Chapter 1966: Vertical Split

“My Ancestor, I am your most loyal Executor of the Dao, as I have been, as I am, and as I will be. Please allow me to do something for you.”

“Your wish.”

“There was a time when my heart was clear and my being complete. Now, I have lost everything. My enemies have shamed me, my friends and family have abandoned me, and my female apprentice has betrayed me. I am left utterly alone, daring not to harbor excessive hopes.”

“Your wish.”

“If it pleases my Ancestor to allow the instigator of all this to be brought to justice by the Sacred Dao, I shall forever remember this kindness and repay it with utmost gratitude!”

“His name.”

“Xu! Xiao! Shou!”

“Good.”

“May I be so bold as to ask, my Ancestor, in the current situation, what can I, your most loyal Executor of the Dao, do for you?”

“For now, do nothing.”

“Then…”

“I shall imbue you with the Red Mourning Spirit Orb. When the time is right, you will know what to do.”

“Sinian!”

“Wu Sinian!”

Two shouts in a row, plus a forceful elbow jab, finally roused Wu Sinian, who had been stunned by the might of the Overlord.

Liu Guifen thought to herself, “You’re not someone unaccustomed to grand spectacles, so how is it that even without a blow from Shen Yi landing on you, your soul was still knocked out?”

Wu Sinian jolted violently and also fell to her knees.

She raised a hand, facing Shen Yi’s two eyes that gleamed with dangerous light, and her lips trembled for a long time, unable to utter a sound.

“She’s the same, she’s the same, Boss Shen Yi.”

Liu Guifen quickly spoke up, vouching for her companion, pointing at Wu Sinian and repeatedly saying:

“As soon as we came down, we met up immediately. Neither of us fell victim to the Demon Ancestor’s schemes. We then traveled a short distance, met Miss Lei on the third floor, and journeyed together. After some trials, we managed to reach this seventeenth floor, but we never encountered you. After that, Miss Lei, Senior Heavenly Being, and the Corpse Entangler were dragged into the eighteenth floor. The Thousand-Handed Tailor suddenly turned violent and began killing. You know what happened after that.”

It was a very simple experience, similar to his own, so there was no need to lie about it. As for Lei and Tian falling into the demonic liquid pool, Liu and Wu had limited abilities and couldn't save them, so they couldn't be blamed.

Shen Yi was acting on instinct. He glanced at Wu Sinian again but couldn't discern anything. After a moment of contemplation, he waved his hand, signaling them to stand and speak, no longer dwelling on the past.

He had arrived. That was enough.

Shen Yi pointed to the demonic liquid pool: “How long have they been submerged?”

The demonic liquid in the eighteenth floor of the Upside-Down Pagoda slowly churned, reaching Lei Xi'er's chest height. Its temperature and concentration were both extremely high, with viscous bubbles periodically swelling up and then bursting with a pop. The splashing demonic liquid hit the faces of the three, smearing them black. The power incessantly permeated their bodies, seemingly transforming something within them.

The demonic liquid in the pool was so solidified that it reached a terrifying state where it could be scooped up, having accumulated for untold years. Moment by moment, mighty and magnificent power, whether actively or passively, poured into the pores of their bodies. Yet, compared to the total volume, this was merely a drop in the ocean. Even with the Five Decays of Heaven and Man's devouring power fully unleashed, it barely diminished the black liquid in the demonic liquid pool. One could only imagine how much power had accumulated within the pool.

“Roughly six hours.”

Liu Guifen was unable to answer, seemingly not in the habit of keeping time. However, Wu Sinian, now calm, showed meticulousness:

“This old woman has tested it since coming in. The flow of time inside the Upside-Down Pagoda world should be different from the outside world. From the bottom to the seventeenth floor, calculating by our pace on the Sacred Divine Continent and subtracting the time spent dealing with the demonic obstructions, it took about five days. We spent half a day on the seventeenth floor researching the path downwards, when Miss Lei and the other two were suddenly pulled down. At the same time, the Thousand-Handed Tailor attacked, and we led the people of Crossroads Corner in resistance for another half-day. In total, about six days.”

After hearing this, Shen Yi couldn't help but look at Wu Sinian with new respect. Being able to calculate so precisely wasn't that impressive in itself. What was powerful was that this person clearly had a habit of precise time calculation. If she also had the habit of calculating everything else at any time, then she could be classified as someone like the flamboyant old Daoist.

She was very skilled at handling “difficult situations”; even trapped in the Upside-Down Pagoda, she remained organized. She was very good at calculating these mentally demanding things—Shen Yi himself had this habit, which Xiang'er had cultivated in him, saying it might be of great use at critical moments. Liu Guifen didn't seem like the Lord of North Street; it was Wu Sinian, working behind him, who more closely resembled the true strategist.

