Chapter 1307: Who Is Buried in the Bronze Coffin

Buried here are a glorious past, a legend, a crucial clue, and what they consider the greatest historical mystery, which they aim to uncover.

Moreover, they intend to use this place as an outpost, to breach it and then outflank their enemies!

Chu Feng was somewhat bewildered to hear this. Whose rear were they planning to outflank? Was it that of the master of the sword light that pierced through all ages?

“The region connected behind is terrifying. Some beings might even descend from there in the future!” Number Nine gestured skyward.

So, the master of that heaven-piercing sword energy still has adversaries?!

Chu Feng gasped, realizing the boundless nature of the cultivation path and the terrifying world that lay ahead. He truly needed to rise comprehensively, for the road ahead was incredibly long. The world suddenly felt vast and limitless, teeming with powerful beings and filled with unimaginable possibilities.

“Are you saying that the place connected beyond the forbidden zone is so terrifying that beings will emerge from those paths and abysses in the future?”

“Yes!” Number Nine nodded.

He further explained that the Four Calamity Sparrows had unleashed terrifying techniques like “One Sword Slaying Ten Thousand Immortals” and “Borrowing an Era from Heaven.” These were far too formidable to have been created by ordinary beings.

Number Nine even suspected that these techniques weren't developed by the Four Calamity Sparrows themselves, but originated from other great realms.

While the paths linking the forbidden zone's depths to the outside world are perilous and incredibly difficult to traverse, beings will eventually descend one day, and they will undoubtedly be even more formidable and powerful.

The beings that reappear might be one or two orders of magnitude higher in their cultivation level, making them insurmountable. This was Number Nine's greatest concern.

Because, as things stand, some heavens, some worlds, have forged new paths, and the routes that were previously severed are now on the verge of reconnecting.

“The myriad heavens and countless worlds, a hundred ships vying for supremacy, billions of races battling, shaking the heavens and earth, refining true gold in the Cosmic Copper Crucible—just the thought of it is exhilarating! Pouring out blood and passion, who will emerge as the true overlord? Competing together on the grandest stage of evolution, who will rise, who will stand supreme until the very end? It's truly thrilling!”

Chu Feng appeared utterly thrilled, speaking with fiery passion, which caused Number Six's face to darken like storm clouds, ready to unleash a torrent. He barely resisted slapping Chu Feng again.

Fortunately, Number Nine restrained him, and the slap never landed.

“What do you understand, idly speaking of supremacy? When those passages were severed back then, you had no idea how much effort it cost, or what level of cultivation was required for beings to appear! They needed to be unparalleled under heaven, capable of devouring all ages. Where are we to find such individuals now? If certain groups of beings truly descend, let alone their peak experts, even the younger and middle generations from some clan's sect might... Sigh, in short, if any beings truly descend, it will be a catastrophe, staining the entire galaxy with blood!”

Number Nine sighed, feeling somewhat agitated.

These were matters he preferred not to dwell on or anticipate, as they were too oppressive, truly unsettling, and somewhat despair-inducing.

“Once my cultivation reaches fruition, I'll take a fishing net to the abyssal paths and scoop them all up, then roast them and eat them one by one!” Chu Feng declared brazenly.

Number Six retorted, “Vanish as far as possible from my sight!”

“You haven't finished explaining everything yet; I still have too many questions. By the way, the bronze coffin was mentioned earlier. Why does it always make an appearance, and who exactly is interred within it?”

Chu Feng didn't back down. His mind was brimming with bewilderment and questions, and he continued to inquire humbly.

He had seen the mottled ancient scroll, and though his spirit had almost shattered from the impact—his soul light was still unstable, and he felt a sharp ache—

However, he had indeed glimpsed a sliver of truth, seen through some of the mists, and was desperate to understand more.

“It's not 'buried,' but 'crossing over'!”

Both Number Nine and Number Six looked displeased, seemingly allergic to the word 'buried,' and corrected him gravely.

“It's already placed in the coffin, and you still don't want the remains to rest in peace?” Chu Feng mumbled softly, with a slight pout.

“I already told you, it's not dead, not buried, but 'crossing over'!” Number Six's aged face, though withered, now showed bulging veins as he gripped Chu Feng's collar, nearly lifting him off the ground.

“'Crossing over,' how does one cross over?” Chu Feng pondered, puzzled but utterly fearless, believing these two would never harm him.

If they truly wanted to destroy him, they wouldn't need to do it this way.

“'Cross over to the other side!'” Number Nine said in a deep voice.

Cross over? Chu Feng's face was a picture of bewilderment; question marks practically formed in his eyes. He was stumped. How could he possibly guess?

He couldn't help but murmur to himself, “At that level, one still needs to cross over? To cross over the heavenly tribulation, the world's greatest calamity?”

