Empress Houtu

Biodata

Feature	Details
Name	Empress Houtu (后土娘娘)
Alias(es)	Empress Pingxin; Mistress of the Six Paths of Reincarnation; Earth Sovereign Deity; “Houtu, Who Assists Heaven and Emulates Virtue, Greatly Benevolent, Empress of Earth” 134 819 850 1094
Species/Race	One of the Twelve Ancestral Witches of the Witch Clan 146 317
Gender	Female
Affiliation	Underworld; Witch Clan; Su Yang’s faction/followers 17 440 511
Occupation/Role	Creator and true Lord of Reincarnation; ruler of the Six Paths; former Sage of the Earthly Dao; Earth Emperor 504 819
Status	Active; continues directing Underworld and Witch Clan affairs 1094 1097
First Appearance	Orders Great Emperor Fengdu and the Lord of Mount Tai to investigate Su Yang’s story 17

Power Progression

Stage / Realm / Level	Chapter	Notes
Earthly Dao Sage	135 146	By transforming into the Six Paths of Reincarnation and drawing on Earth Qi, she could temporarily contend with Heavenly Dao Sages. The Earthly Dao’s power could not sustain such combat indefinitely.
Realm of Sacrificing the Dao	314 315	Cultivated Su Yang’s Sacrificing Dao Method, sacrificed her Three Corpses, and severed her reliance on the Earthly Dao. Her breakthrough surpassed ordinary Sages and dispersed a Heavenly Tribulation with one punch.
Integrated Sacrificing Dao power	366	Fully mastered her new power and entered the ranks of the foremost Great Divine Ability Users.
Mythical Human-Immortal, Second Grade	596 643	Switched to the Mythical Primordial World cultivation system under Su Yang’s guidance and emerged from cultivation alongside Sect Master Tongtian.

Background / History

Houtu was one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches of the Witch Clan. The schemes of Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin contributed to the Witch–Demon Calamity: Zhunti released the Ten Golden Crows, which burned the mortal realm, caused Kuafu’s death, and provoked Hou Yi to shoot down nine of them. Houtu therefore retained a deep enmity toward the Western Sages. 109

After witnessing the suffering of souls trapped in the Sea of Blood, Houtu chose to sacrifice herself and become Reincarnation. Her transformation established the Six Paths of Reincarnation and gave all deceased beings a destination after death. Hongjun acknowledged the deed but seized the Saint Fruit that appeared afterward and cast it into the River of Destiny. 775

Following her transformation, she took the name Pingxin, meaning her duty to calm the Netherworld and illuminate all spirits. Hongjun later named her one of the Five Emperors, granting her the title of Earth Emperor. 819 850

As ruler of the Underworld, Houtu commanded Great Emperor Fengdu, the Lord of Mount Tai, and the Ten Kings of Hell. She initially became interested in Su Yang’s stories, observed his inn through Yellow Springs Water, and sent her subordinates to bring him to the Underworld’s protection when the Heavenly Dao targeted him. 17 22 33

Appearance

Houtu is depicted as a peerlessly beautiful woman whose appearance is considered comparable to Empress Nuwa’s. Her gentleness and sacred bearing contrast sharply with the fierce, battle-oriented nature of an Ancestral Witch. 317 1097

• Usually wears pale yellow robes or a pale yellow skirt. 1094 1097
• Walks barefoot through the Netherworld; turbid Netherworld Qi retreats from her path. 1094
• A Merit Golden Wheel may appear behind her, displaying visions of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. 1095
• Can manifest her True Ancestral Witch Body, a form whose physical power cracks space and changes heaven and earth. 134 334

Personality

Houtu is compassionate toward souls and living beings. Her decision to become Reincarnation was motivated by the need to repair the flawed cycle of life and death, while her Wutu Essence can pacify resentful souls throughout the Netherworld. 775 1097

She is also proud, direct, and intensely protective of the Underworld. She refuses to yield to the Western Teachings’ threats, reacts fiercely to attempts to seize control of the Six Paths, and treats past wrongs against the Witch Clan and Underworld as debts to be repaid. 136 146 386

Though politically astute, Houtu can be openly provocative. She mocked Life Demon God Qingxiao’s appearance and status despite being surrounded by Chaos Demon Gods, trusting both her own potential and Su Yang’s protection. 517 518

Abilities & Skills

Earthly Dao Authority and Reincarnation

As the creator of the Six Paths and former Sage of the Earthly Dao, Houtu commands Earth Qi and the authority of reincarnation.

• Condenses Earthly Dao power into weapons, including a colossal spear used against Great Sun Tathagata. 133
• Uses the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique to manifest the Six Paths and attack through Samsara power. 146
• Can control the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk, though Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once temporarily accessed it through a trace of Earth Qi. 145 146
• Her former Earthly Dao Sage state could rival Heavenly Dao Sages, but its power was initially limited in duration. 135
• Retained her status as the true Lord of Reincarnation even after relinquishing the formal position of Lord of the Earthly Dao. 504

Sacrificing Dao Cultivation

Houtu cultivated the Sacrificing Dao Method given by Su Yang, abandoning the restraints of the Earthly Dao.

• Sacrificed and absorbed her Three Corpses rather than relying on them for power. 315
• Became independent of both the Heavenly Dao and Earthly Dao, with no fixed upper limit to her future growth. 314
• Her initial breakthrough placed her beyond ordinary Heavenly Dao Sages; even the Six Sages could not defeat her individually. 314 317
• Her power was later assessed as roughly comparable to a third-grade Three Corpses Sage, though she remained below the peak Reincarnation Demon God. 524

Ancestral Witch Physique

Houtu’s body is her foremost weapon. As an Ancestral Witch, she specializes in overwhelming physical force rather than delicate evasion.

