“D*mn it…” muttered, annoyed.
Gritting his teeth, Jared summoned every ounce of power had and struck again.
Clang!
Another deafening impact rang out, but this time, the force rebounded so violently that was thrown backward.
Pain surged through his body as if his internal organs had been shaken loose. He had never imagined that a cage so unremarkable in appearance could trap so thoroughly.
At that moment, Jared recalled the old man’s words and couldn’t help but admit they made a lot of sense. With his current strength, danger lurked around every corner in the celestial realm.
Now, truly believed it. If this cage was part of the celestial realm, there was no way could break free.
“Save your strength, kid. No one who’s ended up here has ever gotten out, unless they’ve served their sentence.” A man’s voice suddenly echoed nearby.
Startled, Jared quickly called out, “Sir, who are you? Where are you?”
“I’m right next door, In the neighboring cell,” the man replied, surprised. “I never thought someone fresh to the Immortal Realm would have the guts to charge into the celestial realm…”
“Sir, is this really the celestial realm? Why are we looked up? I haven’t done anything wrong. What sentence are we even serving?” Jared looked completely baffled, unable to make sense of what was happening.
I’ve always followed the rules. I’ve never committed a crime. So, why the hell am I in a prison cell, waiting for some sentence to be served?
“You hadn’t reached Ascendance, yet you used external means to enter the celestial realm. That alone violates the natural laws,” the man explained calmly. “So, It’s only natural you were imprisoned.”
“I was guided here; no one stopped me! Why am I the one getting punished? Shouldn’t they go after whoever led me here?” Jared was utterly speechless.
As far as was concerned, he’d entered the celestial realm through proper channels.
“It’s useless. Up here, it’s all about rules, not reason. Try arguing logic and people will just laugh in your face. Where are you from? What’s your name?”
“Judging by your aura, you just stepped into Immortal Realm Level One… And yet you’re already here. Someone definitely pulled strings for you. You’ve got some serious backing,” The man said. He could tell at a glance.
“My name is Jared, from the Ethereal Realm. It’s true, the Celestial Stairway did grant me some leeway,” Jared admitted with a nod.
Then, curious, asked, “But, sir, how is It that you can see me, yet I can’t see you? Where are you from? And may I know your name?”
After all, this man was the first person Jared had encountered since arriving. He felt it was important to get some answers. There was still so much didn’t understand.
“Dispel the black mist In your cage, and you’ll be able to see me,” the man replied with a weary sigh. “My name is Reidan, a cultivator from the Worstrual Realm. Like many others, I climbed the stairway hoping to reach the celestial realm. But once I arrived, I was thrown in here. I’ve been trapped for over five hundred years.”
Jared turned his gaze toward the swirling black mist in his cage.
With a sharp sweep of his hand, a gust of wind burst forth, scattering the fog instantly.
As the mist cleared, Jared saw another cage a short distance away.
Inside was a man with a gaunt face and rough stubble. Despite his worn appearance, Reidan still looked surprisingly healthy. However, his robes were tattered and faded, clearly unchanged for centuries.
“Sir, do you know why we were guided here, only to end up trapped in cages?” Jared asked.
The thought sent a wave of panic through him. If that were the case, then Skylar and Josephine might have been caught too.
“I’m not sure,” Reidan replied, shaking his head. “But it seems these cages only imprison human cultivators. Other races don’t appear to be affected.”
“What the h*ll? They’re targeting human cultivators? I’d really like to find out who’s behind this!” Jared’s anger flared.
This isn’t fair!
Then, Jared asked, “Mr. Vermilion, if I let you take control of my body, can you break through this cage?”
