Chapter 189: Freedom

Xu Shan's heart raced as he stepped into the opulent but ominous palace. Dim torches lined the corridor, casting flickering shadows on the marble walls. 

He knew that this place was a fortress of treachery, but he had a mission to complete: rescue the prisoners and create a distraction that would enable him to handle other matters. 

His keen eyes scanned the surroundings, detecting minute irregularities in the otherwise flawless floor. 

With each step, he gauged the pressure points and avoided pressure plates, mindful of any hidden mechanisms. He had learned about the traps meticulously, but reality was always more formidable than plans.

As Xu Shan advanced cautiously, a faint click echoed in the corridor. His pulse quickened as he looked down, realizing that he had triggered a trap. 

Spikes made purely from dark energy shot out from the walls, narrowly missing him. Frowning, he continued onward, feeling the urgency.