The divine light of the Great Dao gradually receded, and the resonance of Pangu's Will slowly faded away.
On the spot, Houtu's towering, Houtu Ancestral Witch True Body had vanished without a trace.
However, at the core imprint of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk, a gentle yet incredibly resilient light, radiating a vast aura of reincarnation, slowly condensed and manifested.
This primordial spirit, having absorbed the essence of the divine light of the Great Dao and the Pangu's Primordial Spirit Imprint, and fused with Houtu's complete will and compassion in transforming Houtu into reincarnation, has long surpassed the scope of the Ancestral Witch, reaching an inconceivable realm.
The brilliance gradually faded, revealing a completely new form.
She wore the Xuan Ming Robe, which represents the cycle of birth and death and the transmigration of all worlds, and there seemed to be six phantom images on the robe that were constantly being created.
Her face still vaguely resembled Houtu's, but she had lost the fortitude and sharpness of the Ancestral Witch, becoming incomparably solemn, compassionate, and serene, as if bearing the vicissitudes of eternity and her compassion for all living beings.
She is no longer the Earth Ancestral Witch Houtu, but rather "the Empress Houtu, who upholds Heaven's laws, embodies great virtue, and Houtu" (Empress Pingxin)!
Her very existence is the embodiment of the will of reincarnation! She remains herself, retaining her memories and emotions towards the Witch Clan (especially the longing and guilt brought about by that sacrifice), but her essence, her stance, and her authority have completely transcended the boundaries of the Witch Clan, returning to reincarnation, returning to the Primordial Wilderness world.
She slowly opened her eyes. In those eyes, the burning fighting spirit of the Ancestral Witch was gone, replaced only by a profound and peaceful understanding of reincarnation and the reflection of all living beings.
Gently raising his hand, his fingertips brushed against the slowly rotating phantom of the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disk before him. A clear, calm voice, enough to Primordial Wilderness, resounded throughout the netherworld and even reached every corner of the Primordial Wilderness:
"O soul... return! Reincarnation... stand!"
This voice was like the first decree issued after the Heaven-Opening! In an instant, all the wandering, lonely souls and ghosts suffering endless pain in the Primordial Wilderness world seemed to hear the call of their mother!
An irresistible, powerful force, carrying the warmth and sense of belonging of home, surged forth from the depths of the Netherworld Sea of Blood and from the newly born Six Paths of Reincarnation of Reincarnation!
Countless wandering souls, whether in the Nine Heavens Gale Wind Layer, the Yin Sha Caves underground, or the vengeful spirits struggling on the Edge of the Sea of Blood, all ceased their wailing and drifting. They raised their heads, bewildered yet filled with boundless hope, gazing in the same direction—the Netherworld!
Their souls, involuntarily, like rivers flowing into the sea, transformed into streaks of light, some bright, some dim, some strong, some weak, piercing through the dark sky of the Primordial Wilderness, surging and converging like a tide towards the location of the Six Paths of Reincarnation!
That was the first time since the Heaven-Opening that countless lifeless souls, accumulated over countless Kalpa, had a clear and bright path home! The "deathly aura" of the entire Primordial Wilderness was instantly cleared away!
At the Edge of the Sea of Blood, the Ancestor Minghe witnessed firsthand the entire process of Houtu (Empress Pingxin) transforming herself into the cycle of reincarnation and eternally residing in the primordial spirit. The heart-stirring vow, the immense power of the Great Dao's favor and the resonance with Pangu, the supreme majesty of the final formation of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and especially the grand spectacle of instantly Jieyin countless souls from the Primordial Wilderness... all of this was like a sudden awakening, completely washing away and cleansing away all his previous resentment, scheming, and confusion!
The previous oath of the Asura Sect Establishing a Religion merely an attempt to gain Merit by exploiting the rules of Heavenly Dao, taking the shortcut of "establishing the Way through killing." Its vision was too narrow and its intentions were impure, which is why it was imprisoned by Heavenly Dao.
But at this moment, Houtu has established a cyclical order that is even more fundamental than the Heavenly Dao! She demonstrates a great compassion and a grand vision that transcends individual races and sacrifices herself for the sake of the entire universe!
This is the true and supreme righteous path that can gain the approval of the Great Dao and bear immeasurable Merit!
The bloodthirsty Malevolent Qi in Minghe's eyes vanished, replaced by an unprecedented fervent understanding and resolute determination. He saw it!
His path, the path of the Blood Sea, the path of Asura, is not about fighting against the Heavenly Dao, but about merging into this new and grander order!
Minghe knelt on both knees, his hands outstretched, palms facing upwards, as if receiving some supreme gift.
