Prison.
In the empty cell, Jade Snow Bat curled up alone in a corner, her back against the wall.
Outside, two jailers were hard at work. A half-man-high cauldron was hoisted up and filled with bucket after bucket of water.
In a smaller pot beside it, they tossed in handfuls of spices, which crackled and filled the air with fragrance as they fried.
Hone hone hone... The sound of a knife being sharpened rang out.
Before long, one jailer said, "The spices are fried, and the water's almost boiling. We can put the meat in any minute."
The other jailer said, "My knife's almost sharp, too. I'll go cut the meat."
Jade Snow Bat listened intently, her narrow fox eyes narrowing slightly.
Footsteps sounded in the narrow passage outside the cell, drawing closer and closer.
Soon, a tall, burly jailer with a face full of coarse flesh appeared in the doorway. He took a large bunch of keys from his waist and began sorting through them.
Before long, the cell door swung open. The jailer raised a gleaming blade and walked in with a vicious grin.
Jade Snow Bat watched him in silence. Only when he came close did she suddenly snatch up a handful of dust from the ground and fling it at his eyes!
The jailer instinctively raised his hands to shield his face.
Seizing the chance, Jade Snow Bat shot forward!
She was a transformed demon beast, naturally far more agile than the Human Race. Even with her cultivation sealed, her speed was undiminished.
In an instant, she had rushed out of the cell!
The jailer with the knife immediately shouted, "Stop her!"
His companion had just poured the fried spices into the boiling water. Hearing the shout, he stood up, but before he could react, Jade