Chapter 656: Ghost Prison

In the midst of battle, Qin Ya’s cultivation grew increasingly powerful, stunning the crowd of prisoners.

In just a single hour, he had defeated nearly ten prisoners. His combat prowess was overwhelming, and the inmates below the stage looked on in horror, their discussions ceaseless.

“To be able to do this is simply astonishing.”

“He seems even stronger than he was three months ago. Progressing at such a speed is simply inconceivable. No wonder he caused such a sensation in the outside world.”

“The outside world? What about the outside world?”

“You haven’t heard? The news has been spreading all over C Prison for a while. Not only is this guy the youngest Celestial Nobility, but he also killed multiple Half-Venerables with just his King’s Cultivation. He’s ranked on the Celestial List and even dared to kill the Son of a Celestial Marquis. Why else would that Zhang Wu have incited everyone to try and kill him? It’s because he has a feud with that Celestial Marquis.”

“So that’s the story?”

In addition to his battles on the stage, the stories of what Qin Ya had done in the outside world also began to circulate. At once, many of the prisoners looked at him with even greater awe. ‘To have accomplished so much, just what kind of monster is he?’

“Step down.”

Qin Ya gave an indifferent smile, clenched his fist, and threw a sudden punch. A vortex seemed to form in the void, unleashing a terrifying Fist Power that sent the Half-Venerable prisoner opposite him flying off the stage. This was already the eighteenth person Qin Ya had defeated.

He swept his gaze indifferently over the crowd of prisoners, a hint of disappointment on his face.

‘Clearly, these prisoners are no longer much of a challenge for me.’

With a swift movement, he left the stage and walked back to Jia Prison alone.

Just then, a Prison Guard from Jia Prison hesitated for a moment, then followed him. “Young Master Qin,” he said, “are you perhaps troubled by the lack of a worthy opponent?”

Qin Ya said lightly, “Not troubled, just a little disappointed.”

The Prison Guard smiled. “Young Master Qin, are you aware that in addition to the four ordinary prisons—Jia, Yi, Bing, and Ding—the Supervision Mansion also has two others: the Death Prison and the Ghost Prison?”

“Oh? The Death Prison and the Ghost Prison?” Qin Ya’s expression turned interested.

The Prison Guard continued, “The Death Prison, as its name suggests, holds inmates awaiting execution. The Ghost Prison, however, is for imprisoning those with exceptionally immense strength. Every single one of them, if released, would be a supreme master capable of ranking in the top hundred on the Celestial List.”

Hearing this, Qin Ya’s eyes lit up.

‘Ranked in the top hundred of the Celestial List… aren’t those masters on the same level as Yann Sheng? If I could have experts like that to practice with, my rate of progress would be even faster.’

As if seeing Qin Ya’s thoughts, the Prison Guard smiled. “It would be very difficult for anyone else to interact with the inmates of the Ghost Prison. Even we guards rarely go there. But with Young Master Qin’s status, it shouldn’t be hard if you just say the word to the Mansion Master.”

…………

“The Ghost Prison? Young Master Qin wants to go to the Ghost Prison?”

Inside a palace, the Vice Mansion Master, who was handling matters concerning the prisoners, frowned slightly upon hearing his subordinate’s report, a look of hesitation on his face.

‘If it were anyone else wanting to go to the Ghost Prison, I would have refused them outright.’

‘The Ghost Prison is a restricted area. It’s not a place where just anyone can come and go as they please.’

‘But Qin Ya is different. I’m wary of this young man, whom even the Divine Lord holds in such high esteem. I can’t just refuse, but I can’t just agree either.’

‘I’d better report this matter to the Mansion Master first.’

He set aside the task at hand and went to a pavilion within the palace. After tidying his appearance, he stepped forward and knocked on the door. “Mansion Master?”

“Come in.”

CREAK. The Vice Mansion Master pushed open the door to the pavilion and slowly walked inside.

Before a desk stood a young man with grayish-white hair. He had an upright posture and resolute features, giving off an incredibly solemn aura.

