Chu Feng's formation had already merged with the formation of the Seven Realms Sacred Palace.
It was following the Sacred Palace's formation, continuously channeling energy into the Sacred Artifact.
The Sacred Palace's selfish scheming had instead become a powerful boost for Chu Feng.
Even if the Sacred Artifact went out of control, Chu Feng could clear himself of suspicion and pin the blame directly on the Seven Realms Sacred Palace.
……
Meanwhile, in the Immortal Star Domain, there existed a spatial world situated relatively close to the Sacred Artifact.
Within this spatial world stood a massive black mountain.
The entire mountain was itself a supreme treasure for cultivation.
At its peak, there was a sealed cave.
At its base stood a resplendent, golden palace.
From within that palace, dark crimson energy drifted outward, flowing into the cave above.
That dark crimson energy was unmistakably the aura emanating from the Prison Sect's Sacred Artifact.
However, its aura had undergone a noticeable transformation — it had been converted into something that could be used for cultivation.
Above the palace, a man from the Prison Sect hovered in midair.
His appearance was decent enough, but his face was deathly pale, giving off an air of sinister malevolence.
This man's name was Zhao Feng.
He was the adopted son raised by Baili Kongxu.
It was he who had discovered that one could use rare natural treasures as a medium to harness the Sacred Artifact's power for cultivation.
"Truly worthy of being Father's own son — such talent is truly extraordinary."
"This time, Younger Brother Zilin's cultivation is certain to advance by leaps and bounds."
Zhao Feng gazed toward the cave and let out a sigh of admiration.
Boom— Suddenly, ripples of energy began emanating from the cave.
At the same time, the flow of dark crimson energy surging from the palace slowed.
Zhao Feng knew it was not that the energy had run out — it was that Baili Zilin could absorb no more.
"It seems this is the end of the session."
With that, Zhao Feng turned and entered the palace.
The moment he stepped inside, several agonized screams echoed through the air.
It was as if this were not a palace, but a living hell on earth.
Yet Zhao Feng paid them no mind.
After all, the people screaming were ones he had orchestrated to be captured.
From the outside, the palace looked magnificent and golden.
But inside, it was unmistakably a prison.
Setting aside the screams, the air itself was thick with a chilling, sinister aura.
However, when Zhao Feng pushed open one particular cell door, a vastly different scene appeared within.
The cell had been decorated exquisitely — it looked exactly like a young lady's boudoir.
On the table sat pastries, fruits, and other delicacies.
None of them had been touched.
Zhao Feng entered the room the moment he opened the door, quickly closing it behind him.
He was afraid the sounds from outside would reach the room's occupant.
He glanced at the untouched food and let out a soft sigh.
Then his gaze fell upon the corner of the room.
There sat a young woman, cross-legged, deep in cultivation.
She wore a white dress, her features pure and lovely — any normal man who laid eyes on that face would be unable to resist stealing a second glance.
And the wind chime dangling from the sash at her waist added an extra touch of ethereal grace.
This was none other than Feng Ling.
"Miss Feng Ling, if you wish to cultivate, you needn't sit on the floor," Zhao Feng said with a warm smile.
"If you truly had my best interests at heart, you would let me leave. Don't lock me in here and then pretend to care about me."
Feng Ling opened her bright, lively eyes and spoke coldly.
"Miss Feng Ling, you truly misunderstand me."
As he spoke, Zhao Feng returned to the door and opened it.
The screams from outside poured into the palace.
"Have I not treated you well?"
"If not for my protection, you would be out there suffering alongside the rest of them."
After saying this, Zhao Feng closed the door once more.
Perhaps because those screams had been so harrowing, Feng Ling's composure was no longer as steady as before.
"What exactly do you want from me?" Feng Ling asked.