4: Chapter 4 The Witch is Imprisoned, Names and Surnames Mentioned

Over the next few days, the Celestial Prison was unusually calm.

It was like the calm before the storm; even the rats didn't dare to come out and steal food.

Chen Ran was happy to be idle. Aside from delivering meals and patrolling, he spent every day hiding in the jailer's room to Cultivate.

With the blessing of the [heavenly book of prison suppression], his life was more comfortable than that of an immortal.

Every day when he opened his eyes, it was "Ding, one year of cultivation power credited."

This feeling of getting stronger while lying down was simply addictive.

In just five days.

The internal Qi within Chen Ran's body had accumulated to a staggering degree.

Chen Ran looked at the System, a thought crossing his mind.

[You have guarded the Celestial Prison for one day. Reward: One year of cultivation power. Claim now?]

"Yes."

[Successfully claimed one year of cultivation power.]

[Current: 5 years of cultivation power]

Although he was still a long way from the Eighth Grade Tendon Transformation, he had already stabilized his Realm within the Ninth Grade Skin Refining.

Now, his skin was as tough as oxhide, and a single swing of his arm carried five hundred catties of force.

"Is this what a life with cheats is like?"

Chen Ran looked at his palms, feeling the power surging through his body, and the corners of his mouth curled up slightly.

However, good times are always short-lived.

One evening.

The Celestial Prison was suddenly placed under martial law.

In the originally dim passage, countless torches were lit, illuminating the entire Celestial Prison as bright as day.

A squad of Demon Suppression Division captains, dressed in Flying Fish Robes with Spring-embroidery sabers at their waists, stormed in with a surge of Killing Intent.

The leader had a cold face and eyes like lightning; he was clearly a ruthless character.

Behind him was a prisoner carriage forged from black iron.

Locked within the carriage was a woman in red.

Although her hair was disheveled and she was covered in blood, it still couldn't hide her peerless beauty.

Especially those eyes—long and enchanting, as if hiding an endless abyss; a single glance could steal one's soul away.

Red Lotus Witch!

The demonic cult enchantress who made countless experts in the capital tremble with fear!

Mingled among the jailers, Chen Ran stole a glance and felt his heart skip a beat.

Even he, who had been "baptized" by the sights of his previous life, was stunned by her actual appearance.

Not to mention other ordinary people; their souls would likely be snatched away.

Chen Ran clicked his tongue in secret.

However, he was only looking.

An enchantress of this level was like a thorny rose; whoever touched her would die.

He had thought such a high-profile prisoner would definitely be locked in the Yi Ward or even the Jia Ward.

But to his surprise, the squad of Demon Suppression Division captains marched straight toward the Cell Block D.

"What's going on?"

The jailers looked at each other, completely bewildered.

The Cell Block D was a place for ordinary prisoners; why was this "great buddha" being sent here?

Before anyone could react, Captain Wang had already scurried forward with a fawning expression.

"My lord, this is Cell No. 7 of the Cell Block D. It's at the very end—quiet, with no one to disturb her."

The leading Demon Suppression Division captain nodded and said coldly:

"Lock her in. Guard her strictly. If anything goes wrong, the entire Celestial Prison will be buried with her!"

"Yes, yes, of course. Rest assured, my lord, I will personally keep an eye on her!"

Captain Wang beat his chest rhythmically.

However, as soon as the people from the Demon Suppression Division left, Captain Wang's face instantly slumped.

He looked at the cell holding the Red Lotus Witch as if looking at a ticking time bomb.

"This is a real hot potato..."

Captain Wang wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and scanned the jailers.

The jailers all lowered their heads, wishing they could shrink into their own pants.

No one was a fool.

Guarding a Devil Head like this was a job where you kept your head tied to your waistband.

If she was in a bad mood one day, or if people from the demonic cult came to break her out, the first to die would definitely be the jailer on guard.

Seeing this, Captain Wang cursed them in his heart for being a bunch of cowards.

Finally, his gaze landed on Chen Ran.

"Chen Ran!"

Chen Ran's heart thudded.

"Your subordinate is here."

He could only brace himself and step forward.

