"Let me go, first," the celestial fox insisted, pointing at Alex's now red hands around his collar.
Alexander reluctantly released him, shoving him away at the same time, which elicited a grunt from the fox, as he brushed the wrinkles away from his clothes.
"This pagoda is indeed a prison. But its purpose was never to retain mortals. It was always intended as a prison for the demons plaguing the world. It used to run without the need for extra batteries, back when mortals were still in touch with the world's Qi."
Alex growled at him.
"Stop calling them batteries. Those are human souls. Have some respect."
The celestial fox waved his hand dismissively, ignoring his threatening gaze.
"If it's any solace, the ones below are all criminals of the worst kind or traitors to the Zhong Kui. I have never taken an innocent soul prisoner," he said, turning his back to Alexander.
He started walking toward the staircase again.
