Ninety-eight, Hell's reincarnation is now apparent

  Xun Daozi formally accepted Liu Ling as his disciple and informed Yuan Shi Tian Zun that he would pass on the "Nine Turns Divine Merit" to Liu Ling. After that, Liu Ling studied the divine art every day, occasionally pointing out a few things to Yunchu Zi and Baocan Zi who came to seek guidance.

  Liu Liu was indeed born with the talent to practice the "Nine Turns Divine Merit", however, his practice also leaned towards physical cultivation, and the method became the "Nine Turns Mysterious Merit". Without needing Xun Daozi's urging, Liu Liu cultivated with extreme diligence and seriousness, causing Xun Daozi to nod in secret approval.

  Many years passed quickly, Xun Daozi's cultivation of the divine method ended, and he bid farewell to his master Yuanshi. He also entrusted Yunzi, Baoshan Zi, and Baihe Tongzi to serve their master well, then sat on the back of a three-eyed snow lion, accompanied by the Jade Qilin, Liu Ling left Kunlun Mountain and entered the vast wilderness.

  After more than 10,000 years of entering the vast wilderness again, what Xun Daozi saw in front of him was completely different. The human race was all over the vast wilderness, and many lived with the witch tribe. A small number of other types of demon tribes also lived in human settlements, and there were not a few humans with witch or demon bloodlines. This made Xun Daozi very surprised. These humans with mixed witch or demon bloodlines mostly had strong bodies, although they couldn't compare to those of the witch or demon tribes, but they were much stronger than ordinary humans. A small number also showed some special abilities and became people with special functions.

  Xun Daozi walked all the way, and couldn't help but think: Is this a kind of inclusiveness unique to humans, and is it also the reason why humans eventually became the main characters in the vast world?

  In the midst of observing and pondering, Xun Daozi didn't forget to instruct Liu Ling and have him engage in actual combat practice with some powerful demons, witches, and other creatures they encountered. As for Liu Ling's fondness for using a staff as his weapon, there was nothing much to say about it - after all, the six-eared macaque from "Journey to the West" used an iron staff called "Sui Xin Gan". Perhaps liking staves was just a natural inclination of monkeys! However, the iron staff in Liu Ling's hand didn't have any special features, it was just somewhat heavy, and had been forged by Yun Zhongzi. It was simply a piece of equipment that couldn't transform. Xun Daozi himself felt a bit embarrassed about this, as the iron staff paled in comparison to his own former dark red staff. In his heart, Xun Daozi decided that once they returned to Xun Dao Mountain, he would use his wooden staff as the main material and add some collected refining materials to forge a better staff for Liu Ling, so as not to be laughed at by others.

  Under the guidance of Lu Zizhan's timely advice and the polishing of the journey, Liu Ling made rapid progress.

  Xun Daozi wandered freely in the vast wilderness, but unknowingly headed straight west, getting farther and farther away. Along the way, he collected many spiritual herbs, immortal medicines, and some spiritual roots and immortal fruits that he had never seen before; there were also quite a few materials for refining equipment.

  As one walks further west, the desolate places gradually increase, and more and more souls of the vast and wild creatures are drifting in the direction that Xun Daozi is advancing, gathering together. These souls are being eroded as they drift, slowly disappearing.

  Xun Daozi saw the spirits and souls floating forward, wanting to explore the end, also walking along the direction of the floating souls.

  The most pursued and fleeing, this day arrived at the edge of a vast ocean, but this ocean was turbulent with waves, yet there were no water birds flying in the sky, nor any fish swimming in the water. The surging seawater was not azure blue, but a deep crimson color, carrying a bloody smell. The souls of all living beings on the desolate land floated towards this boundless blood sea, and once they entered the blood sea, they were engulfed by the waves and lost their traces.

  Xun Daozi stood at the edge of the bloody sea, motionless for a long time, with a hint of sadness in his heart: this was the final resting place of the Hong Huang Sheng Ling! It disappeared silently. Life is wonderful like this, fragile like this!

  Xun Daozi sighed in the autumn, on this side were three-eyed snow lions and jade qilin, but Liu Ling was excited by the surging blood waves, roaring repeatedly.

