Chapter 584: Narrowly Passing a Trial (4K)

The Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable usually resides in the Eastern Extremity Wondrous Strict Palace in the Heavenly Realm, commanding all true immortals of the Azure Mystery Left Mansion and overseeing the salvation of the Three Realms (immortal longevity in the celestial realm, relief of suffering in the human realm, and liberation of souls in the netherworld). This Heavenly Venerable possesses formidable Dao cultivation and holds an exceptionally high status among the immortals.

Zhang Jian had long intended to pay a visit to this Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable.

He was also curious in his heart.

When Zhang Jian ascended, this Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable had indeed descended an imperial edict; as long as he wished, he could at any time enter the Netherworld Realm and become a ruler of one domain.

Or perhaps he would follow the Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable.

Had it not been for his numerous backgrounds and the support of the Daoist Sovereign behind him, Zhang Jian would have found it difficult to refuse an imperial edict from an Immortal Venerable.

This one is among the Six Emperors of Heaven; following this celestial elder, his future would surely be bright.

In the Netherworld Traveling Palace, Zhang Jian, accompanying Yu Wang, met this Ten Directions Savior, Responsive to Sounds Heavenly Venerable. He dressed as a Daoist, wearing a Taiji Lotus Crown on his head, draped in a Mixed Yuan Daoist Robe, holding a horsetail whisk in his hand, with gentle eyes, appearing as an ordinary Daoist who had long recited Daoist scriptures.

He bore no airs of a Heavenly Emperor.

After a simple greeting, Yu Wang began conversing with this Heavenly Venerable, and Zhang Jian remained a mere listener throughout.

Zhang Jian was also pleased to be this listener.

After a lengthy exchange, Yu Wang then mentioned his purpose for coming.

The Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable said.

"Your Majesty Yu Wang, the rules of the Eastern Extremity Wondrous Strict Palace—you should know them. As long as the conditions are met, regardless of who one is, one can obtain permission from the Eastern Extremity Wondrous Strict Palace!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wang laughed heartily.

"Though my disciple has not cultivated for long, his external skills are indeed considerable, and he currently meets the requirements of the Eastern Extremity Wondrous Strict Palace!"

Zhang Jian's expression became solemn, and he straightened his posture.

The Eastern Extremity Wondrous Strict Palace oversees part of the authority of the Netherworld Underworld, and this Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable, basing his approach on compassion, proposed to borrow the Netherworld Underworld's authority to attain the Dao, requiring fulfillment of several conditions. Only by satisfying these five conditions will the Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable generally not make things difficult for the other party.

The most important of these five conditions is the accumulation of one billion external merits.

Next comes Daoist sect origin, celestial court origin, and additionally several other conditions, all related to the Way of the Gods.

Zhang Jian originally met these.

As for external merit, he had previously rescued the majority of sentient beings in the Jade Liuli World, then assisted the Left Eastern Hua Heavenly Realm in successfully ascending in maintenance, guarding the earth, later serving as the Water Official Emperor, harmonizing the Three Elements of Heaven and Earth—thus, one billion external merit is indeed present.

Upon hearing this, the Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable nodded and said.

"Since this is the case, I shall bestow upon you an Eastern Extremity Imperial Edict; when activated, it will naturally neutralize one instance of the Netherworld Underworld's source backlash!"

With a wave of his hand, a milky-white immortal light condensed from the void into form, transforming into an imperial edict that drifted down into Yu Wang's palm.

Yu Wang then handed this imperial edict to Zhang Jian.

"Disciple thanks the Heavenly Venerable for this generous gift; disciple shall never forget the Heavenly Venerable's great kindness, and in the future will surely establish the Ten Directions Merit to repay all sentient beings!"

Yu Wang raised his eyebrows, glancing at Zhang Jian.

"Establishing the Ten Directions Merit—this is indeed a great and vast vow."

"The Ten Directions Merit—this alone amounts to at least one hundred billion external merit."

"Having passed once through the Eastern Hua Heavenly Realm Ascension Tribulation was already fortunate; afterward, there will not be so many opportunities."

The Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable turned to gaze at Zhang Jian, finally revealing a hint of a smile on his face, and praised.

