Chapter Seventy-Six: A Crushing Defeat for Humanity

He intended to send these peculiar humans into the factory of terrifying emotions, for the bizarre sentiments they produced were exceptionally delectable.

Without hesitation, he unleashed the Eye of Illusory Void, and in an instant, everyone was plunged into hallucinations.

Within their visions, they were enveloped in utter darkness—so oppressive it suffocated them, rendering everything invisible.

Suddenly, a sliver of bright light pierced the gloom. The light was gentle and warm, dazzling in its brilliance against the inky blackness.

That beam became the hope of all present; instinctively, they began to chase after it, running ceaselessly toward the glow.

In reality, Feng Tianlin’s left eye shimmered, while before him, a group of people, as if sleepwalking, flocked into a massive iron cage. Even the three at the Kaiyuan level were herded in, their urgent calls unable to rouse the rest from the trance.

At last, everyone had been corralled into the cage. It was from the zoo—once used to confine animals, now repurposed by Feng Tianlin to imprison humans as the strange creatures had done to others.

Once the cage’s automatic lock engaged, Feng Tianlin finally released them from the Eye of Illusory Void.

Those ensnared in the illusion regained clarity in an instant, only to realize they were now captives. A forbidden force permeated the bars, severing their connection to outside energies and denying them any chance to recover their strength.

They pounded the iron with all their might, but it was futile.

Feng Tianlin stood outside, a satisfied smile on his doll-like face. “Well, well, got you all in one go. I thought you’d be much tougher.”

Of the original hundred or so, only a little over seventy remained—the rest had perished in the chaos. Even if the strange creatures had not intended to kill, violence had claimed its share.

All present glared wordlessly at the doll-faced figure.

Their stares pleased Feng Tianlin greatly. He walked up to He Xin and called out, “Hey, baldy.”

He Xin was utterly despondent, his body grievously wounded and powerless. He managed only a fierce glare at Feng Tianlin, saying nothing.

Feng Tianlin continued, “You must be Director Fan? I’ve heard so much about you.”

Despite his words, Feng Tianlin was rather surprised. He hadn’t expected the so-called chosen one to be bald.

His reasoning was simple: since Director Fan had led this group, he must be the leader. During the earlier battle, Feng Tianlin had observed that the bald one commanded the others.

He Xin remained silent, sitting motionless on the ground.

At that moment, a voice broke the silence—it was the Daoist at the Kaiyuan level.

“Are you looking for that bastard Fan Tianxing?”

This piqued Feng Tianlin’s interest, and he turned toward the Daoist. “You mean he’s not your Director Fan?”

“You damn Daoist! That’s too much!” He Xin, biting back the pain, shouted at the Daoist.

Yet the words had barely left his lips before an icy chill swept over him, and he was instantly frozen into a sculpture.

Feng Tianlin looked back to the Daoist. “Go on.”

The Daoist took a deep breath. Bitter resentment welled up, all thanks to Fan Tianxing. Rage overtook fear.

“Fan Tianxing’s at the edge of the city, skulking there to save his own skin,” he said, pointing in the direction from which they had come.

Feng Tianlin saw no reason for deceit, so he nodded and issued a command to the surrounding strange creatures.

“Cripple all of them and send them to the factory of terrifying emotions. Keep those who can produce terror; kill the rest.”

Then, turning to the wraith, he added, “Pick out a few with strong souls and absorb them.”

The wraith nodded and set about selecting. Once it had drained the souls of seven in the cage, the other strange creatures began maiming the remaining humans by various means.

Screams of agony resounded. Only when Feng Tianlin was sure none could resist did he lift the sinister domain.

He then leapt onto the back of Bairangen, patting the creature’s broad wings. “Come, let us pay this so-called Director Fan a visit.”

According to the bat, about a hundred had come in total; most were now accounted for. Fan Tianxing couldn’t have many left at his side, so there was no need to bring the other city’s creatures along.

Meanwhile, Fan Tianxing was leisurely sipping tea, finishing the last drop before setting his cup down.

“Director Fan, why is everything still so quiet?” Ren Zhonghao asked, pouring more tea for his superior.

Because the earlier battle had taken place within the sinister domain, they’d sensed nothing of it.

Fan Tianxing glanced at him. Truth be told, he was unsure himself. But for pride’s sake, he forced a calm smile. “Don’t worry. Everything is within my control.”

Beneath his calm exterior, his heart was in turmoil. Surely there should have been some commotion by now? Yet all remained silent.

“Hu Yi, go check,” he ordered his personal bodyguard, just to be safe.

Hu Yi was a fourth-stage Kaiyuan martial artist—an elite among warriors—yet he served as a mere bodyguard to this young man, a testament to Fan Tianxing’s status.

Hu Yi had just stepped beyond the barrier when he sensed two powerful auras approaching. Narrowing his eyes, he looked toward the source—only to see a massive plume of purple flame flying straight at him.

He reacted instantly, leaping aside to dodge the fire, but that move cost him his balance, and he was swept into the sinister domain.

Inside the barrier, Fan Tianxing and Ren Zhonghao witnessed everything in stunned silence. From their vantage point, Hu Yi had just gone out, been attacked by purple fire, and then vanished.

“A sinister domain! He’s been pulled into a sinister domain—it’s the domain’s master!” Fan Tianxing immediately realized.

“The master of a sinister domain? You mean that terrifying strange creature you spoke of?” asked Ren Zhonghao, bewildered.

Fan Tianxing had already leaped from his chair. “Damn it, run!”

He sprinted toward the car. Another Kaiyuan martial artist hesitated, but before he could follow, Fan Tianxing stopped him.

“You stay here and delay them!”

The coldness of the command was chilling, but as soon as the martial artist showed reluctance, Fan Tianxing clenched his fist.

A crushing pressure enveloped the man, robbing him of breath.

“When I say stay, you stay! Disobey and you die now! Stay and you’ll at least be remembered as a martyr. Refuse, and you’re a traitor!” Fan Tianxing threatened.

The man had no choice but to bite his lip and remain, bracing himself for what was to come.

Fan Tianxing jumped into the car, barking at Ren Zhonghao, “Hurry up! If you don’t, we’re dead men!”

He was truly terrified. Ren Zhonghao, helpless, limped after him as fast as he could. He’d barely gotten in when Fan Tianxing started the engine, not even waiting for the door to close.

In Fan Tianxing’s mind, he was humanity’s last hope—he couldn’t afford to fall.

“Director Fan, you’re so powerful—can’t you even defeat the master of a sinister domain?” Ren Zhonghao asked, puzzled after seeing how Fan Tianxing had cowed a top expert with a mere clench of his fist.

“That trick only works on humans. If it worked on strange creatures, why would I need a bodyguard?”