Chapter 248: The Strangeness of Master Yuanshi Tianzun

"To think there is a place in this world where such death energy and resentment gather!" By the side of the Wangchuan River, Wangshu wore a look of shock and suspicion.

Just a moment ago, she had been wandering the Eastern Land when she suddenly felt powerful fluctuations coming from beneath the ground.

The violence and madness faintly permeating the dissipating aura made even her feel incomparably alarmed.

Following those fluctuations, she had not expected to see a strange river spanning across the void.

Within it, blood waves surged and bones were piled high; amidst the splashing water, mournful shrieks could be faintly heard.

With a look of shock and suspicion, Wangshu strode forward.

Who would have thought that as soon as she approached, she would feel a powerful corrosive force rapidly eroding her Primordial Spirit.

She was now a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal; there was nowhere in the Primordial World she could not go, yet a mere little river could actually block her path.

However, this sudden change only made Wangshu all the more curious about the river before her.

This Buzhou Mountain Consciousness Space was far more extraordinary than she had imagined.

Just as Wangshu intended to examine it carefully, her gaze suddenly narrowed, and she looked toward the end of the river in shock.

There was a rumbling sound there, accompanied by three powerful auras rapidly approaching; all of them were Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortals.

Among them was an aura he was very familiar with—it was the master of this space, Tian Yuan.

There was another aura she had once encountered in the Purple Heaven Palace; it was Houtu, one of the Twelve Ancestral Witches.

She had not expected that after not seeing her for a period of time, this Houtu had already Proved the Dao to Hunyuan.

And that final aura was the source of the violent, mad fluctuations she had felt just moments ago.

This unexpected discovery left Wangshu inwardly shocked.

Nuwa and Hongyun had already broken through in the Primordial World; she had not expected that there would still be Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortals within this Buzhou Mountain Consciousness Space.

The Twelve Ancestral Witches had been missing from the Primordial World for some time; did this mean they all had the possibility of having Proved the Dao to Hunyuan?

In that case, the number of Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortals in the world was far greater than she had imagined, and there were even many existences she was not familiar with.

Looking up, Wangshu's brows immediately furrowed slightly; he only saw two figures.

Tian Yuan and the other were walking side by side, treading on the blood waves as they approached rapidly; she did not see a third figure.

Given the oddity of the river before her and her relationship with Tian Yuan, it was not convenient for Wangshu to use her Divine Sense to investigate.

She rose into the air and quickly flew to meet the two approaching figures.

As she flew, her gaze swept past the two of them, and Wangshu could not help but narrow her eyes; she saw the figure following behind Tian Yuan.

With just a single glance, Wangshu recognized the other party. Hou, the Fierce Beast Hou that once ravaged the East Sea.

It had been forcefully subdued by Tian Yuan and had even appeared repeatedly during the battles with the Wu Clan, yet now it had actually Proved the Dao to Hunyuan as well.

That Hou had Proved the Dao to Hunyuan was one thing, but that it, now a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal, still followed respectfully behind Tian Yuan was what shocked Wangshu the most.

Wanting to become a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal was far harder than becoming a Saint.

With Hou's foundation, it was undoubtedly one of the top existences in the Primordial World; why would it be willing to be like this?

The other party's posture was not a simple submission, but rather still that of a mount.

What kind of methods did Tian Yuan have to make the violent Fierce Beast Hou so obedient?

Wangshu did not know the specifics, but she understood very clearly in her heart: no one in the Primordial World could fight Tian Yuan anymore; it would be impossible for Di Jun and Taiyi to restore the Demon Court in this lifetime.

The Demon Court had only one outcome: to submit to him and work together to benefit the Primordial World.

Wangshu, who had come up to meet them, hurriedly offered a respectful greeting: "Greetings, Dao Brother Tian Yuan, Dao Friend Houtu."

As she spoke, she finally looked at Hou behind Tian Yuan.

The other party was merely Tian Yuan's mount; she felt it would be inappropriate to treat it with the same courtesy right now.

But if she did not greet it, Wangshu also felt it was not good, as the other party was, after all, a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Just as Wangshu was feeling conflicted, Hou merely cast a contemptuous glance at her, turned its head away on its own, and did not look at her again.

With that one faint look, how could Wangshu not understand the meaning? The Fierce Beast Hou simply looked down on her.

That indifferent gaze made Wangshu's brows twitch involuntarily, but her heart was filled with even more admiration for Tian Yuan.

