The service corridor beneath the Colosseum smelled of rust, stale blood, and burnt ozone.
Lin Mo walked swiftly down the narrow stone stairs, following the pulsing crimson navigation arrow on his wrist display. Behind him walked Su Wan and Dr. Gu Qinghe, while Chu Lingxiao glided ahead of them like a silent shadow. She carried a fresh cup of melon tea in her left hand, her right resting lightly on her scabbard.
Heavy iron doors marked with glowing prison runes lined the hallway.
From the far end of Dungeon Sector Four, the harsh, wet crack of a whip echoed against the damp granite walls.
“One more lash!” a raspy, spiteful voice cackled from behind an iron grille. “One more lash, and your wood-spirit heart will shatter into prime fertilizer! Let us see how many mortal peasants come to save you when you are ground into potting soil!”
Chu Lingxiao did not wait for an order.
Her slender foot kicked the reinforced steel door.
BOOM!
