Chen Fan briefly explained the situation of the battle in Yuzhou.
Even though Feng Chengmo was a Grandmaster of Martial Arts, his expression shifted slightly upon learning the specific details of Gao Hongchang's death.
Gao Hongchang's strength was not necessarily inferior to his own.
But in the end, Gao Hongchang was utterly annihilated by artillery.
Several prominent disciples of the Liuhe Sect also perished along with him.
This delivered a significant shock to Grandmasters of Martial Arts like Feng Chengmo.
The power of modern weaponry was something the martial arts world clearly understood.
Another theory for the existence of the Heroes' Alliance was that martial artists united to face the threat of firearms. While this was merely a rumor and not the truth, it did, to some extent, illustrate the situation.
A Grandmaster of Martial Arts, with their qi projected outwards, was invincible within a three-zhang radius, killing like harvesting grass.
However, modern weaponry still posed a significant threat to them.
Ordinary firearms, under specific circumstances, could injure Grandmasters of Martial Arts, let alone shells and missiles.
Therefore, upon hearing Chen Fan's account, a look of melancholy appeared in Feng Chengmo's eyes.
A Grandmaster of Martial Arts, powerful as they were, dying at the hands of a stronger martial artist was the fate of a martial artist, nothing remarkable.
But to die under modern firearms and artillery would be a source of embarrassment and sadness for martial artists.
"The Brotherhood's influence is so vast, has the government taken any action?"
After a moment of silence, Feng Chengmo asked.
"They are already investigating,"
Chen Fan replied, "Many people have been unearthed, but the Brotherhood's higher ranks and foundations have not been touched!"
Xiang Jingshu had sent back several messages, indicating some progress, but compared to the severity of the incident at Mount Yanzi in Yuzhou, it was not satisfactory.
Many people in Yuzhou and around the capital had been apprehended.
For the Brotherhood, the situation in Yuzhou was undoubtedly a setback, but it was not enough to shake their foundations.
Chen Fan then spoke of his fight with Zuo Tiance.
"The pair of Dragon and Phoenix Bracelets on Zuo Tiance's arm are likely magical artifacts. Their power was considerable and caught me quite off guard when they erupted!"
"Magical artifacts?"
Feng Chengmo was not overly surprised, only displaying a faraway expression.
The Feng family had a long lineage, being a royal family for a thousand years, and naturally possessed some understanding of magical artifacts and cultivators.
Chen Fan's purpose in visiting Feng Chengmo was precisely to learn about such matters from him.
"Are there many magical artifacts circulating in the martial arts world?"
Chen Fan asked.
"It's hard to say if it's many or few,"
Feng Chengmo looked at Chen Fan and said, "If they are related to Buddhist or Daoist traditions, there would certainly be more magical artifacts."
"Shaolin and Wudang?" Chen Fan's expression flickered as he asked.
Feng Chengmo nodded, "These two are merely ordinary, not true cultivation sects. In terms of true depth and inheritance, it should be Longhu Mountain!"
The name Longhu Mountain was well-known even among secular people.
The Heavenly Master Dao, the ancestral home of Daoism, with over a thousand years of inheritance, indeed possessed some mysterious existences.
It should also possess a considerable number of preserved magical artifacts.
As for Shaolin and Wudang, although they also had martial arts legacies, they were incomparable to Longhu Mountain in this regard.
However, Longhu Mountain had always been mysterious, and its disciples rarely walked in the secular world.
Feng Chengmo was not very familiar with Longhu Mountain, and after a brief explanation, he added, "Magical artifacts are indeed good things, but for martial artists like us, they may not be beneficial."
Chen Fan nodded, naturally agreeing with this sentiment.
But he still wanted to hear what Feng Chengmo would say.
"Magical artifacts originate from cultivators, nurtured by their essence, spirit, and mind, gradually possessing some rather mysterious powers and energies."
"They are akin to the magical treasures and artifacts in secular legends and strange tales, but ultimately they are external objects, and their effects are often not as exaggerated."
"For example, Zuo Tiance's Dragon and Phoenix Bracelets likely had mystical energy stored within them by a cultivator using special methods. Their power was significant, but ultimately, they could not withstand your strike!"
"In this world, how many magical artifacts can withstand a single blow from a Grandmaster of Martial Arts?"
"If martial artists rely on the power of magical artifacts, they neglect their own martial arts cultivation, and their ultimate achievements will be very low."
"Therefore, most magical artifacts are merely a 'chicken rib' – useful but not essential."
Feng Chengmo stated, "Unless they are incredibly powerful, comparable to modern thermal weapons, but I haven't heard of any such magical artifacts."
Chen Fan fell into thought.
His view was similar to Feng Chengmo's; magical artifacts were not as powerful as imagined.
Unless, there existed terrifying beings far more powerful than Grandmasters of Martial Arts.
It was not impossible for such beings to exist in the world, but they were ultimately rare exceptions.
Of course, the Dragon Pattern Compass he was seeking could also be a magical artifact, and a very powerful one at that, though its origin was unknown.
Many things still required personal verification and exploration.
"The Feng family has magical artifacts, right?"
Chen Fan suddenly asked.
Feng Chengmo blinked, looking at Chen Fan, and did not answer immediately.
After a few seconds, he finally said, "As a royal family for a thousand years, the Feng family naturally has heirlooms, some of which can indeed be called magical artifacts."
"But the vast majority of these items are not beneficial for martial arts cultivation and are merely special antique collectibles."
Chen Fan smiled, knowing that Feng Chengmo was being evasive.
How could a thousand-year-old royal family not have some secrets or some special treasures?
It was just that Feng Chengmo did not wish to mention them.
He wondered if Feng Chengmo carried any magical artifacts with him; that possibility could not be ruled out.
With over a dozen Grandmasters gathered in the capital, it would not be surprising for Feng Chengmo to bring a family heirloom for added security.
After all, three years ago, someone dared to attack Feng Qianyuan, the Feng family's heir, indicating that the perpetrator or those behind them were not overly intimidated by the Feng family's strength.
"Senior Feng, how much do you know about the Zuo family? Does Zuo Lizhou possess any magical artifacts?"
Chen Fan asked again.
Feng Chengmo said, "That possibility is very high."
"Magical artifacts like Zuo Tiance's Dragon and Phoenix Bracelets are truly rare!"
"Furthermore, Zuo Lizhou established the Heroes' Alliance, and private rumors suggest it was to counter cultivators. This indicates that his understanding of cultivators is greater than that of ordinary Grandmasters of Martial Arts!"
"You are an enemy of the Brotherhood and the Heroes' Alliance, so it is best to take corresponding precautions!"
Chen Fan showed a look of understanding.
Feng Chengmo's statement suggested a high probability that he possessed powerful artifacts.
This, in turn, made the situation even more troublesome for Chen Fan.
He was not only facing Grandmasters of Martial Arts but potentially Grandmasters of Martial Arts wielding magical artifacts and secret treasures.
A martial artist like Zuo Lizhou, who was already much stronger than ordinary Grandmasters, would be even more formidable if he also possessed secret treasures.