During his journey here, Chu Feng had made numerous inquiries, so he not only knew that the Hundred-Refined Grounds were not far from the Drought Demon's Dead Water Pool, but also knew their exact location.
Moreover, the mysterious clay-like figure had given Chu Feng and Kong Zheng tasks that were competitive in nature.
So Chu Feng couldn't afford to waste any time — he had to reach the Hundred-Refined Grounds as quickly as possible and secure the so-called Hundred-Refined Jade Stone before Kong Zheng managed to get his hands on it.
After all, this was the only way to save Wang Qiang and Zhao Hong.
"Hm?"
However, just as Chu Feng was focused on making his way forward, his gaze suddenly shifted, and he hastily came to a stop, staring ahead in surprise.
He had discovered a figure blocking his path — and it was none other than his competitor, Kong Zheng.
"Did you deliberately come here to wait for me?" Chu Feng asked, his tone far from friendly, because he suspected that Kong Zheng waiting for him here likely meant he intended to deal with him.
After all, this fellow had already harbored hostility toward Chu Feng before, let alone now that they were competitors.
"Chu Feng, thank you for warning me earlier. Had it not been for your words, a fool like me might have gotten my brother killed." However, to Chu Feng's surprise, Kong Zheng not only refrained from attacking him, but instead cupped his fists and bowed apologetically with a face full of remorse.
"So that's what this is about. I think your brother, for all his arrogance, isn't fundamentally a bad person — at least he cares for you and Wang Qiang. I didn't want to see someone like that meet his end," Chu Feng said.
"Regardless, I owe you a favor."
"I intend to repay that favor," Kong Zheng said.
"It was nothing. No need," Chu Feng said.
"What if I could take you into the Hundred-Refined Grounds?" Kong Zheng said.
"Take me into the Hundred-Refined Grounds?" Hearing those words, Chu Feng's expression changed immediately.
In truth, Chu Feng's father had once given him a boundary key — one that could help Chu Feng exit the Hundred-Refined Grounds from within. Chu Feng had never doubted this, because he never doubted a single word his father said.
However, his father had never mentioned whether that boundary key could also be used to enter the Hundred-Refined Grounds from the outside.
Although keys that traversed formations often shared certain common traits, Chu Feng had never tested it, so he had no absolute certainty — and he had genuinely worried that he might not even be able to get inside.
And now, Kong Zheng was claiming he could bring Chu Feng into the Hundred-Refined Grounds. This was actually quite tempting.
"You should know what kind of place the Hundred-Refined Grounds is. Even though it's where the dregs of the Lower Realm get teleported, the formations there are extremely powerful. While the Hundred-Refined Grounds are sealed, virtually no one can enter."
"There was once a True Immortal-level powerhouse who attempted to force his way in, but the boundary of the Hundred-Refined Grounds injured him. The wound was beyond anyone's ability to cure, and he died less than half a year later," Kong Zheng said.
"If what you're saying is true, doesn't that mean no one can get into the Hundred-Refined Grounds?" Chu Feng asked.
"Not at all. The truth is, the Guardian Clan of the Hundred-Refined Grounds is capable of opening the formation," Kong Zheng said.
"But I've heard that the Guardian Clan doesn't belong to any faction. They follow the rules of the Hundred-Refined Grounds to the letter in their duty as its guardians. Even if they have the ability to open the formation, they wouldn't do so casually, would they?" Chu Feng said.
"That's exactly right — even threatening them with death likely wouldn't force their compliance."
"But my situation is different. One of the guardians of the Hundred-Refined Grounds was once saved by my grandfather, and owes him an enormous debt of gratitude."