"What do you want me to do?" Chu Feng asked.
"You simply need to hand this body over completely to this Evil God."
Ahh— The moment the Evil God Sword spoke those words, Chu Feng was struck by an excruciating pain.
It was the sensation of flames engulfing his body, yet far more unbearable than ordinary fire burning through flesh.
Even Chu Feng could not endure it. Perhaps the pain was simply too great, or perhaps it was because death was imminent, but Chu Feng gradually lost consciousness.
"Chu Feng, what's wrong with you? Speak! Talk to me right now!"
"Say something, damn it! What did that thing do to you?"
Chu Feng could still hear the Queen's voice ringing in his ears, frantic and filled with worry.
But gradually, that voice grew fainter and fainter.
At last, Chu Feng lost all awareness.
"I've already taken control of him. Still not going to show yourself?"
The Evil God Sword roared as it flew through the air at tremendous speed.
It was clearly waiting for someone. But in a place like this, who could possibly keep up with its speed?
Someone. There actually was someone.
It was a deer, and an old man wearing a yellow robe.
These two were the creators of the Unknown Burial Ground.
The old man was not riding the deer. Instead, the two walked side by side like old friends.
They traveled through the air, moving at a leisurely pace — and yet they were able to keep up with the Evil God Sword's speed.
Though it seemed that even the Evil God Sword had not detected them.
"This kid called Chu Feng is really something, to be wielding such a demonic weapon."
"If he were to enter the Grand Astral Upper Realm and make his way into the Star Domain, I'm afraid... he would truly sweep through every prodigy across the board."
"If that happens, then I would really lose this wager." There was a note of worry in the yellow-robed old man's voice as he spoke.
So the two of them had been hidden in the shadows all along. They had witnessed everything that had transpired.
"That Chu Feng has already been devoured by the demonic weapon. I'm afraid he won't survive this."
It was then that the deer actually spoke — and its voice belonged to a woman.
"No. Although the demonic weapon has consumed Chu Feng's body and is controlling his movements, it seems to be waiting for someone."
"In my view, it is merely making a threat — using Chu Feng's body to threaten that person."
"Then again, with such talent as Chu Feng possesses, there is naturally a powerful background and formidable backers behind him."
"Someone must be secretly protecting Chu Feng. The demonic weapon is waiting for that person to reveal themselves," the old man said.
Upon hearing this, the deer looked left and right, sniffing the air a few times with its nose.
"I can't sense anyone else's aura. Could it be... that their strength surpasses ours?" the deer said.
"Impossible. In a place like this, how could anyone's strength surpass ours?"
"Even if that boy has backers, the forces behind him are no match for us." The old man shook his head, then continued, "They probably just haven't arrived yet, but they will certainly come."
"Even if Chu Feng is saved and successfully enters the Grand Astral Upper Realm, that doesn't mean he'll make it into the Star Domain."
"And even if he does enter the Star Domain, it doesn't mean he can dominate it. Setting aside the prodigies of the entire Star Domain, even among the talents of the Grand Astral Upper Realm, there are many extraordinary ones."
"Prodigies dying young — that happens far too often."
"This wager... we might not necessarily lose," the deer said.
"Indeed, it's not certain. But I cannot afford to lose. I must ensure there is no chance of failure," the old man said.
"You intend to kill him?" The deer's tone carried a note of surprise.
"It's the only option. Everything right now is unfolding exactly as he predicted."
"If this continues, I will truly lose," the old man said.
"But according to the terms of the wager, neither side may intervene in his affairs. Naturally, that means you cannot lay a hand on him — let alone kill him," the deer said.