Chapter 21 - Grand Escape

Long Gen gazed intently into the City Lord's eyes, his voice low and mysterious as he muttered the fateful words, "I will come back." A radiant light suddenly burst from the jade pendant around his neck, enveloping his body in a dazzling spectrum of colors. The prismatic beam of light grew stronger and more vibrant by the moment, lifting Long Gen into the air and shooting him towards the distant horizon, leaving behind only a lingering trail of shimmering light.

The Green Lotus City Lord's face was filled with disbelief and shock as he stood frozen for a moment, his eyes wide and mouth slightly agape. His shock quickly turned into a raging inferno of anger as his face turned beet red, his eyes narrowed into slits, and his lips pressed tightly together in a thin line. The veins in his neck bulged, and his breath came out in short gasps, like a raging bull ready to charge.

With a cold and thunderous harrumph, the Green Lotus City Lord let out a powerful sound that seemed to shake the very foundations of the city. It was like a giant roar that echoed across the skies, spreading far and wide, striking fear into the hearts of all who heard it. The City Lord then spun around on his heels and stomped back to his magnificent mansion, his robes flaring out behind him like a tempest.

In contrast, Ximen Wei, who was locked in a dreary and decrepit prison cell, was seated cross-legged on the floor, his mind deep in contemplation and focus. He was carefully studying the ancient Qi Condensation Manual, taking in each word and diagram with great detail, as he formulated an escape plan. Ximen Wei was a master strategist and was determined to get out of this predicament and continue his journey to greatness.

The conflict between the City Authorities and the Criminal District continued to escalate, with the sounds of chaos and destruction ringing through the streets. Despite the majority of those on the front lines being mortals without any cultivation abilities, their passion for the fight was palpable, fueling the intensity of the battle.

As the two sides clashed, weapons clashed, and buildings crumbled, there was a growing sense of unease. Amongst the mortals, there were those with a hidden power, waiting to unleash their abilities when the time was right. These were the Qi Trainees who had taken refuge in the Criminal Distric.

The presence of these individuals added an extra layer of complexity to the conflict, as the authorities had to be mindful of their powers while trying to maintain control. With so many powerful individuals hiding in the shadows, the war was far from over, and the city was still in a state of turmoil.

It would take a long time before peace was restored to the city, as the war between the City Authorities and the Criminal District continued to rage on.

Ximen Wei sat quietly in his cell, lost in deep thought. His mind was focused on one thing, and that was to escape from the jail that had trapped him. He knew that the path of Qi Cultivation was not an easy one, but he was determined to pursue it.

The manual that was held in his hand covered the first three levels of Qi Trainees and provided an introduction to the first Rank of the Qi Expert stage. Ximen Wei was well aware that the process of opening Extraordinary Meridians, feeling and controlling the Qi, and finally condensing it into a Core was not a simple task. It required immense luck, resources, and innate talents, and it could take years, even decades to master the art of controlling Qi.

The process of condensing Qi into a Core was the most dangerous and life-threatening part of the journey, and it required the guidance of an expert. A single misstep could lead to damnation and death, both in body and spirit. The dangers only increased as one delved deeper into the path of Qi Cultivation. That's why only a handful of people managed to reach Rank 3, and there were probably not more than ten Rank 3 Qi Experts in the entirety of Western Wen.

With these thoughts in mind, Ximen Wei stood up, grabbed the scroll, and placed it in his pockets. With inhuman strength, he tore open the jail cells and set out on his escape plan.

...

As Ximen Wei navigated the treacherous tunnels of the Song family's underground dungeon, his nerves were stretched to the limit. The dimly lit passages seemed to stretch on forever, and at every turn, he felt as though he was being monitored by unseen eyes. The weight of the iron shard he had acquired provided a sense of comfort, as it could serve as a makeshift weapon if needed.

The echoing sound of footsteps and clanging swords filled the air, causing Ximen Wei to hastily seek refuge behind a nearby crate. His heart pounded as he struggled to regulate his breathing, knowing that the patrolling guards were on the hunt for any intruders. Tales of their brutal methods of punishment for those caught in the dungeon without authorization had spread far and wide.

As a team of four swordsmen approached Ximen Wei's hiding place, their weapons at the ready, he held his breath. The crate offered him a slim cover, but he could feel the guards' suspicion growing with each step they took. He dared to glance through a tiny crack in the crate, observing the swordsmen with a mixture of fear and determination.

He planned at the first sign of an opening, he would unleash a swift and decisive blow like a bolt of lightning, leaving at least one of his opponents severely wounded or dead.

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Dear readers,

I am deeply grateful for your unwavering support and enthusiasm. I am thrilled to announce that we have reached a major milestone of 50 powerstones together! Your encouragement and feedback have been invaluable in keeping me motivated.

I am pleased to inform you that there will be another chapter coming soon today.

Thank you again for your support and I look forward to our continued journey together.