How could such a composed person, unfazed in crisis, lose her composure for so long because of a single blow from him? Shen Yi withdrew his gaze, not pondering further. No need. Deal with problems as they arise.

“You calculated six days, but I waited fifteen days and three hours,” Shen Yi said.

Wu Sinian paused, then quickly replied: “This old woman certainly isn't talking nonsense. Perhaps the flow of time in the Upside-Down Pagoda is different for everyone.”

That was a good conjecture. After all, these people had met sporadically on the earlier floors of the Upside-Down Pagoda, while he, Shen Yi, hadn't encountered a single soul throughout his journey. Moreover, from the very beginning, even before entering the pagoda, the Demon Ancestor had treated him, Shen Yi, differently. It was normal to trap him for a longer period, perhaps to wear down his strength.

Shen Yi lightly pointed his Overlord staff towards the demonic liquid pool below. With a strategist present, it was best to utilize them. “What do you think?”

Liu Guifen glanced at the pool, his head aching. He feared that whether they went down to rescue them or pulled them up, they would inevitably be contaminated by the demonic liquid. He was indecisive for a moment, mumbling wordlessly. Frustratingly, the Dao Ancestor's inheritance also seemed to have gone quiet after seeing the demonic liquid pool, giving no clear instruction for a long time, preventing him from acting.

Of course, Shen Yi wasn't asking him. Wu Sinian quickly said, “Retreat.”

“Retreat?” Liu Guifen was startled. There was no way Boss Shen Yi would do that, was there?

“Why?” Shen Yi asked.

Wu Sinian's expression was exceptionally grave, and she spoke in a deep tone: “The demonic liquid in this pool has too high a power level. It was likely accumulating even before the birth of the Grudge thirty years ago. From this, it can be inferred that what the Grudge Buddha suppressed wasn't the Demon Ancestor, but rather the Ancestor of the Coffin beneath the pagoda who pushed the coffin out.”

The Grudge merely extended the Five Domains' lifespan by thirty years... Liu Guifen understood; this pool might have thousands of years of history, or even more?

“What if we don't retreat?” Shen Yi asked again.

“Then we still cannot easily interfere with this demonic pool, not even by probing it with such a supreme divine artifact.” Wu Sinian glanced at the ancient and heavy Overlord staff.

“Continue.”

“This is the seventeenth floor, the demonic liquid pool is on the eighteenth, below that is the Upside-Down Pagoda's pagoda bead, and finally the coffin beneath the pagoda. Boss Shen Yi might be able to bypass the pool and go straight for the core!” Liu Guifen spoke up, offering the only answer that seemed logical.

“That's what I was thinking as well, the most thorough plan.” Wu Sinian nodded. “If Boss Shen Yi strikes the coffin beneath the pagoda, and the Demon Ancestor draws upon the pool's power, then we two might seize the opportunity to pull Miss Lei and the others up.”

“A good plan…”

It's just a bit circuitous. And they'd have to exit the pagoda first. There might be unforeseen complications...

Shen Yi nodded repeatedly, falling into contemplation. Shen Yi looked towards the demonic liquid pool, his eyes slightly closed. Shen Yi gripped the Overlord staff in his hand, took a leap, and plunged into the demonic liquid pool.

“At that time, as long as Boss Shen Yi smashes the coffin beneath the pagoda with a single blow, we two can wait above for the demonic liquid in the pool to drain, then coordinate from inside and out to severely beat... huh?” Liu Guifen was still immersed in the fantasy of their foolproof plan when he suddenly heard a splash.

His words abruptly ceased. He rushed over, scrambled to the edge of the opening, and peered down.

“Ah?”

“Ah, ah, ah!!!”

Liu Guifen clutched his head, his eyeballs nearly falling out, and he exclaimed in disbelief: “Boss Shen Yi, what are you doing now!”

A searing pain, like being scorched by raging fire, assailed him. The extremely violent demonic liquid, like countless ubiquitous maggots, tried to burrow into every pore of his body, then devour him.

“Hmph!”

Shen Yi slowly exhaled a murky breath, and mist steamed before his eyes. He couldn't block it. Simply clenching his muscles wouldn't be enough to block the invasion of the demonic power. Better to just completely let go!

“Shen Yi...”

In his ear, that call resonated once more. This time, there was a hint of urgency, as if trying to guide his spirit into some special mental space. Shen Yi never did anything that would create unnecessary complications. If his consciousness left his body and the Demon Ancestor immediately seized control of his physical form, then a World-Elephant Spider Lotus Crystal would have been wasted for nothing.

“Open!”

