In recent days, the matter seemed to have gradually quieted down.
Although the royal family of the Immortal Chu Dynasty was still investigating, they did not seem as diligent as before.
This made Chu Bai feel anxious. He sensed that an invisible, terrifying force was manipulating everything behind the scenes.
Behind the tragedy that befell the Champion Marquis's family, there might be some hidden truths unknown to others.
The forces and figures involved were likely beyond the imagination of ordinary people.
It was precisely because of this that Chu Bai, reminded by the artifact spirit of the Sun-Shooting Bow, suddenly wondered if the force targeting the Champion Marquis actually originated from within the imperial capital.
Therefore, this force would not allow the Champion Marquis's trusted aide to return safely to the capital.
After all, such an incident had never occurred before. Why did it happen precisely when the Immortal Chu Dynasty was facing a great calamity and the Champion Marquis had led his troops to the frontlines? How could this not make people speculate?
"Brother Chu Bai, what you said makes sense. Why didn't I think of this earlier? It seems the situation within the imperial capital is far more chaotic than we imagined."
"I just don't know who would be so bold as to target the Marquis. Could it be that after the fall of the Heavenly Divine General, His Majesty intends to support the Marquis, which has provoked jealousy?"
The dark-faced man carrying the Purple-Gold Dragon Whisker Hammer gazed into the gradually darkening night and frowned as he speculated. His name was Chu Kui, a top figure in The House of Extraordinary Individuals, and his strength was no less than Chu Bai's.
These words caused the expressions of everyone present to change slightly.
Although they were all talented individuals cultivated by the Immortal Chu Dynasty, they dared not casually discuss such matters.
Within The House of Extraordinary Individuals, there were several factions. One faction was close to the Heavenly Divine General and other generals, while they belonged to the faction close to the Champion Marquis.
Chu Kui's words almost directly implied that the faction of the generals was targeting the Champion Marquis.
"Chu Kui, be careful with your words. Such talk should not be spoken lightly. If overheard, it would do us no good. Before we uncover the truth behind the tragedy that befell the Marquis's family, we should not make enemies prematurely."
A tall woman in a purple dress, with skin as white as snow and a voluptuous figure, spoke up.
Her hair was like clouds, her brows like emerald, but what caught people's attention the most were her eyes, which were a lake-like green, shimmering with a mesmerizing light.
Her name was Bi Xin, also a top figure in The House of Extraordinary Individuals. She was naturally attuned to the Great Dao of Wood and the Great Dao of Water, and her methods were unpredictable. She was also the most likely among Chu Bai and the others to break through to the Dao Realm.
"Let's not discuss this matter further. Our purpose here is to protect the Marquis's trusted aide, not to make baseless speculations and create unnecessary enemies for the Marquis."
A deep, mellow voice sounded. The Dao Realm expert hidden in the shadows spoke, though he did not reveal his true form.
However, whether it was Chu Kui, Bi Xin, or Chu Bai, they all respected him greatly and immediately fell silent.
"Chu Bai, are you sure Han Feng will pass through this area?"
The deep voice asked again, and a profound gaze fell from the void, looking at Chu Bai.
"This place is the fastest route from the frontlines back to the imperial capital. Han Feng is highly trusted by the Marquis and has refined the True Blood of the Ancient Emperor Kun, possessing extreme speed. If he is secretly returning from the frontlines, he will definitely pass through this area within a few days," Chu Bai said solemnly.
The Han Feng he mentioned was also a man of extraordinary talent and a trusted aide of the Champion Marquis. He was acquainted with Chu Bai and the others.
When they had trained under the Champion Marquis, they had also interacted with Han Feng.
Therefore, Chu Bai knew that at this time, the Champion Marquis would definitely send Han Feng back.
And to avoid being intercepted by enemies, Han Feng would not return openly through the teleportation arrays.
He would likely take shortcuts and avoid the main routes.
This place would be Han Feng's必经之路.
If Chu Bai could guess this, the unknown and mysterious force in the imperial capital could certainly guess it as well.
Therefore, it was highly likely that this mysterious force would send experts to intercept and kill Han Feng, preventing him from returning safely to the capital.
This area of hills was extremely tall, like the spine of the world, but it was actually composed of many shattered stars.
The depths of the surrounding sky were inscribed with mysterious formations, and an unfathomable aura surged. Any cultivator or living being attempting to cross the void here would face a thunderous strike, either severely injured or completely annihilated.
Just as Chu Bai and the others waited quietly, a gust of yellow sand swept through the dark night in the distance.
A blurry figure flickered, one moment at the edge of the sky, the next already arriving here, moving at an incredible speed, as fast as light or thunder. Time and space seemed to blur around him.
It was Han Feng!
Chu Bai, who had been closely watching the figure, suddenly felt his breathing quicken, but he restrained himself and did not reveal his presence.
The others from The House of Extraordinary Individuals also remained hidden, not revealing any aura.
"There's a scent of blood, and Han Feng's aura is unstable. It seems he has encountered many dangers along the way," Chu Bai thought, his heart sinking.