He took a deep breath, and the long-dormant true essence of the Blood Sea within his body surged forth like a river bursting its banks, creating a wondrous resonance with the aura of the Asura realm in the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
"Heaven and earth bear witness, the Great Dao is my witness! Today, Minghe swears an oath by the Blood Sea, and takes the Asura path as his foundation, vowing to be the master of the Asura path in the Six Paths of Reincarnation, guarding this path, balancing Yin and Yang, and guiding all beings to the cycle of reincarnation!"
The voice of the Minghe, like thunder, resounded deep within the Netherworld Sea of Blood, yet it carried an unprecedented firmness and piety.
The voice was no longer the Malevolent Qi declaration it once was, but rather like that of a devout believer offering their loyalty and vows to the supreme deity.
As soon as Minghe finished speaking, the gate of the Asura Path in the Six Paths of Reincarnation suddenly shone brightly. An extremely dense aura of bloodlust and karmic fire surged out from the gate, but when it came into contact with Minghe's body, it was transformed by the newly generated power of reincarnation within him, becoming a gentle yet powerful force that merged into his primordial spirit.
Minghe felt an unprecedented power surge into his body from the Asura Path, perfectly merging with his Blood Sea True Essence to form a new and even more powerful force.
At this moment, his primordial spirit also underwent an unprecedented sublimation, and his cultivation level directly broke through to a new realm.
"Ancestor Minghe, today I use the true essence of the Blood Sea as a guide and the Asura Path as my foundation, sincerely turning to the Dao, wishing to become the Dao Lord of the Asura Path in the Six Paths of Reincarnation of Reincarnation. May the Heavenly Dao witness this, bestow Merit upon me, and assist me in becoming a saint!"
Just then, a majestic and sacred voice emanated from the Six Paths of Reincarnation, resounding throughout the entire Primordial Wilderness.
This voice was the echo of the oath made by the Heavenly Dao to Minghe, and also an acknowledgment of Minghe becoming the Lord of the Asura Path.
Minghe felt a warm and powerful force descend from the sky and merge into his body.
This power is the power of Merit bestowed by Heavenly Dao.
The power of Merit is pure and strong; it can cleanse the soul and enhance cultivation, making it a treasure coveted by cultivators.
Under the baptism of the power of Merit, Minghe felt his primordial spirit become purer and his cultivation level greatly improved.
His body emanated a faint golden light, which contrasted sharply with the bloodthirsty aura of the Asura realm, yet they coexisted harmoniously.
As Minghe's cultivation level increased, his primordial spirit also underwent a tremendous change.
The primordial spirit is no longer the blood-red primordial spirit filled with Malevolent Qi, but a golden primordial spirit that has merged the true essence of the Blood Sea, the aura of the Asura path, and the power of the Heavenly Dao Merit.
This primordial spirit is powerful and pure, containing boundless potential.
The golden primordial spirit of the Minghe and the primordial spirit of Houtu (Empress Pingxin) formed a wondrous resonance in the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
The golden primordial spirit of the Minghe seemed to be paying homage to the primordial spirit of Empress Pingxin, and also seemed to be declaring to the entire Primordial Wilderness that the Minghe had become an indispensable part of the Six Paths of Reincarnation of Reincarnation.
Minghe slowly stood up. The previous Malevolent Qi and confusion were gone from his eyes, replaced by an unprecedented firmness and piety.
Looking at Empress Pingxin, his eyes were filled with awe and gratitude.
"Your Empress Pingxin, Minghe is deeply honored to have gained the approval of the Great Dao and become the Lord of the Asura Path of the Six Paths of Reincarnation today."
"The Minghe vows to take the Asura realm as its foundation and swear an oath of the Blood Sea to protect the Six Paths of Reincarnation, balance yin and yang, and guide all beings to the cycle of reincarnation!"
Houtu looked at the Minghe, a hint of relief flashing in her eyes. She knew that the Minghe had found its own path and its own destiny.
She nodded gently, her eyes full of encouragement.
"Minghe, your vow today has been witnessed by the Great Dao, and the Six Paths of Reincarnation will be more perfect because of you. May you never forget your original aspiration, forge ahead with determination, and create a better future for all living beings in the Primordial Wilderness."
A resolute glint flashed in Minghe's eyes. He bowed to Empress Pingxin once more, then turned and walked toward the gate of the Asura Path.
The figure, bathed in the light of the Asura realm, appeared so resolute and unshakeable.
As the Minghe entered, the gate to the Asura realm slowly closed, but the aura of the Minghe still resonated throughout the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
His existence has become an indispensable part of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, and is now closely intertwined with Six Paths of Reincarnation.
The Minghe experienced an unprecedented tranquility and peace in the Asura realm.
This place was no longer the blood-soaked Blood Sea of slaughter and Malevolent Qi it once was, but a new world full of life and hope. He saw countless souls find redemption here, and he saw them begin new lives.