CHAPTER 40

— Hall of Yama —

"Senior Brother, what should we do now?" Cookie didn't know the coordinates for the next level and had mistakenly set up a return teleportation array. Fortunately, the members of the Qianyu Sect had been secretly watching nearby, and by a stroke of luck, they helped them out of the predicament, saving them the trouble of turning back—but how were they supposed to get through this Ghost Wall?

After a moment of thoughtful silence, Su Yan gently rubbed Cookie's ears and said softly, "Since we can't rely on the array to move forward, we'll break through it... Don't forget—the Eyes that Shatter All Laws."

Tong Tong was too busy staring at the pale, ivory-like hand gently stroking the furry back of Cookie's ear. The little creature half-closed its eyes in contentment, looking utterly blissful. Tong Tong couldn't help but feel a twinge of jealousy—not because her own spirit pet was "straying," but because she secretly wished she could be the one being stroked by those hands instead... As a result, she didn't catch what Su Yan said.

When she finally snapped out of it, she saw a flash of golden light once again appear between Cookie's brows. Its golden eyes shone brightly, like two sharp swords piercing forward, penetrating the invisible barrier. Faintly, she seemed to hear a soft "pop—"

After the two golden beams of light vanished, Cookie's energy immediately waned. Even the golden fur between its brows lost its luster, leaving only those brilliant eyes gazing brightly at Su Yan, as if seeking praise and affection. Tong Tong, who had been about to step forward to comfort it, suddenly felt a surge of annoyance and decided she didn't want to pay attention to her own spirit pet for the moment.

"Good child." Su Yan took a small piece of pineapple cake from her Qiankun pouch and fed it to Cookie. She then waved to Tong Tong, who was still sulking off to the side. "It's exhausted from casting arrays right after advancing to a new level. Let it rest in the spirit beast pouch for a few days to stabilize its cultivation."

—'Huh? Send it back? That works!'

Tong Tong perked up, not bothering to question that the pineapple cake was from the famous Koi Kei Bakery—the very one she had been craving for a long time but never got to try. Happily, she ruffled Cookie's fur, ignoring its protests, and without another word, stored it away in her beast-taming pouch. Turning to Su Yan with a bright smile, she playfully grabbed her fingers and shook them. "Senior Brother, let's hurry to the next level!"

"...Mm." Su Yan moved her hand, which was being tightly held, and raised an eyebrow but let it slide. She couldn't deceive herself—a faint sense of pleasure quietly rose in her heart, making her less averse to physical contact than usual. Perhaps it was because the "other person" was Tong Tong.

The two walked side by side through a quiet, deep red corridor. Unlike the oppressive atmosphere of the Hundred Ghost Cave earlier, perhaps due to their mood, even this eerie and sinister scenery seemed to take on a certain charm.

After the time it takes to drink a cup of tea, a three-way junction appeared before them. Along the sides of this passage, several other parallel tunnels branched out, resembling a sprawling underground maze. Tong Tong, whose sense of direction was practically nonexistent, was immediately dumbfounded—being directionally challenged was truly a curse!

What was the point of giving so many paths?

Su Yan closed her eyes and released her spiritual sense to probe the area, then said softly, "From left to right, the spiritual energy fluctuations grow stronger. It seems like there's a formidable presence ahead."

"So that means the left side is the weakest? Got it! Let's go..." Tong Tong nodded, taking her hand and about to step left, only to find she couldn't pull her along. Instead, the scenery on both sides began moving forward—she was being dragged backward by a force—"Hey! Where are you going?! It's this way! Senior Brother? Su Yan? What are you doing, you dead-faced blockhead?!"

"Far right." Su Yan paid no attention to her struggles, calmly and confidently pulling her straight toward the path on the right. Since this was a trial, naturally, they should choose the most difficult challenge—otherwise, what was the point of coming here, right?

To deal with someone as unmotivated as her, extraordinary measures were necessary!

"Awoo! I don't want to... Let go! Isn't the difficulty level optional? I want the easiest one!"

