A Gathering of Forces in the Netherworld, the Asura King Revealed When the Trap Was Sprung

Within the Blood Sea's hidden valley, Tongtian slowly opened his eyes. The chaotic light in his gaze had drawn inward, and the aura around him was perfectly balanced and flawless. The blood essence and magic power he had expended to save someone from afar had been fully restored. He had even turned misfortune into fortune, gaining finer control over the Power of Chaos.

He opened his palm. The Space Rune he had obtained from Old Ancestor Yang Mei floated quietly above it, radiating an increasingly profound fluctuation. After this period of diligent study, he could now wield the rune to a limited degree. Though he was far from Yang Mei's level, where he could make the void appear and vanish and go wherever he pleased, he could now travel short distances through the Netherworld and conceal his tracks without difficulty.

What drew his attention even more was the Chaos Thunder Bead beside him, which had absorbed part of the Primordial Asura King's Source of Destruction. Its color had darkened to a Deep Near Black, and dark purple destructive lightning occasionally flashed across its surface. The perilous aura it emitted made even him feel a chill.

"This may serve as an unexpected trump card." Tongtian carefully put it away, then gazed through layer upon layer of Blood Sea toward the Netherworld Underworld.

The appointed time was drawing near. Empress Pingxin's announcement of the "Reincarnation Protection Association" had struck the myriad realms of the primordial world like a boulder hitting water, stirring up towering waves. Today, representatives of the various powers would gather at Fengdu Hall to "discuss" their plans! It was destined to be a "grand gathering" where everyone harbored their own schemes and murderous intent lurked everywhere.

"Daoist Minghe, are the preparations ready?" Tongtian asked in a telepathic message.

A sinister laugh immediately came from the depths of the Blood Sea. "Everything's been taken care of! That fake Witch has 'coincidentally' run into Ksitigarbha's confidants several times, and he's practically had to be coaxed into accepting that 'grand gift.' As far as I know, that bald donkey Ksitigarbha treasured it like a priceless find and is now stepping up his contact with those stubborn old Witches! Heh heh, now we just wait and enjoy the show!"

"Excellent." Tongtian's tone was calm. "When the time comes, we'll need the 'witness' under your command to make an appearance at just the right moment."

"Don't worry! I've arranged everything down to the last detail!" Minghe replied confidently.

Tongtian said no more. A fluctuation rippled through the space around him, and his figure vanished soundlessly from the hidden valley in the Blood Sea. He did not head directly to Fengdu Hall. Instead, using the Space Rune, he slipped through the shadows of the Netherworld Underworld like a ghost. He wanted to observe the various powers' movements for himself first.

Outside Fengdu Hall, in the Netherworld Underworld.

The normally gloomy and deathly silent Heart of Reincarnation was, today, alive with immortal radiance and Buddha silhouettes, demonic energy and a sinister aura simmering in the air—a bustling scene unlike any before.

The Heavenly Court's representative, Grand White Gold Star, had arrived early with a group of immortal officials. Smiling warmly, he greeted the various parties, while his shrewd eyes swept over the entire gathering.

The Chan Sect had Guangchengzi at its head, accompanied by Golden Immortals such as Chijingzi and Yuding Zhenren. Each wore an arrogant expression, their immortal light surging as they stood apart as one group. They kept a subtle distance from the Western Teachings, yet seemed to echo them in private.

The Western Teachings had the largest contingent. Led by Maitreya Buddha and Medicine Buddha, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva stood at their side, with dozens of Bodhisattvas, Arhats, and Vajras behind them. Buddha Light shone everywhere, and faint chants filled the air as they tried to overwhelm the others with their presence. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva appeared compassionate and solemn, but deep in his eyes lay an irrepressible excitement and anticipation.

Several ancient demon gods from the Demon Race had come. Their auras were fierce, and they watched coldly from the sidelines, clearly intent on stirring up trouble.

Unexpectedly, several Witches had come as well: old men with ancient auras and murderous menace. They were some of the few remaining Great Witches. They stood silently in a corner, their expressions complicated as they gazed at Fengdu Hall. They neither welcomed nor rejected the looks from the other parties, remaining unusually quiet. Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's gaze kept drifting toward them.

Ancestor Minghe of the Blood Sea had not come in person, but he had sent an Asura Demon King as his representative. The Demon King reeked of blood and was fiercely defiant. He sat down carelessly to one side, making no effort to hide his hostility toward the Western Teachings.

Other scattered cultivators from the primordial world and Netherworld Ghost Kings were also waiting, each with a different expression.

The gathering seemed peaceful, but undercurrents surged. The various parties' divine senses clashed silently in the air, and the oppressive atmosphere was almost suffocating.

