Her remaining eye felt as though it would burst.
She kept looking at Mo Qi, saying, "Don't push yourself. I can barely hold on. If you can't, just go back. Don't suffer for the sake of pride and end up losing your life for nothing."
Mo Qi, however, maintained a cheerful and unruffled demeanor, a smile plastered on his face, but he remained silent.
The Demon King still believed he was merely pretending to endure. If he wasn't, why wouldn't he speak? This clearly indicated he was afraid of losing face!
Thus, the Demon King continued to force herself onward.
By the sixteenth level, however, she felt her eyeballs sizzling, as if they were about to explode.
She could no longer bear it. Saying goodbye, she quickly retraced her steps and flew out.
Mo Qi, on the other hand, continued downward, enduring heart-wrenching pain as he arduously reached the eighteenth level.
Here, all the torturous attacks were concentrated, and their power was ten times greater than on any other level.
Mo Qi still managed to get through.
Dizang Wang, enveloped in golden light with a halo above his head, appeared solemn and majestic, suspended amidst a sea of fire. He kept his eyes half-closed, unmoving as a mountain.
The moment Mo Qi saw Dizang Wang, the latter spoke first: "I am aware of what transpired above. The Ten Yama Kings were destined to face this tribulation, which also fulfills the prophecy of the Investiture of the Gods. I did not expect you to be the one to instigate it. Your ability to persist this far demonstrates the sincerity of your repentance."
"Repentance?" Mo Qi felt bewildered. "I think you've misunderstood. I'm not repenting; I'm afraid of widespread suffering and merely want to do what I can."
Dizang Wang paused for a moment, then smiled. "Your desire to atone is repentance!"
"Alright, I can't argue with you," Mo Qi said, spreading his hands. "So, does that mean you're willing to go?"
Dizang Wang nodded. "You may leave the Underworld. This is not a place you should be. I will handle the remaining matters. However, the tribulation that arose today originated from you, and it must also be resolved by you. Currently, a great catastrophe is unfolding in the Eastern Continent, known as the Investiture of the Gods tribulation. This tribulation and that one are closely connected. By participating in the Investiture of the Gods tribulation, you will also resolve this one. Otherwise, calamities from heaven and earth will follow one after another, without end."
I don't care what tribulation it is. Besides, the Eastern Continent was already a place I planned to visit, so I'll go there anyway.
Mo Qi agreed and ascended.
He quickly escaped the Underworld and appeared before Shi Siyao. The Demon King had vanished somewhere else.
While Mo Qi found the passage through Dizang Wang's trial easy, the Heavenly Court's trial proved difficult.
Someone had reported the matter to the Heavenly Court, which reacted swiftly, dispatching Shen Tu to apprehend the culprit, Mo Qi.
By the time Mo Qi returned from the Underworld, Shen Tu had already arrived.
Shen Tu wielded a sharp iron-pronged fork, his face covered in coarse flesh, with a bushy beard and large, piercing eyes. He was being guided by a soldier to find Mo Qi when Mo Qi himself leaped out from below the Underworld and landed on the ground.
The soldier pointed at Mo Qi. "It's him."
Seeing Shen Tu's ferocious expression, Mo Qi knew the man was there to arrest him.
Shen Tu glanced at him. "I am Shen Tu, the Eastern Ghost Emperor. I've heard you pushed the Ten Yama Kings into the cycle of reincarnation. I am now taking you to the Heavenly Court to be judged. If you know what's good for you, come with me obediently to avoid suffering physical pain."
Mo Qi felt extremely wronged and waved his hands repeatedly. "It wasn't me, I didn't push them! Who spread this rumor? How could I have pushed them in?"
At this moment, Meng Po, standing on the bridge, called out, "I said it. Actually, now that things have come to this, it doesn't matter who pushed them. What matters is that someone needs to take the blame, and you are the most suitable candidate."
Mo Qi almost choked.
After a long pause, he gritted his teeth and said, "Old woman, if you're going to be so unreasonable, aren't you afraid I'll throw you into the cycle of reincarnation too?"
Meng Po replied calmly, "You'd better do as you say. Otherwise, I'll despise you."
"I..."
Mo Qi really wanted to kick her, but at that moment, Shen Tu attacked.
Holding his steel fork, he moved like lightning, striking at Mo Qi.
"Cross Soul Chase!"
The steel fork emitted streaks of light, weaving through the air. The light spun like a windmill, emitting a deafening roar.
Before Mo Qi could react, Shi Siyao, wielding her Asura Pestle, intercepted the attack.
The rings on the Asura Pestle chimed like the wails of countless vengeful spirits, sending shivers down one's spine.
As the sound spread, dark energy surged outwards, striking at the windmill-like light.
Upon contact, a tremendous explosion echoed, shattering the light and scattering fragments through the air.
Their figures separated, they each made a turn in the air and unleashed their magical artifacts at each other again.
With another collision, they were once again separated. The air flickered with vibrant colors as their figures weaved in and out, merging and separating in a dazzling display.
They fought to a stalemate.
For the first time, Mo Qi stood with his arms crossed, relaxed and at ease.
