Seeing the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted, Chu Feng began to carefully size him up.
Unfortunately, he was unable to see through the gauze. He could only sense the intense Ancient Eraâs aura and unfathomable power emitted by the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
Because of that, Chu Feng was certain that the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted was an expert from the Ancient Era.
âThis subordinate Zhang Boyi pays his respects to Lord Qin Kunlun.â
âNo, I m-m-mean t-t-to say, Lord Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.â
The three Zhang siblings were actually nervous upon seeing the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
This was especially true for Zhang Boyi. He was so nervous that he said his name incorrectly.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
Because of that, he was extremely frightened.
âLord Demon Exalted, this subordinate is incompetent, and failed to speak your name properly. Lord Demon Exalted, please punish me severely.â
Zhang Boyi actually voluntarily spoke to request that the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted punish him.
He was not feigning chagrin. Instead, he was extremely sincere when he requested punishment.
âItâs actually not wrong to call this old man Qin Kunlun. Do not mind those things.â
The Blood-devouring Demon Exalted waved his hand. Then, a gentle breeze landed in the lake and helped the three kneeling Zhang siblings back up.
His attitude was very good-natured. Even his tone was very gentle. He did not give off the sort of manner of a person high up and above. Instead, he was more like an amiable old man.
Seeing such behavior from the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted, Chu Fengâs initial impression of him was rather good.
Even though his entire body was covered in gauze that made him look very strange, at least his attitude was superb.
Although Chu Feng did not kneel to the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted, he still bent his back and bowed respectfully. âJunior Chu Feng pays his respects to senior.â
âYoung friend Chu Feng, this matter is originally unrelated to you. This old man thanks you for being willing to assist me.â
The Blood-devouring Demon Exalted actually also bowed respectfully back at Chu Feng.
âSenior, please donât do that. Wang Qiang and I are close brothers who have gone through life and death together. Since this matter is related to him, it will also be my concern,â said Chu Feng.
âAre all the youngsters now as loyal as you? Truly the people of the younger generation will surpass us old folks in time,â the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted laughed.
Then, he said to Chu Feng and the others, âLetâs talk business.â
âThe four of you have managed to fuse with the power of the Void Sacred Tree. However, that is thanks to the formation around the lake. Without the formation, you all might be in some pain.â
âHowever, itâs only after removing the power of the formation that youâll all be able to truly control the power of the Void Sacred Tree. Itâs only then that you will be able to imbue that power into this old manâs body.â
âSoon, this old man will remove the power of the formation.â
âWith that, you will truly be faced with the Sacred Treeâs power contained within the lake.â
âI hope that you can prepare yourselves,â said the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
âLord Demon Exalted, this subordinate is already prepared,â the three Zhang siblings said with clasped fists in unison.
âSenior, please go ahead,â Chu Feng said.
âRemember, hold firm to your convictions.â
After saying those words, the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted waved his arm.
âRumble~~~â
The stone obelisks all shattered.
After the formation of stone obelisks were destroyed, the lakewater that was originally floating in midair crashed down into the ravine together with Chu Feng and the Zhang siblings.
âEeeahhh~~~â
In the next moment, miserable screams sounded.
It was Zhang Yanfeng, Zhang Boyi and Zhang Shirui.
The three of them were all clenching their hands into fists and screaming in pain. They were all struggling inside the lake.
They seemed like they were about to die.
As for Chu Feng, although he did not scream in pain like they did, he was clenching his teeth with an ugly expression on his face. Evidently, he was also enduring some pain.
âHold firm to your convictions. Otherwise, youâll die.â
The Blood-devouring Demon Exaltedâs voice sounded again.
âDie?â
âOld f-f-f-fart, w-what d-do you mean by t-that?â Wang Qiang immediately revealed a look of anger upon hearing those words.
âThatâs merely the price of the fusion,â said the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
âPrice?â
âT-the price is t-t-t-that dangerous? W-w-why didnât yo-you mention it to me e-ea-earlier?â Wang Qiang asked angrily.
âYouâre a cultivator yourself, do I need to inform you about something like that?â
âIn countless sacred cultivation grounds, cultivators will have to put their lives on the line in order to gain a slight amount of benefits.â
âIgnoring those sacred cultivation grounds far away, letâs use the Sacred Palace Hall in the Void Sacred Tree as an example.â
âIf you are unwilling to take the shortcut, unwilling to refine the souls of others, then you will have to put your own life on the line, use your own life as the price. Only then will you have the opportunity to enter the Sacred Palace Hall.â
âTruth be told, if it wasnât for your brother, those people wouldâve all died before they entered the Sacred Palace Hall.â
âHowever, even though theyâve managed to reach the Sacred Palace Hall with your brotherâs help, how much benefit did they truly obtain in the end? Are the benefits that they obtained better than what this lake of mine provides?â the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted asked.
âT-t-this...â
Wang Qiang had wanted to refute him. However, upon thinking about it, he felt what the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted said to be reasonable.
âThis here will only bring them pain. There is a possibility of death. However, as long as they hold firm to their convictions, they will be fine,â the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted added.
âB-b-but, ev-even if thatâs the case, y-you should s-still w-w-warn me of it. If I h-h-had known it was t-this d-dangerous, I wouldnât have r-re-requested help from my brother. Y-you a-are making m-me out t-to be an un-unrighteous p-person here.â
Wang Qiang had a look of self-blame. He was feeling great shame because he was the one who had Chu Feng enter such a dangerous place.
âWhy would you seek to not have his help? This is such a rare cultivation opportunity. Do you wish to make your brother miss out on it?â
âIf you wish to do that, you wonât be helping him. Instead, youâll be harming him,â said the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
âB-b-but...â
âThereâs no but. You cannot refuse to allow him to encounter danger just because heâs your brother.â
âIf you are to do that, he might remain a weakling his entire life, and be bullied, humiliated and trampled upon by others. What meaning is there if heâs to live like that?â asked the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted.
Wang Qiang grew quiet. He was able to understand everything the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted said. He also understood Chu Fengâs personality. If he were given the choice, Chu Feng would likely choose danger.
However, Wang Qiang was still feeling very bad, still blaming himself. After all, Chu Feng had only decided to enter the lake for the sake of helping him.
âItâs enough. Donât think too much. Your brotherâs determination is firm. His determination is very rare. With his conviction and willpower, this will simply not baffle him at all.â
âItâs those three brats that Iâm worried about. If they are to continue like this, theyâll be in danger,â the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted turned his gaze to the three Zhang siblings.
Seeing that, Wang Qiang also turned his gaze to the lake.
It was only then that he discovered what the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted said to be very true.
After a short moment of adjustment, Chu Fengâs expression was no longer as ugly as before. Evidently, he was already adapting to the lake.
However, the three Zhang siblings were still in miserable pain.
This was especially true for Zhang Shirui. The look of pain on her face was growing stronger and stronger. It was like she was on the verge of collapse.
Because of that, Wang Qiang felt confused.
âS-s-strange, my brother is superior to them in all a-aspects. How come t-they managed to make b-breakthroughs in the lake, but my brother d-di-did not?â Wang Qiang muttered softly.
Even though his voice was very soft, even though he was mumbling to himself, it was still heard by the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted beside him.
âWho said Chu Feng didnât gain anything from the lake?â the Blood-devouring Demon Exalted asked.