At that instant, the entire Eighteen Floors Underground Tower fell into dead silence!

Even Jian Chou couldn’t believe her own ears: What had she just heard?

How about we team up?!

Was Brother Lihan insane or had he taken the wrong medicine?

His meaning was not only to completely disregard Xing Zhan’s face and reject him, but then turn around and want to team up with this female cultivator?

Simply…

Besides “thunderstruck,” there was no second phrase to describe everyone’s current feelings!

Similarly, outside the Eighteen Floors Underground Tower, in the City of Wrongful Death, countless ghost cultivators who had already purchased dark rings or were watching the Eight Cauldron Screens had all simultaneously spat out blood the instant Brother Lihan’s words fell!

“Holy shit!”

“I thought you were going to kill people, and after all this you show me this?”

“How about we team up?!!”

“Am I hallucinating? Quick, give me a slap!”

“I suspect I’m seeing a fake Brother Lihan.”

“What the hell kicked this guy’s head?!”

…

Throughout the entire City of Wrongful Death, there were sounds of breakdown everywhere.

After six hundred years of Ding Struggle development, the Eight Direction Yama Hall and Ten Great Ghost Clans had researched many “magical artifacts” for following the Ding Struggle situation in real time for such grand events, and built quite a few venues.

During the Ding Struggle, they would sell “Dark Rings” through the Eighteen Floors Underground Tower and various shops throughout the city.

These were ring-shaped devices that transmitted information in real time, able to relay the third round Ding Struggle situation to wearers through connection with the Ding Rings.

This included both images and sound.

Dark Rings were convenient to carry—with one, no matter where you were, you could check the Ding Struggle situation and wouldn’t miss exciting moments.

So after only a hundred years since successful refinement, Dark Rings had already become the primary way for everyone to watch the Ding Struggle.

However, a large portion of people still preferred liveliness.

They were more willing to enter the Eighteen Floors Underground Tower or walk into various shops to watch “Eight Cauldron Screens.”

This method also used Ding Rings to remotely break through boundaries, capture Ding Struggle situations, then reflect them on Eight Cauldron Screens.

Unlike Dark Rings which only one person could watch, Eight Cauldron Screens could be seen by others, so during the Ding Struggle, they easily gathered crowds.

Of course, Dark Rings required dark jade, and entering various shops to watch Eight Cauldron Screens also required dark jade.

This year’s Ding Struggle was quite controversial, but actually every year had some troubles to stir up.

Some people had plenty of money and didn’t care about these issues, so they still bought Ding Rings or went to shops to watch Eight Cauldron Screens.

Right now, those who simultaneously spat blood were these people.

Ever since these eighteen people from the City of Wrongful Death entered the underground tower, the latest Ding Rings had begun selling outside, and the rules for this round of Eighteen Floors of Hell were quickly announced.

The fifth rule “Killing has no rules” almost instantly hit countless people’s itch.

More sharp-eyed people directly discovered this year’s Ding Struggle’s crazy aspect—

The third round actually didn’t start at midnight—in fact, killing was allowed as soon as the second round written test ended!

This was like the Eight Direction Yama Hall was afraid this year wouldn’t be brutal enough and forcibly added a strong dose of medicine!

With this rule, how could there not be bloodshed?

So as soon as news about the rules came out, many people immediately threw the whole “Jian Chou cheating” matter to the back of their minds. Who cares who cheated or not—slaughter was the main course!

Unable to contain their anticipation, they started paying attention to the Eighteen Floors Underground Tower situation early.

This batch of eighteen from the City of Wrongful Death really didn’t disappoint them.

Not long after entering, they had actually produced a Xing Zhan with leadership qualities, starting to form factions and preparing to scheme against their mortal enemies from Fengdu City.

After years of Ding Struggle, the hatred between the City of Wrongful Death and Fengdu City was a long story.

But this was the first time someone dared to openly say the five words “scheme against Fengdu City”!

Simply exhilarating!

Countless people had their appetites whetted, naturally spreading word of mouth, attracting many more to buy Dark Rings or enter shops.