"You are one with enlightened roots; long ago I sensed someone had stolen part of my authority, and then felt your presence. Though the authority of salvation could expand greatly, which is also my wish, I did not mind it, and instead secretly aided you with a helping hand!"

"Now it appears you do not disappoint my expectations, having grown smoothly!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wang was slightly astonished.

"So it turns out the Heavenly Venerable's compassion fulfilled his salvation immortal method!"

The Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable laughed and said.

"In this world, to have one more Venerable who saves all beings and redeems heaven and earth—how could this not be the fortune of all beings!"

Zhang Jian's expression turned somewhat ashamed.

At the same time, he felt boundless admiration for this Heavenly Venerable's magnanimity.

He had secretly withheld this Heavenly Venerable's 'patent fee,' which now seemed overly short-sighted.

Having smoothly obtained the Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable's imperial edict, both were unusually delighted with the success of this journey.

After leaving the Netherworld Traveling Palace of the Great Compassion Savior Heavenly Venerable, the two proceeded toward the Platform Heart Palace deep within the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Following Heaven and emulating the After-Soil Emperor Earth Deity, he usually resides in seclusion within the Platform Heart Palace.

This time, Zhang Jian prepared to meet him alone.

Having consecutively audience with two of the Six Emperors of Heaven within a single day, Zhang Jian's inner self could not help but feel somewhat solemn.

Before the Platform Heart Palace, at this moment a tall ghostly deity gazed at Zhang Jian and spoke in a deep voice.

"Eternal Heavenly Sovereign, the After-Soil Majesty keeps the palace gates closed year-round, rarely receiving visitors. I will announce you, but whether the Empress consents to see you depends on your fate!"

"Thank you, Dao friend!"

Zhang Jian slightly clasped his hands.

After thinking, Zhang Jian added: "Dao friend, I recently obtained an old item of the Mysterious Li Empress, wishing to present it to the After-Soil Majesty. I believe upon hearing of it, the After-Soil Majesty should agree to meet!"

Upon hearing this, the tall ghostly deity's expression showed some surprise; evidently he was quite familiar with the Mysterious Li Empress, and he immediately entered the Platform Heart Palace.

Shortly afterward, he emerged from the palace and directly said.

"Eternal Heavenly Sovereign, you may enter; the After-Soil Majesty is willing to see you!"

This ghostly deity stared at Zhang Jian with a somewhat strange expression, but he quickly composed himself and stepped aside to clear a path.

Zhang Jian immediately passed through the colossal Netherworld Divine Bridge before him, crossed the Six Paths of Reincarnation beneath his feet, and in a single step entered the deep torrent formed by the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

After passing through the waterfall formed by layers of reincarnation and netherworld qi, moments later countless netherworld waterfalls were flung behind him, appearing as if falling from the azure heavens, roaring and resounding.

Netherworld qi cascaded down ten thousand zhang.

In the distance stood an ancient, faintly luminous immortal palace towering in the depths of the Netherworld Vast Ocean; beneath the Netherworld Vast Ocean, one could seemingly see the image of the great Six Paths of Reincarnation wheel standing and rotating three-dimensionally, extraordinarily magnificent, evoking from the depths of the soul a sense of trembling.

Beneath that Six Paths of Reincarnation wheel, even the mightiest immortals and gods would seem no more than a grain of sand in the vast sea.

Zhang Jian collected his thoughts and immediately stepped into the ancient immortal palace.

In the Hall of Peace, Zhang Jian saw a majestic goddess standing on the divine throne at the center of the hall, her radiant divine light flowing around her in a hazy glow. He felt his primordial spirit and divine sense disturbed, unable to clearly see the goddess's face, but he dared not stare and directly clasped his hands.

"Disciple Zhang Jian of the Tongshan Dao Lineage pays respects to Her Majesty Hou Tu!"

"Rise!"

Upon the divine throne, that majestic figure remained calm in expression.

Afterwards, Zhang Jian felt a gaze of pure clarity fall upon him; once it landed, he sensed that everything he had concealed was laid bare before the other's eyes without doubt.

Although Zhang Jian had mentally prepared for this, when truly facing such a situation, he still felt immense pressure.

