I Have My Own Rhythm

The silver dragon energy at Gu Yuena's fingertips had already condensed into a form, carrying a chilling aura that could tear apart the soul, and slowly pointed towards Tang San's brow.

Death is just around the corner.

··································

Just as Gu Yuena's wisp of silver dragon energy, powerful enough to annihilate a soul, was about to strike Tang San's brow—

"Boom!!!"

An extremely God of Evil, dark, and filthy divine power suddenly erupted from Tang San's body without warning!

This power was so cold and violent, filled with the most extreme negative emotions in the world, as if it had gathered the wails and curses of countless vengeful spirits, instantly dispelling part of Gu Yuena's dragon might suppression!

Tang San suddenly raised his head, his eyes, which had been relatively clear, were now completely filled with a crazy, twisted, and irrational purplish-black color! It was the manifestation of the Rakshasa Divine Power being fully activated at the critical moment of life and death, turning around and eroding the host's mind!

Gu Yuena's gaze met those crazed eyes, and even she couldn't help but feel a slight pause under that pure, unadulterated God of Evil gaze.

It was that fleeting moment of delay!

The dark divine power seemed to have a life of its own, tightly binding Tang San's body and transforming into a streak of purple-black light that was faster than the visual senses could capture. Before any of the Ferocious Beast present could react in time, it tore through the air and fled madly toward the outer edge of the Star Dou Great Forest in a manner that was almost like burning its own life force!

"Trying to escape?"

A cold glint flashed in Gu Yuena's eyes, and she instinctively prepared to attack, sealing off space to intercept him. If this mere ant corrupted by divine power were to escape right under her nose, what would become of her reputation as the Silver Dragon King?

However, just as she raised her hand, her Soul Power about to erupt—

"Buzz--!"

A sudden, intense wave of dizziness struck her without warning!

It felt as if countless cold needles were piercing the depths of her soul at the same time. Then, countless unfamiliar and chaotic memories flooded into her mind like a burst dam!

She saw it...

These images are bizarre and surging with emotion, yet they are completely different from her own experiences! They don't belong to her, but they seem as if she has personally experienced them!

"Ugh--!"

Gu Yuena let out a painful groan, her raised hand falling limply to her side. She had to exert all her strength to circulate her divine soul to resist and sort through this sudden flood of information. Her face turned pale, and fine beads of cold sweat appeared on her forehead.

In that brief delay, the purplish-black streak carrying Tang San vanished into the sky, impossible to catch up with.

The Ferocious Beast, including Xiong Jun, only then realized what was happening. They looked at each other in bewilderment, but dared not utter a sound to disturb their master, who was clearly in a bad state.

Gu Yuena stood there, slightly out of breath, her purple eyes filled with shock, confusion, and a hint of... indescribable tremor.

What exactly are those memories?

··································

Half a month is enough time for the Spirit Hall Empire's massive war machine to complete the initial digestion and control of the two empires' territories.

Under Qian Xunji's efficient and ruthless orders, in addition to rapidly changing government orders, promulgating a unified legal code, and adjusting taxes to replenish the national treasury, a large-scale infrastructure project was also launched in full swing—the expansion and maintenance of roads throughout the country.

A military-grade thoroughfare, designed to connect the north and south and link the ice plains with the seaports, is beginning to take shape. This road will not only greatly enhance the mobility of the Spirit Hall Empire's army, but will also become the arteries and nerves that govern its vast territory.

Those "big shots" and geniuses who had been imprisoned for nearly half a month also faced their respective fates.

As for important figures like Ning Fengzhi, who possess top-tier support abilities yet hold opposing positions, Qian Xunji naturally wouldn't kill him easily and waste his time. This sect leader of the Seven Treasure Glazed Tile Sect was fed a poison developed by Bian Que and forcibly escorted to the front line of road construction.

With his terrifying 80% boost, the project's progress visibly increased by nearly half. For the proud and arrogant Ning Fengzhi, this was undoubtedly a double torment, both physically and mentally, but he had no other choice.

