While Cassian was busy trying to break open the doors of the prison cells, another familiar figure stepped into the prison.
It was Guardian Zami.
Clad in silver armor stained with traces of blood, she scanned the prison in an instant.
The moment she confirmed that everyone was still alive, she let out a sigh of relief.
Without hesitation, she hurried toward Ares first, crouching before his cell to check his condition. Seeing the familiar face after so long, Ares clicked his tongue once again.
"So, you finally remembered me?"
Zami shot him an exasperated look.
"Don’t blame me. After your reckless battle against the Rulers, do you have any idea how much trouble you caused the clan?"
She let out a sigh.
"Gathering enough forces to challenge the Rulers isn’t easy, especially when they command so many people. Even now, our preparations are far from complete..."
Her gaze shifted toward Jian, who was inside Ares’ cell, and then to the others imprisoned nearby.
"But we received news about these people and immediately changed our plans after learning that Yizhe had decided to hold a public execution for them... and for you."
She stood back up, her face serious.
"For now, escaping this damn place is our highest priority. We have to get out before Yizhe finds out we’re here."
With that, she glanced at the cell door and drove a powerful kick into it.
Boom!
The space trembled, but the door didn’t budge. She frowned slightly as she stared at the unbroken symbols covering its surface.
Realizing brute force wasn’t enough, Zami turned her gaze toward Cassian. They had only recently met after she had contacted him and asked for his help. But she knew he had been searching the realm for Kyle.
Noticing Cassian looking toward her as well, Guardian Zami shook her head.
"I can’t break it either."
Her expression grew grim.
"What should we do?"
At that moment, Gvette’s figure quickly rushed into the prison, panting heavily.
Seeing the Celestial with four eyes, Jian and the others were briefly taken aback, but they quickly accepted his appearance.
Gvette stopped in front of Guardian Zami and, catching his breath, exclaimed.
"I found some keys!"
Before Zami could react, Cassian stepped forward and took the keys from Gvette’s hands. Without wasting a second, he slid one into the lock of the nearest cell door.
The moment the key turned, the symbols sealing the gate trembled before retreating.
A sharp click echoed throughout the entire prison, and the cell door swung open.
Cassian glanced back at Gvette.
"Good job."
Gvette’s eyes sparkled with pride as he puffed out his chest, unable to hide the smug grin spreading across his face.
"Of course! I used the Law of Fortune. Besides, don’t forget I’m Kyle’s follower. There’s no way my luck could be bad!"
Nine’s eyes narrowed as he looked at the four-eyed Celestial. He let out a scoff.
"So... he even has followers now, huh?"
After Cassian successfully opened every door in the prison, he and Guardian Zami were discussing how to remove the dark chains binding everyone when a mocking chuckle suddenly echoed from the prison entrance.
Everyone froze the instant they heard it.
All eyes snapped toward the source of the sound.
Yizhe slowly emerged from the darkness, clapping leisurely with a smirk stretched across his face.
His gaze locked onto Zami.
"I knew you would come after your clan interpreted the message the elders sent me."
His eyes then shifted to Cassian, and the smirk on his face deepened.
"But your presence is a surprise."
The keys slipped from Cassian’s hands and clattered onto the floor. His expression darkened.
Behind him, Alec stared at Yizhe before suddenly realizing the truth.
"This was a trap."
Hearing Alec’s words, Yizhe chuckled once more.
"Obviously. Otherwise, why would there be so few guards around the Rulers’ territory? I should thank Zami for bringing only a small group here to secretly help you all escape. It made everything much easier."
His gaze shifted to Clan Leader Ares as dozens of familiar warriors and giants emerged from the shadows, taking their places behind him in perfect formation with their weapons raised and ready to strike.
"Your clan has caused us quite a bit of trouble. The forces they gathered even forced Mirabel to establish a new clan under the Rulers’ command. But now that the leader of your faction has been captured..."
Yizhe paused, amused.
"Do you really think those forces she gathered will continue opposing us?"
Zami’s fists tightened, her eyes blazing.
"You bastard!"
Yizhe paid her no attention. With a casual wave of his hand, the Celestials behind him surged forward like a tidal wave. Cassian, Zami, and Gvette barely had time to react before they were completely overwhelmed and restrained.
Only moments later, more captives were dragged into the suffocating prison. They were members of the Golden Guardians Clan, along with Celestials from several allied clans that had united with them against the Rulers. They had joined the rescue mission, keeping watch outside while holding off the prison guards. Now, one by one, they were dragged inside and hurled violently onto the cold stone floor.
Before long, they too were shackled with the same dark chains as everyone else and forced to kneel before Yizhe, their faces filled with fury and unwillingness.
Seeing the scene unfold, Jian’s lips twitched uncontrollably. He had the overwhelming urge to facepalm.
What kind of rescue was this? Did these people seriously not have a backup plan?
Letting out a silent sigh, Jian tightened his grip on the dark chains around his wrists until his knuckles turned white. His icy gaze never left Yizhe, his eyes burning with barely restrained frustration and irritation.
On the other hand, Yizhe was thoroughly satisfied. Looking at all his enemies—those who opposed him and those who could one day become a threat—now kneeling before him in chains, a triumphant smile spread across his face. A low laugh escaped his lips as he swept his gaze over everyone.
"Now, we can begin the execution. There’s no need to wait any longer. After all, the sooner this group is erased, the better."