The Underworld

The Underworld had always been one of the universe's most mysterious Life Forbidden Zones, established upon its most expansive stretch of Netherland.

Though the Underworld's lineage had been founded by the Netherworld Venerable, the Netherland it occupied had existed far longer. Its origins could be traced back to unimaginably distant prehistoric ages, a span of time beyond anyone's imagination.

The Netherland stretched boundlessly, like another universe. Here, death was the eternal theme, and the black earth extended without end.

There was no sun above this land, only a blood moon hanging high in the sky, scattering a faint, cold, unnerving radiance.

Across this territory steeped in death, countless mindless walking dead crowded the vast black plains, endlessly slaughtering one another.

There were also bands of yin soldiers, drawing in the boundless deathly energy of the netherworld as they cultivated upon this land.

With its overwhelming deathly energy, this Netherland was a naturally formed realm of utmost yin. Under ordinary circumstances, not just ordinary cultivators but even supreme Dao attainers were unwilling to set foot here.

Now, to ascertain Longevity Heavenly Venerable's true condition, He Mu descended here in person, treading the Golden Light Avenue.

He Mu traveled through the Netherland, crossing endless black, blighted earth. Everywhere he looked was deathly silence. Beneath the ground, blood rivers and yellow springs could often be seen; corpses and white bones formed mountain ranges, while enormous coffins lay across the land, shrouded in sinister deathly energy.

As He Mu passed, boundless immortal light illuminated all directions, lighting up the entire Netherland of the Underworld. Even the blood moon high above was completely eclipsed by that radiance.

He Mu's arrival caused an immense disturbance. He made no attempt to conceal his Heavenly Venerable's might. Along his path, walking dead and yin soldiers alike retreated in trembling terror, some even falling to their knees and repeatedly kowtowing to him.

Powerful war slaves appeared along the way, including supremely powerful Quasi-Venerables, but they too shook with fear, unable to approach him in the slightest.

Boom-

As He Mu ventured deeper, an equally vast, unfathomable, and irresistible power of the supreme Dao finally surged from the deepest reaches of the Netherland. Black light roiled, its pressure bearing down upon the nine heavens, blocking He Mu's aura entirely.

An enormous phantom manifestation appeared, towering into the heavens like an emperor of the netherworld. The six paths of reincarnation revolved around him, extinguishing all laws.

At last, the manifestation gradually shrank into an emperor in black robes. Though his hair was graying, he was stern and majestic, his presence as oppressive as a prison and as deep as an abyss.

The next moment, a low, hoarse voice rang out, spreading throughout the entire Underworld in an instant.

"Newcomer, who are you? Why have you stirred the Netherland into turmoil and denied the entire Underworld its peace?"

Unlike its madness in later ages, the Underworld of the Mythological Era could be called a model among forbidden zones, as well as one of the most tranquil places in the universe.

Ordinarily, the venerables of the Underworld spent most of their time sleeping in the Netherland, paying little heed to changes in the mortal world. Even god wars between forbidden zones or dark turmoil might not awaken them.

Things such as yin soldiers commandeering roads, yellow springs destroying worlds, or collecting kingly blood were acts the Underworld of the Mythological Era almost never committed.

Under the Netherworld Venerable's influence, this forbidden zone had always remained aloof from worldly affairs, detached from all things. The weak lay buried deep underground, while the strong slumbered in coffins.

Thus, it was perfectly natural that the Underworld's venerables had not witnessed He Mu reigning over Flying Immortal and did not recognize him.

Of course, it was still a Life Forbidden Zone, a sleeping place for supremes, and they had caused great disasters before.

The Immortal Corpse that had once forced Heavenly Venerable Lingbao to dissolve his physical form had been collected by the Underworld after Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable's demise. That could also be considered the most outrageous thing the Underworld's supremes had done to date.

And in the future, when Emperor Venerable fell and the Heavenly Court collapsed at the end of the Mythological Era, the Underworld would also be one of the principal forces involved.

Otherwise, why would Heavenly Venerable Lingbao have compiled the Deliverance Scripture specifically to counter the Underworld? Why would the God Organization have opposed the Underworld generation after generation, meeting it needle point to needle point?

