"Your Highness, our test has been successful."
The Professor brought two replicas of vastly different strengths before the Blood Kin Prince.
"Successful?" The Blood Kin Prince walked up to the two replicas and scrutinized them. "What is the maximum power amplification we can achieve?"
The Professor replied, "Based on the current rune array, the one here can only amplify power by two hundred times. Any more, and the array wouldn't be able to withstand such a massive energy diversion."
The Blood Kin Prince stroked his chin. "Only two hundred times? It seems that's still not enough."
The Professor continued, "I know where the Headmaster's rune array is, but the guards there are too numerous. It might be difficult for us to get in."
"Is there no other way?" the Blood Kin Prince asked.
"There is," the Professor said with a confident smile. "My years of research have not been in vain."
With that, the Professor clapped his hands, and a creature resembling a green-faced resentful spirit, named "Void," emerged from a spatial rift.
"This is a new generation of special resentful spirits, researched based on past data. I've named it Void."
"Void?" the Blood Kin Prince inquired with a hint of confusion.
"Yes," the Professor nodded. "This resentful spirit can completely conceal its body within a phantasm, a realm deeper than mere illusion. That realm is a perfect reflection of reality, mirroring everything that happens in the real world, even the rustling of leaves."
"A phantasm? Can I see it?" the Blood Kin Prince asked curiously.
However, the Professor shook his head. "No, you cannot. The phantasm is inhabited by creatures similar to resentful spirits. I have a feeling that world is somewhat akin to the Changsheng Realm."
"If we were to enter rashly, we might be attacked by the beings within. The risk is too great."
"A new world?" The Blood Kin Prince frowned upon hearing this. "Does it pose any threat to us?"
The Professor shook his head again. "I don't know. I only entered once and felt something terrifying inside, so I immediately retreated."
The Blood Kin Prince remained silent for a moment, then said solemnly, "This world must absolutely not be allowed to connect with the real world. One Changsheng Realm is already enough trouble for us."
The Professor nodded. He understood the terrifying nature of these parasitic worlds that latched onto the real world. The Changsheng Realm was the best example.
"Then how will this 'Void' help us enter the Headmaster's rune array?" the Blood Kin Prince changed the subject.
"We'll do this..." the Professor began to explain his plan.
...
Changsheng Realm Mine.
A few days passed in the blink of an eye. Fang Ming and the others found themselves with little to do in the living quarters. He took the opportunity to check on the miners. The strongest among them had now reached the intensity of a top-tier ferocious beast!
"Hurry up. This time, the resentful spirits won't be so simple."
Fang's mother sighed, chiding him slightly. "You're so heartless, using your own son as bait. Aren't you afraid something might happen to him?"
Who would have thought Fang Daolong would scoff, "Son? What son? Don't you know how he came to be?"
"But he's also our creation," Fang's mother retorted. "I don't believe you have no feelings for him."
Fang Daolong fell silent for a moment.
Fang's mother continued, "We were destined to have no offspring, so we created Fang Ming. You must have seen him as a son during those years, haven't you?"
Fang Daolong said impatiently, "Enough, stop talking."
Of course, he had feelings for Fang Ming, or he wouldn't have hesitated when facing his plan. The reason he ignored Fang Ming's speculations was precisely because he knew what Fang Ming truly was!
"Alright, alright, I won't talk anymore," Fang's mother said, shaking her head. Disregarding the man's stubborn pride, she continued drawing runes that faded into the wall.
"By the way, about that diary you mentioned, have you found any leads yet?" Fang's mother asked.
Fang Daolong pondered for a moment. "The most likely possibility now is Changsheng. He wants to use Fang Ming to enter the fray and disrupt our plans."
"But Fang Ming's current strength is likely far from being able to affect our plan, isn't it?" Fang's mother asked doubtfully.
Fang Daolong nodded. "That's what I've been pondering. Is he trying to use our feelings for Fang Ming to lure us into abandoning the plan?"
"Would you abandon the plan because of Fang Ming?" Fang's mother asked the soul-piercing question.
"I..." Fang Daolong fell silent.
Would he abandon it? He didn't know. He was also constantly wavering.
Nannu's current importance to Fang Ming was undeniable. If he were to act against Nannu, it would surely provoke Fang Ming's resistance.
However, if he abandoned the plan, Changsheng would soon invade the real world, leading to widespread destruction.
...
Three days passed in the blink of an eye.
"Boom!"
Outside the mine, the sound of thunder, penetrating the mountain's obstruction, reached Fang Ming's ears.
"Is it coming?" Fang Ming and the other three stood on the roof, looking towards the miners at the entrance of the living quarters.
The miners had all stopped moving, standing frozen in place, and the runes in the air had ceased their operation.
"It's already spread this far," Fang Ming observed as he saw raindrops falling from above. The roof of this living quarter area was already starting to leak rainwater.
"Nannu, activate the protection. Qingmian, take Number One into the mirror dimension. The exterior could collapse at any moment."
"Understood!" The three fiends responded and immediately began their tasks.
Nannu extended her small hand, and streams of blood appeared from the void, then enveloped the strands of hair in the air. The hair danced again, wrapping Fang Ming and Nannu within, leaving only a few fist-sized openings to observe their surroundings.
Qingmian opened the mirror dimension and, with Number One, hid inside. They were of little help now; protecting themselves was the priority.
"Beep, beep, beep..."
In the mine, from various corners, a series of beeping sounds erupted. One by one, timed bombs began their countdown.
"10, 9, 8, ... 2, 1, 0, beep, beep, beep..."
Urgent beeping sounds ensued, followed by a synchronized roar.
"Boom—!"
"Rumble!" Continuous thunderous explosions masked the sound of the bombs.
All the miners resumed their actions at this moment, fleeing in panic, recreating the scene from before.
"Rumble, rumble~" The entire mountainside began to crack. Due to the extensive mining and tunneling, coupled with the corrosive rain and the accelerant effect of the bombs.
The entire mine began to collapse incessantly. Mining tunnels were buried, caves caved in, machinery was covered by earth and water, and rubble rained down on the miners.
"Help!"
"The mine is collapsing!"
"Why wasn't anyone notified!"
...
Screams, curses, and cries filled the air. The entire mine had transformed into a living hell, with miners being crushed and buried one after another.
The deceased miners began to dissipate, vanishing completely, transforming into a white stream of resentment that drilled into an unknown part of the mine.
Fang Daolong and his wife stood in a massive cave. This was the junction point of the main mine tunnel leading out. Numerous mining tunnels connected here, some leading out, and others descending deeper.
If Fang Ming saw this, he would be astonished. This was the "trap" he had encountered upon first arriving at the mine, where he had even killed the miners multiple times within this very cave.
"The miners are starting to gather," Fang Daolong said, observing the accumulating resentment in the air.
"In about two hours, the miners will appear. Be prepared."
Fang's mother nodded.
Time ticked by. Fang Ming waited for the mine world to restart so he could find an opportunity to leave. His plan was to leave this time and live a peaceful life with Nannu, never to be involved in these matters again.