The Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan fell silent for a moment, unable to meet the eyes of his own clansmen.
He had tacitly accepted this choice.
Yet he still couldn't let go, so he turned to Chu Feng once more.
This time, his tone was far more amiable.
"Young friend Chu Feng, with your talent, why would you make enemies of our Ancient Clans over a group of weaklings?"
"Join forces with us. I give you my word — we will only take the treasures within the ruins and will absolutely not harm a single hair on their heads. You'll receive a share of the treasures."
The Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan had tried force and failed, so now he resorted to persuasion.
His words nearly sent most of the people from the Ancestral Martial Heavenly River's hearts into their throats.
Chu Feng was currently inside the defensive great formation. With his abilities, breaking through it would be child's play.
If Chu Feng actually agreed, then everyone from the Ancestral Martial Heavenly River would be doomed.
Chu Feng was a genius — the Ancient Clans had every reason to recruit him.
But what about them? What were they?
Nothing but ants.
If the Ancient Clans really broke through, they would almost certainly perish.
But Chu Feng didn't respond to the Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan's words. Instead, he said: "It seems you've made your choice."
With that, he glanced at his left hand — the incense stick there, one-tenth of its length, had already burned away completely.
Then he turned to Zhao Gongyi and the others: "Remember, it was your own clansmen who abandoned you."
The moment Chu Feng said this, some lowered their heads, steeling themselves for death, having chosen to stand with their clan.
Meanwhile, those led by Zhao Gongyi cried out even louder, weeping with snot and tears, begging their clansmen to save them.
Their screams were utterly heart-rending.
Their desperate desire to live was palpable.
They truly did not want to die!
As for Chu Feng, he tightened his grip on the barrier long blade and looked up at the Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan.
Killing intent had already surged into his eyes.
"Chu Feng, if you dare touch them, there will be no place in this vast cultivation world for you to exist."
"Everyone from the Ancestral Martial Heavenly River will die alongside you!"
The Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan sensed Chu Feng's killing intent and his expression changed instantly.
Radiating murderous aura, he once again unleashed a furious roar at Chu Feng.
His saliva sprayed against the defensive great formation like a torrential downpour.
Separated by the barrier, one could not only feel his killing intent but also smell the overpowering stench of his breath.
But Chu Feng said nothing. He simply shifted his arm slightly, and the blade moved with it.
A flash of cold light swept through, and the world fell silent.
All cries for mercy ceased in that instant.
Every junior of the Ancient Clans was simultaneously granted death by beheading at Chu Feng's hand.
A brief silence was followed by absolute madness.
The Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan began battering the defensive great formation with frenzied blows.
"I'll kill you! I'll kill you!!!"
But Chu Feng said nothing. He simply turned around, exchanged a glance with Elder Ruyi, and the two of them walked together toward the barrier gate that led to the teleportation array.
As he turned, Chu Feng's palm closed slightly, and all the treasures — including the essence of those Ancient Clan members — fell into his grasp.
Seeing Chu Feng like this, the Patriarch of the Rock Hammer Demon Clan grew even more furious. But he didn't continue roaring. Instead, his raised hands dropped limply to his sides.
He knew that roaring was useless. It couldn't frighten Chu Feng in the slightest.
The reason Chu Feng dared to act this way was because he simply did not fear them.
Chu Feng and Elder Ruyi quickly passed through the direct teleportation array and arrived at the location of Wolong Sect Master and the others.
The moment they appeared, the entire world erupted.
Duan Liufeng, Sacred Light Buyu, Daoist Niantian, and other familiar faces immediately surrounded Chu Feng and Elder Ruyi.