307: Everything is to transcend the shackles of heaven and earth

At the Jun Family square, Xi Ling stood on the array platform, her magnificent immortal dress outlining her graceful curves, her silver hair flowing.

She wore a veil, and the aura she exuded was ethereal and refined, as if she were a fairy about to ascend.

"Xi Ling, my girl, you've gathered us here. Are you planning to evacuate the Xuantian Domain?"

Ran Shanqiang stood below the platform, looking up at Xi Ling, stroking his long beard with a gentle smile.

However, his heart was burning with anger.

She wouldn't even offer him a seat; it was truly too much.

He was, after all, Xi Ling's elder and a registered disciple of Immortal King He Guang.

With a Profound God Realm eighth-level cultivation, he was treated as a distinguished guest and an ancestor wherever he went.

Yet, in Xi Ling's eyes, he was just a minion, standing among the crowd.

"You cannot leave."

Upon hearing this, Xi Ling's cold eyes grew even colder.

"Why?"

Ran Shanqiang's hand paused in its beard-stroking.

He somewhat didn't understand Xi Ling's meaning.

The Heaven Refining Great Array had already been set up.

They had already plundered all the treasures that could be found in the Xuantian Domain.

If they didn't leave, was Xi Ling planning to refine them as well?

Impossible.

It wasn't that he thought Xi Ling wouldn't dare, but rather that it was unnecessary.

The billions of living beings and the boundless lands of the Xuantian Domain were already enough for Xi Ling to refine.

Their Ran Family's few people were merely a drop in the ocean.

Moreover, the Ran Family was a powerful force, controlling many of the Zhao Family's industries; losing them would mean heavy losses for the Zhao Family.

Xi Ling was not someone who couldn't distinguish priorities; she never suffered losses.

"Could it be that Miss still wants to sell jade tokens?"

The crowd was in an uproar.

Except for Ran Shanqiang and his son, they had no idea that Xi Ling had set up the Heaven Refining Great Array in the Xuantian Domain.

Upon hearing that they couldn't leave, their expressions became excited.

Because there was no Immortal King in the Xuantian Domain, they had been incredibly successful by using Immortal King He Guang's name.

If they hinted at something they liked, someone would immediately offer it to them. In just two short years, they had plundered countless treasures.

Now, with three hundred and sixty array foundations activated, gushing out vast amounts of immortal source energy, the jade tokens had been inflated to exorbitant prices.

If they traded them again, they would surely be able to acquire treasures that directly enhanced their cultivation.

"Boom!"

"Silence!"

The four, Hong Lan included, simultaneously released their might, suppressing the entire scene, their cold voices seeming to strike everyone's souls.

"You, Ran Family, have such audacity, daring to enrich yourselves."

"Hand over your storage rings and your natal magic weapons to me."

"This..."

Everyone's minds buzzed, each person struck as if by lightning, their faces pale, their eyes staring at Xi Ling in shock.

They seemed unable to believe that this was a decision made by Xi Ling.

They had toiled tirelessly for Xi Ling, so how could Xi Ling rob them?

Making them hand over their storage rings and natal magic weapons, wasn't this asking for their lives?

Wouldn't doing this make everyone turn against her?

Ran Shanqiang's expression changed several times, then he said righteously, "Xi Ling, my girl, this matter is of great importance. Do you have any evidence? If someone truly enriched themselves, even if they are my clansmen, I will never tolerate it."

"Yes."

"Please, Lady Goddess, be discerning. I absolutely did not enrich myself."

"Neither did I."

Seeing Clan Leader Ran Shanqiang step forward, everyone gained confidence and couldn't help but complain.

Each of them looked aggrieved, daring not to speak their anger.

They had indeed extorted many benefits from various families and sects.

But these were their deserved rewards.

They had painstakingly worked for Xi Ling, selling the jade tokens at high prices, and had not coveted even a single immortal crystal from Xi Ling's jade tokens.

They had merely demanded a little extra benefit.

Surely they couldn't be expected to work for nothing, could they?

"Heh."

Xi Ling's lips curled into a sneer; she never needed evidence to act.

She didn't need evidence when dealing with ants either.

She immediately gave Hong Lan a look, and the latter understood.

As Hong Lan's thought arose, in an instant, she annihilated ten thousand Ran Family cultivators.

