novelraw Chapter 173 : Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Punishments
Chapter 173 : Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Punishments
Chapter 173: Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Punishments
The shattering of the Saint Soul Banner was merely a beginning for Li Tianwei. He soon stabilized the restless banner according to his earlier plans.
Countless arrays and myriad spells continuously appeared in Li Tianwei’s hands.
Li Tianwei seemed to possess inexhaustible power. Under his constant manipulation, countless Dao patterns, intertwined with various Dao Intents, transformed into streams of flowing light, weaving within the banner’s interior.
Such a magnificent sight unfolded high in the air.
The souls of ordinary people could not perceive any change, yet the demonic souls of the cultivators could clearly sense that, at this very moment, everything within the banner was undergoing a fundamental transformation.
If before the banner was chaotic—though governed by Li Tianwei’s absolute power—it still retained disorder.
Now, however, that chaos was dissolving, being woven by Li Tianwei into rules and laws.
With each weave, order manifested, and invisible restraints became increasingly distinct.
To those cultivators, this sensation was akin to witnessing the birth of a Heavenly Dao—still immature, yet undeniably a nascent world order formed within the banner by Li Tianwei.
How was this possible!
This question surfaced in all their minds. More than that, they wondered—just what was Li Tianwei trying to accomplish!
Soon, Li Tianwei continued casting spells, stabilizing forms one after another. The energy he had previously absorbed from the Forbidden Land of Taixu was being rapidly consumed.
Even so, Li Tianwei did not stop—he kept channeling his spells without pause.
Countless streams of light shuttled through the banner, continuously mending every flaw.
At that moment, it seemed as though a vast dome appeared in midair, continuously drawing in and refining all the chaos within the Soul Banner.
As Li Tianwei continued his construction, his brow furrowed deeper and deeper.
He soon realized that building the Six Paths and erecting the Eighteen Hells was no simple task.
According to Fengdu’s conception, many components were still missing—but these could be supplemented over time.
"It can only be done slowly."
Gazing at the barren world below, Li Tianwei took a deep breath, pressed his palms together, and formed a hand seal. Spiritual power and resentment surged in response.
In an instant, the entire interior of the banner began to quake.
Only to see—a grand hall slowly rose, followed by city walls and various peculiar structures.
Soon, the resentful demonic energy formed by those evil souls gathered toward a single point. Under Li Tianwei’s control, heaven and earth became clear.
Countless strands of resentful energy condensed, growing ever darker and deeper, even glimmering faintly. The concentrated demonic resentment, under Li Tianwei’s wave, transformed into a great river that ran through the newly risen city.
But it did not end there—Li Tianwei waved his hand again.
The entire city ascended skyward, suspended in midair, vast and magnificent.
Through the overlay of countless spells and the nearly limitless power of the Fusion Golden Core, Li Tianwei did not even pause to take a breath.
To him, such consumption was insignificant.
Soon, Li Tianwei began constructing the remaining portions—the first layer, Hell of Tongue Ripping; the second, Hell of Scissors; the third, Hell of Iron Trees…
Layer by layer, the Hells took form beneath the great hall. Yet upon seeing them, Li Tianwei said only one thing:
"I am not satisfied."
Li Tianwei looked upon the simple punishments within the Eighteen Hells and thought so.
Indeed, such punishments were not even comparable to the tortures inflicted by cultivators upon mortals. Their resentment went far beyond this—mere physical torment was far too lenient.
Mental torment was also required—harsher, more relentless punishment.
"These eighteen layers of Hell are not even as cruel as the mortal realm!"
Li Tianwei sighed, then began adding more. Having thoroughly read the Twenty-Four Histories, he was well-versed in all the tortures humanity had devised, as well as the mental torment practiced among cultivators in this world.
He combined them all, layer upon layer, and after stabilizing them—
Li Tianwei discovered there were now sixteen thousand eight hundred punishments in total. It was impossible to create sixteen thousand eight hundred layers of Hell! So he made an adjustment: each soul would be divided, and each fragment would endure a separate punishment.
"At worst, I will atomize their souls—then they will fully experience all sixteen thousand eight hundred punishments."
"Or perhaps add more, one thousand per layer—wouldn’t that be fitting?"
"Excellent—this should cleanse their sins completely."
"Good indeed."
Li Tianwei smiled faintly. Thus, he constructed new laws and orders—souls could divide, remain connected as one, and thus endure multiple punishments simultaneously.
This made Li Tianwei recall the Merit Machine built in his former world—tie a fish to it, the motor spins, and the merit of release multiplies endlessly.
Now, the principle was similar—split each soul, let each fragment suffer a distinct punishment; the pain doubled, sin diminished faster—indeed, a comparable mechanism.
At present, the criteria of judgment for their sins were yet to be codified—but that could be established later. For now—punishment came first.
Li Tianwei was greatly satisfied.
In his eyes, the demonic souls within the banner must surely be willing. After all, this would lighten their sins—how could they refuse?
Those souls below had no idea what awaited them; they merely continued their pitiful, shrill cries.
As Li Tianwei continued his work, the construction of the Eighteen Hells was soon complete, and the laws began to stabilize.
Li Tianwei’s gaze turned toward the fragment of Taixu suspended in midair. At this moment, it had grown faint and ethereal.
Li Tianwei raised his hand, gently touching it as spiritual power surged.
The once-flickering fragment of Taixu completely dissolved, merging into the Soul Banner.
From that moment, the banner became a small Cave Heaven, possessing the name of a world.
A wave of ripples spread, enveloping the entire banner.
With one final tremor, a writing brush and a book manifested midair, radiating an infinite, awe-inspiring brilliance.
Seeing this, Li Tianwei suspended them above the banner—for what would the Eighteen Hells be without the Book of Life and Death and the Judge’s Brush?
Li Tianwei smiled faintly, his gaze shifting toward the demonic souls and the souls of mortals below.
"Bang."
Li Tianwei snapped his fingers—the banner swayed, and the new laws and rules he had built manifested within the minds of all who still retained consciousness.
"Eighteen Layers of Hell."
Many murmured softly, including the millions of mortals whom Li Tianwei had saved from elsewhere.
Compared to them, the cultivators and sinful demonic souls all focused on the Sixteen Thousand Eight Hundred Punishments, and on the fact that their divided souls would simultaneously endure them.
"No… no…"
Countless anguished screams resounded.
Having completed the construction of the Eighteen Hells, Li Tianwei nodded in satisfaction.
"Good."