Buzz! The doors of Fengdu Hall slowly opened. Empress Pingxin's incarnation, Houtu, sat beneath the phantom image of the Reincarnation Disk. Her voice was calm, yet carried supreme authority. "Please enter, fellow Daoists."

The immortals, Buddhas, demons, and devils composed themselves and filed into the hall, taking their seats according to rank.

As the meeting began, each party naturally offered a respectable-sounding statement.

Speaking for the Heavenly Court, Grand White Gold Star declared that they would do everything in their power to protect reincarnation and were willing to send Heavenly Soldiers and Generals to garrison the area and assist with its defense. In the course of his speech, he did not forget to emphasize the Heavenly Court's leading role.

Speaking for the Chan Sect, Guangchengzi said that the great calamity was part of the Heavenly Dao's workings and that all beings should heed Heaven's will. The Chan Sect was willing to provide "guidance from the Heavenly Dao." Between the lines, he still placed his own sect on the moral high ground.

When it was the Western Teachings' turn, Maitreya Buddha smiled broadly and once again reaffirmed the Western Teachings' creed of "compassion and universal salvation." He proposed an extremely detailed plan to "protect reincarnation through Buddhism and jointly establish a Pure Land for the Six Paths," which would have all but absorbed the Underworld into the Western Teachings. Their ambition was plain to see.

Whenever one party spoke, the others would openly or discreetly question and rebut them. The proceedings nearly spiraled out of control several times, and order was maintained only because Empress Pingxin forcibly suppressed the turmoil with the Power of Reincarnation.

Hidden within a rift in space, Tongtian watched the farce coldly and waited patiently.

At last, when Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva once again tried to steer the discussion toward the claim that "the Western Teachings share deep roots with the Witches and should jointly lead the protection of reincarnation," the Asura Demon King sent by Ancestor Minghe suddenly slapped the table and let out a cackling laugh.

"Ridiculous! Absolutely ridiculous! Ksitigarbha, you claim that the Western Teachings have deep roots among the Witches? Then how come I heard that not long ago, some Witch brothers came crying to the Blood Sea, saying that your Western Teachings had invoked an Ancestor Witch's name to deceive them?"

The entire hall was shocked!

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva's expression shifted. He immediately snapped, "Demon King, don't spout nonsense! You're slandering the good name of the Western Teachings!"

"Slander?" The Asura Demon King laughed loudly and pointed toward the hall entrance. "Whether it's slander or not, let that Witch brother come in and tell you himself!"

As soon as his voice fell, a burly Witch with a heavy aura of menace and a "grief-stricken" expression barged into the hall, "escorted" by several Netherworld Ghost Kings who had "just happened" to be passing by!

It was the fake Witch carefully concocted by Ancestor Minghe!

The moment the fake Witch entered the hall, he dropped to his knees with a thud. Facing the few genuine Great Witches, he cried out in anguish, "Ancestors! Descendants of the Ancestor Witches! We've been deceived! The Western Teachings never truly meant to help our Witch Race! They forged Ancestor Witch Houtu's Mercy Seal and tricked us into believing they could help our race regain its former glory. In truth, they only wanted to use us to take control of the Underworld!"

As he spoke, he forced out a golden seal that carried a faint trace of Houtu's aura, yet concealed the Power of Salvation from Buddhism!

"This is what Ksitigarbha personally gave me, claiming it was an inheritance from an Ancestor Witch! I beg the ancestors to judge for yourselves!"

Boom!

The hall erupted in an instant!

The few genuine Great Witches shot to their feet, staring intently at the seal. Their expressions changed drastically. They could sense a trace of an Ancestor Witch's aura, real enough to fool them at first, but the hidden Power of Salvation from Buddhism was even clearer! To them, who regarded the glory of the Ancestor Witches as their very lives, this was an unbearable humiliation!

"Ksitigarbha! Is this true?!" The aged Great Witch at the head of the group glared at him, every hair on his head bristling, and demanded an answer with a voice like thunder.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva had gone deathly pale, cold sweat pouring down his forehead! He had never expected the matter to be exposed so suddenly! He had examined the seal himself and noticed something strange, but he had been so eager for success that he hadn't looked into it further. Now it seemed this had all been a trap?!

"No! This is slander! It's the Blood Sea! Minghe framed me!" Ksitigarbha stammered in defense, but his words sounded feeble.

"Framed you?" The Asura Demon King sneered again. "Ksitigarbha, you met privately with this Witch several times and got along quite well. We have plenty of 'witnesses.' Want me to invite them in to face you?"

The Netherworld Ghost Kings Minghe had "arranged" immediately chimed in "softly," confirming that Ksitigarbha had met frequently with the "Witch."

The tables had turned in an instant!

The Western Teachings were now the target of everyone's accusations! Forging an Ancestor Witch's seal and deceiving the Witches crossed every faction's line.

