Chapter 397: Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader and Hou Tu Niangniang

Mu Yi gazed at the sky-covering, sun-blocking meat palm, felt the mana attached to it, and could only describe it as boundless and limitless.

Under extreme pressure, Mu Yi straightened his body; things had come to this, there was only one battle.

Mu Yi never feared challenges; his body moved like lightning, the Six Paths Reincarnation Barrier fully opened.

Raising both hands, an endless sea of blood, beasts, evil spirits, and flames shot up straight, heading toward the meat palm in the sky; asuras, evil spirits, beasts and the like, likely numbering no less than a million.

But before heavenly might it was utterly insignificant; the meat palm didn't pause, pressing down, everything before it was crushed to dust.

Mu Yi did not stop; supported by the true meaning of reincarnation, the Six Paths Reincarnation Barrier turned into a seal that bombarded the meat palm.

The meat palm paused slightly; seeing it was effective, Mu Yi immediately combined with the military formation, erupting with all his power, pouring it into the reincarnation seal.

"A grain-of-rice-sized pearl, dare to emit splendor?"

A soft snort came from beyond the firmament; the next moment the Six Paths Reincarnation Seal shattered directly, and the meat palm pressed down again.

The meat palm was like heaven tilting; all things could not oppose it in the slightest.

Mu Yi turned fierce, resolved to fight to the end; the Human Path army poured all cloud energy into him, and the spiritual essence of heaven and earth within a hundred-mile radius was completely devoured by Mu Yi at this moment.

Faced with absolute power, Mu Yi planned to go all-in, unleashing his strongest strike.

"Eternal without interval!"

Endless crimson, accompanied by the breath of true reincarnation, heavily bombarded the meat palm; its owner hadn't expected to encounter such a technique, feeling only a pain in the palm.

Immediately thereafter, the huge meat palm was pierced with a hole.

Through the hole, a long sword emitting endless killing intent pointed straight at the firmament.

"Even using the Slay Immortal Sword, is this all the effect?"

Seeing the hole appear in his palm, the owner of the meat palm grew angry; his vast mana instantly pressed down, space and time froze at this moment, Mu Yi was like a tiny insect in amber, only able to watch the meat palm swing down at him.

Yet at this very moment, the Slay Immortal Sword automatically flew from Mu Yi's hand, shooting straight to the firmament; the Slay Immortal Sword turned into a sword light, blocking beneath the meat palm.

The sword light and the meat palm made contact; unknown amounts of energy exploded in an instant, yet strangely, the area below suffered not the slightest ripple, and Mu Yi felt no energy draining downward.

It was as if this sword light severed the distance between the meat palm and Mu Yi; no matter how heavenly the palm's might, it could not touch Mu Yi in the slightest.

"Tongtian! You've overstepped!"

A jade ruyi shot out from the void, yet a sword light collided with the jade ruyi.

"Who first broke the rules, if not your Jade Void Sect disciple?"

A voice suddenly came from the void; only heavenly music filled the air, and auspicious clouds appeared; the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader had arrived riding a Kui ox.

Indeed, before the paired towers, music sounded in time; the Kui ox sat steadily as the Sect of Cutting Leader, while immortal boys burned incense before and after.

Sandalwood incense clouds rose, killing intent arose amidst the mist; when the white crane cried, heaven and earth turned; the green phoenix spread its wings, ascending over seas and mountains; the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader left the Golden Pavilion, descending to the mortal world with ringing sword light.

Upon the arrival of the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader, the meat palm in the firmament reluctantly withdrew; another Chi Jingzi appeared between heaven and earth, bowing respectfully to the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader.

"Greetings, Supreme Clarity Numinous Treasure Venerable!"

"Hmph, in this realm I am merely the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader!" the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader snorted coldly, showing no pleasant expression toward Chi Jingzi.

"Pay respects, Uncle-Master!"

"This uncle-master, you probably can't even call him that!"

Chi Jingzi showed a difficult expression, knowing this person was making things difficult for him, yet he himself dared not act rashly.

Even though his mana now is no different from that of the current Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader, he is the true body, while the current Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader is merely a thought of the Supreme Clarity Numinous Treasure Venerable; how could they be compared?

"Worthy younger brother, why make things difficult for a junior!" a sigh came from the void.

It was none other than the Primordial Heavenly Venerable; heavenly music sounded in unison, extraordinary fragrance gathered like a rainbow. Only the Primordial Heavenly Venerable was seen seated on a Nine Dragons Sandalwood Palanquin, breaking through the void to arrive, rich incense smoke, mist spreading sideways. Indeed: "Pairing censers produce mist from smoke, feather fan parts the white cranes."

Upon seeing the Primordial Heavenly Venerable arrive, the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader also had no pleasant expression.

"You claim to know the heavenly numbers, yet you don't even know it was Chi Jingzi who struck first?"

Upon hearing this, the Primordial Heavenly Venerable glanced at Mu Yi and Chi Jingzi's corpses, then helplessly turned his gaze toward Chi Jingzi.

The Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader himself is unreasonable, wanting to take three parts of unreasonableness; now you let him occupy reason as well—what good fruit could there be to eat?

"Chi Jingzi, in this matter you are at fault first! And you must apologize to your uncle-master!"

"Hopefully your uncle-master will forgive the transgression!"

Seeing the teacher of this realm speak, Chi Jingzi also helplessly bowed in apology.

"The one you owe an apology to is likely someone else!"

The Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader gestured with a hand; Mu Yi was lifted by seven-colored auspicious clouds to the firmament's summit, where Mu Yi bowed in salute.

"Greetings to the two sages!"

"Greetings, Daoist Chi Jingzi!"

Frankly, Mu Yi felt a bit miraculous—having just killed Chi Jingzi, a more formidable true body of Chi Jingzi then appeared, truly startling.

Chi Jingzi narrowed his eyes; previously blinded by rage, upon seeing Mu Yi he was suddenly shocked, and upon calculating with his fingers realized he had been schemed against through karma.

This Mu Yi is a god of the Jiuzhou Heavenly Court; acting rashly, he has already violated a taboo, and moreover Mu Yi is a disciple of Hou Tu Niangniang; it is said that the Spirit Mountain Buddha was struck because he harbored thoughts against Mu Yi, and was slapped.

If not for the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader's intervention, I would surely have brought great disaster upon myself.

At this moment the Primordial Heavenly Venerable could not speak; calculating with his fingers, cause and effect naturally became clear.

He glanced at Chi Jingzi and sighed.

He flicked his sleeve, directly tossing forth a twelve-petal golden lotus to bestow upon Mu Yi.

"This matter is Chi Jingzi's fault; let this object serve as his compensation, settling this karmic debt."

Seeing the Primordial Heavenly Venerable bleeding heavily, the Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader naturally wore a satisfied smile, gesturing for Mu Yi to accept the golden lotus.

"Thank you, sage, for the gift!" Mu Yi, obedient as flow, put away the item that was clearly a top-tier treasure at a glance.

Thereafter the Primordial Heavenly Venerable departed with Chi Jingzi, vanishing into the void.

The Heaven-Penetrating Sect Leader also did not obstruct; he originally intended to use Mu Yi's hand to cause trouble for the Jade Void Palace, but in fact had no desire to stir up further conflict among the sages.

Seeing the Primordial Heavenly Venerable lose face after paying a twelve-petal golden lotus, his mood naturally became excellent.

You have fate with the Azure Wander Palace; Many Treasures granting you the right to travel is reasonable. Effective today, you are my registered disciple; in the future you may go to the Azure Wander Palace to find me on your own!

Tongtian Jiaozhu was in a great mood, and said to Mu Yi.

【Comprehensive Net Important Notice: You have obtained the title "Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun Registered Disciple", reputation with the Daoist Sect faction increased to Revered, reputation with the Sect of the Cutting Teaching Dao lineage faction increased to Revered.】

Seeing the Comprehensive Net's notice, Mu Yi's pupils constricted slightly.

Many thanks, Lingbao Tianzun!

Mu Yi hastily bowed in thanks to Tongtian Jiaozhu, or perhaps at this moment he should be called Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun.

Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun smiled faintly.

Go! Your karma in this world is settled; do not linger! Upon hearing this, Mu Yi bowed and then left.

Seeing Mu Yi's figure disappear, Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun chuckled and looked toward the void.

I thought you would just attack directly!

If you are willing to teach, that would naturally be better! Hou Tu walked from the void, saying, "I really cannot spare the time to personally teach him!"

Is it that serious?

Upon hearing Hou Tu say that, Lingbao Tianzun's expression changed slightly.

"Asatuosi is not weak!" Hou Tu let out a slight sigh.

Moreover, those things have become active again!

They captured Sada·Hegla in the lower realm, and by following the vine found the sleeping Asatuosi, this blind foolish deity, the primal chaos source core, the lord of all things.

The capture process went smoothly, but the result seemed not as wonderful as they had imagined.

Countless outer gods began invading the lower realm of Jiuzhou; the gods of the Heavenly Court had to rush around putting out fires, and the chaos attracted many remnants once crushed by Jiuzhou, with more and more troubles surfacing.

This even caused Hou Tu to ponder whether they had captured Asatuosi, or whether someone was using Asatuosi as bait to reignite the flames of war in Jiuzhou.

However, the fact that an ineffable spirit is sealed within reincarnation remains true; other matters can only be left unspoken for now.

Introducing the Comprehensive Net is also a move seeking change.

"What do you need me to do?" Shangqing Lingbao Tianzun pondered for a moment and then asked.

"Get moving! Let Jiuzhou move as well!" Hou Tu shook his head.

"They will step forward on their own to help you!"

"You really have given me a difficult problem!" Lingbao Tianzun let out a long sigh, knowing what Hou Tu wanted him to do.

Nothing more than restarting the Fengshen War, not in the lower realm but in Jiuzhou proper.

Even the August Personage of Heaven and Hou Tu are stretched thin; if the Three Pure Ones were to restart the Fengshen War, no one knows how terrifying the waves it would stir up in Jiuzhou.