To be able to tame such an unruly Fierce Beast until it was so docile—Tian Yuan was truly worthy of the name.

Since Hou had such an attitude, Wangshu simply ignored the other party.

Tian Yuan nodded slightly to acknowledge the greeting.

As for Hou's attitude, Tian Yuan naturally noticed it, but he did not pay it any mind.

As long as the other party was willing to follow him and did not attempt to harm the Primordial World or engage in wanton slaughter, he would not care.

Personality and style of conduct were also manifestations of one's own Dao; how could one rashly constrain them?

"Greetings, Dao Friend Wangshu!" Houtu, however, cupped her hands and responded warmly.

Although she had been busy with matters of the Netherworld for some time recently, she already knew what had happened in the Consciousness Space.

Houtu was naturally very happy that Wangshu could choose to work together to benefit the Primordial World.

Tian Yuan looked at Houtu and said softly, "The will at the end has been eliminated; the Wangchuan River will manifest in the Netherworld in a few days. I will be leaving first."

With the will connecting to Chaos removed, Hou could already clearly sense the entire Wangchuan River; it was only a matter of time before it manifested in the Underworld.

With the problem of the wandering souls solved, he also had to go back to seclude himself and cultivate, to refine the second law as soon as possible.

Hongjun had so many schemes for the Primordial World, yet there had been no movement at all until now, which truly made Tian Yuan somewhat wary.

He did not fear Hongjun's methods, but this feeling of having no way to intervene left him feeling very insecure.

Strength—only with powerful strength could one perhaps discern Hongjun's methods.

"Good!" Houtu nodded heavily, her heart filled with immense joy.

Although Hongjun's series of methods also made her very worried, the fact that the Wangchuan River could manifest in the Underworld was absolutely a joyous event of the highest order.

The death energy and resentment dissipating from the Wangchuan River could attract all the wandering souls of the Primordial World, saving them a lot of work.

The constant Reincarnation of living beings would gradually strengthen the power of the Earthly Dao; this was the main point.

That Tian Yuan was able to resolve it so quickly truly exceeded Houtu's expectations.

Tian Yuan said nothing more, nodded toward Wangshu, and transformed into a ray of rosy light to flee.

The Fierce Beast Hou, following behind, saw Tian Yuan depart and plunged headlong into the rolling waves of blood beneath him, losing his trail in the blink of an eye.

Having just made a breakthrough, he needed to return to the Wangchuan River to stabilize his realm.

As the figure of the Fierce Beast Hou vanished, the once surging Wangchuan River instantly fell silent.

Seeing the Fierce Beast Hou leave without a word, Houtu hurriedly explained to Wangshu: "Fellow Daoist Wangshu, please do not mind; the Fierce Beast Hou just has such a temperament."

She herself did not mind, and furthermore, she had long been aware of the Fierce Beast Hou's personality.

He was like this even before he made his breakthrough, let alone now that he has Proved the Dao to Hunyuan.

In the entire Primordial World, only Tian Yuan could make the Fierce Beast Hou look at him differently.

Given the current situation, and how he had disdained the other party upon first meeting, Houtu was worried that Wangshu would take it to heart.

Wangshu was not only a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal but also a renowned Innate Sacred on the Lunar Star; she was not simple in the context of the entire heaven and earth.

"It is nothing! It is nothing!" Wangshu waved her hands repeatedly.

When the Fierce Beast Hou left just now, he had not even acknowledged Houtu, so how could she not know this fellow's temperament? Naturally, she would not take it to heart.

As she spoke, Wangshu glanced at the blood-colored river below and asked with curiosity: "Fellow Daoist, this Wangchuan River?"

She had originally intended to gain a good understanding of this space, and Houtu was absolutely the best person to introduce it.

The other party was a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal and also the earliest Ancestral Witch to follow Tian Yuan, so she surely knew the most information.

Houtu did not answer immediately, but instead said warmly: "Calling each other 'Fellow Daoist' is too distant; why not call you Sister Wangshu, and you can just call me Little Sister."

Wangshu was taken aback upon hearing this; there was no reason to refuse Houtu's goodwill.

"Since Little Sister Houtu is so hospitable, this sister shall take advantage of you."

Houtu smiled, then warmly invited her: "If Sister has nothing to do, you may accompany me to walk around the Netherworld; we can talk on the way to the Wangchuan River."

Wangshu was naturally overjoyed and nodded repeatedly in agreement.

