The nine main offenders of the Nine Layers Hell were all taken by Jun Changxiao into the Heavenly Origin Prison Suppressing Tower. Though they seemingly obtained temporary liberation, it seemed they merely… moved from one prison to another prison.

Anyway, they were imprisoned wherever they were—they didn’t care about changing environments.

“Done!”

After taking Diting, Jun Changxiao breathed a sigh of relief, then looked up at the defensive barrier and thought darkly: “Breaking through this level, I can get out, right?”

“Swish!”

His soul dispersed outward, merging into the defensive system.

“Holy crap!”

Seeing the lines and formation patterns several times more complex than the previous levels’ defenses he’d broken, Jun Changxiao’s facial expression became spectacular.

The system said: “What the host broke through before were merely inter-level separations, so they weren’t necessarily very strong. This one is the entire prison’s total defensive system, so naturally it won’t be simple.”

“…”

Jun Changxiao’s expression became grave.

Such a complex defensive system—if he wanted to break it, he’d probably need to expend a very long time. If discovered during the process, there might be big trouble.

“Don’t think about it.”

The system urged: “Hurry up and break it.”

“Swish!”

Jun Changxiao sat cross-legged, putting all his thoughts into analysis and calculation.

If it were Shangguan Xinyao and Zhen Deshuai, the two would conduct comprehensive analysis of the formation structure, then slowly search for flaws from within.

Jun Changxiao, who had learned the Wondrous Gate Formation Breaking Method, was different because he directly discarded some unnecessary procedures and directly tackled the most critical points.

One day.

Two days.

……

Patrol room.

Chou Guard propped his chin: “Why are the other levels of hell so quiet?”

“Probably because after being beaten up one by one by that kid, they all became obedient.” Mao Guard said while gnawing on a carrot.

“That’s true.”

Chou Guard nodded.

The two continued their surveillance duties, completely unaware that Jun Changxiao was hiding in a dark corner of the first level, frantically breaking the formation system connecting to the outside world.

……

Inside the Heavenly Origin Prison Suppressing Tower.

An atmosphere spread that made people tear up.

Because two people from the Merchant Family separated by many generations finally met.

“Thud!”

Shang Youhen knelt on the ground and cried: “Ancestor above, receive this descendant’s bow!”

Merchant Family Ancestor’s emotions were also somewhat stirred, but having experienced much, he forcibly suppressed them and waved his hand, using spiritual energy to help him up: “I’ve learned about the Heavenly Origin Continent’s matters. Child, you’ve suffered.”

“No!”

Shang Youhen said painfully: “I failed to protect the continent, failed to protect the people. I’m ashamed before our ancestor, ashamed before the Merchant Family!”

Though the dimension was saved by the sect master, he remained very self-reproachful because his father and even the Merchant Family’s direct lineage died in battle for their homeland. Only he survived ignobly.

“Child.”

Merchant Family Ancestor said: “You’ve already worked very hard. Moreover, you befriended Sect Master Jun. The Merchant Family’s ancestors in heaven will definitely be comforted.”

“Ancestor, I…”

Merchant Family Ancestor interrupted: “Let’s talk about Sect Master Jun. I heard you’ve already joined his sect?”

“Yes, Ancestor!” Shang Youhen said.

Merchant Family Ancestor said with great satisfaction: “Sect Master Jun is clearly extraordinary. Following him, you’ll definitely have great accomplishments in the future.”

As someone who once fought on battlefields and expanded territories as a generation’s emperor, he was quite accurate at judging people. Moreover, the man had solidly fought from the first level to the ninth level—this was an unchangeable fact.

“Ancestor.”

Shang Youhen said: “My entrance fee was ten million spirit stones.”

Screech!

Merchant Family Ancestor’s facial expression froze.

Giving an entrance fee to join a sect was a normal phenomenon, but requiring ten million spirit stones was simply…

He said in a deep voice: “Child, you gave too little!”

“Yes.”

Shang Youhen said shamefully: “The sect master rescued ancestor. Giving ten million spirit stones is indeed too little. So I want to supplement another ten million.”

“You must supplement.”

Merchant Family Ancestor said: “Supplementing twenty million wouldn’t be excessive either.”

Some might think this old man’s brain was kicked by a donkey, actually instigating his descendant to give money. In fact, he was more clear-headed than anyone about how much potential Jun Changxiao—who resolved the Dark Great Demon King and also resolved the Void Eye—possessed!

My Merchant Family descendant becoming his disciple.

This is absolutely equivalent to a heaven-sent opportunity, worth any amount of money!

“Child.”

Merchant Family Ancestor spoke earnestly: “You must remember—money is external. If you lose it, you can earn more. Opportunities that change fate are rare and precious.”

“To put it bluntly.”