"The waters of the Immortal Chu Dynasty are deeper than I imagined. Who has the Champion Marquis offended to provoke such a powerful force, causing his trusted aide to be hunted all the way here, suffering such severe injuries?" The artifact spirit of the Sun-Shooting Bow spoke with interest in Chu Bai's mind.
This made Chu Bai's heart sink even further.
Apart from the imperial capital, the mysterious force likely had spies and agents in other regions of the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
"Do you think the royal family of the Immortal Chu Dynasty might be involved in this matter?" the artifact spirit of the Sun-Shooting Bow asked again, still sounding intrigued.
If it were the Chu Bai of the past, he would never have suspected such a thing.
But after being schemed against by Chu Gucheng, who had secretly left his own mark in the Sun-Shooting Bow in an attempt to steal it, Chu Bai had seen through Chu Gucheng's hypocritical facade.
Therefore, he now had some doubts about the artifact spirit's words.
"If it really was the faction of the generals who did this, then even if the Emperor found out, he would definitely try to cover it up for them. After all, the Immortal Chu Dynasty is currently facing external enemies. If internal strife breaks out, the consequences would be unimaginable," Chu Bai muttered, thinking this was highly possible.
Both the faction of the generals and the faction of the Champion Marquis were nurtured by Chu Gucheng and highly trusted by him.
But to maintain balance, Chu Gucheng had also allowed these two factions to check and balance each other, preventing one from becoming too powerful.
However, if this were truly the case, then Chu Gucheng's actions would be truly chilling.
"You've been following me all this way. Aren't you going to show yourselves?"
Suddenly, a cold laugh sounded, snapping Chu Bai out of his thoughts.
He looked over and saw Han Feng standing on a mountain peak. The stars and moon were dim, and the spiritual energy of the heavens and earth within a million miles seemed to boil as it surged toward him.
Every pore on his body glowed, turning into vortexes that devoured the starlight pouring down from the sky.
From a distance, it looked like a silver river surging, with radiant light and chaotic energy spilling out.
Han Feng was trying to recover from his injuries. As a half-step Dao Realm expert, he had long sensed someone approaching.
As he reached this area, the feeling became even stronger. The killing intent was almost tangible, seeping into everything. Many stars in the distance collapsed and shattered.
The journey back to the capital from the border had been anything but peaceful. He had encountered all kinds of ambushes.
Han Feng did not know who the Champion Marquis, Chu Heng, had offended to provoke such a powerful force that was determined to prevent his trusted aide from returning to the capital.
Fortunately, among those who had attacked him, the strongest was only at the Dao Realm. Although Han Feng was not as strong as them, he had relied on his extreme speed to escape, saving his life.
He believed that the other party would not dare to be too brazen and send Dao Realm experts who had survived multiple Heavenly Decline Tribulations to attack him.
After all, such existences were extremely rare in the Immortal Chu Dynasty. Their auras and methods would easily reveal their identities.
"You're quite remarkable to have escaped all the way here. Unfortunately, this will be your final resting place. The capital is just ahead, but you will never reach it."
A cold voice sounded in front of Han Feng, and the void twisted as the Great Dao rules seemed to tremble.
Then, a blurry figure walked out. He wore a mask, and his true appearance was hidden. His robe was loose and plain, without any patterns, appearing very ordinary.
But his hands were unusually slender, with Great Dao aura flowing between his fingers, as if they could destroy heaven and earth.
Behind this blurry figure were several other figures, their auras equally unfathomable, as if they were one with the void. The surrounding space and time twisted along with them.
Han Feng stared intently at the figure, as if he had already guessed that someone would be waiting for him here.
His voice was hoarse as he said, "Who sent you? The Marquis is fighting bravely on the frontlines, protecting the Immortal Chu Dynasty, while you people stab him in the back. Not only did you cause his family to suffer humiliation and take their own lives, but you are also trying to control the Marquis, disrupt the morale of the army, and destabilize the Immortal Chu Dynasty. What are your true intentions?"
The masked figure only looked at Han Feng coldly, completely ignoring his words.
The figures behind him were also unmoved, looking at Han Feng as if he were already a dead man.
"You're about to die, yet you still spout such useless words. Someone wants the Champion Marquis dead, so he must die. You are no exception," the figure said coldly, then suddenly vanished and attacked.
A terrifying wave of power surged like an ocean, shaking the heavens and causing billions of stars to tremble. The entire world seemed to shake. The Great Dao rules in his hands seemed to solidify, forming a massive seal that descended toward Han Feng.
The void shattered, creating countless terrifying rifts that annihilated all tangible matter.
This was undoubtedly a Dao Realm expert, and one who had survived at least two Heavenly Decline Tribulations. With just one move, he displayed a power that left Han Feng in despair.
At the same time, the figures behind the masked man sat cross-legged around the area, chanting incantations. A hazy, chaotic mist spread, and Dao rules filled the air, as if they had returned to the beginning of creation.
In their hands, they held crystal-clear prayer beads, which simultaneously emitted a hazy light, spreading in all directions.
