『 Jiaoqiu took the mechanism diagram and began to help Xueyi operate the mechanisms, opening the hidden path.
Rumble!
A moment later, with a tremor from the ground, a path leading deeper into the depths manifested.
[ You two, the path has been opened. ]
[ Once we descend to the bottom of the Shackling Prison, do not act rashly under any circumstances. ]
After warning Jiaoqiu and Moze, Xueyi began to lead the way.
Jiaoqiu and Moze followed behind. After walking for about a few minutes, they arrived before an imposing, enigmatic gate.
[ In the delve behind this gate, the sworn enemy of the Foxians, Hoolay, is imprisoned. ]
Xueyi stopped and introduced the place to the two.
At that moment, a spine-chilling roar echoed from behind the gate! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Paimon: "Uwah, what a scary roar!"
Paimon: "Is this Hoolay guy going to look like a demon?"
Lumine: "Have you ever seen a demon, Paimon?"
Lumine: "What is a demon even supposed to look like?"
Xueyi: "A demon?"
Xueyi: "I believe Hoolay's cruelty far exceeds that of any demon."
March 7th: "By the way, can we even call that a gate?"
March 7th: "Isn't it actually a delve entrance?"
March 7th: "But why is this delve entrance so eerie and foggy, with stuff constantly seeping out of it?"
Aventurine: "This Shackling Prison really is built like a living hell."
Aventurine: "I'm afraid the frontier prison back then wasn't even a tenth as terrifying as this place."
Furina de Fontaine: "Is Judge Xueyi going to take Mr. Jiaoqiu and Mr. Moze inside?"
Furina de Fontaine: "Won't it be dangerous?"
Hanya: "Normally, Hoolay is sealed. As long as they inspect carefully, the threat is not significant."
Hu Tao: "It looks pretty normal for now."
Hu Tao: "So as long as they finish the inspection quickly and leave, nothing too chaotic should happen."
Hu Tao: "After all, even if the Borisin sneaked in, they wouldn't be able to open the sealing mechanisms here!"
....
『 [ By convention, the Yaoqing envoys arrive at the Luofu Xianzhou once every century to confirm the imprisonment and status of this abomination. ]
[ Although the Ten-Lords Commission sentenced Hoolay to the punishment of the Forest of Swords, causing him endless torment for eternity… ]
[ I understand very well that what the Yaoqing envoys want to see most is Hoolay drawing his last breath… ]
[ Unfortunately, for the past seven hundred years, they have all returned in disappointment. He is an unkillable beast. ]
Xueyi listened to the terrifying roars with a calm expression, speaking to the two.
[ If the world's most potent poison can be used as medicine to save an innocent life, perhaps it can slightly offset the countless blood debts he has incurred. ]
[ Will the cure for the General be you, Hoolay? ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Stelle: "Whoa! Jiaoqiu has another motive for meeting Hoolay?"
Stelle: "You've placed your hopes of curing Feixiao on Hoolay?"
Jiaoqiu: "I originally placed my hopes on the Lady Bailu, but unfortunately…"
Jiaoqiu: "You all saw it just now. Lady Bailu just told Feixiao to eat well and drink well."
March 7th: "But what does that have to do with Hoolay?"
March 7th: "How does Hoolay help with General Feixiao's illness?"
Jiaoqiu: "I cannot be certain, but I must try."
Feixiao: "Jiaoqiu, take my advice and don't do anything foolish!"
Feixiao: "Researching Hoolay is no laughing matter."
Jing Yuan: "The Alliance prohibits research into the power of Abundance. Mr. Jiaoqiu, it is best to put this thought to rest…"
Jiaoqiu: "But this is already the only chance."
Jiaoqiu: "I have consulted many ancient texts and understood some of the causes of the Moon Rage."
Jiaoqiu: "The key to curing Feixiao might only be found in Hoolay."
Furina de Fontaine: "This…"
Furina de Fontaine: "Since it's such an important matter as curing the General, can't the Alliance make an exception?"
Fu Xuan: "It's not entirely impossible. If Mr. Jiaoqiu submits a report to the Alliance according to the rules and regulations, the Alliance likely wouldn't refuse."
Fu Xuan: "It's just that, besides his near-monstrous regenerative abilities, Hoolay doesn't seem to have any other special traits, does he?"
Fu Xuan: "And that power ultimately originates from the Plagues Author… It might bring endless trouble."
Stelle: "Let's put other things aside for now. Since there's a chance to find a cure for General Feixiao from Hoolay, I think it's worth a try."
Stelle: "My only fear is that we won't find any way even from Hoolay…"
Jiaoqiu: "No matter. If there is no hope to be found in Hoolay, I will continue to search for other ways!"
Yunli: "Tsk, now I believe you are the General's military doctor!"
Feixiao: "Jiaoqiu, thanks!"
....
『 [ This time, the Yaoqing envoys will also return in disappointment. ]
[ But my pack and I are different… ]
Just then, a series of strange noises echoed. A group of Borisin and disguised Cloud Knights suddenly appeared, quickly surrounding Xueyi and the other two.