Qian Xunji's approach to the group of academy geniuses who participated in the competition was simple and direct.

Those who are both enemies and useless should be killed. Settle old scores and eliminate potential threats.

Those who are enemies but useful should be kept on for now. Their value should be assessed, and it should be considered whether they can be converted into useful tools or used as research samples.

Those who have no grudge against us will be released. This decision was made under strong pressure from Old Deng Qian Daoliu and Young Deng Qian Renxue.

However, when the list was presented to Qian Xunji, his gaze lingered on the names of Xiao Qiao and Pei Qinhu for a moment before he fell into a brief silence.

They really can't be killed, but releasing them directly would be blatantly telling others that these two are up to something.

Just as he was weighing his options, things took a "turnaround".

The remnants of the two great empires who fled after their defeat did not give up. They secretly gathered their forces and infiltrated the heavily guarded Spirit City with a clear objective—to rescue the geniuses who were seen as the hope for the restoration of their kingdoms!

Their main force was focused on Pei Qinhu and Xiao Qiao's imprisonment, intending to rescue these two top geniuses from their own faction. As for rescuing Xue Qinghe, Dai Weisi, and other princes, it was more of a side task, and they might even have intended to use them to draw enemy fire.

All of this was naturally under Qian Xunji's control. He was happy to go with the flow and let things slide a little.

Those who deserve to die, die! Those who should escape, escape!

··································

The tranquility of Spirit City, which should have been deep in slumber in the dead of night, was shattered by a sudden commotion and the clash of weapons. Immediately afterward, a piercing alarm blared through the night sky—"A prison break!"

The direction of the dungeon flickered with firelight, and figures appeared indistinctly, creating chaos.

The remnants of the Star Luo Empire and Heaven Dou Empire, relying on their familiarity with the terrain and some inside information, actually broke through the outer perimeter and found their primary targets— Xiao Qiao, Pei Qinhu, Dai Weisi, Dai Mubai, and Prince Xue Qinghe of the Heaven Dou Empire, who were imprisoned separately.

"Quickly! Your Highness, come with us!"

"This place is no place to linger!"

The rescuers spoke urgently, their faces a mixture of tension and a hint of triumphant excitement. They quickly opened the prison door and sheltered the three princes of noble birth in the center.

Meanwhile, several men in black robes, taking advantage of the moment when no one was paying attention, used their Soul Skill to silently and quickly disappear with Xiao Qiao and Pei Qinhu.

The sheer joy of escaping death instantly overwhelmed Dai Weisi and Dai Mubai. The flames of ambition reignited in Dai Weisi's eyes, while Dai Mubai felt as if fate had smiled upon him once again.

Even Xue Qinghe revealed a sense of relief and gratitude for surviving such a calamity. Their immense joy made them subconsciously ignore the faint unease that lingered in their hearts.

With such tight security in Spirit City, how did they manage to infiltrate the core dungeon so easily with such a small force?

The process went so smoothly... as if an invisible hand had secretly cleared away the obstacles for them.

"Walk!"

The lead rescuer gave a low shout, and the group quickly broke out along the predetermined route. In order to create greater chaos and facilitate their escape, they attempted to use the keys they had obtained to open other cells along the way, especially the cells holding important figures such as Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong, hoping to release these powerful figures and completely muddy the waters.

However, when the key was inserted into the lock, no matter how hard they turned it, the seemingly ordinary prison doors remained completely still!

"What happened?!"

"Is the key wrong? Try another one!"

After several unsuccessful attempts with the keys, cold sweat beaded on the rescuer's forehead. Time was ticking away, and the footsteps of the pursuers in the distance were growing ever closer.

"No! It won't open! Never mind, let's go! If we don't leave now, it'll be too late!" another person urged anxiously.

Left with no other choice, they had to give up, protecting the three princes, and hurriedly disappeared into the shadows of the intricate alleyways before more guards could surround them.

