Spherical trigger devices were packed densely around the detonator, enclosing an unstable 8th-rank Fire Magic Crystal Bomb.
Any slight carelessness would trigger a chain reaction, causing Gan Ruanruan’s entire body—including her other kidney—to be blown into fragments.
Eighth-Rank…
Jiang Ke’er felt her liver tremble just from sensing the energy within.
If this Magic Crystal Bomb exploded, even the entire prison would be turned into a massive crater in the blink of an eye!
Even an Honored One would at least be heavily injured, and might even be killed instantly without a defensive Magic Treasure.
There was no way she could escape.
“You’d better not move violently,” Jiang Ke’er advised.
Gan Ruanruan hurriedly stiffened her body, as if frozen solid.
She didn’t dare move an inch, nor did she even dare to breathe heavily.
It was very troublesome.
This outer Trigger Net ruled out any possibility of external surgery for removal.
Even if the outer tissue could be safely cut open, there was no way to extract it.
She had to understand the connection between the trigger device and the explosives before she could come up with a countermeasure.
She already had a basic idea, but this approach required an absolute understanding of the explosives.
“Don’t be too nervous. Although the Trigger Net is extremely sensitive to external forces, it has integrated into your flesh and blood, so it won’t react to minor movements,” Jiang Ke’er said. “You must try your best to act as if you are unaware of the bomb in your body to avoid alerting the enemy.”
Gan Ruanruan nodded repeatedly.
Even with a personality as thick-skinned as hers, tears were shimmering in her eyes at this moment.
“I don’t want to die…”
“Don’t worry, you’ll be fine,” Jiang Ke’er comforted her softly.
“Remember what I’m about to say. Do as I tell you, and you will be safe.”
“Mhm…”
“If you see Aunt Si Lian in a moment, absolutely do not leave with her. No matter what, do not go with her… Find any excuse to stay behind and do not mention the bomb.”
Gan Ruanruan moved her index finger to indicate she understood.
“As long as you stay, you are absolutely safe,” Jiang Ke’er reminded her once more.
“Screeeech—”
The iron door of the dungeon was swung open again as a jailer came down.
Here, the jailer’s Divine Sense was similarly restricted by Formation Arts, so he could not sense Jiang Ke’er’s presence.
Nevertheless, Jiang Ke’er instinctively hid behind the straw mat.
“You’re free,” the jailer said. “Let’s go… Walk slowly.”
The jailer led the somewhat dazed Gan Ruanruan out of the cell.
Gan Ruanruan hadn’t figured out what was happening or why the jailer had just released her… exactly as Jiang Ke’er had predicted.
When Gan Ruanruan stepped out of the dungeon, she saw Si Lian waiting outside.
Venerable Ye was also beside her, looking at her with a beaming smile.
Seeing that Gan Ruanruan’s body seemed mostly unharmed, Si Lian breathed a visible sigh of relief.
“I didn’t expect you to actually keep your promise,” Si Lian said, surprised by Venerable Ye’s straightforwardness in releasing her.
She released the Shun Wind Colt and took out the Soul Seeking Crystal, preparing to return it to Venerable Ye.
This was the condition for the release.
“Wait!” Gan Ruanruan hurriedly spoke up.
Si Lian and Venerable Ye both frowned at the same time.
“I’m not leaving!” Gan Ruanruan suddenly threw a tantrum.
Si Lian was puzzled. “Why?”
“What would I go back with you for?” Gan Ruanruan sneered.
“If I go back with you, I’ll have to train all day. Isn’t it great in prison? Every day I can lie on the straw and comfortably be a useless person. No one is nagging in my ear, and they even provide meals…”
Both Honored Ones were stunned by what they heard.
There were actually people who fell in love with prison life?
After a brief moment of shock, Si Lian immediately reacted.
Something was wrong.
Given Gan Ruanruan’s personality, even if she didn’t want to go back, she wouldn’t use this kind of excuse.
Moreover, when Gan Ruanruan was training, she never nagged her… Only Jie Shui needed constant nagging to avoid being lazy.
Venerable Ye was furious. “What do you think this prison is? Besides, who told you prisoners can lie around all day? Starting tomorrow, you’re going to participate in Labor Reform!”
“I’d rather do Labor Reform than leave!” Gan Ruanruan stubbornly stuck out her neck.
“It’s better than hanging around with this woman! I don’t want to go to the Arena to die!”
Just as Venerable Ye was about to say something, Si Lian suddenly spoke up with a face full of rage.
“You brat, do you really think the squad can’t function without you? Fine! If you have the guts, then never come back!”
With that, Si Lian turned around in anger, appearing to decisively walk away!
Venerable Ye stared blankly at the two of them.
He hurriedly grabbed Si Lian, gritted his teeth, and put on a kind face, saying in a gentle tone, “Calm down, calm down. Whatever grudge you have, you can go back and discuss it slowly. I’ve heard that your Bagpipe Squad has a harmonious atmosphere. Surely your daily relationship is good, so what misunderstanding couldn’t be cleared up?”
“Hmph!” Si Lian sneered and conveniently tucked the Soul Seeking Crystal back.
“Regardless, I’m not leaving! Even if I die in prison, I absolutely won’t leave!” Gan Ruanruan tilted her head up, looking like a martyr.
“I will grow old here and eventually bury my corpse in this place. I deeply love this land. No matter what you say, I absolutely won’t leave!”
Damn!
His composure crumbled.
Venerable Ye was currently frantically suppressing the urge to tear Gan Ruanruan into ten thousand pieces.
His original plan was to plant a bomb in Gan Ruanruan’s body, then use her to trade for the Shun Wind Colt and the Soul Seeking Crystal from Si Lian.
Finally, once Si Lian and Gan Ruanruan were far away, he would detonate the bomb… BOOM! He would blow Si Lian to ash along with her!
But who could have expected that Gan Ruanruan wouldn’t want to leave!
The bomb inside her was an 8th-rank Super Level bomb that could blow the entire city into the sky! If Gan Ruanruan left, everything would be fine.
But if she didn’t leave…
A chill ran down Venerable Ye’s spine.
That would mean this bomb was essentially being placed under his pillow every day.
He wanted to cry but had no tears. He could only force himself to maintain the face of a peacemaker. “Can’t you two go back and talk things out? The Bagpipe Squad has quite a reputation now. In front of all these people, you wouldn’t want your internal conflict to become gossip for others, would you?”
In a moment of desperation, he thought of using the Bagpipe Squad’s reputation to force Si Lian to take Gan Ruanruan away.
However, Si Lian also grew indignant.
“The Bagpipe Squad will never be paralyzed because of a single selfish individual. Hmph, Gan Ruanruan, you’re on your own.”
With a slap, Si Lian shook off Venerable Ye’s hand. She decisively soared into the sky and vanished.
Staring blankly at Si Lian’s retreating figure, Venerable Ye clutched his chest, trembling.
This is too hard for me—
No, how could his meticulously arranged plan, which he had gone through so much trouble for, be ruined like this?
He had to find a way to persuade these two and make them change their minds…
“Get out, we don’t take you here,” Venerable Ye said coldly to Gan Ruanruan.
“You say you won’t take me, so you won’t take me?”
Gan Ruanruan was completely unafraid of the so-called pressure of an Honored One. She turned around and walked straight back toward the cell.