Chapter 973: Chaos in the Prison State

Cloud City, the nearest city to the Prison State, still welcomed Su Han and Du Yao despite the destruction of the cloud ship.

This time, they didn’t seek a cloud ship to enter the Prison State because Du Yao’s Catastrophe Devil Body was too dreadful; no one could predict when calamity would strike, not even Du Yao herself.

So, after resting in Cloud City, Su Han and Du Yao set out together toward Prison State.

During this period, Su Han learned some things about Du Yao from her.

The Du Family was once a Sacred Land in Prison State, dominating one region with considerable power, and Du Yao was the Holy Maiden of the Du Family, a noble identity.

However, when she was ten, the Catastrophe Devil Body awakened, instantly causing a fire that turned half of the Du Family to ashes.

The prison lord, upon hearing this, led the life and death arbiters to the Du Family, intending to take Du Yao away.

The infamous reputation of Hell was well-known in Prison State, so Du Yao’s father refused to surrender her, prompting the prison lord to act, resulting in a bloody massacre of the entire Du Family. Unfortunately, Du Yao’s mother had already secretly sent Du Yao away, leaving the prison lord empty-handed.

This blood feud was deeply etched into Du Yao’s heart. She fled from Prison State, wandering aimlessly, enduring beatings, curses, and deceit, yet she survived by relying on the Catastrophe Devil Body, growing stronger amidst adversity.

After her twentieth birthday, she decided to return for revenge, believing that her Catastrophe Devil Body would aid her, so she boarded a cloud ship, planning to return secretly to Prison State.

Unfortunately, a tornado attracted Black Impermanence, and if not for Su Han’s intervention, she would have been brought before the prison lord.

"King Yama is unexpectedly a Great Emperor Realm expert, truly hidden and deep. The day I saw him in the Heavenly Medicine Blessed Land, it must have been merely a doppelganger!"

Hell is an Immortal Force, the prison lord a Great Emperor Realm expert, hence people seldom associate King Yama with such power, as King Yama’s displayed strength has always been only that of a quasi-emperor.

Yet this time, through Black Impermanence’s memories and Du Yao’s depiction, Su Han uncovered this astounding secret.

This revelation weighed heavily on Su Han’s mind; if it were merely a quasi-emperor, his strength could handle it, but if of Great Emperor Realm, caution would be paramount.

"Master, ahead is the state border!"

Du Yao reminded Su Han, pulling him back from his thoughts.

Du Yao once again donned a black robe to cover her body; otherwise, with her alluring and striking figure, she would surely attract trouble. Moreover, within Prison State, many were dressed similarly, as it was more chaotic and sensitive there.

Su Han looked up, seeing an invisible barrier dividing the departure state from the Prison State, yet upon crossing it felt nothing unusual, seeming merely a phantom.

However, inside and outside the barrier, the difference was vast.

The departure state wasn’t well-known in Daozhou, but its Spiritual Energy was abundant, with clear mountains and waters, and talented, prosperous lands.

Upon entering the barrier into Prison State, Su Han felt the Spiritual Energy thin to the extreme, mere wisps wafting across the land, unsuitable for cultivation.

Moreover, the ground was desolate, vegetation sparse, and mountains decrepit, resembling a barren wasteland.

Here, cultivation was challenging, and survival was questionable; how such a unique Daozhou existed in Central Plains is baffling.

"Master, within the Prison State, a legend speaks of a powerful being suppressed somewhere, absorbing massive energy to sustain life, causing the state’s desolation."

Du Yao revealed a long-lived legend within the Prison State to Su Han.

Of course, it’s merely a legend, for none have seen this powerful being nor found proof of its existence. It might be just an intoxicated old man’s boastful lie, unworthy of belief.

"A powerful being!"

Su Han’s eyes narrowed, then he utilized the Nine Heavens Eye to perceive the world. Regrettably, his Nine Heavens Eye was only cultivated to the Fifth Layer, incapable of truly perceiving the land, thus discovering nothing remarkable.

"Let’s go and find a place to settle!"

Newly arriving in Prison State, everything was unfamiliar, Su Han needed to find a place to gather information, understanding the specifics of the state’s situation better.

"Master, there is a small city eight hundred miles ahead where we can settle first!"

Du Yao accepted her fate, acting faithfully as Su Han’s servant and guide, without a hint of complaint.

As for escape or betrayal, with the fire seed present, she dared not harbor any illicit intentions.

Whoosh!

Before they could walk far, a shadow burst from underground, swift as lightning, charging at Su Han and Du Yao.

Without Su Han needing to act, Du Yao slammed the shadow into the ground with a single palm.

"Tough nut, attack together!"

As the shadow fell, a long howl rose, and instantly dozens of shadows emerged from all directions, filled with Evil Qi, wielding swords, employing various skills to encircle Su Han and Du Yao.

Du Yao reached out, Hell Poisonous Snake Whip danced with a deathly aura, each strike claiming a vibrant life.

Some were directly obliterated by the whip, blood and flesh bursting, a grisly sight.

These shadows were generally weak, the strongest merely Heavenly King Realm, no match for Du Yao, soon all were slain, none escaping.

"Master, chaos reigns within Prison State, these are bandits preying on travelers!"

Du Yao retrieved the Hell Poisonous Snake Whip, respectfully returning to Su Han’s side, explaining to him.

"Hmm, let’s go!"

Su Han’s expression unchanged, without a hint of mercy. Though he wouldn’t kill indiscriminately, if these people dared challenge him, they needn’t remain alive.

Toward enemies, Su Han showed no leniency, especially in Prison State, with evildoers rampant; killing them was actually virtuous, leaving Su Han without psychological burden.

Thereafter, Su Han truly witnessed the chaos of Prison State, encountering dozens of bandit gangs along the eight hundred miles from the state border to the small city, some attacking directly, others disguised as travelers, approaching intentionally, using every method.

Regrettably, all these bandits perished under Du Yao’s Hell Poisonous Snake Whip, not one surviving.

Impoverishment, desolation, chaos, darkness; these were Su Han’s first impressions of Prison State.

No wonder it was dubbed Dark Heaven, truly devoid of virtue, relentless peril lurking at every step.

However, this fetched a blessing for Su Han, for this was a paradise for the mighty, a hell for the weak.

And he was the mighty!