Chapter 45: Capturing Souls and Demanding Lives

  He pinched a grain of sand between his thumb and index finger, and with a slight movement, he unfolded a world within that one grain of sand. In this tiny world, the struggle between witches and demons was unfolding, and Hou Tu, who belonged to the witch tribe, was led into it. Although she couldn't cultivate the Great Way, as a descendant of Pangu's essence, she naturally had some insight into this world. As she watched the outcome of the witches' and demons' battle unfold before her eyes, she vaguely sensed something. She thought that now the witch tribe was at its peak, but eventually, they would all fall, and her heart couldn't help but feel desolate.

  "Escorting the saint, I don't know if there's a way to resolve this situation? Shouldn't I go back and persuade my few elder brothers to give up their futile struggle?" Hou Tu's eyes were slightly moist with tears, her pear blossom-like face was covered in rain, making her even more endearing.

  "He let out a long sigh and said, 'The Way of Heaven is constant, prosperity and decline are cyclical, there is a fixed number, but the witches and demons do not cultivate virtue, it is difficult to avoid falling. Even if you want to withdraw now, the demon clan will not agree, and the saints will not agree either. Moreover, your brothers are secretly plotting against Emperor Jun and Taiyi, isn't this hatred a dead knot?'"

  Houtu's heart sank even further, "Can't the various saints spare the Wu tribe? My Wu tribe bears the legacy of Pangu's creation of heaven and earth, is it still not enough to be preserved?"

  "The legacy of Pangu has already been divided among the three saints, and they have all achieved the status of the Three Pure Ones. What's left to protect you?"

  "Could it be that the entire Wu tribe will be completely annihilated?"

  "There is a thread of life between heaven and earth. As for the Empress's journey, what she has seen and felt, isn't it clear? You have left behind a path of life for all living beings, so the heavenly way will not cut off the legacy of the Wu tribe."

  After saying this, Hou Tu fell silent for a long time, lowering his head in contemplation. A good while later, he lifted his face and said, "Hou Tu has understood his own mission, for the sake of his people and the vast expanse of Hongyuan Heaven and Earth, Hou Tu cannot shirk his duty. However, Hou Tu has a request, and he hopes that the Holy One will grant it."

  At this time, Hou Tu's cultivation was far superior to Jie Yin's, and a surge of aura on his body made Jie Yin also change color. "What can I do for you, Your Majesty? I will definitely assist you."

  "Thank you, Saint. I'd like to ask if you can accept a member of my witch tribe as your disciple, so that our bloodline can be preserved in the future."

  "Good, Poor Dao agreed." After a moment of consideration, he agreed. He can accept another witch tribe disciple, and in the future, he will become a guardian of Buddhism. At that time, all the saints will retreat, but this battle power is not something that ordinary Mahayana Golden Immortals can contend with. However, it's still necessary to think carefully about who to accept.

  After Hou Tu finished this matter, he got up and rushed straight to the Blood Sea. When he arrived at the Blood Sea, his eyes were filled with vengeful spirits and evil ghosts, struggling bitterly, unable to find a way out. Hou Tu's heart was deeply moved, knowing that even if there were no tribesmen, he had to find a place for all living beings to rest, and could not let them suffer such hardships even after death.

  The Old Ancestor of the Nether River was teaching the Shura disciples in the depths of the Blood Sea when a subordinate reported that there was a woman on the edge of the Blood Sea, doing something unknown.

  Minghe's body and the Blood Sea were almost merged as one. Upon hearing the report, he sensed that there was a beautiful woman sitting quietly beside him, seemingly pondering some issue. Minghe thought carefully and recognized that the person who had come was none other than Zu Wu Hou Tu. Minghe was greatly shocked; since they didn't have any dealings with each other, it couldn't be that she had come alone to plot something in secret.

  Ming River was just about to go and ask what's going on when he suddenly heard a rustling sound beside his ear.

  "My friend from the underworld river, don't be perplexed, this time is a rare opportunity for your Shura clan."

  Minghe was startled by the voice, isn't this the guide of the saint? Why is he not in the Western Paradise of Bliss, but instead running to his own bloody sea? He and Minghe have karma on their bodies after all.

  The space beside the River Styx opened up strangely, revealing a guide wearing a gray cloth robe, standing on a black turtle, holding a clear bamboo staff, with a smile on his face, solemn and sacred, yet kind and approachable.

  Behind the back, it seems to be a world. This world is bright and infinite, with ancient Bodhi trees everywhere, pavilions and buildings inlaid with seven treasures, countless devout souls reciting scriptures, various rare birds and strange beasts coming and going among them, chanting mantras from their mouths, clear and moving, faintly scenting sandalwood incense.

  This is a corner of the world of bliss, the world of bliss within the heaven of bliss, most of which was created by Zhunti, and Jieyin only slightly assisted. Jieyin felt that he still had an opportunity, so he didn't open up a separate world on his own. This time, he came to the Xiuluo tribe and revealed a miniature version of this world, naturally with a purpose in mind for Jieyin.

  The escort seemed slow but was actually fast, and before he knew it, they had arrived at the banks of the Naihe River. The Naihe River hastily bowed its head in greeting, "I have seen the Escorting Sage."

  "Minghe Daoyou, you and I are old friends now, no need to be so polite. This time I came not only to witness the unprecedented grand event in the Hongyuan, but also to see you."

  Minghe heard a head of fog, what's called an unprecedented big event, inviting him to see if he had any intentions? He was suspicious in his heart, but still extremely polite with his mouth.

  "Thanks for your concern."

  "Yin River Road friend, back in the day when I was poor, I obtained the Industry Fire Red Lotus here, which had a huge impact on me, even affecting my success in becoming a Daoist. Today, I've come to thank you again, friend."

  "The saint smiled and said, 'It's the ignorance of the Nether River that dares to resist a saint. It should be begging for mercy instead.'"

  He's quite understanding of the underworld river, indeed worthy of being a preeminent great power in the primordial chaos, knowing when to advance and retreat.

  Minghe also tried his best to avoid any conflict with the Holy One, knowing that he was no match for him. The witch and the demon were powerful, but they still had to bow their heads in front of the Holy One. Besides, Jie Yin was one of the most difficult people to deal with among the Holy Ones. Minghe didn't know what his intentions were this time, as long as he didn't cross the line, Minghe was prepared to endure and hide like a turtle, prioritizing survival above all else. In fact, Minghe was currently cultivating a divine technique, planning to thoroughly refine the entire Blood Sea into one of his own avatars, even merging himself with the Blood Sea.

  Only in this way can we truly achieve the goal of not being exhausted by the Blood Sea and not dying from the Nether River. Now, these saints are still able to forcibly sever their connection with the Blood Sea, and even if they don't kill themselves, just sealing themselves is enough to make them suffer. The Nether River secretly calculated in his heart that when I, a poor Taoist, successfully sacrifice and refine the Blood Sea, at that time, we won't have to fear these saints anymore. I will make you guys look good.

  "Yin River Daoist friend, I have gained some insight into the Dharma within the Red Lotus. It seems to be at odds with our Buddhist teachings, and appears to belong to the demonic arts of the Blood Sea. Today, let us return things to their rightful owner."

  He finished speaking and handed the jade slip in his hand to Minghe. Minghe took it with both hands, scanned it slightly with his divine sense, and suddenly changed his expression. The Shura method contained within was more profound and unimaginable than what he had comprehended himself. It also mentioned how to sacrifice the Blood Sea, how to capture the heavenly and earthly evil energy, and how to absorb the spiritual energy of living beings. Although it wasn't complete or perfect, it was absolutely superior to his own cultivation by tens of thousands of times.

  Minghe didn't expect that Jieyin would actually be well-versed in the methods of Shura, these saints are truly unimaginable. The main method practiced by Jieyin is not the Blood Sea Method, but unexpectedly, Jieyin has grasped the Blood Sea Method to such a profound level.

  Minghe bowed his head in gratitude for the gift of introduction, and both sides began to discuss their Taoist cultivation. Minghe was also momentarily sincere in his heart, without thinking about the meaning of Jieyin's actions. Many Xiu Luo tribes were fortunate enough to hear Jieyin and Minghe discussing Taoism, gaining a lot, and for a moment they were all immersed in it.

  At this time, Hou Tu was also thinking deeply about the matter of reincarnation. The transformation of reincarnation is not a simple thing, and it is necessary to perfect the Heavenly Way, so it must be carefully considered before and after.

  Emperor Jun and Taiyi were defeated by the Pan Gu of the Wu tribe, returned to the Heavenly Court, restored their bodies, and the morale of the demon clan was low. The Heavenly Court was also gloomy for a while. Fortunately, Emperor Jun and Taiyi recovered one after another, rectified the demon clan, and the morale recovered slightly. At this time, Empress Xi gave birth to ten crown princes for Emperor Jun, and the ten golden crows had the cultivation of a mysterious immortal as soon as they were born, making Emperor Jun overjoyed.

  However, the ten Golden Crows were unusually restless and stirred up great chaos in the Heavenly Court. Emperor Jun then banished the ten princes to a remote island in the Eastern Sea, where there was a pre-heavenly spiritual root, an ancient Fusang tree that perfectly matched the body of the Golden Crow's fire spirit. This would allow them to cultivate in peace, and he regularly dispatched demonic gods to lecture and care for them. Moreover, the Dragon Clan of the Eastern Sea was still under the jurisdiction of the Demon Clan at that time, so there were no safety concerns. Emperor Jun was extremely satisfied with this arrangement, but little did he know that it would plant a calamity of epic proportions, nearly wiping out the Golden Crow clan.

  On this day, Emperor Jun was in the great hall gathering all the demon gods to discuss how to perfect the Zhou Tian Star Big Array, in order to deal with the Wu tribe's Du Tian Shen Sha Big Array. The demons were at a loss for what to do, and some of them made some frivolous remarks that greatly displeased Emperor Jun. Just as he was getting anxious, Emperor Jun suddenly felt dizzy and cried out in pain, falling from his throne.

  Di Jun's cultivation was of such a level that even in the vast expanse of the Primordial Chaos, he was one of the top powers. Having already beheaded two corpses, how could he possibly faint so easily? This sudden turn of events shocked the upper echelons of the demon tribe into a flurry of activity as they hastily rushed to support Di Jun.

  At this time, only the demon kings who were once in charge of the universe were seen. The leader of the Honghuang at that time had a sallow complexion, his eyes tightly closed, his lips purple, his teeth clenched, and he was not breathing. What's even more frightening is that on top of Emperor Jun's head, a black aura enveloped him.

  This strange black air is difficult to disperse, attached to Emperor Jun's head, as if it is corroding Emperor Jun's cultivation, yuan Shen and gong de. As the emperor of Yao, he bears the great merit of establishing the heavenly court, and should be an inviolable body that punishes evil without being invaded. How can such a strange scene appear? Even Kun Peng and Fu Xi, who are known for their extensive knowledge and experience, have no idea what to do.

  Just as the You tribe was at a loss, a painful cry came from outside, and Ta Yi stumbled into the main hall, with the Dong Huang Zhong on his head, and the mountains, water, insects, and fish on the Dong Huang Zhong seemed to come alive, constantly flashing.

  The Eastern Emperor Bell emitted a faint golden light, protecting Taiyi. On top of the Eastern Emperor Bell was also a mass of black energy. Taiyi's face and Emperor Jun were not much different. Taiyi looked at his older brother carefully, gritted his teeth, and struggled to utter a few words.

  "My brother and I were ambushed by thieves, but fortunately, the Eastern Emperor's Bell protected me. Otherwise, I would have ended up like my brother. Please put us together, and the Eastern Emperor's Bell will protect our spirits from dispersing. Hurry and find the Heavenly Queen to think of a way to rescue us."

  Taiyi finished speaking these few words and also found it hard to speak, sitting cross-legged beside Emperor Jun.

  The two emperors of the demon clan fell down at the same time, and for the demons present, it was as if the sky had fallen. The six spirits were without a master, at a loss, fortunately Fuxi, Kunpeng was still there, on the one hand directing people to take care of Emperor Jun and Taiyi, on the other hand going to invite Xihuang.

  Xihe had been living a happy and contented life with Emperor Jun since their marriage. As the leader of the demon tribe, Emperor Jun was highly respected, and Xihe, as his wife, held a noble position. They also had a son together. Emperor Jun treated her with even more care and tenderness than before. One day, she suddenly felt a surge of anxiety and unease, as if something big was about to happen.