Frowning, Su Yan flicked a finger against the back of Tong Tong's head as she continued to wail and struggle, coldly threatening, "Keep making noise, and I'll seal your mouth shut."

"Mmph..." Tong Tong bit her lip and fell silent, glaring at her with a resentful look, like a chaste martyr declaring, "I'd rather die than submit to tyranny." After Su Yan turned away, she muttered indignantly under her breath, "Down with fascist dictatorship..."

"...Hmph." But under Su Yan's icy glare, she reluctantly covered her mouth and quieted down.

After walking a while longer, they discovered that the far-right passage connected to a grand and magnificent underground palace, roughly several dozen meters high, making it hard to believe such a structure was built beneath the ground.

The vermilion gate was studded with golden copper rivets. Upon closer inspection, the central door knocker was carved into a menacing skull, and a faint, warm crimson flame flickered without wind, illuminating a dark, gilded plaque in the center—Hall of Yama [Hall of the King of Hell].

—Is this the underworld? Why does it look so luxurious and imposing? It doesn't quite match the dilapidated, terrifying haunted house scenes... Looks like this place is quite well-off, huh?

While Tong Tong was lost in her wild thoughts, Su Yan had already pulled her along and pushed open the vermilion gate.

With a creak—she thought she saw the skull's eyes flash green, but when she focused, it seemed as if nothing had happened—her hair stood on end.

Beyond the gate was a spacious hall, surprisingly displaying ten doors of vastly different styles. Each door had a nameplate, a couplet, and a pair of skull-shaped door knockers.

Tong Tong scanned them with interest, as if waiting for a doctor's call in front of various hospital departments. But then she saw Su Yan heading straight for the door on the far right again.

—Senior Brother, do you have a far-right selection fetish?

Hurrying to follow, she noticed that this tenth door was larger and more distinctive than the previous ones. Unlike the dull, dark colors of the others, this one was an ambiguous peach-pink, full of a "maidenly" aura, making one wonder if this abrupt sight was a trick of the eyes or a deliberate prank.

The nameplate on the door was carved with the words "Wheel-Turning King" (Chakravarti). The couplets on either side were: The land of Yin and Yang, life and death; the space where humans and ghosts come and go. The horizontal scroll read: The Falling of Good and Evil. It was rather profound.

T/N: [Wheel-Turning King" (Chakravarti) is known as the Tenth King of Hell in East Asian Buddhism and Taoist mythology, specifically within the system of the "Ten Kings of Hell" (Siwang). He serves as the final judge who oversees the reincarnation and rebirth of deceased souls after they have been processed through the previous courts of hell.]

"The place for reincarnation... so, is this the Obstetrics and Gynecology department?" Tong Tong tilted her head and whispered.

If Ding Ding had been by her side, he would have likely stumbled and fallen to the ground—but Su Yan, who didn't understand her meaning, spared them that trouble.

Patting Tong Tong's shoulder to signal her to step back, Su Yan lightly rapped her knuckles on the door a few times. Immediately, a soft, breathy female voice responded from inside, "Huff—puff—Please, come in—" The hurried panting inevitably sparked certain associations. The two exchanged a glance, hesitated for a moment, but ultimately pushed the door open as instructed—only to be left speechless by the sight that greeted them.

Tong Tong strained to turn her neck, seeking confirmation from Su Yan, who stood beside her with her mouth half-open in disbelief. "Senior brother, am I dreaming? Quick, slap me!"

Without a second thought, Su Yan followed her request, her palm slicing through the air only to halt just before touching Tong Tong's fair cheek. Curling her index finger slightly, she switched to a light flick instead.

"Ow!" Tong Tong instinctively covered her cheek, looking at Su Yan as she withdrew her hand. "That stung a bit... It seems real!"

"Mm." Su Yan nodded, turning her gaze back to the scene ahead, her longsword Changhong already materializing in her hand.

