Chapter 575

Lady Houtu!

The masses lamented, their voices shaking eternity.

The masses lamented, their voices shaking eternity.

An unsurpassed mighty one, sacrificing for humanity and all beings to this extent, even the coldest person would be struck in their tender heart, feeling a tremor.

We need to keep meaning. Let's craft: "An unsurpassed mighty one, sacrificing for humanity and all beings to this degree, even the coldest person would be struck in their tender heart, feeling a tremor."

Still, to those who have attained the Dao and become eternal Great Luo, this scene seems somewhat ridiculous.

However, the Great Guide didn't care much about this.

The Great Luo beings saw through it; what could they do?

Anyway, driven by profit, the Heavenly Court and the Heavenly Dao Saints are surely acting as pundits, giving a platform to this Dao Ancestor of theirs!

That is enough.

With control of over half the world's media, what is there to fear from truth-seekers?

The truth here is no longer important.

Under the Dao Ancestor's command, Saints and the Heavenly Court acted together, feasting on the 'Human Blood Steamed Bun' of Houtu.

Of course.

They all cloaked themselves in kindness, hiding their act of exterminating households.

Fortunately, this is not a real event; the true Houtu remains lively and jumping… otherwise, even the dead could be breathed back to life.

How despicable!

Not a single one attends to human affairs.

Lady Houtu!

Jieyin the Ancient Buddha forced out a few tears; as a natural-born drama queen, acting came easily to him.

He wailed, he howled, in the eyes of all beings paying utmost reverent homage to Houtu.

As a 'teacher' tasked with guiding and educating, he now bowed before the exalted virtue incarnate of Honghuang, the light of humanity—Houtu—his posture was perfectly on point.

I often pride myself, proud that the Buddhist teachings I founded guide people toward goodness, and proud that the pool of water in the Eight Treasures Merit Pond is full...

But I only now realize that there exists in the world someone as exalted and great as you, truly selfless, who even at life's end cannot let go of toiling for the masses.

Jieyin wiped his tears, 'Houtu, go forth with peace of mind!'

Your will, we successors will inherit… Aren't you worried about the safety of reincarnation? Afraid that ill-intentioned people will harm it?

Don't worry!

Our Buddhist Sect will soon dispatch Buddhist disciples to reside voluntarily in the Underworld, making selfless contributions!

Assist in guarding reincarnation, resist evil.

To ferry the dead, free wronged souls, let the light of truth, goodness, and beauty shine in the Underworld, so that those who toiled in life may, after death, gain utmost ease and liberation, smiling as they go toward new birth!

Jieyin the Ancient Buddha said, 'Houtu, go ahead and rest assured!'

I've taken care of your affairs after death!

Dispatch Buddhist disciples to ferry resentment, help stabilize Underworld order, prevent great evils from meddling...

And doing all this costs nothing; it is unpaid labor!

The Buddhist Sect's sincerity overflowed, making all beings feel it, they all cried out 'Sadhu!'—truly, the Buddhist Sect has many noble ones.

How effective is this wave of propaganda, really?

Even the rumors that sprang up out of nowhere, with clear details, accusing the Buddhist Sect of seizing good farmland, lending and collecting rent, not paying taxes… the negative image that had taken root in many beings' hearts was largely dispelled, leaving almost only the positive!

After all.

How could a sectarian academy that, at critical moments, bravely takes responsibility and contributes unpaid labor possibly do evil?

If they truly did evil, without a doubt… then there is a thing called 'being forced!' 'Having no choice!'

Perhaps the Buddhist Sect is just such a case.

They aren't intentionally evil; they're merely seeking self-preservation in an age of cannibalism.

Is maintaining a few monk-soldier units excessive?

Not excessive!

Taking advantage of the Great Guide's stirring of the 'Houtu' heroic scene, the Buddhist Sect promoted its image; across the vast mountains and rivers, temple after temple arose—solemn, lavish, magnificent—with the golden bodies of their Buddha statues shining ever brighter.

The myriad gods sighed in admiration.

This is truly shameless!

But sadly, it is often the shameless who manage to fill their pockets to the brim.

Yuanshi Tianzun glanced sideways at Jieyin with the corner of his eye, secretly scorning this shameless colleague. But after a moment's thought about his own Daoist Sect's situation, proceeding conventionally, he didn't know when he would ever have the chance to let his dreams soar and truly follow his heart in teaching the masses… his lofty spirit instantly deflated, and he resolved to go along with worldly corruption.

No… how could this be called going along with corruption?

It's merely catering to popular demand!

There's nothing to be done.

To get rich, one must resort to side doors.

Otherwise, the land rent of Kunlun Immortal Mountain might someday become impossible to pay!

'I'm having such a hard time...'

Yuanshi Tianzun let out a soft sigh from deep within, then steadied his spirit, closely following Jieyin the Ancient Buddha, and solemnly promised before all beings to the 'dying' Houtu:

—Houtu's dreams and kindness will surely be realized!