Either they cause no trouble at all, or they bottle it up for something enormous. That was He Mu's current understanding of the Underworld in the Mythological Era.

Seeing that someone had finally awakened, He Mu gradually restrained his own might and dispersed the boundless immortal light illuminating the entire Underworld.

After all, he had not come to provoke them, and the Underworld had yet to harm the universe. He had acted this way only to find someone in charge with whom he could speak as an equal.

Had He Mu not done so, given the habits of the Underworld's venerables, probably no one would have awakened at all.

In their eyes, why bother with some Contemporary Dao Attainer? Better to sleep straight through until the Road to Immortality opened.

After withdrawing his boundless immortal light, He Mu looked at the Underworld supreme before him and spoke in a clear voice.

"I am Wuliang, the Contemporary Dao Attainer. I have come to the Underworld today to speak with Fellow Daoist Changsheng. May I ask whether he is here?"

Seeing this, the Underworld supreme opposite him likewise restrained his might and addressed He Mu.

"So the reigning supreme stands before me. I am Zhuanlun, currently in charge of the Underworld. But if you came merely to seek someone, why cause such a disturbance and throw my Underworld into turmoil?"

Zhuanlun Supreme had emerged because, upon sensing the might of the supreme Dao, he had been startled awake in the depths of the Netherland.

Though Lunzhuan Supreme was somewhat annoyed, he had already sensed the visitor's cultivation realm before awakening and had no desire to fight.

Once he learned that the reigning supreme stood before him, he was even less willing to wage battle in the Underworld. He only wanted to establish the reason for this visit and settle the matter peacefully.

After all, he was no longer young, and he was unwilling to wreak havoc upon the heavens. He saved his lifespan and vital energy wherever he could, refusing to waste even the slightest amount.

Though Lunzhuan Supreme's words carried a hint of reproach, his manner was courteous, without the least offense. He Mu could find nothing to fault.

As the saying went, one did not raise a hand against a smiling face. Seeing how amenable the Underworld supreme was, He Mu softened his tone as well.

He first offered Zhuanlun Supreme a Daoist bow, then said,

"Please forgive me, Fellow Daoist Zhuanlun. The Underworld remains silent year after year, with no supreme Dao experts appearing. I had no choice but to resort to this poor measure to awaken a fellow Daoist for a meeting. May I ask, Fellow Daoist Lunzhuan, whether Fellow Daoist Changsheng is here, and whether he could come out for a conversation?"

Upon hearing this, Lunzhuan Supreme likewise offered a Daoist bow before replying,

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist Wuliang. Fellow Daoist Changsheng entered our Underworld a thousand years ago and went into seclusion to comprehend the Dao three hundred years ago. I fear he cannot receive visitors at present. Why not come with me to the hall and enjoy some tea? Surely that would be better than waiting here."

Lunzhuan Supreme had only meant to be polite. In his view, the reigning supreme would never waste his time lingering in the Underworld's Netherland.

But he had never imagined that He Mu had come determined to ascertain Changsheng's true condition. A legitimate reason to stay a little longer was exactly what he wanted, and he would never refuse.

And so, He Mu smiled at Zhuanlun Supreme and said,

"Since you extend such a gracious invitation, it would be more respectful to accept than decline. Fellow Daoist, please!"

Hearing this, Lunzhuan Supreme instantly felt a pang of discomfort.

He could not understand why the man before him refused to play by the usual rules. But having already spoken, he certainly could not take his words back.

With no other choice, Zhuanlun Supreme could only steel himself and smile at He Mu.

"Excellent. Fellow Daoist Wuliang, please follow me."

The next moment, black light swept outward as Lunzhuan Supreme led He Mu away. Two streams of immortal light, one black and one golden, flew together toward the depths of the Netherland.

After thinking it over carefully lately, I realized the Underworld doesn't necessarily have to be the villain. It can have kindly souls too, so Ancient Venerable Zhuanlun of the Mythological Era has now made his appearance. If you have any good suggestions, feel free to share them.

Starting today, updates will return to normal. This is today's first update, and the second will come tonight.

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