Outside the Transcendent Gate’s mountain entrance, a white cloud carried several figures, speeding eastward.

This white cloud flew swiftly yet steadily, choosing paths with beautiful scenery and no dangerous terrain—one look at the cloud-rider and you could tell they were old…

Golden Immortal.

The Transcendent Gate’s Sect Master personally piloted the cloud toward the Netherworld, continuously explaining matters about the Netherworld to the four people behind him.

For instance, how to quickly reach the Netherdark Realm, the relationship between the Netherdark Realm and the Netherworld, and what taboos existed in the Netherworld.

“The Netherworld manages the Six Paths of Reincarnation, the Netherworld Administration is the destination for all spirits’ souls, not some commonplace.

However, the Netherworld is also a power in the primordial world, naturally giving face to other powers.

Most times, as long as someone makes a request, they’ll make some token resistance, collect some benefits, do some favors, and then use their Heaven-granted authority to slightly adjust matters of beings’ reincarnation…

So you needn’t worry.

Our Transcendent Gate is genuinely inherited from the Human Sect, naturally having such face.”

Ji Wuyou stood at the front with hands behind his back, speaking eloquently;

After cultivating in the sect for so many years, Forgetting Emotions Upper Immortal didn’t know the Sect Master had such a talkative side.

About other matters, Forgetting Emotions Upper Immortal couldn’t say much at the moment, only appearing to listen attentively.

Meanwhile, Jiang Lin’er was heavy-hearted, standing beside Forgetting Emotions Upper Immortal, her brows carrying some worry, still privately anxious.

Ji Wuyou slowly spoke of the Netherworld’s origins, extending to the evolution of the Netherdark Realm.

Li Changshou: …

Sect Master, why don’t you start from the creation of heaven and earth? The Netherworld only started in ancient times.

Then they heard Ji Wuyou say leisurely: “Speaking of where this Netherdark Realm came from, we must talk about that sea of blood, must start from the creation of heaven and earth…”

Li Changshou: …

Well, never mind then.

Li Changshou had the lowest seniority, naturally standing at the very back of this white cloud.

Hearing the Sect Master speak with increasing enthusiasm, Li Changshou couldn’t help but turn his head to look at the person standing shoulder-to-shoulder with him three feet away…

You Qin Xuanya.

He understood the logic, but why was Poisonous coming with them to the Netherdark Realm?

Did she have relatives among the Netherworld Administration’s Yama Kings or Judges, or could she reduce the difficulty somewhat with her outstanding appearance?

What was wrong with the Sect Master?

Why so many puzzling behaviors?

When You Qin Xuanya came over earlier, she still had remnants of Dao rhythm from closed-door enlightenment—she had just been called out temporarily by the Sect Master!

Seemingly sensing Li Changshou’s gaze, You Qin Xuanya’s eyelashes trembled lightly as she opened her eyes from meditation.

Her white neck turned gently, those bright eyes turning over, carrying one part bewilderment, two parts curiosity, three parts tenderness, and four parts clarity, meeting Li Changshou’s gaze.

Afterward, her gaze, like a startled fawn, immediately dodged to the side, leaving four parts shyness, three parts nervousness, two parts self-annoyance, and one part joy…

Uh, some symptoms had deepened considerably with her closed-door cultivation!

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh in his heart;

Could it be that the Sect Master wanted to match him with Poisonous Junior Sister?

As one of the three people present on [that night when the Golden Immortal tribulation almost came], You Qin Xuanya knew Li Changshou’s ‘background’, and had even witnessed the whole process of Li Changshou’s paper avatar ‘deflating’.

Therefore, Li Changshou couldn’t completely ignore You Qin Xuanya.

And to be honest…

Li Changshou’s simulated consciousness, processed by the ‘Turtle Formula’, glanced at this big sister beside him.

You Qin Xuanya had an outstanding temperament, beauty that could sink fish and drop wild geese, and a graceful and light figure—flawless in appearance; especially after becoming an immortal, surrounded by immortal spirit energy with an inherent soft light effect.

Though the straightforwardness in her personality was troublesome, this could be counted as a merit…

But in matters between men and women, it wasn’t as if he must have good feelings just because she was beautiful!

Although comparing others’ appearance and personality wasn’t quite appropriate, to be honest, his dear junior sister was no worse than this junior sister from the neighboring peak.

How easy was it to match make two people?

The deeper he walked on this path of ‘red father’, the more he understood, and the more Li Changshou felt this way was incredibly complex…

Since ancient times, flowers red match willows green, nothing but infatuated men and resentful women.

A spring night’s moment worth a thousand gold, a thousand gold spent still comes again.

Li Changshou looked at his Sect Master’s back ahead, sighing slightly in his heart.

You Qin Xuanya’s voice transmission entered his ear, saying:

“Senior Brother Changshou, have you been well lately?”

“Mm, passable,” Li Changshou nodded with a smile, transmitting back, “How is your cultivation?”

