Is this Haotian poisonous?

As for Haotian, seeing that Jieyin had no desire to continue engaging with him, he naturally had no intention of forcing himself into an awkward position.

Since his objective had already been achieved, there was no need to stir up further trouble.

If he truly pushed Jieyin to the brink, that one might just abandon everything and leave outright.

Then all of his schemes would come to nothing.

In the end, he would still have to rely on the cultivators of the Western Teachings to cause chaos in the Underworld.

Thus, it was better to know when to stop and take what he could.

Meanwhile, Jieyin, after casting a glance at Empress Pingxin, asked directly, "Daoist Pingxin, if you have any conditions, you may state them now."

Upon hearing Jieyin's words, Empress Pingxin no longer hesitated.

While Haotian and Jieyin had been haggling earlier, she had already been pondering her own terms.

Now, all she had to do was speak them aloud.

"Since that is the case, This Seat will dispense with formalities.

Just now, Daoist Haotian mentioned that when the cultivators of the Western Teachings come to the Underworld, they must abide by its rules.

This Seat fully agrees with that point.

It is also the foundation upon which This Seat is willing to continue negotiations.

Since the Sage has already agreed to this foundational condition, This Seat will not belabor it.

Aside from this already settled foundational condition, This Seat has only two demands.

First, your Western Teachings must not target the Witch Clan.

Second, This Seat demands the Eight Treasures Merit Pool.

With these two conditions met, This Seat can arrange for Ksitigarbha to enter the Underworld."

Hearing these two conditions, Jieyin felt a pang of discomfort in his heart.

He had naturally anticipated that Pingxin would propose conditions that would trouble him.

After all, Jieyin was well aware that the one most affected by this matter was still Pingxin.

Yet he had not expected her to put forward these two specific demands.

The first condition was manageable—not targeting the Witch Clan was no great loss.

After all, the Witch Clan of today could no longer stir up any waves.

But Pingxin's demand for the Eight Treasures Merit Pool caused him considerable pain.

This spiritual treasure ranked among the foremost in the Western Teachings.

Though it was inferior to treasures like the Twelve-grade Merit Golden Lotus or the Eastern Azure Treasure Lotus Banner, It still stood among the High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.

Moreover, it was one of the more powerful among those High-grade Innate Spiritual Treasures.

Its pool water possessed the ability to cleanse the physical body, And also had a faint capacity to wash away karmic sin.

At present, however, it seemed it might not see much use.

Yet merely the grade of this treasure was enough to make Jieyin's heart ache.

After a moment of deliberation, Jieyin spoke, "Daoist Pingxin, first tell me how you plan to arrange for Ksitigarbha!

If This Seat is satisfied with this arrangement, I may agree to your conditions."

Empress Pingxin replied directly, "Did Ksitigarbha not say earlier that he wished to deliver all the Lost Souls of the Underworld?

It so happens that after This Seat established the new Yin Si, I moved all those souls burdened with heavy sins and stubborn evil habits down to the Nine Netherworlds.

Thus, let Ksitigarbha first go to the Nine Netherworlds and finish delivering those souls there before discussing anything else.

After all, the souls elsewhere are still under the management of Yin Si, and for now, they are not in danger of falling eternally into the Nine Netherworlds.

But the souls beneath the Nine Netherworlds are a different matter.

No one knows when they might die once more and transform into troublesome Evil Spirits.

Once that happens, those souls will have little chance of redemption.

Unless the souls themselves manage to seize a thread of hope.

Since Ksitigarbha is intent on saving all souls, let him act according to urgency.

Moreover, every position in Yin Si is already filled by a Yin God.

Assigning Ksitigarbha the role of a Yin Soldier would hardly be appropriate."

With this speech, Empress Pingxin had effectively nailed Ksitigarbha down to the depths of the Nine Netherworlds.

See?

This was something Ksitigarbha had requested himself.

Even if problems arise, they cannot be blamed on This Seat.

Upon hearing these words, Jieyin nearly spat out a mouthful of old blood.

It was over!

