Volume 1, Chapter 20: What a Coincidence

“Ha ha, what do you know?” Wu Zhiyuan laughed heartily, pretending to scare Lin Yun. “Of course, they use the newcomers to fill the vacancies! Anyway, some guards are bound to die. The higher-ups don’t care about a few deaths among the first-floor prison guards…”

“Nonsense!”

Wu Zhiyuan’s words were immediately met with a barrage of scolding from Old Ma.

Old Ma shot him a glare before turning to explain to Lin Yun.

It turned out that the shortage on the second floor was because the third floor was even more understaffed.

“The third floor of the supernatural prison houses the most ruthless and merciless monsters!” Old Ma’s voice was filled with fear. “Each of these creatures is more brutal than the last. Who knows which part of their body has been forged into a deadly weapon? One slip-up and you lose your life!”

“That’s why, over the years, the third floor has been the deadliest section of the entire prison! Whether it’s the guards here or the elite operatives sent by the Supernatural Security Bureau to suppress them…”

Old Ma leaned in close to Lin Yun’s ear and whispered, “I heard the third floor was a bloodbath not long ago. The Special Supernatural Task Force and the Supernatural Security Bureau’s elite lost many men—blood everywhere, bodies piled high.”

He paused deliberately, looking at Lin Yun, “Ordinary guards? There wasn’t even a scrap left of them…”

Lin Yun’s heart surged with excitement.

The lower levels of the supernatural prison grew more mysterious and thrilling with every floor!

He could hardly wait to rush down to the very bottom and witness those real dangers and oddities firsthand.

Monsters!

He had no idea what they actually looked like.

“You lazy bum, always shirking work. Now that Lin Yun’s here, take him for a tour around the cell block to get familiar with things!”

Old Ma clapped his hands and called over the still daydreaming Wu Zhiyuan.

Wu Zhiyuan responded reluctantly.

But Lin Yun was exhilarated—finally, he would see the inmates on the lower floors.

His big sword... no, his “Prison Warden’s Demon Tome,” was itching to be put to use!

“Our North District doesn’t have many prisoners—just four in total. This is the first one…”

Wu Zhiyuan led Lin Yun to an unusual cell.

This cell didn’t even have a door. The inmate sat there openly, as if he wasn’t afraid of escaping at all.

“Strange, huh?”

Wu Zhiyuan wore a smirk, clearly expecting Lin Yun’s surprise. Then, with a chuckle, he gently tapped the side of the cell.

In the next moment, Lin Yun saw a translucent blue light curtain shimmer to life around the cell, rippling like waves on water.

“What is this…”

Lin Yun’s eyes widened.

“This is a defensive formation personally set up by the Matrix Academy’s top-tier supernatural experts. Without the key, even a ninth-rank superpowered being can’t escape.”

Wu Zhiyuan lowered his voice, speaking mysteriously.

Matrix Academy?

Top-tier supernatural experts?

Lin Yun fought the urge to test the formation and watched as Wu Zhiyuan pulled out a strange card inlaid with gems from his pocket.

A light swipe opened the blue light curtain, leading them inside.

Once inside, Lin Yun realized the space was surprisingly large. Aside from a mysterious beam of light in the center, the cell was empty.

Beneath the beam sat a gaunt figure, skin clinging tightly to bone, wild red hair tangled like a savage’s.

His limbs and scapula were pierced and secured by thick chains.

If he was still alive, he must be formidable.

Hearing the movement, the red-haired figure slowly raised his head. His hollow black eyes fixed on them, sending a chill down their spines.

“Crimson,” Wu Zhiyuan mocked loudly, unafraid. “You’ve got a new buddy to keep you company, ha ha!”

The red-haired man ignored him, instead sniffing hard at Lin Yun as if memorizing his scent, then lowering his head without another glance.

“This guy’s called Crimson,” Wu Zhiyuan whispered to Lin Yun. “He’s a demon lord from the Seven Path Solar Hall. His fire-based supernatural skill, ‘Molten Lava Burn,’ is devastating—he once burned an entire village to ashes.”

“Don’t be scared. He’s a wreck now—his powers have all been sealed by the Supernatural Security Bureau, and he’s bound by chains specially made by the Matrix Academy. He can’t cause much trouble.”

“But don’t get too close—Crimson likes to spit. His saliva is more poisonous and hotter than lava. A poor colleague once died from it…”

Lin Yun thought to himself, my “Flaming Body” skill isn’t even this fierce.

What exactly was Crimson’s “Molten Lava Burn”? It sounded even more overpowering than “Flaming Body.”

But maybe the two skills had different focuses—“Flaming Body” was more about enhancing one’s own physique, so they couldn’t be compared directly.

After seeing Crimson, Wu Zhiyuan took Lin Yun to the next cell.

The second prisoner was a leader of the Dust Sect Cult, rated as a sixth-rank superpowered being.

Hearing this, Lin Yun recalled Cold Cang, who had instigated a prison riot on the first floor.

That old devil was still his top experience source, steadily providing over a thousand experience points daily.

“I wonder where Cold Cang is locked up…”

Lin Yun pondered as Wu Zhiyuan led him into the third cell.

Under the beam of light sat an old man wearing special shackles, exuding the aura of an enlightened master.

Lin Yun was stunned.

“Damn! Isn’t that Cold Cang, the old demon lord?!”

He never expected Cold Cang to be held on the second floor, in the North District’s cell block!

What a coincidence!

Cold Cang, who had been dozing with his eyes closed, slowly opened them upon hearing the noise.

“Well, if it isn’t Young Wu! Came to see the old man again?”

Cold Cang greeted Wu Zhiyuan with a smile, his tone so familiar one might think they were old friends.

Wu Zhiyuan returned the grin, making their camaraderie seem genuine.

Watching this scene, Lin Yun felt uneasy: “Wu Zhiyuan sure has guts, acting so chummy with anyone. Not afraid the old devil might turn on him someday!”

After greeting Wu Zhiyuan, Cold Cang’s gaze shifted to Lin Yun.

“It’s you?! What are you doing here?”

Cold Cang raised an eyebrow, surprise flickering in his eyes before quickly regaining composure.

“You pretended to be deaf and dumb to deceive me back then. Looks like you’re crafty and mature beyond your years…”

Cold Cang’s voice dripped with sarcasm and a barely concealed chill.

Most people would have been terrified under that gaze, their souls scattered.

But Lin Yun? He wasn’t afraid.

Back then, he lacked strength. Now…

Lin Yun’s heart remained calm. As a superpowered being, if he couldn’t beat Cold Cang outside, handling this prisoner inside the prison was easy.

“Keep showing off in front of me. Bet I’ll find a chance to finish you off!”

Lin Yun cursed silently, already coveting Cold Cang’s supernatural skills.