“What’s that guy doing?”
“It looks like he’s assembling that armor.”
Despite the crowd’s harsh words toward Chu Feng, their eyes remained glued to his actions within the barrier world.
Initially, they hadn’t paid much attention, but after learning he was an imposter, they began closely observing his movements.
After Chu Feng collected all the treasures from the twelve purple light pillars, he had obtained a complete set of armor.
Yet, instead of wearing it, he placed it on the ground and began tracing patterns on it with his fingers.
Most onlookers were clueless about his actions, but those with keen insight could tell he was assembling the armor.
Though the armor was complete, its components were separate entities. To unleash its full potential, their auras needed to be unified. That’s exactly what Chu Feng was doing.
“We can’t just stand by and let him wreak havoc.”
“Can we shut down that stone box? Can we get them out?”
The Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader asked urgently.
Though surrounded by numerous experts, ensuring Chu Feng couldn’t escape, he was still anxious.
They knew the stone box held more than just those massive weapons—it concealed a mysterious supreme treasure.
What that treasure was, they didn’t know.
He feared Chu Feng claiming it.
Who knew if they could reclaim the treasure once Chu Feng had it?
What if it bonded with him?
What if it fused with his soul?
What if, even killing Chu Feng, the treasure would vanish with him?
Though only a possibility, he didn’t want to take the risk. They’d worked too hard to obtain the stone box.
“We studied the stone box together. Once opened, it can’t be closed unless someone claims the treasure. Only then will its power dissipate.”
“The inscriptions on the ruins state this clearly. You all know this, yet you ask me?” the All-Heavens Sect Leader said impatiently.
“So, we just watch him take the mysterious treasure?”
“We’re helpless?”
“We worked so hard for this, and now we hand it over?”
The Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader and others stared at Chu Feng in the barrier world, visibly anxious.
But only the All-Heavens Sect Leader glanced toward his sect.
Unnoticed by others, a peculiar glint flashed in his eyes.
Following that glance, a figure shot out from the All-Heavens Sect.
It was Lu Yingzhuo, a Supreme Elder of the All-Heavens Sect.
Though not as powerful as Tuoba Chengan, he was still a Supreme Realm expert.
Upon appearing, Lu Yingzhuo knelt before the main viewing platform, kowtowing as if confessing a crime.
“I deserve death. Please, Sect Leader, punish me severely!” he shouted.
His loud voice and exaggerated actions drew everyone’s attention.
“Elder Lu, what’s the meaning of this?”
“What crime have you committed?” the All-Heavens Sect Leader asked sternly.
“I deceived you, Sect Leader. Greed overtook me. I deserve death. Please punish me!” Lu Yingzhuo continued.
His words left many in the crowd confused.
They couldn’t fathom why an All-Heavens Sect Supreme Elder would confess at such a moment.
Truthfully, they weren’t curious about his crime.
Their focus was on Chu Feng in the barrier world.
Lu Yingzhuo’s appearance felt like a disruption.
“Whatever your crime, settle it privately with your Sect Leader later. Why cause a scene now?” the hot-tempered Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader snapped.
“Sect Leader, look.”
Lu Yingzhuo tore open his robe, revealing his chest.
The leaders of the six major forces reacted instantly.
On Lu Yingzhuo’s chest was a strange runic mark, its patterns spreading across his body like veins, fused with his form.
What shocked them was that the mark emanated the same aura as the stone box.
They knew his transformation was tied to it.
“All-Heavens Sect Leader, explain this!” the other five leaders demanded, glaring angrily.
Moments ago, the All-Heavens Sect Leader claimed they hadn’t harnessed the stone box’s power.
Yet now, an elder revealed they had.
The other leaders were understandably furious.
“Sirs, this has nothing to do with our Sect Leader.”
“It was my greed, my doing alone. Please punish me!” Lu Yingzhuo kowtowed again.
“You damned fool, you deserve death. I’ll end you on behalf of your Sect Leader!” the Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader roared, raising his hand.
He wasn’t bluffing; killing intent radiated from him.
He truly meant to kill Lu Yingzhuo.
In his eyes, Lu Yingzhuo’s use of the stone box’s power gave All-Heavens Sect an unfair advantage, shortchanging the other five forces.
He demanded justice.
“Wait.”
As the Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader raised his hand, another hand grabbed his wrist, halting his attack.
It was the Miao Clan Leader.
“Why stop me?” the Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader demanded.
“He might be useful,” the Miao Clan Leader replied, turning to Lu Yingzhuo.
“You could’ve kept this hidden, but you didn’t.”
“You stepped forward now, likely because of the Secret Cave Group Saint infiltrating the barrier world.”
“You must have a way to deal with it.”
“Time is critical. Tell us, can you stop the Secret Cave Group Saint in the barrier world?”
“If you can, even though you used the stone box’s power, we’ll let you atone through merit. Punishment is inevitable, but we can spare your life.”
“Sir, I didn’t use the stone box’s power,” Lu Yingzhuo said.
“When we found the stone box in the ruins, I discovered a small stone with the same aura.”
“Thinking it was a cultivation treasure, I secretly took it to cultivate alone.”
“But though it lacked cultivation power, it fused with me.”
“Now, while my martial cultivation hasn’t improved, I’ve developed a resonance with the barrier world.”
“Since the stone box opened into a world, that resonance has grown stronger.”
“Perhaps the barrier world won’t block me. I might be able to enter.”
“Try it. See if it works,” the All-Heavens Sect Leader said.
Even the Nine Stars Heavenly Mountain Sect Leader and others looked at Lu Yingzhuo expectantly.
Though they wanted him dead, if he could enter the barrier world, he’d be immensely valuable.
“Yes, sir.”
Lu Yingzhuo approached a barrier gate and extended his arm.
The barrier didn’t resist; his arm passed through smoothly.
Through the mirror, they could see an arm extending into the barrier world from one of the gates.
“Reporting to Sect Leader and sirs, I can enter,” Lu Yingzhuo said, clasping his fists.