“No, that's not right. Is it to cross over the great mortal world, to traverse the ancient void, to transcend cosmic eternity?”

“Or perhaps, to cross over reincarnation, to guide the true self across the sea of suffering, to transcend the fundamental self?”

His thoughts ran wild, and he spoke impulsively, which, surprisingly, made Number Nine give him a strange look. He realized the boy actually had some profound insights, not just a brazen desire for information.

“Wait a moment, I also saw another bronze coffin, with a lone figure seated upon it, appearing forlorn and solitary, showing only their back.”

Chu Feng brought up this coffin, eager to understand its significance and to connect the dots for a deduction.

Number Nine sighed and nodded, but then his eyes immediately widened, as if he wanted to beat the boy to death!

“I can't help but feel like he's just casually drifting, sitting on a bronze coffin. Isn't that far too reckless?”

And then he learned the consequences: he was pummeled into the earth by Number Six and Number Nine, took a considerable time to resurface, and dared not utter another careless word, finally becoming serious and solemn.

In truth, he had intended to lighten the mood, as his genuine feeling upon seeing that figure's back was one of profound loneliness and desolation, intensely oppressive.

“Is this person also crossing over?” Chu Feng inquired earnestly.

“Yes, also crossing over!” Number Nine nodded.

Chu Feng mused carefully. That individual sat atop the bronze coffin, drifting down a river, passing realm after realm, witnessing blood-stained sunsets and the myriad heavens and worlds adrift in a sea of blood, fading into the river of time.

This is also crossing over?

Chu Feng's mind wandered, and then he thought of the empty coffin. Who was it prepared for, and why was one still vacant?

Moreover, the three coffins were once one.

“They say, 'The Tao gives birth to One, One gives birth to Two, Two gives birth to Three, and Three gives birth to all creation.' So this bronze coffin also gave birth to one, then two, then three coffins, meaning it inters you, me, him, and all creation?” Chu Feng asked, then quickly stepped back, genuinely fearing he might provoke Number Nine and Number Six again.

“The name of this bronze coffin contains the character 'three',” Number Nine replied.

Chu Feng was suspicious. What secret did this hold? There was still one empty coffin remaining; where was it now?

He declared, “If I ever get the chance, I'll definitely retrieve it and see what secrets it truly holds!”

“Don't even bother thinking about it; it certainly has nothing to do with you. You won't see the last coffin!” Number Six stated, then grew impatient, wishing Chu Feng would vanish instantly.

“Master Nine, Master Six, I still have many other questions. Please answer them all for me. Besides, you didn't even clarify the previous ones properly!” Chu Feng protested, unwilling to leave.

These two were too reticent, holding back too many secrets from him. It felt as though a hundred claws were scratching his heart; he truly wished he could subdue these two old men.

“Who exactly is in the bronze coffin?” Chu Feng asked.

“You already said it, it's you, me, him, and all things!” Number Nine chuckled.

“How strong is the Martial Maniac?” Chu Feng asked.

This question was too abrupt, leaving both Number Nine and Number Six dumbfounded. They had just been discussing the bronze coffin and forbidden zones; how had he suddenly jumped to inquiring about the Martial Maniac?

This was all because Chu Feng realized that since he couldn't acquire the scriptures or the most crucial secrets, he might as well be pragmatic and inquire about some of the more pressing current issues.

Sooner or later, he would encounter individuals from the Martial Maniac's lineage; a confrontation was inevitable.

“Extremely powerful. Never underestimate that little maniac. He possesses both talent and perseverance. This time, he only dispatched a weapon, not his true form, whereas the forbidden zones sent out the actual physical bodies of their experts. You can imagine just how formidable that maniac's cultivation level will be once he emerges from seclusion.”

Number Nine gravely informed him that he had clashed with the Martial Maniac's weapon, which was controlled by a wisp of his spirit. He knew precisely how formidable the Martial Maniac's true body would be if it were to emerge in this era.

Meanwhile, in a certain region of the extreme north, it was as if a cosmic bronze crucible was ablaze, refining a living being. Within the mists, a pair of gigantic eyes opened and closed, so terrifying that heaven and earth seemed on the verge of collapse.

Finally, those eyes closed once more, sinking into silence. The Martial Maniac had not yet emerged from seclusion!

“The Ancestor's weapon is damaged; First Mountain is actually that formidable?!”

“No matter. Once the Patriarch's true body emerges from seclusion, his cultivation level will definitely be one or two orders of magnitude higher!”

His disciples were very confident.

However, others were concerned, having already received news that the heaven-piercing sword energy had pierced through several forbidden zones. Had the One-Legged Bronze Figure's spear not withdrawn beforehand, this area would likely have been affected as well.

