Chapter 269: Minghe Laozu gives thanks, while Shiyi Zuwu grieves bitterly!

Given time, Dizang's achievements will surely shake the ancient and shine upon the present.

After Chen Ku, the Western Buddhist Sect is set to produce another disciple generation's unsurpassed great power.

Those of the Buddhist Sect truly have great fortune.

With such vast merit, we cultivators can only hope for it but cannot attain it.

All beings gasped, their envy plainly visible.

But soon after, another powerful one said:

Envy is also useless.

Presiding over the Underworld and ferrying souls is not something just anyone can do.

First, one must master the rites of salvation and crossing; second, one also needs great resolve and perseverance.

Even if we entered the Underworld, we would likely accomplish nothing in the end.

Those words hit hard.

Upon hearing this, all beings couldn't help but nod inwardly, quite in agreement.

One could say this is an opportunity unique to the Western Buddhist Sect.

It cannot be snatched away!

No matter how much one envies, it cannot be learned by one's own strength.

Finally, a strong one summed up the general feeling:

No matter what, from now on the Western Buddhist Sect will flourish even more, rising to a higher level.

This too is the shared thought in the hearts of all beings.

This wave let all beings see again that Western talents abound, too many to count.

Most importantly, all this is not the layout and scheming of a sage.

Merely Chen Ku, as a disciple, has already accomplished it.

Regarding the Western Buddhist Sect, all beings have once again updated their understanding, daring not to hold the slightest contempt.

Dizang now presides over the Underworld.

By this point, the Western sentient beings and Buddhist disciples have largely been arranged.

Chen Ku felt satisfied.

But with an unintentional glance, Chen Ku's gaze paused.

The reason is simple!

At that moment, he saw the other side's Minghe Laozu.

He said nothing, yet his face showed gloom and frustration.

No need to ask to know.

Now that the Underworld has been established and the Path of Reincarnation has emerged, it has weakened most of the source of the Endless Sea of Blood, causing the foundation of the Nether River to be greatly diminished.

Pingxin soared aloft and proved the Dao, becoming a sage.

The Western Buddhist Sect also reaped great profits.

But until now, the Nether River has gained no benefit, or rather, no compensation.

How could he not be vexed?!

If inner cries could echo, then at this moment the Nether River's lament of the Dao would surely be more sorrowful than Chen Ku's.

Seeing the Nether River thus, Chen Ku couldn't help but shake his head and laugh.

Indeed!

I myself had previously promised the Nether River, so naturally I cannot go back on my word.

He looked toward Pingxin again.

This Underworld, after all, occupies most of the source of the Endless Sea of Blood.

Therefore, the Asura Clan ought to be given an opportunity.

Hearing this, Pingxin's beautiful eyes showed a hint of curiosity.

Please, Fellow Daoist Chen Ku, make it clear!

Before Chen Ku, she appeared like a naive white flower unaware of worldly affairs.

As for the many arrangements in the Underworld, she was utterly bewildered.

Thus, she also did not understand what Chen Ku meant by 'opportunity'.

Chen Ku, without further ado, continued to explain:

The Six Paths are the Heavenly Dao, the Human Dao, and the Asura Dao; these constitute the Upper Three Paths, also called the Three Virtuous Paths!

While the Hungry Ghost Path, the Animal Path, and the Hell Path constitute the Lower Three Paths, also called the Three Evil Paths.

The Asura Clan can serve as guardians of the Asura Dao, protecting one of the Six Paths, which is also of great significance to the Underworld.

Thereupon, Pingxin finally came to a sudden realization.

So that's how it is......

Thank you, Fellow Daoist Chen Ku, for your guidance!

Pingxin was overjoyed.

As the Master of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, she had previously sensed vaguely that something was lacking.

Chen Ku's words could be said to have awakened the dreamer.

Not bad!

In the Six Paths of Reincarnation, what is lacking is precisely the corresponding guardians of the cycle.

Without exaggeration, Chen Ku's repeated remarks could be said to have saved Pingxin a great deal of thought.

If it weren't for that, she'd probably still be utterly bewildered, not knowing what to do.