This area instantly became blurred and chaotic, completely concealed, as if it had disappeared from all space and time, untraceable and unsearchable.
"To send a Dao Realm expert who has survived two Heavenly Decline Tribulations to deal with me, they are truly sparing no expense," Han Feng thought, his eyes filled with despair and unwillingness.
If it were a Dao Realm expert who had only survived one Heavenly Decline Tribulation, he might have had a chance to escape.
But against a Dao Realm expert who had survived two Heavenly Decline Tribulations, he had no hope of survival.
Han Feng was truly unwilling and could not understand who would want to target the Champion Marquis.
A Dao Realm expert who had survived two Heavenly Decline Tribulations was no ordinary figure in the Immortal Chu Dynasty.
Even a Dao Realm expert who had only survived one Heavenly Decline Tribulation was a well-known figure with a significant background, let alone one who had survived two.
For such a great figure to personally take action to eliminate him...
"What has happened in the imperial capital that they would send a Dao Realm expert who has survived two Heavenly Decline Tribulations to attack me?"
"What kind of terrifying force lies behind this?"
At this moment, not only was Han Feng filled with despair and disbelief, but Chu Bai, Chu Kui, Bi Xin, and the others, who had been waiting in the shadows for the right moment to act, were also shocked and found it hard to believe.
Even among the ancient families of the Immortal Chu Dynasty, not all had Dao Realm ancestors overseeing them.
For a Dao Realm expert who had survived two Heavenly Decline Tribulations to take action—what did this mean? It sent chills down everyone's spines.
"Senior Wu Xuan, please take action..."
Without time to think, Chu Bai could only call upon the Dao Realm expert hidden in the shadows.
"I am no match for this person, but I can only try to delay him. You all go and help Han Feng escape. The other party has come prepared, sealing the heavens and locking the earth, concealing everything. It seems they intend to completely eliminate Han Feng here, leaving no trace."
The deep, mellow voice of the man sounded again.
At the same time, a middle-aged man in a Confucian robe stepped out from the void.
He wore a scholar's hat and held a feather fan, looking like a literati, but his aura was vast and boundless, like the depths of space.
He was undoubtedly a Dao Realm expert, but compared to the masked man, his strength was much weaker, having only survived one Heavenly Decline Tribulation.
"For such a great figure to personally intervene and deal with the Champion Marquis in this way is somewhat excessive, don't you think?"
Wu Xuan said coldly, waving his sleeves. Billions of rays of light surged forth, forming a massive stone to counter the seal of the masked man.
As Wu Xuan appeared, Chu Bai and the others also moved, transforming into beams of light as they rushed toward the despairing Han Feng.
"Han Feng, run! We'll help you."
The tall Chu Kui swung his Dragon Whisker Purple Hammer, summoning a sea of thunder. The terrifying force surged forward, trying to tear apart the封锁 of the area.
Chu Bai, Bi Xin, and the others also took action, each displaying their divine abilities and techniques to break the封锁.
Han Feng was overjoyed, never expecting that someone would come to his rescue at such a critical moment.
When he saw the faces of Chu Bai and the others, he was even more grateful, saying, "Thank you, brothers, for your help. The Marquis will surely reward you generously."
"The Wu Xuan of The House of Extraordinary Individuals? So it's you. Heh, I knew someone would come to rescue this guy."
"But you seem to have overestimated your abilities. Do you really think you can stop me?"
The masked man looked at Wu Xuan, who had suddenly appeared, seemingly unsurprised. His expression was cold, filled with mockery.
"You know me, so you must not be an ordinary figure in the imperial capital. Why hide your face? Why not reveal your true identity?"
Wu Xuan stepped forward, failing to block the other party's attack, his expression growing even more solemn.
As he spoke, he waved his feather fan, and boundless Dao rules surged forward like boiling water. Five-colored divine light rose, billions of rays filling the sky, crushing the surrounding time and space as he tried to block the other party.
"Don't waste your energy. All fluctuations in this area have already been concealed. Even if you are a Dao Realm expert, you cannot break free. This person cannot be allowed to return to the capital. For now, he must die here quietly and without a trace."
The masked man's gaze was cold, his tone filled with mockery.
With just a wave of his hand, the surging Dao rules were instantly suppressed, unable to reach him.
Wu Xuan's expression turned grim. He had not expected the gap between them to be so vast. Even though they were both Dao Realm experts, the difference between surviving one Heavenly Decline Tribulation and two was like a chasm.
He even felt that the other party had killing intent and would bury and eliminate all witnesses here.
Chu Bai and the others also noticed the封锁 around them. Their faces turned pale with shock. The prayer beads had clearly been empowered by some force, making it impossible for them to break free.
"There is a truly great figure in the imperial capital who wants to deal with the Marquis."
Han Feng's expression was filled with despair as he thought of the Champion Marquis, who was still fighting bravely on the frontlines.
As his trusted aide, he was now just a step away from the capital, yet he was being ambushed, not allowed to return.
This was clearly a hopeless and powerless dead end.