“That sword energy does not belong to First Mountain; it's a thing of the past and won't reappear. Furthermore, do you truly believe our master won't reach that level?”

The Martial Maniac's eldest disciple spoke, full of confidence, as if he knew something.

“There's no need to worry!” At that moment, from the mist-shrouded depths, the Martial Maniac's voice emanated, surprisingly serene, devoid of any hint of aggression.

Yet, it made everyone feel as though the heavens were on the verge of exploding; a tremendous surge of vital energy undulated from his secluded cultivation spot, utterly terrifying.

“Master, can that sword be surpassed?!” asked the Martial Maniac's youngest disciple, a beautiful woman with white hair.

“When I was still young, my master pursued that realm!” the Martial Maniac said.

Upon hearing these words, everyone was stunned. Their Patriarch, their Master, the Martial Maniac, had for the first time mentioned his own teacher. Could he... still be alive in this world?!

In an instant, everyone in the vicinity was awestruck. Their blood surged and roared within their bodies, and they couldn't help but tremble.

“And you, Master?”

“We are all still on the path,” the Martial Maniac replied. He was in the process of recovery!

Chu Feng was expelled. Numbers Nine and Six simply couldn't tolerate him; they had never encountered such a brazen individual, and ultimately, they simply threw him out.

“Hey, Master Nine, you haven't finished clarifying! I still have so many questions to ask!” Chu Feng waved from outside First Mountain, reluctant to leave.

Seeing that he wouldn't disappear, Number Nine and Number Six themselves vanished, no longer bothering with him.

In the distance, various evolvers—some from prominent families in the Yang realm, some from the Three-Party Battlefield, and others from major newspapers and journals—were all speechless.

Too many people had gathered outside First Mountain, all seeking information. Upon witnessing this scene, they were all at a loss for words.

Naturally, many also showed peculiar expressions. After all, not long ago, Number Nine had personally stated that he hadn't taught Chu Feng anything and that First Mountain was not suitable for him.

Was there some hidden agenda at play, or did this reveal something? Many people's imaginations ran wild.

After Chu Feng emerged, he surveyed the crowd. At this moment, he absolutely could not falter. He was utterly dominant and forceful, declaring, “Disperse, all of you! My First Mountain does not appreciate being gawked at!”

Then, he explicitly declared that he had officially emerged from his secluded training.

“Li is my senior brother. Back then, he would beat anyone he disliked and set fire to any forbidden zone that dared to flaunt itself. From this day forward, I will uphold and amplify First Mountain's style, utterly annihilating all my opponents, instantly conquering heaven and earth!”

This was truly shameless boasting; Chu Feng was entirely co-opting the prestige of others.

Otherwise, he would be in peril. With Number Nine dispelling his aura, the words spoken earlier could have disastrous repercussions for him.

Furthermore, he wasn't contemplating an immediate departure. Instead, he calmly addressed Heavenly Venerate Qi Rong, stating his intention to go to the Three-Party Battlefield and gather good fortune in the secret realm.

At this moment, he was truly reluctant to simply flee. Since he had once again co-opted prestige, he swiftly seized this final opportunity to claim what belonged to him.

Otherwise, as time passed, he might never have another chance.

Boom!

Golden rainbows streaked across the sky, and silver light cascaded. Chu Feng returned to the Three-Party Battlefield with the others.

He wished to secretly contact and assist old acquaintances in various ways, but found it wasn't quite feasible, with little opportunity. However, an earlier agreement implied those individuals would enter the secret realm.

Ultimately, through Heavenly Venerate Yu Shang, he managed to contact Immortal Qing Yin and arranged a clandestine meeting.

“I'll ask one more time: what are your thoughts?!” Inside Heavenly Venerate Yu Shang's grand tent, Chu Feng gravely questioned Immortal Qing Yin.

He wanted to make one final effort. If she didn't acknowledge or admit to being the little Daoist priest's mother, then he would part ways in this life, let it go, and completely give up.

He had already done what he could and didn't want these matters to become a hindrance on his path of evolution.

Chu Feng came to Immortal Qing Yin's side, looking at her, waiting for a response.

Qing Yin, peerlessly elegant, dressed in snow-white robes, with her dark hair cascading around a luminous white face and deep, profound eyes. She was ethereal and transcendent, truly exquisite, unrivaled in beauty among mortals.

Yet now, she was remarkably calm and composed, looking at Chu Feng with an indifferent gaze.

Chu Feng grew agitated, thinking of the little Daoist priest, then of Qin Luoyin from years past, and then seeing the current indifferent and transcendent Qing Yin. He wrapped an arm around Immortal Qing Yin's snow-white neck and commanded, “Wake up!”

Qing Yin was shocked, snapping her gaze toward him. He had actually embraced her neck so intimately?!