"Don't worry, Senior. As long as the four seniors are here, I can bring all of you out of this place together."
"There is one matter, however, that I'd like you to agree to on behalf of the others."
"The treasure in this place — I'll be taking it. Surely none of you would object?" Chu Feng asked.
"Object? Of course not."
"The treasure here belongs to whoever has the skill to claim it. Our brothers simply don't have that ability, which is why we've been trapped here."
"If Young Friend Chu Feng can take it, that's for the best."
"Better you take it than anyone else," Daoist Dragon Five said.
Hearing this, Chu Feng couldn't help but smile. "Don't worry, Senior. I'll have you out of here very soon."
Chu Feng spoke with unmistakable confidence.
But Daoist Dragon Five was only half-convinced.
He had, of course, heard a few things about Chu Feng from Daoist Dragon Six and the others.
He knew Chu Feng was a genius.
But this place was a terrifying location all the same — one that even his four elder brothers couldn't overcome. Even if Chu Feng had special abilities and a chance to free them, the idea that it could happen so quickly was hard to accept.
It wasn't that he looked down on Chu Feng. He simply knew too well that this place was no simple matter.
Just then, Chu Feng flipped his wrist, and an object appeared.
"What is this?"
The moment Daoist Dragon Five laid eyes on it, his aged eyes went wide.
He recognized it — a Death-Avoiding Token. Not an ordinary one, either, but a Gold Death-Avoiding Token.
If he'd had any lingering doubts before, seeing this item told him exactly what caliber of existence Chu Feng truly was.
This young man was far more than just talented.
He was very likely the greatest formation genius of the current era.
At the very least, he had surpassed Ling Xiao.
Otherwise, there was no way he could have obtained this token — and a golden one at that.
"Young Friend Chu Feng, you're—"
Suddenly, Daoist Dragon Five's expression shifted. He stared in disbelief as Chu Feng began channeling the power of his formations into the Gold Death-Avoiding Token, integrating with it.
The way the formation energy took shape, and the way the golden token responded — Chu Feng was clearly dismantling it.
But the Gold Death-Avoiding Token was a lifeline, a guaranteed means of protection. Why would Chu Feng destroy it?
Chu Feng noticed the confusion on Daoist Dragon Five's face, so he held the token up and looked at him.
"Senior, obtaining the treasure of this place requires three conditions."
"First, one must discern the correct sequence to break the formations, successfully break through to this point, and have the courage to open that door."
"Second, one must obtain a Death-Avoiding Token — silver, gold, or even bronze, it doesn't matter. But obtaining one is a mandatory requirement."
"As for the third, I only just came to understand it. One must relinquish all means of self-preservation — especially the Death-Avoiding Token obtained within this place."
"It is a test of courage, and a true price paid with one's life."
"But it is also the path to success."
With those words, his palm clenched tight.
*Crack* — the Gold Death-Avoiding Token shattered completely.
Immediately, the ground trembled, and seawater began rushing rapidly into the earth.
At the same time, all of the bindings and restraints dissipated.
But from below, a massive and magnificent stone gate rose to meet the torrent of incoming seawater.
The gate opened to reveal a vortex of formation energy.
The vortex exuded a powerful suction force and pulled Chu Feng straight into it.
Yet Daoist Dragon Five remained unaffected — the suction was aimed solely at Chu Feng.
Standing before the towering gate, Daoist Dragon Five — a man who considered himself no stranger to extraordinary sights — felt every hair on his body stand on end, his scalp tingling.
He knew with absolute certainty that what he had just witnessed was something extraordinary, something that would be remembered.
Chu Feng had claimed the treasure of this place.
"It seems the brothers' accounts were actually understated."
"This Young Friend Chu Feng's talent may have reached a level never before seen in history."
"No wonder he earned the recognition of that Taowu."
"So the Age of Gods truly lives up to its reputation — but who will ultimately emerge victorious is still anyone's guess."
After murmuring these words to himself, Daoist Dragon Five closed his eyes and unleashed his formidable Mental Power.
The seawater was gone. The pressure and bindings had vanished. He had fully recovered.
He could now use his perception to search for his brothers' locations.
Soon, his eyes opened, and he vanished from the spot in an instant.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng had already entered an enormous, magnificent palace hall.