With a sunken horse stance, he unlocked the 'gates' of his body. In his most relaxed state, Shen Yi fully embraced the natural transformation, completely immersing himself in the demonic liquid pool. One cannot catch tiger cubs without entering the tiger's lair. He wanted to see what the Demon Ancestor truly intended by trapping Lei Xi'er and the two others in this pool.

Boom!

His spirit was shaken, like a surging mountain torrent, resounding throughout the entire world. With such relaxed resistance, in an instant, the demonic liquid circulated, rushing into his internal organs and flowing into his limbs and bones. Through inner sight, he could see his physical body, from the inside out, hungrily absorbing the surging demonic power, manifesting demonic patterns that extended to the surface of his skin, to his palms, to the soles of his feet, and even to his face!

Power... Deepening... Transformation...

So, the intention was to acquire several more demonized bodies suitable to become the Demon Ancestor's vessel?

Demonic desires surged upwards, causing one's thoughts to become chaotic. This was no longer a phantom power like a heart demon, but the absolute destruction of a person's spirit and will by ultimate power. Shen Yi calculated in an instant that without action, he could only last ten more breaths before he, like Lei Xi'er and the other two, would become submerged in the demonic liquid pool.

Whoosh!

With a slight push of his toes, Shen Yi leaped up. As the demonic liquid in the pool below splashed outwards, Liu Guifen saw a terrifying creature covered in black demonic patterns, its aura so violent it resembled a demon general, charging skyward with a staff.

“I…”

At that instant, it felt as if a primordial beast was pressing against his face. Liu Guifen's face drained of color in fear, thinking Shen Yi had also been instantly corrupted by the Demon Ancestor, and he was about to move to defend himself. To his surprise, although the bald demon general's eyes gleamed with fierce light, his mind was still clear.

The Overlord staff was held horizontally across his chest as he let out a long, heavy roar: “Asura Path!”

Sizzle sizzle sizzle...

The demon-marked Shen Yi transformed, manifesting three heads and six arms. The towering ferocity within him was instantly refined into killing intent. The fiend emerged from the demonic pool, malevolent energy filling the pagoda. The gilded, double-headed Overlord staff seemed to awaken its power as well, instantly igniting with a dull, lava-like flame. As it was wielded powerfully, staff shadows rotated among the Asura's six arms, unleashing dark flames around Shen Yi.

The Asura Path's demon-marked Shen Yi, with fierce eyes and bared fangs, resembled a green-faced demon. Under a disdainful laugh, the six arm-staff shadows converged into one. He stepped on the void, raising the staff with its power accumulating under his elbow, and a disdainful voice immediately boomed throughout the Upside-Down Pagoda: “Mere demonic liquid, how can it disturb my mind?”

The staff struck!

With a thunderous boom. The staff shadow, which was only man-height, instantly transformed into a sky-piercing pillar capable of shattering the pagoda. With immense force, it plunged into the demonic pool.

“Hiss!”

Liu Guifen felt his whole body go numb, and he couldn't stop trembling. This sense of power... This unparalleled and domineering strike felt like it had directly pierced his heart, churning his mind into turmoil. The might of the Overlord was enough to shatter the sea. The Asura's ferocity scorned everything.

It was merely a pool, yet it was pierced by a single staff blow, enduring an unbearable pain. The demonic liquid, clearly possessing immense weight, couldn't help but explode skyward. At the same time, Lei Xi'er, the Five Decays of Heaven and Man, and the Corpse Entangler were flung upwards, directly towards the seventeenth floor. Liu Guifen quickly dodged, not daring to catch them, fearing contamination.

Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed that the might of the Overlord didn't stop there! After clearing the demonic pool, Shen Yi's staff struck the bottom of the eighteenth floor, which was also the top of the Upside-Down Pagoda.

Thud!

Like a muffled drum exploding in the heart, yet also seeming to possess the ability to cleanse the mind. Lei, Tian, and Chan, who had been slammed to the ground, all trembled simultaneously. With that sound, their eyes visibly fluttered open in unison, showing signs of awakening.

It wasn't over! Liu Guifen watched as the Asura Shen Yi's staff strike was clearly stopped by the firmness of the Upside-Down Pagoda's apex. The demonic patterns on this guy's body suddenly converged towards his chest. Had he actually managed to utilize even this borrowed power?

“Human Path!”

The three heads and six arms retracted inwards. The demonic patterns on Shen Yi vanished, and he transformed into a mortal body, standing in the void, his left hand raised high. Utilizing the terrifying power accumulated and squeezed from the demonic liquid, he twisted his waist, transferring the power to his right arm that wielded the Overlord staff, and with passionate force, he struck the pagoda's apex once more from high in the sky.