Having a helper felt truly wonderful. He used to fight alone, but now it was different; he didn't even need to lift a finger.
This feeling was so marvelous!
Moreover, while she fought, he could admire her beautiful form. If only he had a pot of wine, it would be perfect!
It was at this moment that Mo Qi suddenly realized that women fought differently.
Men fought with bared teeth and scowling faces, displaying either brute strength or sheer savagery.
But when women fought, every movement, every expression, was exceptionally graceful. Even in their anger, there was a poignant beauty!
Just as Mo Qi was about to fully appreciate the spectacle, he heard a deafening roar, followed by a series of heart-wrenching screams, and black energy billowed into the sky.
What had happened?
Mo Qi frowned, gazing at the swirling black energy in the sky, lost in thought.
Hearing the loud noise, Shen Tu was momentarily distracted during the fight. Shi Siyao seized the opportunity and fiercely swept him with the dark energy from her Asura Pestle, sending him crashing to the ground.
Shi Siyao intended to press her advantage and eliminate Shen Tu in one go.
But at this moment, Meng Po flashed forward and blocked Shen Tu.
Her body suddenly radiated a brilliant light, repelling the dark energy from the Asura Pestle, preventing it from striking further.
Both Mo Qi and Shi Siyao were startled, not expecting this old woman to be such a master!
She had hidden her skills quite well!
Meng Po stood calmly within the halo of light, looking at Mo Qi composedly. "The disaster caused by the trouble you've stirred up is gradually manifesting. I suspect evil spirits are taking advantage of the situation to attack the Ten Yama Palaces. You should go and see."
Mo Qi frowned. "You people are not being fair. You're asking me to fix the loopholes here, and then you want to arrest me. Are you trying to kill me?"
Meng Po said calmly, "Asking you to fix the loopholes is my intention, and it is the wish of all living beings. If you feel no connection to it, then I have said nothing. As for them wanting to arrest you, that is their duty. If you can resist, resist. If you cannot, surrender."
Shi Siyao retracted her Asura Pestle and looked at Mo Qi. "Brother, we don't need to bother with this crazy woman. Let's just go."
Mo Qi pondered for a moment and slowly said, "What's the harm in taking a look?"
With that, he moved forward, heading towards the direction where the black energy was surging.
Shi Siyao and Shen Tu followed suit.
After passing through several great halls, the long, winding Yellow Springs Road came into view.
The Yellow Springs Road was crowded with souls, and chaos had erupted.
On the path leading to the First Palace, there was a bridge that had somehow been blown up.
Many spirits lost their footing and tumbled into the abyss of hell.
They could actually fly, but above the abyss, powerful heatwaves surged. Once caught, they were involuntarily pulled into the depths.
Furthermore, a continuous stream of spirits poured out from a black hole, surging towards the First Palace.
Once they occupied the Ten Palaces, they could control the entire Underworld.
The judge of the First Palace, along with a host of minor ghosts, was desperately resisting the onslaught of these spirits.
However, facing the overwhelming surge of spirits, they appeared to be struggling, on the verge of collapse.
At this moment, Mo Qi spotted a familiar figure floating in mid-air, commanding the army of spirits. The silhouette was the same, but the curves were different, exuding an intoxicating allure.
According to You Qiong, this was a clone of his original wife, Xin'er.
At this point, Xin'er's clone also saw Mo Qi and revealed a sinister smile.
Mo Qi felt a chill run down his spine.
To capture the king, first capture the ringleader. He decided to deal with her first.
Shi Siyao prepared to charge forward again, but Mo Qi immediately stopped her. "Little sister, leave this to me!"
Shi Siyao obediently stopped.
Mo Qi clasped his hands together, and a beam of light erupted, striking Xin'er's clone from heaven to earth.
Xin'er's clone flickered and nimbly dodged the attack.
Mo Qi clasped his hands together again, and another divine light shot out, targeting Xin'er's clone.
Xin'er's clone again dodged with agility.
"Who ordered you to attack the Underworld?" Mo Qi demanded sternly as he attacked.
"You did," Xin'er's clone chuckled. "Didn't I tell you we'd meet again? I came specifically to see you."
What kind of nonsensical logic was this? It was utter nonsense.
There was no point in talking further, and Mo Qi didn't want to waste words with her. His attacks intensified.
Xin'er's clone continued to dodge, but she didn't retaliate. It seemed Mo Qi had her completely suppressed.
Xin'er's clone found an opening, took out a flute, and brought it to her lips to play.
A melodious flute tune filled the air. Countless spirits froze as if enchanted, then turned their heads towards Mo Qi. Some twisted their heads a full circle. Although they were mere phantoms, their movements produced cracking sounds that sent shivers down one's spine.
An aura of bloodlust instantly enveloped Mo Qi, and thousands of spirits surged towards him en masse.
Mo Qi clasped his hands together, striking continuously. Golden light flashed from his hands, turning the spirits to dust upon contact.
However, the spirits were endless, a dense, impenetrable swarm that rushed towards Mo Qi. Mo Qi's Pangu divine power seemed weak, only affecting a small area and unable to reach the rest.