“After stabilizing my realm I had some minor breakthroughs.”

You Qin Xuanya mentioned proper matters and instantly returned to her usual serious appearance, transmitting in detail:

“Currently comprehending the principle of true spirit’s imperishability, following the Supreme Clarity’s method of non-action. In roughly another hundred years, I should be able to break through to the next level, reaching mid-stage True Immortal realm.”

Li Changshou immediately nodded with a smile, almost blurting out the words ‘You’re amazing’.

You Qin Xuanya lightly pressed her lips together, then transmitted: “Has Senior Brother had any cultivation breakthroughs lately?”

Li Changshou smiled and shook his head slightly.

Speaking of breakthroughs, he had some, just that he had… cut them down.

After discussing cultivation, the two suddenly had no more topics.

Li Changshou chose to close his eyes and rest his spirit, while You Qin Xuanya would occasionally turn her head to look at him; she stood there quietly, serving as the looks carrier for their group of five…

Currently, the situation in the Four Seas is becoming increasingly dire.

The immortal cloud swiftly passed over the East Sea, and after flying just several tens of thousands of li, Li Changshou’s immortal consciousness caught several battle sites.

Although these battles in the seawater weren’t large in scale, the scenes were quite bloody…

Dragon Clan and Sea Clan killing each other, different factions within the Sea Clan killing each other, and most unfortunate were those carefree sea creatures without spiritual intelligence.

During this period, the mortal fishing villages along the East Sea and South Sea shores all had unusually big harvests.

Previously, pulling up ten or so fish in one net was considered good;

Now one net often couldn’t be pulled up, occasionally bringing up some strangely shaped big fellows…

Thus, the incense at the Sea God temples became even more prosperous.

[The Transcendent Gate’s Netherworld Affairs Small Team] crossed half the East Sea before Forgetting Emotions Upper Immortal finally spoke up:

“Sect Master, I’ve heard lately that the Dragon Clan seems to have met with calamity, endless troubles, with unrest throughout the Four Seas.”

Ji Wuyou nodded slowly, saying: “These have no connection to our Transcendent Gate, no need to worry.”

No connection?

Li Changshou sighed in his heart—actually, this connection was bigger than Uncle Master Jiu’er’s crimes…

If they kept looking at this endless vast ocean without raising their heads, they seemed as if frozen in a painting.

At this moment, the Transcendent Gate group was heading to the east of the East Sea, beneath the Heaven Pillar, where there was the fastest route to the Netherworld.

The Three Realms of the primordial world were, overall, like a—multi-layered meat pie.

The Five Continents were the main body, the Nine Heavenly Courts stood above the Five Continents, and the Netherdark Realm was attached below the Five Continents.

Where did the Netherworld come from?

The story starts with Pangu’s three axe strikes, pure qi became heaven while turbid became earth.

Turbidity self-generated nine polluted springs, blood sea churning as nether dark arose.

Within dwelled an ancestor called River of Darkness, left hand Yuan Tu right hand A Bi.

Emulating Nüwa to create living beings, alas spirit techniques weren’t up to par.

Great Virtue Houtu performed reincarnation, River of Darkness blocked and suffered heaven’s strike.

Netherworld Administration arose from this, blood sea half dried as Asuras wept.

That’s roughly… how it happened.

…

Sect Master Ji Wuyou piloted the cloud, bringing Li Changshou and the others swiftly flying across the East Sea, seeing that magnificent, endless ‘Heaven Pillar’, heading straight to its base.

The Netherdark Realm was buried in the depths of the primordial world’s earth. After Great Virtue Houtu evolved the Six Paths of Reincarnation, she completely suppressed the Netherdark Realm and the vast majority of passages entering the Netherdark Realm were sealed.

The fastest route to the Netherworld, also the most widely known Netherworld passage at this time, was in the deep sea rifts near the four great Heaven Pillars in the east, south, west, and north.

Besides these, there were also paths used by Netherworld ghost officials to enter and exit the Five Continents and Three Thousand Worlds, but cultivators couldn’t trespass these paths as they were protected by Heaven’s power.

The five people flew before that magnificent Heaven Pillar, looking at the huge whirlpool appearing on the sea surface below;

Ji Wuyou coughed twice, using a streak of immortal light to wrap the five people, rapidly plunging toward the whirlpool below.

Passing through the deep sea crack, charging through a lava lake, passing several ferocious places, sinking who knows how many ten thousand of ren.

Worth mentioning was that on their way they encountered several groups of human cultivators returning from the Netherworld, probably also going to ‘handle matters’ by giving gifts…

This journey had no dangers anyone in the True Immortal realm could pass these ‘checkpoints’ alone, reaching a winding small path wrapped in gray mist…

The Netherdark Path.

Li Changshou feared sudden enlightenment, not daring to look or think too much along the way, only memorizing this path.

