Arc 17The Eastern and Netherworld Turmoil

Xuan Qing settled Kunwu’s Karma with the Western Teach and helped restore the Metal Bodhi Tree, while the Three Pure Ones separated and Tongtian reorganized the Jie Sect on Golden Ao Island. Meanwhile, Mosquito Daoist began corrupting the Western Lands’ Earth Veins, and Guang Chengzi’s misconduct in the Underworld ended with Houtu taking him to confront Yuanshi.

  • Xuan Qing negotiated with Zhunti and Jieyin, established Kunwu’s new identity as Patriarch Bodhi, and used the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree branch to restore the Metal Bodhi Tree.
  • Yuanshi and Tongtian clashed over the deaths of Jie Sect disciples, and Tongtian and Laozi left Kunlun Mountain to establish their own sects.
  • Tongtian made Golden Ao Island the Jie Sect’s headquarters, accepted Gui Ling as a direct disciple, and welcomed gifts from Azure Nether Island and other visitors.
  • On Xuan Qing’s advice, Tongtian established an Inner Sect and used the Karmic Sin Formation to screen disciples, despite petitioners appealing to the Heavenly Dao.
  • Tongtian appointed the Seven Attendants of the Immortal and sent most disciples to their own Dao Fields, while Outer Sect disciples fought over nearby dwellings.
  • The Chaos Demon Gods helped Mosquito Daoist reach the Quasi-Saint realm and sent him to spread resentment through Earth Vein Nodes, prompting Xuan Qing and the Earth Dao to secretly contain it.
  • Xiao appointed Zhao Gongming, Guang Chengzi, and Ksitigarbha to temporary Yama posts, but Guang Chengzi abused his authority and ignored warnings in the Underworld.
  • After Guang Chengzi trespassed on Death Mountain, Houtu seized him and left with Xiao to speak with Yuanshi, leaving Sister Qing Yue to oversee the Netherworld.
Chapters 401–425 Vol. 5 Read

Ch. 401Xuan Qing Visits Mount Sumeru

Xuan Qing visited Kunwu Mountain, promised the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein that it would gain companions and responsibilities, and agreed to settle Kunwu’s Karma with Zhunti and Jieyin. He brought Kunwu to Mount Sumeru and confronted the Western Two Saints, then insisted on offering a way to repay Kunwu as they reluctantly listened.

  • Xuan Qing reassured the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein that it would eventually gain companions and take on responsibilities.
  • Xuan Qing congratulated Kunwu for cleansing his karmic sin and promised to settle his Karma with Zhunti and Jieyin.
  • Xuan Qing took the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein and Kunwu through a spatial passage to Mount Sumeru.
  • Zhunti and Jieyin greeted Xuan Qing, who questioned them about neglecting the Western Lands' earth veins and displayed the strange living beings on Mount Sumeru.
  • Zhunti claimed that he and Jieyin had agreed not to interfere with Kunwu, but Xuan Qing rejected this as inadequate repayment and offered to suggest a settlement.

Ch. 402The Birth of Patriarch Bodhi

Xuan Qing arranged a nominal place in the Western Teach for Kunwu in exchange for the Golden Lotus of Merit, then helped Kunwu take the name Patriarch Bodhi. The chapter left Xuan Qing restoring a branch of Zhunti’s Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree into a budding Metal Bodhi Tree.

  • Xuan Qing offered Zhunti and Jieyin three Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures and a share of merit for the Golden Lotus of Merit, and they accepted after he assured them Hongjun would not object.
  • Xuan Qing told Kunwu to join the Western Teach under a different Dao title, and Kunwu chose Patriarch Bodhi.
  • Xuan Qing approved Kunwu’s new identity but warned him not to involve himself in the Western Teach’s affairs.
  • Xuan Qing traded Lotus Seeds and Three Lights Divine Water with Zhunti for a branch of the Seven Treasures Wonderful Tree.
  • Xuan Qing used the Power of Creation to cleanse the branch’s origins and make a green bud sprout, beginning the return of the Metal Bodhi Tree.