From Tong Tong's perspective, she saw an enchanting woman in a tight-fitting workout suit, arms outstretched, legs apart, rapidly twisting her slender waist. Around her waist, a ring was spinning at high speed—a Hula Hoop.

That's right. What Tong Tong saw was the legendary weight-loss tool, a common leisure item for home entertainment—yet something that should not exist in this era.

In Su Yan's eyes, however, it was a sinister woman dressed in strange attire, exuding an eerie aura, practicing some unknown martial art. A circular weapon coiled around her waist, seemingly gathering energy for an attack.

Just as Su Yan prepared to draw her sword and face the challenge, Tong Tong excitedly ran forward and asked, "A hula hoop! I haven't played with one in ages! Are there more? Can I borrow one to play with?"

The woman glanced at her and casually pointed to a corner of the room—where a pile of similar hoops lay stacked. "Take one yourself."

"Great!" Tong Tong chirped happily, picking out a lighter-looking hoop and slipping it around her waist to start spinning.

Su Yan's lips twitched, unsure how to react.

Just then, the woman seemed to tire of her activity and finally stopped, wiping the sweat from her forehead. Suddenly, a black cloak draped over her shoulders, and a redwood carved armchair materialized behind her.

Leaning back gracefully, she propped her chin on one hand and looked leisurely at Su Yan, who stood silently with her sword. In a melodious voice, she asked, "Is the challenger ready? You must defeat me to proceed further!"

"Who are you?" Su Yan asked, her voice low, though she already had an inkling.

"Isn't it written on the door? This King is the Wheel-Turning King!" The woman laughed as if hearing a joke, but her expression suddenly shifted to displeasure. "Asking what you already know is a sign of disrespect to this king!"

With a cold snort, Tong Tong let out a sharp cry—the hula hoop around her waist instantly shrank, turning into a tight waistband that bound her tightly, nearly suffocating her.

—Was this some new form of weight-loss and body-shaping method?

"Mur... murder..." Gasping for air, Tong Tong suddenly regretted foolishly joining in the spinning—this was a literal case of "weaving one's own cocoon to be trapped in it."

Seeing Tong Tong's pained expression, Su Yan's gaze turned icy. She pointed Changhong directly at the woman. "Release her."

"Hah, that depends on whether you have the skill!" The woman who called herself the Wheel-Turning King laughed heartily, leaping up from her chair. With a wave of her hand, she summoned a dozen hoops and hurled them toward Su Yan.

The rings seemed to have gained a life of their own, clinking and clanging as they struck the Changhong Sword, forcing Su Yan to retreat step by step. Her expression was cold and stern, yet her eyes shone brilliantly—the stronger the opponent, the more valuable it was to defeat them!

Channeling energy into her palm, she slashed through the air, her spiritual power instantly suppressing the rings and holding them suspended mid-air. The Changhong Sword blazed with crimson light as she swung it thirteen times at a speed almost invisible to the naked eye, shattering each of the rings one by one. The final sword gleam shot straight toward the Wheel-Turning King!

Narrowing her eyes, which held a hint of seductive charm, the Wheel-Turning King hurled another ring with a swift motion. With a "bang," the two attacks canceled each other out, scattering crystal-like fragments into the air like shimmering sand.

"Impressive skills!" the Wheel-Turning King praised with a beaming smile, yet her hands condensed two rapidly spinning golden wheels. The sharp teeth along their edges emitted a buzzing sound as they sliced through the air, forcing anyone nearby to heighten their vigilance.

Su Yan maintained a solemn expression, but her gaze inadvertently drifted toward Tong Tong, who was still restrained. She knew well that distraction was a grave mistake in battle, yet she couldn't suppress the nagging worry that plagued her.

Meeting Tong Tong's gaze—her body squirming uncomfortably, lips pouted, yet eyes filled with tension—Su Yan faintly curved her lips before refocusing on the two golden wheels that had already flashed to her face. The Changhong Sword moved like a nimble dragon, just barely deflecting the incoming wheels.

