âYoung master Feng, the old man who was with Chu Feng seems to have gone missing.â
Elder Xuan also noticed that Lord Bai didnât return to the real world together with Chu Feng and the others.
âCould it be that the old man is the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal?â
That was the first thought that occurred to young master Feng.
âItâs hard to say, but it doesnât seem likely for him to suddenly vanish into thin air. Even if he isnât the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal, heâs bound to be someone formidable. Even I was unable to discern anything amiss about him,â Elder Xuan remarked.
There were far too many powers from the Ancestral Martial Starfield gathered here, so Chu Feng didnât want to talk too much here. He gathered those whom he was close with and left the area together with them.
Of course, he brought those who were previously trapped in the Darknight Sacred River with him away as well. He was planning to ask them about Lord Bai.
Others might have suspected that a mishap had befallen Lord Bai, but it didnât make sense that everyone else was safe other than him. Given that, Chu Feng couldnât help but wonder if there was more to Lord Bai than what he had seen thus far.
Based on the statements from the crowd, Chu Feng learned that Lord Bai had entered the Darknight Sacred River 15,000 years ago. He was still a young man back then. His original name was Bai Xiu, and he was neither strong nor talented.
As a result, he was nothing but an insignificant character in the Darknight Sacred River, and no one paid him any heed at the very start.
However, it didnât take long for the others to realize that this inconspicuous young man had an exceptional talent when it came to the cultivation of Demonsoul Grass. The effectiveness of the Demonsoul Grass he cultivated was much more potent than the others.
It turned out that his clan used to specialize in cultivating special crops, and he had developed a special medicine of his own that enhanced crop growth. It was out of curiosity that he tried the special medicine on the Demonsoul Grass, but it was surprisingly effective too.
The others began using the special medicine in the cultivation of the Demonsoul Grass too, and the effects were indeed outstanding. That helped Lord Bai to rise through the ranks despite his lack of talent as a cultivator.
The crowd later discovered that Lord Bai was actually a star of fortune. Often, he would uncover special treasures that significantly enhanced everyoneâs quality of life. Life had gotten much more comfortable in the Darknight Sacred River ever since Lord Baiâs arrival.
That was also why everyone was so respectful to Lord Bai, even addressing him as âLord Baiâ. Even the past rulers of the city would take a respectful attitude toward him.
Lord Yuwei also had some stories to share about Lord Bai, and one of them astonished Chu Feng.
The secret skill that she had used against the guards was known as âHeavenly Dance of the Phoenixesâ. This skill was uncovered by Chu Fengâs grandmother in an ancient remnant. She thought that Lord Yuwei was suited for it, so she gave it to her.
While Heavenly Dance of the Phoenixes was a powerful secret skill, it wasnât supposed to be that formidable. The only reason she was able to ward off the stronger leader of the guards with it was due to a fortuitous encounter she had stumbled on.
It was a tattered talisman that possessed the incredible effect of empowering a secret skill when fused with it. It was a gift from Lord Bai.
According to Lord Bai, he dug it out of the ground while cultivating Demonsoul Grass. He didnât know what it was, so he handed it over to Lord Yuwei. Lord Yuwei was able to tell at a glance how powerful the talisman was, so she told Lord Bai about its effects and refused his goodwill.
She didnât think that it was right for her to accept such an invaluable treasure. Countless cultivators would murder just to lay their hands on it.
Yet, Lord Bai said that he had no use for the talisman due to his limited cultivation, so he insisted on gifting it to Lord Yuwei. Under his persistence, Lord Yuwei eventually accepted the talisman, and she used it to enhance her secret skill. That was why she was able to fend off the leader of the guards despite being a cultivation rank weaker.
It was in a peaceful and enclosed environment that Lord Yuwei and Chu Feng had this conversation, but they didnât know that there were people observing them even though Chu Feng had already set up a voice isolation barrier.
These people were none other than the red-cloaked men.
They saw that Chu Feng was also suspecting Lord Bai, just like them, so they followed him hoping to gather some information. That allowed them to grasp hold of the information Chu Feng had uncovered.
âIt looks like the cultivator named Bai Xiu is indeed the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal. There is no mistake about that,â Elder Xuan spoke affirmatively.
âElder Xuan, how can you be so sure about that?â
Young master Feng still harbored some doubts.
âYoung master Feng, I can confirm that from the talisman paper that enhances secret skills. Based on what Iâve heard, the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal has received an Immemorial Eraâs heritage that includes a talisman that enhances secret skill. Admittedly, itâs just a rumor and the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal has never acknowledged it, but I think itâs far too much to shrug it off as a mere coincidence here.
