Chapter 56: Unexpected

The [Jingpo] Shen Xi and the [Lipo] Tu Bao were on their way to Zhoukou and had already arrived there. Dong Yunpo had left orders that, contrary to their previous agreement to separate, they should head to the [Po Tower] together.

Meanwhile, Dong Yunpo was facing considerable difficulties. Everything was so arduous, like walking on thin ice, with his heart hanging by a single thread.

Yet, everyone here had their own stance, and none could avoid pressing forward with all their might. Those who hesitated, those who were slothful, and those who merely watched from the sidelines would ultimately be forced to take action.

"Shen Xi, how is your arm?" This was Tu Bao's question. He seemed deeply concerned about Shen Xi; after all, they had been partners many times.

"Ah, it's alright. It has recovered by sixty percent," Shen Yin sighed and replied.

As she spoke, she moved her arm slightly, though she still frowned. The two of them had already arrived at the foot of the Po Tower, and now they faced a difficult choice.

Should they go to the Hun Tower to help Dong Yunpo, or should they go to the Po Tower?

Biting her lower lip, Shen Xi suddenly felt like crying. She had accomplished nothing, while Tu Bao beside her looked somewhat dejected.

"Lipo!"

Shen Xi made her decision. "You head to the Hun Tower, and I will go to the Po Tower alone!"

Silence. But eventually, the two separated and moved forward. Shen Xi understood that this was the correct decision. Dong Yunpo's heart was too weathered by the world and far too gentle, which was always why he made people feel so heavy-hearted.

Stepping down the grayish-white stairs step by step, the [Jingpo] Shen Xi went deep into the bottom of the Po Tower, while Tu Bao, silent as ever, stepped onto the towering Hun Tower.

At this moment, Dong Yunpo, Duan Hen, and Shen Ling had also reached the ninth floor.

Although covered in dust and grime, none of them had suffered any serious injuries.

The journey had been full of bumps and hurdles, sending a chill through Tu Bao's heart. These few individuals were far too aggressive, and a small part of the Hun Tower had already been destroyed. However, the mechanisms before them had all ceased operating, presumably because the Soul Master could no longer sustain them for long.

Tu Bao walked on step by step. Meanwhile, Dong Yunpo and the other two encountered an enemy: [Ren] Shen Yin was guarding this place, and she had already drawn her weapon, the [Falling Cloud Blade].

"This is the practice room of [Ren], and it will be an extremely difficult layer to break through," Dong Yunpo said calmly.

Duan Hen's eyes narrowed slightly. "The fourth-ranked weapon among ancient blades, the [Falling Cloud Blade]. I never expected to find it here. What a terrifying Soul Suppression Hall."

Yingpo smiled. "Hehe, Brother Duan Hen, are you going to take her on?"

"Indeed," Duan Hen suddenly smiled. "I am so excited that the broken blade in my hand is trembling. How could I not fight?"

"Then you had better be careful. This is her home turf," Yingpo said. "She excels in defense."

"Defense... is it?"

Duan Hen nodded. "Thank you for the warning."

On the opposite side, the expression of [Ren] Shen Yin also turned grave. Falling Feather Duan Hen, ranked fifth in the Falling Feather Pavilion, could hardly be an easy opponent.

He was also known as Duan Hen the [Martial Fanatic]!

The two stood their ground, while on the side, [Yingpo] Shen Ling and Dong Yunpo bypassed the area and headed toward the higher floors.

With a flick of Shen Yin's finger, a thick silver-steel rod five to six meters wide smashed directly toward them. However, [Yingpo] merely grinned. A flash of silver light cut through the air, and the mountain-heavy weapon was sliced clean in half at the waist, caught by a brilliant edge.

Seizing the opportunity, Duan Hen closed in on his opponent, pulling the broken blade back to his waist. A half-moon slash was about to be unleashed!

The wielder of the Falling Cloud Blade no longer had any opportunity to be distracted.

She had no choice but to meet him in battle!

With a draw of the blade, a pale-blue half-moon slash flashed by in an instant, cutting off all paths of retreat for [Ren] Shen Xi!

As for Shen Xi, her opponent's blade aura and blockade were merely a test. She stretched out her slender arm, pointing the Falling Cloud Blade straight ahead. At the tip of the blade, a trace of acquired primordial breath flashed and vanished.

Breaking the whole through a single point!

Duan Hen's blade aura dissipated into nothingness.

However, Duan Hen had already rushed in front of Shen Xi, and the two were about to engage in formal combat.

The [Jingpo] Shen Yin had already descended to a certain depth within the Po Tower, but a black figure appeared on the wall ahead—a cold, youthful figure.

"Qipo?" Shen Yin also stopped in her tracks, though it seemed not to be the case.

"Li Fengyin?" Shen Yin softly uttered, "Is he Dong Yunpo's younger brother?"

Still, there was no reply. That motionless stance could only mean one thing: the other party had fallen into an endless cycle of memories.

Once upon a time, this was a trial that every member of the Soul Suppression Hall had to experience, and the ultimate fear dreaded by anyone who dared to violate the hall. Never had she expected it to be used on an outsider youth.

Had things truly fallen apart to this extent now?

This was Shen Yin's lament. She reached out her palm and gently pressed it against Li Fengyin's back. "Wake up. Memories will always remain in the past. Wherever you walk, that is where you are."

"Memories?"

Li Fengyin remained lost before the old monk prostrate on the ground, but upon hearing these two words, he still found no way out. After all, his very memories were right here; how on earth was he supposed to walk out?

He felt fear. Every time he reached this place, these two words would appear, eventually stringing themselves together into such phrases.

Li Fengyin's eyes suddenly grew damp. Just how many times had he run around within this place?

A journey with no destination yet possessing a starting point—it was incomprehensible. Was this terrifying illusion of normality the true horror of the Soul Suppression Hall?

Yet, he finally opened his eyes. When he awoke, he felt the gentle fingers on his back. They were undoubtedly a girl's, but Li Ziye instantly understood that this was not the person he longed for day and night.

"Are you awake?" Shen Xi asked softly. "Dong Yunpo asked me to look after you."

"Mn."

Li Fengyin nodded, though the terror in his heart still could not be shaken off.

Sitting on the steps, Li Fengyin calmly began to rest, while Amy kept watch by his side. Such ancient sorcery was not among Amy's areas of expertise.

At that moment, [Qipo] Li Jingshen had also reached the very bottom of the Po Tower, right outside the [Coffin-Locking Chamber]. He hesitated, knowing that the moment he stepped inside, he might very well find himself without a burial place.

Suddenly, he caught sight of something, and this too stirred a deep fear within his heart.

It was a stone platform. He suddenly recalled a legend of the Soul Suppression Hall: "When one reaches the hundredth floor, this object can be used. It will connect the Soul Suppression Tower and the Po Suppression Tower, thereby achieving teleportation..."

Just then, a female figure draped in cyan garments and exuding a weathered aura appeared before him.

It was none other than the [Soul Master] Meng Xian!

[PS: The Soul Suppression Hall arc is a bit abrupt, but the story will return to the main plot afterward. Let's consider this a side dungeon for now!]