Within the Netherworld.
Before the two Sages, Jieyin and Zhunti, arrived.
Forces great and small from throughout the Netherworld had already gathered in Pingxin Hall.
Empress Pingxin, Houtu, intended to seize this opportunity, while the Earthly Dao obscured the workings of heaven, to thoroughly purge the forces under her command.
All Ten Hall Yama Kings were present, but the Southern Ghost Emperor was absent from the Five Ghost Emperors.
King Qin Guang surveyed the distinguished gathering, his thoughts beginning to stir.
"Everyone, we have gathered in Pingxin Hall today. While Empress Pingxin has yet to appear, do any of you have thoughts on the reestablishment of the Earthly Dao?"
Gasps!
King Qin Guang was ordinarily mature and steady, yet today he dared spout such outrageous words in a place like this!
The other ghost kings exchanged glances, unsure what had gotten into the old bastard.
The Eastern Ghost Emperor, Shentu, was himself a member of the Witch Clan. He immediately stepped forward at those words.
"King Qin Guang, what do you mean by that!"
"Our empress has now become the Earthly Dao Ancestor. Do you perhaps have a dissenting opinion?"
Indeed.
Everyone who had come today understood the situation in the Netherworld. None were desperadoes tired of living.
Discussing such things in private would have been one thing.
But Pingxin Hall was now the sanctuary of the Earthly Dao!
It was like Zixiao Palace of old. Forget a mere Yama King-even a Sage visiting it would not dare act insolently before the Dao Ancestor!
King Qin Guang gave a cold laugh.
"We're all thousand-year-old foxes here, so spare us the fancy tricks."
"Apart from those few Witch Clan members who can gain the favor of the Earthly Dao Ancestor, do you really think spies like us, planted here by the