"Bang, bang, bang!"

The bodies of ten thousand cultivators exploded, blood mist scattered, and their souls were utterly destroyed.

"You..."

"How can you be so lawless?"

"Indiscriminately slaughtering people without distinguishing right from wrong, how will you command respect in the future? Aren't you afraid of People's hearts are scattered (people's hearts scattering, i.e., losing morale) and everyone turning against you?"

Ran Shanqiang was furious, his eyes bloodshot.

These people were the backbone of the Ran Family, cultivated at immense cost.

The death of ten thousand at once was a huge loss for the Ran Family, even shaking its foundation.

"Oh?"

"So, you, Ran Family, want to rebel?" Xi Ling's tone was full of sarcasm.

"Nonsense."

Ran Shanqiang roared, "Without rules, nothing can be accomplished, without..."

"Father, calm down." Ran Yuzhu quickly sent a voice transmission, interrupting the enraged Ran Shanqiang: "You know what kind of person she is. Those who obey prosper, those who defy perish. Opposing her is tantamount to seeking death."

"But... but..." Ran Shanqiang's heart was bleeding, burning with rage.

Xi Ling was openly robbing them!

Was there no justice or law left?

"No 'buts'. Mere ants, if they die, they die. Don't ruin the grand plan." Ran Yuzhu's voice was stern.

He had finally seen hope, waited so many years, and at last, Xi Ling was giving him the Dao Fruit.

This meant that Xi Ling had finally recognized him.

In the future, there would surely be a continuous stream of treasures, and perhaps even the Heavenly Dao Essence he longed for.

It could be said that the Great Dao was within reach.

If he offended Xi Ling because of this, let alone Xi Ling wanting to kill them, he himself would want to dismember these clansmen.

"Elder Ran has an opinion?"

Hong Lan's tone was calm, a hint of sarcasm in her beautiful eyes.

That old Ran Shanqiang had always acted superior to Xi Ling, calling her 'my girl' to her face.

Those who didn't know would think Ran Shanqiang was above Xi Ling, holding a transcendent position in the Zhao Family.

Ran Shanqiang had also gained a transcendent status in the outside world because of this; everyone showed him deference, and he gained countless benefits.

What was even more hateful was that Ran Shanqiang was still not satisfied; every time he saw Xi Ling, he tried to assert his seniority over her.

Fortunately, Xi Ling was inherently cruel and had been a bad seed since childhood, without any moral concepts.

Otherwise, with Ran Shanqiang's cunning and calculations, he would surely have Xi Ling completely under his thumb.

"No."

Ran Shanqiang took a deep breath, suppressed the anger in his heart, shook his head, and replied nonchalantly.

A hint of viciousness flashed in the depths of his eyes.

Once he got Hong Lan, he would definitely make her suffer.

"Heh heh."

Hong Lan sneered. Death was at their doorstep, yet they were still dreaming.

After today, everyone present would die, including the Ran Family far away in the Great Scarlet Heaven.

"Hand over everything." Yi Tang shouted.

Hundreds of thousands of cultivators, including Ran Family members, their in-laws, sons-in-law who had married into the family, or powerful individuals recruited by them.

Each of them trembled, their eyes red as they handed over all their treasures.

These treasures were acquired by them through painstaking efforts.

They originally thought coming to the Xuantian Domain was an immense stroke of luck, and with so many treasures, their strength would surely advance further.

But now, not only was it all for naught, but they also had to surrender all their savings.

This was simply tearing flesh from them.

Yet, they dared not utter a single word, nor even harbor any resentment.

They had truly experienced how ruthless and vicious Xi Ling was.

The blood mist still lingering in the air was the most powerful proof.

"Ran Family, you truly have a knack for making money."

The four checked the confiscated treasures and exclaimed in surprise.

One must know that the Ran Family had been punished by Xi Ling once before, and their family fortune had been plundered.

Yet, not long after, they had recovered their vitality, and each of them possessed divine artifacts.

These divine artifacts naturally couldn't have fallen from the sky.

The salary given by the Zhao Family wasn't even enough for cultivation, let alone buying divine artifacts.

"What do you mean?"

Ran Shanqiang was furious: "My Ran Family acts uprightly and honorably, studies the sages' books diligently, comes from a scholarly background, and strictly disciplines ourselves."

"Shut up."

