Witch enters the underworld

  Next, Xun Daozi and Rong Deng made arrangements with the fellow disciples to return the human tribe to Hongyuan. They dispatched more than a dozen newly promoted Taiyi realm disciples to escort and spread the teachings. Disciples in the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm could cultivate and comprehend on their own, and some were temporarily assigned to work in the underworld, except for those with other tasks, they first returned to the underworld to continue performing their duties, waiting for further instructions.

  At this time, the disciples of the Daoist sect who were protecting the Yu tribe and those who were following the Yu tribe to protect the transmission of the Dao in the Hongyuan all left. The disciples who were on duty in the underworld also left with them. However, Nanji Xianweng, who was coordinating the underworld, and Xun Daozi were both kept behind by Yuan Shi.

  In the Jade Void Palace, Yuanshi sat on a cloud couch, with Xiwangmu and Nanji Xianweng sitting on either side of him, while Baihe Tongzi stood beside Yuanshi's cloud couch.

  Yuanshi couldn't help but feel a sense of pride as he looked at his two disciples. The first, Xun Daozi, was someone Yuanshi considered to be one of the most correct decisions he had ever made in taking him on as a disciple. As for Nanji Xianweng, his performance over this period of time had also left Yuanshi extremely satisfied. Leading the Jade Void Sect's disciples in assisting Ping Xin in governing the Underworld, he had performed outstandingly, demonstrating an ability to grasp the overall situation and earning the praise of Ping Xin, who relied on him as a trusted aide in handling matters in the Underworld. Moreover, he had also gained the respect of Bi You Jie, a disciple of the Green Touring Sect, and received support from him in his operations in the Underworld, with even Duobao offering him frequent praise. He was one of the few disciples under the Jade Void Sect who could stand out on their own. Furthermore, his cultivation had already reached the Taiyi Golden Immortal realm, and he had even caught a glimpse of the traces of the Daluo boundary. It was likely that he would become the second Daluo cultivator in the Jade Void Sect after Xun Daozi.

  Yuanshi opened his mouth and said: "Leaving you two is for the matter of the underworld. Now that the great calamity of witchcraft has ended, what was decided on that day must also be concluded. Your Shibo saved more than 100,000 witches, all of whom were those with shallow evil energy. The master and your Shibo, Shi Shu, have decided that these witches can enter the underworld to replace our disciples who are on duty in the underworld, so that the disciples who are on duty in the underworld can return to the sect and cultivate peacefully. This matter requires you two to handle!"

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng bowed their heads and said: "Please instruct us, Master!"

  This Antarctic immortal also followed Xun Daozi in calling Yuan Shi Tian Zun his master. In fact, at this time in the vast wilderness, there was no such title as "master", and it was more common to use the term "teacher" or "respected teacher". This title of "master" was brought to the vast wilderness by Xun Daozi. When Yuan Shi heard Xun Daozi's address, he did not think much of it, but later when he heard that Xun Daozi had mentioned this title to some fellow disciples, he understood his true intentions and felt a strong emotional response in his heart, so he was even more affectionate towards Xun Daozi who called him master.

  There was a junior fellow apprentice who asked Xun Daozi why he called his master "Shifu" (teacher-father). Xun Daozi replied: "I bowed under my master's gate, received my master's paternal protection and transmission of the Great Way; my heart regards my master as a father, so I call him 'Shifu'!"

  After that, many of Yu Xuan's disciples called Yuan Shi their master. The fourteen disciples who were the first to be accepted by Yuan Shi after he had attained the Tao all called him their master. Many of his later disciples also called him their master.

  Yuanshi opened his mouth and said: "This matter falls on the shoulders of you two. Firstly, it is a matter of the underworld because of Xun Daozi's search, and we must get Xun Daozi to conclude it; secondly, in the past, the operation of the underworld was mainly presided over by Nanji, and we must do a good job of handing over. Of course, we also need to understand what key functions the underworld has, how our Yu Xuanchuan teaching should continue to play its role, affect the operation of the underworld, and benefit our Xuanmen. Let Nanji say something about this matter!"

  Nanji Xianweng listened to Yuanshi's question and hastily bowed his head to reply: "Reporting back to Master, the underworld has many functions, with ten important Yama Kings. Among them, the 'Judge of Life and Death' who holds the 'Pen of Judgment', and the 'King of Hell' who is in charge of meting out punishment and sending souls to the six paths of reincarnation are especially important. The other positions are not particularly relevant to our Xuanmen."

  Yuanshi listened and pondered for a moment before speaking: "'Life and Death Record' and 'Judge's Brush' are the most precious treasures of the underworld, as well as its foundation. The position that holds these two treasures is indeed a crucial position in the underworld." Turning his head to look at Xun Daozi, Yuanshi asked: "Xun Daozi, what do you think about this?"

  "Disciple has thought for a moment, and bows to say: 'Master, in my opinion, our Xuanmen doesn't necessarily need to completely control the underworld, but rather needs to play a role and have an influence that benefits our sect's development. Therefore, these two important positions in the underworld are not crucial to us, and if we were to take them, it might offend Ping Xin Niangniang, who is the true ruler of the underworld. If that happens, we might end up losing more than we gain. I think we don't need to take control of these two positions. Let's send them to the Wu tribe after they enter the underworld and let Ping Xin Niangniang decide. These Wu tribe members who have entered the underworld owe us a favor, and even if they were to take control of these two positions, they will still harbor goodwill towards us and show consideration.'"

  Yuanshi listened and nodded slightly, while Nanji Xianweng also admired him in his heart.

  Yuanshi spoke again: "Then what do you think our Xuanmen should do at this time to play a role in the underworld, have an impact and benefit the development of our Xuanmen?"

  Xun Daozi bowed again and said: "My Xuanmen can compete for the position of Yanluo, take control of the 'Zhuanlun Wang' position in hand. This position is extremely important for the development of my Xuanmen. With this position in hand, if my Xuanmen disciples die and are reborn, they will be protected and not lose their nature. After being reborn, they can still enter my Xuanmen to cultivate and expand my Xuanmen. Therefore, I think that my Xuanmen only needs to keep this one position. With the friendship between my Xuanmen and Pingxin Niangniang, we should be able to get her approval."

  The Antarctic immortal listened with a gleam in his eye and nodded his head with its high, bulging forehead.

  Yuanshi listened and nodded secretly, but still asked: "Is there any other way to exert influence in the underworld?"

  Xun Daozi thought for a moment, then spoke again: "It's possible to send one or two of our Xuanmen disciples with high moral character and strong will to enter the Di Fu Yin Shan, open up a new Daoist temple, and spread the teachings of our Xuanmen sect within the Di Fu. This can also complement our Xuanmen's 'Zhuan Lun Wang' position, allowing us to fully exert our influence in the Di Fu and expand our Xuanmen sect."

  Yuanshi listened and nodded with a smile: "Let's do it as you said, you can go to your Shibo first, and then inform your Shibo about the situation. After getting your Shibo's agreement, you can lead the Wu tribe rescued by your Shibo and the Xundao Mountain Wu tribe to the land of the underworld, hand over the matter to Pingxin, and come back after it's done. You also need to inform your Shishu first and see what he thinks. Maybe he wants to leave his disciples in the underworld to build a Daochang and pass on the Daoist tradition. Go ahead!"

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng knelt down and exited the Jade Void Palace. Immediately, Xun Daozi summoned the Jade Qilin to sit on it, and together with Nanji Xianweng, they rode on a cloud head, heading straight for Shouyang Mountain Laozi's Taoist temple.

  Arrived at the First Sun Mountain, paid respects to Laozi, and explained the purpose of the visit. Laozi remained silent for a moment, then opened his eyes and said to Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng: "This matter will be handled according to your master's orders. Since there are few disciples in our sect, we won't send them to the underworld. You can go ask your master's brother about it and listen to his opinion. I'll let Xuandu lead these witches to Mount Xundao, and when you return from the East Sea, we'll send them to the underworld together to settle this matter."

  Zeng Dazong bid farewell to Laozi and Nanji Xianweng, heading east to the Golden Turtle Island in the East Sea.

  Jin Ao Island Bi You Palace, Tong Tian Jiao Zhu sits on a cloud bed, in front of him are Bai Fu Xun Dao Zi and Nan Ji Xian Weng.

  Tongtian Jiaozhu listened to Xun Daozi's report of the situation and said, "Just do as your master said. For those disciples in the underworld, if they are willing to stay, let them stay; if not, bring them all back. If you think it is necessary to leave one or two behind, you can also make the decision yourself, just say that you have received my orders!"

  Xun Daozi heard Tong Tianyi say this and his heart was filled with anxiety! But he could only agree to it.

  After leaving Biyou Palace, Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng hurried back to Xundao Mountain. Along the way, Xun Daozi asked Nanji how to arrange for the disciples of Jie Jiao in this handover of the underworld.

  Nanji Xianweng said: "Shifu, you are so straightforward, and many of your disciples are also like this. Now that the matter in the underworld has been settled, I'm afraid there won't be any more Tiandao disciples who would want to stay in the underworld. If that's the case, then only our Yu Xuanchuan sect will remain in the underworld, which would greatly benefit our sect. However, as time goes on, might this lead to estrangement between our three schools of Xianmen? Shidi is shallow and ignorant, please enlighten me, Shixiong!"

  Xun Daozi was deeply impressed by Nanji Xianweng's broad vision, seeing that he worried about the potential isolation between the three schools of Yu Xuantian, and admired his sharp insight. When asked, he said: "The three schools of our Xuanmen are connected by the same breath, and should mutually support each other. Even if only our Yu Xuantian school remains in the underworld, we cannot just protect our own school. We must treat the Ren and Jie schools with equal respect, and work hard to maintain them. Only then can our Xuanmen avoid internal strife, truly unite against external forces, and become truly powerful, gathering energy and virtue to aid our cultivation!"

  "Nanji Xianweng bowed his head and said: 'Disciple has learned, disciple will surely respect and follow the teachings of elder brother to make our Mystic Sect prosper!'"

  Xun Daozi smiled and nodded slightly.

  Returning to Xun Dao Mountain, Xuan Du had already led more than 100,000 Wu tribes from Shou Yang Mountain to arrive, while the human tribe living around Xun Dao Mountain had been sent to Hong Huang, and Xun Dao's disciples, led by Bao Shi, followed orders to protect and spread the teachings.

  Xun Daozi arrived at the cave mansion and simply handed over to Su Xin, then summoned Shi Yong's thousands of Wu tribes who lived in Xun Dao Mountain. He explained the matter of entering the cave mansion and explained that now the Earth Mother Goddess Pingxin Niangniang was transformed into the ancestral witch Hou Tu of the Wu tribe, and the operation of the Earth Mansion required everyone's help to perform their duties.

  After listening to Daozi's explanation, Shi Yong and others were willing to enter the local government. The Wu tribe led by Xuandu also knew about this matter earlier and was very cooperative.

  Xun Daozi then summoned Hou Yi and asked him about his intentions regarding this matter.

  Hou Yi felt quite at ease with the multitude of witches and was also willing to enter the underworld with them.

  Xun Daozi followed his will, and then opened the gate of the underworld with Nanji Xianweng, led the witches into the underworld, and went straight to Pingxin Niangniang's residence in Yushan Pingxin Palace.

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng had just led over a million Wu tribesmen to the outside of Pingxin Palace when they saw the grand gate of Pingxin Palace open suddenly. A woman wearing a yellow palace attire, with a dignified and beautiful face, stepped out of the palace first, followed closely by two young boys.

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng immediately bowed their heads and paid homage to the woman who had just stepped out of the palace gate, saying: "Xun Daozi (Nanji) has seen Your Majesty, wishing you a long and boundless life!"

  The girl saw Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng, and returned a courtesy: "Two Taoist friends do not need to be too polite, sincerely thank the two Taoist friends!"

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng hastily paid their respects again: "I dare not trouble Your Ladyship to thank you!"

  Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng, along with a group of witches behind them, saw the woman walking out of the palace gate. At first, they were stunned, then after Xun Daozi and Nanji Xianweng exchanged greetings with the woman, they suddenly all knelt down, shouting: "Greetings to Hou Tu Zu Wu!" The sound was like thunder rumbling by, echoing in the air above the underworld.

  The woman's face was flushed with excitement, and she said: "You all get up, I am no longer the Houtu Zu Wu, I am the Pingxin of the Earth Prison! Everyone please get up!" Her voice was like a warbler coming out of the forest, like pearls falling onto a jade plate, but also carried deep emotions that moved people's hearts. Every kneeling Shu tribe member heard it clearly and distinctly.

  That black and boundless crowd of over a hundred thousand witches, upon hearing this, stood up, their eyes filled with reverence, and gazed excitedly at the woman in yellow palace attire.

  PS: First of all, thank you to my friend Zui Xiao Mi Le for the reward two days ago. Yesterday I went for a physical examination and set up automatic upload, but forgot to express gratitude! Thank you for your continued support! As for Sun Li's friend's urging for updates, I can only try my best to see if I can upload at night, thank you also for your kindness!