"Chu Feng, you, just like your father, are a true hero of our clan."
"This bow, I am not making it on my own behalf."
"I am bowing to you on behalf of the Chu Heavenly Clan."
"You must accept it."
After saying these words, Chu Youyuan proceeded to perform a deep kneeling bow toward Chu Feng, repeatedly.
Only after completing the full sequence of bows did he rise to his feet.
"Senior, you… what are you doing…"
At that moment, Chu Feng didn't know how to react.
If it were any other clan member performing this bow, Chu Feng wouldn't have said a word — he might have even accepted it with grace.
But Chu Youyuan owed him nothing. On the contrary, it was Chu Youyuan who had been his benefactor. A bow from someone of Chu Youyuan's stature was something Chu Feng genuinely felt he did not deserve.
Yet while Chu Feng's face was flushed with embarrassment, Chu Youyuan wore an expression of pure satisfaction.
"Chu Feng, take this with you. At a critical moment, it can protect your life."
Chu Youyuan handed a talisman to Chu Feng.
This talisman had been forged using the art of barrier formations. Judging by its appearance, it was quite old — definitely not something a recent-generation Spirit World Master could have crafted.
At the same time, the power contained within this talisman was extraordinary. It was a protective talisman, one that could safeguard Chu Feng's well-being. In Chu Feng's estimation, as long as the talisman's power was released, no one below the Martial Immortal realm would be able to harm him.
With such a talisman in his possession, even if Chu Feng encountered juniors of the Li Heavenly Clan who surpass him in strength within that Upper Realm Gate, none of them would be able to hurt him.
Even though Chu Feng was well aware that his current strength was still far from sufficient.
Yet he firmly believed that no matter how powerful the juniors of the Li Heavenly Clan might be, there was no way any of them had reached the Martial Immortal realm.
"My lord, if the rumors prove true, Chu Feng will complete the mission."
After receiving the protective talisman, Chu Feng gave his assurance.
Hummm— And at that very moment, an opening appeared in the center of the Upper Realm Gate.
The gap was small — barely wide enough for a single person to pass through — but it was gradually expanding. Based on its current rate of growth, it was estimated that half a shichen from now, the gate would widen to the point where ten people could pass through simultaneously.
"Senior, if I do encounter members of the Li Heavenly Clan, how should I handle it?" Chu Feng asked.
"Although our clan and the Li Heavenly Clan have no grievances between us, the moment this gate appears, conflict between the two clans is inevitable."
"If you encounter juniors of the Li Heavenly Clan, try to resolve things peacefully if possible. If that fails, protecting yourself takes priority. As for them — do your best to avoid killing. But if you are left with no choice, then cut them down," Chu Youyuan said.
"Understood." As Chu Feng spoke, he shot into the air and soared toward the Upper Realm Gate.
The instant he passed through the gate, Chu Feng could feel it — the gate did possess an invisible force, one that was sealing it shut.
This force was likely what Chu Youyuan had described: a barrier that blocked cultivators based on their age.
Chu Feng was a junior under a hundred years old, so this invisible force could not obstruct him. But if it had been Chu Youyuan, or Ying Mingchao, they would most certainly have been repelled by that formless power.