Xi Ling said coldly.

She had no interest in listening to Ran Shanqiang's long speech, nor was she interested in investigating whether the Ran Family had embezzled the Zhao Family's assets.

In her eyes, the Ran Family was no different from livestock; once fattened, they were slaughtered, nothing more.

If the Ran Family was gone, she would just find the Ye Lin, Zhang, or Li families.

There were plenty of families willing to be dogs for her Zhao Family.

Xi Ling sent a voice transmission to Hong Lan and the others: "Let's go, find Gu Qing. You don't need to worry about the trivial matters of the Time Chamber of Commerce anymore; just stay by his side with peace of mind."

"Miss, take care."

Tears welled up in the four's eyes; they bowed, then summoned their flying boat and vanished without a trace in an instant.

Upon seeing this, Ran Yuzhu's heart pounded, and an ominous premonition spread through his mind.

"Brother Yuzhu, come up."

Xi Ling's voice was clear and ethereal, making it impossible to discern her emotions.

Ran Yuzhu took a deep breath, a gentle smile on his face, and stepped onto the array platform.

"How was your harvest after two years of secluded cultivation?" Xi Ling asked.

"Thanks to your Dao Fruit, I've already touched the threshold of the Profound God Realm." Ran Yuzhu said.

"Good, Brother Yuzhu's talent surpasses even Senior Brother Yaoguang."

"I said that you would have a share of the fortuitous encounter, so let's discuss the Dao first."

Xi Ling sat cross-legged, a profound Dao rhythm flowing around her, and as her red lips parted slightly, auspicious phenomena instantly arose.

The enraged crowd, upon seeing these phenomena, were immediately captivated and fully concentrated.

Their treasures were gone, and further anger was useless. If they could gain even a slight insight from Xi Ling's lecture on the Dao, it would be good.

Ran Yuzhu also showed no weakness, going all out, not seeking to surpass Xi Ling, but at least to be evenly matched.

Ran Shanqiang, seeing this, revealed a sinister and ruthless look in his eyes, thinking: "My son is a great talent, finally gaining the favor of this demonic seed. It seems good things are coming. When I see my teacher, I will ask to marry Hong Lan and the others. Thus, the Ran Family's great momentum can be achieved."

Xi Ling sensed Ran Shanqiang's deep malice and couldn't help but sneer inwardly.

She didn't bother with a dying man.

She focused wholeheartedly on discussing the Dao with Ran Yuzhu.

It wasn't until she received news that Hong Lan and the others had left the Xuantian Domain that Xi Ling stopped pretending.

She rose and activated the Heaven Refining Great Array, a massive seal hovering in the air, with the might of an Immortal King, suppressing space-time and the universe.

The three hundred and sixty array foundations and three thousand auxiliary array platforms also erupted with billions of array patterns, connecting heaven and earth.

The entire Xuantian Domain instantly became like a giant furnace.

An supreme power spread throughout the Xuantian Domain.

In a short while, the Heaven Refining Great Array would be fully formed, refining heaven and earth.

"What's going on?"

Under the suppression of the Immortal King's might, everyone was already unable to breathe, their bodies uncontrollably confined to their original positions.

Ran Shanqiang was momentarily stunned, then his eyes widened in terror, looking at Xi Ling with extreme horror.

"Xi Ling, you..." Ran Yuzhu's face turned pale, his body trembled, but he still tried his best to remain calm, wanting to ask Xi Ling what she meant.

"As you can see, you are all my sacrifices."

Xi Ling's tone was icy, devoid of any emotion.

"Why?" Ran Yuzhu's defenses instantly broke upon hearing this, his gentle and refined face completely distorted.

"You don't lack sacrifices, why do you harm my Ran Family like this?" Ran Shanqiang roared, his voice filled with panic.

"I am your father's student, I have served the Zhao Family diligently for countless years, working tirelessly. Even if I have no merit, I have put in hard work. Why do you want to blood sacrifice us?"

Blood sacrifice?

Upon hearing this, the Ran Family members' pale faces grew even paler, their eyes filled with terror.

If not for the array's confinement, they might have already collapsed to the ground.

"You ask why?"

Xi Ling's eyes were filled with killing intent: "You, Ran Family, are merely dogs I raised, but you have started to think of yourselves as humans."