—The Daoist Sect hereby promises to one day spare no effort in aiding the cause of reincarnation, dispatching a 'Salvation Heavenly Lord' dedicated to guiding suffering souls to rebirth.

—And for those souls who have accumulated virtue, practiced goodness, understood the Dao and grasped the profound, with merit complete, the Salvation Heavenly Lord will further guide them to ascend into the Daoist Sect Heavenly Realm, to attain fruition and join the immortals!

—Greatly holy, greatly merciful! Greatly compassionate, greatly vowed! Responding to cries, saving from suffering and calamity!

—The Daoist Sect Boundless Salvation Blessing Charity Foundation is established now!

Yuanshi Tianzun is also a wonderful person.

Being jointly pushed out by the Moral Heavenly Venerable and the Numinous Treasure Heavenly Venerable, coming to preside over the reincarnation negotiation task, it is not without reason.

Eloquent and skilled in the Dao, arranging things properly, he is no less than the mainstay of the Daoist sect specially in charge of official affairs.

In the time it takes to open one's mouth, he won over people's hearts with the name "Houtu", making the Daoist sect's reputation more flourishing and its prestige higher.

All beings are convinced.

No reason not to be convinced—

The identity of a Heavenly Dao Saint.

Peach and plum fill the world; for many years, diligently cultivating talent in the Daoist sect, one batch of students after another.

Such a figure steps forward, showing breadth and ambition, expressing willingness to continue the broken path for the fallen Houtu, letting the great cause of seeking welfare for the souls continue…

Who could harbor suspicion, guessing they are eating Houtu's human flesh buns, usurping the fruits of victory?

Impossible!

The two Saints joined hands in performance, mutually supporting, both doing bad deeds and erecting a memorial arch.

It's truly wonderful, making the gods sigh.

And this is far from the end.

Rare opportunity, at a critical moment the Dao Ancestor schemed against Nüwa; who would not seize it?

Besides the Saints taking action, the Heavenly Emperor of the Heavenly Court is also performing!

Di Jun spoke generously, praising the noble virtue of Houtu towards former enemies, now international friends, without limit.

Although in the past, Houtu was always the boss who charged ahead in the Wu Clan, beating group after group of demon gods, the blood of the Great Luo she touched could dye Mount Buzhou red… but seeing her actions today, the Demon Race acknowledges she is a good person!

For such a good person, the Heavenly Court side is willing to let go of past grudges, transcend the original camp's limitations and barriers, and likewise selflessly provide several boxes of heavenly treasures and life‑saving medicines, hoping to help Houtu overcome the crisis, successfully break free from the death calamity, and survive intact!

All of this, everything, is for the tomorrow of Honghuang to be even better!

—After the Heavenly Emperor's words, it was described as "heavenly flowers scattering, earthly divine springs gushing".

The demon gods all applauded, as if in this activity they gained great spiritual elevation, becoming supreme, noble, lofty pillars of the righteous path.

Amidst brilliant starlight, endless radiance poured down toward the netherworld, submerging Houtu's figure in the sight of all beings; everything became hard to see again.

"Zhou Tian Star Gods, assist Houtu in healing her wounds!"

Di Jun let out a roar, serving as a standard explanation.

As for whether others believe it or not……

They definitely believe it!

Because, in the very next moment!

"Boom!"

A fist struck out, shattering myriad ancient mountains and rivers, the Zhou Tian starlight completely extinguished.

Lady Houtu reappears in the world, in her most prosperous form!

"Wow!"

All beings first fell silent, then cheered, frantic shouting, the whole world plunged into an ocean of joy.

Beings are joyful, infecting the human Dao also with great excitement.

Of course.

The great goddess Houtu herself… certainly is not at all pleased.

Different from the previous impostor.

This time this…

Is real!

Houtu was schemed against by the Dao Ancestor, her true body intercepted in reincarnation.

But what kind of person is she?

Even if heaven's timing, earth's advantage, and human harmony are all in the enemy's hands, as long as it's not the true body of Hongjun coming to block the gate, just two Saints, plus a bit of Zhou Tian star dipper support, cannot eternally seal her!

At most it's a breath of an instant!

Precisely this instant, she forcefully shattered the Dao Ancestor's interception means, her true body probed out of reincarnation, overlooking heaven and earth, mountains and rivers.

Yet likewise this instant, the situation completely changed!

At this moment, Nüwa very much wants to kill.

—Someone actually impersonated her, coming to act as her?

—And there are so many coming to eat her human flesh buns?

—And it's fortunate she isn't truly cold (dead)!

—So many gods who don't act like humans!

Houtu's killing intent blazes in her heart, her gaze icy, she is about to unleash a slaughter storm to vent her anger.

The sovereign was forced into the palace, schemed into signing an unequal treaty—how can this be endured!

