The Pure Land, foremost among the Netherworld's three great sacred lands, was the domain of Youtan Poluo, ruler of the Netherworld. It was also the resting place of all souls whose roots of goodness had not been severed. Any being who reached the Pure Land would no longer suffer the pain of reincarnation. Yet if they still had unfulfilled wishes, they could voluntarily choose rebirth. Compared to the beings in the vats of Yomi, they enjoyed priority reincarnation privileges and would invariably be reborn into one of the three favorable paths: Deva, Asura, or Human.
There was no mist perpetually shrouding the Nether River, nor the everlasting sunset twilight of Great Yamato Toyo-Akitsu. There was only a landscape of flowers glowing across the earth, lush trees casting tender shade, and gentle breezes beneath bright skies.
Neither heaven nor earth could offer anything like it; not even Infinite Tsukuyomi could compare. This was a true Pure Land.
The flames of war that had pierced heaven and earth atop Takamagahara were still vivid in his mind. After narrowly escaping death, Yu had been most concerned about the whereabouts of his fellow countrymen. When he learned from Subichini that Madara had safely returned to Mitsuki Country with its fresh forces, the heart he had kept suspended finally settled. At last at peace, he poured out his feelings to his lover, whom he had regained after losing her.
As it turned out, Yang Yan had disappeared because, during the battle of Yellow Springs, while helping Subichini fend off enemies, she had been struck by Sahachi of the Ōtsutsuki clan's Amanokahokaka Shikigami. The Shikigami had completely erased Yang Yan's sense of presence. Aside from the caster or beings on the level of Progenitor Gods, no one could perceive her.
Furthermore, the Shikigami carried an additional