"BOOM!"
A deafening explosion erupted inside the cramped cell.
The sound waves slammed into the four walls as though they had substance, surging back and forth until the entire space hummed.
The walls, cast from ten-thousand-year cold iron strong enough to withstand bombardment by magical artifacts, actually dented slightly under that punch. A clearly visible fist print remained, its edges branded dark red by a brief burst of intense heat.
But that was only the beginning.
"Bam! Bam, bam! Bam, bam, bam!"
The old man moved like a raging demon, leaving several lingering afterimages where he had stood. He raced around the tiny chamber, his fists becoming two divine hammers that could shake the heavens. Dragging his heavy shackles, he battered the four iron walls at a dizzying speed.
Every punch carried tremendous weight, his true qi surging like a tsunami striking the shore. Every blow sent blinding sparks flying-the collision of ultimate strength and ultimate hardness.
His shackles scraped against the iron walls with a shrill metallic screech, mingling with the explosive reports of his punches to form a wildly frenzied symphony.
His true qi was crimson, unyielding and ferocious. Each eruption sent the temperature in the tiny chamber soaring, clashing eerily with the chill emanating from the cold iron. A chaotic blend of scorching heat and bitter cold filled the air.
Harsh sounds rasped from his throat. They carried the towering fury of someone imprisoned for far too long, the unbearable agony of strength with nowhere to vent, and the most primal yearning for freedom.
Suddenly, the old man stopped at a spot that appeared empty, yet lay in the direction of the chamber's only exit.
A shallow groove marked the floor.
It was only a finger deep and three fingers wide, as though someone had casually drawn