âI donât recall the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal having a grudge against the Night Monarch, so his goal for entering the Darknight Sacred River and lying low for 15,000 years is unlikely to be for vengeance. The Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal was known to be a principled man too, so I donât think that he would collude with the likes of the Night Monarch. What could his goal be?â Elder Xuan said.
âIs it possible that the Night Monarch and the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal had a grudge that weâre unaware of?â a red-cloaked man asked.
âI wonât exclude that possibility. The Night Monarch has done much evil in his lifetime and made many enemies. Itâs possible that it might have hurt the friends of the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal.
âHowever, if that was the case, the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal could have simply eliminated the Night Monarch while he was in deep sleep, but he didnât do so. Instead, he swiped away the Night Monarchâs carcass after we killed it.
âTo be frank, I have a bold guess regarding this matter,â Elder Xuan said.
âWhat is it?â
Young master Feng and the other red-cloaked men looked at Elder Xuan with eyes filled with curiosity.
âThe Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal knew that the Night Monarch was in a weakened state and required a steady supply of Demonsoul Grass over a long period of time to recuperate. Thereâs a chance that the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal might have tampered with the Demonsoul Grass⦠possibly with the intent to control the Night Monarch,â Elder Xuan said.
While it was only a guess at this point, it did fit perfectly in the story.
âWhat Elder Xuan said makes sense. Iâve heard that the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal is in possession of some kind of means that allows him to control other beings. It wouldnât be easy to control the powerful Night Monarch under normal circumstances, but by slowly spiking his medicine while the latter was in hibernation, it might just be possible for him to turn the Night Monarch into his puppet.
âIt would be worthwhile for the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal to go to such lengths if he could acquire a puppet as powerful as the Night Monarch. After all, who could resist the allure of having a powerful aide?â the middle-aged man said.
The others nodded in agreement.
âTo be honest, I already sensed that something was amiss while I was killing the Night Monarch. I had a feeling that the Night Monarch wasnât dead yet, and what I killed was a mere shell. It was due to this feeling I had that I took away the formation linked to the Night Monarchâs life away with me. Looking at it now, I think that thereâs a good chance that the Night Monarch is still alive,â Elder Xuan said.
âWhat Elder Xuan said makes sense. The Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal wouldnât do this for no reason. Based on what he has done so far, the most plausible explanation is that heâs trying to control the Night Monarch while the latter was in hibernation.
âHowever, what surprises me the most is still the Nine Dragon Upper Realmâs Peach Garden Immortal. Itâs actually him!â
Young master Fengâs voice sounded a little worried. The other red-cloaked men also looked a little nervous.
âThe Peach Garden Immortal is indeed much more dangerous than the Eight Trigrams Dao Immortal and the Night Monarch.
âYoung master Feng, the figures who have emerged from the Ancestral Martial Galaxy are no longer within our means to deal with. I suggest that we make a temporary retreat from here and carefully go through our plans once more,â Elder Xuan said.
âAlright.â
Young master Feng agreed with Elder Xuanâs words with a nod.
He knew that they could no longer do as they pleased now that the heavyweight players had appeared. At the very least, they would require reinforcements.
However, young master Feng couldnât help but feel a little confused.
âElder Xuan, there must be a reason why so many experts from the Ancient Era have chosen to hide here, right? What kind of secrets are hidden in the Ancestral Martial Galaxy?â
âThe Ancestral Martial Galaxy have reached unprecedented heights of greatness and prosperity in the Ancient Era and the early years of the current era. Itâs a mystical land filled with many secrets that lie beyond my knowledge. If I really have to put it out in words⦠this is a place where the strongest experts are born,â Elder Xuan said.
âA place where the strongest experts are born? It looks like itâs only a matter of time before the Ancestral Martial Galaxy shakes the world of cultivation at its core.â
Young master Feng shot a glance at Chu Feng before leaving the area. Elder Xuan and the other red-cloaked men quickly followed suit, though they couldnât resist directing one last glance at Chu Feng.
They could have simply shrugged Chu Feng off as a stranger to them in the past, but things were different now. After all, he had saved all of their lives.
Meanwhile, Chu Feng was able to confirm that Lord Bai was still alive and was likely from an extraordinary background, and this wasnât just based on Lord Yuweiâs statements. Just a moment ago, he took a look at his own dantian and saw a talisman lying there.