Song Qian sensed the killing intent in Chu Feng's eyes and hurriedly explained, "Junior Brother Chu Feng, I didn't mean it like that, it's just..."
But before Song Qian could finish, Chu Feng cut in, "Then it's best that you didn't mean it that way. But if you did—don't think being a woman will save you. I won't spare you either."
With that, Chu Feng turned his gaze to Li Muzhi and the others.
"Senior Brother Li, you all go in first."
Chu Feng hadn't gone in himself because he was afraid that once he entered, Li Muzhi and the others would fall prey to Zuoqiu Yanliang's schemes.
And Li Muzhi and the others understood his concern perfectly. One after another, they stepped through the barrier gate.
"I've already given you this opportunity."
"If anyone doesn't trust me, Chu Feng—thinks I'm trying to harm them—you're free not to enter. You can stay right here."
"Of course, staying here means you won't get any benefits, and you won't be able to leave until the formation's power has completely dissipated."
Once Chu Feng finished speaking, his figure turned and he stepped directly through the barrier gate.
Seeing this, the others grew eager and prepared to enter as well.
They didn't want to miss this chance.
"All of you, freeze!"
But at that very moment, a furious roar suddenly exploded through the air.
The roar sent every disciple's body trembling with fright.
Because that voice belonged to Zuoqiu Yanliang.
People turned to look at Zuoqiu Yanliang. They could see tears still on his face, but his expression had undergone a drastic change.
They suddenly realized that Zuoqiu Yanliang's earlier breakdown had very likely been an act.
But that was no longer the key point. The key point was that Zuoqiu Yanliang's attitude was hostile, and no one knew what he was really after.
"Rest assured, I won't stop you from entering this Wolong Phantom Palace."
"This is indeed an opportunity—a free opportunity. I wouldn't let you miss it, and I, Zuoqiu Yanliang, won't miss it either."
"I'm here only to remind you of one thing. Ask yourselves: who exactly does this Wolong Martial Sect belong to?"
"If you feel that this Chu Feng can't protect you forever..."
"Then once you leave, do as I say."
Afterward, Zuoqiu Yanliang said certain things to them.
Of course, everything he said was nothing but lies he had fabricated on the spot.
It was malicious slander against Chu Feng, heaping all the blame onto Chu Feng's shoulders.
People suddenly realized that when Chu Feng had previously injected that light into their bodies, it truly had been foresight.
A shameless person like Zuoqiu Yanliang was now actually trying to force them to tell lies.
But they found themselves in a difficult position. On one hand, they didn't dare offend Zuoqiu Yanliang. On the other hand, Chu Feng had infused the Prison King's power into their bodies, meaning their very lives were in Chu Feng's hands.
They were truly trapped between a rock and a hard place.
"Junior Sister Song, give this to all the junior brothers and sisters here."
Zuoqiu Yanliang produced a black bottle and handed it to Song Qian.
Song Qian opened the bottle, and a burst of black mist surged out. The bottle tilted, and what poured out were colorless, odorless pills.
The moment the disciples saw those pills, their faces changed. These were poison—delayed-acting poison, to be precise.
Once swallowed, there was only one way to survive: take the antidote within the allotted time. Otherwise, death was certain.
Chu Feng had already planted the Prison King's power inside their bodies, holding their lives in his grasp.
Now Zuoqiu Yanliang wanted to feed them poison as well.
Didn't that mean they were doomed no matter which side they chose?
"Senior Brother Zuoqiu, Junior Brother Chu Feng isn't a bad person. You really don't have to do this."
Seeing the situation spiral out of control, a young woman spoke through her tears.
She didn't want to swallow the poison, so she tried to persuade Zuoqiu Yanliang.
Boom!
But no one expected that before she could even finish her sentence, Zuoqiu Yanliang raised his hand and struck with a palm. With a muffled bang, that female disciple was blown to pieces.
The sight of it sent a shudder through every single disciple. Even Song Qian's brows knitted tightly together.
That woman had no grudge against Zuoqiu Yanliang. She had simply tried to talk him out of it, and he had killed her on the spot.
That was... far too ruthless.