No one is born fond of playing high-stakes games.

If not for survival or climbing higher, one would rather lie flat.

However, Zhang Jian had anticipated this scene; he calmly took out a stone comb from his hand and presented it.

"This humble deity recently obtained a portion of the items left by Lady Xuanming; this humble immortal wishes to offer this to Her Majesty Hou Tu!"

Zhang Jian raised both hands, but saw the stone comb vanish instantly, moments later falling into the hands of the majestic goddess upon the divine throne.

The goddess played with it slightly; Zhang Jian could not discern her expression, then she spoke again.

"Furthermore, this humble deity comes to seek an audience with the Lady to consolidate the authority of the Nine Nether Emperor; when this humble immortal breaks through, it may disturb the Six Paths of Reincarnation, so I humbly ask the Lady to show mercy and open a net!"

Upon hearing this, the goddess upon the divine throne chuckled lightly.

"You little deity have quite the gall, daring to probe my very head?!"

As the words fell, Zhang Jian suddenly felt pressure surge upon his body, sweat involuntarily appearing on his forehead.

He quickly replied.

"This humble immortal's thoughts cannot be hidden from the Lady; my foundation is shallow, I seek only the Dao, and I beg the Lady's permission!"

Zhang Jian knew he had modeled part of his foundation after the two earth mothers in myth, a bold act, but having seen Fuxi the Holy Emperor and received no warning from him, he felt this was feasible.

However, he felt it best to obtain the other's agreement.

If the other disagreed, he would simply find a way to change his path, at most spending more time.

But if he completely ignored the other's attitude and relied on luck to pass, disaster would surely follow.

Should those two earth mothers in myth become angered over this, a single thought would leave him no chance to correct himself.

Zhang Jian could not afford to gamble.

In fact, even without that stone comb, he would seek another approach to understand Lady Hou Tu's attitude toward those who touch her path.

But that would be relying on chance, gambling.

This naturally cannot compare to personally entering the Hall of Peace in the Netherworld.

Seeing Zhang Jian's attitude, the goddess upon the divine throne had a faint ripple in her eyes.

"You are a clever person, bold and meticulous, moreover possessing a rare compassionate heart; rest assured, this palace will not make things difficult for you!"

"However, if you wish this palace to utterly not hold you accountable for stealing its authority, you must still do one thing for this palace!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian's face immediately showed difficulty.

"Your Majesty's disciple has shallow magical power and limited insight, unlike the various Nether Emperors beneath your throne; I fear my ability is limited and I might ruin your great affair!"

Seeing Zhang Jian complain, the Hou Tu Mother upon the divine throne smiled faintly, she straightened her face and said.

"You slippery one, this palace has not held you accountable, yet you are the first to begin complaining!"

Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian spoke earnestly.

"Your Majesty, it is not that this humble immortal complains, but truly, even Her Majesty Hou Tu cannot accomplish this matter; this humble immortal dare not lightly promise, for if I promise something I cannot fulfill, would it not be a breach of trust to Her Majesty Hou Tu, and worse, ruin her grand plan?"

Zhang Jian would rather abandon part of his path than lightly promise to undertake a life-risking task.

He values his life greatly.

Though the path of the Earth Emperor is alluring, everything must first presuppose being alive.

Moreover, having abandoned the Earth Emperor's path, he may not lack other bright prospects.

Therefore, he is unwilling to lightly agree to live or die.

Upon the divine throne, the Hou Tu Mother's countenance returned to calm, only saying.

"This palace will not bully the small with the great; this matter will not exceed your capabilities; you will naturally know when the time comes!"

Speaking, she did not wait for Zhang Jian's agreement or refusal; with a wave of her hand, her form vanished within the hall, thereafter ghostly deities entered the Hall of Peace to see guests off.

Seeing this, Zhang Jian felt helpless, at this moment not knowing whether he should be happy or worried.

But in an instant, Zhang Jian suppressed his thoughts; at least the Hou Tu Mother before him had not made things difficult for him due to his taking of the Netherworld's authority, nor had she felt offended by his combining the paths of the two earth mothers.

This lifted a great weight from Zhang Jian's heart.

