The moment those words left his mouth, a sudden wave of icy killing intent surged from behind.Before he could react, his entire body was struck with brutal force, flung away like a kite with its string cut.
A deafening boom followed as the array master crashed heavily to the ground. The nearby formation masters startled, heads snapping up in alarm.
"Are you looking for death?"
Feng Jinchuan's voice was low, laced with a blade-sharp malice that seemed to pierce straight through the bones. The array master felt as if something slammed into him again, and blood came spilling from his mouth in ragged bursts.
He looked at Feng Jinchuan in terror, heart trembling, and quickly stammered, "R-reporting to Senior, this junior had no intent to deceive. The restriction truly did show signs of loosening before—
But... but for some reason, these past few days there hasn't been the slightest reaction!"
His head dropped low, posture small, the picture of fear and submission.
Feng Jinchuan's methods were infamous for their cruelty. He would batter them until their bodies were a ruin, then feed them top-grade pills to heal them—only to repeat the torment in his relentless research of the restriction.
The cycle had gone on for years. No one could see an end to it.
And worse, none of them believed that even if the restriction was finally broken, they would be allowed to leave alive. Feng Jinchuan had promised as much, but who could trust his word?
"Oh? So you mean to say I've wronged you?"
Feng Jinchuan's cold, flat tone cut through the air. His hand shot up, seizing the array master by the throat and lifting him high. A spark flared in his palm. In the next instant, a streak of flame roared forth, wrapping around the man entirely.
The fire devoured him in a heartbeat.
"Aaahhh—!"
The searing agony was unbearable. His screams rang out, sharp and ragged, his entire body thrashing as though trying to break free from a burning cage. The grip at his throat only tightened, strangling the sound from his lungs until his voice was gone, leaving only desperate spasms of pain.
Around them, the other array masters felt their scalps prickle and cold sweat bead along their backs.
Such venomous cruelty. Death would have been kinder.
But they all knew—Feng Jinchuan did this to make an example. Whoever dared slack off or think of sabotage... this was the price.
Another heavy thud sounded as the charred man fell to the ground. The flames had died, leaving a blackened shell of flesh that cracked apart at the slightest movement. His body twitched from the lingering pain, a pitiful sight.
"Take him away. Keep him alive."
Feng Jinchuan calmly wiped his hands, summoning clan members to drag the half-dead man away.
His gaze swept over the remaining array masters. Their faces blanched, and they immediately bent over their work again, hands trembling so badly they could hardly draw steady lines.
Feng Jinchuan's mouth curled into a faint, mocking smile. "Useless trash."
Once he left, the formation masters froze, exchanging glances filled with both horror and relief.
They had much they wished to say, but none dared give voice to it. Instead, they bowed their heads and continued their "work" in silence.
Elsewhere, Feng Jinchuan arrived at another restriction site. Here, the formation masters were all from the Feng family itself—focused, diligent, and entirely different from the prisoners.
Their attitude pleased him greatly. These were the key to breaking free.
He stepped forward with an amiable smile, offered words of encouragement, and even handed out generous rewards before leaving in satisfaction.
This restriction showed stronger fluctuations than the other. The chance of success was greater, and so he had placed only Feng family formation masters here to avoid outside interference. He had already cowed the others with his thunderous methods, but there was no telling what they might do in secret to sabotage his plans. Best to take no chances.
Once the inspections were complete, Feng Jinchuan returned to the Feng family's council hall to handle clan affairs.
From within his robe, he drew out a soul lamp and checked it.
A faint gleam burned steadily.
Feng Youming was unharmed. He put the lamp away without concern.
With the rift soon to open, Feng Youming might well return. Then again, given his nature, perhaps he would prefer the allure of the outside world over the Secluded Land.
Still, Feng Youming's strength was considerable, and he had followed Feng Jinchuan's instructions, successfully driving the nail into the dragon vein.
Through that connection, Feng Jinchuan could sense the dragon vein's deep, undisturbed slumber. Since there was no danger, Feng Youming could amuse himself outside for a while longer. With that thought, Feng Jinchuan lowered his gaze and set the matter aside.
In the Song family's forge, Song Wanníng let out a long breath and wiped the pallor-slick sweat from her brow.
For half a month she had been channeling spiritual power and controlling the pill fire to refine the Xi Rang.
At last, the process was complete.
Opening the furnace, she revealed a block of solid brown earth, heat rippling off it in waves. Carefully, she lifted it through the air and set it upon the forging platform. After swallowing a restorative pill to recover her mental strength, she hefted a hammer and brought it down in a ringing blow.
The forge rang with a rhythmic clanging—irregular yet strangely harmonious, a cadence that seemed to draw the mind deeper with every strike.
Song Wanníng sank into the flow of the work, each blow reshaping the solid mass until, at last, it took the form of a human figure. Only then did she lower her hammer.
A faint smile touched her lips. She began etching array patterns into the form, sketching the outline of its features. Since this would be a clone meant for deeds that could not be exposed, she naturally would not give it her own appearance.
Instead, she chose an illusion array from Senior Feng Jiuxiao's inheritance—one that could not only disguise its face but also alter its spiritual aura. Even cultivators of equal Divine Transformation realm would be hard-pressed to detect the ruse.
And with the Feng Youming Yuányīng sealed within her sea of consciousness…
Her hands moved swiftly.
Moments later, the "crippled" Feng Youming stood before her once again, his aura identical to the real thing.
Song Wanníng's eyes gleamed with fierce light.
Even the Feng family Patriarch would not see through this.
Her clone was complete.
She clenched her fist, ambition burning in her gaze.
She would find a way to awaken the dragon vein.
===
Do you love the "misunderstood MC" trope?
You know, those protagonists who are accidentally seen as legendary figures while remaining completely oblivious? Think Momonga from Overlord, Tanya Degurechaff from Youjo Senki (Saga of Tanya the Evil), or Lin Jie from I'm Really Not The Demon God's Lackey.
Just like them, our MC is seen as a terrifyingly brilliant and powerful figure—except she has no idea why everyone fears her so much. If you enjoy watching side characters overanalyze every little thing the MC does—while the MC is just vibing—then you'll love this story!
"The Invincible Money-Grubbing Fairy"
Yao Ranran was just playing a cultivation game when she got isekai'd as a minor side character. Worse, the male protagonist ruined her cultivation, leaving her a cripple! But no worries—she's got a blacksmith shop, a laid-back attitude, and one goal: Get rich or die trying.
While others see her as an unfathomable, terrifying genius, the truth is… she's just winging it. Her disciples and allies? They're convinced every move she makes is 5D chess. Enemies? They tremble at her "ruthless schemes." Meanwhile, Yao Ranran is just sipping tea under her unbreakable 99,000-layer shield, wondering why everyone keeps calling her a peerless fairy.
Will the world ever realize the truth? Or will Yao Ranran accidentally ascend to legend while just trying to run her shop?