One Hundred and Five, Mysterious Gate Enters the Underground Palace

  Yu Xugong's golden bell rang out, and all the Yu Xugong disciples in the vast wilderness heard the bell and knew that Yuan Shi had summoned them, so they rushed to Kunlun Mountain. Those who were not Yu Xugong disciples could not hear the bell, which was also a clever move by the saint.

  Months later, a group of Jade Void Sect members rushed over, and even Lian Reng arrived at the Jade Void Palace.

  In the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi sat high on a cloud bed. Beside the cloud bed stood the White Crane Boy. Below him to the left sat the Lamp-Lighting Boy, and below him to the right sat the Seek-the-Way Boy. The first fourteen disciples of Yuanshi sat in order below them, followed by the twenty inner disciples he had later accepted. Behind these disciples sat fifty-two outer disciples.

  Yuanshi swept his eyes over the people below, and with a hint of majesty, he began to speak: "Today, I have gathered you all for two reasons. Firstly, because in the past, you have all contributed greatly to the protection of the human race, allowing my Jade Void Sect's teachings to be passed down to the human race, and our sect's teachings to flourish. Therefore, I would like to reward those who have made contributions to this protection. Secondly, the Wheel of Reincarnation is currently in operation, and I intend to send someone to enter the Netherworld, to assist the Lady of the Heart of the Earth in operating the underworld, as well as to accumulate energy for my Jade Void Sect's teachings, and to plot good deeds; those who preside over the underworld will also be able to obtain the blessings of the underworld's merits, which will aid their cultivation. These two matters will be handled by Master Xun Daozi today. If you have any questions, please feel free to ask."

  Yuanshi finished speaking, and the faces of the disciples below him showed excitement, whispering to each other, some for the reward they were about to receive, and others for the duty of serving in the underworld.

  After a while, when all the fellow disciples had finished their discussion, Xun Daozi stood up and first saluted Yuan Shi. He then turned to face the crowd of fellow disciples and said: "The master has ordered me to preside over these two matters. First, we will reward those who have made contributions in this trip to protect the human race. All of you fellow disciples have worked hard and achieved merits. The master will give rewards according to their achievements and moral character, hoping that all of you will continue to work hard and make new achievements for our Yu Xuan Tian Jiao sect."

  He said this, Xun Daozi paused for a moment, and suddenly raised his voice: "Firstly, the Lantern Elder protected 80,000 humans on Lingyue Mountain with his own strength, achieving the Great Luo True Immortal Realm. He also passed down the Yu Xu Tian teaching tradition on Lingyue Mountain, and was rewarded by the Heavenly Master with the Pre-Heavenly Spiritual Treasure - the Twenty-Four Dinghai Pearls to aid in cultivation." This was the result of Xun Daozi's discussion with his master Yuan Shi, using the protection of humans as a way to reward and unite the people, while also increasing the strength of the disciples.

  Seeking the way, the child's hand holds the Pearl of the Ocean, smiling as he watches the lamp burn.

  He lit the lamp and got up, bowed his head to take the Dinghai Pearl from Xun Daozi's hand. His mind swept over it, and he was suddenly surprised and delighted. He looked up at Xun Daozi with a puzzled expression in his eyes.

  Xun Daozi nodded and smiled, opening his mouth: "This treasure is just suitable for the elder's use, so please ask the master to grant it to the elder to help the elder achieve the Tao!"

  Rulan's face was flushed with excitement, he turned around and faced Yuanshi, kowtowing to the ground, saying: "Rulan thanks the Master for his kindness, this life will not betray the Jade Void Sect!"

  Yuanshi's face revealed a smile, and he said: "Fellow Daoist, please get up. This pearl was specially obtained by Xun Tian for you to help you achieve the Dao. There is no need to thank me!"

  Ran Deng said: "Ran Deng was born to teach the Jade Void Sect, and when he dies, he will be the soul of the Jade Void Sect. He must exhaust himself for the Jade Void Sect until his death." Ran Deng thanked the sect master and Xun Daozi, his fellow practitioner! After finishing speaking, Ran Deng stood up, with a resolute and excited look in his eyes.

  Xun Daozi spoke up, "Elder is the leader of our Yu Xuantian Sect, this treasure can only exert its true power in Elder's hands. If Elder's strength increases, it will also benefit our Yu Xuantian Sect, so there's no need for Elder to be polite!"

  Ran Deng listened to Xun Daozi's words and his face slightly moved. He nodded and returned to his seat.

