It seemed like Song Wanníng wanted to make Feng Jinchuan even angrier. She continued, "Ah, I didn't expect even a united family like Feng to have this kind of problem. It really opens one's eyes. I don't think your words as Patriarch carry much weight either."
She gave Feng Jinchuan a sidelong glance, her face full of amusement. "Tell me, when they're at their last breath, do you think they'll pull you out to take the bullet for them? Poor you, working so hard to plan for them. Tsk, tsk..."
Song Wanníng's words were sharper than swords, stabbing at Feng Jinchuan's heart with frustration. Human nature was complicated. Even he dared not promise with certainty. He kept a stern face and said nothing, silently planning how he would tear Song Wanníng apart piece by piece. Then he turned back to deal with the red smoke.
During this brief exchange, another elder fell victim.
Even worse, the more people the red smoke swallowed, the stronger it seemed to grow. That gaping bloody mouth was enough to give anyone goosebumps.
The elders' spirits completely broke. Just thinking about all their years of effort being wiped out sent panic surging through them. Their minds grew restless with desperation. With Wu Fang's betrayal opening the door, their actions no longer seemed so shocking...
In the following moments, Song Wanníng witnessed a deeply ironic scene. Someone pushed Wu Fang into the red smoke to escape themselves. Wu Fang did not expect this fate. Shock and regret filled his wide eyes before he was swallowed whole.
The elder who pushed him waved dismissively. "I'm avenging Old Third. He betrayed us after all!"
Her justification silenced many. But not everyone was so heartless. The elders began to dodge and argue fiercely.
"Looks like there are still some with a conscience among them."
Bai Yang could not help but speak. In his understanding, comrades supported each other, not used as scapegoats.
Those few deserved condemnation.
Song Wanníng suddenly looked at him, eyes full of meaning.
"Yeah, unlike some people whose consciences have been eaten by dogs!"
Her words were subtle, her cold tone making Bai Yang uneasy. He wanted to respond but found no words. Deep inside, he felt wronged. Was Song Wanníng hinting at his previous theft of pills?
He had already apologized. Why hold on to it?
Bai Yang felt depressed, and Song Wanníng ignored him.
He knew those who killed each other had no conscience, but did that make him blameless when in her previous life, he had personally crushed his master to ashes with his own hands?
Hmph.
Quick to judge others but blind to his own faults.
...
Time flew by. After an hour, only five elders remained in the formation, including Feng Jinchuan. Scattered skeletons lay on the ground, a grim and eerie sight.
The survivors were in terrible condition, many missing limbs. Feng Jinchuan had even lost a leg, looking quite miserable. Their pills were nearly gone, and spiritual stones were no more than a drop in the ocean, unable to keep up with the depletion.
"Pfft—"
Someone spat blood toward the sky and collapsed with a thud. Her face was pale, her breathing labored. Her spiritual and mental energy were almost exhausted.
"Yu'er!"
Feng Jinchuan surged forward and shoved the last pill into her mouth. Yu'er was his sister. She could not die.
"Brother—"
Yu'er grew paler, hopelessness settling deep within. The formation was endless. She had tried so hard, but still could not break free. Perhaps today was the day they would be trapped forever.
Feng Jinchuan held her in his arms and soared into the air, his eyes burning like a demon's as they fixed on Song Wanníng.
"You want the method to awaken the Dragon Vein, don't you? Just release us, and I'll tell you."
Song Wanníng had certainly guessed the method lay in him. Otherwise, she would have eliminated the elders directly instead of using them as bait. Her true target had always been him.
"Heh, Patriarch, you are smart. I came for the Dragon Vein awakening method, that's true."
Song Wanníng openly admitted her goal.
"Brother, don't tell her! She has caused so many of us to suffer. We can't let her have it! Even if I die, I won't let her succeed!"
Yu'er clung stubbornly to Feng Jinchuan, her eyes filled with fierce hatred. She wanted to tear Song Wanníng apart bit by bit, then swallow her whole.
The remaining few were equally fiery, shouting, "Right, don't give it to her! That witch's evil formation killed so many of us. She deserves punishment!"
"Patriarch, we are not afraid of her!"
Driven to the edge, death no longer scared them.
They shared one goal: to grind Song Wanníng to dust.
Feng Jinchuan frowned at their words and thought them fools. Feigning a bargain only to have control once outside?
Ignoring their reactions, he said to Song Wanníng, "I mean what I say. Release us and I will reveal the Dragon Vein awakening method. But if you insist on harming us, I'll take that knowledge with me to the underworld without a single word to you."
With no other choice, he gambled, hoping she would fall for it.
"Really?"
Song Wanníng raised an eyebrow and scrutinized him skeptically.
Feng Jinchuan pressed his lips, then nodded again. "If I lie, may lightning strike me down and I die in agony."
He was not afraid to swear such a vow.
After all, promising to give it was one thing. Actually escaping alive with the secret was another.
He schemed deeply, plotting his escape.
"Brother, don't give it to her!"
Yu'er shouted in protest, clearly upset.
Feng Jinchuan looked down at her with a flash of fear in his eyes. Yu'er noticed and finally fell silent.
Song Wanníng smiled as she watched the siblings' interaction.
Feng Jinchuan thought the Dragon Vein method would keep him in control?
It made sense. The Dragon Vein's allure was too strong.
Who could remain indifferent after seeing the Dragon Vein?
She wanted it too.
But Song Wanníng hated being threatened.
"The Dragon Vein is meant to protect the Song family. But if your Feng family falls, that problem solves itself. Don't you agree? Dragon Vein or not, you might as well stay and breed!"
Her expression darkened suddenly. Over a hundred top-grade spirit stones flew from her sleeves, shooting toward different points in the formation.
The already exhausted formation revived, attacking the few remaining fiercely.