He looked up: “In front of opportunity, money is worthless!”

If Jun Changxiao, who was breaking the formation system, heard this, he would definitely approach warmly to shake hands and say: “Elder Shang sees it clearly. I just happen to lack no opportunities—I just lack some money. How about we complement each other?”

……

“Ahh!”

“Ahhh—”

In the sixth level prison, Qin Linran was still being tormented by Er Ya. His screams had already become very manly, already very rough.

Men should have manly appearance.

Women should have womanly appearance.

Neither male nor female—Jun Changxiao couldn’t accept it, so forcible reformation was necessary. One must occupy one side—not allowed to occupy both.

“Big Sister!”

“Auntie!”

“Grandma…”

Qin Linran, while being tormented, begged for mercy.

From the tone, one could hear that after each discipline session, there were changes—a kind of masculine flavor weathered by time’s vicissitudes.

“Still painting nail polish?”

“Won’t paint anymore!”

“Still using rouge and powder?”

“Won’t use anymore!”

“Still drawing eyeliner?”

“Won’t draw anymore!”

Er Ya nodded with satisfaction: “Hope you can do as you say.”

“I will!”

Qin Linran raised his hand: “I definitely can do it!”

Under the soul whipping, he abandoned his bad habits, thoroughly transformed. Even when talking to others, he’d spread his legs wide, his tone and movements becoming rough and casual.

All this.

Jun Changxiao didn’t know, because after sitting cross-legged in the prison for five days, he was still wholeheartedly breaking the formation.

“Swish!”

After another day passed, he suddenly opened his eyes, looked up at the defensive barrier with extremely high defensive coefficient, and said proudly: “No one can trap me!”

“Swish—”

He shot upward, merging into the barrier.

……

Starry Sky Fortress, inside the city.

A short, white-haired elder walked on the street with his hands behind his back, his cloudy eyes occasionally flashing a trace of clarity.

Shortly after.

He came to the city gate, conversed with the guard general, then obtained permission to leave the Starry Sky Fortress.

The soldiers and passersby present didn’t capture that when the white-haired elder turned to walk outside the city, the corners of his mouth lifted in a smile.

“Buzz! Buzz!”

However, just after walking a few steps, urgent bell sounds suddenly came from within the city, like some kind of alarm notification.

“First-level alert!”

The city-guarding general hurriedly shouted: “Quickly close the city gates! No one permitted to exit!”

“Old man!”

He shouted loudly: “Come back first!”

“Swish!”

Before the words finished, the originally slow-walking white-haired elder suddenly straightened his waist and, as if transforming into a beam of light, charged toward the city gates about to close together.

The city-guarding general’s expression changed drastically as he roared: “Stop him!”

“Boom!”

Suddenly, powerful force rang out within the city, shocking the martial artists with bewildered faces. They then released their spiritual senses and discovered that the heavy city walls had actually been smashed through!

“Holy crap!”

“Who’s so bold!”

“Swish! Swish! Swish! Swish!”

As passersby were shocked, from four directions within the city, Lower-level Void Realm powerhouses flew over at extreme speed, then flew out from the shattered city gate.

“Catch him!”

“We must catch him!”

In the patrol room, Zi Guard looked at the shattered city gate through the light screen, his expression ferocious as he roared.

Chou Guard, Mao Guard, and the others had already mobilized, because the ninth level hell’s main offenders were gone—they’d escaped prison!

……

In the endless dark universe, the Ancient Passage Warship advanced at terrifying speed.

The elder standing at the bow tore off his disguise, revealing Jun Changxiao’s true face. He looked at the fortress that could no longer be captured by the naked eye and said: “Wait until I complete my task and break through to Wudi—I’ll come thank you for your hospitality these many days.”

The Starry Sky Fortress arc temporarily came to a conclusion.

Not the end, merely the beginning.

Because of the Twelve Patrol Guards, only one had been defeated. The fortress master hadn’t been encountered yet. More importantly… the various demolition squads hadn’t gotten into position to bloom from inside out.

Jun Changxiao clenched his fists, his gaze cold: “When I return as king, I’ll dye the heavens with demon blood!”

“Swish!”

“Swish!”

Just as the heroic harsh words were laid down, several warships from the Starry Sky Fortress direction sped forward at extreme speed, and Chou Guard’s furious roar came: “Brat, even if you run to the ends of the earth, we’ll bring you to justice!”

“Holy shit!”

Jun Changxiao was startled, saying guiltily: “Slipped away, slipped away.”

“Swish—”

Inside the propulsion device, the highest-grade spirit stones flashed dazzling light. The Ancient Passage Warship seemed to produce a jump, throwing off the pursuing Chou Guard and others until they vanished without a trace, making them look on in complete despair: “Actually… so fast we can’t even see the ship’s tail lights!”