"Could it be... that I shouldn't be able to see it?" As he spoke, Chu Feng looked toward Ziling and Sansheng Xingyu.
But they all shook their heads.
Chu Feng was somewhat surprised, and looked behind the three statues.
There was indeed a phantom image of a great hall there — blurry, but undeniably real.
"Senior, you can see it, can't you?" Chu Feng looked toward the Three Saints Demon Beast Clan Chief.
"I..." The Clan Chief's face showed embarrassment. "I can't see it either."
"But not only can I not see it — your father couldn't see it either, back in the day."
"However, the last time he came, he said he could see it."
"But you can see it on your very first visit. It seems your talent surpasses even your father's," said the Clan Chief.
"Father, then why can't you see it?" Sansheng Qiutian asked.
"Don't speak. Rest more," said the Clan Chief.
"Clan Chief, what does it mean to be able to see our Sacred Hall ahead of schedule?" Sansheng Xingyu asked curiously.
"That one's talent is exceptional?"
"Or that one has earned the approval of our Three Saints Demon Beast Clan?"
"I don't know the specifics," said the Clan Chief.
"Senior, can this Sacred Hall be entered?"
From Sansheng Xingyu's words, Chu Feng gathered that the Demon Beast Sacred Hall was something they too would have a chance to see, but only at a later stage.
"Every time the formation is successfully broken, our Three Saints Demon Beast Clan receives an additional surge of power. This power cannot be used for individual cultivation, but it can be used to protect our clan, or for other purposes."
"That power emanates from within the Sacred Hall. If enough power is accumulated, the Sacred Hall will manifest. And if it reaches a certain threshold, the great gate will open, granting the opportunity to enter the Sacred Hall," said the Clan Chief.
"Senior, have you entered before?" Chu Feng asked.
"Both your father and I have entered," said the Clan Chief.
"If you succeed in your challenge this time, the Sacred Hall will surely open, and you will be able to enter as well," said the Clan Chief.
"Clan Chief, I heard from the Sacred Elder that my father failed his final challenge, resulting in the loss of the Three Saints Demon Beast Clan's Sacred Treasure."
"If I also fail my challenge, what would the consequences be?" Chu Feng asked.
"It's impossible to say, but the consequences would certainly be grave. The losses suffered by our Three Saints Demon Beast Clan, we shall bear ourselves — this will not be blamed upon you."
"But you yourself may lose your life."
"Therefore, Chu Feng, whether or not to enter — the choice is still yours. Once you go in, there is no turning back." The Clan Chief spoke with a grave expression.
Chu Feng did not answer, but looked toward Ziling.
"If you go in, I go in. Don't try to dissuade me."
A smile graced Ziling's lips — faint, yet carrying a resolute determination.
Chu Feng hesitated for a moment, but still said to her, "Ziling, if you stay outside, I'll be more at ease."
"You're going in to obtain the Sacred Mountain's power and help heal my injuries."
"You're risking your life for me."
"Then give me a reason not to go with you," said Ziling.
Seeing this, Chu Feng no longer tried to persuade her. Instead, he turned to the Clan Chief. "Senior, I'll go in."
"Good. However..." At this point, the Clan Chief wore an awkward smile. "This barrier gate is not something one can simply enter at will."
"What do you mean?" Chu Feng asked.
"You'll understand once you get closer. Approach slowly," said the Clan Chief.
With that, Chu Feng began walking toward the second barrier gate.
But before he got close, his gaze fell upon the first barrier gate.
"Is this the one my father challenged back then?" Chu Feng asked, looking at the first barrier gate.
"Yes." The Clan Chief nodded.
"The barrier gate is closed — doesn't that mean the formation was broken successfully?" Chu Feng asked.
"This formation is rather special. It cannot be judged by conventional reasoning. If it had truly been a success, our Sacred Treasure would not have been lost," said the Clan Chief.
Chu Feng did not ask further. He sensed that this Sacred Mountain held considerable complexity.
Many matters were either deliberately concealed by the Clan Chief, or simply beyond even his own understanding.
And so Chu Feng decided to explore on his own.
He continued approaching the second barrier gate.
Just as he was about to reach it, a barrier shield materialized, protecting the gate.
Presumably, this was what the Clan Chief had been referring to.