Chapter 595 - 595: Entering the Prison Passage

Jiang Xinghai was secretly horrified. 'Have they seen through my identity?'

'Is this a deliberate trap?'

He had a bad feeling, but his expression remained calm.

Tao Wenbing observed the scene, a smug smile spreading across his face. "What's wrong? Didn't expect Lord Tan's study to contain such a peculiar energy, did you? It's normal for someone from the Mortal World like you not to know. This was created using Middle Grade Spirit Stones, not something you'd find in your world."

He looked at the trapped Jiang Xinghai, his sense of satisfaction overwhelming.

However, Jiang Xinghai showed no trace of fear or panic. Instead, he smiled faintly. "Yes, it is indeed surprising. But for you to use up these Middle Grade Spirit Stones just to intimidate me... it seems your Shadow Sect is not only wealthy but also takes me quite seriously. Am I right to assume that?"

"Young friend, you can draw your own conclusions." Tao Wenbing said nothing more, clasping his hands behind his back.

Now that Jiang Xinghai was in Commander Tan Yuan's study, all he had to do was stand back and enjoy the show.

A determined glint flashed in Jiang Xinghai's eyes. "However, do you really think this imprisoning energy is enough to restrain me?"

Tao Wenbing laughed heartily. "Your courage is admirable, but your strength is far from sufficient!"

Before he could finish his sentence, a vast aura suddenly emanated from a corner of the study. The surrounding imprisoning energy field began to slowly contract.

It seemed intent on crushing Jiang Xinghai completely, robbing him of any possible means of action.

But at that very moment, a dazzling light suddenly burst forth from Jiang Xinghai's body.

It was an incomparably powerful energy fluctuation!

This energy clashed violently with the surrounding energy field, causing the entire study to tremble.

"What?!"

Tao Wenbing's face went pale, frightened by this sudden turn of events. He couldn't believe what he was seeing.

That sudden aura had been released by Commander Tan Yuan, who was hidden in the shadows.

And yet, it was being intercepted by the energy Jiang Xinghai released, resulting in a violent collision!

At this moment, the light from Jiang Xinghai grew stronger and stronger, finally coalescing into a brilliant beam that shattered the energy field in the study in a single blow.

At the same time, it sent the nearby Tao Wenbing flying.

CRASH!

Tao Wenbing's body slammed uncontrollably into the wall before tumbling to the floor.

"No, impossible!"

He was certain his own strength was greater than, or at least equal to, Jiang Xinghai's!

But that last strike was merely the aftershock of Jiang Xinghai shattering the study's energy field!

The aftershock alone had been enough to send him flying!

"Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm!"

Tao Wenbing staggered to his feet, now completely certain of Jiang Xinghai's current cultivation level. He had broken through!

'In other words, Jiang Xinghai was only in the Early Stage of the Human Emperor Realm before!'

"Lord Tan, why not come out and meet me?"

Once everything had settled, Jiang Xinghai didn't even glance at Tao Wenbing. His gaze was fixed straight ahead, on a corner of the study.

From there, an oppressive aura emanated.

'It must be the master of this study, Tan Yuan!'

"Little Chef, who the hell are you?!"

Tao Wenbing felt humiliated, having been so thoroughly defeated in front of Tan Yuan. He stepped forward, reaching out to grab Jiang Xinghai's shoulder.

"Lord Tan and I are meeting. Do you have any right to speak?"

Jiang Xinghai had indeed unexpectedly broken through to the Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm. With a sweep of his arm, he sent the now-wary Tao Wenbing crashing to the ground once more. "Is this what you call strength? Pathetic!"

"I..." Tao Wenbing lay on the floor, his face a mask of agony.

He stared at Jiang Xinghai in disbelief, unable to comprehend how this young man could possess such immense power.

Not long ago, he had been a match for this person!

But now—

Jiang Xinghai ignored Tao Wenbing and walked straight to the corner of the study.

There was a hidden door here.

The energy field that had bound him moments ago had come from this spot!