Upon hearing Chen Ku's proposal, Ping Xin naturally agreed with delight.

Ping Xin's eyes moved, and she also looked toward Minghe the Old Ancestor.

From now on, you shall guard the Asura Path, one of the Six Paths.

Are you willing to accept this duty?!

Although she is already a Holy Person, Ping Xin is not Hou Tu.

Thus we will list Minghe.

"I wish... I wish..."

He could not wait, nodding repeatedly in agreement.

Moreover, as a top expert, he also knew that this was likewise an act of merit.

Given time, a continuous flow of merit will naturally gather, not only enhancing himself but also benefiting the Asura clan.

"Minghe thanks Lady Ping Xin!"

"Minghe thanks Chen Ku, fellow cultivator!"

"Minghe, today the Netherworld is established; you and the Asura clan may both receive a great opportunity."

"From now on, you shall guard the Asura Path, one of the Six Paths."

"Within this path, beings are divided into the four realms of heaven, humanity, animals, and evil ghosts."

"Are you willing to accept this duty?!"

"Hehe, Minghe, no need to be polite!"

"Go and summon the Asura clan, and enter the Netherworld together!"

Within just a single day, the newly established Netherworld had already become bustling and prosperous.

Next, Ping Xin once again looked toward Chen Ku.

"Chen Ku, fellow cultivator, is this enough?!"

Ping Xin's words left all beings with strange expressions.

As the mighty Lord of the Six Paths of Reincarnation, an existence that embodies the cycle itself, he now actually asks Chen Ku?!

Little did he know, Ping Xin could almost be certain that her understanding of reincarnation and the Netherworld was far inferior to Chen Ku's.

Therefore, she questioned Chen Ku, implying that the Netherworld's current state might already be perfect and flawless.

Upon hearing her words, Chen Ku did not respond immediately.

Instead, he lowered his head, pondered for a moment, and then said:

"Reincarnation marks the beginning of another life; when one is unstained, they are not burdened by past affairs."

"Therefore, before departed souls reincarnate, they must still erase and completely clear the memories of this life."

"For this, there could be a Meng Po who prepares Meng Po Soup!"

"And this task falls to Lady Ping Xin."

"Not bad!"

All other official positions have already been properly arranged.

Chen Ku suddenly realized that the position of Meng Po had not yet been filled.

Within the cycle of reincarnation, this role is also indispensable.

And what Chen Ku meant by 'troubling Ping Xin' was that the position of Meng Po would be left to Ping Xin's decision.

This time, the Buddhist Sect has profited greatly.

He naturally ought to give something back to Ping Xin as well.

Ping Xin, too, was fully aware of this.

She nodded, and her thoughts stirred.

Immediately, a drop of essence blood appeared out of nowhere, intertwining and transforming.

In the blink of an eye, it condensed into a graceful figure.

Meng Po!

No need for further words.

Meng Po and Ping Xin shared the same intention; at this moment they condensed a form and immediately stood on the Bridge of Helplessness, on one side of the past and present lives.

They gathered the tears of worldly beings and began to brew Meng Po Soup.

Perhaps therefore, in later ages, some beings refer to the Bridge of Helplessness as the Meng Po Bridge.

"The Netherworld should also remain hidden beneath the Nine Nethers, not manifest in the world."

Thus, the Netherworld is only preliminarily complete.

Chen Ku also nodded and said as follows.

Yin and yang do not intersect.

Here, heaven and earth are yang, while the Netherworld Underworld is yin.

Therefore, in ordinary times, the Netherworld ought not to manifest in the world.

Put another way, the living cannot see it; only the souls of the deceased can come into contact with the Netherworld's location.

This point, Ping Xin clearly understood long ago.

"The Netherworld retreats, not to be shown in the primordial wilderness!"

Ping Xin spoke calmly.

As her words fell, the law followed!

Only seen, the magnificent spectacle of the Netherworld gradually turned illusory.

After a moment, it completely vanished from the sight of all beings.

The vast resonance of the Six Paths of Reincarnation also faded away, ceasing to exist.

Yet the deterrent power of the path of reincarnation could still be clearly sensed by all beings.