“Break!”

Boom––

A single shouted word, earth-shattering. The Overlord staff extended another zhang, and the eighteenth floor of the Upside-Down Pagoda was instantly pierced through, exploding into countless golden shattered stones.

“Damn...”

Liu Guifen suddenly stood up, his pupils trembling uncontrollably. Who would believe that the figure in the sky, raising his arm to strike and shattering the pagoda with one blow, was a mortal and not an ancestral god? The power of his physical body, to this extent?!

But... It wasn't over!

The Overlord staff, drawing strength from the Demon Ancestor, clearly wasn't content with just breaking through the eighteenth floor of the Upside-Down Pagoda. It forcibly smashed through the gigantic crimson-golden pagoda bead as well. Amidst the rumbling sounds, the entire Upside-Down Pagoda world seemed on the verge of collapsing, and the ground shook incessantly.

With a thud. In the blink of an eye, the Overlord staff, like a colossal pestle, seemed to hit something heavy, yet it still didn't stop. It forcibly pushed down another full three chi against the solid resistance before its remaining momentum finally dissipated completely.

Shen Yi was in the air. The Overlord staff struck the Demon Ancestor's coffin.

“Many thanks, esteemed one, for helping this Ancestor break the Upside-Down Pagoda's seal.”

A casual chuckle echoed through the Upside-Down Pagoda; it was clearly the Demon Ancestor's voice.

“This is bad!” Liu Guifen exclaimed in alarm. “Boss Shen Yi, stop quickly! Perhaps *it* wanted you to break the Upside-Down Pagoda and open the coffin?”

At this moment, the demonic liquid, stirred into a chaotic spray from the pool, was only just beginning to pour down from high in the sky...

“Demonic rhetoric to mislead the masses.”

Shen Yi didn't even listen to the bird-brained ancestor's nonsense! The Overlord staff was retracted. As he turned, a staff flourish spun from behind his waist to his left abdomen. After a momentary pause in force... it struck again!

“Sweep the Eight Directions!”

This roar was truly like a fierce tiger's roar. The Overlord staff swept outwards, tearing through the void, hitting the demonic liquid splashing around him. It severed the Upside-Down Pagoda at its waist and sent the demonic liquid far away in front of Shen Yi, preventing it from falling towards the coffin beneath the pagoda.

Rumble...

Smoke and dust billowed. From a bird's-eye view above Crossroads Corner, with the large cavern in the center as its focal point, the ground suddenly and rapidly collapsed from the northwest. It collapsed past Crossroads Corner, past the City of Dead Pagodas, directly beyond the city walls, and shattered the mountain range. Under the bird's-eye view of countless startled, high-flying figures, a quarter of the City of Dead Pagodas suddenly collapsed!

“What's happening?”

“What happened?”

“This commotion, is it coming from Crossroads Corner?”

“Damn, damn, damn...”

Liu Guifen's mind was reeling, unable to articulate his feelings beyond an incessant torrent of curses. His face was ashen, and he pulled Wu Sinian back, step by step, retreating upwards. Boss Shen Yi still hadn't stopped! What else did he want to do? Was he insane?

After sweeping the Eight Directions, the Overlord staff spun from his waist, past his chest, then over his throat and shoulder, finally being raised high above his head... From beginning to end, his movements never ceased. Fluid and seamless, a single continuous movement. Prior to this, for every strike, Shen Yi had stood still. Even when his staff shattered the Upside-Down Pagoda, he merely stood upon the void, nothing more.

This time!

It was one thing for the Overlord staff to be raised, and another for it to be held with both hands. Shen Yi actually leaped high, pulling his body back like a fully drawn bowstring, full of tension, the other end of the staff nearly touching his toes. Every muscle in his body swelled and bulged. Finally, with the force to cleave a sacred mountain, he brought the staff down fiercely upon the demonic-patterned bronze coffin below.

“Heaven! Dao!”

A muffled, ancient bell sound resonated. The people of the Five Domains, as if sensing something, all turned their heads simultaneously. They saw above the City of Dead Pagodas, a staff shadow like a sky-piercing pillar, suddenly piercing the firmament. Closely following it, a giant radiant figure rapidly expanded, its body pulled back like a full moon's bow, holding the aforementioned sky-piercing pillar with both arms.

These two phenomena quickly vanished, and then a profound, solemn sound deeply reverberated in the hearts of all cultivators across the Five Domains.

“Heaven! Dao!”

Crossroads Corner, beneath the Upside-Down Pagoda. Shen Yi's eyes were bloodshot with rage. He brought the staff down, swinging it so hard that it bent, and it struck heavily upon the bronze coffin.

“Vertical Cleave!”