The Netherworld: A Vision for the Underworld Bureaucracy

"Perhaps this karmic debt can grant Empress Houtu freedom and help Empress Houtu escape the control of the Netherworld. I wonder if this karmic debt is significant enough?"

Upon hearing this, Houtu was immediately taken aback.

Can it help her escape the Netherworld?

If that's true, it would be a significant karmic consequence for her.

Since ancient times, Houtu has evolved the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches of the Witch Clan were no longer complete, which destined them to defeat and destruction.

Later events proved this to be true.

After the Witch and Demon Clans perished together.

The remnants of the Witch Clan could only hide in the Netherworld under her protection.

But at the same time, she also needs people to help her manage the cycle of reincarnation.

Therefore, the remnants of the Witch Clan from that time changed their name to the Nether Clan.

In the underworld, they took on the responsibility of operating the Netherworld.

Even so, the Netherworld remains in utter chaos, and there has been no improvement to this day.

This is also one of the reasons why Houtu cannot leave the Netherworld.

Now, Human Dao Saint actually claims he can help her escape the jurisdiction of the Netherworld?

This is naturally a matter of immense cause and effect.

Houtu took a deep breath, and with a wave of her hand, a time tunnel appeared.

He led Ye Xuan inside.

It truly is a Nine Netherworlds inferno, a place of endless reincarnation.

The sky was dark and the earth was shrouded in Chaos, devoid of light.

The foul air of the Yellow Springs surged forth in a terrifying torrent.

After the numerous images disappeared, Ye Xuan found himself in a huge palace.

The palace was incredibly magnificent and imposing, seemingly Wushuang in its grandeur.

Ye Xuan and Empress Pingxin stood in this palace, as insignificant as ants, almost imperceptible.

A magnificent palace, with towering gates, its twin towers floating in the Taiqing.

The magnificent pavilion stands tall in the sky, its wings connecting to the western city walls.

The Zhang River flows long and deep, and the Tianmen Gate flourishes.

Two platforms stand on the left and right, with a shaman god and a golden palace.

Ye Xuan had never seen such a magnificent and vast palace.

This palace is truly enormous.

He stood inside the palace, yet he couldn't see the palace's dome at all.

It's far bigger than I imagined.

Ye Xuan felt a chill run down his spine.

Perhaps this is the legendary Ancestral Witch Hall?

Ye Xuan's guess was absolutely correct.

The Ancestral Witch Hall was originally called the Pangu Hall.

This is because it is said that the main hall was formed from the skull of Pangu.

Later, it was transformed into the Ancestral Witch Hall by Dijiang, the leader of the Witch Clan.

Now that the Witch Clan has been completely destroyed, Houtu moved the Ancestral Witch Hall to the Nine Nether Underworld.

It was renamed the Reincarnation Hall.

It is the place where Houtu, the creator of Houtu, dwells.

Houtu, upon hearing Ye Xuan's words, clearly realized their significance and thus immediately brought Ye Xuan to the Ancestral Witch Hall.

Ye Xuan looked at the vast and boundless hall, a look of apprehension flashing in his eyes.

This is Houtu's territory. If Houtu plots against him, he will likely be suppressed here forever.

Seemingly sensing Ye Xuan's apprehension, Houtu merely glanced at him calmly.

"The Human Dao Saint need not be so wary. Some things are better said here, since only here can the secrets of heaven be completely concealed and the monitoring of the Heavenly Dao be avoided."

Ye Xuan looked at Houtu, who had no expression on her face, and nodded almost imperceptibly.

Isn't this woman a little too calm?

Ye Xuan was truly speechless at her nonchalant demeanor.

"Alright, let's get back to the main point. What exactly is this so-called cause and effect you're talking about?"

Upon hearing Houtu's question, Ye Xuan took a deep breath.

"I wonder if the Empress Houtu has ever heard of the Ten Yama Kings?"

Have you ever heard of the Eighteen Levels of Hell?

Have you ever heard of Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Black and White Impermanence, the Great Emperor Fengdu, or Meng Po —these soul-collecting messengers?

"Has the Empress Houtu ever considered establishing a complete system of reincarnation in the Netherworld?"

After Ye Xuan uttered these words...

Houtu was taken aback; to be honest, she had never thought of these things before.