The Netherworld's retreat, however, added a supreme majesty that towered above all beings.

It is profoundly mysterious, ineffably miraculous.

However, just after the Netherworld completely disappeared,

in the distance, eleven figures also sensed this place with hurried expressions.

"Little Sister? Little Sister!"

"Little Sister, we elder brothers have all arrived; why do you hide and not show yourself?!"

The arrivals cried out in pain, their faces filled with panic and sorrow.

Without a doubt, it was the Eleven Ancestral Witches who had arrived.

Di Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin, and the others merely fixed their eager gazes on the former location of the Netherworld, loudly calling out for Hou Tu.

"Hmm, that's about right......"

In the eyes of the ancestral witches, there was only the original Hou Tu Little Sister, not the so-called Lady Ping Xin.

Translation: "The Underworld should also remain hidden beneath the Nine Nethers, not manifest in the world." Need to keep punctuation? We'll produce English sentence.

but more importantly, because the Twelve Ancestral Witches shared a bond as close as siblings.

Now that Hou Tu has vanished without a trace, in a sense it is as if both form and spirit have been destroyed, like death and the extinction of the Dao.

Translation: "Thus, the Underworld is now preliminarily complete."

Such deep affection moved all beings.

Translation: "Chen Ku also nodded and said as such."

after a long while, the Netherworld did not manifest, nor was there any response from Ping Xin.

Translation: "Yin and yang do not intersect."

then, whether it be a lament of parting between life and death, or revealing the truth that she is no longer Hou Tu, it would be too cruel for the Eleven Ancestral Witches.

It would also serve no purpose.

Therefore, Ping Xin could only choose to remain unmoved.

Translation: "Therefore, in ordinary times, the Underworld ought not to manifest in the world."

"Could it be that the little sister we know has truly ceased to exist."

Translation: "Put another way, the living cannot see it, and only the souls of the dead can come into contact with the whereabouts of the Underworld."

"How can this be?!"

Translation: "This, Lady Pingxin obviously already knew full well."

The Eleven Ancestral Witches sighed, their faces grim, eyes dim, overwhelmed by dejection and loss.

However, just at this moment,

in the void, a flash of scarlet suddenly shot forth, hovering before the Eleven Ancestral Witches.

Translation: "Lady Pingxin spoke calmly."

More precisely, it was a drop of primordial essence blood.

Translation: "As soon as the words were spoken, the law followed!"

"Is... this the primordial essence blood of the original Hou Tu Little Sister?!"

Translation: "Only saw the magnificent and unparalleled spectacle of the Underworld gradually turn illusory."

The Eleven Ancestral Witches instantly sensed that the aura within this drop of essence blood shared the same origin as theirs.

Translation: "After a moment, it completely vanished before the eyes of all beings."

One could also say that this is the last hope Hou Tu left for the Eleven Ancestral Witches.

Translation: "The vast and mighty resonance of the six paths of reincarnation also faded away, ceasing to exist."

Meanwhile, Chen Ku stepped forward slowly.

Translation: "Yet the deterrent power of the path of reincarnation could still be clearly sensed by all beings."

The underworld withdrew, yet this only added a supreme, lofty majesty that towers over all beings.

Translation: "The Underworld's withdrawal instead added a supreme majesty that towered over all beings."

It is truly profound and mysterious, beyond description.

Translation: "Truly profound and mysterious, ineffably divine."

However, just after the underworld had completely vanished.

Translation: "However, just after the Underworld completely disappeared,"

In the distance, eleven figures also sensed this place, their expressions hurried.

Translation: "In the distance, eleven figures also sensed this place with hurried expressions."

"Little sister? Little sister!!"

Translation: "\"Little sister? Little sister?! \""

"Houtu little sister, where are you?!!"

Translation: "\"Little Sister Hou Tu, where are you?! \""

"Little sister, we brothers have all gathered; why do you hide and not reveal yourself?!!"

Translation: "\"Little sister, we elder brothers have all gathered; why do you hide and not show yourself?! \""

"Could it be that you have completely cut off your feelings for us brothers?!!"

