Seeing that even Long Daozhi did not recognise the scenery on the scroll, Chu Feng felt his confidence waver somewhat.
If this place were within the Ancestral Martial Starfield, Long Daozhi and Nameless Doutian would most likely know of it.
Since they did not, the scope had widened considerably. It could be somewhere in the Holy Light Heavenly River, or perhaps even beyond its boundaries.
If it was within the Holy Light Heavenly River, that would still be manageable. But if it extended to the entire vast world of martial cultivation, it would be like searching for a needle in a haystack.
“Young Friend Chu Feng, is this place very important?”
Long Daozhi asked.
“It is somewhat important. If any senior knows where it is, please tell me.”
Chu Feng did not explain the full story to Long Daozhi. It was not that he distrusted him, but he did not wish to place pressure on him.
“Rest assured, young friend. I will help you inquire about it.”
Long Daozhi said.
“Brother Chu Feng, I have also memorised the place on the painting. I will help you inquire as well.”
Kong Tianhui added.
“Thank you.”
Chu Feng smiled.
In truth, the moment Long Daozhi admitted he did not know the location, Chu Feng had already let go of any expectations. He did not believe they would be able to find out.
Yet he was still deeply grateful for their kindness.
“By the way, senior, why have you suddenly allowed forces from all sides to enter the territories of your Ancestral Martial Dragon City?”
Chu Feng asked Long Daozhi.
He felt that Long Daozhi would not do such a thing without reason. There must be a cause.
“Actually, there is a reason for it.”
Long Daozhi did not conceal anything. He explained the full circumstances.
It turned out that when the Ancestral Martial Dragon City had established itself here long ago, there had been a purpose.
This area not only contained numerous remnants and secret grounds suitable for cultivation.
There was also an ancient secret ground passed down from the primordial era.
However, that ancient secret ground had always been a place the Ancestral Martial Dragon City could not open.
Over so many years, they had tried every method to open it, but they had never found the right way.
Recently, they had finally discovered the method.
It turned out that all secret grounds in this world were interconnected. To activate that ancient secret ground, the other secret grounds in the world needed to be opened simultaneously.
Moreover, they required people with different bloodlines to perform the opening. Not only did the bloodlines need to differ, but there was also a specific requirement for the number of people.
This was why Long Daozhi had invited forces from all sides to enter his Ancestral Martial Dragon City’s territories and share those cultivation resources with them.
On the surface, Long Daozhi appeared to be granting benefits to those people, helping them improve their cultivation.
But in reality, he simply wanted their assistance in opening that ancient secret ground.
“How is it now? Has the ancient secret ground been opened successfully?”
“If not, I could lend a hand.”
Chu Feng said.
“The secret ground has already been opened, but it is somewhat disappointing.”
As Long Daozhi spoke these words, disappointment showed on his face.
“Why is that?”
Chu Feng asked.
“That secret ground merely has heavenly energy that is a bit denser than other secret grounds.”
“Apart from that, there are no special powers, nor any treasures inside.”
Before Long Daozhi could reply, Long Ning jumped in to explain.
“Oh?”
“Could you take me to see it?”
Chu Feng asked.
“Of course.”
Long Daozhi not only agreed immediately but also asked, “Young Friend Chu Feng, when would you like to go?”
“Now, if possible?”
Chu Feng asked.
“Certainly.”
As Long Daozhi spoke, he set off at once, leading Chu Feng to the so-called ancient secret ground.
Not only Chu Feng went. Everyone present followed along.
Under Long Daozhi’s guidance, Chu Feng and the group soon arrived at the location of the ancient secret ground.
Because this ancient secret ground was of utmost importance, when the Ancestral Martial Dragon City was built, it had been constructed around it.
This ancient secret ground had even become a forbidden area of the Ancestral Martial Dragon City.
The ancient secret ground lay within a mountain range.
At the base of the range stood an enormous stone gate.
The gate did not appear man-made, for it was fused seamlessly with the mountains, as if naturally formed through evolution.
One had to admit, this colossal stone gate, towering several thousand metres high, looked extraordinarily majestic.
Even though it was closed, people could still feel the continuous flow of primordial aura emanating from within.
No wonder the Ancestral Martial Dragon City valued this place so highly. The feeling it gave was truly extraordinary.
The Lord of the Ancestral Martial Dragon City approached the stone gate and took out a key.
This key also radiated primordial aura, though it appeared to be nothing more than an ordinary stone.
On the massive stone gate, there was precisely one missing piece, and this stone could fill that gap perfectly.
“My Ancestral Martial Dragon City has possessed these secret ground keys for many years.”
“Yet despite holding the key, we were never able to open this ancient secret ground.”
“But now, with all the other secret grounds opened, we can finally move these two stone gates.”
Long Daozhi said as he rose into the air.
When he placed the key into the gate, the ground trembled and a piercing rumble echoed. The two enormous stone gates began to open slowly.
Once the gates opened, Chu Feng could see a whole new world beyond them.