Inside the cell, Sword Douluo Chen Xin and Bone Douluo Gu Rong exchanged a glance through the iron bars, both seeing deep helplessness and a hint of mockery in each other's eyes.

Looking in the direction where the group of "lucky ones" disappeared, Bone Douluo Gu Rong chuckled, his voice hoarse:

"Another bunch of... pathetic worms being played with by that madman Qian Xunji."

Chapter 258 I Have My Own Rhythm

Sword Douluo Chen Xin closed his eyes, as if unwilling to watch this farce any longer.

"He gave them hope, only... so he could crush them even more completely."

They knew perfectly well that this so-called "successful" prison break had been under Qian Xunji's control from beginning to end. The impenetrable cell door was the most obvious evidence of that.

···························

The fleeing group moved swiftly through the intricate alleyways of Spirit City, each person holding their breath, pushing their speed to the limit, their hearts pounding with tension and hope.

However, amidst this suppressed panting, Dai Weisi's gaze, like the calmest probe, rapidly swept over everyone around him.

Suddenly, he paused almost imperceptibly, and a chill instantly shot up his spine to the top of his head.

The number of people is incorrect!

His memory was absolutely perfect. The moment he rushed out of the cell, he clearly saw Pei Qinhu, one of the core members of the Star Luo Royal Team, who possessed the Blazing Sacred Tiger Martial Soul, being rescued as well, right in the middle of the team.

But now... that figure has vanished!

In that brief escape, it vanished without a trace!

A terrible thought struck him like lightning.

There's a saying that no one knows a son better than his father. But conversely, as the heir whom Dai Yutian had painstakingly cultivated and whose personality and methods were most similar to his, Dai Weisi also understood his father's ruthlessness and imperial cunning. In the face of absolute imperial interests, any individual can be a pawn, or even... a discarded pawn.

The unease in his heart turned into a cold reality at this moment.

This wasn't a perfect rescue; it was a meticulously planned selection!

They were rescued together, but one of them disappeared without a trace. What is the purpose of the remaining people's existence?

The answer is self-evident.

Bait!

Sure enough, just as they were about to rush out of the last alley and reach the designated rendezvous point, several Gui Mei figures, carrying the immense pressure unique to Titled Douluo, emerged slowly from the shadows as if they had been waiting for a long time, completely blocking their path.

Leading the group were the elders of the Spirit Hall.

Dai Weisi stopped in his tracks, his face showing no surprise, only a cold, calm acceptance. He didn't even look at the elders, but slowly turned his head to look behind him.

There, the ecstasy and hope on Dai Mubai's face had not yet completely faded when it was frozen by this sudden predicament, and then twisted into extreme terror and disbelief.

The drastic fall from heaven to hell nearly broke him instantly; a hoarse, beast-like howl escaped his throat, and he was on the verge of madness.

"Why... why... clearly..." Dai Mubai stammered, unable to accept this cruel reality.

Dai Weisi looked at his younger brother, who had once vied with him for the throne, and a complex and unfathomable emotion flashed in his eyes—mockery, pity, and perhaps even a touch of sorrow for their shared fate.

"Don't you understand, my dear brother?" Dai Weisi's voice was eerily calm, as if stating a fact unrelated to himself. "From the very beginning, we were the ones who were abandoned. This escape is merely the final leg of our journey."

Their value, their value as the rightful heirs of the Star Luo Empire, had been completely exploited the moment they were released from their cages.

"Father! You're such a scoundrel!"

Dai Weisi, who had received an aristocratic education since childhood, couldn't help but swear.

Dai Weisi took a deep breath, straightened his spine, and faced the Spirit Hall elder who exuded killing intent. Even knowing that he would die, he would die standing, preserving the last dignity of the Star Luo Empire Prince.

Dai Mubai collapsed to the ground, his eyes glazed over, muttering "impossible" repeatedly, utterly defeated by despair.

At the end of the alley, the moment of the hunt arrives.