Ch. 403Golden Lotus of Merit Finally Obtained

Xuan Qing revealed that he possessed the Green Lotus of Creation and used the Immeasurable Law to suppress the Western Teach's Auspicious Qi. After Zhunti and Jieyin learned that Xuan Qing stood on the same level as the Heavenly Dao, he warned them not to side with outsiders who spoke falsely.

  • Jieyin recognized the seeds of three Lotus Thrones and praised Xuan Qing for gathering four of the five.
  • Kunwu revealed that the Green Lotus of Creation was in Xuan Qing's possession, and Xuan Qing explained its connection to his Law of Creation.
  • Xuan Qing took the Golden Lotus of Merit and alms bowl from Jieyin, then used the Immeasurable Law to suppress the Western Teach's Auspicious Qi.
  • Zhunti and Jieyin consulted the Heavenly Dao Origin and learned that Xuan Qing stood on the same level as the Heavenly Dao.
  • Xuan Qing warned Zhunti and Jieyin to avoid choosing the wrong side and cautioned them that certain outsiders were untrustworthy.

Ch. 404Jieyin's Insight

Xuan Qing investigated the Chaos Demon Gods hiding in the Western Continent, assigned Kunwu and the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein to watch them, and returned to Azure Nether Island to regrow the Metal Bodhi Tree. After a hundred years, it had grown into a great tree by Divine Water Lake.

  • After Xuan Qing left Mount Sumeru, Jieyin warned Zhunti to beware of backlash from getting close to powerful existences, but Zhunti dismissed the warning and Jieyin worried that Karma had influenced him.
  • Xuan Qing asked the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein where it sensed hostile auras, learned that one was near Mount Sumeru and several were farther away, and ordered Kunwu to monitor them with the spirit's help.
  • Xuan Qing inspected Kunwu Mountain and promised to bring back spiritual roots from the East Sea, then left for Azure Nether Island.
  • At Azure Nether Island, Xuan Qing planted the Metal Bodhi Tree branch in Nine Heavens Breathing Soil and nourished it with Three Lights Divine Water and the Law of Creation.
  • A hundred years later, the Bodhi Tree branch had grown into a great tree emitting dense Geng Metal Qi beside Divine Water Lake.

Ch. 405Five Lotus Thrones Gathered, an Unexpected Change!

Xuan Qing combined five Lotus Thrones in Divine Water Lake, causing the Green Lotus of Creation to begin evolving and the other four to gain the potential to become Innate Supreme Treasures. He then sent Qing Ling to visit the Blood Sea and meet tree spirits born with the Law of Life.

  • Xuan Qing placed meditation cushions beneath the Bodhi Tree, where Jin Xin and the other Phoenixes gathered to comprehend the Dao.
  • Xuan Qing submerged the Green Lotus of Creation and the Golden Lotus of Merit in Divine Water Lake, where their Origins joined with the other Lotus Thrones.
  • Qing Ya and Qing Ling arrived and asked about the five Lotus Thrones as their combined Origins produced a powerful phenomenon.
  • Xuan Qing found two illusory Chaos Restrictions forming inside the Green Lotus of Creation, while the other four Lotus Thrones each gained an illusory Innate Restriction.
  • Qing Ling asked for future Lotus Seeds, and Xuan Qing explained that the Lotus Thrones would not advance fully until after the Wu-Demon Measure Tribulation.
  • Xuan Qing told Qing Ling about the life-law tree spirits at the Blood Sea, and she immediately left Azure Nether Island to visit them.

Ch. 406Chan and Jie Clash Again

Jie Sect disciples stole and ate Phoenix Thunder Immortal Apricots, and their deaths threatened to provoke a clash between Yuanshi and Tongtian. Immortal Nanji hurried to warn Tongtian, while Zhao Gongming intervened after a Jie Sect disciple blocked his way.

  • Several Jie Sect disciples picked Phoenix Thunder Immortal Apricots despite warnings, and the fruits’ violent energy killed everyone who ate them.
  • Guang Chengzi and the Twelve Golden Immortals found the dead disciples and discovered that more than half the apricots had been taken.
  • Immortal Nanji urged Guang Chengzi to alert Yuanshi while he went to Biyou Palace to find Tongtian.
  • A Jie Sect disciple blocked Nanji and provoked him, but Nanji held back to avoid worsening tensions between Yuanshi and Tongtian.
  • Zhao Gongming appeared, threw the insolent disciple aside, and escorted Nanji toward Biyou Palace.

