Chapter 404: Heading to Boundary-Setting Mountain
"No, don't!"
With Zhao Wuji's miserable scream, Chu Feng's large hand pulled out an old man with white hair and a childlike face from his body.
The Great Sage Tiangang, who had been preparing to loudly accuse Chu Feng, stared at the soul in Chu Feng's hand as his expression suddenly changed.
The disciples of the Northern Abyss Imperial Clan were also stunned by the scene before them.
No one could have imagined that an old man would emerge from Zhao Wuji's young body.
"This... what exactly is going on?"
Xu Chengjie asked in disbelief.
"Body possession and rebirth."
The Great Sage Tiangang gritted his teeth, staring at the old thing in Chu Feng's hand. As a Great Sage himself, he was naturally knowledgeable and immediately understood the situation.
"Friend, look more closely at the aura emanating from his soul. You can record it with a Recording Stone."
Chu Feng's words were tactful, but the Great Sage Tiangang was a clever man—otherwise, he wouldn't have waited until after the battle's dust settled to step forward and save Zhao Wuji's life.
The Great Sage Tiangang stared fixedly at the soul and said sternly: "What a Nine Nether Deity old ghost! How dare you possess the prodigy of my Northern Abyss Imperial Clan. This account is far from settled."
Chu Feng said with a smile: "Not only that, but he also incited conflict between our two holy lands, plus the Blood God Cult and Divine Sword Holy Land. This account must be settled properly with the Nine Nether Holy Land."
"Indeed, if not for this old ghost, our two factions wouldn't have clashed. Friend, may I have a share of this soul from the chief culprit?"
The Great Sage Tiangang asked respectfully. Since they had lost the contest for destiny, they needed someone to bear the blame.
He hadn't known who to pin it on earlier, but now that someone had delivered themselves to his doorstep, he naturally wouldn't refuse.
"Naturally. Rest assured, friend, Shi Xuan is my disciple from Wendao Academy and absolutely will not interfere in matters concerning the Northern Abyss Holy Land."
Chu Feng also presented his terms. As adults, they both understood what the other wanted.
"Very well, as you say, friend."
The Great Sage Tiangang couldn't detain Chu Feng and Shi Xuan now. Since the other party was willing to leave him some dignity, he naturally accepted graciously.
The two discussed subsequent matters so courteously that it left everyone present dumbfounded.
Weren't you two locked in a death struggle moments ago? Why are you so amicable now?
Shi Xuan also cast a puzzled look at his master.
Chu Feng casually tore off a portion of the old ghost's soul and tossed it to the Great Sage Tiangang.
"Thank you, friend."
The Great Sage Tiangang caught the soul and turned to the disciples: "Alright, the matter is resolved. We should return to the Sacred Capital. Bring Wuji's corpse."
"Yes."
The disciples of the Northern Abyss Imperial Clan had long wanted to flee this place, but the pressure Chu Feng exerted was too immense. Without the Great Sage's permission, they hadn't even dared to escape.
Moments later, the Northern Abyss Imperial Clan departed. The Northern Desolation Crown Prince said to the leaders of the seven families: "This marriage arrangement is hereby canceled. Return all the resources our Shi family previously gave you in full. Let this matter end here."
The leaders of the seven great factions breathed a sigh of relief upon hearing this.
"Thank you for your magnanimity, Crown Prince."
"All of you, withdraw."
The Northern Desolation Crown Prince waved his hand, unwilling to waste more words on these people.
As a crown prince, his sensitivity to court politics far surpassed that of ordinary cultivators.
The Great Sage Qiankun had already reconciled with the Northern Abyss Sacred Dynasty, meaning the Northern Desolation could no longer exploit the situation to expand its territory. If they did, the Northern Abyss Sacred Dynasty would surely retaliate—a consequence the Northern Desolation could not bear.
On the ceremony platform, only Zhao Zhiruo remained, looking at Shi Xuan with eager eyes. She desperately wanted to say:
Your Highness, can our engagement ceremony continue?
But with so many powerful figures present, she dared not speak.
Shi Xuan bowed slightly to Chu Feng: "Master, please bear witness to your disciple's engagement ceremony."
"Very well. I came here for the celebratory wine in the first place. Proceed."
Without hesitation, Chu Feng walked toward the seats on the ceremony platform.
The Shi family immediately arranged a main seat for Chu Feng, placing him beside the Crown Prince.