[ Hm? Who goes there?! ]
Xueyi's expression changed drastically as she demanded.
[ I'm just a humble counselor of the Rhinohound Pack. You can call me... Mok Tok ]
The leader smiled contemptuously and revealed his name.
[ Wardens! Intruders on the lowest level! Send reinforcements! ]
Xueyi began to call for backup, but there was no response.
[ Nobody will hear you here, at the bottom of the Shackling Prison. Thank you for opening the prison for us, Your Honor. We'll take it from here. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Moze: "…"
Moze: "Jiaoqiu, congratulations. Your jinx worked."
Jiaoqiu: "Do you ever have anything nice to say?"
Jiaoqiu: "Is this something you should be congratulating me for?"
Yanqing: "Damn it, the thing we least wanted to see has happened!"
Stelle: "Sigh, in the end, the three of them still ended up leading the way for this scheming pack of Borisin…"
March 7th: "Mok Tok… so he is Mok Tok…"
March 7th: "Isn't he the fake Cloud Knight we encountered at the beginning of the video?"
March 7th: "To think he was actually the leader of this pack of Borisin!"
Dan Heng: "How did so many people manage to sneak into the Shackling Prison so easily?"
Hanya: "The interior of the Shackling Prison is extremely complex. Even a Judge cannot claim to know it inside out."
Hanya: "Therefore, I suspect these Borisin have obtained a detailed map of the Shackling Prison's structure."
Hanya: "Only then could they silently lurk inside without being detected."
Venti: "Which means someone leaked the detailed structural blueprints of the Shackling Prison?"
Jing Yuan: "The only ones who could leak this in the entirety of the Luofu are those who once participated in the construction of the Shackling Prison."
Dan Heng: "The Vidyadhara!"
Paimon: "Oh right! Miss Hanya said earlier that the construction of the Shackling Prison had the help of Vidyadhara artisans."
Paimon: "But why is Dan Heng so sure it was the Vidyadhara who leaked the secret?"
Stelle: "Why else?"
Stelle: "Of course it's because the Luofu's Vidyadhara seem a bit restless lately."
Stelle: "I bet it has everything to do with those Preceptors!"
Lingsha: "Sigh, if that is indeed the case, I am truly disheartened…"
(I always forgot Ligsha is also a Vidyadhara...)
....
『 [ No wonder I kept smelling a familiar beastly stench. It wasn't my imagination after all. ]
[ Do your thing, Moze! ]
Jiaoqiu finally realized that his sense of smell had not deceived him earlier.
[ You two, we must not let these abominations get close! ]
Xueyi shouted, drawing her weapon and engaging the Borisin in combat.
As a Judge, Xueyi possessed formidable strength. She quickly dispatched several Borisin, but in the next moment, even more surged forward.
[ Detestable things, there are too many of them. ]
Faced with this situation, Xueyi's expression grew increasingly grim.
[ Once we were inside The Shackling Prison, we found 'soldiers' available for us everywhere. ]
Mok Tok sneered, causing Jiaoqiu's face to darken.
[ I advise you all to surrender early. ]
[ Of course, I will by no means spare your lives. ]
[ …At least this saves you from needless pain. ] 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Mualani: "Dammit, there are way too many Borisin!"
Mualani: "Those wolf-like mechs from earlier have all surrounded them now too!"
Mualani: "There are only three of them; how can they fight this?"
Kinich: "Hold on. Stelle and the others should be rushing here right now!"
Silver Wolf: "This Judge Xueyi is strong, but two hands can't fight four, and six hands can't fight a whole pack of Borisin."
Silver Wolf: "So I don't have high hopes for them."
Jiaoqiu: "We're doomed. Before I can even cure the General, I might end up kicking the bucket here first."
Topaz: "An envoy of the Yaoqing Xianzhou accidentally perishing in the Luofu's Shackling Prison…"
Topaz: "Followed by the escape of the major criminal Hoolay, who goes on a killing spree in the Luofu Xianzhou…"
Topaz: "Hmm… is this the handiwork of Lord Ravager Phantylia?"
Topaz: "It is indeed a very troublesome plot!"
Himeko: "If things go according to Phantylia's wishes, the Xianzhou Alliance might suffer a major rift after this incident."
Welt Yang: "Phantylia is still Phantylia. Her methods remain incredibly insidious."
Feixiao: "Heh, as if I'd let her have her way!"
Feixiao: "With me around, the Luofu is no place for Hoolay to run wild!"
Feixiao: "If Jiaoqiu and Moze unfortunately fall in battle, I will make Hoolay pay in blood!"
Moze: "General, I believe I can run. I won't die."
Moze: "You can just make him pay for Jiaoqiu."
Jiaoqiu: "?"
Jiaoqiu: "You brat, if you don't know how to speak, keep your mouth shut!"
....
『 [ How presumptuous! Die now! ]
Furious, Xueyi lunged toward Mok Tok, but her path was blocked by a sudden horde of wolf-like mechs.