Ch. 407Yuanshi's Fury

Jie Sect disciples destroyed much of Yuanshi's Phoenix Thunder Immortal Apricot, provoking his fury and a confrontation with Tongtian. Laozi stopped the brothers from fighting, but Tongtian refused to abandon his disciples and promised to discipline them.

  • Zhao Gongming and Nanji told Tongtian that Jie Sect Outer Sect Disciples had ruined Yuanshi's Immortal Apricot and died after eating its fruit.
  • Tongtian deduced what had happened, sent Zhao Gongming and Nanji away, and privately wondered whether events had to reach this point.
  • Yuanshi discovered the damage and confronted Tongtian outside Biyou Palace, condemning his disciples and attacking the Jie Sect disciples.
  • Tongtian blocked Yuanshi's attack, and Laozi appeared to mediate between the brothers.
  • Laozi urged Yuanshi to let the matter go and rebuked Tongtian for failing to discipline his disciples; Tongtian promised to discipline them but refused to abandon them.

Ch. 408The Three Pure Ones Part Ways

After Yuanshi refused to tolerate Tongtian’s Jie Sect disciples, Tongtian and Laozi left Kunlun Mountain, ending the Three Pure Ones’ shared residence. Tongtian headed for the East Sea, while Laozi wandered with Xuandu and found Shouyang Mountain as a new Dao Field.

  • Yuanshi demanded that Tongtian discipline his Jie Sect disciples, and Tongtian declared that his sect would leave Kunlun Mountain.
  • Laozi chose to leave as well, telling Yuanshi that Kunlun Mountain could not accommodate all three great sects.
  • Tongtian summoned his disciples, announced they would travel to the East Sea, and led them away from Kunlun Mountain.
  • Queen Mother of the West watched Tongtian depart, while Yuanshi remained alone and was startled by the Heavenly Dao’s thunder after he complained.
  • Laozi left Kunlun Mountain with Xuandu and the Green Ox, wandered across the Eastern Continent, and discovered Shouyang Mountain and its Shouyang Copper.

Ch. 409Seeking a Dao Field in the East Sea

Laozi reopened his mountain gate on Shouyang Mountain, while Tongtian searched the East Sea for a Dao Field for Jie Sect. After meeting Giant Ao, Tongtian learned the location of a mysterious place that called to him and set out for it with his disciples.

  • Laozi renamed Taiqing Palace the Eight Sceneries Palace, used the Taiji Diagram to establish a formation on Shouyang Mountain, and declared the foundation of Human Teachings there.
  • Tongtian rejected Yunxiao’s suggestion to use the Three Immortal Islands because they could not bear a saint’s Dao Field.
  • Tongtian and the Jie Sect disciples reached Penglai Divine Continent, where he encountered Giant Ao and explained why he had left Kunlun Mountain.
  • Giant Ao told Tongtian about a mist-shrouded place in the East Sea, and Tongtian sensed that it was the Dao Field he had been seeking.
  • As Tongtian led the disciples toward the location, he explained Xuan Qing’s importance to the Prehistoric Era and told them to treat Giant Ao with respect.

Ch. 410Golden Ao Island

Tongtian discovered Golden Ao Island, established the Jie Sect's Dao Field there, and took the island's resident turtle spirit as his fourth direct disciple, Gui Ling. He announced that he would expound the Great Dao in one Kalpa, while Zhunti and Jieyin discussed the Three Pure Ones' separation and Zhunti's hidden role in the Ten Golden Crows' rampage.

  • Tongtian broke through Golden Ao Island's concealing Formation and led his followers onto the island, where he met a little turtle.
  • Tongtian taught the turtle the Transformation Method, named her Gui Ling, and accepted her as his fourth direct disciple, gifting her two Spiritual Treasures.
  • Tongtian established Biyou Palace on Golden Ao Island, declared it the Jie Sect's headquarters, and announced that he would expound the Great Dao there in one Kalpa.
  • Zhunti celebrated the Three Pure Ones' separation, but Jieyin cautioned him that their brotherly bond might remain and urged him to wait for the Wu and Demon Measure Tribulation.
  • Jieyin warned Zhunti to be careful around Xuan Qing, while Zhunti argued that Xuan Qing would not oppose the Heavenly Dao's greater trend.

