From outside the prison cell, a sudden, chilling light shot forth from the skeletal remains, piercing the gloom and vanishing into the dark corner of the confinement.

Ji Changkong frowned, gripping Shang Bingjie tightly, and whispered, "Let's go!" "...Bingjie," Shang Lingyu called out timidly, shame mingling with pleading on her face. "Changkong," Shang Bingjie sighed softly.

"There are experts blocking the way outside; we don't have much time. Tuk might return at any moment," Ji Changkong said quickly, then added, "Shang Lingyu is a young mistress of the Shang family. She might treat you like a sister normally, but when it comes down to the critical moment, she might discard sisterly affection. Think clearly."

"I have already witnessed her sisterly affection," a flash of misery crossed Shang Bingjie's beautiful face. "But she has indeed been quite good to me over the years. Besides, there is the Profound Ice within my soul—" "I understand."

He gently placed his hand on the back of Shang Bingjie's head, closed his eyes slightly, and used his Shenshi (Spiritual Sense) to perceive the piece of Profound Ice within her sea of soul. This 'Profound Ice,' specially forged by the Shang family to control Ice Slaves, perpetually emitted a faint chill that permeated every inch of her delicate body, influencing her physique, her judgment, and a certain part of her mind. The trajectory and rules of the energy circulating within the 'Profound Ice' manifested flawlessly, as if a mirror had revealed every secret held within it.

A thread of soft 'Flame Thunder Cold Flame' danced quietly from his fingertip, spiraling like an elf into her mind. With supreme agility, it bypassed sensitive nerves and slipped silently into the 'Profound Ice.'

Like a master chef dissecting an ox, under the influence of this gentle 'Flame Thunder Cold Flame,' the 'Profound Ice' slowly dissolved according to a specific pattern, turning into moist liquid, which then transformed into faint, cold mist, leaving the body through her breath. Shang Lingyu's pupils constricted, and an indescribable terror suddenly appeared on her delicate and beautiful face.

The 'Profound Ice' that the Shang family had refined over many years was the most insidious divine weapon for controlling the human spirit and soul. The 'Profound Ice' embodied the pride of the Shang family. For so long, the reason why the slaves had to obey orders and dared not harbor thoughts of betrayal was entirely due to the effect of the 'Profound Ice.'

Because the 'Profound Ice' was implanted in the Ice Slave's mind from childhood, over hundreds of years, it would gradually fuse with the Ice Slave's soul and consciousness. Only when the Ice Slave’s soul was utterly scattered would the 'Profound Ice' truly vanish. The nature of the 'Profound Ice' had stumped many; even powerful cultivators who had reached the Divine Manifestation Realm found it incredibly difficult to separate the 'Profound Ice' from an Ice Slave’s mind. Without the secret methods of the Shang family, an Ice Slave would forever remain an Ice Slave, utterly incapable of regaining freedom. However, right now!

Shang Lingyu, whose mind contained the Profound Spirit Seal, clearly felt the 'Profound Ice' lodged within Shang Bingjie's mind dissolving soundlessly!

Shang Lingyu looked at the suddenly appearing young man with horror, countless fleeting thoughts flashing through her mind.

If he could dissolve Bingjie's 'Profound Ice,' it meant he could dissolve the 'Profound Ice' in the minds of other Ice Slaves. The Shang family maintained their transcendent status on Tiannan Star partly due to their own strength, but the immense number of fearless Ice Slaves was the foundation of the Shang family! Who would willingly become a slave? This person possessed the ability to shatter the Shang family's power! Shang Lingyu trembled in fear.

"Done," Ji Changkong withdrew his hand and smiled. "From this day forward, the Shang family has no means to command you. That 'Profound Ice' in your mind is no longer your concern." Shang Bingjie felt as if she had endured an absurd dream.

A person who should not appear in the Dead Star Domain had suddenly arrived. The Shang Lingyu, whom she believed to be as close as a sister and incapable of malice, intended to sacrifice her to protect herself at the crucial moment. And the 'Profound Ice,' which even the high echelons of the Shang family could not remove, had been dissolved so easily—

"Let's go. I will break the prison cell. When we rush out, all the experts will be focused on us. If Shang Lingyu is smart enough, she will have a chance to escape," Ji Changkong glanced coldly at Shang Lingyu and snorted, "When I regain my strength, I will settle accounts with your Shang family sooner or later!"

Shang Lingyu’s heart chilled.

Ignoring her, Ji Changkong embraced Shang Bingjie and instantly teleported to the prison entrance. He saw five experts at the Ruyi Realm gathered before the door.

Vice City Lord Molok, the other Vice City Lord Huang Li, First Commander Zhou Mou, and the two commanders who were previously absent—all were present.

With Huang Li and the other two commanders arriving, Molok's courage swelled, gaining a measure of confidence. Currently, the three commanders were besieging the skeletal remains, whose aura was continuously being depleted. Molok and Huang Li, the two vice commanders, watched the prison coldly, waiting silently.