Translation: "\"Could it be that you have completely severed your affection for us elder brothers?! \""

Those who arrived cried out in anguish, their faces stricken with panic and grief.

Translation: "Those who came cried out in anguish, their faces panicked and grieving."

Without a doubt, at this moment the eleven ancestral witches arrived.

Translation: "Without a doubt, it was then that the eleven ancestor Wu arrived."

Dijiang, Zhujiuyin, and the others merely stared urgently at the former site of the underworld, repeatedly shouting loudly, summoning Houtu.

Translation: "Di Jiang, Zhu Jiuyin, and the others merely stared urgently at the spot where the Underworld had been, repeatedly shouting loudly to summon Hou Tu."

As for the name Pingxin, they had long since completely ignored it.

Translation: "As for the name Lady Pingxin, they had long since completely ignored it."

In the eyes of the ancestral witches, there was only the original little sister Houtu, not the so-called Lady Pingxin.

Translation: "In the eyes of all the ancestor Wu, there was only the original Little Sister Hou Tu, not the so-called Lady Pingxin."

Seeing this, all beings lowered their brows, their hearts filled with grief.

Translation: "Seeing this, all beings lowered their brows, feeling sorrowful."

They could see that the twelve ancestral witches were so urgent not only because the witch clan had lost a top expert.

Translation: "They could see that the reason the twelve ancestor Wu were so urgent was not only because the Wu Clan had lost a top-tier expert."

More importantly, the twelve ancestral witches were as close as siblings.

Translation: "More importantly, the twelve ancestor Wu were as close as brothers."

Now that Houtu has disappeared, in a sense it is like the annihilation of both form and spirit, death and the extinction of the Dao.

Translation: "Now that Hou Tu has vanished, in a sense it is as if both body and spirit have been destroyed, as if one has died and the Dao has perished."

This naturally left the eleven ancestral witches overwhelmed with grief, as if their hearts were torn apart.

Translation: "This naturally left the eleven ancestor Wu grief-stricken, as if their hearts were torn apart."

Such deep affection moved all beings.

Translation: "Such brotherly love moved all beings."

And the words of the eleven ancestral witches fell.

Translation: "And when the words of the eleven ancestor Wu fell,"

After a long while, the underworld did not manifest, nor was there any response from Pingxin.

Translation: "After a long while, the Underworld did not manifest, nor was there any response from Lady Pingxin."

Obviously, Pingxin also knew that if she were to respond,

Translation: "Obviously, Lady Pingxin also knew that, should she respond,"

Then, whether it be a lament of parting in life and death, or revealing the truth that she is no longer Houtu, it would be too cruel for the eleven ancestral witches.

Translation: "then, whether it be a lament of parting life and death, or her revealing the truth that she is no longer Hou Tu, it would be too cruel for the eleven ancestor Wu."

It would also serve no purpose.

Translation: "It would also serve no purpose."

Therefore, Pingxin could only choose to remain unmoved.

Translation: "Therefore, Lady Pingxin could only choose to remain unmoved."

"What's going on?!!"

Translation: "\"What's going on?! \""

"Could it be that the little sister we know has truly ceased to exist?"

Translation: "\"Could it be that the little sister we know has truly ceased to exist. \""

"And that Lady Pingxin, does she not retain even a trace of the original feelings and memories?!!"

Translation: "\"And that Lady Pingxin, does she not retain even a trace of the original feelings and memories?! \""

"How can this be?!!"

Translation: "\"How can this be?! \""

"Ah... although this is a great opportunity for the little sister, the Dao is ruthless, and thus it is so......"

Translation: "\"Ah... although this is a great opportunity for the little sister, the Great Dao is unfeeling, and thus it is so...... \""

The eleven ancestral witches sighed, their faces grim, their eyes dim, unable to express their dejection and loss.

Translation: "The eleven ancestor Wu sighed, their faces grim, eyes dim, overwhelmed with dejection and loss."

However, at this moment.

Translation: "However, just at this moment."

In the void, a flash of scarlet suddenly burst forth, hovering before the eleven ancestral witches.

Translation: "In the void, a flash of scarlet suddenly shot forth, hovering before the eleven ancestor Wu."

