Dumbfounded.

Completely dumbfounded.

Both sides in battle stopped, the cultivators not fighting gasped in shock, and outside the Eighteen Levels of Hell, everyone exploded in chaos.

Every person who witnessed this scene couldn’t help but curse!

Damn!

Ancestor lady!

It’s just going down to the Eighteen Levels of Hell, right?

Did you really need to bring such a ferocious killing weapon?!

This thing was too famous in the Extreme Domain!

The Void Demon Umbrella, also called the “Heaven-Devouring Earth-Consuming” Void Demon Umbrella, was a masterpiece by the Extreme Domain’s great artifact refiner, Ghost Valley’s Su Daozi.

Four seals of immortals, Buddhas, ghosts, and demons were arranged on the umbrella. Once the umbrella surface opened, heaven would be devoured and earth consumed.

If any cultivator was covered by this umbrella, the four forces of immortals, Buddhas, ghosts, and demons would surge out magnificently, each with chaotic powers rushing forth.

When the umbrella opened and then closed again, cultivators with insufficient cultivation would immediately perish within!

However, the “Heaven Void Gold” used to draw the four seals of immortals, Buddhas, ghosts, and demons was extremely rare, and its power easily depleted. Once used, it would gradually fade, making the Void Demon Umbrella a consumable magical artifact that couldn’t be used long-term.

Even Su Daozi back then, despite his extreme extravagance, only refined three umbrellas of different powers, capable of instantly annihilating cultivators at the Jade Nirvana, Golden Body, and Unity with Dao realms respectively.

Among these, the “Unity with Dao stage” was already the sixth level among the Extreme Domain’s nine cultivation realms, qualifying as a “great master cultivator.”

When the Void Demon Umbrella first appeared, quite a few cultivators at that realm looked grim, fearing they might one day fall victim to this umbrella.

Later, the three umbrellas—some were given by Su Daozi to friends and family, while the weakest one that could instantly annihilate Jade Nirvana cultivators was purchased by a mysterious cultivator, its whereabouts unknown.

Who could have imagined that now, in this Ding Zheng competition, they would see a Soul Bead realm female cultivator produce such an item!

Judging by this umbrella’s might—about to open but not yet opened, with heaven and earth already dimmed—this was probably that Jade Nirvana-level Void Demon Umbrella.

“Gulp.”

Someone couldn’t help swallowing, cold sweat densely covering their forehead.

Both Sima Languans stood in place, their entire beings as if nailed to the ground, not daring to move for a moment.

Only the two half-faces split between them showed complete frozen shock.

“Void Demon Umbrella…”

Clear and hoarse voices simultaneously emerged from their throats, indescribably suppressed, as if weighed down by a thousand-pound anchor.

Jian Chou stood like a sculpture, the hand holding the black-gold Void Demon Umbrella steady without the slightest tremor.

Her gaze fixed firmly on “them,” her entire aura having long locked onto both figures. Once the opponents made a move, her killing technique would immediately strike!

She was quite confident in her own reactions.

Though her vision was blurred, Jian Chou still smiled and praised: “Worthy of being the long-renowned master of the Ghost King Clan—excellent eyesight and knowledge. The Void Demon Umbrella, correct, capable of instantly annihilating Jade Nirvana. If Young Master Sima is curious, feel free to test it.”

Test?

Test my ass!

Many cultivators who heard this nearly wanted to splash dog’s blood on her face: You already said it instantly annihilates Jade Nirvana—who the hell would dare test it? Don’t they want to live?!

Even the handsome half-faced Sima Languan couldn’t help but twitch.

“Do you think that by revealing your trump card, I’ll spare you? No matter how powerful the Void Demon Umbrella is, it’s only good for one use. With your abilities, you can only destroy one body of mine. Moreover, even if you kill me, do you think you can escape?”

“Whether Young Master Sima is two people or one, you surely know better than I do.”

Jian Chou smiled modestly, appearing completely without panic, like a calming pill that brought peace.

“As for this Void Demon Umbrella, it’s merely what Jian Chou uses to negotiate conditions with Young Master Sima—it’s not ultimately meant to eliminate you. However…”

The rest didn’t need to be said.

Soul power continuously flowed through her fingers to the Void Demon Umbrella, maintaining that heart-trembling half-open state without interruption.

Once Sima Languan disagreed, she would immediately activate this umbrella!

There were few people in the world who weren’t selfish.

Though Sima Languan’s group was formidable, none could compare to him. A bunch of “subordinates” surviving while he died for calculating enemies?

