“Situ Yu… is dead?”
In the azure-lit prison, the Chief raised his head, gazing into the void ahead.
In that moment when space was torn apart, he had seen Situ Yu struggling, but in the next second, the rift vanished.
It meant she hadn’t managed to escape back.
He wasn’t particularly angry, his expression remained calm, but he was slightly puzzled.
Spatial abilities were top-tier for escaping, how could she have failed?
But alas, no one answered.
Perhaps, he speculated, Situ Yu had been too arrogant, and as a result, Su Fu had outsmarted her.
But it didn’t matter, dead was dead.
He stared at the crisscrossing golden chains in the air before him.
In his eyes, people and objects alike were merely pieces on a chessboard.
If one piece died, then replace it with another.
“Su Fu…” he chuckled lightly, “It seems you still haven’t realized your position.”
He wasn’t pleased that a piece had gone out of control.
Since it couldn’t be used by him, then there was only one option left…
Eliminate it!
His divine power surged, quickly establishing communication with Ning Yuan, whose projection soon appeared.
“Chief!”
“Ning Yuan, Situ Yu is dead, the recruitment plan… has failed.”
“Now, eliminate them all,” he said calmly, “leave none.”
Hearing this, Ning Yuan in the projection shuddered, his pupils contracting sharply.
What?
Situ Yu was actually dead?
That young lady, though ill-tempered and sharp-tongued, was genuinely powerful and useful.
How could she just die like that?
Was she outsmarted by Su Fu?
That lowly commoner dared!
A surge of anger rose in his heart.
He thought, this year’s Twelfth District has been a bit too arrogant.
Thoughts flashed quickly through his mind, and Ning Yuan soon composed himself, responding respectfully, “Yes!”
The communication ended, and Ning Yuan’s expression turned somewhat gloomy.
First, the White Owls of the Fourth Team, and now Situ Yu of the Second Team, Su Fu really doesn’t take our Provincial Team seriously.
Does she really think that wearing the skin of a law enforcer makes her invincible?
He sneered, looking up at the grand array before him-
Nine Rule Codexes hovered and spiraled at the center of the altar, their golden radiance weaving into a net, the aura of order permeating the air.
After the Chief’s adjustments, the Rule Codexes were completely free of their previous restrictions.
Now, everything could begin.
Exchanging a glance with his teammates from the Third Team, divine power immediately began to pour into the Codexes, then guided the nine Codexes to merge.
The air twisted under the forceful condensation of divine power, but the good news was, the Codexes began to fuse.
At the moment of fusion, the runes of the Codexes suddenly poured out, rising slightly into the air, then colliding and reorganizing, finally bursting forth with an incredibly dazzling golden light that instantly illuminated the surrounding space.
Boom-
Amid the deafening roar, the runes gradually reorganized and took shape.
And in the place where the Codexes had been, a massive stele emerged from the void, entirely black, inscribed with golden runes.
This was… the Tablet of Commandments!
Ning Yuan’s face lit up with joy, the first step was successful!
He immediately began to activate the Ascension Array, and the eighty-one golden pillars suddenly shone brightly, then slowly began to rotate around the stele, forming a massive ring.
“Heaven’s rules and Earth’s laws, nine nines return to one.”
As Ning Yuan’s divine power infused into it, the space between the pillars began to distort.
Then, a golden light shot up into the sky!
The golden light grew increasingly dense, eventually coalescing into a tangible form.
Everyone watched in awe at the miraculous scene before them.
The shape formed by the golden light was actually a massive palace!
With green tiles and golden eaves, jade halls and towers, it was shrouded in mist, its upturned corners faintly visible, as if a celestial palace had descended to earth.
The palace loomed over the examination grounds.
Though it was merely a golden illusion, it exuded an overwhelming sense of pressure, like an ocean suspended above, ready to crash down and engulf everything in its path.
What was even more astonishing was that no matter where the examinees were, they could look up and see this celestial palace!
“Hahaha!”
Ning Yuan couldn’t help but burst into laughter at the sight.
“It’s done!”
This was the true Heavenly Prison!
Not some mere ruins!
As the Chief had said, the golden illusion was the manifestation of the Heavenly Prison’s authority!
Even though it was only a fragment of the Heavenly Prison’s authority, its power was already enough to dominate the entire scene.
No matter how strong the law enforcers or the Wardens were, could they possibly surpass the Heavenly Prison itself?
They all had to abide by the rules of the Heavenly Prison!
With this authority in hand, they now controlled the entire prison.
Those so-called law enforcers were nothing more than guard dogs working for the prison.
Thinking this, Ning Yuan sneered, “Su Fu, just you wait!”