It is a drop of essence blood, within which vital energy surges, profound and ineffable.

Translation: "It was a drop of essence blood, within which the qi surged, profound and ineffable."

More precisely, it is a drop of primordial essence blood.

Translation: "More precisely, it was a drop of primordial essence blood."

Seeing this, the eleven ancestral witches' faces changed dramatically.

Translation: "Seeing this, the eleven ancestor Wu's expressions changed dramatically."

"This... this is the primordial essence blood of the original little sister Houtu?!!"

Translation: "\"This... this is the primordial essence blood of the original Little Sister Hou Tu?! \""

"Exactly!"

Translation: "\"Exactly! \""

The eleven ancestral witches instantly sensed that the aura within this drop of blood before them shared the same origin as theirs.

Translation: "The eleven ancestor Wu instantly sensed that the aura within this drop of essence blood before them shared the same origin as theirs."

Without a doubt, this primordial essence blood was offered by Pingxin, but it does not belong to Pingxin; it belongs to the original Houtu.

Translation: "Without a doubt, this primordial essence blood was offered by Lady Pingxin, yet it does not belong to her, but to the original Hou Tu."

One could also say that this is the last hope Houtu left for the eleven ancestral witches.

Translation: "One could also say that this is the last hope Hou Tu left for the eleven ancestor Wu."

In an instant, the eleven ancestral witches became even more sorrowful, silent and speechless.

Translation: "Instantly, the eleven ancestor Wu became even more sorrowful, silent and speechless."

To the side, Chen Ku stepped forward slowly.

Translation: "Beside them, Chen Ku stepped forward slowly."

"Esteemed ancestral witches, the Daoist companion Houtu no longer exists in this world."

Translation: "\"Esteemed ancestor Wu, your Daoist friend Hou Tu no longer exists in this world. \""

"All of this is her opportunity, and also her fate—unstoppable!"

"Everyone, there's no need to sigh like that....."

Chen Ku softly offered a few words of comfort.

Compared to Di Jun, Taiyi, and the others, Chen Ku clearly felt a greater affection for the Twelve Ancestor Witches.

Therefore, he then spoke up to explain the reasons to Di Jiang and the others.

Upon hearing Chen Ku's account, the originally grim expressions of Di Jiang and the others also gradually eased a little.

Even though they were extremely sorrowful and utterly unwilling.

But they also knew that this fact, the Eleven Ancestor Witches had to accept.

"Little Sis Hou Tu....."

Xuan Ming, also a woman, spoke softly at this moment, her eyes brimming with tears.

Once one of the only two women among the Ancestor Witches, her bond with Hou Tu was extremely deep.

It's really hard to say whether this is Hou Tu's opportunity or her calamity.

But no matter what, Hou Tu not reappearing also left Xuan Ming with a feeling she could not accept.

Even Zhu Rong, who is usually violent and fiery-tempered, stared blankly at the direction where the netherworld dissipated.

"Little Sis Hou Tu, in the end you won't come back, will you....."

It can be said that among the Eleven Ancestor Witches, a previously unprecedented bleak atmosphere permeated.

All beings also felt some sympathy, remaining silent.

After a moment, it was the leader Di Jiang who first came to his senses.

"Sighing, sorrow are useless!"

"For now, Little Sis Hou Tu cannot be reborn, but she left behind this drop of primordial essence blood."

"With this, perhaps we can still recreate the twelfth Ancestor Witch."

Di Jiang gazed at that drop of primordial essence blood before him and said:

Everything has already been decided.

Di Jiang had no time for grief; he still needed to consider the future of the entire Wu Clan.

Now the Twelve Ancestor Witches have lost one.

After the ceasefire period of the Yuan Hui ends, how can the Wu Clan possibly win against the Demon Race?!

Therefore, Di Jiang waved his hand and collected the drop of primordial essence blood left by Hou Tu.

He then glanced at Chu Jiuyin, Zhu Rong, and the others.

"Forget it, no need for more words!"

"Let's quickly return to the Wu Clan!"

Having given that order, Di Jiang immediately led the remaining ten Ancestor Witches, turned around hastily, and returned to the Wu Clan!