This is a bizarre rule, isn't it? It's supposed to grant me many children and good fortune

The two groups quickly met in the center of the main hall, exchanging information about their recent experiences.

On one hand, they narrowly escaped a crisis, while on the other hand, they faced certain death and witnessed their companions being swallowed by the rift.

The two drastically different outcomes made everyone present look increasingly solemn.

Lin Feng looked around and spoke first: "As it turns out, Yuanbao's method really works. The fact that the fireplace wasn't re-ashed is the best proof of that."

He paused, then changed his tone:

"But a new problem arises—the instant the fireplace is cleaned, an out-of-control fissure appears inside the hearth, from which a black hand reaches out to grab people."

"So what needs to be addressed now is the issue of the black hand arresting people."

August adjusted his glasses and said in a deep voice:

"The Black Hand's energy is limited and will dissipate on its own after a short time."

"From the moment it blooms to the moment it collapses, it only takes about seven or eight seconds."

"In other words, as long as you can get through those few seconds, everything will be fine."

Someone in the crowd immediately suggested:

"How about this, let the most agile person in the team do the final finishing touches!"

Evelyn immediately shook her head, rejecting the plan:

"No way. I'm a former special agent, and I believe I'm second to none in terms of reaction speed and close-quarters dodging."

"But just now, I was still grabbed by the hem of my clothes by a dark hand. If Lin Feng hadn't saved me in time, I would have been dragged into the rift long ago."

Someone else quickly suggested, "If all else fails, at the very end, several people should hug each other around the waist and stick together to hold on!"

Wasim immediately raised his hand in rebuttal: "The risk is too great."

"When multiple people stand close together with their arms around each other, if someone is suddenly pulled and loses their balance, or accidentally trips, it will only drag everyone down with them."

Everyone offered suggestions, but none of them came up with a reliable solution, and the scene fell silent for a moment.

Lin Feng pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "Or... should we use ropes to secure it?"

"Make sure the person who is cleaning up last has a safety rope securely tied around their waist, with the other end tied to a sturdy stone pillar or beam in the castle, to prevent the possibility of being dragged into the crack in an instant."

"The others, some grabbed ropes and pulled people away, while others held talismans and actively attacked the mastermind."

This plan balances defense and counterattack, has no fatal flaws, and is currently the optimal solution.

After careful consideration, everyone nodded in agreement.

Mark looked at Lin Feng: "The idea is fine, but where do we find sturdy ropes and protective items now?"

Lin Feng didn't speak. He reached to his side and pulled out several bundles of thick hemp rope from his personal space, followed by several peach wood sticks.

Ever since he found it effective in the Jingjing Ghost School instance, he has kept several peach wood sticks in his space for emergencies.

Park Tae-rang took the peach wood stick, weighed it in his hand, and gave Lin Feng a thumbs up:

"As expected of a big shot, he never fights a battle unprepared!"

Each of the six groups received a rope and a peach wood stick, and headed towards their respective fireplaces according to their assigned tasks.

Lin Feng had just taken a step when suddenly—"Meow."

A faint meow came from my feet.

He looked down and saw a black Bombay cat squatting on the stone ground, looking up at him with its round head.

Its fur was glossy, except for its four paws, which were a little dusty.

There was nothing behind it; there was no sign of Yuanbao.

Lin Feng knew at a glance that the summoning time had expired and the gold ingots had been automatically returned.

"Did Yuanbao find you?" Lin Feng immediately squatted down and picked up Mu'er.

Moore struggled in his arms, her amber eyes widening: "You speak cat language?"

"I can communicate with the vast majority of animals without any problems," Lin Feng said gently.

Mur looked Lin Feng over carefully again, the tip of his tail swaying slightly: "You human are something else."

"Where did you run off to? Your master, Leng Meng, has been looking for you."

Muller tucked her ears back a little, somewhat embarrassed.

"I got stuck in a very narrow place and couldn't move, but luckily that amazing orange cat came and rescued me."

Lin Feng gently stroked its black fur:

"You stay with me for now. Once we've finished our cleaning, we'll send you back to Leng Meng."

Muer nodded obediently and snuggled closer to him.

Lin Feng took out a small bag of dried fish from his spatial storage, opened it, and offered it to the fish's mouth.

Mull leaned in to sniff, then tentatively took a bite. His eyes lit up, and his mustache bristled: "Mmm, this is delicious!"

........................

Several sets of opposing fireplaces have been put into operation.

As another fireplace was being cleaned, just as the team was retreating, a dark rift opened inside the furnace, and a thick cloud of black mist surged out, condensing into a withered but powerful black hand that gripped the team member's ankle tightly.

The team member froze, instantly pulled forward by the immense suction force.

Fortunately, the thick hemp rope tied around his waist instantly taut, forcefully resisting the pulling force of the crack.

"pull!"

Three or four people nearby rushed forward and grabbed the rope, leaning back against the stone slabs.

Another person picked up a peach wood stick and smashed it down hard at the hand that was surging with black energy.

Where the peach wood stick struck, the black energy contracted violently as if it had been scalded, the crack trembled twice, and then dissipated.

The man who was arrested was covered in cold sweat, slumped on the ground panting heavily, and filled with lingering fear.

again and again.

The same dangerous situation occurred in different rooms one after another.

A black hand emerged from the crack, the rope tightened, the crowd dragged it, and a peach wood stick chopped down, causing the black hand to shrink back and dissipate.

The death threat that had been hanging over everyone's heads was easily deflected by this simple rope and peach wood stick.

Around 11:40 a.m., all twelve fireplaces were cleaned.

The crisp sound of leather shoes stepping on the stone slabs grew louder as they approached.

The butler, Leng Meng, carrying a leather-bound notebook and a silver-handled quill pen between her fingers, strode into the main hall.

She came to inspect the fireplace cleaning work.

But the first thing Leng Meng saw was Mu Er on Lin Feng's shoulder.

She paused, her pupils contracted slightly, and then she whispered, "Muer—"

Leng Meng trotted over, snatched Mu'er from Lin Feng's shoulder, and rubbed her face against its glossy black fur: "Where did you run off to?"

Mull meowed in her arms and hooked her tail around her wrist.

Lin Feng spoke up at the right time to clear up her confusion:

"It got stuck in a narrow space. I found it when I went to empty the fireplace trash and rescued it."

Leng Meng raised her head and looked at Lin Feng. The thin layer of cold frost in her eyes faded slightly, revealing genuine gratitude: "Thank you."

[Ding, Leng Meng's favorability towards the host has increased by 10.]

[Current favorability: 30/100.]

Lin Feng nodded slightly: "It was nothing."

After expressing her gratitude, Leng Meng composed herself and focused intently on the acceptance process.

She moved toward the fireplace in front of her, her gaze sweeping over the depths of the firebox, the corners of the bottom, and the tiny gaps in the stone frame.

Occasionally, she would extend her slender fingertips and gently brush across the stone surface, her fingertips clean and free of any cigarette ash.

She nodded, and in a flash, she teleported to the next fireplace...

In less than three minutes, all twelve fireplaces had been inspected.

Leng Meng returned to the thirty Chosen Ones, her eyes revealing a mixture of surprise and satisfaction that she could hardly conceal.

"All twelve fireplaces have been cleaned to the required standard."

As soon as the words were spoken, the tension that had been building up in the crowd for so long instantly dissipated, and several low exhales of relief were heard.

Leng Meng closed her notebook: "Thank you all for your hard work. Lunch is ready. Please proceed to the dining room."