Upon seeing him appear, Molok immediately spat out a series of flags without a word. Hundreds of pallid white flags spread out, instantly disseminating a cold, chilling aura that blocked Ji Changkong at the prison entrance. Huang Li sneered, "Truly a man ruled by love."

As the words fell, Huang Li menacingly stepped forward. While suspended in mid-air, Huang Li suddenly transformed into a giant ten zhang high, radiating an aura as heavy and ancient as a mountain. He looked down upon Ji Changkong from on high, then suddenly tilted his head back and stomped down violently toward him.

The domineering, violent killing intent that dominated the world roared down, creating a vortex of air that first surged out, grinding several massive flagstones beneath them into dust.

"Changkong!" Shang Bingjie shrieked.

She was worried. As someone only at the Subtle Realm, facing an encirclement by so many Ruyi Realm experts, she couldn't muster the slightest power to resist. She felt as if the sky was collapsing, and her body felt utterly devoid of strength.

The sheer oppressive force emanating from the Ruyi Realm masters was enough to shake her to the core, breeding a feeling of utter helplessness deep within her soul.

She did not know Ji Changkong’s true cultivation level. In her view, after only a few hundred years, even with astonishing talent and relentless cultivation day and night, he could at most have reached the Nirvana Realm. That would be the absolute peak! She feared that this single stomp would shatter Ji Changkong, leaving no trace of his soul. "It's nothing," as she panicked, Ji Changkong actually smiled calmly. Watching the massive foot descend, he remained motionless and thrust his right arm out sharply.

She clearly saw that in that single instant, Ji Changkong's arm underwent successive transformations. Scales formed strangely, and sharp bone spurs magically protruded. Especially the prominently jutting, sharp nails, which looked comparable to the keenest long swords, giving an impression of invincibility. In fact, her perception was correct!

As the sharp nails struck overhead, a sound like a shrieking ghost echoed in the air; it seemed as if extremely bloodthirsty, vengeful spirits were contained within his nails, causing an involuntary shudder. "Puchi!"

Huang Li’s massive foot failed to land, because Ji Changkong’s entire right arm plunged into the sole of the giant foot, penetrating all defenses. More than half of his arm was engulfed within that mountain-like descending foot. "Ah?!" Shang Bingjie gasped, covering her mouth. "Heh heh!" Ji Changkong suddenly gave a cold, cruel laugh, then released her and shot straight up into the sky.

His entire body actually passed through Huang Li’s mountain-sized foot!

A frantic, beast-like scream suddenly erupted from Huang Li's mouth, shaking the heavens. The misery of that cry made one’s scalp tingle and one’s spine crawl with cold sweat; no one knew what kind of agony Huang Li was enduring. "Kaka ka!"

The sound of shattering bones echoed incessantly within Huang Li’s body, so dense and continuous it sounded like a string of firecrackers exploding inside him.

In a short while, Ji Changkong, whose body was untouched by a single drop of blood, lightly floated back to stand beside Shang Bingjie. He opened his mouth and spewed forth a torrent of flames, incinerating all the sinister cold air around Shang Bingjie.

Huang Li’s body rapidly shrank, and in a single breath, he withered into a pile of rotting flesh, collapsing onto the ground, convulsing intermittently, occasionally emitting a weak, non-human moan. He wasn't completely dead yet!

But everyone knew he would die soon. The reason he hadn't perished yet was not because Ji Changkong showed mercy, but to intimidate the others!

The three commanders who had been besieging the skeletal remains suddenly stopped their attacks, freezing in terror. They quietly huddled together, as if proximity offered greater safety.

Vice City Lord Molok hesitated for a moment, then quietly retracted those pallid white flags, spreading his hands to signal he was not making any subtle moves, and chuckled dryly, "Friend, take that Ice Slave and leave. There's no need to spoil the harmony over a mere woman."

Huang Li was finished. Molok, as the sole Vice City Lord second only to the City Lord, had no need to risk his life. When Tuk returned, he would at most receive a reprimand. Comparing a few harsh words with being killed, Molok wisely chose the former.

With Molok's declaration, the other three commanders dared not make any rash moves either, actively retreating to show they were also sensible.

Casting a calm glance over these people, Ji Changkong nodded lightly, embraced Shang Bingjie once more, and flew straight out of the City Lord's Mansion. When the Primordial Chaos profound mystery was utilized, all restrictive barriers and enchantments became clearly revealed upon contact with him.

The barriers and restrictions within the City Lord's Mansion were like nothing to him. He passed through unimpeded, then fixed a direction, transforming into a streak of electric light and swiftly vanishing into the distance. "What now?" After he left, Zhou Mou looked helplessly at Molok.

"The City Lord has already returned and should be within the city by now. He cannot escape," Molok frowned and snorted. "Although this brat is powerful, he is still only at the Ruyi Realm. When he encounters the City Lord, he will surely meet his death. We only need to go cheer him on."

"My Lord speaks wisely," the three commanders agreed unanimously.

For more novels, visit storyread.net.