As for the matter the Hou Tu Mother mentioned, it will at least have to wait until he attains the rank of Dao Lord.

Does this also mean the Hou Tu Mother believes he will certainly become a Dao Lord?

Thinking it over, Zhang Jian's mood improved even further.

At this moment, the ghost deity beside him laughed: "Heavenly Prince, your retinue is extraordinary; for Her Majesty Hou Tu to meet other immortals and deities in an entire eon is rare, yet Heavenly Prince actually received her summons; he will surely achieve something great in the future!"

Zhang Jian's eyes moved, he laughed and clasped his hands.

"May I ask how you, fellow Daoist, are called?"

The ghost deity's attitude at this moment had undergone a complete turn from before, laughing as he announced his affiliation.

"This deity is Shi You, currently serving as the Guardian Great Deity of the Hall for Her Majesty Hou Tu!"

"Fellow Daoist Shi You being able to stand in the Hall of Peace to guard Her Majesty's dojo suggests extraordinary foundation, far beyond what ordinary immortals and deities can match!"

After a bout of mutual boasting, the two became acquainted.

Leaving the Hall of Peace, Zhang Jian saw Yu Wang outside.

"A Yu, how are you?"

Seeing Zhang Jian, Yu Wang's face immediately showed an inquiring expression.

Facing Yu Wang's countenance, Zhang Jian revealed a faint smile and slightly nodded his head toward Yu Wang.

"Ancestral Master, Hou Tu Your Majesty has agreed!"

Upon hearing this, Yu Wang's face relaxed, and he also felt happy for Zhang Jian.

With Hou Tu Niangniang and the two Heavenly Emperors, Dongji Qinghua Dadi, giving their approval, Zhang Jian had already succeeded more than halfway in opening the path to the Nine Netherworlds.

At this moment, the two of them gazed toward the dark Netherworld Underworld, and both could feel that the scenery seemed utterly different.

Immediately, the two deities prepared to leave the Netherworld Underworld and return to the Heavenly Realm.

But just then, the two of them noticed that the inside and outside of the Netherworld Underworld had become lively at this moment, as the troops of the major Netherworld ghost states were being continuously summoned by the Ten Great Netherworld Emperors and gathering toward the Netherworld Reincarnation Ground.

The inside and outside of the Netherworld Underworld were in chaos, with chickens flying and dogs jumping.

This clearly indicated they were preparing for a major battle against some great power!

"Could it be that the extraterritorial demon gods have broken in?"

Zhang Jian secretly pondered in his heart, Yu Wang slightly bent his fingers to calculate, then he told Zhang Jian to wait in place while his own figure headed toward the depths of the Netherworld, and shortly afterward returned directly.

His face bore a trace of inexplicable expression.

Zhang Jian could not help but ask.

"Ancestral Master, what has happened in the Netherworld Underworld?!"

Yu Wang slightly nodded his head.

"The Netherworld Underworld is dispatching troops to participate in the encirclement and annihilation of the Ancestral Dragon's Soul!"

"Again, the Ancestral Dragon's Soul?"

Zhang Jian's eyes showed astonishment.

The first time he participated in the Heavenly Court's grand audience, he had heard that the Ancestral Dragon's Soul had been reincarnated; could it be that the Heavenly Court failed to successfully slay the Ancestral Dragon's Soul tens of thousands of years ago?

Instead, they let the Ancestral Dragon's Soul escape!

Zhang Jian secretly pondered in his heart: if the Ancestral Dragon's Soul had escaped, then the myriad heavens and void would become lively.

The Ancestral Dragon's Soul has always been a major threat to the Heavenly Court.

The Xian Qin it once established had once occupied a dimension of the Heavenly Realm, exerting profound influence and nearly disrupting the Heavenly Court's grand situation.

However, these matters currently have no relation to his Eternal Ice Fortress.

The Eternal Ice Fortress lies in the central region of the Heavenly Realm, and it would be difficult for the Ancestral Dragon's Soul to break in.

Zhang Jian prepared to return afterward, wholeheartedly devoting himself to elevating the community and the Nine Netherworlds' two kinds of qi, transforming them into ancestral qi, in order to complete the fifth step of cultivation.