Invincible Soul Emperor

Ye Qingchen was kind enough to save face for the manager. If the Patriarch of the Xue Family found out about this, the consequences would be much more severe than just resigning from the position.

Xue Zhao said nothing, and the manager, seeing this, immediately agreed.

"Lord Xue Zhao, you can see for yourself; this request came from him."

Xue Zhao didn’t say any more but waved his hand coldly. "Immediately investigate the prison thoroughly. If someone has indeed escaped, manager, you know the consequences."

The manager and a group of cultivators quickly responded and sprang into action.

Ye Qingchen looked at Xue Zhao, a hint of gratitude flashing in his eyes. If Xue Zhao hadn’t arrived in time, he might have returned empty-handed this time.

Xue Zhao watched the manager and the cultivators swiftly leave, the coldness in his eyes gradually dissipating, replaced by a gentler and slightly mischievous look.

She chuckled lightly, approached Ye Qingchen, and nudged his shoulder with her elbow.

"Ye Qingchen, that was quite a performance just now. Their expressions were truly amusing. How do you stay so calm? You didn’t even flinch when those people were mocking you."

Ye Qingchen relaxed too, a slight smile appearing, turning to face Xue Zhao.

"I’m used to it. Some people only see the surface, not the truth." He looked at Xue Zhao with gentle eyes, teasingly, "But you came at just the right time, saving me from a lot of verbal sparring."

Xue Zhao giggled, her eyes sparkling as she teased, "Ye Qingchen, you sure are something. If it were me, I would’ve lost my temper long ago. You’re so calm, I’m beginning to wonder if you’re a natural ’Ninja Turtle’."

Ye Qingchen shook his head helplessly, smiling as he replied, "If I were really a Ninja Turtle, I’d have to learn from you, the ’Snow Fox’. You came just in time, or else it’d be hard to explain on my own."

Xue Zhao paused for a moment, then laughed even more brightly. "Oh, developing a sharp tongue now? Seems like this experience has helped you grow quite a bit."

Ye Qingchen chuckled softly, a flash of gratitude in his eyes. "Honestly, if you hadn’t come earlier, these people might not have believed me. Thank you, Xue Zhao."

Xue Zhao waved her hand dismissively, pretending not to care, "Oh, no need to thank me. We’re partners now, helping each other is expected. But remember, you owe me one."

Ye Qingchen nodded seriously, smiling as he said, "Remembered. Next time you need help, just ask."

"By the way, Ye Qingchen, you said you’ve taken care of the person, why don’t we go in and take a look? The Xue Family prison is incredibly strict; I wonder how that person managed to escape."

Ye Qingchen didn’t refuse Xue Zhao’s suggestion to go in and have a look.

Ye Qingchen and Xue Zhao walked side by side into the prison, and as soon as they stepped through the doors, a chilling aura hit them.

Moss covered the stone walls of the prison, and the water droplets falling from the corners made a chilling dripping sound in the silence. Dim light cast from the high iron windows created fragmented shadows on the ground, like countless ghosts wandering.

Ye Qingchen could clearly feel that this place was even colder than on his previous visit.

The cell doors on both sides of the corridor were tightly closed. Behind the iron bars, the prisoners’ gloomy gazes were faintly visible, like venomous snakes watching them.

The air was filled with the stench of decay, mixed with the smell of blood and sweat, causing an involuntary frown.

Torches embedded in the walls emitted a weak glow, which couldn’t dispel the surrounding darkness; instead, it deepened the shadows. At the end of the corridor, there was a heavy iron door, covered in rust, seemingly unopened for a long time.

Beside the iron door, a wall-mounted oil lamp flickered dimly, casting a spectral glow.

"This place is eerie enough to make one’s hair stand on end," Ye Qingchen said softly, his voice echoing strangely in the empty corridor.

Xue Zhao nodded, her gaze alertly sweeping the surroundings. "This place holds the most vicious criminals, naturally it’s not a comfortable place."

They continued walking, each step seeming to tread upon the shadows of ghosts. The chains on the walls occasionally clanged, emitting a shrill sound, as if recounting the mournful cries of countless souls. The floor was covered with deep claw marks and bloodstains, as if many had struggled desperately, attempting to escape from this hell.

"Lord Xue Zhao, how did you two get in here? Oh, the manager’s just ahead; be careful, follow me. The prison’s mechanisms activate at night!" A soldier spotted the two entering and hurried forward to lead the way.

Xue Zhao gave Ye Qingchen a cautious look.

Ye Qingchen nodded, cautiously following behind the guide.

Finally, they arrived at a special cell.

The manager they saw earlier was standing at the door with his men.

The lock on this door was noticeably more secure, covered with complex runes that exuded a sinister spiritual power. Xue Zhao extended her hand, lightly touching the runes, feeling a formidable prohibitive power.

"It seems the person you dealt with is quite different," Xue Zhao whispered, her gaze heavy.

Ye Qingchen nodded, taking a deep breath, "Yes, she’s already undergone demonic cultivation, and somehow, the demonic qi inside the prison is growing stronger."

The manager looked at the two and hurriedly said, "Lord Xue Zhao, if there’s no problem, I’ll open the door to check inside!"

The two nodded in agreement.

As the heavy iron door slowly opened, an even thicker cold aura greeted them, as if the gates to Hell had been opened. Within the darkness beyond the door, a few vague figures could be seen.

When the heavy iron door was pushed open, a pungent stench assaulted their senses. They frowned as they stepped into the special cell, and the sight before them shocked them to their core.

The air inside the cell felt temporarily frozen, filled with the nauseating odor of rot and the smell of blood. In the dim light, several figures were curled up in corners, their bodies twisted with anguish.

A convict lay crumpled on the ground, covered in deep brands, with festering skin and bleeding wounds. Her hands were shackled to the wall with heavy chains, her wrists bloody and raw, seemingly exposing the bones beneath.

Another prisoner had his body corroded, the skin burned bright red, legs broken, his posture rigid, unable to struggle more than a dog.

Seeing someone enter, they cried out hoarsely, "Save us! Save us! Please, help us, please!"

...