Above the Netherworld Sea of Blood, a cold wind howled.
Two streaks of golden light tore through the dark, heavy sky. Without the slightest pause, they shot straight toward the depths of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.
The two streaks of golden light pierced through the thick banks of mist and landed directly before Ghost Gate Pass.
The light faded, revealing Jieyin and Zhunti.
The moment the two of them stood firm, ripples spread through the void ahead.
Zhen Yuanzi, dressed in an earth-yellow Daoist robe, slowly walked out from within.
When he saw the two of them, not a trace of surprise showed on his face. He merely gave a calm bow with clasped hands.
"Fellow Daoists, you have come from afar. Forgive me for not welcoming you sooner."
Jieyin and Zhunti hurriedly pressed their palms together and returned the greeting.
"Fellow Daoist Zhen Yuanzi."
"We two have come uninvited. We hope Fellow Daoist will not take offense."
"We have come especially to seek an audience with Empress Pingxin. We hope you might make things convenient for us."
Zhen Yuanzi turned sideways, opening a path.
"Her Majesty has been waiting in Pingxin Palace for some time. Please follow me, you two."
The two followed behind Zhen Yuanzi without a word, passing through layer upon layer of the offices of the dead, crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, and seeing the slowly flowing waters of the River of Forgetfulness.
In the river, countless struggling souls rose and sank, letting out soundless wails.
As Zhunti looked at that river, a desolation born of fellow feeling actually arose in his heart.
What difference was there, really, between Sages like them, trapped beneath the Heavenly Dao, and the dead souls in this river who could not be freed?
Pingxin Palace.
The palace doors stood