  Xun Daozi spoke again: "Yu Ding Zhenren took three fellow disciples to Yuquan Mountain to protect the human tribe of 70,000, killing two demons from the Taìyī Jīnxiān realm and one high-ranking witch. He spread the name of our Yu Xū Tiān teachings, his Tao has reached the Taìyī Jīnxiān realm, and the respected teacher gave him a pre-heavenly spiritual treasure - the beheading sword! Taìyī Zhenren took three fellow disciples to Qiányuán Mountain to protect 65,000 people of the human tribe, his Tao advanced to the Taìyī Jīnxiān realm, and the respected teacher gave him a pre-heavenly spiritual treasure - the Nine Dragon Divine Fire Cover! Guang Chengzi..."

  Xun Daozi finished reading the rewards, and among the disciples, nine of them attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal Fruit position and were given pre-heavenly treasures; more than thirty people who attained the Taiyi True Immortal Fruit position were given Yuanshi's refined post-heavenly artifacts. The remaining Taiyi scattered immortal fruit position disciples also received rewards. Yuanshi took in twenty excellent named disciples as inner disciples. However, Chu Yunzi and Bao Canzi, although they had already attained the Taiyi Scattered Immortal Fruit position, did not participate in this round of Honghuang protection due to lack of experience in the vast wilderness, so they were only given verbal encouragement and no rewards were given.

  The disciples were rewarded and rejoiced, their enthusiasm soaring, eager to make new achievements.

  Xun Daozi saw that the emotions of his fellow disciples were high, and he was also happy. He stood in the middle of the field again and said: "The second thing Master just mentioned is to send disciples to the Wheel of Rebirth to assist Ping Xin Niang Niang in operating the underworld and performing her duties. Are any of you fellow disciples willing to go?"

  The crowd of fellow disciples listened to Xun Daozi's words and after a moment of contemplation, they all expressed their willingness to go, including Ruan Deng who also indicated his desire to proceed.

  Xun Daozi saw that all the fellow disciples were eager to go, knowing that they were inspired by the previous praise, so he opened his mouth again and said: "From now on, going to the underworld, one must perform the duties of the underworld, there are many restrictions, it's hard to have freedom. Fellow disciples, think carefully?"

  The crowd of fellow disciples listened to Xun Daozi's emphasis and made a brief contemplation, then they all showed determination in their eyes and asked for orders to go.

  "Alright, since all of you fellow disciples have agreed to help our Jade Void Sect, I will make the following arrangements on behalf of Master. I hope each and every one of you will fulfill your responsibilities and do your part.

  Firstly, those of you who have a Dharma cave or a cultivation site, please return to your respective sites and spread the teachings of our Jade Void Sect within the mortal realm that you are protecting.

  Secondly, all fellow disciples who have attained the Taiyi Golden Immortal Fruit position must seek out individuals with exceptional innate talents, take them in as disciples, teach them the fundamental techniques of the Jade Void, and then send them to Master's law array at Mount Kunlun for a test of their character. If they pass, you will accept them as your own disciples, making them the third generation of our Jade Void Sect, and help spread the teachings of our sect far and wide.

  Thirdly, the remaining disciples will be led by Southern Pole fellow disciple to enter the Netherworld Department, where you will work together with Master Tongtian's disciples to assist the Earth Goddess in operating the Netherworld Department and fulfilling its duties. Once those who have entered the Netherworld Department have completed their tasks, your own merits will be fulfilled, and you can decide whether to stay or leave based on the circumstances.

  Do any of you fellow disciples have any questions?"

  "We understand, we will follow the master's orders!"

  Xun Daozi turned around and said to Yuan Shi Dao: "Master, I have arranged everything. Please give me your orders!"

  Yuanshi smiled and opened his mouth: "Very well, I hope you all work together to do your part. Today, I will open the altar and preach the Tao for you. After preaching the Tao, follow the arrangement of your Shifu (master) to handle matters. Those who enter the land of the prefecture will be led by Xun Daozi to gather in the East China Sea and work together under the door of Tongtian Shifu!"

  Yuanshi then lectured on the Tao in the Jade Vacuity Palace for three years.

  Three years later, Xun Daozi led a group of fellow disciples to the East Sea and deliberately took a detour to send the child he had rescued on his way to Kunlun Mountain back to Xun Dao Mountain. His intention was to let him live with the people of Xun Dao Mountain, but the child stubbornly wanted to follow Xun Daozi and learn from him. The stubbornness and determination on his face made Xun Daozi feel a little unusual, so he taught him some simple techniques and had him stay in the cave mansion of Xun Dao Mountain with Liu Ling, learning how to take care of the cave and manage the medicinal fields.

  Settle the child, Xun Daozi sat on the back of Yu Qilin, leading a group of disciples to hurry to the East Sea. On the coast of the East Sea, they met hundreds of disciples led by Duobao from Tongtianmen. After all of them paid their respects to Xun Daozi, the disciples of both sides also paid their respects to each other.

  Duobao then bowed his head again to Xun Daozi and said: "Seven hundred and twenty people from the Qingyou Sect, led by Master Zhang, have come to listen to your orders, Senior Brother!"

  "Master, may I ask if you have any disciples on the eastern coast of the sea who can spread your teachings?"

  Duobao replied: "The Master has left behind the Golden Spirit Mother, and it is not appropriate for the Holy Mother to be present. The three elders and five sisters of the Eastern Sea have transmitted to me the Biyou Jie teaching of the Dao tradition!"

  Xun Daozi said: "Since it's like this, you all follow me to the underworld."

  As soon as the secret was revealed, a vast and misty gate suddenly appeared on the eastern coast. The gate was shrouded in mist, making it impossible to see what lay beyond. Xun Daozi called out to everyone and stepped through the gate first, followed by the disciples of the Tianyi Sect and the Qiankun Sect in an orderly manner.

  The two doors of the Yuan and the Tongtian, except for a small number of disciples who stayed behind to preach in the Honghuang human race, all entered the underworld to operate the underworld and perform their duties. This was the result of the discussion between Laozi, Yuanshi, and Tongtian. They wanted to use the Xuanmen disciples to take over the operation of the underworld before the Witch-Yao catastrophe, in order to gain merit and familiarize themselves with the key locations within the underworld. Once the Witch-Yao catastrophe began, they would leave one or two disciples to occupy the key positions in the underworld. If necessary, they could also leave one or two high-ranking disciples to preside over the underworld. This way, they could withdraw the disciples of the two sects who had entered the underworld and return them to their respective sects. Meanwhile, these disciples would gain merit by operating the underworld and performing its functions, which would be enough to make up for their usual cultivation.

  In fact, Xun Daozi's plan to have all the disciples of both sects move into the underground palace had another consideration, which was to let the disciples of both sects communicate more and increase their feelings for each other in the process of working together, laying the foundation for future cooperation between the two sects.

  Xun Daozi led the two disciples on their way, heading straight for the Ping Xin Palace.

  Arrived at the Ping Xin Palace, Xun Daozi bowed and said: "I am Xun Daozi from the Yu Xu Gate of the Tianxian Sect. I have brought disciples from the Yu Xu Gate and the Bi You Gate to pay respects to the Ping Xin Niangniang!"

  As soon as the words fell, the gate of Pingxin Palace opened wide, and two beautiful boys stepped out of the gate, bowed to Xun Daozi and said: "The princess is waiting in the palace, and I am ordered to lead all the Taoist priests to go, please!"

  Xun Daozi led the two disciples of the Two Teachings into the Great Hall of the Ping Xin Palace, where they saw the Ping Xin Niangniang sitting on a cloud bed, seemingly real yet illusory, mysterious and ethereal.

  Xun Daozi first bowed his head and said: "The humble Xun Daozi has seen the Holy Mother, wishing her eternal life and boundless longevity!"

  The two disciples also bowed in unison.

  "Everyone, no need for formalities, please take a seat!" With a wave of his hand, hundreds of meditation cushions suddenly appeared out of thin air on both sides of the grand hall.

  Everyone sat down in their own seats.

  "Yesterday, you entrusted me with a task, and I returned to inform my superiors. The three of them deeply respect your compassionate and merciful heart, so they first sent the disciples under their command to come and await your instructions. They will first operate the underworld to minimize the suffering of the souls of all living beings. Once we find someone willing to take over the duties of the underworld from the vast wilderness, our Xuanmen disciples will return to their respective sects. What is your intention, Your Ladyship?"

  "Please thank the three masters on my behalf, and I also want to thank all of you for coming to the Underworld Palace despite the difficulties. Thank you!"

  The two disciples immediately responded in unison: "We dare not trouble you, Your Ladyship, to thank us. We have come only because of our master's orders. You have only to give the order, and we will do our best to carry it out!"

  Xun Daozi said: "From now on, all of you fellow disciples will be handed over to the princess. I hope the princess will take good care of them. Xun Daozi is taking his leave!" Turning back to face the crowd of disciples, he continued: "You must listen carefully to the princess's instructions while in the underworld. If there are any matters that cannot be decided, they can be settled by Shuo Nan and Duo Bao, two senior fellow disciples. Do not quarrel and lose your sense of righteousness. If anyone disobeys the rules of our Xuanmen sect, I will definitely not forgive them lightly. Remember this!"

  The two disciples bowed and said: "We will remember the senior brother's instructions, we must be diligent in our duties and absolutely not slack off!"

  Xun Daozi stood up and bid farewell, leaving the underground palace.

  P.S: Thanks for zxblpsz's reward!