Chapter 1269: Heart pounding

Cao De said not to panic, stating it was his home.

But how could they not panic? The place was chilling, causing goosebumps to rise on their skin and a cold shiver down their spines. Even the Celestials felt their bodies stiffen.

Not to mention the other evolvers; the Nine-Headed Bird tribe retreated, wanting to keep their distance, believing Cao De intended to harm them.

The Dragon clan members, including the Twelve-Winged Silver Dragon, Kun Dragon, and the Three-Headed Sacred Dragon Yuntu, also felt their bodies turn icy cold. Their scales bristled, and they became extremely vigilant, ready to strike at any moment.

The Six-Eared Macaque scratched its ears and cheeks, its golden fur standing on end, and its golden tail held high.

Li Jiuxiao, Ji Caixuan, and others looked solemn. They naturally recognized this place, having visited it during their youth.

Every time they saw this mountain range, they felt as small as ants, mere specks in the dust of history. Only this place remained unchanged through the ages, spanning across the Yang Realm.

This was a mountain!

It was very unusual, completely bare, without a single blade of grass.

Moreover, it was a broken mountain, as if sliced flat by a sword!

There were eighteen such mountains, all similarly severed, each only about two or three zhang high, almost level with the ground. They were so low they could barely be called mountains.

Yet, these remnants were known as the Foremost Mountain of the World!

Its reputation was immense, echoing through history. There were many legends about it, including one that it once crashed into the Fourth Forbidden Zone, destroying it and turning it into the vast, boundless Three-Party Battlefield.

The cross-sections of these broken mountains were enormous, their diameters stretching hundreds of li.

Despite being so short they could hardly be called mountains, standing there gave everyone a sense of suffocation. The more one explored them with their mind, the more profound their own insignificance felt.

In a trance, it seemed as if eighteen towering mountains stood on the earth, supporting the sky and bearing the cosmos, radiating an imposing aura. Fragments of time swirled around them, reflected in the onlookers' eyes.

Was that its true form in the past?

However, with a blink, they vanished, and the majestic mountains reverted to their original state.

A young man from the Nine-Headed Bird tribe exclaimed with a panicked expression, "What kind of joke is this? This is your home? Your sect is here?"

"Indeed!" Chu Feng replied calmly, appearing composed and at ease.

Some people, seeing his excessive composure, wanted to grab his collar and force a confession. "What's going on? Explain yourself!"

This was... unbelievable!

The Dragon and Nine-Headed Bird tribes, in particular, looked uneasy, their hearts filled with fear. Had Cao De really emerged from the Foremost Mountain?

They truly didn't believe it; if it were true, it would be terrifying.

They had never heard of a sect or tradition here, or anyone being able to enter and exit freely. The interior of this mountain was a death trap; entering meant certain death, with no hope of survival.

Even the Dragon tribe was a little afraid, their gazes at Chu Feng noticeably changed. If he were just a rogue cultivator, it would be fine, but if he were an heir of the Foremost Mountain, that would be truly terrifying.

"Young friend, is what you say true?" Celestial Qi Rong asked Chu Feng, a benevolent expression on his face.

Meanwhile, Celestial Haoyuan wore a grave expression, waiting in silence.

The old Six-Eared Macaque, its golden fur gleaming, maintained a solemn and dignified appearance, despite its inexpressible feelings, watching Cao De and awaiting his reply.

Chu Feng nodded and said, "Of course it's true. All my knowledge comes from here."

A murmur immediately spread through the area. Many people felt apprehensive, even panicked. Among the considerable number who had come together, people could hardly believe that the Foremost Mountain of the World harbored an unfathomable hidden sect.

Many gazed at the eighteen low, severed mountains, but saw nothing.

They knew there was something else beneath the mountain roots; they had heard rumors, but that was a place where life ceased to exist—whoever went there would die.

Could Cao De be a being who emerged from within? This was truly shocking.

Of course, some didn't believe it. Who could live in such a desolate and deadly place? Impossible!