Jian Chou didn’t believe this person was so noble.

Conversely, if he let Jian Chou’s group go and later encountered others, this Void Demon Umbrella might not be handled by just anyone.

Then, if he pursued them again, he could kill with one strike.

Of course, whether he could catch up, and whether he could kill after catching up, was another matter entirely.

Military strategy emphasized “surround three sides, leave one gap, provide an illusory escape route.” What Jian Chou had read and heard in Xie Buchen’s study years ago wasn’t for nothing.

Enemy tactics, applied to the current situation, worked by the same principle.

She hadn’t completely blocked Sima Languan’s hope of killing her—this was “leaving one gap.”

However, it was only “illusory.”

Once she could escape from here, Sima Languan wanting to catch up? Dreams came faster!

Golden runes on the Void Demon Umbrella flowed slowly.

Circles of light rolled around the umbrella surface, continuously radiating outward, creating dazzling brilliance in this darkened world.

The two Sima Languans just stared at her and the Void Demon Umbrella for a long time.

Finally, he actually laughed.

“Hahaha… good, good, good. Such a bold female cultivator—I haven’t seen one for a very long time…”

The trailing sound gradually became ethereal, the two voices merging at this moment.

Everyone felt their vision blur as the handsome half-faced Sima Languan in front, just like when he had rushed out to attack Jian Chou earlier, transformed into a speeding black shadow and merged into the fierce half-faced Sima Languan’s body.

The original two people became one again.

Still wearing his cloak, carrying the human skin lantern, even maintaining a slight smile.

But his gaze at Jian Chou now contained not only infatuation, but also sinister investigation and killing intent.

Raising his hand, he glanced at the others who had long stopped fighting in the distance.

Except for that little girl from the Bird Beak Clan being somewhat heavily injured, none of the others had died, barely even wounded, while Zhang Tang had severed a Fengdu City cultivator’s head.

“A bunch of useless trash, all come back!”

Those Fengdu City cultivators didn’t dare make a sound, some resentful, some indignant, all slinking back dejectedly.

Zhang Tang’s brow furrowed tightly, thin blade in hand, killing intent still unrestrained.

He cast his gaze toward Jian Chou, his frown deepening, making the shallow mark left by the Azure Lotus Spiritual Fire between his brows grow deeper.

But he said nothing.

Chen Tingyan, the old woman, and others also remained silent.

With Sima Languan’s group outnumbering them, yet Jian Chou daring to negotiate with the Void Demon Umbrella’s pressure—this completely overturned Chen Tingyan’s impression of Jian Chou.

Though he knew Jian Chou was extraordinary, he hadn’t imagined that the gentle, charming, and gracious girl from the isolated island in the human world now possessed the spirit to overturn heaven and earth.

For a moment, only the footsteps of retreating cultivators could be heard.

Those originally guarding both sides of the canyon mouth removed the large net that had trapped Wang Renjie.

Wang Renjie at this moment had long been tortured beyond recognition. Under the net’s barbed penetration and several cultivators’ siege, his cultivation had been severely damaged. He looked completely dispirited, his face filled with terror.

He struggled to crawl up from the ground, his agonized wails unceasing.

The sounds echoed before the Ice Warden Office, accompanied by those fierce carved patterns, creating an especially piercing atmosphere.

Sima Languan glanced at him with some disdain, but quickly returned his appreciative gaze to Jian Chou: “Now I’ve withdrawn my people and can let you go first, even giving you half an hour. But no one knows what situation awaits in this Warden Office. The Eighteen Levels of Hell are fraught with dangers—Fairy Jian Chou, do take care along the way…”

His voice seemed both clear and hoarse.

Perhaps because she had seen this person split into two earlier, Jian Chou always felt this voice was a mixture of two people.

Those four words “Fairy Jian Chou” coming from this person’s mouth truly had an unbearably grating quality.

Frowning slightly, Jian Chou replied coldly: “That won’t trouble you to worry.”

Saying this, she looked toward her several companions.

The old woman had already run to Gu Ling’s side, her crescent blade transformed back into a cleaver; Chen Tingyan fell silent for a moment before walking over; Zhang Tang retracted his thin blade halfway but didn’t fully sheath it, also approaching Jian Chou.

“Wait for me, wait for me!”

Wang Renjie, seeing this, feared being left behind and scrambled over, directly hiding behind everyone.

Seeing this, Zhang Tang frowned again.

Even Chen Tingyan, as a fellow clansman, showed shadows crossing his eyes.