Ning Yuan raised his hand and channeled divine power into the stone tablet of laws, causing it to glow brilliantly.
On the surface of the black stone tablet, golden runes flowed.
Every law inscribed on it would be unconditionally enforced by the Heavenly Prison.
This was the authority of the Heavenly Prison!
“By the authority of the Heavenly Prison, I hereby issue the first prison decree!”
“All criminals are to be executed on sight!”
“Begin the purge now!”
Boom-!
The stone tablet trembled as the decree was inscribed.
From the illusionary palace, countless golden streams of rule power cascaded down like a waterfall, spreading across the entire examination grounds.
In the next moment, the entity that had been slumbering underground awakened and emerged to the surface.
It was… the Warden!
Soon, one, two, three, ten, a hundred…
Countless bronze chains emitted sharp scraping sounds as they were unleashed from the hands of the Wardens.
All the Wardens had emerged, forming a vast and mighty army!
The army was ready!
Attack!
***
Inside the examination hall, the atmosphere grew intense.
Dean Shen Deming stood at the forefront of the screen, his eyes blazing with excitement.
“Truly astonishing,” he said with a satisfied smile.
“Zongzheng Wujiu, this child, is indeed the top of this generation. He actually managed to uncover the truth of the dungeon and fuse the authority of the Heavenly Prison.”
Behind him were numerous teachers from prominent families, all unable to hide their excitement as they praised:
“Who could have thought? While the other examinees were still struggling to survive, he had already taken down the law enforcer, obtained the rule codex, and from its contents, uncovered the truth of the Heavenly Prison’s authority, ultimately finding the method to fuse it.”
“Now that he holds the authority, does that mean he controls the entire Heavenly Prison?”
“As expected of Zongzheng Wujiu. The Zongzheng family remains as formidable as ever.”
“Dean Zhang, why aren’t you saying anything?” Dean Shen asked with a smile, clearly in high spirits.
The outcome of the examination was now set in stone.
The examinees from the twelfth district were like fish on a chopping block, completely at their mercy.
How satisfying!
Was that old fool Zhang still putting on airs?
Still daring to boast?
He insisted on increasing the difficulty of the twelfth district’s examination and even created the possibility of merging the A and B papers.
Now, he’s reaping what he sowed, isn’t he?
He wanted to see if Zhang , that old geezer, could still laugh when all the candidates from District Twelve were wiped out!
Upon hearing this blatantly provocative remark, Dean Zhang rolled his eyes.
“If it weren’t for Zongzheng’s first-mover advantage, it’s hard to say who would win or lose now.”
He was unconvinced!
“Hmph,” Dean Shen sneered, “Stop making excuses.”
“This game is already checkmate!”
The outcome of the chessboard had been decided!
Dean Zhang turned his head away, too lazy to engage, muttering, “Celebrating halfway through the game, you’re really not afraid of being proven wrong.”
He didn’t believe the situation was settled.
On the chessboard, any piece could still turn the tide.
***
Inside the exam hall, many candidates also noticed the sudden changes in the sky.
A magnificent palace illusion loomed high above, intimidating everyone.
“Holy crap, what is that………..”
“Wait! The Warden Army?!”
“Watch out! Run!”
A vast army of Wardens appeared, wielding bronze chains, their eyes cold and filled with killing intent.
Wherever they passed, chains flew, and screams echoed.
“Get out of my way!”
Someone unleashed a scorching flame spell, trying to halt the Wardens’ advance, but it turned into smoke the moment it touched their armor.
“Impossible! We could break their defenses before!”
“Not good, these Wardens have gotten stronger!”
“Ah!”
Someone screamed as their body was pierced by three chains, instantly losing all vitality.
“Help!”
“This is way too strong!”
“We can’t fight them!”
“There are too many, too many!”
Bang!
Bang!
Bang!
Everywhere, Wardens were knocking candidates flying, crushing and slaughtering them.
“Run! These Wardens have gone mad!”
“There’s no way to escape!”
“Help! Someone save me!” someone cried out in despair.
But no one could save them.
The number of Wardens was overwhelming, and each one was terrifyingly strong.
Now, they were beyond communication, like grim reapers, coldly executing their orders to slaughter.
The surviving candidates were dwindling, some frantically fleeing, others kneeling on the ground as if giving up.
“I can’t accept it, we were so close…………”
“Is it, is it those people who intervened? Clearing the field……..”
“There’s no escape, no escape…………”
No one answered.
At the edge of the merged B exam hall.
“Lin Mingxi, hurry up!”
Jiang Qingyu reminded his teammate while turning to shoot an arrow.
The silver arrow shot out like a meteor, forcing the three pursuing Wardens to retreat.
But it wasn’t enough.
