Chapter 4574
The cell was dark, damp, and overrun with tangled tree roots. The environment was harsh, making it impossible to sense even the faintest trace of spiritual energy.
Kai noticed something peculiar—beyond the absence of spiritual energy, there was a faint but persistent suction force within the prison. It wasn’t strong, barely perceptible, but it was there, subtly draining spiritual energy from him.
“Brother, I’m so sorry… I don’t have the money to get you out. I’m so sorry…” the youngest sister said, her voice heavy with guilt as she looked at her brother in distress.
Hearing her words, her brother fell silent. After a long pause, he forced a weak smile and said, “Sister, you don’t need to visit me anymore. I know the guards extort you every time you come.”
“Focus on living your own life. I can’t protect you anymore, so you must take care of yourself,” he added, his tone laced with resignation.
“Brother, don’t talk like that! You’ll get out of here—don’t lose hope!” she pleaded, trying to lift his spirits.
Her brother shook his head. “I won’t make it out. Haven’t you noticed there are fewer and fewer people in these cells?”
It was only then that the youngest sister realized how empty the surrounding cells were. On her last visit, many prisoners had still been confined there. Now, they were all gone.
“Where are the other prisoners? Have they all been released?” she asked, confusion and worry etched on her face.
“They’re dead. Every single one of them,” her brother replied grimly.
“Dead? How? Why would they die?” the youngest sister asked, struggling to comprehend.
Even without food or water, it was unlikely for cultivators to die so easily, especially in the Tribulation Realm, where lifespans extended to thousands of years.
“I don’t know. They just died… one by one. And I don’t think I’ll last much longer either,” her brother said, shaking his head in despair.
“Are all those dead cultivators dried up, as if their spiritual power was completely drained?” Kai suddenly asked, breaking the silence.
Hearing his voice, the youngest sister’s brother noticed Kai for the first time. He glanced at him warily before turning to his sister. “Who is this man?”
“Brother, this is Kai. I met him on my way to Beast City,” she explained. “If he hadn’t lent me money, I wouldn’t have been able to visit you today.”
Her brother frowned, his expression hardening. “Why would he lend you money? He must have some ulterior motive. You can’t trust people so easily—you’re too naive and easily deceived. Most people who approach you are just after your looks!”
“Brother, it’s not like that!” she replied, her cheeks flushing with embarrassment. “Kai isn’t interested in me. The women around him are far more beautiful than I am.”
Her brother’s eyes narrowed as he studied Kai. “Listen, boy, don’t even think about harming my sister. If I ever get out of here and find out you’ve mistreated her, I’ll kill you myself!”
Kai chuckled softly. “Do you really think you’ll make it out of here?”
The youngest sister’s brother froze, then sighed deeply. “I don’t know if I’ll ever leave this place. But if you truly care for my sister, promise me you’ll take good care of her. She’s been through so much already.”
“Brother, what are you saying?” The youngest sister flushed with embarrassment, avoiding Kai’s gaze.
Kai’s tone grew serious. “You should focus on taking care of yourself. I have a pill here—take it later. It’ll help sustain you for a while.”
He handed over the pill before continuing, “This cell is strange. There’s a faint, inexplicable suction force here. It’s draining the spiritual power from everyone inside.”