You Qin Xuanya transmitted: “Has Senior Brother been here many times?”

“No,” Li Changshou smiled, “I’ve only cultivated for a few hundred years, and haven’t had time to visit too many places.”

“Then…”

You Qin Xuanya’s wonderful eyes gazed at Li Changshou, her vermillion lips unmoving as she transmitted inquiringly, her tone very natural:

“If there’s an opportunity in the future, would Senior Brother be willing to walk and look around together with Xuanya?”

Li Changshou: …

What was this approach?

Sudden confession?

According to his dozens of summaries and analyses of You Qin Xuanya’s personality, Li Changshou couldn’t help but have the absurd thought [Could this be a puppet?]!

Fortunately, You Qin Xuanya promptly discovered that speaking this way seemed somewhat impolite. Her face instantly turned red as she spoke directly, explaining somewhat flustered, her gentle voice flowing within the immortal light.

“Senior Brother Changshou…

I didn’t mean it that way, I don’t have any improper thoughts about Senior Brother!

I just wanted to travel around with Senior Brother to increase knowledge and comprehend cultivation!”

Li Changshou gave a bitter laugh in his heart.

That’s right, this was the Poisonous he was familiar with.

Three gazes from ahead turned over, the two men exchanging knowing smiles, while Jiang Lin’er, already somewhat anxious and troubled, couldn’t help but frown slightly now.

Little Ling’e’s rival?

This threat level to Ling’e seemed much bigger than Little Jiu!

‘How did Little Jade Peak’s generation become so complicated.’

Jiang Lin’er sighed in her heart, but at this moment didn’t have much thought to care about these matters, worried about Wanjiangyu’s situation…

Ji Wuyou had been to the Netherworld several times and was indeed familiar with the way.

On this winding small path, Ji Wuyou pressed his left hand downward, and streams of pure, cold mist quickly gathered, condensing into a gray cloud that supported the five people’s forms.

Afterward, they continued speeding forward along the winding path;

In just a moment, they flew out of this endless mist, their view being ‘filled’ by a magnificent black mountain.

This mountain’s shape was like a stone tablet, all made of solid black stone, with three complex blood-red characters written on it…

Ji Wuyou calmly said: “Eastern Netherworld, we’ve arrived.”

Li Changshou secretly sighed;

This scene suddenly had the flavor of reaching a bus stop in his previous life.

Fortunately, the Sect Master didn’t call out “Please tap your card when boarding,” otherwise who knows what might have been ‘beeped’ out?

…

Just as Li Changshou’s paper avatar reached the Netherdark Realm;

Heavenly Court, before the East Heaven Gate.

Several thousand heavenly soldiers each stood leaning on long spears, their gazes converging on the cloud path not far away.

There, several elders were constantly surrounding a handsome young Daoist saying something, but the latter’s gaze was very determined as he continuously stepped forward.

“Young Master ah, you still have the Sky Tower House to manage, why come to the Heavenly Court to be a soldier!”

“If the old madam knew, how heartbroken she would be!”

“What’s so good about the Heavenly Court? If you just steadily cultivate in the future, you’ll achieve the fruit of long life and inherit this business!”

“Enough!”

Bian Zhuang gave a light shout, raising his head to gaze at the white jade pillars carved with numerous auspicious clouds at the Heaven Gate, his eyes carrying starlight as he said with feeling:

“I don’t want an unchanging cultivation life!

A path that’s arranged isn’t my path, my path lies beneath my feet, needing me to walk it out step by step!

The Heavenly Court, here lies my dream!”

The several elders were instantly stunned by these words, momentarily not knowing how to persuade him.

Bian Zhuang’s feet moved quickly, reaching the Heaven Gate.

And hearing Bian Zhuang’s words, that group of heavenly soldiers were all moved!

What confident bearing this young Daoist had, what noble immortal life pursuit!

Several heavenly generals inside the Heaven Gate exchanged glances, their eyes flashing with light.

Could it be that a talent was coming to the Heavenly Court?

At this moment, an elder couldn’t help but stamp his foot and sigh long:

“Young Master yo! What kind of dream is that you!”

Bian Zhuang’s eyes were instantly full of yearning as he said with feeling: “That immortal maiden is my dream!

Only here can I find my dream!”

“Your dream changes every few years! With so many girls in our Sky Tower House, Young Master isn’t there one who can become your dream?!”

“Young Master, just say the word, we can have as many dreams as you want! All different kinds, absolutely no repeats!”

Eh…

The group of heavenly soldiers and generals all had black lines hanging on their foreheads;

A heavenly general rolled his eyes, immediately secretly transmitting orders to the heavenly soldiers before the Heaven Gate.

Then they saw Bian Zhuang reach the East Heaven Gate without looking back, bow forward, and shout:

“Cultivator Bian Zhuang comes today to join the Heavenly Court!”

“Get lost!”

A group of heavenly soldiers shouted angrily in unison.