Butterfly Society."
"So when the time comes, all I need to do is briefly report to the Valley Master that you killed Chu Luyang, and he'll order me to execute you."
"And once I've killed you, even if Su Jingrui comes out of seclusion and explains everything, it'll be pointless."
"After all, it was the Valley Master who ordered your death—not me."
"So at most, I'll receive a few words of reprimand, but there will be no saving your life." Li Rui's master said coldly.
"Chief Enforcement Elder, quite the scheme indeed. No wonder you were able to produce such a sinister disciple as Li Rui," Chu Feng said sarcastically.
"You're courting death!" Hearing this, Li Rui's master flew into a rage. His aged yet powerful hand shot out and seized Chu Feng by the throat.
At that moment, Chu Feng felt as if he were about to suffocate, his very body threatening to burst apart.
The opponent was, after all, a Seventh Grade Martial Ancestor—an existence of terrifying strength, with the power to erase Chu Feng from existence with a mere thought.
Yet even so, Chu Feng remained fearless in the face of danger. "What's wrong, Chief Enforcement Elder? Eager to avenge your disciple, you're going to kill me right here and now without letting me see the Valley Master?"
"You'll see him, of course," Li Rui's master released his grip on Chu Feng's throat and said. "But I'll make sure you feel true despair before you do."
As he spoke, Li Rui's master produced a pill and held it before Chu Feng. "You're an Immortal-Robe Spirit World Master—you should know what this pill is, yes?"
"After you take it, you'll become a mute, unable to speak a single word. Furthermore, your barrier force will be sealed, unable to be released beyond your body."
"At that point, no matter what I say, all you'll be able to do is accept the guilt."
"You wanted to prove you're an Immortal-Robe Spirit World Master, hoping to use the Valley Master's appreciation for talent to escape?"
"Hah—dream on."
"You despicable, shameless scoundel! You—!" At that moment, Chu Feng was consumed with rage.
But before he could finish, Li Rui's master clamped a hand over Chu Feng's mouth and forced the pill down his throat.
"Mm—!"
In the next instant, Chu Feng felt a powerful medicinal force seal his throat and lock down his entire body.
This was no poison. It was a pill that used the power of formidable barriers to seal a human being.
And so, even though his body was immune to all toxins, Chu Feng could not resist the power of this pill.
Chu Feng truly could no longer speak, nor could he release his barrier force beyond his body.
He had lost all means of proving himself to be an Immortal-Robe Spirit World Master.
At this moment, Chu Feng's face was ashen with despair.