"Who gave you the audacity to claim to be my elders? And to even attempt to swallow my Zhao Family, it's simply laughable."

Upon hearing these words, Ran Shanqiang's heart was filled with intense hatred and despair.

Ran Yuzhu looked utterly distraught: "Are you even going to blood sacrifice me?"

"No, you are different. If I said I'd give you good fortune, I will definitely give you good fortune."

Xi Ling said indifferently: "You can fully devour the Heavenly Dao Essence, break through to Profound God, and even Immortal King."

Is it real or fake...? Ran Yuzhu was utterly confused.

He was indeed not confined by the array. After a moment of thought, Ran Yuzhu's expression changed drastically: "You have the Qi Tian Great Array?"

"You know about the Qi Tian Great Array? It seems you also have your own fortuitous encounters."

Xi Ling did not deny it.

Ran Yuzhu gave a mournful smile: "So, you recognized me as your sworn brother, and gave me the Dao Fruit, but in reality, you wanted me to bear the karma for you?"

"All your kindness towards me was preparation for today?"

"Yes." Xi Ling nodded, looking at Ran Yuzhu's despairing expression, her heart filled with satisfaction.

Ran Yuzhu's face was twisted: "Why? I treated you like a sister, why are you so heartless?"

"A sister? How laughable."

Xi Ling's eyes showed a hint of sarcasm: "Did you think the same way when you and your father plotted against my Zhao Family?"

"I never intended to plot against you."

"None of that matters anymore."

Xi Ling shook her head, her tone cold: "The Great Dao is long, and human hearts are unfathomable. The most unreliable thing in this world is loyalty, and I have no desire to verify your loyalty."

"We cultivators, everything is for transcending the shackles of heaven and earth. For this, no means are too extreme."

In her eyes, all subordinates were mere ants that could be sacrificed at any time.

There was no such thing as loyalty or disloyalty.

Cultivators cultivate the Dao of ruthlessness.

Just like Ran Yuzhu, he might have some genuine affection for her, but so what?

What good was it?

Would Ran Yuzhu give her the fortuitous encounters he obtained?

Clearly, that was impossible.

The only purpose of these people was to help her with tasks, and once they were fattened, they would be cut down with a single stroke.

Then, she would recruit another batch of tool-people, repeating the cycle.

"Do you have no genuine feelings for me at all?" Ran Yuzhu couldn't accept that Xi Ling also treated him as an ant.

What kind of person was he? His talent was no worse than Saint Son Yaoguang. If it weren't for wanting to obtain Xi Ling, he would have already joined a supreme great sect.

"Genuine feelings? Hahahaha."

Xi Ling laughed loudly, her expression disgusted: "What kind of thing is Ran Yuzhu? What qualifications do you have to show me doting eyes? What do you take me for? I have tolerated you father and son for a long time."

These father and son couldn't distinguish between primary and secondary, couldn't figure out who they were.

One considered himself an elder, the other considered himself an older brother.

But these two were just dogs she had raised.

"Good heavens, villains and protagonists are indeed different."

Gu Qing, hidden in the void, finally understood why Xi Ling wanted to destroy the Ran Family.

Xi Ling did not allow anyone to be above her.

But the Ran Family, relying on their seniority, put on airs in front of Xi Ling, committing a grave taboo.

If it were a protagonist, out of respect for their seniority and contributions, she would at least show some deference.

But Xi Ling was a villain, choosing to cut them down with a single stroke, those who obey prosper, those who defy perish, she was supreme.

Thinking this, Gu Qing withdrew his gaze and no longer paid attention, activating his Dao Pupil to observe the profundities of the Heaven Refining Great Array.

He had a bold idea in his mind.

The Heaven Refining Great Array possessed the ability to imprison and refine heaven and earth.

And his Chaos Treasure Bottle Seal had the ability to melt all things.

If the two were combined, perhaps he wouldn't need array assistance to refine heaven and earth.

However, these were all future matters. The urgent task was to first observe the evolution of the Heaven Refining Great Array.

And how the Heavenly Dao Essence was formed after the Heaven Refining Great Array refined heaven and earth, and how the Heavenly Dao Essence derived immeasurable changes.

This was the true fortuitous encounter.

The most precious aspect of the Heaven Refining Great Array was not the Heavenly Dao Essence itself, but the immeasurable derivations that occurred during its formation.

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