Subsequently, as the faction grew, the remaining few were isolated.

That female cultivator Jian Chou who had surpassed Cui Jue in the written test was naturally among them, though everyone quickly noticed Zhang Tang, a popular championship candidate standing close to her, and the second-generation rich kid Chen Tingyan.

Of course, the outstanding Brother Lihan needn’t be mentioned.

Everyone was curious about Brother Lihan’s choice. When Xing Zhan spoke to invite him, people discussed among themselves—some thought he would agree, others thought he would remain alone…

But who the hell could have thought this guy would say such insane words!

Kill all of you before midnight!

Moving like thunder in an instant, instantly killing the Leopard Tail clan ghost cultivator!

Absolutely the first kill of this Ding Struggle tournament!

Poor Leopard Tail clan was already weak, having no presence in yearly Ding Struggles. This year they finally managed to squeeze one person in, but before even stepping into the Eighteen Floors of Hell, he was directly shaved clean by Brother Lihan.

Truly ruthless methods, shocking countless jaws and horrifying countless people!

A slaughter seemed right before their eyes.

Many spectating cultivators had their hearts in their throats, even hastily calling friends to tell them the show was starting too fast and to hurry watch together.

But…

The next moment, this unconventional Ghost King clan’s Brother Lihan gave them a devastating blow!

What happened to killing everyone?

What are you doing chatting up that female cultivator?

Damn it, in a blink you want to team up with her?!

Simply unbearable!

Many people cursed Brother Lihan, saying he was blinded by lust; others immediately spread slander, saying he must be in cahoots with that Jian Chou; of course there were those who held hope, saying Brother Lihan was moody and strange, but the one certainty was his cruel and ruthless methods—probably teaming up was fake, wanting to trick this female cultivator while also putting down Xing Zhan was real…

All sorts of speculation, no matter how strange, all surfaced.

Zhao Yang, an idle person from the City of Wrongful Death, had originally been walking along the road, still struggling internally with whether to watch or not, when everyone around him exploded.

On street corners and in alleys, those wearing Dark Rings were full of colorful curses.

Such scenes were extremely rare in the entire Extreme Domain Ding Struggle history.

Others not watching the Ding Struggle saw this and immediately knew something big had happened, hurrying to inquire.

Those watching the Ding Struggle were extremely dissatisfied that Brother Lihan wasn’t doing the proper business of killing but halfway went to chat up a female cultivator.

But others around hadn’t watched! Hearing that Brother Lihan actually opposed Xing Zhan and instead ran to team up with the weakest female cultivator, their curiosity immediately arose.

This kind of bizarre development was most enticing.

Many people felt their hearts itch, urgently wanting to know what happened next.

“Old Zhao, Old Zhao, come quick, place your bets!”

That friend from the Day Wandering clan was calling again. He was several steps ahead of Zhao Yang, already reaching a gambling house entrance.

This year’s Ding Struggle odds had come out, and people were placing bets.

“I bet she won’t live half an hour!”

“Haha, such a small fry could live a quarter hour would be good!”

“Definitely dies right after entering, need I say more?”

“I’m generous—I bet she lives two hours!”

…

Loud and boisterous, extremely lively.

Zhao Yang originally wasn’t very interested, but hearing these lines, felt something was off: Shouldn’t betting be on who becomes Ding Yuan? Why couldn’t he understand what they were saying?

“Hurry, hurry!”

The thin man was still urging him.

Zhao Yang was puzzled and curious, so he squeezed over. Taking a look, he was dumbfounded: “What… what’s this situation?”

“Oh, Old Zhao! You don’t know yet? The entire Extreme Domain has exploded!”

The bookmaker was an old acquaintance of Zhao Yang’s.

Zhao Yang was quite knowledgeable about the Ding Struggle and had placed bets here several times before, all quite accurate.

Seeing him come over now, the bookmaker laughed loudly: “Now in all seventy-two cities, no matter which one, everyone is discussing that female cultivator. The liveliest places are the gambling tables!”

Female cultivator?

Making all seventy-two cities explode?

Still need to ask?