The old woman’s eyes remained unchanged, only pulling Gu Ling’s shoulder closer, maintaining distance from Wang Renjie.

Jian Chou held the umbrella, standing at the front, saying without turning back: “Please, Lord Zhang, lead everyone inside first.”

As for her, holding a killing weapon, she naturally dared not move a fraction.

Zhang Tang understood and nodded, stepping back before directly turning around. Without even looking at the dangerous Fengdu City cultivators, as if completely trusting Jian Chou, he walked straight toward the Warden Office.

Everyone immediately followed, with Wang Renjie directly squeezing behind Zhang Tang, entering the Warden Office second.

One, two, three…

Five people quickly disappeared behind that great door of the Warden Office.

Sima Languan remained completely motionless throughout.

Jian Chou watched him for a long time, seeing he truly had no intention of acting, but didn’t dare relax her vigilance or lower the Void Demon Umbrella even slightly.

Without turning around, she stepped backward step by step, slowly retreating to the Warden Office entrance before laughing and calling out to Sima Languan from afar: “Young Master Sima’s magnanimity—Jian Chou thanks you!”

Having said this, her form immediately flickered and disappeared!

“Young Master!”

The many cultivators standing beside Sima Languan were so angry they could bite their teeth, some even looking at him with disapproving frowns.

But Sima Languan waved his hand, signaling them all to shut up.

Now, no one dared speak.

This time, the ghost cultivators from Fengdu City were divided into two factions because of Pan Hexun and Sima Languan.

However, Pan Hexun and Sima Languan unexpectedly forming an alliance was something no one had anticipated.

Among this group now, half had been won over and followed Pan Hexun, while the other half were Sima Languan’s people.

To calculate against Jian Chou and Zhang Tang, Pan Hexun had instructed them when passing through the canyon mouth to follow Sima Languan’s arrangements, prioritizing Zhang Tang’s elimination before meeting up with him later.

Now Sima Languan had backed down due to Jian Chou’s Void Demon Umbrella threat, letting so many people go, which truly dissatisfied them.

Everyone served different masters, and cracks had unknowingly formed.

But Sima Languan didn’t look back even once. His gaze remained on that great door, only seeing the countless evil spirits carved on it and the compassionate Buddha above the entrance.

The smile at his lips slowly widened.

Half fierce, half stunning.

He raised the hand not holding the lantern, fingers opening and closing in the cold air, then slowly clenching, fingertips grinding against fingertips as if touching something wonderful.

Possessing a weapon like the Void Demon Umbrella yet not using it earlier—this was simply to avoid premature exposure and prevent others from knowing she possessed such a trump card.

This proved she wanted to continue playing pig to eat tigers, intending to catch enemies off guard.

But looking at that bearing and demeanor, even every movement, all were the choice of one in ten million with stunning talent.

When had the Extreme Domain produced such a wonderful character?

Sima Languan’s gaze slowly fell to his own palm.

Beautiful skin…

Just looking at it could stir his heart. If he could truly touch it one day, what soul-consuming, marrow-drying sensation would that be?

After looking for a long time, he finally pulled himself from these wonderful fantasies, turned around to look at the dozen people following him, and smiled slightly.

“I promised to give her half an hour. Such a long idle time is truly hard to endure. Why don’t we kill some people for fun?”

“What?!”

The moment those words fell, all cultivators before the Warden Office felt their scalps tingle!

Sima Languan waved his hand, and his group immediately drew their magical artifacts, aiming at the remaining cultivators in the field!

“Sima Languan, what are you doing?!”

A black-clothed cultivator cried out in absolute horror.

“Playing with trash like Pan Hexun is really too boring.”

Compared to that Jian Chou, Pan Hexun was far inferior.

Sima Languan, originally interested, was now somewhat listless, his voice floating without sincerity.

“I’ve decided to betray him, kill you all. If he has the ability, let him come find me for revenge. Won’t that make the situation more complex and interesting?”

Madman!

This was a fucking madman!

The surrounded cultivators were all Pan Hexun’s people. Though they seemed roughly equal in number to those surrounding them, they faced a supreme-level cultivator, Sima Languan!

“You actually—”

“Attack.”

Sima Languan was too lazy to hear another word from them. His eyes turned cold as he directly ordered!

Before the Warden Office, immediately there was overwhelming blood light.

The sky originally devoured by the half-open Void Demon Umbrella, after Jian Chou left, returned to brilliant blue, still clean without a trace of pollution. If not for the various struggles and slaughter below, no one would believe this was the Eighteen Levels of Hell.