Her eyes locked onto the wheels as they spun away and circled back, but suddenly, a warning bell rang in her heart. A third whistling sound pierced the air, heading straight for her—

Su Yan reacted with astonishing speed, yet it still wasn't fast enough to counter the long-planned ambush. With a flick of her wrist, the Changhong Sword blocked the returning golden wheels, but there was no way to defend against the third, unknown attack. Instantly exerting force from her waist, she twisted her body sideways, narrowly avoiding a fatal blow. The strike missed her heart but struck her left shoulder squarely.

Grunting in pain, Su Yan decisively abandoned the Changhong Sword and flung three ice spikes toward the source of the hidden weapon. A soft "thud" confirmed a hit, yet the assailant managed to escape. She hadn't even caught a glimpse of the attacker's attire nor sensed their spiritual energy fluctuations—likely, like the young master of the Qianyu Sect, they possessed a special means of concealment that left no one aware.

The hidden weapon was a needle as fine as an cow's hair. Upon entering her meridians, it dissolved without a trace, flowing into her bl0odstream and leaving no clues... A chill spread through her body, her entire left arm growing numb and losing sensation. Dizziness began to cloud her mind—clearly, the needle had been coated with poison.

What a cunning ambush! What a ruthless scheme!

"D@mn it! Which reckless little bastard dares to ambush my opponent right under my nose? Tired of living, are you? Don't let me catch you, or I'll make you taste the torments of the Avici Hell!" The Wheel-Turning King was equally taken aback. She hadn't expected anyone to sneak in right under her watch and injure someone in front of her—it was nothing short of a slap in the face!

T/N: [Avici (or Avīci) is the lowest, most severe level of the eight hot hells in Buddhism, known as the "hell of incessant suffering". It is a place of inescapable agony where beings endure constant torment—such as burning in molten metal—due to grave sins like k!lling one's parents, murdering an Arhat, or slandering the Dharma.]

"This infuriates me!" she exclaimed angrily, reaching out to recall the ring restraining Tong Tong's waist. With a dismissive wave, she leaned back into the grand chair, crossing her legs. "You two can go... Seeing your strength, there's no point in continuing this fight..."

Freed from the restraint, Tong Tong immediately dashed over to Su Yan's side, her heart aching at the sight of Su Yan's pale lips. Her eyes reddened instantly as her hands anxiously patted Su Yan all over. "Where are you hurt? Tell me quickly! Where are you hurt?"

A flicker of color flashed across Su Yan's pale face. With her right hand pressed to her shoulder, she used her left to block Tong Tong's frantic, clumsy groping—if she didn't stop her in time, this fool was bound to get even more reckless. In a calm voice, she said, "It's on the left shoulder, not a vital spot. Don't worry."

"Don't worry? Don't worry my ass! Your face is deathly pale and you're still trying to act tough? Hurry up and take off your clothes! I'll bandage it for you!" Tong Tong's face flushed red with urgency, unable to hold back a shout. The sudden burst of force actually startled Su Yan, whose hands were easily pried apart as Tong Tong moved directly toward her collar.

Just as Tong Tong was about to pull open her collar, a sinister, chilling laugh rang out. "I heard the strongest among the Ten Kings of Hell is the Wheel-Turning King? Come on, fight me!"

That frivolous tone, the soft, effeminate voice, coupled with a playboy-like appearance—it could only be Jia Siwen, the k!lling star of Bingyan Island.

"Well, well! Isn't this Su Yan from Chonghua? What? Injured? Perfect. I've been annoyed for a long time that we share the same reputation... K!llng you will make me the strongest below the Nascent Soul stage! Hahaha..." Jia Siwen, with a female disciple in his arms, laughed arrogantly, completely disregarding the furious Wheel-Turning King. His gaze at Su Yan was like a venomous snake flicking its tongue, filled with murderous intent.

For the first time, Tong Tong felt an unprecedented sense of panic and fear—not for herself, but for the heavily injured Su Yan beside her.

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