Li Taiqing gazed at the illusory yet real soul shadow of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal. Even with his steadfast Dao heart, he couldn't help but feel his eyes well up with tears.
He stepped forward and, just as in his previous life, respectfully performed a disciple's salute to the remnant soul of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal.
"Master, it is Azure Lotus. This is a long story. Please allow me to explain the details later. I will stabilize your soul first."
The remnant soul of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal stared blankly at Li Taiqing, then looked at its own illusory hands. Suddenly, it felt a warm power flowing through its entire body, and its originally weak soul became much more solid.
"You're back... good... it's good that you're back..."
The Pure Yang Golden Immortal murmured, his gaze falling on Li Taiqing. His shock transformed into boundless complexity and emotion, along with a trace of relief and satisfaction.
Su Ming put away the Method Formula, nodded to the Nether Lord, indicating that the matter was settled.
The Nether Lord nodded slightly, a hint of surprise in his eyes as he looked at Su Ming. He hadn't expected that Su Ming would succeed on the first try, and that the process would be smoother than he had anticipated. Su Ming's use of the power of reincarnation seemed to be even more exquisite than he had estimated.
It seems he underestimated Su Ming's potential.
Given time, the other person might reach his level, or even have the opportunity to go further.
After all, the other party has a Hunyuan Wuji standing behind him, so their chances might be even greater than his.
Of course, this thought only flashed through my mind.
Li Taiqing carefully used the jade bottle to nurture the soul of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal, then turned and bowed deeply to Su Ming and the Nether Lord:
"Many thanks, Brother Su; many thanks, Nether Lord, for granting this request! Taiqing will forever remember this kindness."
"The bond between fellow disciples should be established."
Su Ming chuckled, though his aura seemed slightly weak, indicating that he had expended a considerable amount of energy.
"You're too kind, young friend. It's all fate that I was able to help you fulfill your wish."
The Nether Lord waved his hand, his attitude becoming increasingly amiable.
This matter not only saved face for Su Ming, but also did a favor for Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable's first disciple, and demonstrated Su Ming's potential, making it a win-win situation for him.
Li Taiqing did not disturb the two. Carrying the jade bottle that had nurtured the Pure Yang Golden Immortal's soul, he once again solemnly thanked Su Ming and the Nether Lord. Then, he transformed into a clear and resolute sword light, broke through the heavy fog of the Nether Sea, and sped towards the Mystic Heaven Dao Domain.
Having resolved his greatest inner conflict, he felt an unprecedented clarity and transparency in his Dao heart, and even his speed in controlling the sword light was several times faster than when he arrived. He was eager to return home.
Watching Li Taiqing leave, Su Ming breathed a sigh of relief; things had gone smoothly.
In fact, he was under a lot of pressure. If he made a mistake, he would be completely ruined.
The Nether Lord turned to Su Ming, whose aura was still somewhat unsteady, and his deep eyes showed even greater appreciation.
"Young friend Su Ming, I didn't expect you to have already comprehended the first three volumes of the Nether God Scripture in such a short time."
"Come, let me introduce you to the elites of my Underworld."
The Nether Lord was in a good mood and brought Su Ming to the Underworld he had established.
This is the true power center of the Underworld, the Youdu Divine Palace.
The Nether Lord and Su Ming stepped through the gates of the Divine Palace.
The scene inside the palace was completely different from the deathly silence outside; it appeared orderly and well-organized.
Countless Nether God, judges, and messengers of varying strengths and forms were busy among them. Upon seeing the Nether Lord, they all stopped what they were doing, bowed, and their gazes swept over Su Ming with curiosity and awe, clearly having already heard the news.
The Nether Lord led Su Ming directly to the main hall at the deepest part of the Divine Palace— the Reincarnation Hall.
The hall was empty, except for a huge wheel of reincarnation slowly rotating in the center, emanating a chilling aura of the origin of reincarnation.
At this moment, dozens of figures were already waiting in the hall. They possessed powerful auras, and the lowest level among them was the Daluo Golden Immortal. There were even quite a few Hunyuan One Qi Daluo Golden Immortal Primordial Chaos, who were the true core high-level figures of the Underworld.
Upon seeing the Nether Lord and Su Ming arrive together, all eyes turned to them, especially to Su Ming, filled with curiosity.
They could sense the profound aura emanating from Su Ming, which was distinct from the Underworld system, and they could also perceive the importance the Nether Lord placed on this person.
The Nether Lord faced the assembled Nether God, his voice resounding throughout the hall:
"I have summoned you here today to announce one thing."
Today, I hereby specially appoint Fellow Fate Dao Su Ming as the Nether God of my Underworld, holding a position equivalent to the Yama Kings of the Ten Halls, enjoying the blessing of reincarnation's fortune, free to consult all the Underworld's scriptures, and having the authority to mobilize the netherworld army and patrol the Land of Reincarnation."
Although no one in the hall voiced their doubts upon hearing this, an invisible tremor and a sense of oppressive tension permeated the air.
Such authority is bestowed upon a newcomer who has just joined?
However, the Nether Lord quickly added:
" Su Ming possesses the potential of Chaos Devil God, is the junior brother of Mystic Heaven Dao Venerable, and has exceptional talent in the Dao of Life and Death. Don't underestimate him just because he's young."
Upon hearing this, everyone nodded, and there were no more doubts.
Time passed, and several hundred years went by.
"We're just one step away from a breakthrough..."
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, a hint of disappointment in them, but it vanished in an instant.
It's too naive to think you can break through with just one Hunyuan One Qi Tushita Purple Gold Pill and hundreds of years of enlightenment.
Or rather, if it weren't for the aid of elixirs and the numerous treasures he could comprehend, even with his talent, it would have taken him countless years to break through to the next level. Even arduous cultivation alone wouldn't have been so easy.
However, Han Xuanji had already sensed that bottleneck, and he should be able to break through it soon.
Han Xuanji calculated that because of his intervention, the return of the Devil Ancestor had been significantly delayed, requiring at least another thousand years. This time would be enough for him to break through to the fourth level of the Hunyuan Wuji Daluo Golden Immortal.
" The Devil Ancestor's Dharma form is still some distance from the mid- Middle Hunyuan Wuji."
Han Xuanji was getting a little cocky; by then, he would have reached the Middle Hunyuan Wuji.
He could probably suppress it with a mere wave of his hand.
However, if it provokes the Devil Ancestor himself, it's uncertain whether beings like the Supreme Dao Venerable will also intervene.
This day.
Li Taiqing requests an audience with Han Xuanji.
He had been back at the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace for many years, and had resolved his inner conflicts. His Dao heart had become even stronger. Although his trip out seemed to have yielded no fortuitous opportunity, his cultivation had actually improved, and he had taken another step closer to the Hunyuan Realm.
Li Taiqing has now settled the Pure Yang Golden Immortal in place, allowing him to cultivate at the Spirit Void Heavenly Palace, and has left behind a large amount of resources.
At first, Pure Yang Golden Immortal was somewhat incredulous, but after learning about Han Xuanji's deeds through various channels, he understood everything.
The Pure Yang Golden Immortal was only pleasantly surprised and had no other thoughts. He instructed Li Taiqing to be filial to his master in this life and not to worry about him too much, as he could handle it himself.
In recent years, Li Taiqing has not only been busy with cultivation, but has also begun to manage the Dao Palace for Han Xuanji.
It must be said that although Han Xuanji was the master of the Mystic Heaven Dao Palace, he was actually only focused on cultivation and didn't care about other things, basically entrusting many matters to his capable eldest disciple.
After all, managing power is something he's really not good at.
Generally speaking, he is good at persuading people with "Tao".