Chapter 21: The Demon Ancestor Visits the Underworld

The Underworld, Zhoujue Heavenly Palace.

Xiang Xuanqing, rarely having free time, had come in person to oversee the forging of the Lingbao.

This left the Hunyuan Ding overjoyed.

Heaven had mercy—since becoming its master, Hunyuan Ding had spent barely thirty thousand years by Xiang Xuanqing’s side.

During that time, Hunyuan Ding traveled south and north with Xiang Xuanqing.

Where in the Honghuang heavens, the boundless Daqian worlds, had it not been?

It fully fulfilled its role as a primordial Lingbao.

For instance, simmering broth.

For instance, stewing meat.

Xiang Xuanqing used it to battle enemies in the morning, and to simmer their flesh at night.

Any dish Xiang Xuanqing prepared, he always made Hunyuan Ding taste first.

It was as happy as it could possibly be.

Later, Xiang Xuanqing rarely ventured out in his true form.

He usually sent out his Dao-body to travel.

The companion Lingbao, the World- Crossing Boat, drifted perpetually upon the River of Time.

Hunyuan Ding spent day and night locked inside this cold, lifeless Zhoujue Heavenly Palace.

Xiang Xuanqing held a fire fan, seated before Hunyuan Ding; sensing the Lingbao’s excitement, he smiled: “Don’t be nervous—just do your best.”

The Luoying Divine Axe had already been forged, and after testing in the Blood Sea battle, its effect was immediate.

One swing, one yingying monster—perfect for breaking morale or countering verbal spells, true words, and similar techniques.

Now only the weeping staff remained, still being refined within the Ding.

Xiang Xuanqing intended to forge the staff from Divine Peach Wood to summon and guide souls; all other effects were left to Hunyuan Ding’s discretion.

“I see you’ve been lonely here in this heavenly palace…” he said, fanning the flames while glancing at Hunyuan Ding.

Hunyuan Ding instantly perked up.

Is he taking me out?!

“...I’ll assign you two fire-tending acolytes in a few days.”

The flames instantly wilted.

Xiang Xuanqing continued, “Lately, I’ve had an idea—I plan to create a divine technique based on the traits of primordial Lingbao, to summon specialized divine generals, force-lords, and such.”

He looked at Hunyuan Ding and smiled: “Theoretically, I could summon a few just to tend your fire.”

“Two to care for you, two to fan your flames, two to tell you stories…”

Hunyuan Ding heard this and thought: Is this real?

Its spirit surged.

Listening to Xiang Xuanqing’s vision of its future, Hunyuan Ding felt utterly delighted.

It worked even harder on forging the Lingbao.

【Six is still too few—eight! No, sixteen!】

Hunyuan Ding thought secretly: My master really does treat me well!

He always thinks of me when something good comes up.

Nine days later, Xiang Xuanqing opened the Ding.

The weeping staff was successfully forged.

“Excellent, excellent!”

Xiang Xuanqing held the Luoying Divine Axe in his left hand, the weeping staff in his right.

He weighed them both, then looked for someone to test them on.

At this moment, outside the Ghost Gate.

Dark demonic clouds surged as a primordial deity walked forward.

Sensing the overwhelming aura, the Divine Peach Tree startled.

“Who are you?” the Divine Peach Tree summoned courage to demand.

Luo Hou stared in surprise at the grand Ghost Gate.

Two divine generals guarded the gate on either side.

On the left, clad in a mottled battle armor, his face stern, his posture heroic.

On the right, dressed in a black battle robe, his face solemn, his aura extraordinary.

These two were none other than the manifested avatars of the Divine Peach Tree: Shen Tu and Yu Lei!

The Divine Peach Tree had gradually gained partial authority over the Underworld, so its Dao-body’s manifestation accelerated far beyond expectations.

Yet it never imagined—only days after assuming office, someone would come to disrupt its domain?

Luo Hou glanced at the two divine generals, then peered through the Ghost Gate and saw the Divine Peach Tree’s true form.

He smiled, then introduced himself.

“Luo Hou!” “What is your purpose?”

The Divine Peach Tree performed its duty, interrogating Luo Hou.

Luo Hou remained calm, unoffended, and replied honestly:

“I’ve come to visit the Lord of the Underworld.”

“Understood. Wait outside—the Lord is in seclusion!”

Beneath the Naihe Bridge, the Spirit of the Wangchuan River also startled upon seeing Luo Hou.

But what surprised him even more was that the Divine Peach Tree didn’t hesitate—it immediately rebuked Luo Hou.

And ordered him to wait outside the gate.

For this alone, the Wangchuan River’s admiration for the Divine Peach Tree surged!

Truly, the Underworld’s foremost officer!

Just as Xiang Xuanqing stepped out of the Zhoujue Heavenly Palace, he saw the Demon Ancestor Luo Hou waiting outside the Ghost Gate.

Luo Hou clasped his hands and smiled at Xiang Xuanqing.

【These two boundary guardians are excellent—your taste is impeccable, Dao friend!】

【Dao friend, you flatter me.】

Xiang Xuanqing invited Luo Hou into the Underworld and received him in the Qifei Heavenly Palace.

The two sat across from each other.

The hospitable Xiang Xuanqing served Luo Hou a pot of tea.

“Yellow Spring water steeped with Bie’an flowers—this is our Underworld specialty!”

“Unique throughout the Honghuang.”

Xiang Xuanqing watched Luo Hou with eager anticipation: “Try it!”

Luo Hou held the jade cup in one hand, his expression peculiar.

Is this drinkable?

He hesitated inwardly.

After a moment, Luo Hou silently set the jade cup down.

“You enjoy cultivating spiritual herbs and treasures?”

Luo Hou gazed beyond the palace, his eyes sweeping across the worlds illuminated by the blood moon.

“Yes.”

Xiang Xuanqing nodded: “Occasionally used for forging artifacts.”

After surveying everything, Luo Hou nodded slightly: “The variety is rich, but something’s missing.”

“I’ll bring you something next time.”

Something you can actually brew and drink.

Next time, don’t try to fool me with this Underworld nonsense.

Xiang Xuanqing accepted gladly.

Anything from the Demon Ancestor is guaranteed quality.

He had no reason to refuse.

“What’s in your other hand?”

Xiang Xuanqing removed the tea and turned his gaze to Luo Hou’s sleeve.

He frowned: “Since you entered the Underworld, I’ve had a bad feeling.”

“You didn’t bring something dangerous, did you?”

“Nothing dangerous.”

Luo Hou’s expression remained calm as he opened his palm.

A black lotus bloomed between his hands.

Xiang Xuanqing glanced—it was merely a seal; the true object lay within the lotus.

“What is this?”

Luo Hou uttered two words:

“Consumption.”

"Devour?"

Xiang Xuanqing hesitated: "You can't possibly be..."

"Pried off from the Path of Devouring."

Xiang Xuanqing's lips twitched.

The Path of Devouring?

That thing is formless and intangible—how did you pry off such a large chunk?

(End of Chapter)