The Black Prison was naturally no benevolent place, and Luan Baifeng was no generous philanthropist. Her willingness to accept those errant Open Heaven cultivators was entirely because the Black Prison produced a special cultivation resource—one that only Open Heaven cultivators were qualified to harvest.
Luan Baifeng regularly paid various powers to purchase their errant Open Heaven cultivators and bring them to the Black Prison to gather resources. Those powers could dispose of their troublesome members and turn a neat profit at the same time—a win-win for everyone.
But everyone knew that once an Open Heaven cultivator entered the Black Prison, virtually no one walked out alive. The hostile environment and omnipresent dangers could swallow a warrior's life at any moment. Even if one somehow survived, their cultivation would be continuously drained until their inner Small World collapsed into nothing—a fate worse than death.
Because of the Black Prison's unique environment, many desperate warriors sought refuge there. Luan Baifeng turned none away, for as long as she controlled the entrance and exit, no one could defy her.
Every year, countless lives were lost in the Black Prison. As its master, how could Luan Baifeng possibly be an innocent, naive woman?
Across the entire Three Thousand Worlds and the vast cosmos, there were very few whose ruthlessness could surpass hers.
Kong Feng and Luan Baifeng were old acquaintances. This time, to deal with Void Land, he had invited her along. Ever since the Blood Demon Cave Heaven concluded, Kong Feng had been investigating Void Land's true strength. As far as he knew, Void Land was formerly the Seven Auspicious Lands—a mere ordinary second-rate power, nothing remarkable. The number of Open Heaven cultivators in all of Void Land could be counted on one hand. Against the Heavenly Sword Alliance, such a power stood no chance.
If it were possible, Kong Feng would have preferred to act alone, swallowing Void Land entirely so he could keep all its treasures without sharing with anyone.
But Void Land's Nine Heavens Grand Formation filled him with extreme apprehension. Even a top-tier second-rate power like the Heavenly Sword Alliance didn't possess a defensive formation of such grandeur. That Void Land had one was truly baffling.
He had sent people to investigate and learned that this grand formation was laid by someone called Master Wuliang. He had intended to find Master Wuliang and learn the secrets of the Nine Heavens Grand Formation, but unfortunately, Master Wuliang was a lone wanderer with no sect or faction affiliation. After searching for months, they still couldn't locate the man.
With no other option, Kong Feng had no choice but to invite Luan Baifeng to lend her strength.
Luan Baifeng's Sixth-Order Open Heaven cultivation was no lesser than his own, and since the two had known each other before, there was a basis for cooperation. Of course, the most important factor was that Luan Baifeng was exceptionally accomplished in the Dao of Formations. With the countless natural restrictions inside the Black Prison, anyone who lived there would have to know something about formations.
Luan Baifeng not only understood formations but was deeply versed in them. Among all the people Kong Feng knew, her attainments in the Dao of Formations could rank in the top three.
With her assistance, cracking the Nine Heavens Grand Formation and taking down Void Land would surely be within reach. But before that, someone needed to probe the foundations of the formation first, so that Luan Baifeng could prepare her countermeasures.
Such a grand formation would certainly require lives to be sacrificed. Kong Feng was reluctant to expend his own Heavenly Sword Alliance members, so naturally he could only send others—hence the situation today.
The gathering of these hundred factions at Void Land was entirely orchestrated by Kong Feng, though behind him there was naturally no shortage of support and tacit approval from various powers.
Hearing Luan Baifeng's complaints, Kong Feng smiled faintly. "Those who achieve great things don't sweat the small details. In battle against an enemy, how could one afford to be tender-hearted? If not for this, how would we force that kid to show himself?"
Deep down, he sneered: It's not like I haven't seen you, Luan Baifeng, being ruthless yourself. What's the point of putting on this act now?
Luan Baifeng put on an admiring expression. "Alliance Master Kong is truly a man who achieves great things—your humble servant is most impressed." She then covered her mouth with a light laugh. "But will Yang Kai really reveal himself just like this?"
Kong Feng's smile didn't reach his eyes. "This Void Land was only recently established. That brat Yang Kai, a mere Emperor Venerable, somehow rounded up all these Open Heaven cultivators from who knows where. Now that I've captured more than half his forces, if he doesn't want to lose their loyalty, he'll have no choice but to show himself."
According to his intelligence, Void Land hadn't had many Open Heaven cultivators to begin with. Having captured over thirty in one sweep had dealt Void Land a devastating blow. Yang Kai would have to appear, no matter what.
Luan Baifeng nodded slightly. "That would be best. If he shows himself, things will be much easier. Alliance Master Kong, once this is done, don't forget about my share." As she spoke, she glanced toward the direction where Lu Xue and the others were being held, her crimson tongue licking her lips as though she were eyeing a feast of delicious delicacies.
"Rest assured. I won't go back on our agreement," Kong Feng said flatly. While it was true he and Luan Baifeng were old acquaintances, inviting her to help meant he naturally had to offer her a considerable reward—otherwise, who would bother? The terms he had offered were all the Open Heaven captives that could be seized in this battle.
When two powers clashed, the defeated side naturally produced prisoners. For instance, when Yang Kai had first seized Void Land, he had captured Chen Tianfei. If Chen Tianfei hadn't immediately produced the Loyalty Register, Yang Kai might well have killed him—they already had blood feuds, and with no way to guarantee the man's loyalty, why would he spare his life?
But Chen Tianfei was a man who knew the situation. Sensing danger, he promptly produced the Loyalty Register, which preserved his life to this day.