Volume One: The Lich Cataclysm Chapter 171: The Path of Jumang, The Dao Sovereign's Conjecture

When Qingxuan and Jumang appeared again, it was already in the Netherworld.

“Greetings, Uncle!” Pingxin suddenly emerged in front of them. She quickly noticed the presence of Jumang, whom Qingxuan had brought with him.

“This is—”

“There’s much to explain, but suffice it to say, Jumang’s breakthrough presents a great opportunity for the Netherworld as it stands now.”

At present, the Netherworld was far from mature. Even if the Underworld were to manifest and the Six Paths of Reincarnation perfected, the Netherworld would still remain incomplete. By then, the realm would provide a place for departed souls to dwell, and allow those weighed down by sin to atone, gradually dispersing their negative energy. Yet, there would always be some whose sins could never be fully erased, no matter how long they endured; thus, ghosts were said to possess a “shadow lifespan.”

Upon hearing Qingxuan’s words, Pingxin immediately grasped his intent. Qingxuan aimed to transform the Netherworld into a world not unlike the Great Desolation.

“Heaven and earth are naturally opposed, as are life and death. Yet at the dawn of creation, the realm of death did not exist at all. Though the Netherworld has now come into being, much remains to be perfected! Only then will countless souls find it a world worth staying in, instead of constantly yearning for the realm of the living.”

Finally, both looked to Jumang. The Netherworld was still barren, desolate. If not for the Lotus of the Other Shore and the great merit it bestowed, even the Asura clan might not wish to remain here.

As Jumang entered the Netherworld, he immediately sensed the utter absence of vitality, instinctively repulsed—almost disgusted—by the place.

Left with no other choice, Qingxuan had Pingxin expound upon the Dao of Reincarnation before Jumang. As Pingxin spoke, Jumang’s aversion to the thick deathly aura gradually diminished. He began to gain new insights into the nature of death and life. Though seemingly opposed, upon true understanding, they revealed their commonalities.

Jumang was now immersed in this state. His conception of life and death grew clear; upon reaching a certain level of comprehension, and possessing the power, one could even transform one into the other.

As Jumang attained enlightenment, countless streams of deathly energy in the Netherworld converged upon him. When the pitch-black aura reached a certain density, it began to transform into vital energy.

However, the conversion of deathly energy into vitality was not wholly favorable for the Netherworld.

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The first attempt ended in failure.

Through countless efforts and insights, Jumang finally pinpointed the critical threshold. With a sudden flash of realization, plants and creatures unique to the Netherworld began to sprout and emerge throughout its expanse.

Witnessing this, Pingxin was deeply shaken.

But it did not end there. As these spiritual roots and herbs imbued with the Netherworld’s aura sprang forth, the realm itself was vastly improved.

“Since these exist only in the Netherworld, henceforth let them be called Netherplants. As for those beneficial to departed souls and primordial spirits, let them be called Soul Herbs.”

As Jumang finished speaking, Qingxuan and the others saw the Netherworld’s world force begin to circulate. The power of the Earth Dao enveloped the entire realm in protection.

As the Earth Dao suffused the Netherworld, Jumang’s aura underwent a dramatic transformation. Both Pingxin and Qingxuan breathed a sigh of relief.

“This boy’s luck is exceptional—he’s directly attained the rank of Hunyuan Golden Immortal. Even I didn’t expect it to go so smoothly,” Qingxuan remarked, then thought of the other Ancestor Wu. He wasn’t sure if they could reach the Hunyuan level, but certainly not in such a short time.

Before Qingxuan could finish his musings, Jumang approached him.

“Thank you, Uncle. If it weren’t for the treasure you gave me, I doubt I could have succeeded in attaining the Dao.”

With that, Jumang handed over a pearl—it was the Life Soul Pearl Qingxuan had earlier given him to comprehend the Dao of Life.

Qingxuan said, “Since you’re fated with this treasure, keep it. It will greatly aid your cultivation in the future.”

It wasn’t that Qingxuan was indifferent to a Chaos-level treasure; it simply served Jumang better than himself.

“But you only lent it to me for my enlightenment!”

“No need for further words. You haven’t stabilized your breakthrough yet—stay here to consolidate it, and help Pingxin manage the Netherworld. These Netherplants and Soul Herbs arose because of you; surely you’re the most familiar with them. Besides, isn’t there still room for further improvement?”

With that, Qingxuan ceased to pay Jumang any heed, and vanished.

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“This—” Jumang gazed bitterly at Pingxin after Qingxuan departed.

But Pingxin ignored him, saying coldly, “Since Uncle entrusted this to you, I leave it to you, brother!”

Then Pingxin too disappeared.

When Qingxuan reappeared, he was already within the Hall of Pangu.

Only then did Qingxuan realize that Jumang’s breakthrough had taken several eras.

By now, the demon clan had flourished, able to contend with the Wu clan, at least when no Ancestor Wu appeared. The Ancestor Wu allowed their subordinate Da Wu to stir up trouble, while they themselves focused on the Great Dao, steadfast in guarding the heart of the Great Desolation.

The demon clan now boasted over ten quasi-saint level experts, and the friction with the Wu clan was constant.

Qingxuan went straight to the Five Lotus Platform. He had promised Tongtian to place the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array there, using its unique properties to purify the array’s baleful aura.

The Karma Red Lotus and Purification White Lotus ceaselessly burned away the array’s malice with karmic fire, then purified the four swords with the light of purification.

“Good, my efforts have not been wasted. Now these four swords are much more pure; they can be used individually as weapons, or together as a grand array.”

“Sadly, once the baleful aura is gone, the power of the array is greatly diminished—a pity.”

Qingxuan studied the array carefully. Suddenly, his divine light flashed and he exclaimed with joy, “Of course, there’s another way! This method allows for a peerless formation, with countless wondrous uses.”

Without further ado, Qingxuan set to work. As he moved, countless subtle forces from heaven and earth flowed toward the Immortal-Slaying Sword Array.

The Ancestor Wu in the hall noticed the change.

“This is the power of earth, water, fire, and wind!”

Tianwu, Gonggong, and the other Ancestor Wu watched as the forces poured into the divine hall.

“What is Uncle doing?”

They were all perplexed, gazing toward the most vital part of the hall.

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