Guangchengzi immediately kicked them while they were down and rebuked them sharply. "How could the Western Teachings' conduct possibly be righteous? It's utterly contemptible!"

Grand White Gold Star also frowned, no longer trying to smooth things over.

The Demon Race's representatives took the opportunity to sneer at them as well.

The Great Witches trembled with rage, their eyes blazing as they looked at the Western Teachings' people!

The smile vanished from Maitreya Buddha's face, and his expression turned livid. He shot Ksitigarbha a furious glance, inwardly cursing him for ruining everything. He knew the Western Teachings' plan to annex reincarnation had completely failed! Their reputation might even suffer a severe blow because of this!

"Empress Pingxin! This matter—" Maitreya tried to force an explanation.

"Enough!" Empress Pingxin cut him off, her voice cold and filled with suppressed fury. "The Land of Reincarnation is no place for you to play your schemes! I will investigate this matter thoroughly!"

Her gaze swept across the hall, finally settling on the Great Witches. Her tone softened slightly. "The Witch Race is descended from Pangu, and the foundation of the Underworld rests upon them. The protection of reincarnation cannot do without the Witches. From this day on, all duties—including the patrols by Netherworld ghost soldiers and the protection of the River of Forgetfulness—will be entrusted to the Witch Race!"

Those words directly stripped the Western Teachings of most of their authority in the Underworld and handed it to the Witches!

Hearing this, the Great Witches' expressions eased slightly. Though they still harbored reservations about Empress Pingxin, they had gained a tangible benefit, and they now shared a common enemy in the Western Teachings. So they bowed together. "We obey Your Majesty's decree!"

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva looked ashen. Years of effort had been ruined in an instant!

A trace of spite flashed in Maitreya Buddha's eyes, but he knew the Great Trend had already turned against them. He could only suppress his anger and remain silent.

Yet just as everyone thought the farce would end in a crushing defeat for the Western Teachings, another sudden change occurred! The hidden restriction Ancestor Minghe had placed inside the kneeling fake Witch suddenly activated! He jerked his head up, his eyes turning blood-red as the killing aura around him surged wildly. It blended the power of the Blood Sea and the Witch Race as he let out a roar that sounded nothing like a human voice.

"Western Teachings! Minghe! You're all going to die! I am the Primordial Asura King! Hate, hate, hate!"

He lunged at Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva, the nearest target. His body swelled like a balloon—he was going to self-destruct!

The sudden turn of events left everyone stunned! The Primordial Asura King? What was going on?!

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was terrified out of his wits and frantically retreated!

Tongtian, concealed in the void, also furrowed his brow. That old fox Minghe had held back such a trick? Was he trying to muddy the waters even further? Or was it... At this critical moment, Guangchengzi, who had been watching coldly from the sidelines, suddenly saw a glimmer of ruthlessness and opportunity in his eyes!

Without hesitation, he brought out Fan Tian Yin—not to strike the fake Witch, but to smash what appeared to be "in panic" and "out of control" into one of Fengdu Hall's main supporting pillars! At the same time, he secretly activated a Jade Pure Divine Thunder he had already prepared in his hand!

"Fellow Daoist, watch out!" he shouted, as if trying to stop the fake Witch.

BOOM!!! How terrifying was the combined power of Fan Tian Yin and the Jade Pure Divine Thunder?! The pillar was blown to pieces in an instant! Fengdu Hall shook violently. The phantom of the Reincarnation Disk flickered, and the hall's formations fell into chaos!

Worse still, the shock wave from the explosion mixed with the terrifying force of the fake Witch's self-destruction, sweeping through everyone in the hall like a tsunami!

"Guangchengzi! You!" Empress Pingxin cried out in shock and fury. She did everything she could to urge the Reincarnation Disk to stabilize the hall, but it was already too late to protect everyone.

The situation descended into total chaos!

Amid the confusion, a strange, almost imperceptible Jade Pure Immortal Light shot toward the genuine Great Witches like a venomous snake, using the explosion as cover.

At the same time, another deeply concealed golden radiance of Buddhist salvation silently swept toward the Great Witches!

The Chan Sect and the Western Teachings had both seized the sudden chaos to strike at the Witches! Each wanted to bring this suddenly important force under its control!

"Despicable!"

Tongtian, concealed in the void, saw everything clearly. A cold light flashed in his eyes, and he was about to act when he suddenly sensed the two Saint's Wills—Yuanshi and Zhunti—hovering above Fengdu Hall and coldly "watching" below. They abruptly grew stronger, pressing down on the chaos like invisible mountains and faintly locking onto his hiding place!

The might of the Saints descended with a crash!

The trap had been sprung, and the real killing game had only just begun! Without hesitation, Tongtian activated the mutated Chaos Thunder Bead, aiming straight at the two Saint's Wills!