Dizang still remembered the days before he had been ordered to take up a post in the Underworld. Back in the Pure Land World, as Zhunti's personal disciple, he had been immensely popular among his fellow disciples. Many junior brothers had crowded around him to curry favor.
Of course, he had paid no heed to their flattery. We disciples of the Western Religion need only abide by our teachings and cultivate with tranquil hearts. Nothing else matters.
But...
Things had changed. Ever since he left the Western Lands and came to the Underworld, everything had changed.
Fewer and fewer fellow disciples had come to visit him. In nearly ten thousand years, not a single brother had come to Yin Mountain to reminisce with him. Like an abandoned stray dog, he had remained all alone on Yin Mountain, converting wandering ghosts and the Asuras next door.
For this, Patriarch Styx had given him savage beatings on more than one occasion.
Had River Styx not taken his status into consideration, he might have ended up being converted by someone else himself.
Recalling those past events, then thinking of what Gungun had just said, Dizang suddenly began to waver. He felt... perhaps he should listen to this Deputy Cult Leader.
Value. As long as I have value, no one will blame me. I'm on the same side as him. Is that how it works?
It seems... so?
At that thought, Dizang frowned. After a long while, he raised one palm, closed his eyes, and softly intoned, "Boundless Heavenly Venerable."
Then he opened his eyes and hurried after Gungun.
Elsewhere, in the Demon Emperor Palace in the Northern Lands.
The main seat stood empty. Lu Ya sat slightly off to one side below it, looking down at the grievously wounded Demon Sages, worry