"Brother, are you serious about this? You can't just say things like that lightly!" The second-rank Martial King's face had already turned somewhat pale, as though he had been frightened.
"As serious as it gets. If you don't believe me, you can go ask around. Everyone who attended the banquet witnessed the whole thing with their own eyes." The young man assured him.
"Gulp." Hearing this, the second-rank Martial King swallowed hard, cold beads of sweat breaking out across his face. He said nothing more, but when he looked at Chu Feng, the resentment in his eyes was long gone — replaced by deep wariness.
In truth, scenes like this were playing out not just in this one spot. Many who had witnessed Chu Feng's strength were spreading the word, so for a time, Chu Feng had indeed become the center of everyone's attention — an object of both envy and fear.
As a Spirit World Master, Chu Feng had sharp eyes and keen ears. After ascending the peak, he had deliberately taken the measure of those around him, so he naturally overheard all the gossip.
Regarding these discussions, Chu Feng merely smiled faintly and paid them little mind. But there was no denying that the events at the banquet had made him famous.
Everything, however, had two sides. This would make many people wary of him, but it would also give those with ill intentions designs on his Dragon Pattern Sword.
Still, since it had already happened, Chu Feng couldn't be bothered to worry about it. This world was never peaceful to begin with — unless you possessed strength that towered over all else, no one could guarantee their own safety.
"Wuqing, junior brother, that is the entrance to the Martial Pattern Realm. The Martial Pattern Realm has two entrances — one for obtaining Martial Patterns, and one for exchanging them for Martial Arts."
"The first entrance opens today, for only one hour. After that hour, it closes. The second entrance opens ten days from now and stays open for one day."
Xia Yu pointed toward the center of the plaza, where two formations glowed faintly. Chu Feng could tell they were indeed formations — and highly sophisticated ones at that, inscribed with rune patterns he could not decipher.
"So that means I can only stay inside the Martial Pattern Realm for ten days? After that, I have to come out, or I'll miss the chance to exchange my Martial Patterns?" Chu Feng asked.
"Mm, that's exactly right." Xia Yu nodded.
"Sister Xia Yu, is there any possibility of entering the Martial Pattern Realm and simply not leaving — devoting myself to searching for Martial Patterns and emerging only after six years? By then, I would have accumulated far more Martial Patterns and could exchange them for higher-quality Martial Arts." Chu Feng asked.
"Heh, Wuqing, junior brother, you're really overthinking it. Some people have tried that, but in reality it's an incredibly foolish thing to do. After six years, those people hadn't even left behind a shred of themselves — only the Immortal Talisman they wore when they entered remained. Do you know why that is?" Xia Yu asked.
Chu Feng shook his head. "Why?"
"Because the Martial Pattern Realm is an extraordinarily dangerous place. Almost no one can survive in that environment. Only these ten days are relatively safe — remember, only relatively. There are still dangers present."
"Furthermore, once you enter the Martial Pattern Realm, there is no exit. That is also why only one hundred spots are granted each time the realm opens. It is because entering the Martial Pattern Realm requires carrying an Immortal Talisman."
"The Immortal Talisman serves as a passage to teleport you out of the Martial Pattern Realm. But there are only one hundred talismans, and they cannot be duplicated. So each time the Martial Pattern Realm opens, only one hundred people can enter." Xia Yu explained.
"So that's how it is. Thank you for the guidance, Sister Xia Yu." Chu Feng now finally understood another of the Martial Pattern Realm's marvels.
"Then Wuqing, junior brother, once you enter the Martial Pattern Realm, come with us. That way we can keep you safe," Chun Wu said.
"That's right, Wuqing, junior brother. The more people, the more eyes looking out for each other. The five of us together will be better off." At the same time, Dong Xue and Xia Yu echoed her words, while Qiu Zhu, though silent, wore a warm smile as though extending her own invitation.
"Thank you, senior sisters." As the saying goes, such warm hospitality was hard to refuse. Chu Feng naturally would not turn down the invitation of four beautiful women. In truth, his agreement was also because he would genuinely be safer with them.
Setting aside the fact that many here harbored ill intentions, there was also the matter that the Immortal Slaying Archipelago had sent a great many people into the Martial Pattern Realm this time — even Ya Fei among them. If he encountered Ya Fei inside the Martial Pattern Realm, Chu Feng could not guarantee that girl, with her vicious temperament, would not make a move against him.
Even holding an Immortal Talisman that allowed him to teleport out at a critical moment, missing the opportunity to obtain a massive number of Martial Patterns over something like that would be far too great a loss.
So traveling with Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter was without question the best possible choice. After all, the four of them were no weaklings — especially Qiu Zhu, who possessed the same formidable fifth-rank Martial King strength as Ya Fei. Inside the Martial Pattern Realm, she could certainly protect Chu Feng.
"You four ladies, and Wuqing — junior brother, you've arrived. Let me introduce you to some of my closest friends."
"Qin Yu, Lan Xi, Wang Long — the three of them are representative disciples of the Four Seas Academy. Although they'll be leaving the academy next year, at least for now, they are the strongest disciples the Four Seas Academy has."
Just then, Gao Xiong approached, flanked by two men and one woman. The rather handsome young man was called Qin Yu, the tall and burly man was Wang Long, and the petite, comely woman was Lan Xi.
All three were fourth-rank Martial Kings. Though they were already nearing thirty, such strength was still remarkably impressive.
"I am Wuqing. It's a pleasure to meet the three of you." The Four Seas Academy was the first power in the Eastern Sea that Chu Feng had learned of. On top of that, Zhang Tianyi, Jiang Wushang, and Su Rou and Su Mei were all currently cultivating at the academy, so Chu Feng already held the Four Seas Academy in considerable favor.
And these three, as disciples of the Four Seas Academy, had been cultivating for nearly four years. To have reached their current level spoke well of their talent indeed.
However, Chu Feng had heard that the Immortal Slaying Archipelago had brought thirty people this time — all of them summoned by the Ethereal Immortal Order, and every single one at least a fourth-rank Martial King.
Compared to the Immortal Slaying Archipelago, the Four Seas Academy — an organization that drew people from all four seas — could only field three fourth-rank Martial Kings as its strongest members. It had to be said, that was somewhat lacking.
But there was nothing to be done about it. No matter how strong the Four Seas Academy might be, it was still merely a powerful faction. Compared to a behemoth like the Immortal Slaying Archipelago — an overlord-class entity — it was simply too far behind.
As for Qin Yu, Wang Long, and Lan Xi, their attitude toward Chu Feng was quite friendly. In truth, it was because Gao Xiong had told them of Chu Feng's exploits and they considered him a rare talent worth befriending.
But compared to Chu Feng, the four beauties of Spring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter were considerably colder — unwilling even to speak with the three from the Four Seas Academy. The pride of these four prodigious women was on full display.