The strange dragon, accompanying Chu Feng, was one hundred and twenty percent unwilling, for he was an old demon who knew exactly what this place was. How could that shameless Ji Dade be a disciple here?!

Others also disbelieved. Chifeng scoffed, "Ridiculous! What kind of place is this, that a rogue cultivator like you can freely enter and exit? What do you mean by luring us here?!"

He then quickly scanned the surroundings, and his tribal cousins and others joined him, searching for any teleportation arrays or altars.

"Everyone, look for a divine magnetic platform! Don't let him escape using it!"

They feared Cao De had tricked them into coming here, intending to use this place as an escape route.

Upon hearing this, the Dragon clan and other evolvers also changed their expressions slightly, quickly searching the vicinity. Some even blocked Cao De's path.

Chu Feng smiled faintly, saying, "Don't bother. With several Celestials here, no matter how powerful I am, I couldn't leave."

At this point, a hint of coldness and disdain appeared on his face. "You are who you are, and you see what you see. I kindly invited you to my home, yet you slander me like this. It's truly unreasonable."

"Fine, you say this is your sect's gate? Then let's see you enter!" Chifeng sneered. He truly didn't believe anyone could walk in there alive.

He calmed down instantly.

Upon hearing him, his cousins thought for a moment and also relaxed.

Some even laughed boisterously, clamoring aloud.

"Great Sage Cao De, please!"

"Great Sage, please enter the Foremost Mountain of the World and invite your master out! Let us gaze upon him and worship him, haha!"

By the end of their taunts, these people couldn't help but burst into laughter. They simply didn't believe anyone could establish a sect gate here.

Earlier, they had been nervous, but the more they thought about it, the more they felt Cao De was simply bluffing. There was no way he could have emerged from the Foremost Mountain of the World.

"Great Sage, please proceed! Enter the Foremost Mountain of the World; we'll see you off. Next year, on this very day, we'll try to burn some paper offerings for you!"

Some from the Dragon tribe also joined in the jeers, their faces showing malicious glee, urging Chu Feng to his death!

"If he can really invite someone out, no matter who it is, I swear I'll devour it whole!"

An elder from the Nine-Headed Bird tribe even behaved frivolously, as unstable as a youth, because he genuinely felt Cao De was unreliable and didn't fear any negative consequences.

"My humble abode is simple; please don't mind it. Come in with me for a few cups of clear tea."

After speaking, Chu Feng directly vanished underground.

"Chase him! Stop him! Don't let him escape!" someone from the Dragon tribe shouted. The Divine Kings like the Twelve-Winged Silver Dragon and the Three-Headed Divine Dragon Yuntu, all gave chase.

Some from the Nine-Headed Bird tribe even transformed into their true forms, spreading their wings as a strong wind howled. It was said that the top experts of their tribe could instantly fly 180,000 li with a single flap of their wings!

A group of people followed him underground.

In fact, the several Celestials also followed, and a large group sank, wanting to see what Cao De would do.

Underground, there was a thick light curtain covering the mountain roots, shrouded in a hazy mist, making it impossible to see what lay within.

Once there, not only others, but even the Celestials couldn't explore further; they couldn't use their divine sense to probe the depths beyond the light curtain.

Chu Feng remained calm, watching the Nine-Headed Bird tribe and Dragon clan rush after him with an expression as if he were looking at fools. He wasn't panicked at all, perfectly at ease, just waiting for them.

"Let's go," he said, "we've arrived at my humble dwelling. Please come inside with me and see how our lineage has developed."

Chu Feng gestured, making an inviting motion.

The Dragon and Nine-Headed Bird tribes immediately turned red in the face. Who would dare to enter? Who would be willing to walk to their deaths?

Despite their eager pursuit just moments ago, when it came to the forbidden zone of the Foremost Mountain of the World, they wouldn't dare approach, even if it meant death. Wasn't that just seeking death?

Not to mention them, even the Celestials exchanged glances, not daring to take half a step. They hadn't lived long enough to die yet.