Although many of the Demon Race lived on the Eastern Land, they only knew a little about the affairs of the Eastern Earth Vein, and knew little else. Now with a guide like Houtu, she would certainly be able to learn more.

The two of them, smiling, walked together toward the direction of the Netherworld.

After leading Wangshu on a stroll through the Netherworld in the Consciousness Space, Houtu immediately returned to the Underworld of the Primordial World.

The moment she appeared, her face was filled with great joy.

The aura of the Wangchuan River—she felt the aura of the Wangchuan River in the Underworld.

Excited in her heart, Houtu took a step forward and arrived at the border between the Netherworld and the Primordial World.

There, in the void, a trickling blood-red river flowed out and landed on the desolate scorched earth.

It seemed as if it were inlaid into the earth, slowly flowing toward the depths of the Netherworld.

And as the Wangchuan River emerged, it was accompanied by a thick aura of death and resentment that drifted out and rippled toward the surroundings.

In just this short while, Houtu had already seen many wandering souls gathering from afar.

"This method is truly excellent!"

With only a section, it had such an effect; Houtu was very satisfied.

Of course, because it had only just manifested, those attracted were almost all wandering souls drifting in the Netherworld.

However, the Wangchuan River was extraordinary; no living being could rashly step into it, let alone these wandering souls.

Once they entered the Wangchuan River, they would likely be torn to shreds by the vengeful spirits within, and this was not Houtu's original intention.

Although the Fierce Beast Hou had initially mastered the Wangchuan River, he was likewise unable to control the many vengeful spirits in the river one by one; besides, such a small matter did not need to trouble a Hunyuan Great Luo Golden Immortal.

She was the Lord of the Earthly Dao; such a small matter could naturally be resolved easily.

With a wave of her hand, a rugged path was seen forming along the side of the emerging Wangchuan River, accompanied by an inexplicable will descending.

This will blocked the Wangchuan River and would also guide the many wandering souls to the depths of the Underworld.

At that time, they would only need a guide to keep these wandering souls from running around.

Houtu looked at the long path before her and whispered to herself: "Let us follow the wishes of Brother Tian Yuan and call it Huangquan Road."

Although Tian Yuan had not concerned himself with the construction of the Underworld, he had given her many suggestions in advance, and Houtu was very satisfied with all of them, including this Huangquan Road that led directly to the Underworld.

After carefully observing the continuous manifestation of the Wangchuan River, Houtu left, filled with joy.

As more and more wandering souls poured in, the power of the Earthly Dao would grow rapidly. By then, not only could it benefit the Primordial World, but she could also find the traces of Big Brother Dijiang and Xuanming.

It was one thing for Dijiang to have designs on the Eighteen Levels of Hell; after all, as long as Dijiang did not act willfully, it would be fine to hand the Eighteen Levels of Hell over to him to manage.

The Underworld was originally the destination of the Wu Clan; it belonged to her, Houtu, and it also belonged to her brothers and sisters.

As long as her brothers all benefited the Primordial World, Houtu did not care at all who managed it.

But Xuanming was different; she not only had a connection with the Demon Ancestor Luohou but was also involved with the World-Destroying Millstone.

Dijiang still appeared in the Eighteen Levels of Hell from time to time, but Xuanming seemed to have vanished.

The Earth Vein of the Western Region had collapsed precisely because of the Demon Ancestor, and the World-Destroying Millstone would only appear when the immeasurable Great Calamity occurred.

In Houtu's view, the problems surrounding Xuanming were far greater than those surrounding Big Brother Dijiang.

Tian Yuan had gone to the Western Abyss several times and had not found Xuanming; now she could only rely on herself.

By borrowing the Earthly Dao Will and relying on the bloodline that also belonged to the Father God, it was only then possible to find Xuanming's location.

The Six Paths Reincarnation Disk had already been repaired, and the Underworld had manifested; the reincarnation of living beings was the only way to quickly and effectively strengthen the Earthly Dao Will.

And the emergence of the Wangchuan River had solved the most troublesome problem; she was somewhat impatient.

As the Wangchuan River continued to emerge, the many wandering souls drifting between heaven and earth all instinctively drifted toward the Underworld.

At this moment, in the Primordial World, within the Yuxu Palace on the Eastern sacred mountain, Kunlun Mountain.

Guangchengzi and the other disciples of the Chan Sect sat idly in the hall, their eyes filled with suspicion.

