If it had been before, Chu Feng would have been quite shocked by the strength of the Jiang Dynasty's forces upon seeing them.
But after witnessing the power of the Purple family's people, Chu Feng came to understand even more deeply what Zi Ling had said.
On the Nine Provinces Continent, the reason they were looked up to wasn't because they were strong — it was because the people here were too weak.
So it was only natural that people with outstanding talent were admired. If they couldn't even manage that, now *that* would be unusual.
Besides these nine experts who were on par with Jiang Hengyuan in strength, there was also an elderly man who was thin as a rail and short in stature.
This old man was truly hideous beyond description. The wrinkles on his face were more than ten steamed buns stacked together. From afar his head looked bald, but up close a few white hairs could be spotted. When he opened his mouth, a foul stench poured out, and most notably, his front teeth were completely missing.
But despite his ugly appearance, his cultivation was formidable — no less powerful than the Emperor of the Jiang Dynasty. He was clearly on the same level as the Fierce Monkey King, possessing a cultivation of the eighth level of Heaven Martial.
From the respectful manner of the Jiang Dynasty's people toward this old man, as well as their conversations, Chu Feng learned of his identity. He was the current Emperor's royal uncle. Though his status within the clan was not as high as the Dynasty's ancestor, he was the longest-living member of the Jiang Dynasty — reportedly already one hundred and fifty years of age.
Under normal circumstances, ordinary citizens rarely lived past a few decades, and martial cultivators could expect no more than a century of life. So for this elder to reach one hundred and fifty was nothing short of a miracle.
But what caught Chu Feng's attention the most at that moment was a white-haired elder wearing a golden robe with a kind and benevolent expression. This elder's aura was even far more substantial than the Fierce Monkey King's.
Based on Chu Feng's estimation, this elder must be the true ruler of the Jiang Dynasty — the former Emperor and now the Dynasty Ancestor. His cultivation should have been infinitely close to the realm of Martial Lord, making him a ninth-level Heaven Martial expert.
In addition, Gu Tianchen, the ancestor of the Spirit World Guild, and the guild's president had also arrived at the location together with the Jiang Dynasty's people.
They first inspected the already dead Divine Firebird together, but ultimately found nothing. And on that very day, the Dynasty Ancestor announced something that greatly delighted Chu Feng — they had made all preparations and would open the Imperial Burial within the coming days.
After a period of reorganization, a team led by several Heaven Martial realm experts finally arrived at the Vermilion Bird Mountain Range. It was only after reaching the mountain range that people learned the Dynasty Ancestor was also a purple-robed Spirit World Master.
With the combined abilities of the Dynasty Ancestor and the Fierce Monkey King, the entrance to the Imperial Burial was easily locked onto. Accompanied by the group, Chu Feng finally stepped once more into the entrance of the Imperial Burial.
"Chu Feng, I've already heard about what happened between you and Zi Ling."
"Trust me — they will regret it. They'll regret letting you go."
"So don't be disheartened. As long as you're willing to work hard, your achievements will be limitless."
While the group was advancing together, Chu Feng suddenly received a voice transmission. Glancing to the side, he saw the Dynasty Ancestor beside him, smiling warmly in his direction.
Chu Feng returned the smile in acknowledgment of the ancestor's encouragement. After their brief time together, Chu Feng had formed an extremely favorable impression of this Dynasty Ancestor.
For some reason, Chu Feng had the impression that this most powerful elder of the Jiang Dynasty held him in very high regard. For this expedition into the Imperial Burial, the ancestor had the Fierce Monkey King clear the path ahead while he himself stayed by Chu Feng's side, protecting his safety.
The cultivation of Chu Feng's group was far from weak. Apart from Chu Feng, every member possessed at least a fifth-level Heaven Martial cultivation.
So their speed was tremendous. In the blink of an eye they passed through layer upon layer of demon-suppression formations, and finally the lake that had once blocked Chu Feng appeared before him once more.
"Just an evil spirit? Leave it to me!" At that moment, a Jiang Dynasty expert with a sixth-level Heaven Martial cultivation soared into the air and flew above the lake.