This young man was none other than the Mansion Master of the Supervision Mansion… Fang Tianzheng!

But the Vice Mansion Master was even more aware that, aside from being the Mansion Master of the Supervision Mansion, this man was also one of the current Divine Lord’s few children. His cultivation… was at the Venerable realm.

“Speak. Why have you come to see me?” Fang Tianzheng said indifferently.

“Mansion Master, the prisoner Qin Ya—the one the Divine Lord specifically instructed us to look after—has suddenly requested to enter the Ghost Prison. He says it’s to temper himself through combat.”

“Oh? The Ghost Prison.”

Fang Tianzheng pondered for a moment upon hearing this, then said lightly, “As it happens, I also need to make a trip to the Ghost Prison. If he wants to go, he can accompany me.”

“I understand.”

After speaking, the Vice Mansion Master withdrew and made his way to Jia Prison.

He quickly found Qin Ya and said with a smile, “Young Master Qin, I trust you’ve been well.”

Qin Ya said coolly, “Vice Mansion Master, have you come regarding my request?”

The Vice Mansion Master shook his head with a helpless expression. “That’s right. The Ghost Prison is one of the few restricted areas within the Supervision Mansion; ordinary people are not allowed near it. The Mansion Master only agreed because it was you, Young Master Qin. If it had been any other prisoner, I would have just slapped them away.”

“If it’s too much trouble, I don’t have to go.”

“Not at all, Young Master Qin, you’re being too polite. Please, come with me.”

The two of them left Jia Prison and walked directly into a palace to meet the Mansion Master of the Supervision Mansion. When Qin Ya saw the Mansion Master for the first time, he was somewhat surprised.

‘This Mansion Master looks quite young.’ He estimated his age to be around five hundred, which was extremely young for a Venerable.

‘Among all the Venerables, only Meiying and Fang Mei are younger than him.’

“I am Qin Ya. Greetings, Mansion Master.”

“Heh, Little Brother Qin, no need for such ceremony. Although this is our first time meeting, my Priest mentions you in my ear quite often. Seeing you today, you are indeed extraordinary.”

‘Priest?!’

Qin Ya’s eyes flickered in surprise. “You are the son of the Divine Lord.”

“I am the Priest’s second son, yes.”

Qin Ya nodded, his expression returning to its usual indifference.

‘The Supervision Mansion is under the Divine Palace’s jurisdiction. The position of Mansion Master is naturally an important one, so it’s not surprising for him to have his own son take the role.’

“I hear you wish to go to the Ghost Prison, Young Master Qin?”

“That is correct.”

“Heh, then you shall accompany me.”

“Thank you for the trouble.”

The Ghost Prison, one of the most restricted areas in the Supervision Mansion, was true to its name: a gathering place for vicious fiends. Every inmate here was extraordinarily powerful. If they were all gathered and released, they would constitute a terrifying fighting force capable of throwing the entire Divine Capital into chaos.

The moment he entered the Ghost Prison, Qin Ya felt a dense, malevolent Evil Qi wash over him. It was as if he had been plunged into the depths of winter, his skin stinging from the cold. The prisoners locked in the cells, their hands and feet shackled by massive chains, broke into savage smiles upon seeing someone enter. A terrifying Evil Qi soared to the heavens.

“Hm? Someone actually came to this godforsaken place.”

“Hahaha, how interesting. The Vice Mansion Master and Mansion Master are visiting together, and they even brought along a little fellow with a cultivation of only a King. Truly surprising.”

“Brothers, control your auras. Don’t go scaring the little kid.”

“No, no, no, not just scare him. Don’t scare him to *death*.”

The incredibly dense, malevolent Evil Qi permeated the entire Ghost Prison, making the very air feel viscous. If an ordinary Martial Artist were to walk in, they probably wouldn’t last even two or three breaths before being overwhelmed by this Evil Qi.

This was the Supervision Mansion’s most restricted area… the Ghost Prison!