Alex’s palm closed tightly around Vargos’ fist. The air around them trembled violently, as if two currents of power were colliding within a single narrow point.Kraak!The ground beneath Alex’s feet cracked, yet his body did not shift even half a step.Vargos’ eyes widened for a split second.“What?!”Alex tightened his grip.The gray Qi wrapped around Vargos’ fist trembled wildly, then began to be forced back. Not deflected. Not redirected. Suppressed outright.“You rely too much on brute strength,” Alex said quietly.“And you underestimate me.”Bang!Alex merely twisted his wrist slightly.That small motion felt like a giant hammer to Vargos. His body lifted and was flung aside, crashing hard into the ground and creating a shallow crater.Dust billowed up instantly. The veteran assassins swallowed hard in unison.“He… broke Vargos’ momentum with one hand?”Vargos rolled swiftly, stamping his foot to stabilize himself. His face hardened, veins bulging along his neck.“Interesting…” h

The Head Warden let out a long breath. His gaze hardened, yet there was a flicker of interest behind it.“A new inmate has already changed Block Seven… and now the Han family is looking for him,” he murmured.“Fine. Bring him out. But keep a close watch. I want to see for myself what kind of person he is.”The guard behind him immediately bowed.“Yes, sir!”—Inside Block Seven.The sound of iron boots echoed through the narrow corridor. The usually noisy inmates fell silent at once. A tense aura spread slowly, like poison in the air.Alex’s cell lock rattled.Clank!The iron door swung open. A tall guard stared inside with a cold expression.“Who is Alex? The Head Warden is calling for him.”Rey, who had been cultivating, opened his eyes in shock.“S-Sir… be careful. If the Head Warden himself is involved, this is no small matter…”Alex opened his eyes slowly. His face remained calm.“Relax,” he replied casually as he stood.He stepped out of the cell without hesitation. Two guards p

The inmates of Block Seven who had wanted to welcome Alex immediately stepped back, not daring to argue.Harlan stood right in front of Alex’s cell. His hands were clasped behind his back, his posture upright like an unmoving mountain.For a few seconds, he simply stood there, staring at Alex, who sat calmly on the bed.“I rarely come down to the inmate blocks myself,” he finally said.Alex slowly opened his eyes.“And yet the Warden personally escorted me back to my own cell. I assume there’s a reason?”Several guards stiffened at his tone, but Harlan merely smirked faintly.“You’re quite bold.”Alex did not respond. Harlan briefly swept his gaze across the entire block, making sure no one was approaching, before looking back at Alex.“I’m not here to threaten you,” he said flatly.Rey lifted his head, clearly surprised.“There’s something I want to ask.”Alex gave a small nod.“Go ahead.”Harlan crossed his arms over his chest.“Six months from now… Dragon Prison will hold the Domin

The black-haired girl stepped half a pace forward. She bowed deeper, her palms clenched lightly as if trying to hold back trembling.“W-we beg for your protection.”Alex stood up slowly. His gaze swept over them one by one—calm, sharp, without excess emotion.The young brown-haired girl quickly spoke next, her voice soft but rushed.“Madam Liora gave us a choice. Stay in Block Seven and serve you every day… or be sent somewhere far worse.”The silver-haired girl gave a bitter smile this time, without any playful expression.“And believe it or not, Dragon Prison has many ‘ways’ to make people regret refusing.”Block Seven fell even quieter. Some prisoners held their breath. Rey, standing in the distance, frowned—clearly displeased with the direction of the conversation.“Serve?” Alex asked flatly.Lin Fei, the black-haired girl, nodded quickly. Her voice quivered slightly, but remained controlled.“I-I mean… we will take care of your daily needs, Master. Provide clothing, food, clean y

Alex let his final words hang in the air like a verdict not yet delivered. No one dared to move.The narrow corridor was filled with held breaths, cold sweat, and gazes that had finally lost their fire. The scar-faced man clenched his fist, then slowly loosened it. The iron chain in his hand fell to the floor with a sharp sound.Clang.One by one, the inmates of Block One stepped back. There were no heroic shouts. No follow-up attacks. Only the bitter realization that they had just stood before something on an entirely different level.Alex did not pursue them. He did not punish them further. He simply turned around and continued walking.The days after that passed in silence.There were no more open provocations. No more foolish challenges. Even Madam Liora held herself back, merely observing from a distance with a smile now filled with calculation.Alex went on with his routine.In the morning, Qi breathing training in the quietest corner of his cell. At noon, strengthening his body