  Xun Daozi stood on the edge of the bloody sea for a night, with confusion in his eyes. It wasn't until the first ray of sunlight broke through the sky that the confusion in Xun Daozi's eyes dissipated, replaced by unadulterated clarity and unwavering determination. This night on the edge of the bloody sea allowed Xun Daozi's state of mind to be sublimated once again, his heart more resolute, his intention to seek the Way even firmer.

  Taking a deep breath, Xun Daozi turned around and walked along the Blood Coast, followed by three-eyed snow lion beast, Jade Qilin, and Liu Ling carrying an iron rod.

  Xun Daozi's footsteps were light and leisurely, but seemingly slow, yet in reality extremely swift, and before long he had traversed tens of thousands of miles. As he walked, he suddenly saw a woman dressed in yellow palace attire standing at the edge of the bloody sea, gazing out at the turbulent waves of blood.

  As they drew closer, Xun Daozi saw that the woman was actually Hou Tu, the goddess of the earth. Following her gaze, he saw that what she was looking at were the souls of the Hong Huang's living beings being swept away by the bloody waves. Turning back to look at Hou Tu's exposed face, it was filled with a sorrowful and compassionate expression.

  Xun Daozi quickly walked towards Hou Tu, who also sensed someone's arrival and turned his head to look at Xun Daozi, silently watching as he approached.

  Xun Daozi hastily walked up to Hou Tu's face and bowed his head, saying: "Xuan Yuan Tian Zun's disciple Xun Daozi pays respects to the Ancestral Shaman of the Earth!"

  Houtu listened and also returned the courtesy, saying: "It turns out that it is Yuan Shi Shengren's high foot, Houtu has seen Xun Daozi Daoyou!" The voice was clear and crisp with a magnetic tone, very pleasant to hear.

  Xun Daozi only now truly noticed Hou Tu, her hair styled in a cloud bun, wearing a light yellow palace attire, with a dignified and elegant appearance, warm and gentle breath, making one feel like basking in the spring sun. At this moment, she was smiling and looking directly at Xun Daozi.

  Xun Daozi had previously seen Hou Tu's sorrowful and compassionate expression, and his heart was already moved. Perhaps today is the day when Hou Tu transforms into a wheel of reincarnation. With respect in his heart for Hou Tu, it was surprising to find that among the witch tribe who were good at war and full of destructive desires, there was such an ancestor witch who was compassionate and sorrowful for heaven and man, which made Xun Daozi feel deeply moved.

  Xun Daozi knew that Hou Tu's selfless sacrifice would bring a chance for the creatures of Hong Huang to be reborn, which was truly a compassionate heart without any selfish motives. Just like Pangu, it was worthy of respect. Now Xun Daozi felt that he was about to witness this moment, and his heart had no sorrow, only reverence. Because Xun Daozi knew that although Hou Tu sacrificed himself, he would not die like the great god Pangu, but would achieve another accomplishment due to his merits, shed his mortal body, and become a different kind of sacred being.

  At this time, Hou Tu asked: "I don't know what brought you to this?"

  Xun Daozi listened and replied, "I have been traveling through the vast wilderness, where I saw many wandering spirits. I followed them and arrived at this bloody sea. Since I saw our ancestor's shrine here, I came to pay my respects!"

  Houtu's face showed a sorrowful expression once again as Xun Daozi mentioned the souls of the Hongyuan, and she said softly: "These souls are truly pitiful. After their bodies die, their spirits have nowhere to rely on, drifting to this sea of blood, many of them turn into dust along the way. Even if they arrive at this sea of blood, they will still be eroded by it, eventually disappearing without a trace."

  Xun Daozi sighed and said, "Yes, after the death of the Honghuang Shengling, there is no longer any dependence, and it will eventually disappear between heaven and earth! But what place can make the soul of the Shengling have a place to rest after death, and revive a thread of life?" After finishing speaking, his expression became despondent. Xun Daozi's words were indeed unintentional, but he did have some sorrow in his heart, and he casually spoke out, but unexpectedly, his words caused a huge storm when heard by Hou Tu.

  Houtu listened to Xun Daozi's words, "Is there a place where the soul of the living can rest after death and regain its vitality?" She repeated it in her mind, and as she did, her eyes grew brighter. Suddenly, she turned around and bowed to Xun Daozi, saying: "Thank you, fellow Taoist, for enlightening me!"

