Chapter 1161: True Identity

"How is this possible? We dropped three hundred meters through thin air from the ground! Is this Splendid Villa itself a massive sinkhole? It looks so beautiful on the surface, but in reality, it's a terrifying, deeply hidden prison? And where are the Third Prince and that Fifth Assassin?"

Xiao Hua's question naturally echoed Xu Yang's own doubts. Before they could get a clear answer, a very narrow opening suddenly appeared where the door had been. This slit was only wide enough for a finger, while layers of sealed steel completely covered every other surface.

Even for someone as powerful and invincible as Xu Yang, finding a way to break out quickly would be difficult. More importantly, Xu Yang and Xiao Hua had just arrived and were unfamiliar with their surroundings. Acting rashly would be far from wise.

Through the tiny illuminated opening, Xu Yang and Xiao Hua quickly detected a familiar presence, which soon appeared in their line of sight. Xu Yang could not possibly be unfamiliar with this aura; it belonged to Fifth, who had accompanied him all the way here.

"Boss, you truly astound me. To be able to revive a peerless beauty like Princess Qingcheng once again... It's regrettable, however, that our next meeting had to be like this. I apologize for that. I genuinely wanted to be your friend, but unfortunately, I still chose to betray you.

The Third Prince wields great power, and his status is quite unique, so his death requires a flawless deception to cover everything up perfectly. And you, Boss, are just the man to bear the burden of all this for me.

Don't worry, you'll have food and drink here, and with a peerless beauty by your side, you shouldn't feel lonely. Just stay here for a hundred years or so; no one will disturb you."

Hearing Fifth speak, Xu Yang understood that this trap was deliberately set to imprison him. As for why Fifth would do this and his true identity, answers gradually formed in Xu Yang's mind.

"I suppose your 'Fifth' title must have been your childhood nickname, Fifth Prince." When Xiao Hua heard "Fifth Prince," she couldn't help but turn her head to look at Xu Yang.

"I can't believe this person who traveled with you, enduring wind and dew, is actually the true Fifth Prince of the current dynasty! It seems the Third Prince has fallen into his hands, perhaps even been killed by him, and he has rightfully inherited the entire Splendid Villa—this property exclusively belonging to the Third Prince!"

"Hahahaha!" Fifth, standing outside the opening, burst into laughter. "Your guesses are only partly correct. The reason I eliminated my Third Brother is that I've been waiting for this opportunity for countless years. If he hadn't betrayed me at a crucial moment back then, I probably wouldn't be just a mere prince today.

Even the throne of the entire Central Domain's imperial family would be mine. Back then, at a critical juncture, he abandoned my faction and chose to support His Majesty the Emperor's side, which ultimately led to my failure to seize the throne.

Not only that, my foundational meridians were severely damaged, leaving me half-crippled by a single palm strike from His Majesty the Emperor. If not for a later stroke of fortune that allowed me to somewhat repair my meridian injuries and regain the opportunity to cultivate, you wouldn't be seeing me here today. I've been waiting for countless years to avenge that old grudge.

Finally, I have this chance. Regardless, Boss Yang, I owe you a huge favor. That's why I've imprisoned you and this beautiful woman together — to prevent you from interfering with my plan for revenge and seizing the throne.

Should I ever succeed in replacing His Majesty the Emperor and seizing the throne, the day of my coronation will be the day you both see the light of day again. Of course, if I exhaust my entire life and still cannot fulfill this ambition, you two will remain imprisoned here forever.

By the way, let me tell you, this place is one of Splendid Villa's greatest secrets: a hell known as Lover's City, the largest and most dangerous prison on the entire Yingzhou Continent! Every inmate held here was once a monster-level existence renowned throughout the world. And this particular cell is the highest-tier room on the lowest level of Lover's City.

No living person has ever escaped from this place, so don't even think about it. As for the true horrors of Lover's City, the attendants who bring you food will explain them gradually in the days to come.

All right, I have more important matters to attend to, so I won't waste any more time with you two here. Enjoy your rare private world; no one will be able to disturb you in this place."

Fifth eventually revealed a cunning smile, then with a light wave of his hand, he closed the only opening, sealing the entire room completely once more.

Little did Fifth know, who exactly was Xu Yang? The moment that opening appeared, Xu Yang had silently released a wisp of spiritual energy, quickly letting it permeate every corner of the entire Lover's City prison. He had already gained a general understanding of the complex.

"I suppose you've already found a way to break free from this prison's confinement, haven't you?" Xiao Hua looked at him with a smile, knowing that with his abilities, a mere prison couldn't possibly hold him.

With a calm expression, Xu Yang slowly began, "Unless we use brute force to break out of this place, even I would struggle to find a way to escape quickly. This is a top-tier prison built according to the principles of a 'Qi Men' formation, and if my judgment is correct...

...the outermost layer of this prison is already within the deep sea. This means the entire Splendid Villa resembles an island, and our current depth connects to the ocean below. The only exit, protected by a provincial gate, has been completely sealed by the endless currents and water vapor within the deep sea.

Unless there's a violent upheaval in the external ocean, or the specific formation mechanisms of this place are activated prematurely, altering the 'Qi Men' orientation of the entire underwater prison, only then will we have a chance to escape."

Xiao Hua shook her head helplessly. "Given that the beings imprisoned in Lover's City dungeon are here, our old acquaintances shouldn't be simple characters either. I have a good idea: why don't we try to communicate with them first? Wouldn't it be better if we all worked together to find a way out?"