9: Chapter 9 When will your people make their move?

Life in the Cell Block D of the Celestial Prison was as dull as a pool of stagnant water.

Aside from the occasional screams, only the rustling of rats gnawing on wood remained.

Chen Ran carried a food bucket, walking through the dark and damp corridor.

His steps were very light, each one landing on the exact same spot on the stone slabs, as if following a precise calculation.

Today was a good day.

Because there was another experience pack to farm.

Cell Thirteen of the Cell Block D.

A prisoner who had been here for many years was confined here.

He was a thin, small middle-aged man with a pointed chin and monkey-like cheeks, his eyes darting around; even heavy shackles couldn't hide his shifty, rat-like appearance.

Li Fei.

Nicknamed "Flying Rat."

A famous thief in the Jianghu, his Qinggong was superb, and he claimed he could even enter the depths of the Imperial Palace.

As it turned out, the fellow actually did.

Not only did he go, but he also stole the Third Prince's favorite Jade Horse.

Then, he was hunted for two thousand miles by experts from the Six Doors, eventually having his legs broken and his Rank Seven cultivation crippled before being tossed into the Celestial Prison like a dead dog.

Chen Ran walked to the front of the cell and set down the food bucket.

"Time to eat."

He tapped on the bars.

Li Fei was huddled in a corner; hearing the sound, he crawled over with difficulty.

Seeing the food in the bucket, his eyes instantly lit up.

Braised pork, white rice, and a jar of wine.

This setup was practically five-star treatment in the Celestial Prison.

But Li Fei's face instantly turned deathly pale.

"A... a last meal?"

His voice trembled, and he couldn't even hold his chopsticks steady.

Chen Ran didn't speak, just watched him quietly.

An unspoken confirmation.

The chopsticks in Li Fei's hand fell to the ground.

He slumped onto the floor, the light in his eyes rapidly fading.

"I never thought... I, Li Fei, who roamed the Jianghu for twenty years, would end up dying in this godforsaken place."

He gave a tragic laugh, grabbed the wine jar, and took a large gulp.

"Cough, cough, cough..."

The pungent wine choked him, making tears stream down his face.

"Little jailer."

Li Fei wiped his face and looked up at Chen Ran.

In those eyes that were originally filled with fear, there was now a hint of inexplicable mockery.

"Seeing how young you are, why on earth did you choose to work in a place like this?"

"The Evil Qi in this Celestial Prison is heavy; even a Martial Artist will have their life shortened if they stay too long."

He pointed at the space between Chen Ran's eyebrows.

"I see a dark shadow on your forehead; I'm afraid you won't live long either."

"Maybe the two of us can keep each other company on the road to the Yellow Springs."

Hearing this, Chen Ran's eyebrows twitched.

This Flying Rat, his mouth was still so sharp even on the brink of death.

However, he wasn't angry.

Why bother arguing with a dead man?

"Thanks for your concern."

Chen Ran's tone was flat, even carrying a hint of a smile.

"But I think I should live a bit longer than you."

"At the very least, I can collect your corpse."

Li Fei froze for a moment.

He hadn't expected this little jailer to be so calm.

Anyone else would have flown into a rage upon hearing such words.

"Heh, interesting."

Li Fei shook his head and began stuffing braised pork into his mouth.

"Eat! I'll die with a full stomach!"

He wolfed it down, his mouth covered in grease.

It was as if he wanted to eat away all the regrets of his life.

Chen Ran just watched quietly from the side.

[Prisoner: Li Fei]

[Status: Near Death]

[Wish: Have a full meal (Completed)]

[Involvement: Medium]

As Li Fei finished the last piece of meat, several jailers dressed in black approached.

"The time has come. It's time to go."

Chains clattered.

Li Fei was dragged out of the cell.

As he passed by Chen Ran, he suddenly stopped and gave him a deep look.

"Kid, let me give you a piece of advice."

"The waters of this Celestial Prison are deeper than you think."

"If you don't want to die, get out early."

After saying that, he laughed loudly as he was dragged toward the execution chamber.

The laughter was shrill, echoing through the corridor.