Originally, Chu Feng had thought that since the gates stood between mountains, behind them would either be a grand hall or a cavern.
Yet the scene now revealed was filled with birdsong and fragrant flowers. He could even see blue skies and white clouds. It was clearly an entirely separate realm.
As a world spiritist, Chu Feng could easily create an independent world himself.
But a world crafted by human hands, not naturally formed, was ultimately artificial.
Artificial worlds could generally be recognised as such.
Yet the world beyond these gates, Chu Feng could not tell if it was real or false.
From this alone, it was clear that the creator of this ancient secret ground must have been an extraordinary figure.
“How strange. It is completely empty?”
After observing for a moment, Chu Feng asked Long Daozhi.
The Ancestral Martial Dragon City had expended immense effort on this ancient secret ground.
Now that it was finally open, they should logically allow their clansmen to enter and cultivate within.
Yet the scene inside was entirely different from what Chu Feng had imagined.
There was not a single person within.
“We feel that the ancient secret ground should not be merely this. Perhaps further changes will occur.”
“So I ordered that no one from my Dragon City may enter to cultivate.”
Long Daozhi explained.
“In that case, am I the first person to enter and cultivate here?”
Chu Feng asked with a smile.
“Haha, not quite. Before Young Friend Chu Feng, quite a few people have gone in. Without exception, none could sense anything different about this ancient secret ground.”
“Perhaps Young Friend Chu Feng will be able to detect something unique.”
Long Daozhi said.
“I cannot guarantee it. I can only try.”
As Chu Feng spoke, he stepped inside.
The moment he entered, his heart stirred.
Long Daozhi had not deceived him. Apart from the heavenly energy being denser, there seemed to be nothing else special about the place.
At least, that was his first impression.
Yet after passing through the stone gate and setting foot on this land, Chu Feng sensed movement from an item in his Cosmos Sack.
That item was the treasure he had seized from the disciple of Granny Wish God.
The Primordial Hero Sword.
This Primordial Hero Sword was a genuine Venerable Armament, a product of the primordial era.
Although it appeared unremarkable, its power was in fact immensely strong.
However, perhaps because Chu Feng’s cultivation was too weak, he had been unable to control the Primordial Hero Sword.
But now, upon entering this place, Chu Feng sensed the sword’s reaction.
Chu Feng felt this was no coincidence.
The movement of the Primordial Hero Sword must be connected to this ancient secret ground.
“Senior, could you allow me to remain here alone for a while?”
Chu Feng asked Long Daozhi.
Originally, he had entered to help Long Daozhi and the others determine if any power existed here that they could not perceive.
But now, since the Primordial Hero Sword had reacted, Chu Feng naturally did not wish to miss this opportunity. He wanted to attempt to gain control over it.
The Primordial Hero Sword’s power was extraordinary. If Chu Feng could master it, that would be fine. But if he could not, he did not know what might happen.
So for safety’s sake, having these people leave first and letting him remain alone might be the best choice.
“Of course. Young Friend Chu Feng, I will not remove the key from the stone gate. When you wish to leave, simply push the gates open.”
As Long Daozhi spoke, he led everyone out of the ancient secret ground.
After they exited, perhaps fearing they might disturb Chu Feng, they even closed the stone gates.
Though the gates were closed, the group remained standing there. They had no intention of leaving and decided to wait for Chu Feng.
Even Long Daozhi grew somewhat excited.
“Young Friend Chu Feng has arrived at just the right time. He will surely uncover its secrets.”
Long Daozhi said with full anticipation.
“City Lord, you truly place great hopes on Young Hero Chu Feng.”
Seeing Long Daozhi like this, other experts of the Ancestral Martial Dragon City could not help commenting.
They rarely saw their City Lord so thrilled.
“Place great hopes?”
“Indeed, I do place great hopes on him.”
“The more I interact with Young Friend Chu Feng, the harder it becomes not to hold high expectations.”
“This young man is someone capable of creating miracles.”
“Just wait and see. He will definitely discover what we could not.”
Long Daozhi praised Chu Feng endlessly.
To this, Long Ning and the others were already accustomed.
At first, Long Daozhi had been more reserved. But ever since returning from the events involving the Dragon Clan with Chu Feng, upon coming back to the Ancestral Martial Dragon City, he had spoken highly of Chu Feng.
Although the return to the Dragon Clan had failed, he held Chu Feng in extremely high regard.
He not only called Chu Feng one of the rare geniuses in the Holy Light Heavenly River.
He even harboured thoughts of betrothing Long Ning to him.
The others had long known about the events Long Daozhi and Chu Feng had experienced together.
Thus, it was not only Long Daozhi who placed great hopes in Chu Feng. In fact, everyone else also held high expectations for him.
This was one reason they could not bear to leave and chose to wait here.
“City Lord, terrible news!”
Suddenly, however, several elders of the Ancestral Martial Dragon City arrived in a panicked rush.
