Feng Youming's brows rose slightly.
The Spirit-Seeking Pearl given to him by the Patriarch was no ordinary treasure. It was said to be a top-tier spiritual artifact, passed down from previous leaders, one that ordinary ambient qi could not stir. At the very least, it required the presence of a low-grade spiritual vein to react.
It was with this pearl that the Patriarch had once discovered the Dragon Vein.
Now, one side of the pearl was glowing again. That meant there was a spiritual vein in that direction.
A gleam flashed in Feng Youming's eyes, and his lips curved upward. ,An easy chance to earn some extra profit—he would never let it slip away. Following the pearl's guidance, he headed swiftly north.
Meanwhile, Song Wanníng received word that Feng Youming had left the city, heading north. Her mind instantly went to the spiritual vein. If he could locate the sleeping Dragon Vein, then of course he could find the vein's position. Feeling an unease settle in, she immediately sent a transmission talisman to Mu Yuan.
After some thought, she also sent word to Song Qingyun, telling him to bring along the Song family's Ancestor and use the teleportation array to get to the spiritual vein ahead of Feng Youming's arrival.
Feng Youming's movements were far too unpredictable for her to take lightly. And she had an important plan to see through—she had to strike in one decisive move.
Once that was done, she quickly sent another message, this time to Yu Cheng.
"Song Daoyou—no, Senior Song, do you have important business for me?"
Yu Cheng, who had just deciphered a grand formation, was overjoyed at her contact.
Since their last meeting, she had never reached out to him.
"I need your help with something. I require a formation that can trap a Divine Transformation cultivator. Not just trap their body, but seal all their means as well."
She could not allow anyone to learn of this matter.
There was a long pause on the other end before his reply came. "It can be done, but setting it up will require extremely rare materials, and several supreme-grade spirit stones."
"No problem. I'll prepare them. Come to this location immediately."
She gave him an address—very close to the restriction, and right along the only route to the spiritual vein.
After agreeing on the plan, she left to gather the formation materials.
Fortunately, the spiritual vein was far from the city, and Feng Youming had no right to use the teleportation array, meaning his journey would take time.
Yu Cheng, on the other hand, as a true prodigy, could travel via transfer arrays, greatly cutting the journey short and arriving ahead of him.
Just as Song Wanníng had predicted, Yu Cheng reached the site within two days and immediately began preparing the formation. He didn't care who Song Wanníng wanted to ensnare—he was simply glad for the chance to repay her.
When Song Wanníng arrived with the materials, Yu Cheng threw himself into his work with full enthusiasm.
"Senior Song, this formation comes from the very inheritance you helped me obtain. It was the first one I mastered! Rest assured, there won't be the slightest mistake!"
He even tried to explain its workings, but Song Wanníng quickly stopped him.
A formation of such complexity was beyond her understanding.
Once the timing was set, she returned to the restriction.
There, she met someone she had not seen in a long time—the Song family's Ancestor, Song Huai.
Song Huai was a man of refined scholar's looks. Every gesture carried the elegance of a noble son. Even in his later years, his bearing had not dimmed.
Only now, his face was grave. "Wanníng, girl, tell me exactly what's going on."
Song Qingyun had only told him the spiritual vein was in danger. He had not even stayed to guard the clan, but had rushed here immediately.
The vein's safety was tied to the family's future—nothing could be allowed to happen to it.
Song Wanníng held nothing back. She told him about the Dragon Vein and about Feng Youming.
Song Huai's long years of experience instantly led him to the truth. His face grew even more somber. The lure of a Dragon Vein was deadly. The forces behind Feng Youming would stop at nothing to claim it. And now they were setting their sights on the spiritual vein as well.
"When will Feng Youming arrive?" Song Huai asked steadily.
"No more than ten days."
At this, Song Huai's refined demeanor cracked. His brows lowered like drawn blades, and killing intent spilled forth, shattering his cultured air.
"Since he's coming, we'll make sure he never leaves."
The four of them began laying their plans.
They knew nothing of Feng Youming's true origins, so they had to prepare for every possibility. And according to Song Wanníng, she wanted him alive—making things far more complicated.
Killing him would have been easier.
…
Feng Youming was still hurrying toward his destination, unaware that an ambush lay ahead. Thinking of the days he had spent traveling, he gave a cold snort. The Patriarch was too cautious.
These human cultivators outside were weak and not particularly bright. Compared to the Feng clan, they were laughable. He had been out here so long without a chance to explore, circling around the Song family all the while. It was infuriating. Once he plundered the spirit stones, he would take his time enjoying himself before returning.
The plan already firm in his mind, he spurred his flying treasure to greater speed. That woman Song Wanníng was probably still running in circles trying to find his weak point.
Fool.
Time passed quickly on the road. About seven days later, Feng Youming reached the area near the restriction. Taking out the Spirit-Seeking Pearl, he saw it flare with dazzling light. His eyes brightened slightly—so it was here.
He put away his flying treasure and descended from the air. He could not afford to startle whatever might be present, so he moved in on foot to observe.
Soon, he came upon a valley, hemmed in on both sides by towering peaks. The valley floor was the only way forward.
Cautious, he swept his divine sense over the area, but sensed no one.
Relaxing, he strode into the valley.
Halfway through, he chuckled to himself. Why was he being so cautious?
The moment he set foot deeper into the gorge, his expression changed. "Something was wrong."
Without hesitation, he sprang back—but it was too late.
A glowing barrier rose around him, sealing him in at speed. The array's runes flared, bouncing him back violently.
His face darkened. He drew a long spear and drove it toward the formation. Wind-charged force slammed against the barrier, space warping, spiritual energy thrashing. Vortices spun into being, threatening to tear the place apart.
But after shuddering violently, the runes steadied, holding firm. Feng Youming's expression tightened. "What kind of formation could withstand his strike?"
He knew nothing of formations. Even in the Dragon Vein hunt, he had relied on the Patriarch's talismans. Now, facing this situation, frustration rose.
He lifted his spear again—when a familiar voice sounded from behind him.
"Feng Daoyou, long time no see."
Feng Youming froze, then turned, and saw that faintly smiling face.