Their master, the Chan Sect Saint Yuanshi Tianzun, had already been away from Kunlun Mountain for a very long time.

"Senior Brother! Master has been at Uncle's dojo for so long, why hasn't he returned yet?" Chijingzi could not help but ask in a low voice.

Since Master's instructions last time, he had been in secluded meditation and had indeed gained something, but he was still blocked outside the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm.

He had long been thinking that once Master returned to preach, he might be able to break through to Taiyi.

Who would have thought that after waiting and waiting, not only did Master not return, but he also did not send them any telepathic messages.

Chijingzi's words caused many figures sitting quietly behind him to echo in agreement.

Many of them were Innate Human, and they had not been born for long. They had joined the Saint's sect specifically to listen to the Heavenly Dao Saint's voice of the Dao, hoping to break through to a higher Essence Refining Stage.

Now that they had been stuck at this stage for so long, every one of them was anxious in their hearts.

Guangchengzi did not speak, but instead looked at the Antarctic Immortal to the side.

Although he was the Senior Disciple, the Antarctic Immortal was Master's close attendant and might know something.

Following Guangchengzi's movement, everyone in the hall also looked toward the Antarctic Immortal.

Feeling the gazes of the crowd, the Antarctic Immortal slowly opened his eyes and said indifferently, "Perhaps Uncle is refining an Immortal Pill, which is why it has taken some time. Junior Brothers, do not be impatient."

Master is a Saint; since he has not returned, he naturally has important matters to attend to, so the Antarctic Immortal was not worried.

Guangchengzi and the others listening below, however, had their eyes light up.

They were naturally very clear about Uncle's Immortal Pill, but since the Three Pure Ones separated, they had rarely obtained any.

Now that Master had been away for so long, perhaps as the Antarctic Immortal said, Uncle Laozi was refining a powerful Immortal Pill.

As Personal Disciple of the Chan Sect, they would naturally be rewarded on the day the pill was completed.

The crowd looked at each other, their eyes filled with anticipation. Who would have thought that before anyone could speak, the void above broke open, and from the churning Chaos, a figure stepped out.

Seeing the person who arrived, everyone in the hall was overjoyed and hurriedly called out in greeting: "Greetings, Master!"

The one who arrived was none other than their Master, the Heavenly Dao Saint Yuanshi Tianzun! "Hmm!" With an indifferent response, Yuanshi Tianzun sat steadily on the Cushion.

Without waiting for anyone to speak, Yuanshi Tianzun continued: "I have had a premonition and must enter secluded meditation. You should all return and cultivate diligently; do not be slack."

As Yuanshi Tianzun spoke, he flicked his sleeves, and golden Immortal Pills flew out, with one appearing in front of each person.

Huanglong Zhenren, who was sitting in the corner, was stunned, and his face was instantly covered in wild joy.

"Many thanks, Master! This disciple will certainly not fail Master's expectations!" Huanglong kowtowed and thanked him loudly.

He had not joined the Chan Sect for long, but because of his background, he was not highly valued and had almost never received any rewards.

He did not expect that this time Master would treat everyone equally, and even he had received an Immortal Pill.

The people around them also came to their senses, each holding an Immortal Pill and thanking him loudly.

After a brief look, they knew that it was indeed an Immortal Pill refined by Uncle.

But before they could even stand up, they had already arrived outside the main hall.

Guangchengzi looked at the Immortal Pill in his palm, but his brow was furrowed with doubt.

Master used to give him special guidance, but this time he did not, which truly puzzled him.

Guangchengzi frowned as he looked at the sacred hall in front of him, but he dared not think too much.

The Antarctic Immortal not far away was also frowning tightly, with traces of suspicion flashing deep in his eyes.

He was Master's close attendant; all these years, even when Master was in secluded meditation, he would let him wait on the side.

This was the first time he had been shooed out so hastily.

He also saw the suspicion in the eyes of Guangchengzi and the others, but the Antarctic Immortal did not say anything.

He bowed to his many fellow disciples and flew toward his place of secluded cultivation.

Having received the Immortal Pill from Master, he also needed to enter secluded meditation.

Although many were curious about Master's change, the Immortal Pill held in their palms made them all eager to leave.

Guangchengzi, who remained until the end, waited outside the hall for a short while. Still unable to see Master, he had to leave with some disappointment.

Although he felt Master was strange, he dared not rashly disturb Master's cultivation.

(End of this chapter)