The cultivators attending the ceremony felt a strange sense of unease at this scene, yet couldn't pinpoint exactly what felt amiss.
After all, what rule permits bloodshed at a wedding? Yet they had come for the engagement ceremony, and it seemed reasonable for the hosts to continue the proceedings.
Fortunately, only the final ritual remained for the engagement ceremony.
In moments, the ceremony concluded, and the Prince of Zhennan arranged for everyone to take their seats.
At the banquet, there was no loud chatter or revelry. Everyone remained immersed in the shock of today's earth-shattering battle.
Many cultivators forgot to drink, hoping to catch another glimpse of the Great Sage Qiankun.
After the banquet ended.
Shi Xuan gave Zhao Zhiruo a few instructions before going to meet Chu Feng.
"Master."
Chu Feng looked at Shi Xuan standing at the doorway and said calmly: "You've come. Let us properly interrogate this old ghost."
With that, Chu Feng casually tossed out the remnant soul.
Seeing no one around, the remnant soul immediately begged for mercy: "Great Sage Qiankun, spare me! Stone Prodigy, spare me! This old one truly didn't know we were enemies! Give me ten thousand guts and I wouldn't have dared!"
Chu Feng smiled: "Wrongdoing demands punishment. Rest assured, my World-Destroying Eyes will be gentle. You won't feel too much pain."
As he spoke, a yin-yang intertwined light burst from his eyes, enveloping the remnant soul.
In an instant, the remnant soul turned to dust, and Chu Feng obtained its memories.
"Unexpectedly, this old thing left behind a treasure trove. Xiao Xuan, prepare yourself. Tomorrow we'll go to that treasure's location, retrieve it, then rendezvous with the others and return to Wendao Academy."
"Yes."
Shi Xuan immediately responded.
The next day at noon, Chu Feng's group left a note and silently departed Moonviewing Palace.
Chu Feng took Shi Xuan to find "Zhao Wuji's" treasure.
Bing Yan, Great Sage Jin Chi, Great Sage Jiao Yang, and Great Sage Yi Shan went to find Xiao Chen's group to guard them, preventing any mishaps.
Boundary-Setting Mountain, located in the northeast of the Xuantian Continent, serves as the boundary between the Northern Abyss Sacred Dynasty and the Nine Nether Holy Land.
This mountain range stretches hundreds of thousands of miles from north to south.
The mountain is rich in resources, and as the border between two holy lands, it's a lawless zone.
Thus, it became a paradise for rogue cultivators, evil cultivators, and minor factions.
Boundary-Setting Mountain has only one rule: might makes right.
Killing is commonplace here. The only way to survive is to constantly grow stronger.
At the entrance to Boundary-Setting Mountain—Wind-Frost Valley—two unremarkable cultivators rode two ordinary Wind-Chasing Horses, slowly entering the valley.
"Master, once we pass through Wind-Frost Valley, we'll enter Boundary-Setting Mountain."
The younger cultivator said.
Beside him, a man holding reins with one hand and fanning a folding fan with the other said with a smile: "Wind-Frost Valley's scenery is quite fine. Let's explore the valley for a couple of days, gather some intelligence, then head to our destination."
"Yes."
The younger cultivator replied.
These two were Chu Feng and Shi Xuan. Boundary-Setting Mountain had no teleportation arrays.
Not wanting to attract attention, they bought two Wind-Chasing Horses in the nearest city before heading to Wind-Frost Valley.
Entering the valley, Chu Feng's eyes fell upon a bustling market district.
Stalls were everywhere, selling all manner of miscellaneous goods.
Chu Feng rode his horse, occasionally glancing at items along the roadside stalls.
Shi Xuan asked curiously: "Master, these cultivators only sell ordinary items. What's worth looking at?"
Chu Feng smiled: "Cultivation isn't just about raising your cultivation base. Cultivating the heart is equally crucial. Many cultivators who advance too quickly develop inner demons because they neglect this. Experiencing the mortal world is one way to cultivate the heart.
Moreover, these small stalls might hold treasures. Someday, I might just find a hidden gem."
Shi Xuan was deeply moved by these words. Just as he was about to speak, a loud voice came from behind them.
"Well said! Cultivation isn't just about raising one's base—it requires cultivating the heart! Friend, what profound insight!!!"
Hearing this, the master and disciple subconsciously turned to look...
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