Ch. 411Visitors to Golden Ao Island

Tongtian’s new Dao Field on Golden Ao Island drew visitors and congratulatory gifts from across the East Sea, including representatives of Penglai Divine Continent, the Kirin Clan, Azure Nether Island, and the Dragon Clan. After welcoming the guests, Tongtian received Azure Nether Island’s gifts on behalf of the Dao Venerable, Han Xi, and Nuwa.

  • Giant Ao brought a Jianmu Fruit from Penglai Divine Continent to Golden Ao Island and was welcomed by Duobao.
  • The Kirin Clan arrived with a Huangzhong Plum, and Duobao led them and Giant Ao to Tongtian.
  • Chong Shan, Yun Jing, and Lei Li arrived with gifts from Azure Nether Island, prompting Giant Ao and the Kirin Clan to greet them.
  • Ya Zi and Suan Ni arrived on behalf of the Dragon Clan, and Suan Ni apologized to the Kirin Clan for the Three Tribes War while Lei Li refused to forgive them on behalf of the dead.
  • Tongtian eased the tension and welcomed the visitors into Biyou Palace, where Chong Shan presented spiritual fruits and other gifts from the Dao Venerable, Han Xi, and Nuwa.

Ch. 412Chong Shan's Dissuasion

Chong Shan delivered gifts from Xuan Qing, Han Xi, and Nuwa to Tongtian and conveyed Xuan Qing’s advice about reforming the Jie Sect. Tongtian accepted the proposal to distinguish the Outer Sect Disciples from his more virtuous students, leaving the Sect’s future on a different course.

  • Yunxiao realized that Chong Shan’s gifts came from three Saints of Azure Nether Island, and she and the other Jie Sect disciples recognized the island’s immense power.
  • Tongtian thanked Chong Shan and welcomed the Jie Sect’s new Dao Field in the East Sea.
  • Chong Shan told Tongtian that he did not need to preserve a path for disciples who chose evil, and warned that their conduct was harming virtuous disciples such as Duobao and Yunxiao.
  • Tongtian saw his disciples’ distress and asked Chong Shan what he should do about the Jie Sect’s Outer Sect Disciples.
  • Chong Shan proposed that Tongtian establish Inner Sect Disciples and treat the Outer Sect as a separate group that could test whether they were capable of finding a path to virtue.
  • Tongtian thanked Xuan Qing for the advice, while Xuan Qing hoped reforming the Jie Sect would prevent the future Investiture of the Gods Calamity.

Ch. 413Tongtian's Change

Tongtian changed Jie Sect’s disciple policies after taking Chong Shan’s advice, while Xuan Qing and Zhuo Guang discussed the possibility of returning to the vanished world. Tongtian also sought Jianmu Fruit to pursue the Primordial Grand Luo Golden Immortal realm and ordered all Jie Sect disciples to face a formation that tested their Karmic Sin.

  • Xuan Qing promised Zhuo Guang that he would try to find a way into the Return to Void and look for survivors, prompting Zhuo Guang to begin cultivation beneath the Bodhi Tree.
  • Tongtian promoted Zhao Gongming and San Xiao to Inner Sect Disciples and made Zhao Gongming their eldest senior brother.
  • Tongtian decided to continue Jie Sect’s recruitment but set a formation that candidates would have to pass to enter the Inner Sect.
  • Tongtian asked Giant Ao to exchange Jianmu Fruit, which he believed could help loosen the Heavenly Dao’s Shackles and advance his cultivation.
  • Tongtian ordered Duobao and Zhao Gongming to make existing Jie Sect disciples challenge the Karmic Sin Formation as well as new candidates.

Ch. 414All Living Beings Enter the Formation

Tongtian established a Karmic Sin Detection Formation to judge the living beings seeking to join the Jie Sect, and Duobao enforced the new rules at Golden Ao Island. The Long-eared Rabbit entered the Formation in agony, still plotting revenge against Duobao.