Captain Wang walked over, patted Chen Ran's shoulder, and said earnestly:

"Little Chen, I've seen your good performance lately. You're a talent worth cultivating."

"I'm entrusting this glorious and difficult task to you."

"Tonight, you are responsible for patrolling the Cell Block D. Especially Cell No. 7—keep a close eye on it!"

Chen Ran's mouth twitched.

"Glorious and difficult" my foot.

This is clearly sending me to my death!

But a higher rank crushes those below, not to mention this old guy already wanted to screw him over.

"Your subordinate... obeys."

Chen Ran agreed through gritted teeth.

The other jailers cast sympathetic looks, as if looking at a dead man.

The night was deep and quiet.

A deathly silence filled the Celestial Prison.

Holding an oil lamp, Chen Ran walked through the eerie passage.

His steps were light, and his breathing was steady.

Although he was forced into this "business," he didn't panic.

With five years of cultivation power and the confidence from the [heavenly book of prison suppression], he felt he might still have a chance to survive.

He reached the door of Cell No. 7.

Chen Ran stopped.

By the dim light, he saw the situation inside.

The Red Lotus Witch's limbs were locked by four thick iron chains in a spread-eagle position.

She was covered in yellow Talismanic Incantations, so densely packed she looked like a mummy.

Those talismans emitted a faint golden light, suppressing the Devilish Qi in her body.

At this moment, her aura was weak, as if she might stop breathing at any second.

But Chen Ran knew this was just an appearance.

A starved camel is still bigger than a horse.

A Devil Head of this level could easily crush an ant even with only one breath left.

Just as Chen Ran was about to turn and leave.

The Red Lotus Witch, who had been hanging her head, suddenly looked up.

Those eyes, which were originally dull, now flickered with an eerie light.

She looked at Chen Ran, the corners of her mouth curling into a playful arc.

"Little brother..."

Her voice was raspy and magnetic, like a feather lightly brushing against the heart.

"On your body... there's a nice scent."

Chen Ran's footsteps paused.

A nice scent?

No.

Chen Ran's heart tightened.

She saw the fluctuations of my blood and Qi!

Five years of cultivation power wasn't much, but among ordinary jailers, it was like a firefly in the dark—impossible to hide.

This enchantress is indeed not simple.

Chen Ran turned around and looked at her expressionlessly.

"Miss, please conduct yourself with dignity."

"This is the Celestial Prison, not the Yi Hong Brothel."

The Red Lotus Witch froze for a moment, then began to giggle.

The laughter was crisp and pleasant, yet it carried a trace of chilliness.

"Little brother, you're so humorous."

"However, I see you have an Extraordinary skeletal structure; you're a good prospect for martial arts."

"As long as you help me undo these Talismanic Incantations on my body..."

"I will pass on a supreme Demonic Technique to you, guaranteeing you'll become the world's number one expert within ten years."

"How about it? This deal is worth it, right?"

The Red Lotus Witch's voice was full of temptation, like a demon's whisper.

Chen Ran looked at her, his eyes as calm as water.

Supreme Demonic Technique?

Number one in the world?

Anyone can make empty promises.

I even have the "Tathagata Palm" here; do you want to learn it?

Chen Ran shook his head.

"Not really."

"I have a poor appetite; I can't stomach 'soft rice'."

"And..."

Chen Ran paused, his gaze falling on the Talismanic Incantations on her body.

"I think you look quite good like this."

"Like a Zongzi."

Having said that, Chen Ran ignored the Red Lotus Witch's bewildered expression and turned to leave.

The Red Lotus Witch's exasperated voice came from behind him.

"Get back here!"

"You're the Zongzi! Your whole family are Zongzis!"

Chen Ran turned a deaf ear.

If you want to exploit me for free, there's no way.

However...

Chen Ran rubbed his chin.

Since this enchantress can see my true state, it means she must have some good stuff on her.

If I could get her Cultivation Technique to drop... maybe I really could survive this.

A glint of light flashed in Chen Ran's eyes.

It seems I'll have to visit this Cell No. 7 of the Cell Block D more often in the future.