Inside the High Heaven Forest Prison, Yang Kai, Li Yun Tian, and the others remained trapped. An entire hour had passed, yet there was no sign of movement outside. Tension thickened in the cell as uncertainty gnawed at them.
Growing anxious, Li Yun Tian muttered, "Why hasn't Young Master Su come to save us yet?" His fingers clenched into fists, his patience wearing thin.
One of the other disciples frowned. "He was knocked unconscious. If he isn't awake, how could he possibly come?"
Their frustration deepened until the iron prison doors suddenly creaked open. The echoing footsteps of an approaching figure made them tense up. The heavy thud of boots against stone sent a shiver down their spines.
A Disciplinary Disciple halted before the cell, his voice sharp as he barked, "Who is Yang Kai?"
Yang Kai stepped forward with an indifferent expression. "I am."
"Follow me. Someone wants to see you."
The other prisoners exchanged wary glances. Li Yun Tian grabbed Yang Kai's arm. "Senior Brother Yang, don't go! Wait for Young Master Su."
The Disciplinary Disciple's face twisted in irritation. "Let go! Interfere, and you'll be challenging the Disciplinary Hall directly. You know what that means."
Yang Kai shook his head. "No need to panic. I'll be fine."
Reluctantly, Li Yun Tian released his grip. "Be careful."
"Hah! Overestimating yourself," the Disciplinary Disciple sneered, locking the cell behind them before leading Yang Kai down the corridor. The air grew damp, the flickering torches casting eerie shadows along the stone walls.
Soon, they arrived at a small wooden room. A voice from within chuckled darkly. "Come in."
Yang Kai smirked and stepped inside. The moment the door shut behind him, he twisted around, his palm slamming into the Disciplinary Disciple's stomach.
BAM!
The man let out a strangled scream, flying backward and crashing into the wooden wall. His body convulsed from the sheer force, his breath ragged as he clutched his abdomen in pain.
"You dare?!" an enraged voice roared.
Four figures surged forward, lunging at Yang Kai.
Yang Kai sneered, raising his fists. "Come together. I don't have time for this."
The first assailant swung a fist, but Yang Kai dodged, countering with a brutal kick that sent his opponent sprawling. The other three attacked simultaneously, fists and feet colliding with Yang Kai's body, forcing him back. Blood trickled from his lip, but his eyes burned with a fierce light.
BOOM!
Yang Kai let out a primal roar, his movements becoming even fiercer. He leapt into the air, delivering a bone-crushing kick to two attackers' heads, making them stumble back in agony. But before he could follow up, another disciple locked onto his leg, twisting his body and hurling Yang Kai into the wall.
THUD!
Pain rippled through his body, but he gritted his teeth and pushed himself up. Blood dripped onto the wooden floor as he surveyed the chaotic room, where grunts and the crackling sound of fists meeting flesh filled the air.
"Enough!" a voice commanded.
The fighting abruptly ceased. The lead Disciplinary Disciple scowled. "Stop hitting him. Any more, and he might die."
The attackers stepped back, panting, sweat dripping down their faces. Yang Kai chuckled darkly, wiping the blood from his mouth.
Just then, the room's temperature plummeted. A chill slithered through the air, sinking into their bones.
CREAK—BAM!
The wooden door burst open. A lone figure stepped in, her presence overwhelming.
Su Yan.
Her icy gaze swept over the battered room. The Disciplinary Disciples stiffened, their bravado vanishing in an instant. The frost in her stare alone sent shivers through them, their backs drenched in cold sweat.
One of them stumbled forward, forcing a weak smile. "Senior Sister Su, this trial disciple—"
"Enough."
Her voice was like the edge of a frozen blade, cutting through his excuses before he could even finish. The air became so cold that the very breath from their mouths became visible. The torches flickered wildly before dimming, their flames struggling against the sudden frost.
Without another word, Su Yan strode toward Yang Kai, placing a hand on his shoulder. A surge of cold energy flowed into him, stabilizing his injuries. His muscles relaxed as a refreshing chill swept through his veins, numbing the pain.
"Come with me," she ordered.
Yang Kai smirked but nodded, following her out of the room. As soon as the door closed behind them, a sudden boom echoed inside. The five disciples collapsed to the ground, shivering violently. A single snowflake, now rapidly expanding, shimmered in the air before vanishing into a burst of frost.
"S-Such power…!" the lead Disciplinary Disciple muttered, his voice trembling. Their bodies remained frozen in place, unable to stop the waves of cold seeping into their very bones.
Meanwhile, outside, Yang Kai, still limping slightly, glanced at Su Yan. "You dealt with them?"
She fluttered her long eyelashes. "So what if I did? You're still standing, aren't you?"
Yang Kai chuckled. "Fair enough. Now, let's go free the others."
The two ventured deeper into the prison until they reached the cell where Li Yun Tian and the others were held. As soon as they saw Su Yan standing beside Yang Kai, their jaws nearly hit the floor. Their envy was palpable.
"Senior Brother Yang… arm in arm with Senior Sister Su…" Li Yun Tian stammered. "Even dying would be worth it."
With a wave of Su Yan's hand, the cell lock shattered. "Come out."
They hesitated before stepping out, unable to peel their gazes away from the pair.
Li Yun Tian coughed awkwardly. "Senior Sister Su… why not let Senior Brother Yang carry you? You must be tired."
The others eagerly nodded.
Su Yan's icy gaze swept over them. "No need. You're all injured. Carrying him would only make it worse."
Silence.
The disciples blinked in confusion. They weren't that injured, were they?
Yang Kai couldn't help but chuckle, but he wisely chose to remain silent. With Su Yan leading the way, the group made their escape, leaving behind a frozen prison and a room of terrified disciples who had just learned why Su Yan was hailed as the strongest of her generation.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
No matter how composed Su Yan's expression was, the weight of so many gazes made her movements slightly stiff.
"Come, I'll take you out," she said, her voice cool and unwavering. With her usual cold but stunning countenance, she supported Yang Kai and led the way forward, Li Yun Tian and the others trailing behind.
Before long, the group emerged from the depths of the Forest Prison—only to be met by a formidable assembly. Nearly a hundred Disciplinary Hall disciples stood in formation, their presence creating a silent but oppressive barrier around them.
Yang Kai arched an eyebrow at the scene and let out a low chuckle. "Quite the grand reception. Senior Sister, could it be that they're here for you?"
Su Yan gave no response. Her icy gaze swept across the assembled disciples, unshaken and indifferent. Without slowing her pace, she continued forward, still supporting Yang Kai.
A tense silence lingered in the air. Yet despite their numbers, none of the Disciplinary Hall disciples dared to stand in their way. One by one, they instinctively stepped aside, eyes filled with unease as they parted to create a path.
Su Yan didn't even spare them a second glance.
With unwavering steps, she led Yang Kai straight through their ranks—unchallenged and unstoppable.