In the distance, more Wardens were approaching, an endless sea of them.
“Terrifying!”
“Damn it!”
“Like this.”
“Ugh………ugh……” Lin Mingxi gasped for breath, his face pale, “Jiang…Jiang…take the message back! I can’t run anymore.”
If it weren’t for his earlier prophetic warning, they might have already been harvested like the other candidates.
But now, he truly couldn’t run anymore, help!
At that moment, Jiang Qingyu grabbed his collar and dragged him forward.
“Stop talking nonsense, hurry up!”
As soon as he finished speaking, another piercing scream came from the distance.
Lin Mingxi shuddered, recalling the candidates who had been pierced by chains moments ago.
“What on earth is going on!”
He was on the verge of tears.
“Why are so many Wardens suddenly appearing! And each one is so terrifying!”
These Wardens were far stronger than the former Warden No. 1, as if they had been buffed, making them nearly invincible!
Jiang Qingyu’s expression turned grave.
“Who else could it be? It must be those lunatics from the Provincial Institute!”
“They’re trying to wipe us out completely…” Lin Mingxi wailed.
“They’re really pushing us to the brink!”
“Boom!”
A chain suddenly lashed out from the side.
Jiang Qingyu’s pupils contracted, and she pushed Lin Mingxi away.
“Watch out!”
We can’t delay any longer, [Moon God’s Blessing]!
Their speed instantly increased significantly.
“Hurry! Don’t stop! We need to get to Area A!”
“Run… run from death…” Lin Mingxi’s face was full of despair, but he gritted his teeth and kept moving forward.
Suddenly, his pupils dilated.
His prophetic ability triggered again, and he saw the scene a few seconds later.
“Jiang Jiang, behind you!”
Without a second thought, Jiang Qingyu immediately rolled to the side.
“Crack!”
Three chains crossed over, hitting exactly where she had been standing.
Lin Mingxi was terrified and wailed, “Boss, save me! Wuwuwu!”
As soon as he finished shouting, he heard a loud explosion!
Boom!
The ground suddenly shook, and as the dust settled, figures began to emerge.
Bronze armor, cold chains.
Another army of Wardens!
“It’s over, it’s over, it’s over!”
Lin Mingxi never expected his random shout to lead to such a result.
Now they were really going to die!
“How is this possible! My danger premonition didn’t react? This isn’t scientific! Boss! Boss—”
Before he could finish, the army of Wardens had fully emerged.
Lin Mingxi was utterly despairing…
“We’re doomed!”
However
“Enough,” the leading Warden suddenly spoke, his voice icy.
“You won’t die.”
Lin Mingxi: “???”
The army of Wardens lined up neatly, but not facing them.
Instead, they were facing outward, actually… covering their retreat?
Lin Mingxi finally realized, “Holy crap! These are the subordinates Boss awakened back then!”
He was overjoyed and cried, “Wuwuwu Jiang Jiang, look, it’s Boss! Boss is here to save us! I knew you wouldn’t abandon me!”
“Boss is awesome!”
“I knew Boss was the best!”
“This was all part of the plan, right?”
“Hahaha, now I’m going to turn the tide..”
“Shut up.”
Jiang Qingyu coldly interrupted his flattery.
“Stop wailing, Su Fu can’t hear you. Hurry up and run!”
“Now, immediately, back to Area A.”
“Alright!” Lin Mingxi suddenly felt full of energy.
“Follow me! That way is the least dangerous!”
With the Wardens helping to hold off the enemy and Lin Mingxi’s warnings, their speed increased dramatically.
Besides the Wardens covering their retreat, Jiang Qingyu also noticed that some Wardens were following them, as if escorting them back to Area A.
Seeing this, Jiang Qingyu was deeply shocked.
How did Su Fu manage this?
Logically, the Chief should have complete control over the entire Heavenly Prison’s authority.
Both the Wardens and the Enforcers should be bound by his rules.
So…
Why didn’t it work on these Wardens?
What method did Su Fu use to make these Wardens ignore the absolute control of the Heavenly Prison’s authority?
And even help her resist the rules?
At that moment, another scream echoed from the distance.
It was a girl’s voice, sounding very young, perhaps no more than fifteen or sixteen years old.
But now, that voice had abruptly ceased.
Jiang Qingyu bit her lip tightly.
She had witnessed death many times, but never anything as brutal as this.
What kind of exam was this?
This was clearly a massacre!
A meticulously planned slaughter of civilian examinees!
And what were those aristocratic heirs doing in the safe zone at this moment?
Were they, against this fiery backdrop, chatting and laughing, savoring the despair and wails of others?
As if these civilians were merely fuel, only there to set off a grand fireworks display for the aristocratic families.
Was it pitiful?