Inside the Warden Office, Jian Chou had already followed Zhang Tang and the others’ path, advancing dozens of zhang.

When she had seen this Warden Office from afar earlier, its design had given her an extremely familiar feeling.

After entering, that familiar sensation became even more persistent.

The tower had seven levels, like a pagoda.

When she entered, she saw a compassionate Buddha carved above the great door. After passing through a square-walled, narrow corridor hung with heavy torture instruments, she reached the tower’s inner hall.

Facing her was actually a Buddha statue stepping on lotus flowers, holding a staff in the left hand and a skull in the right—this was an Angry-Eyed Vajra!

On the deep blue floor, the suffering of beings in the eighteen levels of hell was painted in five colors, bright yet adding an eerie, sinister quality.

The Eighteen Levels of Hell belonged to the Extreme Domain, a place for reincarnating beings—why were there so many things related to Buddhism?

Jian Chou immediately frowned, remembering that after the Yin-Yang Realm war, except for Buddhism’s Chan and Mi sects, cultivators from the Nineteen Continents could not enter reincarnation.

Zhang Tang and the others had just entered, arriving right before and after Jian Chou.

Seeing her figure rushing in, they all turned to look.

Gu Ling even joyfully called out: “Sister Jian Chou!”

Though Jian Chou had put away the Void Demon Umbrella, as a precaution, she still gripped it tightly.

The zhang-long umbrella handle held horizontally, plus the black umbrella surface with flowing golden text, still gave people a heart-trembling sensation, irresistibly drawing gazes.

She landed before everyone and with one glance knew that except for Zhang Tang, most of them bore injuries.

“Is everyone alright?”

Though they needed to hurry away from this place, Jian Chou still had to confirm everyone’s condition.

Several people shook their heads, indicating they were fine.

Only Wang Renjie, having previously lost face and suffered the greatest torment, now standing to Zhang Tang’s left, remembered how no one had come to his aid at the canyon mouth earlier. He couldn’t help but sneer coldly: “Alright? Look at this—does this look alright?!”

Jian Chou’s just-relaxed brow immediately furrowed again.

She looked over.

Wang Renjie had hurriedly taken pills earlier, his injuries now recovered four or five parts, barely having strength.

His words weren’t finished, still carrying an aggrieved feeling, his tone becoming increasingly sharp and harsh.

“You clearly had the Void Demon Umbrella all along. When we encountered danger, you didn’t take it out initially, watching helplessly as we were controlled and suffered in hard battle! You woman, what exactly are your inten—”

“tions…”

The last word suddenly became like a punctured water bag, immediately muffled with a leaking quality.

The finger just raised to point at Jian Chou’s nose immediately stiffened, even losing control and dropping down.

Wang Renjie only felt his entire neck go cold.

A ghostly white mark extended from his nape to his throat, finally forming a complete circle.

He opened his mouth wide, unable to make any sound, only managing to turn his head with great effort to the right, where Zhang Tang looked at him with ice-cold eyes.

A black thin blade, having lightly turned at Wang Renjie’s neck, flew back to Zhang Tang’s cold hands—hands that had skinned and deboned before.

“Thud!”

The head originally on his neck, due to the turning motion, could no longer remain stable and fell to the ground.

Deep white blood spilled everywhere.

“Ah!”

Gu Ling immediately screamed in fright.

Even the old woman and Chen Tingyan beside them couldn’t help their hearts jumping, their eyes showing shock!

He had actually acted without a word!

How silent was that?

How unexpected?!

“Bang.”

The headless body finally fell to the ground amid the death-like silence born of extreme shock.

“Rumble rumble…”

A head covered in deep white blood rolled on the ground, taking quite a while to stop.

It was a face filled with shock and rage, disheveled hair covering the features, leaving only those wide-open eyes, extremely fierce, coincidentally facing Zhang Tang.

But Zhang Tang didn’t even glance at it.

He had seen sights a thousand times more gruesome than this as commonplace—what was this little bit?

Jian Chou’s pupils slightly contracted. She didn’t speak but gripped the Void Demon Umbrella a bit tighter.

She watched him with hidden wariness.

But Zhang Tang only turned the thin blade once, and in the blink of an eye, it disappeared into his sleeve. He glanced at her with eyes calm and solemn, yet seeming to understand everything.

He spoke flatly, half-mocking, half-not: “Since you wouldn’t dirty your hands, this official has done it for you.”