This person was none other than the Sect Master of the Wolong Martial Sect.
The Sect Master held no fondness for Chu Feng.
Yet within the Wolong Martial Sect, she was the true ruler — not only holding a position of immense authority, but possessing unfathomable strength as well.
What made matters worse was that she was also Zi Ling's Master.
So even Chu Feng, who had always remained composed under pressure, felt a knot of unease tighten in his chest upon seeing her.
"Brother Chu Feng, are you alright?"
But at that very moment, a soft figure threw herself into Chu Feng's arms.
It was Zi Ling. The moment she saw Chu Feng emerge, she rushed straight into his embrace.
And held on tight.
Though Chu Feng and Zi Ling had already spent some time together, Zi Ling's yearning for him ran incredibly deep.
That tenderness, that longing — Chu Feng could feel it all.
"Zi Ling, as a young lady, how can you be so unseemly?"
A sharp rebuke rang out — from the Sect Master, of course.
Hearing the Sect Master's admonishment, Zi Ling realized she had lost her composure. She hurriedly pulled away from Chu Feng's arms, though her beautiful eyes still refused to leave him. She kept studying him, terrified that he might have been hurt.
"Chu Feng, congratulations."
But what happened next caught Chu Feng completely off guard.
The Sect Master was actually congratulating him.
Though her expression remained impassive, she was indeed offering Chu Feng her congratulations.
"I have the Sect Master to thank for making this possible."
Chu Feng bowed to the Sect Master in gratitude.
His spirits were soaring. Though it was only a simple word of congratulations, to Chu Feng it felt like receiving the Sect Master's acknowledgment.
Wasn't that precisely what he had wanted most when he entered the Wolong Martial Sect?
"It wasn't my doing. You two were already in love — I had no right to tear you apart forcibly."
"Besides, for Zi Ling to be so taken with you, that is your own merit," the Sect Master said.
Hearing her words, Chu Feng realized that the Sect Master must have known all along that he and Zi Ling were lovers.
Could it be that everything before had been a test of his character — and not genuine dislike?
"Chu Feng, I came here because I have something to discuss with you."
"There is a training opportunity that suits you perfectly. Would you be willing to go?"
the Sect Master asked.
"May I ask what kind of opportunity it is, Sect Master?"
Chu Feng inquired.
"It is an opportunity that comes once in a lifetime. You needn't ask about anything else."
"Just tell me whether you will go or not," the Sect Master replied.
"Your disciple is willing."
Chu Feng did not hesitate.
If the Sect Master truly intended to deal with him, she would hardly need to go to such lengths. So he felt that this opportunity she was offering him might genuinely be exactly that — an opportunity.
"Then come with me."
The Sect Master turned and prepared to leave.
"Sect Master, is Zi Ling not going?" Chu Feng asked.
"Zi Ling does meet the qualifications. However, she has offended someone she shouldn't have here and cannot leave for the time being," the Sect Master said.
"You mean the Senior who confined Zi Ling here?"
"If that's the only reason, then Zi Ling can go now," Chu Feng said.
"Oh?"
The Sect Master looked at Chu Feng, her gaze growing deep and unfathomable.
As for Zi Ling, a look of elation spread across her face.
"Brother Chu Feng, did you... did you defeat that Senior?"
Zi Ling stared at Chu Feng with eager anticipation, her eyes practically begging for a confirming answer.
"I wouldn't say I won. I was simply lucky enough to earn that Senior's approval."
"But now you are free to leave this place."
"Of course, this still requires the Sect Master's consent."
At this, Chu Feng turned his gaze to the Sect Master.
Though the one who had later trapped Chu Feng here was the mysterious existence within this place, it was the Sect Master who had originally imprisoned Zi Ling here in the first place. So whether Zi Ling could leave — even setting aside the mysterious existence's bindings — still depended on the Sect Master's permission.
"Zi Ling, do you wish to go?" the Sect Master asked.
"Master, Zi Ling wishes to go."