[ Moze, find an opportunity to leave! ]
Seeing more and more Borisin surrounding them, Jiaoqiu couldn't help but speak to Moze beside him.
[ …Not yet. ]
Moze shook his head. His figure flickered, blending into the shadows as he began to harvest the lives of the Borisin with his daggers.
[ Guard the gate — they can't be allowed in! ]
Xueyi shouted anxiously, striking down a Borisin who attempted to enter the delve to rescue Hoolay.
Jiaoqiu and Moze were also desperately trying to block them!
However, under the fearless charges of the Borisin, someone finally managed to break through!
BOOM!!!
A massive explosion echoed. The Borisin who had just broken in was thrown out of the delve like a dead dog.
Then, a massive and brutal figure slowly stepped out from within!
[ Hurry! ]
Seeing this, Jiaoqiu urged Moze to leave once more.
Hearing this, Moze hesitated for a fraction of a second, then turned and left without looking back. 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
March 7th: "He's… he's out!!"
March 7th: "It's over… completely over!"
Jiaoqiu: "Did he still manage to break free…"
Paimon: "Why did Moze really leave?!"
Paimon: "Uh… wait, no!"
Paimon: "Actually, Jiaoqiu and Xueyi both had a chance to escape just now, right?"
Xueyi: "With such a disaster occurring in the Shackling Prison, as a Judge, I cannot leave!"
Xueyi: "I must do everything in my power to stop Hoolay from escaping!"
Xueyi: "Otherwise, the Luofu will face a great catastrophe!"
Jiaoqiu: "I still need to use Hoolay to research a cure for Feixiao, so I cannot leave either."
Jiaoqiu: "Moreover, given the current situation, aside from Moze who excels at stealth, it would be difficult for us to escape anyway."
Jiaoqiu: "Letting Moze leave at least ensures the message gets out!"
Lumine: "But if you do that, both of your lives will be in extreme danger!"
....
『 Hoolay's massive frame slowly emerged from the delve, completely unstoppable.
Seeing the situation, Xueyi's heart sank, but she prepared to fight to the death!
She began to gather her strength, looking for an opportunity to slay Hoolay!
The moment Hoolay's body completely stepped out of the delve, Xueyi felt the timing was perfect. Like a sharp arrow released from a bow, she turned into a streak of rainbow light.
With unparalleled speed, she thrust the sharp dagger in her hand toward Hoolay's throat!
However, just as the dagger was about to touch him, Hoolay's claws flashed like a blur.
With a heavy, swift, and powerful strike, he slammed Xueyi violently into the ground!
BOOM!!!
Instantly, a massive crash resounded, and dust billowed everywhere! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Mualani: "Ah?!"
Mualani: "SO CLOSE, IT WAS REALLY JUST A HAIR'S BREADTH AWAY!!"
Paimon: "Uwah! Miss Xueyi was slammed into the ground!"
Paimon: "Hoolay's strike was terrifying. Is Miss Xueyi… alright?!"
Hotaru: "A strike that is both incredibly heavy and fast!"
Hotaru: "If an ordinary person took that hit, at best their bones would be completely shattered, and at worst they'd be turned into a pulp…"
Hu Tao: "That… that's terrible?!"
Hu Tao: "Then doesn't that mean Miss Xueyi is?!"
Hanya: "No need to worry. My sister has a unique body and can withstand this strike."
Hanya: "But I fear my sister is going to perish in battle again…"
Hanya: "I really do not want to see this scene…"
....
『 [ I've waited... for too long... My first meal after regaining my freedom... Is the flesh and blood of my fellow kindred. A sad scene indeed. ]
Hoolay picked up Xueyi's body from the ground as easily as pinching an ant.
Then, he began to exert force, and Xueyi's body began to make a continuous cracking sound.
A moment later, as if discarding trash, he casually threw the lifeless Xueyi aside.
[ It has been a long time, Warhead. ]
[ We have come to welcome you back to the pack. ]
Mok Tok stepped forward to greet Hoolay, leading all the Borisin to kneel on the ground, cheering the return of their Warhead! 』
『 ....』
—✦Omniscient Viewer's Chat Lodge✦—
Hanabi: "Ara~? Are people dying already?"
Hanabi: "Is the daily life of the Xianzhou always this exciting?"
Stelle: "DAMN IT!! Watching Xueyi get killed by Hoolay while being completely powerless to help!"
Stelle: "Even though it's just a video, it still fills me with rage!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Miss Xueyi… was killed just like that?!"
Furina de Fontaine: "Isn't that a bit… sudden?"
Furina de Fontaine: "She was just…"
Huohuo: "Waaaaah… Lady Xueyi… you died such a horrible death!"
Huohuo: "Huohuo… Huohuo will definitely do her best to avenge you!"
Dan Heng: "Sigh, thankfully this is just a video, and these tragedies have not happened yet."
March 7th: "I… I don't even dare to think about how sad Miss Hanya will be when she comes over and finds her sister's body…"
Robin: "…"
Robin: "It will be a very sorrowful scene."
....