âIs the sectmaster spying on this place using her formation?â Chu Feng asked.
He suddenly remembered what Yu Ting had said prior to her departure. Back then, he thought that she was just joking around, but now that he was looking at it once more, it felt more like a warning.
âIt isnât the sectmaster but someone else. Thereâs someone else in this Abandoned Land,â Zi Ling replied.
âIs that person imprisoned here too... or is he responsible for managing this place?â Chu Feng asked.
Amidst his words, he had already activated Heavenâs Eye and started to scan the area.
He immediately spotted Yu Ting who had left some time ago, but he wasnât able to find anyone else except for her. This made him acutely aware that the person Zi Ling spoke of was not anyone ordinary.
Most likely, the latter was an expert far stronger than him.
âYou can think of him as the master of this place,â Zi Ling said.
âMaster of this place? Is he from our Hidden Dragon Martial Sect as well... or is he from somewhere else?â Chu Feng asked.
âBig brother Chu Feng, I didnât think that you would know of the foreign existences in our sect. As expected of my big brother Chu Feng. Youâre the most outstanding one no matter where you go! Thereâs no way such stuff would have eluded your notice.â
Zi Ling looked at Chu Feng with a gleeful look.
It was a secret that there were foreign existences in the Hidden Dragon Martial Sect. While there were some rumors floating around, most people didnât believe in them, thinking that it was implausible.
However, Chu Fengâs tone made it clear that he knew that something was going on in the shadows.
He had only entered the Hidden Dragon Martial Sect not too long ago, but he was already able to verify this fact. This showed just how outstanding he was.
âSilly girl, it looks like youâve gotten good at complimenting others. Based on what youâve said, it looks like the master of this place isnât from our sect?â Chu Feng asked.
âIndeed,â Zi Ling replied.
âWho is he then? Have you met him before? Does he... pose any threat to you?â Chu Feng asked.
He was worried about Zi Ling.
âIâve never met him in person before, but I know that heâs a formidable individual. Even my master was unable to do anything to him,â Zi Ling replied.
The master she was referring to here was naturally the sectmaster of the Hidden Dragon Martial Sect.
âIs he a threat to you?â Chu Feng asked once more.
He could sense that Zi Ling was averting his question. Her words hinted that the sectmaster had fought with the âmaster of this placeâ before but was unable to do anything about it, which meant that the latter was quite a frightening existence.
âOf course not. Why would such a powerful expert possibly go to the extent of dealing with someone as minor as me? Big brother Chu Feng, donât think too much into it. Arenât I still standing perfectly well before you?â Zi Ling said with a smile.
âIâll bring you out of here,â Chu Feng gestured to the token on his waist as he spoke.
âI canât leave this place yet.â
Unexpectedly, Zi Ling rejected him right away.
âDid your master forbid you from leaving this place?â Chu Feng asked.
âMm.ân/o/vel/b//in dot c//om
Zi Ling nodded in response.
Wu!
But the next moment, her face suddenly distorted in great pain. She tried her best to hide it, but the pain was only getting worse with each passing second. It was impossible for her to mask it.
She bent down and grasped her own chest as her face turned ghastly pale.
Horrified, Chu Feng quickly rushed forward to support her. At the same time, he used his means to inspect her body, only to realize that there was a shackle over her soul. It was the power of the shackle that was torturing her at the moment.
âDid your master do this, or is it someone else?â Chu Feng asked lividly.
âBig brother Chu Feng, Iâm fine. You donât have to worry about me,â Zi Ling said with a forced smile.
Chu Feng could tell that this matter was more complicated and severe than it seemed by how Zi Ling was avoiding his question.
âZi Ling, who did this to you?â Chu Feng asked once more.
âItâs this Exalted who did it. What are you going to do about it?â
A voice suddenly boomed in the distance.
âWho are you?â
Chu Feng turned to where the voice was coming from and asked grimly.
âWho am I? I am the master of this place. Does it displease you to see your lover in pain? But so what if youâre displeased? If youâre that capable, why donât you free her from her pain?â that voice said.
âHow do I free her from her pain?â Chu Feng asked.
âItâs simple. This land is my territory, and anyone who wishes to stay here has to play a game with me. If you win, youâll be able to enjoy the benefits of this land. Otherwise, youâll have to pay a price and be shackled by this Soul Lock. If you canât win against me, youâre condemned to stay here for your entire life and serve me as my slave.
âHow about it? Do you want to take on the challenge? If you defeat me, Iâll allow you and that lass to leave safely. Of course, unlike her, you have no need to stay here, so even if you turn down my challenge, I wouldnât enforce the Soul Lock on you. Itâs just that this lass will continue to suffer till the end of her life.
âI saw how lovey-dovey the two of you were earlier. The two of you must be deeply in love... or am I mistaken?â the voice sneered.
âBig brother Chu Feng, you mustnât accept its challenge. I simply got careless with it, and I can deal with this myself. I donât want to implicate you into this!â Zi Ling quickly tried to dissuade Chu Feng.
She knew that he would try to help her, but there were great risks involved here. She didnât want Chu Feng to put himself in danger because of her.
âSilly girl. How can I possibly leave you be?â Chu Feng said.
âIt looks like you still have some guts. Good! Since thatâs the case, come right in!â the voice sounded once more.
The earth before Chu Feng cracked, opening up an abyss-like hole.
âBig brother Chu Feng, donât go!â Zi Ling cried.
However, Chu Feng looked at her pale face and smiled gently at her, saying, âWait here for me.â
After that, he leaped right into the crack.