Ksitigarbha stared at Ancestor Minghe, his face filled with wariness.
Countless years of cultivation separated the two of them.
Thus, however arrogant Ksitigarbha might be, he naturally dared not imagine that he could match Ancestor Minghe.
More importantly, the protective power Heavenly Dao had bestowed earlier was meant to safeguard him after he entered the Underworld, preventing even Houtu from killing him.
But now, if he fought Ancestor Minghe, that protection would be utterly useless.
"Minghe, what exactly are you trying to do?"
Ksitigarbha dispensed with courtesy and immediately demanded an answer in anger.
On the other side, Jieyin and Zhunti also wore dark expressions as they fixed Ancestor Minghe with icy stares.
Seeing this, Minghe paid them no heed.
"Haha, what am I trying to do?"
"I, too, have taken a fancy to this position overseeing the Underworld."
"Do you have any objections?"
Ancestor Minghe paused, but did not wait for Jieyin, Zhunti, or the others to respond.
Then he turned toward the Underworld.
"Today, I was fortunate enough to receive guidance from Fellow Daoist Changqing."
"Would Sage Houtu be willing to bestow her grace and accept me into the Underworld, allowing me to follow her in cultivating the Great Dao?"
Minghe's words rang out with unwavering resolve.
Having made his decision to trust Gu Changqing, Minghe no longer had any other misgivings.
He called directly to Houtu across the distance.
Barely a moment after those words rang out, Houtu's response followed.
"Hehe, since this is Fellow Daoist Changqing's wish, how could I possibly refuse?"
"Today, provided Fellow Daoist Minghe can repel the enemies invading my Underworld..."
"I shall grant you a portion of Earth Dao's authority, so that we may cultivate the supreme Great Dao together."
Her response was as different as heaven and earth from her earlier