  • Tongtian told Duobao and the others that the Formation would distinguish what kind of disciples applicants could become, while Outer Sect Disciples faced no restrictions.
  • Duobao and the others confronted the arriving applicants, including Immortal Wuyun, and explained that the Formation tested their Karmic Sin.
  • One applicant was burned to ashes by his Karmic Sin, frightening those waiting to enter.
  • The Long-eared Rabbit secretly stirred the applicants into demanding to see Tongtian, but Duobao suppressed the crowd with his pagoda and refused to remove the Formation.
  • The Long-eared Rabbit slipped into the Formation and writhed in pain as his Karmic Sin ignited, vowing to make Duobao pay once he joined the Jie Sect.

Ch. 415Heaven Prison Seal

Living beings on Golden Ao Island invoked Tongtian’s oath to force him to accept them, prompting the Heavenly Dao to threaten the island. Xuan Qing scattered its lightning, and Tongtian used the Heaven Prison Seal to punish the petitioners.

  • The living beings knelt before Tongtian and then appealed to the Heavenly Dao when Duobao ignored them.
  • The Heavenly Dao answered their plea with threatening lightning over Golden Ao Island, and Yunxiao realized Tongtian’s oath had given them leverage.
  • Xuan Qing reached from Azure Nether Island and scattered the lightning with a single strike, ending Tongtian’s conflict over whether to accept the petitioners.
  • Tongtian gave Duobao the Heaven Prison Seal and ordered him to imprison the living beings over the East Sea.
  • Duobao activated the seal, and the Nine Heavens Purgatory Fire burned the prisoners while Bi Xiao celebrated and Yunxiao restrained her.
  • Jin Ling asked Yunxiao about the hand that defied the Heavenly Dao, and Yunxiao identified it as Xuan Qing’s.

Ch. 416New Rules of the Jie Sect

Tongtian established an Inner Sect for the Jie Sect, appointed the Seven Attendants of the Immortal, and awarded Shi Ji a spiritual treasure. After screening the existing Outer Sect Disciples, he gathered everyone before Biyou Palace and began expounding the Dao.

  • Duobao announced that disciples who endured the Karmic Sin Formation could join the Inner Sect and introduced Zhao Gongming as its eldest senior brother.
  • Tongtian appointed Immortal Wuyun, Ma Sui, Long-eared Rabbit, and four others as his Seven Attendants of the Immortal, renaming Ma Sui Immortal Jingu and Long-eared Rabbit Immortal Dingguang.
  • Tongtian praised Shi Ji's talent and bestowed an Exquisite Jade Pendant, a High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasure, upon her.
  • Tongtian ordered the earlier Jie Sect disciples to enter the formation, and Duobao gave them the choice of undergoing its screening or leaving the sect.
  • More than a hundred disciples endured the formation and were accepted into the Inner Sect, after which Tongtian led the disciples to Biyou Palace and began expounding the Dao.

Ch. 417The Arrogant Winged Immortal

After Tongtian preached to the Jie Sect, he sent the non-Direct Disciples to establish their own Dao Fields around Golden Ao Island. As Duobao organized the disciples, the arrogant Winged Immortal and Immortal Dingguang drew suspicion, while Outer Sect disciples began fighting over territory.

  • Tongtian finished preaching, ordered all but his Direct Disciples to leave Golden Ao Island for their own Dao Fields, and gave Duobao Spiritual Treasures to distribute.
  • Duobao assigned the Seven Attendants of the Immortal to remain and serve Tongtian, while Winged Immortal and Immortal Dingguang acted proudly toward their fellow disciples.
  • Bi Xiao criticized Winged Immortal and Immortal Dingguang, and Duobao warned the disciples against wrongdoing and crooked cultivation paths.
  • Duobao put Zhao Gongming in charge of the Inner Sect disciples, who dispersed peacefully to seek Dao Fields.
  • Outer Sect disciples fought over cave dwellings near Golden Ao Island, driving many Water Clan beings away from the area.

Ch. 418Giant Ao's Surprise

Tongtian created Water-Fire Boy to serve at Biyou Palace, then traveled to Penglai Divine Continent and exchanged treasures for Jianmu Fruits. He returned to seclusion with the fruits, while Mosquito Daoist began preying on the Western Continent’s newly born beings.

