Deep within the Sea of Blood.
"Sata nam samyak sambuddha kotinam, tadyatha, svaha..."
River Styx sat cross-legged on the Twelfth-Grade Karma Fire Red Lotus, contemplating the Dao in hopes of attaining the rank of Primordial Unity Great Immortal just as Houtu had. Just then, chanting suddenly drifted over from the neighboring Yin Mountain. He recognized the scripture-it belonged to Saint Zhunti.
"What is going on? Who is reciting a Saint's scripture on Yin Mountain? Bali!" River Styx opened his eyes, puzzled, then called out.
Whoosh! As his words fell, a streak of red light flashed, and an armored asura appeared before him. Bowing with cupped hands, he asked, "What are your orders, Patriarch?"
"Go to Yin Mountain and see who is chanting there," River Styx instructed.
"Patriarch, Yin Mountain is Netherworld territory," Bali reminded him.
"I know. But Yin Mountain borders my Sea of Blood, so I need to understand what is happening there. Besides, Netherworld Emperor Gungun and I are on good terms. He will not object to my investigating Yin Mountain. Go," River Styx said.
Hearing his patriarch say this, Bali instinctively pictured a big, chubby face. The great Ancestral Bear... Indeed, the great god had helped the patriarch create them, the asuras, all those years ago.
At that thought, Bali hesitated no further. He nodded and replied, "Yes, Patriarch."
Bali then vanished and headed for Yin Mountain. Before long, he returned to report to River Styx that an exalted immortal from the Western Religion named Dizang had arrived there. Empress Houtu had invested him as king of the Underworld, granting him the title "King Dizang" and the duty of delivering beings burdened by karmic obstruction.
"King Dizang..." After hearing Bali's report, River Styx stroked his chin and pondered for a moment. Then he said, "Since he is