In the real world, footsteps could be heard inside the royal palace supermax dungeon.
Step. Step. Another step.
The long, empty corridor had dusty walls that gave off a creepy vibe.
And unlike the previous dungeon chambers, which were divided into male and female quarters, this one held everyone together in a single space.
The supermax chambers were located ten miles below the royal palace and held the kingdom's most notorious criminals.
Suspended in midair inside a vast cavern, the corridor hung above a molten lake that slowly flowed several feet below. The molten lake was blue in colour and had ice-phoenix flame properties, being chillingly cold and hot at the same time.
Not only was it effective for torturing the prisoners, but it also prevented the use of life essence in any form, through spiritual sealing.
In the previous dungeon chambers, where all sorts of debauchery were possible, the inner walls were made of special crystals that absorbed the released life essence, preventing the prisoners from blowing their way out.
But this measure was only effective against mortals and most first-step favourites.
...
Within this domain, no guard was allowed to come into contact with any prisoner for dual cultivation.
And any violation was punishable by death.
Even the guards weren't ordinary palace guards.
One had to be at least a peak one-step Favourite with four stars on their uniform, serving under a second-step Favourite Palace General, and possess either fire or water attributes to qualify for this position.
Not to mention the three teams of shadow guards that were always lurking in the shadows, their identities unknown even to the palace general.
But despite the heavy security measures, this place had always held only one prisoner... that is, until six weeks ago, when a new face was dragged to this part of the dungeon.
...
The palace guard general, Kristoff, stopped before a 20-inch-thick reinforced steel door — the aura of a second-step peak Favourite emanating from him.
And upon his arrival, shadows danced in an eerie fashion throughout the cavern, welcoming the visitor. General Kristoff, noticing the shadows' movements, curtly nodded in their direction before using a special key to open the giant door.
Shortly after, a low metallic creak reverberated throughout the corridor, drawing the attention of the two prisoners and the nine guards stationed there.
When the guards saw their general, they ran into two lines, stood at attention and saluted Kristoff.
"Welcome back, General," they all said in unison.
General Kristoff spared a few seconds to assess the order and readiness of his subordinates while contemplating how they would react to the new order he brought.
He couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Be at ease."
The guards lowered their hands, and soon after, the team captain stepped forward.
In the first cell, which was located near the main entrance, a prisoner, an old man in shackles, scoffed in disdain at the pretentious and arrogant nature of his captors.
"This place has really become lively recently."
"In the past seventy years, I've never seen so many personnel changes in just six weeks."
"I guess karma is a bitch!"
The prisoner spat on the floor, eliciting contempt.
"And you're about to go back to your boredom," General Kristoff scoffed.
"Eh?!"
The guards and the old man raised their eyebrows, shocked.
'Does it mean someone is going to become free?'
'It can't be that old bastard.'
'But other than him... No way!' they all cried inwardly before turning to look at the last cell, fear evident in their eyes.
They all knew that when a person was thrown inside the supermax, they only attained freedom through death.
Then.
"How? Why?" they all asked in unison.
But the general acted as though he hadn't heard their questions and asked his own.
"How has the prisoner been during the past few days of my absence?" Kristoff looked at the team captain, expecting a short briefing.
A few seconds passed in silence, no one responding.
"Luka!" the general shouted in an authoritative tone, displeased by the captain's dazed expression.
"Ah! — sorry, general."
Luka stood at attention again and began recounting the past events.
"Nothing new, general."
"She remains quiet all day. Other than that week when her body wasn't responding, nothing like that has happened again."
"She is not talking, and has not bled yet. Not once, not even a single drop of blood."
"No wounds appear on her body, despite all the torture methods and artifacts utilised."
"All enforcers have given up on her."
"There weren't any fatalities during your absence, and everyone you left behind is accounted for."
Captain Luka then called each guard by name, and whenever one was called, they responded with 'Alive'.
This was rather odd inside the supermax, as they had never had to resort to roll call before six weeks ago.
But since then, many things have changed.
After the roll call ended, the general took a few seconds scanning every guard with his divine sense, ensuring everyone was truly themselves.
During the process, the guards let down their defences, including their memories, allowing the general to see everything from the moment they emerged from the sky fruits.
And although no one liked it, especially revealing their dual cultivation memories and secrets... the new rules were ironclad.
All because of one prisoner, codenamed... the Witch.
A name that sent shivers down every guard's spine, especially the enforcers.
When the general was done and nodded to them, meaning that they passed the screening, every guard exhaled deeply in relief.
Slightly at ease, the team captain scratched his head in embarrassment, hoping the general wouldn't call him out later for something he had done two days ago.