The person detained by the Dao Sea disciples was someone Chu Feng did recognize.
He was a young man dressed in black, with thoroughly unremarkable features.
He was so ordinary that he was the kind of person whose face you'd pass over without a second glance in any crowd.
But he was no ordinary individual.
He was none other than the black-clothed youth who had defeated a host of geniuses at the Sacred Light Heavenly River's Strongest Junior Championship.
If Chu Feng hadn't been present that day, the reputation of the Sacred Light Heavenly River's juniors would have been utterly ruined by him.
But even Chu Feng, when he fought this youth back then, had not truly managed to defeat him.
At the time, Chu Feng had held the upper hand.
But this youth clearly still had hidden cards yet to play.
He simply hadn't had the chance to use them before a mysterious figure intervened.
That mysterious figure possessed strength that was unfathomably deep, which suggested that this black-clothed youth was not only formidable in his own right but also boasted an extraordinary background.
"Hey, Brother Chu Feng! We meet again!"
The moment the black-clothed youth spotted Chu Feng, his face lit up with excitement, his delight unmistakable — as if reuniting with a dear friend he hadn't seen in years.
He waved at Chu Feng while turning to the Dao Sea cultivators: "See? I told you Brother Chu Feng is my friend. Is this how you treat the friends of Brother Chu Feng?"
"Young friend Chu Feng, do you recognize this person?"
The Dao Sea Fairy addressed Chu Feng.
She asked because, despite the black-clothed youth's elation, the look Chu Feng gave him was filled with distance and cold detachment.
"I recognize him, but… we're not close," Chu Feng said.
"Brother Chu Feng, how can you say that? We became acquainted through combat — doesn't that count for something?" the black-clothed youth said.
"Acquainted through combat?"
"Does that mean you're not friends with Young Hero Chu Feng, but enemies?"
Upon hearing this, the Dao Sea cultivators drew their weapons, pointing them all at the black-clothed youth.
"We're not enemies, we're not enemies!"
"Brother Chu Feng, hurry and clear things up — would you say we're enemies?"
the black-clothed youth appealed to Chu Feng.
"Senior, let him go."
Chu Feng addressed the Dao Sea Fairy.
At Chu Feng's word, the Dao Sea Fairy waved her hand. The Dao Sea cultivators who had been restraining the black-clothed youth stepped back, though they kept their eyes on him with wary vigilance.
Yet even with the Dao Sea Fairy present, the black-clothed youth wore an entirely relaxed expression, smiling cheerfully the whole time.
Such a demeanor could be attributed to an even temperament — but in truth, it also suggested that he simply didn't regard the Dao Sea cultivators as a threat.
That was precisely why the Dao Sea cultivators glared at him with undispleasure.
But Chu Feng knew this black-clothed youth had every reason to be confident.
"Brother Chu Feng, that's not very nice of you."
"I really thought we were friends."
After being freed, the black-clothed youth walked toward Chu Feng.
"Friends?"
"I don't even know your name — does that count as friendship?"
Chu Feng asked coldly. His impression of this black-clothed youth was not a good one.
Not because the youth had humiliated the Sacred Light Heavenly River, but because he had also injured Long Xiaoxiao that day.
"Ah, my apologies, Brother Chu Feng! I forgot to introduce myself."
"My surname is Zhang, my given name is Yingxiong. Zhang Yingxiong — that's me."
"Now we're friends, right?"
The black-clothed youth said with a grin.
"Zhang Yingxiong?"
His words drew looks of contempt from many of the Dao Sea cultivators.
Who named themselves "Hero"?
"Ladies, please, none of that."
"It is said that one's body and hair are gifts from one's parents — but one's name is naturally not of one's own choosing. It was given to me by my most esteemed Master."
"He hoped that I would grow up to be a hero, one who saves the world and is remembered by future generations."
"That is why he gave me this name — to remind me, at every moment, to be a hero who rids the people of evil, supports the weak, and restrains the powerful."
Zhang Yingxiong thumped his chest, explaining with great pride.
"How did you know I was here?"
Chu Feng asked gravely.
"Brother Chu Feng, not to boast, but if I want to find out where someone is, it's almost too easy."
"Finding you was naturally no trouble at all."
Zhang Yingxiong said.