Compared to Lü Jie’s cautious observation, Chu Feng stepped directly into the chess array.
He did so because he had already closely examined the array from outside.
No matter how thoroughly he studied it, he found no clues.
Even with all his skills, it was futile.
Thus, Chu Feng believed that observing from outside, no matter how long, would be pointless. Only by entering could he uncover the truth.
Buzz—
As expected, the moment Chu Feng stepped into the array, it began to change.
A barrier wall, sealing everything, appeared before him.
Though Chu Feng was now within the chessboard array formed by countless smaller formations, this barrier blocked all further progress, stopping him in his tracks.
With just a glance, Chu Feng could tell the wall was an impenetrable fortress for him. He had no way to breach it.
Even someone like Master Tang Chen would be unable to break it.
But soon, two vortexes appeared in the centre of the wall.
They quickly formed two barrier gates.
Yet these gates were starkly different.
One emitted a blood-red glow, dark, terrifying, and reeking of blood, like the entrance to hell.
The other radiated a white glow, holy and dazzling, inspiring longing.
Those outside could only see the colours, nothing more.
But Chu Feng, standing within the chessboard before the two gates, could perceive their differences.
Both gates were fraught with danger, but the red gate was clearly more perilous.
Its menacing aura hit him head-on, seeping into his pores and heart.
Chu Feng didn’t need close inspection to feel the red gate’s danger.
Still, he didn’t decide rashly. Using his Heaven’s Eye, he began to observe carefully.
He didn’t trust the gates’ immediate impact or his instincts.
He relied more on his own discoveries and judgment.
After some observation, Chu Feng confirmed the gates’ hints were accurate.
The red gate was indeed far more dangerous.
The white gate, by contrast, was relatively less hazardous.
Moreover, both gates could lead to breaking the array.
But breaking it through the white gate would only save himself.
Through the red gate, however, he could save not only himself but everyone present.
With this, Chu Feng needed no further deliberation.
Though he knew the red gate was more dangerous, for the sake of Master Tang Chen, Yuan Shu, Yu Ting, and the others, he had to take the risk.
Without hesitation, Chu Feng stepped into the red gate.
Buzz—
As he did, the entire chessboard turned red.
Chu Feng and the array were enveloped in the red glow, hidden from view.
To the onlookers, the vast array was now a piercing, terrifying red.
“He chose the red gate?” someone questioned. “Even with the naked eye, you can tell it’s more dangerous.”
Many were puzzled, even worried for Chu Feng, seeing his choice.
Of course, aside from Master Tang Chen and a few others, most didn’t truly care for Chu Feng’s safety.
His talent, however great, was irrelevant to them.
Their concern stemmed only from the fact that their lives depended on him.
“Chu Feng, you reckless fool, don’t mess this up,” Master Mule Camel shouted angrily. “Be careful. If you die, it’s your problem, but if you drag me down, I’ll haunt you.”
Unlike most, who were merely worried, his voice was filled with rage.
Master Mule Camel was cunning, his shrewdness lying in his unique perspective on treasures and opportunities.
While most cultivators believed in seeking riches through danger, he would flee at the first sign of peril.
He firmly believed that as long as one lived, more treasures and opportunities would come.
But today, he had fallen into a trap.
He hadn’t expected that merely standing outside the Ancient Spirit Domain, without entering, would land them in such danger.
Unable to save himself, he could only pin his life on Chu Feng.
Like most, he chose Chu Feng and Lü Jie, not out of trust, but because they offered the best chance of survival.
Yet Chu Feng’s choice seemed wrong to him, prompting his outburst and threats.
His behaviour drew disapproval from others.
“Mule Camel, what are you shouting about?” Master Tang Chen said irritably. “Young Friend Chu Feng has his own judgment. Just watch quietly. What’s the point of your nonsense?”
“Exactly. Chu Feng’s talent surpasses even Lü Jie’s,” Fairy Muzhi added disdainfully. “To put it bluntly, aside from having more experience in World Spiritist techniques, no one here has the right to judge him. If he made this choice, he has his reasons. What’s the point of your yelling? Our lives still depend on him.”
Though Fairy Muzhi wasn’t as close to Chu Feng as Master Tang Chen, as an observer, she couldn’t stand Master Mule Camel’s actions.
“I’m reminding him to be cautious,” Master Mule Camel retorted, unrepentant. “This isn’t just for me, but for all of you. If Chu Feng isn’t careful, I’ll die, and none of you will live either.”
Master Tang Chen and Fairy Muzhi didn’t bother arguing further, knowing his character well.
Buzz—
Suddenly, the light from the depths of the Ancient Spirit Domain shifted slightly.
People’s expressions began to change.
Soon, cries of pain rang out.
Even Master Tang Chen and others looked distressed.
The oppressive force from the light had suddenly intensified.
“Why has the pressure grown so strong? Has Chu Feng failed to break the array?” people speculated.
“The array isn’t broken. If it were, you wouldn’t feel just this pressure,” the ancient voice rang out again. “But if the one breaking the array falters, you’ll all suffer the consequences.”
With those words, people finally understood why the pressure had surged.
It was because of Chu Feng.