• Her True Ancestral Witch Body possesses strength sufficient to suppress the Ninth Heaven with a single-handed swing. 134
• Her physique became comparable to an Innate Supreme Treasure after prolonged nourishment by Earthly Dao Qi. 410
• The Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree Branch failed to leave a mark on her body. 387
• Uses powerful hand-to-hand techniques such as the Six Paths Reincarnation Fist, strengthened by her Ancestral Witch body and foreign-domain cultivation. 387
• Can manifest three heads and six arms to enhance close-quarters combat. 410

Wutu Essence

Houtu can refine and wield Wutu Essence, the primordial earth-origin substance derived from her own source.

• The essence possesses creation power, surpassing Nine Heavens Breathing Soil in its ability to nurture and sustain life. 1097
• Used it to strengthen Qin’s golden dragon and increase the kingdom’s national fortune. 1097
• Sent more than one hundred Witch Clan members through the Human Path of Reincarnation to revive Witch Clan influence in the mortal world. 1097

Equipment / Weapons / Items

• Six Paths Reincarnation Disk — The artifact associated with the Six Paths; Houtu manipulates it through the Six Paths Reincarnation Technique. 145 146
• Eastern Emperor Bell — Borrowed from Su Yang during her campaign against Zhunti and Jieyin. 385 387
• Tombstone of Reincarnation — A Chaos-level treasure placed in the Underworld by Houtu and regarded by Fengdu as her property; the Reincarnation Demon God claimed it as his Life Spirit Treasure. 504
• Wutu Essence — A portion of Houtu’s origin refined into a creation-bearing earth essence. 1097

Relationships

• Su Yang — Initially sought to hear and question his stories; later received the Sacrificing Dao Method from him. Houtu vowed to follow and protect him after her breakthrough. 90 302 315
• Empress Nuwa — Fellow preeminent female immortal and ally. Nuwa joined Houtu’s clash against the Western Sages by confronting Zhunti. 28 326
• Great Emperor Fengdu — High-ranking Underworld subordinate and loyal defender of Houtu’s interests. 17 504
• Lord of Mount Tai — High-ranking Underworld subordinate who acts alongside Fengdu under Houtu’s orders. 17 135
• Zhu Jiuyin — Her elder brother; he cautioned her about reviving Witch Clan influence in the mortal world. 1097
• Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva — Former Underworld resident who aligned with Buddhism and attempted to control the Six Paths Reincarnation Disk; Houtu ordered him confined in the eighteenth level of hell. 145 146
• Daoist Zhunti and Daoist Jieyin — Long-standing enemies whose schemes harmed the Witch Clan and Underworld. Houtu repeatedly fought and suppressed them after entering the Sacrificing Dao Realm. 109 386 387

Story Role / Major Arcs

Conflict with Western Buddhism

When Great Sun Tathagata used the Six Paths of Reincarnation without her consent, Houtu confronted him at Mount Tai. She fought Tathagata, the Three Generations of Buddhas, and the Eighteen Golden Arhats to prevent the Western Teachings from gaining control over the Underworld. 134 135 136

Houtu later exposed Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva’s betrayal after he used Buddhist methods to suppress Fengdu and the Lord of Mount Tai and attempted to influence their souls. She defeated him and ordered his imprisonment. 145 146

Suppression of the Spiritual Stone Monkey

After the Spiritual Stone Monkey disrupted the Heavenly Court and the Underworld’s order, Houtu intervened personally. She severely injured him with a single punch and confronted Old Ancestor Bodhi when he attempted to rescue the Monkey. 271 275

Sacrificing Dao Ascension

Houtu accepted Su Yang’s Sacrificing Dao Method without needing to sever an existing Sage Fruit. Within ten days, she completed the method, transcended the Earthly Dao’s restraints, and entered a realm beyond ordinary Sages. 302 314

Following her ascension, she publicly declared that anyone seeking to harm Su Yang would have to face her, including the Heavenly Dao itself. She then destroyed the incoming lightning tribulation with one punch. 315 316

Retaliation Against the Western Sages

Houtu used Jieyin and Zhunti as opponents to refine her control over the Sacrificing Dao Realm. Her physical force cracked Jieyin’s defenses and shattered the Twelve-grade Golden Lotus of Merit during their clashes. 326 334

She later borrowed the Eastern Emperor Bell from Su Yang and renewed her assault on the Western Sages, forcing them onto the defensive while Sect Master Tongtian fought Beast Emperor Shen Ni. 385 386 387

Chaos Demon Gods and the Underworld

When the Reincarnation Demon God entered the Underworld seeking the Tombstone of Reincarnation, Houtu confronted him despite recognizing the gap between their strength. 504 505

She subsequently faced Qingxiao, Chongming, Dima, and Huntu without yielding, relying on her own potential and faith that Su Yang would not allow her to be harmed. 518 519 520

Revival of the Witch Clan

As Earth Emperor, Houtu used Wutu Essence to bolster Qin’s national fortune. She secretly sent one hundred Witch Clan members through reincarnation into Qin, planting the foundation for the Witch Clan’s renewed influence in the struggle for the Human Emperor’s throne. 1097

Notable Quotes

“The Six Paths of Reincarnation shall all return to me!” 387

“Since your heart desires the World-Destroying Millstone, I, Houtu, will fight for it for you, even if it costs my last wisp of soul.” 294

“If not for your help, how could I have entered this realm so smoothly?” 315