“Senior, why does that banner bear Lu Jie’s name?”
Chu Feng voiced the curiosity stirring within him.
He reckoned Master Tang Chen must know the reason.
And Chu Feng noted that once he posed this question, Yuan Shu’s expression shifted noticeably.
Master Tang Chen, too, seemed subtly affected.
This made Chu Feng realise that this banner was likely connected to that Lu Jie.
“That was left by Lu Jie, disciple of Wu Dao Saint Venerable.”
Master Tang Chen provided the answer.
As Chu Feng had surmised, it was indeed the work of Wu Dao Saint Venerable’s disciple.
“Within the Ruyi Ancient Fortress, besides the Ruyi Mirror, there is another wondrous device: the Talent Stairway.”
“The Talent Stairway comprises three tiers. Only those extraordinarily gifted in boundary spirit arts may ascend it.”
“And should one stand upon that stairway for the duration of a single incense stick, it signifies true excellence.”
“Lu Jie remains the only one thus far to succeed in standing upon it.”
“He stood upon the first tier and held steady for a full incense stick.”
“Each time the Ruyi Ancient Fortress opens, three banners are raised.”
“Beforehand, those three banners were blank. No one pondered their purpose, assuming them mere ornamentation.”
“But from the moment Lu Jie successfully stood upon the first tier of the Talent Stairway, his name appeared upon the first banner.”
“And it was from that day that Lu Jie came to be acclaimed as the most promising youth across the entire Holy Light Heavenly River.”
“For his talent is matchless.”
Master Tang Chen said.
“It seems this Lu Jie possesses some real ability.”
Lu Jie had accomplished what no others could.
Chu Feng knew this was an immense honour.
Thus, at this moment, a notion took root in Chu Feng’s mind.
He, too, wished to leave his name upon one of the Ruyi Ancient Fortress’s banners.
It would be as though he had conquered a treasure from ancient times.
For him, if he could achieve it, would it not be a glory in its own right?
“How does one enter?”
Suddenly, Yu Ting spoke.
Yu Ting was a reticent girl. Save for conversing with Chu Feng, she seldom initiated speech.
This marked the first time in all these days that she had volunteered words.
Thus, her utterance caught even Master Tang Chen and Yuan Shu off guard.
Especially when they turned to her and beheld the look in her eyes, their surprise deepened.
They knew little of Yu Ting and had given her no further thought, aware only that she was Chu Feng’s companion.
Yet now, they abruptly realised that this quiet young woman was no ordinary lass.
The spark of resolve in her eyes brimmed with ambition.
“Little miss, do you perhaps wish to leave your name upon that banner as well?”
Master Tang Chen asked with a smile.
His words carried a touch of jest.
Surprised though he was, he held scant expectations for Yu Ting.
“I merely wish to test it: to what heights might my talent reach.”
Yu Ting said.
“Miss, entering is simple enough. The boundary gates will open shortly.”
“However, whether one may smoothly pass within demands enduring certain trials.”
“Success in those trials grants entry to the Ruyi Ancient Fortress.”
“Yet even failure brings no harm.”
Yuan Shu spoke.
And upon finishing, he turned to Chu Feng. “Brother Chu Feng, the ancient spirit domain’s opening still lies some time off. Why not enter together and see what there is to see?”
“Chu Feng, go and have a look. Encounters with that old codger Ruyi Elder are no easy matter.”
Master Tang Chen spoke as well.
Though they found Yu Ting’s desire to enter the Ruyi Ancient Fortress unexpected,
It was upon Chu Feng that they pinned their hopes.
Be it Master Tang Chen or Yuan Shu, both keenly wished to witness what stir Chu Feng might cause within.
Perchance, Chu Feng could inscribe his name upon the second banner.
And in such a gathering, creating such a spectacle would suit perfectly.
This was the finest chance for Chu Feng to make his name known.
Hum—
At that instant, countless boundary gates materialised outside the Ruyi Ancient Fortress.
The boundary gates stood dense and myriad, virtually innumerable.
And now, those figures who had long clustered beyond the Ruyi Ancient Fortress began streaking towards the gates.
Notably, once a single person stepped within a boundary gate, the gate would alter.
It remained in place, unvanished, yet sealed itself, barring others from entry.
In other words, each boundary gate admitted but one soul.
Yet Chu Feng reckoned these folk had no cause to jostle.
The Ruyi Ancient Fortress’s frame was vast enough, and upon its immense body clustered boundary gates in profusion.
The gates numbered tens of thousands at least, ample for all.
“Eh, some familiar faces amid the throng.”
Suddenly, Chu Feng spotted acquaintances amid the crowd.
It was none other than Yue Yang and Chen Guang, those two boundary spirit prodigies. On that day, they had aided Long Xiao Xiao in unraveling the ruins left by the Ox-Nosed Old Daoist, only to suffer Dong Cha Tian Shi’s perfidy and withdraw early from the site.
And seeing them now, hale and hearty, it seemed their wounds had fully mended.
“He dares show his face here?”
At this moment, Yuan Shu’s gaze turned icy.
He too had spied a familiar figure: that was Li Feng Xue.
Li Feng Xue, alongside Yue Yang and Chen Guang, made for the Ruyi Ancient Fortress.
By the time Yuan Shu spotted him, he had already entered one of the boundary gates.
And Yuan Shu’s fury at sighting Li Feng Xue stemmed, naturally, from that day’s events.
Li Feng Xue’s master, the Beast-Taming Venerable Master, had that day presented the spirit domain fragment to Chu Feng, concealing within it a Boundary Ghost Symbol Worm.
Had Chu Feng’s bloodline power not been potent enough to refine the Boundary Ghost Symbol Worm,
That worm would have claimed Chu Feng’s life.
Li Feng Xue’s presence here today betokened his master’s arrival as well.
“The very one. This old man has accounts to settle with him.”
At this, Master Tang Chen spoke faintly.
Yet compared to Yuan Shu, Master Tang Chen comported himself with utmost calm.
“Master, let me stay behind. I shall help you seek out that Beast-Taming Venerable Master.”
Yuan Shu said.
“What use would you be staying? Go with Chu Feng and the others.”
Master Tang Chen said.
“As you command.”
Yuan Shu nodded, then turned to Chu Feng.
Chu Feng had yet to reply; Yuan Shu knew not whether Chu Feng had resolved to enter.
“The Ruyi Ancient Fortress cuts quite the dash. I, too, wish to behold its interior and learn what manner of place it truly is.”
As Chu Feng spoke, he streaked towards the Ruyi Ancient Fortress.
At this, Yuan Shu and Yu Ting followed swiftly in his wake.
In short order, the three vanished, each into a boundary gate.
At this sight, Master Tang Chen swept his gaze about the surroundings, a curve of anticipation upon his lips.
Upon beholding the boundary spirit masters present, his smile broadened.
“Gentlemen, bide your time in stillness. You shall soon plunge into shock.”
“You will learn who is the most gifted boundary spirit master in this Holy Light Heavenly River.”
“Henceforth, you shall all etch this name upon your memories.”
“And one day, you shall know whose disciple he is.”
Master Tang Chen murmured low, his words brimming with expectation.
Though none save he could hear them,
He knew they would come to pass.
He, too, awaited the moment when astonishment slackened the jaws of those around him.
