In the Microcosm, at the Peaceful Heaven Dao Palace, five Mighty Experts worked together to refine the Formation Diagram, increasing their efficiency a hundredfold.
The fifth Mighty Expert was, naturally, Xuanming.
Having promised the Peaceful Heaven Dao Master that he would help refine the formation, he could hardly swallow his own words.
This Formation Diagram possessed formidable power.
Even Xuanming felt his heart pound and his flesh crawl.
As he refined it, he devoted himself to studying its mysteries, and his mastery of formations advanced by leaps and bounds. At times, the Peaceful Heaven Dao Master offered him guidance as well.
Xuanming progressed with astonishing speed.
He also grew more confident in his ability to create the Heavenly Circuit Star Dipper Formation.
While Xuanming busied himself refining the Formation Diagram, the stories unfolding across the world never stopped. Instead, they grew ever more extraordinary.
In the Underworld Court of the Netherworld, on the eighth day of the third month in the year after his departure, a cocoon of light shattered deep within the court.
The Houtu Empress's Dharma Aspect transformed into a Dharma Body.
She wore the Five-Grain Harvest Crown on her head and robes of black and blue-green, embroidered with patterns of seeds and farming tools.
Behind her shimmered six illusory streams of colored light.
Profound and mysterious, sacred and compassionate.
The entire Underworld Court received more of the Netherworld's favor and fortune. The Heavenly Worthy of Salvation from Suffering, Taiyi, who was handling its affairs, curled his lips into a smile.
The Empress had descended into this world.
The Netherworld's great flourishing was not far off.
The Mighty Experts of the Netherworld were startled. The corners of Santu's cold, hard mouth lifted slightly, and the sword in his hand stood poised to strike. He looked ready to unleash