In the Nether Underworld today, the power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation prevails.

After the death of beings in the Primordial World, their true spirits are drawn to the power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation. The Nether Clan then captures these spirits and casts them into the cycle of reincarnation.

But they never thought of creating the Ten Yama Kings.

"We urge someone to consult the Saint for a detailed explanation."

What are the Eighteen Levels of Hell? What is the Great Emperor Fengdu?

Seeing that Houtu knew nothing, Ye Xuan couldn't help but feel a headache coming on.

How long would it take to explain this? Is this going to kill me?

However, in order to fool Houtu, Ye Xuan had no choice but to patiently explain.

After thinking for a long time and organizing his chaotic thoughts, he finally spoke.

"As the saying goes, there is a celestial court in the Heavenly Court, Netherworld, and naturally, the underworld also needs its officials to handle affairs."

"Otherwise, relying solely on the Nether Clan Netherworld would indeed lead to considerable chaos."

"As for the system of reincarnation, it needs to be established immediately. The spirits that need to reincarnate also need to be reincarnated in an orderly and lawful manner. Otherwise, if things continue in such chaos, it will inevitably bring disaster to the world sooner or later."

Upon hearing Ye Xuan's words, Houtu Tu frowned slightly.

She knew absolutely nothing about these things.

"We hope that Saint can enlighten us: how should the Netherworld's administrative offices be established?"

Looking at Houtu before him, Ye Xuan couldn't help but sigh deeply.

The Earthly Dao Saint was so innocent and pure; she was just like an incredibly naive little girl.

How could someone like that become Earthly Dao Saint? It's simply unbelievable.

Ye Xuan searched his mind for a long time before finally speaking.

"The underworld and the netherworld are simply establishing their own system of reincarnation and a hierarchical system of governance. I can give you an example."

"The City God of the Netherworld is actually quite good; he can be preserved to govern the dying beings in the mortal realm."

"The next level up are the Soul Reapers, such as the Black and White Impermanence, who are used to collect souls and spirits. They can guide the spirits into the underworld and strictly control them, preventing them from acting recklessly."

"At the next level, we can establish official titles such as Ox-Head and Horse-Face, Lord Haoli, Yaksha, and Rakshasa to manage the order of the Netherworld."

"At the next level up, we can establish positions such as Meng Po, the Yin-Yang Judge, the Divine General of the Five Paths, the Ten Nether Marshals, and the Great General of the Blood River, to intimidate the Netherworld."

"Above these official positions, the Ten Yama Kings can be established. The Ten Yama Kings Hell are basically the highest rulers of the Netherworld in name only."

"If there are major matters that they are unable to decide, they can establish the Great Emperor Fengdu, who will have full authority."

"If these systems can be fully perfected, the Saint Houtu can completely relinquish control; they will naturally manage the entire Netherworld and Underworld in an orderly manner."

Hearing Ye Xuan's words.

A beam of golden light suddenly shot out from Houtu's eyes.

A look of joy appeared in his eyes.

She had never thought about these things, and no one had ever mentioned them to her.

It's a pity that the Human Dao Saint came too late.

If the Human Dao Saint had arrived here a few days earlier, perhaps she could have been freed sooner.

Houtu looked at Ye Xuan with surprise and admiration in her eyes.

This man is indeed resourceful; his cunning is truly astounding.

"Then how should the steps of reincarnation be established?"

"Right now, it's just that the power of the Six Paths of Reincarnation is automatically attracting those spirits here, and then the people of the Underworld are capturing them all over the Underworld."

"Those captured will be imprisoned and sent to reincarnation. Some evil spirits, having remained at large for a long time, have become incredibly powerful."

"Only I can handle this myself. I'm so busy and overwhelmed. I humbly request the guidance of Human Dao Saint."

Looking at Houtu standing beside him, her eyes sparkling as she gazed at Houtu.

Ye Xuan sighed.

Is this really the legendary Ancestral Witch Houtu?

Is this really the Earthly Dao Saint?

He looks like a child who doesn't know the ways of the world.

He originally came with the intention of deceiving Houtu.

Now, however, they've come here to advise Houtu.

Ye Xuan rolled his eyes, then began to ponder.

He only knew hearsay about the process of reincarnation and didn't know much about it.

After a long while, he finally spoke calmly: