“Since you’re here, don’t think about leaving.”
The thought that his earlier turmoil was caused by those things sparked fury in Chu Feng’s heart.
He began channeling his techniques, refining the eerie, insect-like power that had spread through his body.
At first, Chu Feng didn’t know what abilities these entities possessed.
He was merely following Old Man Ox-Nose’s instructions.
Old Man told him to refine this power, so he did.
But as he succeeded, shock overwhelmed him.
After refining the insects, his body surged with immense barrier energy, and a flood of information poured into his mind.
Among it, Chu Feng glimpsed a breakthrough opportunity.
It was… a chance to enhance his spirit power, a key to connect with the Serpent-Mark Saint-Cloak barrier energy.
Unfortunately, the insects were too few. Before he could grasp more, they were fully refined.
Yet Chu Feng felt that with more of this power, he might break through to Serpent-King Saint-Cloak Spiritist.
Once Chu Feng finished, Old Man Ox-Nose removed his hand from his forehead.
“I told you Mirrorheart is dangerous and not to go down,” Old Man said.
Chu Feng noticed only he and Old Man were outside Mirrorheart. Master Liangqiu was nowhere in sight.
Likely, Liangqiu couldn’t withstand the pressure and had returned to the surface.
But that wasn’t Chu Feng’s concern. He was fixated on the parasitic, insect-like power that had invaded his body, undetected until now.
“Senior, that power in me was so strange. What was it?” he asked.
“It’s a power from Mirrorheart, one that can strengthen Spiritists, but you can’t handle it yet.”
“Without my intervention, it would’ve consumed you, turning you into a puppet or bursting you apart,” Old Man said.
“But isn’t Mirrorheart just the array’s core?”
“Why such a sinister power?” Chu Feng asked.
“Core? That’s Liangqiu’s nonsense. Mirrorheart’s far more complex than you think,” Old Man replied.
“Then what is it?” Chu Feng pressed.
“No point explaining,” Old Man said.
“Senior, what about Elder Zhu?”
“Has he been corrupted by that power?”
Having experienced Mirrorheart’s terror, Chu Feng grew more worried about Elder Zhu.
“Don’t worry, he’s alive and won’t die,” Old Man said.
“He’s alive? How do you know?” Chu Feng asked.
“Don’t ask how I know.”
“Focus on yourself. Do you finally see you can’t save him with your power?”
“If I hadn’t stepped in, you’d be dead,” Old Man said.
“I…” Chu Feng’s heart ached.
He desperately wanted to save Elder Zhu, but he knew he was helpless.
As Old Man said, without his help, Chu Feng would’ve perished.
He’d only been at Mirrorheart’s edge, far from its depths.
If he couldn’t withstand the outer power, how could he save Elder Zhu?
“Don’t blame yourself. Come with me.”
“If you leave with me, I’ll bring him out,” Old Man said suddenly.
“But, Senior…”
Chu Feng saw Old Man Ox-Nose wasn’t in good shape.
It wasn’t just from helping him; Mirrorheart’s power affected Old Man too.
Old Man didn’t want Chu Feng to risk himself, and Chu Feng felt the same about him.
“No buts. You’ll understand once we’re out,” Old Man said.
He grabbed Chu Feng’s shoulder, soaring toward the surface.
*Splash!*
Waves surged as they emerged.
Master Liangqiu was waiting.
“Chu Feng, are you alright?” Liangqiu rushed over.
“Alright? Ask him. Without me, he’d be dead,” Old Man said.
Liangqiu had noticed Chu Feng’s weakness.
Already distressed, Old Man’s words deepened his guilt.
If he hadn’t told Chu Feng about the seventy-nine-day pact, Chu Feng wouldn’t have taken such a risk.
“Senior, I’m sorry. I lacked the ability to save Elder Zhu,” Chu Feng said, ashamed.
“Elder Zhu? That guy practically tried to kill you.”
“First time I’ve seen someone like that—dying’s one thing, but dragging others down? No senior’s dignity,” Old Man said mockingly.
“Senior, don’t say that. Elder Zhu entered Mirrorheart to save me,” Chu Feng said.
“Save you? Nonsense. I saved you. Without me, you’d never have left Mirrorheart. He’s a fraud,” Old Man said, his tone worsening.
“Ox-Nose, you don’t know what Zhu did. Show some respect,” Liangqiu, already upset, said angrily.
“Respect? Your so-called Zhu’s no good man,” Old Man sneered.
“You lowlife, what right do you have to judge my brother Zhu?”
Liangqiu roared, releasing his First-Rank Supreme pressure and swinging a punch at Old Man.
*Slap!*
Old Man casually blocked it.
“You!!!” Liangqiu froze.
In his memory, Old Man’s cultivation was far below his—how could he block his punch?
“Hahaha!” Old Man burst into laughter.
Liangqiu, confused and angrier, shouted, “What’s so funny?”