Only one Jian Chou!

After the written test, cultivators entering the third round went directly into the underground tower, cut off from the outside world. But in fact, the impact they caused was still sweeping through the seventy-two cities.

This year’s most frightening was naturally that female cultivator Jian Chou who passed in one quarter hour.

Every city among the seventy-two exploded, with everyone unable to believe someone could truly be outstanding to this degree.

Yet oddly, whether the Eight Direction Yama Hall or the Ten Great Ghost Clans, they were all acting like turtles withdrawing their heads, with no intention of coming forward to clarify.

Some declared they wouldn’t watch this year’s Ding Struggle anymore, while others were quite strange—never watching before but this year specifically buying Dark Rings because of Jian Chou.

No other reason—joining the excitement!

Such a small Soul Pearl was visible to everyone, and such a female cultivator naturally attracted everyone’s attention.

Written tests were nothing!

What the Ding Struggle really tested was martial force!

Many people wanted to see just what combat power such a small Soul Pearl had.

Thus, a question naturally arose—

How long could Jian Chou survive after entering the third round?

This was a slaughter feast. Out of a hundred cultivators entering, ten surviving would be good, with only one able to claim the Ding Yuan.

Such a weak female cultivator was simply like a rabbit thrown into a dragon and tiger’s den!

One quarter hour?

Two quarters?

One hour?

Two hours?

…

Or shorter, or longer?

Under the siege of powerful enemies, how exactly would she die?

Sword slash?

Blade chop?

Axe hack?

Strangled?

Drowned?

Burned?

…

Strange and varied, all sorts of ways.

In a short time, discussions about “when she’ll die” and “what method of death” swept through the seventy-two cities like a tide.

So there was the lively scene Zhao Yang now saw—gambling houses had even specially created a special gambling table for this unique female cultivator “Jian Chou.”

This table only bet on Jian Chou, and only on when she would die and by what method.

Zhao Yang had frequented gambling houses for many years and could naturally tell…

But…

He looked left and right, somewhat puzzled: “Why isn’t there an option to bet on her surviving on this table?”

“…”

At that instant, everything around fell quiet.

Those watching Dark Rings looked up with gazes like looking at an idiot; those placing bets had their hands shake, accidentally betting on “dies immediately upon entering,” looking at Zhao Yang with pity.

Obviously, their eyes all wrote one sentence: How could she possibly survive?!

Such a weak Soul Pearl—even an ant could pinch her to death.

No one had ever considered the possibility of her surviving.

Everyone had the same thought: Let’s see when you die violently!

That was all.

Zhao Yang was obviously a unique flower among everyone. Even his friend from the Day Wandering clan was so shocked by his words that he stumbled, nearly falling to the ground…

Jian Chou herself didn’t yet know she had already become the center of bloody storms throughout the seventy-two cities.

But she was very clear that at this moment, she was the eye of the storm in this Eighteen Floors Underground Tower.

Brother Lihan still stood in place, still looking at her, with no intention of changing his words or regretting, not even showing the slightest hint of joking.

From those eyes, Jian Chou actually read seriousness.

Seriously thinking she “made sense,” seriously considering “killing her,” seriously inviting her to “team up”…

This person…

What exactly was wrong with him?

Jian Chou really couldn’t describe the feeling, always feeling it wasn’t as simple as the Eight Direction Yama Hall’s request. Even Brother Lihan appearing on that list was incredible to begin with.

She didn’t answer for a long time.

There was no sound around for a long time either.

Chen Tingyan standing beside her only felt his teeth ache. Thinking left and right, he actually felt Brother Lihan’s earlier words carried a strange familiarity—how did they sound so much like something he would say?

Xing Zhan’s expression had already become extremely ugly.

Including those behind him who had already formed a faction, all had faces of deep concentration and subtle anger.

“Either team up with me, or be killed by me.”

Brother Lihan seemed completely oblivious to those people’s expressions behind him. Instead, he looked at Jian Chou without joy or anger, slowly speaking, yet the meaning in his words was chilling!

“How’s your consideration going?”