Ksitigarbha had set his standards far too high earlier.

What was this now?

Begging to be struck down?

Now that Pingxin had laid the reasoning out in the open, how was he supposed to refuse?

Was he to say that Ksitigarbha had been speaking nonsense before?

Wouldn't that confirm that Ksitigarbha's motives for entering the Underworld were impure?

Seeing that the negotiation was going poorly, was he planning to use a vow to force his way into the Underworld?

The evil cause sown earlier had now come time to swallow the bitter fruit.

Enough!

Going to the Nine Netherworlds was still better than becoming a Yin Soldier.

Since Pingxin dared to say such words, it proved she truly had this intention.

Even if he, Jieyin, continued to press the matter, the best he could get would be a position only slightly better than a Yin Soldier.

Rather than obtaining such a lowly position, losing face for nothing, and forfeiting his freedom, it would be better to simply go along with Ksitigarbha's words.

At least he would gain a relatively free post, allowing him to scheme and implement plans more effectively in the future.

Moreover, Ksitigarbha elevating those Lost Souls to directly enter reincarnation, sparing them the torment of Yin Si's punishments, didn't that perfectly demonstrate the excellence of the Western Dharma?

This could also expand the prestige of the Western Teachings, and perhaps one day Ksitigarbha's renown in the Underworld might even surpass Pingxin's.

Having thought this through, Jieyin spoke: "Fine!

Let it be as Fellow Daoist Pingxin says!

The hells beneath the Nine Netherworlds shall be overseen by Ksitigarbha."

Seeing that Jieyin was still playing petty tricks in his words, Pingxin couldn't be bothered to argue with him, merely nodding faintly.

Oversee the hell beneath the Nine Netherworlds?

Since you're willing to go, then so be it.

When problems arise, you'll be the perfect scapegoat.

Seeing that the matter was settled, Jieyin tossed the Eight Treasures Merit Pool to Pingxin.

Then he turned to Ksitigarbha and said: "You have seen how things stand.

How you conduct yourself from now on, I hope you will think carefully."

"Your disciple understands!"

Hearing Ksitigarbha's reply, Jieyin nodded and was about to leave.

But Haotian spoke up at that moment, his tone dark: "You may oversee as you wish, but the rules must still be followed.

Lost Souls cannot bypass the Ten Halls' judgment; without washing away their own karmic obstacles, they cannot reincarnate. This is the iron law of the Underworld's Yin Si.

It is also one of the keys to the orderly operation of the Underworld.

I hope you, Ksitigarbha, will remember this well!

Otherwise, do not blame Imperial We for not warning you beforehand!"

When Haotian said this, Jieyin, who was about to leave, nearly stumbled.

Was Haotian poisoned or what!

This Seat had barely managed to secure a bit of benefit.

And you open your mouth to nullify it directly?

Infinite Dao Ancestor!

This bastard is definitely targeting This Seat!

Bullying This Seat too much!

Whirling around, Jieyin fixed a chilling gaze on Haotian.

Then, in a voice cold as frost, he said: "Haotian!

You've gone too far!

How dare you target This Seat time and again.

Do you think This Seat is easy to bully?

Or do you believe This Seat's divine treasures are dull?"

Haotian replied coldly, "Imperial We's Treasure Sword is not dull either!"

As the words fell, Haotian had already grasped his sword.

Seeing the situation on the verge of spiraling out of control, Empress Pingxin did not wish to stir up further trouble.

She could only speak up: "What are you two doing?

We all agreed on the terms beforehand.

Daoist Haotian should not have spoken up alone to remind us.

But what he said is the truth.

Why must Saint Jieyin take offense over this?"

Hearing Empress Pingxin's words, Jieyin felt not a trace of reconciliation.

Instead, he detected support for Haotian in her tone.

In an instant.

Jieyin was already cursing inwardly.

A pair of dogs and bitches!

Colluding in villainy!

It was only the dignity of Saint Jieyin that kept him from uttering such filth aloud.

Otherwise, he would have certainly torn into those two cultivators with a torrent of abuse.