He gently pushed the door open, revealing a dark passage inside.

"Wenbing, is this the genius you recommended?"

Suddenly, an authoritative voice echoed from the depths of the hidden passage.

As his vision cleared, Jiang Xinghai saw an old man dressed in fine gray robes.

His face was covered in wrinkles, and he looked to be in his seventies or eighties.

The old man looked at Jiang Xinghai, a strange light glinting in his eyes. "Young friend, I believe it's time for you to introduce yourself, isn't it?"

"You are... Lord Tan?" Jiang Xinghai asked, taking an involuntary step back as the old man approached.

"I am indeed Tan Yuan, the master of Mirror Lake Manor and a gray-robed Elder of the Shadow Sect."

The gray-robed old man walked slowly out of the hidden passage. "And who might you be? Barging into my Mirror Lake Manor, and with the Prince of the East from Shanghai aiding your insolence. This old man is very curious about your true purpose here."

Jiang Xinghai just smiled and said nothing.

"However, regardless of who you are, to have reached the Middle Stage of the Human Emperor Realm at such a young age is worthy of this old man's admiration." The gray-robed Tan Yuan stroked his thick white beard, sizing Jiang Xinghai up.

"It was just a fluke."

Jiang Xinghai could clearly feel the domineering Late Stage Human Emperor Realm aura coming from Tan Yuan. Knowing he stood no chance in a direct confrontation, he quickly began to strategize his next move.

'Rescuing my parents by force is impossible.'

'The only way is to stick to the original plan: feign allegiance and then find an opportunity to rescue my parents.'

'But, my Second Senior Sister Zhong Yunman and Cao Qing are still waiting outside the manor for my signal.'

'And on our way here, we killed four Human Emperor Realm experts.'

'Even if I feign allegiance, will this Tan Yuan before me believe it?'

"Moreover, you were able to bypass our Villa Protection Array. Even the Imprisonment Cage this old man set up in the study was easily broken by you. Who are you, really?" Tan Yuan stared intently at Jiang Xinghai.

Jiang Xinghai smiled calmly and cupped his fists. "I am Xiao Chunan, from the Imperial City. I heard that Mirror Lake Manor is home to many experts, so I came to see for myself."

"From the Imperial City? Xiao Chunan?"

Hearing this, a look of disbelief appeared on Tan Yuan's face. He said, "As far as I know, there is no prominent Xiao Family in the Dragon Country Imperial City."

"We are a Hidden Clan. We have not concerned ourselves with worldly affairs for many years," Jiang Xinghai replied, neither servile nor overbearing.

"A Hidden Clan, you say?"

Tan Yuan raised an eyebrow, seemingly muttering to himself, "To think that in the vast lands of the Dragon Country, there is a Hidden Clan that my Shadow Sect has yet to discover."

"Lord Tan, according to the rumors, Mirror Lake Manor is actually a prison, is it not?" Jiang Xinghai tried to steer the conversation back to his intended topic.

Tan Yuan didn't deny it. "Correct. Those who know this secret are all influential figures in the Mortal World. Since you are a disciple of a Hidden Clan and have a Middle Stage Human Emperor Realm cultivation, you've probably reached the top thirty on the Martial Arts Hidden Dragon List. It's not surprising you're aware of this."

"May I see the prison?" Jiang Xinghai asked directly once more.

"Of course, no problem."

Just as Tan Yuan spoke, Tao Wenbing hurried over from the side.

"Lord Tan, this boy..."

"Silence." Tan Yuan waved his hand, seemingly knowing what Tao Wenbing wanted to say.

Then, he looked at Jiang Xinghai with a gentle expression. "Since you wish to see it, this old man will let you broaden your horizons. Come."

Without another word, he walked toward the hidden door in the study.

Only then did Jiang Xinghai understand. This was the entrance to the prison!

The thought that his parents, whom he hadn't seen in five years, were in that prison made his heart feel as if it were bleeding.

He didn't hesitate and followed right behind.

Even if there was danger or an ambush waiting, he would not back down now.