  Xun Daozi was taken aback, hastily yielding the way, and said: "Zu Wu doesn't need to be so polite, Xun Daozi didn't say anything, how can he receive courtesy?" But in his heart, he was already stunned: How did this matter become something I realized again?

  Houtu bowed to Xun Daozi and then ignored him, instead focusing on his own meditation, chanting in a ancient and desolate tone that echoed through the heavens. Houtu's face was filled with an air of sanctity.

  The sound of Hou Tu's chanting grew louder and louder, as if the entire universe was echoing with it.

  At this moment, the blood sea churned even more violently, and a figure burst out of the sky, standing in mid-air with a cyan robe, carrying two swords on his back. A sharp gaze swept towards Hou Tu and Xun Daozi. After seeing clearly, he stepped forward from the air to stand before Hou Tu, raised his hand in a salute and said: "Greetings, Ancestor Hou Tu!"

  Houtu stopped chanting and returned the courtesy: "Houtu has met you, friend of Minghe!"

  Xun Daozi also stepped forward and bowed: "Xun Daozi has seen the Ancestor of the Nether River!"

  Minghe's eyes flickered, a hint of surprise flashing in his gaze, and he raised his hand to return the greeting: "I am indeed from the Holy One's sect. Minghe has met you, fellow Taoist!" He then turned his head towards Hou Tu and asked: "I don't know why the Ancestral Shaman of the Earth is performing a ritual in my Blood Sea?"

  "Houtu said: 'All living beings are suffering, I borrow the Blood Sea to nurture the souls of the living and seek a place for them to settle down. I hope that fellow Taoists will achieve their goals!'"

  Ming River Dao: "My Blood Sea was originally for the return of the spirits, why does Zu Wu need to waste so much energy!" However, Ming River vaguely felt that letting Hou Tu continue to cast his spell would bring about a great change in the Blood Sea, and even he himself couldn't tell whether it was good or bad, so he slightly obstructed him.

  "Houtu said, 'The souls of the living enter the sea and are all dissolved and disappear. Where is their destination? I now understand where the souls of the living go, and I will use my body to create a place for them to rest. I hope that the friends of the Nether River will not stop me!'"

  Minghe listened and the earth wanted to use its own body as a soul to open a place for itself, and its heart also trembled. It silently walked to one side and stood with Xun Daozi.

  Houtu saw Menghe let go and started pinching incantations again. There was an inexplicable aura spreading between heaven and earth.

  After a long time, Hou Tu flew into the air above the Blood Sea and stood there. Immediately, a gigantic figure of several hundred million zhang appeared in the sky above the Blood Sea. It had the head of a man and the body of a snake, with seven arms. The two hands on its chest each grasped a flying snake.

  In the void, a mysterious aura appears, with an enigmatic trajectory unfolding beside a massive silhouette, accompanied by an inexplicable echo.

  With a deafening crash, a misty light flashed by, and the gigantic figure in the air had vanished. The endless sea of blood that was before Xun Daozi also disappeared, revealing only a vast expanse of desolate land stretching out to the horizon.

  Celestial music echoes, exotic fragrance assaults the nostrils, auspicious aura churns, and iridescent light flashes. In the void, vast and mighty merits of yellow and mysterious energy surge forth.

  Xun Daozi looked at this vast expanse of golden aura, but it was a lot more than the golden aura when Nüwa created humans.

  The rolling gathering converged on the vast and endless land, a strand broke away to search for the Dao child. It entered the body of the Dao child but was immediately sucked in by the purple vortex in the sea of consciousness, leaving no trace.

  After a long time, the mysterious and yellow aura in the air had disappeared. A figure appeared in the air, with her hair styled in a cloud-shaped bun, wearing a pale yellow palace dress, sitting elegantly with a sacred expression on her face. Her eyes were lightly closed, surrounded by a thick and profound aura, it was indeed Hou Tu.

  After a moment, Hou Tu's eyes opened and slowly fell in front of Minghe and Xuanzhen. He lightly opened his vermilion mouth: "Now that the Wheel of Rebirth has emerged from the underworld, all souls have a place to return to. The two fellow Taoists can follow me to take a look!"

  PS: On the second day of the Lunar New Year, I continue to wish everyone a happy new year. May you have a smile on your face all year round and may wealth roll in!

  ;