The Gloomy Netherworld.
Judge's residence, side hall.
"The Xia Lands agreed?"
A note of astonishment entered the black-robed elder's voice. His own radiance stirred faintly, while the light of subduing earth around him remained still. The imposing aura of an Attendant Envoy seeped out, filling the residence with the breath of death.
"Liangque, whom did you meet?"
Chen Liangque wore a magnificent dark-gold robe. His face was pale and bloodless, his figure wavering like a wandering ghost. His cultivation in subduing earth had already reached the late stage.
He dared not delay and hurriedly answered his ancestor. "My lord, the one who received me was a Golden Man, an esteemed Attendant Envoy with the Daoist name Ming An... he agreed to let our Chen clan enter the Xia Lands."
Seated above him was an ancestor of the present Chen clan of the Gloomy Netherworld. Though not a direct descendant of the True Lord, he was still a fairly close blood relative. His name was Chen Fuyuan, his Daoist name [Falling Crow], and he was temporarily overseeing the affairs of the judge's residence.
"A Golden Man?"
Chen Fuyuan's expression changed slightly, but his smile returned in an instant.
"Were there any conditions?"
"They want... our clan's portion of the Netherworld moved there."
Chen Liangque spoke a little more slowly. "Grotto-heavens cannot be built in the Gloomy Netherworld; we can only partition off domains of the Netherworld. That Golden Man said a passage could be opened beneath the [Great Western Abyss] for our clan to enter. Ancestor, has the True Lord issued any instructions?"
"The True Lord made arrangements long ago. Send word that we agree."
Chen Fuyuan sighed. "Our Chen clan has a thousand disciples. Ever since we entered the Gloomy Netherworld and took on ghostly bodies, our bloodline has had