["Nine-Colored Goddess": I know about this. Xiao Qi was forced to stand and watch—apparently part of the psychological pressure.]

["Rakshasa God": That's twisted! With a god like this, how could the Divine Realm not fall?]

Even Diyi Hong couldn't help but click his tongue.

Standing and watching? Seriously?

'Wait, Tang Wutong really just stood there and watched? Didn't even try to stop it?'

["God of Emotion": Dong'er did try to stop it, but could she possibly defy Tang San? As long as she leaves, he crushes my divine body until she returns.]

["God of Speed": Tch! That's not a god—that's a monster.]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": He doesn't even care about his own daughter's feelings? Isn't he supposed to be a doting father?]

["Phoenix God": They claimed she ran off to the mortal world, but it was all Tang San's plan. He fed her fairy tales about how beautiful the mortal realm was, then left a backdoor open for her escape.]

["God of Speed": If he really cared, how could he split her into three parts and just watch as one of them committed suicide?]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Tool. That's all she was.]

["God King of Destruction 002": I can't watch this anymore. Emotion God, bring that Butterfly God and come join me instead.]

["God of Emotion": Dong'er doesn't want to leave her mother… I… I'll wait a bit longer.]

["Phoenix God": A real man!]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": We support you!]

["God of Speed": Stay strong!]

Diyi Hong smacked his lips.

'Hold on a bit, Emotion God—I'll speed things up. Time to dish out some fresh pain for Tang San—er, I mean, help you stay firm in your decision.'

Perfect timing: the water level below had just risen to the ceiling.

With a thought, Diyi Hong opened three ceiling tunnels right above the trio's heads.

They didn't hesitate—scrambled in and gasped for air, feeling like they just cheated death.

No time to waste. They rushed up the tunnels—only to hit a fork: left or right?

Behind them, the rising water was right on their heels.

No time to think—pick a path and run.

The tunnels had been pre-designed, mapped by Diyi Hong's spiritual scan, and projected into the livestream.

Everyone could see clearly.

Tang San hit a dead end almost immediately.

And the path back? Already flooded.

A literal dead end.

["God of Emotion": Yes!]

["God of Emotion": Drown him. Slowly. Let him feel what real pain is!]

'Don't worry—he won't be dying easily this time.'

Oscar, by sheer luck, found the only correct path.

Dai Mubai wasn't so lucky—at the final junctions, he still ended up in a death tunnel.

Outcome: confirmed.

["User 'Nine-Colored Goddess' gifted: 'Nine-Colored Divine Sense' ×10"]

["Nine-Colored Goddess": Seriously? That lame guy made it out?]

["User 'Phoenix God' gifted: 'Phoenix Divine Sense' ×5"]

["Phoenix God": Punish that loser! He's absolutely useless!]

["User 'God King of Destruction 002' gifted: 'Destruction Divine Sense' ×20"]

Diyi Hong was grinning ear to ear.

But he didn't forget the follow-up:

'Rakshasa God, 2 strands. Speed God, 5 strands. You guessed right—those will offset your next charges!'

—Even when they win, it's just store credit.

A win-win business. Who wouldn't love that?

And of course, good customer service matters too.

Diyi Hong split the stream into two: one screen for Tang San, one for Dai Mubai.

Dai Mubai reached his end first, activated his martial spirit and soul skills, pummeling the wall with everything he had.

Hilarious. It didn't even budge.

Despair.

Water rose to his calves, waist, chest, neck…

Until the entire space was flooded.

Desperate to survive, Dai Mubai held his breath, eyes scanning for a miracle.

But hope slipped away.

With his brain starved of oxygen, he couldn't even resist anymore—he floated, limp in the water.

That slow, suffocating death left the God of Speed very satisfied.

["User 'God of Speed' gifted: 'Speed Divine Sense' ×5"]

["God of Speed": That choking helplessness? Divine!]

Wait…

Through spiritual scan, Diyi Hong noticed Dai Mubai's soul power flaring.

The Hidden Vajra Zen was activating at full power.

In the brink of death…

Pop!

He broke through to level 43.

A blessing in disguise?

["God of Speed": Lucky bastard.]

["God of Speed": Hurry and let him out, or we'll waste Rongrong's divine sense bringing him back.]

'You got it!'

Diyi Hong opened the tunnel above, reversed gravity—

Dai Mubai shot out like a cannonball, landing in the maze's center with a thud.

Seconds later—

"Guh—!"

He gasped desperately, then burst into violent coughing.

Looking around in panic, he quickly realized—he had made it.

And… wait—his level increased?

So Diyi Hong hadn't been torturing him after all?

He was helping him break through?

Right! Hidden Vajra Zen was taught by Diyi Hong—of course he'd know how to use it.

"Thank you." Dai Mubai said sincerely. "Next time, don't hold back!"

Diyi Hong: ???

Is this guy okay in the head?

Just then—

Oscar popped up nearby. Seeing the two, his face lit up.

"I made it out!"

"Congrats." Diyi Hong gestured forward. "As a reward, you can choose one immortal herb."

Instantly—

Oscar felt like all his previous suffering had been worth it.

See? Diyi Hong would never target him.

Not worth it!

Oscar rushed forward eagerly, immediately ruling out the Singular Velvet Sky Chrysanthemum—he'd already used that one, and repeating it would weaken its effects.

Not worth it.

But the rest? He didn't recognize them!

So he turned to Diyi Hong. "Diyi, can you pick one for me?"

Diyi Hong's gaze went instinctively to the Eight-Petal Immortal Orchid. Gentle and nourishing, perfect for support types.

["Nine-Colored Goddess": No! Give that scumbag the Phoenix Tail Crest Herb! It's pure yang and super potent—his Hidden Vajra Zen requires abstinence. He'll explode from frustration!]

Hmm…

A top patron's request? Of course he'd oblige.

Diyi Hong flicked his finger—the Phoenix Tail Crest Herb floated to Oscar.

"This is the Phoenix Tail Crest Herb. Extremely potent—will greatly boost your level and burn away internal impurities."

"Do not chew. Swallow whole and circulate your cultivation method to absorb it."

Oscar was thrilled!

If Diyi Hong said it would boost him by a lot—it must be true!

He grabbed the entire herb, tilted his head back, and sword-swallowed it down. Forced it past his gag reflex.

His neck bulged with the strain.

It went down—

And his entire body ignited with searing heat, like meat on a grill.

Burning! Suffocating! Excruciating!

And yet…

His Hidden Vajra Zen was thrilled. It spun wildly, like it was turbocharged.

Oscar forced a grin.

Lately, something had felt… off.

Just like now—

Even though the pain was unbearable, his cultivation speed skyrocketed.

In fact…

The pain that once terrified him—

He was starting to get used to it. Maybe even… enjoy it?

Help!

This cultivation method is cursed!

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