Until hell is empty, I vow not to become a Buddha
These words were like a thunderclap, exploding deep within Dizang's Primordial Spirit.
The Underworld... to guide the departed souls... to purify sins...
These words seemed to possess some kind of magic, instantly stirring up a storm in his calm and unwavering Daoist heart.
He seemed to see in the endless Netherworld, billions of souls struggling in agony and sinking into sin.
An unprecedented sense of mission welled up from the bottom of his heart.
Yes.
This is my way!
Dizang, who had been somewhat confused about his Dao Path, suddenly saw the light at this moment.
He Jieyin and Zhunti, a gesture that came from the bottom of his heart.
"Disciple thanks Master for your guidance!"
"Disciple is willing to go!"
This was not merely to fulfill his Master's orders, but also for the principles he held dear.
Zhunti laughed heartily as he helped Dizang up.
"Good! Good! Good!"
"Truly a disciple I value!"
"Go ahead and don't worry."
"If you can deliver all the wronged souls from the Underworld, the merit you Merit will be enough to grant you supreme enlightenment!"
When it comes to making grand promises, Zhunti is a pro.
Although the cake was a bit hard, it was just right for a young man like Dizang, who had ideals and ambitions.
"This disciple will certainly live up to the Master's high expectations!"
Dizang bowed deeply once more.
This one bow sealed his Fate for countless future Eon.
Jieyin clapped his hands in praise, and a genuine smile finally appeared on his sorrowful face.
"Good."
"Dizang, you should go back and make preparations."
"Three days from now, we will personally escort you and your disciples to your new post in the Underworld."
Three days later.
The Netherworld, the Ghost Gate Pass.
A burst of Buddha Light dispelled the dense yin energy in the surroundings.
Jieyin and Zhunti, along with Dizang and hundreds of Buddhism disciples, appeared at this place.
Dao Body had been waiting there for a long time; it was none other than the Ancestor Minghe, who had come to greet them on Pingxin's orders.
Looking at the sky filled with Buddha Light, Minghe couldn't help but curl his lip.
What are you pretending for?
Once we enter Yin Mountain, you'll have your moment of reckoning.
"We are deeply sorry for failing to welcome our two Saint properly!"
Zhunti smiled slightly, which was considered a return gift.
"Thank you for waiting, Fellow Daoist Minghe."
Minghe waved its hand repeatedly.
"No trouble at all, it's my duty."
His gaze swept across the crowd, finally settling on the leader Dizang.
Are these the laborers who are about to be exploited by the Your Ladyship?
He seemed to have a compassionate and benevolent appearance.
What a pity, having such two unreliable masters.
"This must be Dizang?"
Minghe stepped forward, his tone tinged with a hint of mockery.
I've heard so much about you.
"I am Minghe, and I have been waiting here for a long time on the orders of Empress Pingxin."
Dizang did not care about Minghe's attitude, but simply put his hands together and gave a slight bow.
"This Poor Monk, Dizang, greets the Cult Leader Minghe."
"Please guide us, Master."
"Of course, of course."
Minghe chuckled and stepped aside to make way for him.
"Please."
"The land over Yin Mountain has already been cleared out for you."
However...
That place is a bit special.
"I hope you can maintain this composure after you go."
Having said that, he turned and led the way, guiding everyone through the Ghost Gate Pass, across the Yellow Spring Road, and around the Bridge of Helplessness.
Finally, they stopped before a massive, dark, barren mountain range that exuded endless resentment.
"Arrive."
Minghe pointed to the black mountain that resembled a giant beast coiled up, and smiled broadly.
"This is the Dao Field bestowed upon you by the Your Ladyship, Yin Mountain."
"This place, backed by Sea of Blood and facing hell, is quite... bustling."
"Esteemed monks, are you satisfied with this place?"
Zhunti gazed at the eerie, dark mountain, the muscles on his face twitched slightly.
He knew Pingxin wouldn't offer him a good place, but he never expected it to be such a desperate situation.
That's too ruthless.
The hundreds of Buddhism disciples looked in the direction he was pointing, and when they saw the extremely harsh environment of Yin Mountain, they all turned pale.
"Where... where is this?"
"Such heavy resentment! It's almost eroding my Buddha Light!"
Are we to cultivate here?
"How can one cultivate oneself in a place like this?"
A barely suppressed commotion arose from the crowd.
Only Dizang, looking at the Yin Mountain filled with resentment, showed no fear on his face, but rather a trace of pity.
Zhunti took in everyone's reactions but ignored them.
He simply fixed his gaze on Dizang.
Dizang.
"Though the environment is harsh, it is precisely the time to temper one's character."
Are you ready?
Dizang raised his head and looked at the Yin Mountain that seemed capable of swallowing all light.
The resentment there was so intense it chilled him to the bone.
But correspondingly, he felt a calling he had never felt before.
The desperate cry for redemption echoed in his ears, more deafening than any scripture.
"Disciple, you are ready."
Zhunti was startled.
"Good."
"Let's begin."
Upon hearing Dizang, Ksitigarbha nodded Zhunti to Cundi.
He stepped forward, standing before the Ghost Gate Pass, facing the endless Netherworld and the billions of lost souls.
A voice filled with boundless compassion and grand aspirations emanated from his mouth, instantly resounding throughout the entire Netherworld!
"Throughout countless eons to come, for the sake of all sentient beings suffering in the Six Paths, I will employ numerous expedient means to liberate them all, and only then will I myself attain Buddhist-Daoist."
"Hell is never empty!"
I vow never to become a Buddha!
Boom!
The moment the oath was uttered, the entire Netherworld trembled violently!
Heavenly Dao, sensing this, sent down boundless Golden Light, which all merged into Dizang's body.
His cultivation level soared at this moment!
The smile on the face of the Ancestor Minghe, who was standing to the side, instantly froze.
He turned his head sharply, staring intently at Jieyin and Zhunti, his bloodshot eyes filled with undisguised shock and anger.
What a grand gesture!
What a deep scheme!
To actually make his own disciple make such a grand vow—is he going to treat the entire Underworld as his Merit and resources for the West?
He opened his mouth, about to rebuke these two shameless scoundrels.
A clear, cold voice echoed within his Primordial Spirit.
Let him be.
It's Empress Pingxin!
The words that were about to come out of Minghe's mouth were swallowed back down.
The walls of Fengdu City.
Zhen Yuanzi frowned deeply as he looked at Ksitigarbha, Dizang in the Merit Golden Light.
He turned around and spoke to Pingxin, who was in the main seat, with a worried expression.
"Your Ladyship."
"This Dizang is indeed a promising talent; his temperament, perseverance, and compassion are all of the highest caliber."
"But... those two, Jieyin Zhunti, have gone too far!"
"They made Dizang make such an impossible vow, clearly intending to completely bind Dizang, their Buddhism, and my Underworld together!"
"They want to use my Underworld as their the West granary for Merit!"
Pingxin watched this scene Pingxin from the side, a faint smile curving her lips.
"He's definitely a promising talent."
"It's a pity I followed the wrong master."
"But..."
She changed the subject.
"Once you enter the gates of my Underworld, who you belong to is no longer up to the Zhunti Jieyin and Zhunti."
"From the moment he made that vow, he was no longer merely a disciple of Buddhism."
"Pass down the order."
"We don't need to give them any extra help from Yin Mountain."
"I want to see just how powerful this Dizang is."
"Could a lotus flower bloom in this Avici Hell?"
Zhen Yuanzi bowed and accepted Pingxin's Imperial Edict.
"Your Ladyship, rest assured, this humble Daoist priest will make all the arrangements."