This was forcing a team-up?

Jian Chou frowned, knowing that on the surface she was just a weak trash female cultivator. Even if others wanted to kill her, they wouldn’t use particularly complex methods because she wasn’t worth it.

So the possibility of Brother Lihan scheming against her was extremely low. Since that was the case, agreeing was fine.

However…

Jian Chou met his gaze directly without dodging, calmly saying: “I’ve long heard of Young Master Lihan’s great reputation. If we could team up, naturally it would be more than I could ask for. However, I still have other companions.”

Currently Xing Zhan had already taken eleven of these eighteen people. Though one died, their strength was still formidable.

Brother Lihan gave Xing Zhan no face at all and had already made an enemy of him.

If they encountered each other later, how could their individual strength contend with the other ten?

The remaining seven people were in a sense “old, weak, and disabled troops,” the only difference being physically or mentally disabled.

But among them were Zhang Tang and Chen Tingyan.

Jian Chou was familiar with them and trusted them more. There was no reason to abandon these two and team up with Brother Lihan.

When considering these things, Jian Chou didn’t place herself in a “being taken care of” position. On the contrary, she put herself in the position of a cooperative partner.

Even when discussing this matter, whether Brother Lihan was on the Eight Direction Yama Hall’s list was no longer important.

No one around expected Jian Chou to actually say such words.

They almost instinctively looked at Chen Tingyan, then swept Zhang Tang with suspicious gazes.

Obviously, everyone had the same thought: A weakling like you actually has “companions” too?!

But Zhang Tang and Chen Tingyan both remained very composed.

Chen Tingyan intuited something strange and was used to following Jian Chou’s lead, so he said nothing; Zhang Tang was already on Jian Chou’s list and knew more about Brother Lihan’s confidence. Though he hadn’t expected his behavior, he had no deep suspicions about this person, so he was also very calm.

Now it depended on what this ruthless Young Master Lihan was thinking.

After Jian Chou finished speaking, she didn’t withdraw her gaze.

She clearly saw the other turn his eyes, glancing at Chen Tingyan, then at Zhang Tang. His gaze lingered for a moment at the shallow mark on Zhang Tang’s brow before turning back.

“Aren’t you afraid I’ll kill them?”

Half cold, half joking.

As if faint killing intent was flowing.

Jian Chou smiled, her gaze also turning to that unremarkable deadpan cruel official, saying lightly: “That depends on whether you can kill them.”

Whoa!

Such bold words!

Many people in the building were startled by this sentence. She actually dared to speak to Brother Lihan like this? Was she not afraid of death, or did she have something to rely on?

Unexpectedly, Brother Lihan didn’t mind.

His voice remained coldly flat: “Then let’s team up.”

After speaking, completely disregarding everything, he directly walked toward Jian Chou’s side, standing at a distance neither too far nor too close—not as far as Zhang Tang, yet not as close as Chen Tingyan. Just right.

Seeing this, Jian Chou thought this person was quite thoughtful.

It seemed he wouldn’t be someone who could only rely on strength to fight people hard. He probably had both ability and brains.

The Ding Struggle…

Hadn’t even started yet but was already this exciting. She actually felt a kind of inexplicable anticipation, with long-extinguished hot blood faintly beginning to burn.

Jian Chou ignored how others looked at her. She just turned her eyes to look at the old woman in the field carrying a vegetable cleaver and the timid Bird Beak clan little girl beside her.

She smiled and spoke, her voice steady and natural: “We’re all teaming up. Would you two like to join us?”

The people opposite were all stunned upon hearing this.

Not only because they were even picking up such trash, but more because…

The one speaking was actually Jian Chou.

And Brother Lihan just stood behind, as if he had been there from the beginning, extremely naturally fitting in without saying a word.

Then they carefully observed the opposite side and finally discovered an extremely subtle detail…

Zhang Tang, Chen Tingyan, even the newly arrived Brother Lihan—their standing positions were all toward the back, maintaining a strange balance, like guards, leaving the front center position to that female cultivator with the lowest cultivation.

As if…

This position naturally belonged to her.