"Over two hundred years ago?"
After hearing this, the elder began to think carefully.
He then proceeded to mention a few incidents he considered significant.
However, in Chu Feng's eyes, these were all trivial, everyday matters that couldn't possibly be the cause of the changes in the Tan clan's underground formation.
"Think carefully again," Chu Feng urged.
The elder pondered back and forth, offering a few more examples, but the subsequent incidents were even more irrelevant.
Chu Feng observed the elder the entire time. To him, the elder was clearly nervous and terrified of Chu Feng.
Based on this assessment, the elder likely wouldn't dare lie.
He genuinely didn't know what had happened over two hundred years ago.
In truth, this was normal. Presumably, the Tan clan members themselves didn't know what had occurred.
So, Chu Feng decided to change his approach. "The Tan clan must still have members living outside, correct?"
"Yes," the elder replied.
"Where are they all living? Write down every location for me."
With a sweep of his large sleeve, Chu Feng used his formation mastery to condense a floating pen that drifted towards the elder.
"This is very important. I hope you won't withhold anything. Otherwise, you should be aware that I can find you."
A faint chill surfaced in Chu Feng's gaze.
"My Lord, rest assured, I will conceal nothing." The elder broke into a cold sweat from fear. He eagerly took the paper and pen and began writing.
Once finished, Chu Feng took a look, then departed with Zi Ling.
As the two vanished, the formation surrounding the elder drilled into his head.
The elder shuddered, and it took him a moment to recover.
"What... just happened?"
He wore a dazed expression. Only after a brief, blank pause did he resume his journey.
This happened because the formation Chu Feng had set wasn't one to seal him, but one designed to erase his memory.
He remembered nothing of what had transpired since the formation enveloped him. Naturally, he didn't recall Chu Feng's appearance, nor did he remember revealing the locations of the Tan clan members living outside.
"Chu Feng's brother, your formation mastery has become ever more exquisite."
"In the art of formations, I'll never catch up to you," Zi Ling sighed with some emotion during their journey.
Back when they were still on the Nine Provinces Continent, her own formation skills had been quite good.
She still practiced them now, of course, but compared to Chu Feng, the gap had grown too wide.
"I was just being cautious. I felt it was better to erase his memory," Chu Feng said.
"That's not what I meant. I'm not talking about the memory-erasing formation. I'm talking about the tracking mark you placed on him at some point—I didn't even notice," Zi Ling said.
"It was when he left."
"It's not that I was deliberately hiding it from you. I'm just used to it." Chu Feng had indeed become accustomed to it.
Having been alone for so long, fearing danger, he was habituated to ensuring any method he employed was covert and performed in secret.
"I know, I know. I'm not blaming you. I'm just marvelling at Chu Feng brother's growth," Zi Ling said.
"You're growing quickly too, little girl," Chu Feng replied.
"I can't compare with you, Chu Feng brother. You rely on yourself. As for me... I actually rely on you."
"If not for my relationship with you, your father wouldn't have become my Master, nor would he have passed on his cultivation techniques. I wouldn't have my current level of cultivation," Zi Ling said.
"Don't say that. I know you. The effort you've put in to achieve what you have today was probably even more than mine."
"Ultimately, my father recognized your perseverance. As for your final achievements, that depends on you yourself."
Chu Feng spoke from the heart. He knew Zi Ling must have endured great hardship, though she never voiced it in front of him.
Hearing Chu Feng's words, a faint smile touched Zi Ling's lips.
"On the path of cultivation, one either advances or falls behind. Where is there hardship that doesn't exist?"
"Since Chu Feng brother works so hard, I naturally can't hold you back."
"I hope I can always be like this, staying by your side..."