"Taiqing is emotionless, Yuqing stands alone; this matter can only be entrusted to you!"

"I already know about this!"

……

"I always feel something is off!" Mu Yi let out a sigh.

Jiuzhou is fine in every way, but being inside it, one always ends up as a pawn, sometimes without even realizing it.

However, this time it became somewhat explicit; a series of events strung together like a line, leaving him doubtful.

Holding his doubts, Mu Yi came to the Underworld, wanting to ask Bai Ze a few things.

However, when Mu Yi came to the Ghost Gate Pass of the Underworld to seek confirmation.

"You're too weak! You're not qualified to know those things!" Bai Ze didn't even lift an eyelid.

"……" Mu Yi was left speechless.

Suddenly, Bai Ze rose to his feet and gave Mu Yi a surprised glance.

But then auspicious clouds descended; it was a Daoist child of Hou Tu Niangniang delivering a decree, the child standing on the clouds: "The Lady has issued a command; please follow me."

Mu Yi and Bai Ze bowed their heads; in Bai Ze's surprised gaze, Mu Yi followed the Daoist child through the Ghost Gate Pass, straight into the depths of the Underworld.

Along the way, the Yellow Spring Road, Hall of Yama, Three Lives Stone, Meng Po Bridge…

Closely following, Mu Yi was enveloped by the auspicious clouds as he passed through layer after layer of hell—Tongue-pulling, Scissors Mirror, Bronze Pillar, Blade Mountain… even unto the Wrongful Death, Volcano, and Blade Fortress Hell…

His body continued to fall, even passing through the final Avici Hell, leaving him with a feeling of numb helplessness.

He had passed through the eighteen levels of hell, and even the nineteenth Avici Hell; where exactly was he being taken?

Not knowing how long he had fallen in the endless darkness, he seemed to have arrived at the edge of Jiuzhou.

Just as a sudden daze came over him, Mu Yi, after the dizziness, abruptly opened his eyes.

In an instant, he saw the Yellow Spring surging endlessly in the darkness, blood-red spider lilies blooming bewitchingly under the phosphorescent fire.

"Where is this?" Mu Yi wondered, as this place was completely unknown in his knowledge of the Underworld.

"This is the Realm of Reincarnation! And also the lowest layer of Jiuzhou!" a figure with its back to Mu Yi declared.

"Among the Thirty-Six Heavens, the Grand Luo Heaven is the highest point of Jiuzhou, and within these Thirty-Six Levels of Hell, this place is the lowest."

"Thirty-Six Levels of Hell?" Mu Yi was shaken by that number, then instantly realized who he was facing.

"Praises to follow Heaven, emulate the virtues, and glorify the great Hou Tu, Sovereign of Earth!" Mu Yi rose respectfully and paid his respects to Hou Tu Niangniang.

"You have fate with reincarnation; I wish to take you as my inner-circle disciple—are you willing?"

"Disciple greets the master!"

Mu Yi immediately bowed down, with no reason to refuse.

"Good!"

There were no omissions, no disturbances, yet merely in that exchange of words, Mu Yi felt the favor of heaven and earth, as if he were in the realm of reincarnation of his own world.

"I know you have many doubts, but the time has not yet come; I cannot speak plainly with you."

Hou Tu Niangniang turned to face Mu Yi; at this moment Mu Yi could not see her appearance, but he could feel that all-encompassing compassion.

"The Six Paths are an extension of reincarnation, but they will ultimately return to reincarnation!"

In Hou Tu Niangniang's hand, a reincarnation seal spun round and round, and from it Mu Yi sensed the true essence of reincarnation.

Just as Mu Yi was intoxicatedly observing the seal, Hou Tu Niangniang clasped her hands together and extinguished that reincarnation seal.

"Only that which has no beginning and no end is true reincarnation; have you understood?"

Unlike the heavenly blossoms falling and golden lotuses surging from the earth when the Heaven-Reaching Sect Master lectured in the Bi You Palace, Mu Yi instead felt as if struck by a sudden shout and attained great awakening.

The Six Paths Reincarnation Barrier revolved continuously around Mu Yi; Hou Tu Niangniang nodded, pointed a finger, and a stream of divine power flowed into the Six Paths Reincarnation Barrier.

The Reincarnation Barrier kept growing, gradually merging into one, with no distinction between its parts, yet it became even more lucid than before.

"Good!" Hou Tu Niangniang nodded slightly.

Mu Yi had a natural affinity for the Way of Reincarnation, which was precious, but this postnatal tempering was even rarer.

Although he had not yet become an immortal or Buddha, he had already grasped one ten-thousandth of the essence of reincarnation, and that alone was sufficient.

"Go!"

Hou Tu Niangniang waved her hand and sent Mu Yi back before the Ghost Gate Pass.

Bai Ze looked at Mu Yi, whose spirit wandered beyond the heavens, couldn't help but curl his lips, extended his hand and laid a barrier around Mu Yi to prevent others from disturbing his contemplation of the Way.

"I never expected that one day I would feel envy toward a junior! How strange and marvelous!"