  • Tongtian awakened the Azure Gourd, named the boy Water-Fire Boy, and assigned him to guard Biyou Palace.
  • Tongtian rebuked the Seven Attendants’ arrogance and entrusted Immortal Wuyun and Immortal Jingu with managing Biyou Palace.
  • Tongtian visited Giant Ao on Penglai Divine Continent and exchanged two Top-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures and other valuables for more than twenty Jianmu Fruits.
  • Giant Ao distributed most of Tongtian’s payment among the Wandering Cultivators and kept a sword and several Spiritual Fruits.
  • Tongtian returned to Biyou Palace and entered seclusion with the Jianmu Fruits.
  • Mosquito Daoist began devouring newly born beings on the Western Continent.

Ch. 419Mosquito Daoist Captured!

Mosquito Daoist was captured by powerful Chaos Demon Gods, who gave him Hongjun’s method of Severing the Three Corpses and asked him to become their pawn. Unable to cultivate without Innate Spiritual Objects, he prompted the Demon Gods to enlist Karma’s help, leaving Karma with materials and a renewed desire to take revenge on the Heavenly Dao.

  • Mosquito Daoist devoured living beings while seeking a breakthrough, then trespassed into a powerful group’s Dao Field and was seized.
  • The Chaos Demon Gods gave Mosquito Daoist the method of Severing the Three Corpses and told him to break through so he could handle tasks for them.
  • Mosquito Daoist discovered that he needed Innate Spiritual Objects or Spiritual Treasures to practice the method, so he asked the Demon Gods for help.
  • The Chaos Demon Gods contacted Karma, who asked Zhunti for Innate Spiritual Objects and received several from him.
  • After Zhunti left, Karma resented the Saints for breaking their promise to release him and vowed to plot against the Heavenly Dao.

Ch. 420Mosquito Daoist Breaks Through

Mosquito Daoist received an Innate Spiritual Object from the Chaos Demon Gods and broke through to the early Quasi-Saint realm, then was ordered by a mysterious Daoist to infect the Western Lands’ earth veins with resentment. As he began planting it at Earth Vein Nodes near Kunwu Mountain, the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein sensed the attack and alerted Kunwu.

  • The Chaos Demon Gods gave Mosquito Daoist an Innate Spiritual Object, and he used it to sever a corpse and break through to the Quasi-Saint realm.
  • A mysterious Daoist ordered Mosquito Daoist to place resentment from a Jade Box into important Earth Vein Nodes and gave him mist to shield his actions from Heavenly Dao Karma.
  • Mosquito Daoist went to Kunwu Mountain, used the mist to find Earth Vein Nodes, and released resentment into one of them.
  • The Spirit of the Ancestral Vein felt immense malice harming the earth veins and called Kunwu for help.
  • Kunwu soothed the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein, which identified tampered Earth Vein Nodes near the massive pit.

Ch. 421A Talk in the Netherworld

Xuan Qing learned that Mosquito Daoist had begun corrupting the Western Lands’ Earth Veins with the Chaos Demon Gods’ resentment, then secretly coordinated with the Earth Dao to contain the damage. He left the Earth Dao to protect the world’s origin while allowing the Chaos Demon Gods to continue their moves, hoping to expose and eliminate them.

  • The Spirit of the Ancestral Vein reported that someone had tampered with an Earth Vein Node, and Xuan Qing rushed to Kunwu Mountain.
  • Xuan Qing discovered that the Chaos Demon Gods’ resentment was flowing through the Earth Veins and removed its influence from the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein.
  • Xuan Qing used the Immeasurable Eye to identify Mosquito Daoist working inside an Earth Vein Node.
  • Xuan Qing went to the Netherworld and asked the Earth Dao to seal away the resentment without reacting openly to the attack.
  • The Earth Dao agreed to follow Xuan Qing’s plan and protect the Prehistoric Era’s World Origin, while Houtu was told to guard the Netherworld.

Ch. 422Disciples of the Three Teachings Enter the Netherworld

Mosquito Daoist’s resentment spread through the Western Lands as the Demon Gods remained unaware that the Earth Dao was containing it. Zhao Gongming, Guang Chengzi, Ksitigarbha, and a Human Race Golden Immortal were chosen to represent their respective groups in the Netherworld, while Ran Deng plotted to use Guang Chengzi’s likely failure against him.

  • Mosquito Daoist planted resentment deeper in the Western Lands, while Xuan Qing’s Immeasurable Mark and the Earth Dao kept it from harming the Spirit of the Ancestral Vein.
  • Zhao Gongming accepted the Jie Sect’s Netherworld position and left Golden Ao Island after entrusting the Inner Sect’s affairs to San Xiao.
  • Yuanshi appointed Guang Chengzi to the Chan Sect’s position, and Ran Deng privately predicted that Guang Chengzi would fail and lose the other disciples’ respect.
  • Ksitigarbha volunteered to establish a Western Teach foothold in the Underworld, and Zhunti warned him to act carefully around Pingxin and Great Emperor Fengdu.
  • Xiao chose a Golden Immortal from the Human Race to go to the Underworld and establish a foundation for his people.

Ch. 423Becoming a Probationary Yama

Xiao appointed Zheng to help maintain Reincarnation and brought Zhao Gongming, Guang Chengzi, and Ksitigarbha to take temporary posts as Yama. After placing Ksitigarbha under secret watch, Xiao and Houtu observed the new officials from the Hall of Pingxin.

  • Xiao told Zheng that his duty in the Underworld was to maintain the normal operation of Reincarnation.
  • At the Blood Sea, Zhao Gongming respectfully greeted Xiao, while Guang Chengzi and Ksitigarbha showed less regard for him.
  • Xiao warned the three disciples that the Underworld’s rules applied equally to everyone, and Zhao Gongming promised to leave if he failed at his duties.
  • Fei Ying and Jiang Zhu gave the four men official robes and seals for temporary Yama posts, and Xiao told them to seek guidance rather than act independently.
  • Fei Ying and Jiang Zhu explained that their master was the Death Goddess and warned the new officials to stay away from her Dao Field.
  • Xiao secretly instructed Fei Ying to watch Ksitigarbha, then joined Houtu to observe events from the Hall of Pingxin.

Ch. 424Guang Chengzi Slacks Off

Xiao managed the understaffed Underworld while Guang Chengzi grew tired of his Yama duties and began carelessly assigning souls to reincarnation. Xiao removed Guang Chengzi’s authority to judge good and evil, but Guang Chengzi later taught Ksitigarbha to judge souls just as casually.

  • Houtu entered seclusion to strengthen herself before the Witch-Demon decisive battle, leaving the Underworld to Xiao.
  • After tens of thousands of years without subordinates, Guang Chengzi complained to Fei Ying about his workload and returned to Yama Hall unsatisfied.
  • Guang Chengzi arbitrarily assigned countless living beings to the Six Paths of Reincarnation using the Book of Life and Death.
  • Xiao took away Guang Chengzi’s authority to judge good and evil and told Fei Ying to report any further serious mistakes to Empress Houtu.
  • Guang Chengzi grew careless with his duties and told Ksitigarbha to judge living beings’ deeds with a casual stroke.

Ch. 425Houtu's Fury

Guang Chengzi disregarded warnings in the Underworld, nearly died after plucking a Shore Flower, and then trespassed on Death Mountain to seize its treasures. Houtu appeared and took him away, saying she would speak with Yuanshi.

  • Guang Chengzi dismissed Ksitigarbha’s concerns about angering Great Emperor Fengdu, and Ksitigarbha withdrew from him.
  • Guang Chengzi plucked a Shore Flower by the Yellow Springs, was drawn into the river, and survived its corrosive waters by swallowing Laozi’s Golden Elixir.
  • Jiang Zhu restored the discarded flower with Three Lights Divine Water, accidentally ripened it into a boy named Chi Yuan, and took him with her to the Underworld.
  • Guang Chengzi climbed Death Mountain and tried to claim its spiritual treasures despite Fei Ying’s warning.
  • Fei Ying confronted Guang Chengzi, who boasted that his master Yuanshi could not be challenged.
  • Houtu arrived with Xiao, seized Guang Chengzi, and vanished with him to speak with Yuanshi, leaving Sister Qing Yue to watch over the Netherworld.
Arc 17 of 53