Outside this hazy light sphere, there were black dried bloodstains and bone fragments, left by countless beings who had sought opportunities here throughout history, almost all of whom had perished.

Upon touching that light sphere, their physical bodies would disintegrate, and their souls would shatter into pieces.

"Didn't you say I was trying to escape? Come, come, come, take my hand and walk with me!"

Chu Feng walked over and extended his hand to the Dragon clan's Divine King. Immediately, the entire group recoiled, from the Divine King to the Kun Dragon, all shying away as if from snakes and scorpions.

Next, he approached Chifeng, actively reaching out to drag him along. Even the Nine-Headed Bird tribe's Divine King changed his expression, stepping back two paces and shouting, "What are you doing?!"

"Taking you all along with me," Chu Feng replied.

"If you want to die, go by yourself! Don't drag us into it!" Chifeng said with a grim face. Although he suspected Cao De was playing a trick, he genuinely didn't dare to follow.

At this moment, Celestial Qi Rong spoke again, asking Chu Feng if his sect truly was inside.

"Yes, it's right inside. Are you truly not coming in?" Chu Feng invited them warmly.

As a result, everyone shook their heads. What kind of joke was this? Who would risk their life for no reason and seek death?

"In that case, I'll return to my sect first. Everyone, see you in a bit!" With that, Chu Feng turned and walked directly towards the light curtain.

"Cao De!" Monkey, Mi Qing, Xiao Yao, and others called out, genuinely worried he might be pushed too far, take a desperate path, and risk his life.

However, Chu Feng waved his sleeve, stirring up a swirl of misty light. He donned a dull-colored armor and simply walked straight in! He vanished just like that, remarking, "I wave my hand, taking not a single cloud with me." His voice faded, and then he was gone.

"Ah?!" A group of people cried out in astonishment. He really... went inside!

Moreover, people were certain his body had not exploded!

What was going on? Was this truly unbelievable? Cao De had entered the Foremost Mountain of the World!

Some felt their scalps tingle. Could what he said be true?

At this moment, even the Celestials were moved, compelled to consider whether there truly was a terrifying hidden sect here.

If so, how powerful must they be? To occupy the Foremost Mountain of the World as their headquarters, to regard it as their own sect's gate—this was utterly terrifying.

Celestial Haoyuan's face suddenly changed. If there was indeed a legacy here, perhaps they wouldn't fear the experts of the Martial Lunatic lineage!

Because this place was equivalent to a forbidden zone in the Yang Realm!

Celestial Qi Rong and others also felt their hair stand on end. They began to reflect on whether they had pushed Cao De too far. If someone from his sect truly emerged, would they settle scores?

As for the Nine-Headed Bird tribe and the Dragon clan, their heads felt enormous, and a chill ran through them. This was... too terrifying. Had he really walked in?

Could it be that they had been mistaken all this time, that Cao De... Great Sage Cao, had an astonishing background?

In that instant, an old Divine King from the Nine-Headed Bird tribe seemed to recall something. He had once seen a record in a rare, ancient family manuscript—an anecdote from prehistoric times.

Legend had it that the master of Li, the great prehistoric "black hand," might have emerged from this very Foremost Mountain of the World!

As he thought of this, his scalp nearly burst. If Cao De's sect was here, didn't that mean he had a connection to Li?

"This place is... Li's sect's location?!"

His voice trembled as he muttered to himself, feeling uncertain, afraid, and profoundly uneasy.

Hearing him, everyone felt their blood run cold. Whose sect? The ancestral home of the Li lineage? What kind of joke was this? This would scare them to death!

The expressions of the several Celestials also changed. Undoubtedly, at their level, they had access to more information, and some of them had indeed heard whispers.

At the time, no one had taken it seriously. After all, these were mere rumors, fragmented mentions in unofficial histories—no one believed them.

But now it was different. Cao De had truly gone inside, and it seemed this place genuinely held a legacy!

"Good heavens, Li and Cao! So there really is a lineage connection. What is their relationship?"

The group stood stunned, their scalps numb, their hearts pounding in fear.