[Featured ×4]
Du Rui, an exceptionally forgetful reader, finds himself transmigrated into one of the top male harem stallion novels, but as the antagonist. Now inhabiting the role of Xue Xinyu, the cunning villain, Du Rui struggles to maintain his s...
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Now confined within the Hall of Retribution, Xue Xinyu knelt, ensnared by immortal shackles—restraints so potent that even those with formidable qi found them unyielding. The gravity of his predicament weighed heavily on him as he struggled to comprehend the unfolding events. He recalled how, in the novel, Huai Xiaozhun had shattered similar bonds, overwhelming them with his qi until they exploded. But here, Xue Xinyu found himself helpless.
Behind him, Liang Zhiguan was held fast by two guards. Although he had stopped struggling when Xue Xinyu awoke, the shackles were doubly agonising for him, his demonic roots reacting violently to their suppressive power.
Despite their designation as shackles, they emitted an otherworldly luminescence, a golden hue that pulsed with vibrant energy, resonating with the very essence of qi. The intricate links released a steady stream of qi, cascading like ethereal tendrils that intertwined with the air, mocking Xue Xinyu's powerlessness.
Xue Xinyu struggled to understand his alleged transgression. Even if Liang Zhiguan had acted recklessly, how could it implicate Xue Xinyu, a respected peak master? What crime had he committed to warrant such a severe punishment?
"Xue Xinyu," came the voice of Zhou Xin, softer than before, tinged with regret. He stood beside Sect Master Zhuang Tianming, his eyes reflecting a deep sadness. "I never imagined it would come to this," he said, the righteous indignation in his tone replaced by genuine sorrow.
It dawned on Xue Xinyu that this was about his connection to demonic arts. But even so, the severity of the response seemed overwhelming. Zhou Xin's demeanour suggested he wished for a different outcome.
"Shizun harboured no ill intentions—" Liang Zhiguan began, but a guard's harsh grip silenced him.
"Xue Xinyu," Zhuang Tianming's voice cut through the tension, calm yet resolute. "Ordinarily, the punishment for such transgressions would be public execution. However, we have deemed it more fitting to consign both of you to the Divine Forbidden Heaven Prison."
The name alone sent a shiver down Xue Xinyu's spine. The Divine Forbidden Heaven Prison was the most dreaded place of incarceration in the cultivation world—an impregnable fortress where even the most powerful warlocks and demons were rendered powerless. Hidden deep within Fenghuang Peak, its existence was known only to a select few, and even Xue Xinyu had only heard whispers of its terrors.
Zhou Xin's gaze lingered on Xue Xinyu, a silent plea in his eyes, as if to say he had tried to prevent this outcome but had failed. The kindness in his expression contrasted sharply with the harshness of the situation, underscoring the deep divide between duty and personal feelings.
As they found themselves thrust into the cold, oppressive confines of the prison, their shackles still binding them tightly, a heavy silence settled over the chamber. The air was thick with despair, yet the flickering torchlight cast shadows of their resolve. Liang Zhiguan, his frustration boiling over, finally broke the silence. "How could they treat their own peak master like this?!" His voice trembled with indignation as he turned toward Xue Xinyu, his eyes filled with guilt. "Forgive me, Shizun... If only I hadn't—" he began, his voice cracking under the weight of his remorse.