Nüwa, seeing the minor changes in the contract between the Human Dao and her, inexplicably found herself burdened with many responsibilities: the free warranty period changed from one yuanhui to an entire era, followed by an extension of warranty for two kalpas, and at all times accepting paid repairs, willing to be supervised by the Human Dao…

Etcetera, etcetera.

The lethality is not great, but the disgust factor is extremely strong.

Like a shopping free gift.

Originally it was simply a clear exchange of money for goods, fair and just.

Now it's fine.

Regarding the "gift" issue, a huge pile of visible troubles swarmed in, perhaps later we'll have to argue over it until heaven and earth are turned upside down.

The receipt evaluation is positive.

However, the follow‑up evaluation is likely to one day give a negative review, greatly affecting her Nüwa's golden signboard and personal reputation.

One slip, and you'll end up on the Human Dao blacklist, facing all kinds of consumption restrictions and share freezes.

——Just asking, is this reasonable?!

The more she thought, the angrier Nüwa became.

Especially, Human Dao is really clueless.

Seeing her "recovered", they offered blessings while awkwardly holding the revised contract clauses, asking if she would agree to enforce them.

"Enforce my ass!"

A small flame of anger burned wildly in Nüwa's eyes, giving her a strong urge to break the contract.

One careless moment and she got entangled in the Dao, but what could justify footing the bill for this bullshit contract?

"If I really enforce it, I'll just shackle myself with another chain, losing a large part of my combat power!"

At this moment, Nüwa felt a bit of regret; she had previously opened up the Netherworld so joyfully, desperately expanding its area.

The harder she had worked back then, the greater the combat power she now had to pledge!

A realm not inferior to the mountains and rivers of Honghuang, still a wasteland awaiting development… If she truly enforced this contract, her combat power would instantly drop by forty to fifty percent; even filling all the profits from cutting into reincarnation this time wouldn't be enough!

Nüwa remained silent, causing the heavens and earth to sway with wind and rain, as an inexpressible great fear spread unseen.

She frowned coldly at the thousand fingers pointing at her.

Her icy gaze swept over Yuanshi and Jieyin, the two Saints, chilling them to the bone; they couldn't utter a word of excuse, hastily summoning aid, and in an instant the Five Saints gathered to withstand the pressure.

All the Saints have gathered!

But Nüwa didn't regard them at all.

She slightly raised her head, looking toward the direction of the Heavenly Court.

At a glance, the rotation of the celestial sea grew difficult; the ancient starry sky seemed to be crushed by an unprecedented force, the star sea on the verge of shattering into calamitous ash.

Countless demon gods were shocked, the Heavenly Court's Two Eastern Emperors were moved, solemnly on guard—this Nüwa having gained authority over reincarnation, her empowerment is too absurd!

The world is vast and bewildering.

The common people cheered obliviously, while the gods solemnly guarded—forming the most ludicrous contrast.

Oh.

Right.

Not all the gods are that tense.

Like Fuxi, he remained calm, sipping tea and munching melon seeds, a playful smile on his face as he looked down from above at Houtu; that teasing feeling deep in his eyes overflowed, as if he were waiting for Nüwa to give an answer with her actions.

"What would you do?" Fuxi tapped the table absently with his fingertips, looking eager, "Under extreme anger, one's true intentions are most revealed… Over these years, you have managed the Wu Clan—just what have you turned yourself into?"

"Does it meet my expectations?"

Fuxi is waiting.

He is half an outsider, with the composure to stay calm.

And the other one who can stay calm is the Dao Ancestor in the Purple Cloud Palace.

After successfully scheming against Nüwa, the situation came under his control.

Chuckling, he waved his horsetail whisk; in the unseen, a huge karmic bond manifested—this is the nominal affiliation of the Heavenly Dao and its Saints.

Nüwa… is also a Saint!

At this moment, the status of a Saint is a shackle.

The Dao Ancestor pointed at karma, using a staged contract as a pretext to demand an explanation from Human Dao, justifiably engaging Nüwa in a remote contest of Daoist power.

"Boom!"

Mountains and rivers roiled, heaven and earth vanished.

Two peak Sovereigns facing off—this is astonishing!

However, throughout this process, Empress Nüwa's expression never changed, her killing intent remaining as fierce as ever.

When has she ever suffered such injustice!

She was driven to desperation.

She would go all out in a battle, not for victory, but to let her thoughts flow freely, to smash this heaven and earth into ruin—why not!

In Mount Buzhou, war drums beat.

Many ancestral witches and great witches gathered, silently awaiting orders.

——They can accompany Houtu in going mad!

Just that.

In the end, Nüwa did not throw a fist to vent her resentment wildly.

She looked at the beings cheering for her "recovery", their pure blessings; she looked at the first ghosts entering the Netherworld, kneeling in endless gratitude, thanking Houtu's great kindness; she looked at…

Nüwa's eyelids twitched wildly, and she finally forced herself to temporarily hold back that foul breath.

(End of chapter)