In the days that followed, Noah’s condition grew increasingly dire. His Rage Value shot up like a runaway rocket, climbing sharply each day and quickly approaching 65%.

In the dead of night, the dungeon would fill with his agonized cries: "It hurts... Sister, hold me..." His voice, filled with endless pain and helplessness, echoed ceaselessly in the small space.

Although Su Yaoyao was well aware that there was more to the boy than met the eye, she couldn’t help but feel her heart soften whenever she heard his wretched cries.

’Besides, a simple hug won’t cost me anything. A hug it is, then.’

Muttering to herself, her eyes instantly welled with tears. With an expression of utter heartache, she slowly extended her arms and pulled Noah into her embrace.

But even during this seemingly intimate gesture, Su Yaoyao wasn’t idle.

Her hands discreetly roamed over Noah’s body as she marveled to herself, ’Wow, this kid has abs.’

Besides that, she would also "perform" the release of her spiritual power several times a day. Each time, she would aim right for Noah’s cheek and give it a merciless pinch. It felt just like squeezing a springy ball of dough.

Perhaps from seeing so many soldiers with high Rage Values around the base, Su Yaoyao had grown bolder and more level-headed.

She often thought of Reg. Before he met her, that guy’s Rage Value was at 98%, yet he could still march to the front lines and fight valiantly. Compared to him, Noah’s current state didn’t seem so terrifying anymore.

And so, Su Yaoyao switched on her "master actress" mode.

One day, her brows knitted and her face a mask of despair, she lamented to Noah, "Oh, Noah, I don’t think I can go on." Her tone suggested the world was about to end.

A flicker of anxiety, barely perceptible, crossed Noah’s eyes, but he forced a calm expression and encouraged her, "Why don’t you try again, Sister?"

Hearing this, Su Yaoyao’s crying intensified. She flailed her hands in the air dramatically. "Alas, just let the Rage Value come on stronger! I don’t want to live anymore!" She looked for all the world like someone pushed to the brink by fate.

"Don’t say that, Sister! You have to have hope for a miracle to happen!" Noah urged, the concern on his face perfectly feigned.

Sniffling, Su Yaoyao wiped away her tears and continued her performance. "The light inside my heart has gone out. See this pitch-black dungeon around us? That’s what my heart feels like right now. Boohoo... unless..."

She paused there, deliberately leaving Noah hanging.

"Unless what?" Noah took the bait, just as she’d expected, and asked urgently.

Su Yaoyao rejoiced inwardly, but her face remained a mask of sorrow. "Unless... Mingye lets me out for a couple of days. If I could just see the sun, my mood might improve, and my spiritual power could stabilize. Then, figuring out the Spiritual Link would be a piece of cake."

Noah fell silent after hearing her words, his expression complicated.

Just then, the dungeon door was thrown open with a rough CREAK. Heavy, powerful footsteps descended the stairs.

Mingye’s towering figure appeared before them. His gaze was like a sharp blade, shooting toward Su Yaoyao as if he wanted to devour her whole.

Su Yaoyao trembled under his gaze and instinctively shrank back. ’Why is he looking at me like that?’ she cried inwardly.

Seeing this, Noah immediately acted like a protective young animal, jumping in front of Su Yaoyao. "Don’t hurt her!" he shouted. "My sister said that if she could just get some fresh air, she might be able to figure out the Spiritual Link!"

Mingye raised a hand to pinch the bridge of his nose, looking like the pair of them was giving him a massive headache. 𝐟𝕣𝕖𝐞𝐰𝕖𝚋𝐧𝗼𝚟𝐞𝕝.𝗰𝐨𝐦

He made an impatient gesture, and his subordinates, taking the hint, stepped forward and unlocked the cage.

Mingye strode forward, each footstep landing like a hammer blow on Su Yaoyao’s heart.

He drew closer and closer. Su Yaoyao retreated in fear, her voice trembling as she asked, "What are you doing?"

Face grim, Mingye said nothing and continued to advance on her.

Su Yaoyao backed up until her back hit the bars of the cage, with nowhere left to run. She squeezed her eyes shut in fear, her hands held tightly in front of her as she muttered, "But the deadline isn’t up yet!"

’It’s over. I’ve really gone too far this time,’ she thought in despair.

Just as she thought her doom was upon her, there was a loud CLANG. The iron chain on her wrist fell to the floor with a sharp clatter.

Su Yaoyao cautiously opened her eyes and stared at Mingye in disbelief. He was actually unlocking her chains.

Su Yaoyao dazedly rotated her wrist. After being chained for so many days, it was sore and aching.

Before she could process what was happening, Mingye moved toward her legs with the key.

A frightened tremor ran through Su Yaoyao. She instinctively tried to pull her leg back, but Mingye’s large hand clamped around her calf like a vise, holding her still.

Mingye looked down at her slender, pale ankle, and a strange feeling stirred within him.

’Such a delicate ankle. It feels like I could snap it with just a little pressure.’

He gently unlocked the shackle with the key, only then noticing the red marks encircling her ankle. In some places, the skin was even broken. The marks, caused by the chain’s prolonged pressure, looked especially stark against her pale skin.

As if possessed, Mingye lifted his hand and wrapped it around her ankle. His thumb gently caressed the red marks as he murmured, "A little female’s skin is so delicate."

Su Yaoyao winced in pain, letting out a soft whimper. Her body instinctively tried to pull away, but she didn’t dare to move.

But that soft whimper struck Mingye like a bolt of electricity.

His hand froze. Su Yaoyao’s soft sound was like a key, effortlessly unlocking the gate to the desire deep within him.

Fortunately, Mingye quickly snapped back to his senses. He didn’t press further. Instead, he abruptly stood up, tossed a black outer robe at Su Yaoyao, and said coldly, "Put this on and come out."

Su Yaoyao scrambled to catch the robe, her heart pounding with uncertainty. She had no idea what Mingye was planning, and a tide of anxiety washed over her.

’Is he really letting me out?’ she wondered over and over.

Su Yaoyao put on the robe. It was so big and long it enveloped her completely, making her look like a walking black tent.

She cautiously stepped out of the cage. Her bare feet landed on the rough, cold stone, and each step sent a sharp pain through her soles.

She hadn’t realized it before, with the soft, feathery carpet inside the cage, but the contrast now made the difference painfully clear.

Mingye looked back at Su Yaoyao, who was standing frozen at the cage door. A mocking smile touched the corners of his lips. "What’s the matter? Scared to leave now?"

Feeling embarrassed, Su Yaoyao pointed at her bare feet and said quietly, "Could I have some shoes first?"

Mingye’s smile froze instantly, replaced by a flicker of impatience. "Such a delicate female."

Despite his words, he still ordered one of his men to find a pair of shoes for her.