Chen Ran stood there, watching him disappear.

In his mind, that Ancient Bronze Book vibrated slightly.

[Prisoner Li Fei has died.]

[Calculating involvement...]

[Reward Gained: Qinggong Cloud Water Step (Proficient).]

Boom!

A cool current of air surged into his legs.

Chen Ran felt as if his body had become several pounds lighter.

Countless memories regarding footwork appeared in his mind.

Like floating clouds and flowing water, gathering and dispersing unpredictably.

This Cloud Water Step didn't pursue ultimate speed but rather focused on being eerie, changeable, and highly stealthy.

Combined with the Breath Concealment Technique, it was practically a god-tier skill for a master of stealth.

The corners of Chen Ran's mouth curled up slightly.

This haul was not a loss.

He looked left and right, and seeing no one around, he lightly tapped the ground with his toes.

Whoosh!

His entire body glided several Zhang like a ghost, landing silently.

Not even the corners of his clothes made a sound in the wind.

"What a fine Qinggong."

Chen Ran praised.

With this Qinggong, his chances of survival in the Celestial Prison increased significantly.

He was in a great mood.

Chen Ran hummed an unknown tune and continued his patrol.

Unknowingly, he arrived at Cell Seven.

The Red Lotus Witch, Jiang Mengli, was still suspended in mid-air.

Hearing the footsteps, she slowly opened her eyes.

Those soul-stirring eyes landed on Chen Ran.

"You seem to be in a good mood?"

Her voice was lazy and raspy, carrying an indescribable allure.

"It's alright."

Chen Ran stopped and conveniently loosened the chains a bit so she could move slightly.

"I just saw off a friend."

"A friend?"

Jiang Mengli sneered.

"A jailer and a prisoner can be friends?"

"Why not?"

Chen Ran asked back.

"As long as there is value, anyone can be a friend."

Jiang Mengli narrowed her eyes, scrutinizing the little jailer before her.

Ever since he had exposed her identity last time, she no longer dared to underestimate this man.

He was clearly just a Rank Nine jailer, yet he gave her a sense of being unfathomable.

"Then do you think I have value?"

Jiang Mengli licked her red lips, a hint of playfulness flashing in her eyes.

"Of course."

Chen Ran nodded without hesitation.

"A Princess of the Former Dynasty, the Red Lotus Holy Maiden."

"Your value is greater than everyone else in this Celestial Prison combined."

Jiang Mengli's pupils constricted slightly.

Although she had long known he was aware of her identity, her heart still couldn't help but tremble every time she heard it.

"What exactly do you want?"

She dropped her seductive act and asked coldly.

"Nothing much."

Chen Ran shrugged.

"I just wanted to ask, when will your people make their move?"

Jiang Mengli was stunned.

Then, she started laughing.

She laughed so hard her body trembled, causing the chains on her chest to clatter.

"What? Are you afraid?"

"Afraid?"

Chen Ran shook his head.

"I just want to prepare in advance."

"After all, I don't want to die yet."

Jiang Mengli looked at him, her gaze becoming somewhat peculiar.

This man clearly knew the Red Lotus Demonic Cult was coming to raid the prison, yet he didn't run or report it.

Instead, he came to ask her when they would make their move?

Was he crazy, or did he have something to rely on?

"Don't worry."

A strange curve curled at the corner of Jiang Mengli's mouth.

"It will be very soon."

"This Celestial Prison... things are about to change soon."

She paused and looked at Chen Ran meaningfully.

"When the time comes, don't you go and die."

"I still want to see how far you can go."

Chen Ran gave her a deep look.

"I'll take that as a blessing."

After saying that, he turned and left.

His figure disappeared into the darkness.

Leaving only Jiang Mengli's meaningful laughter echoing in the empty cell.

"A change in the weather, huh..."

Chen Ran walked down the dark corridor, gripping the hilt of his saber.

Since the world is about to change.

Then let the storm rage even more fiercely.

Anyway, he now had the Cloud-Turning Palm to kill enemies, the Cloud Water Step to save his life, and the Breath Concealment Technique to hide.

This Celestial Prison was still his home turf for now.