Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Underworld's Cycle of Reincarnation

At this moment, Tongtian sensed the transformation within Houtu, and immediately stepped forward to embrace her, saying, “Will you stay with me? Stay, please.” Tongtian feared losing his beloved once more; he could not bear to see those he cherished leaving him one by one. He was terrified, deeply terrified.

Houtu felt the warmth and care from Tongtian, but her choice left no room for regret. When weighed against her own feelings, the fate of her people and the countless beings of the primordial world far outweighed her personal desires.

Such was the resolve behind Houtu’s decision.

In the grand hall, Emperor Jiang and the other ancestral witches were discussing how to face the demon tribe, when Xuanming hurried in, calling out, “Brothers, have you seen Sister Houtu?” Being the youngest and the only female among the ancestral witches, Xuanming was closest to Houtu.

Emperor Jiang turned, his face stern, and addressed Xuanming, “What’s wrong? Why are you so flustered?” As the leader of the witch tribe, all decisions rested with Emperor Jiang, hence his severity.

“Brothers, have you seen Sister Houtu? I’ve searched for her for so long but cannot find her. I’m worried something has happened.” Facing Emperor Jiang’s imposing presence, Xuanming steadied herself and spoke to the assembled ancestral witches.

“I thought it was something serious, but it turns out to be this. All right, I’ll help look for Houtu.” Gonggong, another ancestral witch, tried to comfort Xuanming.

But at that moment, a strange sensation surged in the hearts of the ancestral witches, reminiscent of familial separation. Realizing something was amiss, they hurriedly traced the source of the feeling. In truth, it was a thread of hope within the Great Dao; if grasped, it might yet change the course of events.

Having found the direction, the ancestral witches soared toward the place where that sense originated.

Houtu turned to Tongtian and said, “Meeting you is enough for me. I ask for nothing more—only that you live well, live for me!”

Tongtian, not understanding fully, tried to hold Houtu, but at that moment Emperor Jiang arrived with the others at the edge of the Sea of Blood, witnessing Houtu’s state.

“Thank heavens, nothing’s wrong,” Emperor Jiang said.

Seeing Tongtian present, Xuanming asked, “What are you doing here, Daoist?”

Tongtian was about to answer when Houtu interrupted him, addressing the ancestral witches, “Brothers, sister, for the fate of the primordial beings and our tribe, I have decided to become the Netherworld for the wandering souls.”

“What’s going on? Why, Houtu? Don’t do this! If need be, let us defy the heavens together!” Zhu Rong, unable to bear the oppressive atmosphere, pleaded with Houtu.

“Yes, reconsider!” Tongtian seized the opportunity to implore Houtu.

Houtu shook her head, “My decision is made. The Great Dao has approved it; it cannot be changed.” With a wave of her hand, an invisible wall of energy blocked their path. She glanced back at Tongtian, “You understand.” With that, she ceased speaking, murmuring to herself:

“I, Houtu, vow to transform my body into the place of reincarnation for all beings, granting them a thread of hope.” As she spoke, the Sea of Blood churned. Houtu’s figure gradually faded, the land beneath her sank, and thus the Netherworld was formed.

Houtu, unable to forget her longing for her homeland, created within the Netherworld a platform called “Homeward Terrace.” Souls wishing to enter must pass through the “Ghost Gate,” then enter the City of Unjust Death to await their summons.

At the heart of the Netherworld, six great gates appeared, inscribed with: Heaven, Humanity, Animals, Asura, Hell, and Hungry Ghosts.

Only the gates of Heaven and Animals stood open; the rest were shut.

Watching Houtu’s form vanish bit by bit, the ancestral witches’ hearts overflowed with grief and fury. Emperor Jiang spoke, “This thread of hope is Houtu’s gift to us—we must cherish it.” With that, he led the sorrowful witches back to Buzhou Mountain.

Tongtian clenched his hands tightly, struggling to hold onto his sanity.

At that moment, the Wheel of Heavenly Law appeared, bestowing boundless merit. Seventy percent went to Houtu, twenty percent to Tongtian, and the remaining ten percent to the witch tribe.

All the primordial beings knelt upon the earth, crying, “Thank you, Lady Houtu, for your great kindness.” It was what every creature desired; though their consciousness after death would be affected, there remained that thread of hope. Life itself was worth more than anything.

Tongtian absorbed the merit, which rivaled the merit achieved by Pangu in creating the heavens, and thus was able to sever his evil self.

At that time, Tongtian’s realm was only late-stage Taiyi Golden Immortal; absorbing twenty percent of boundless merit, his cultivation soared instantly to early-stage Daluo Golden Immortal, allowing him to sever his evil self.

“You shall be named Emperor Fengdu,” Tongtian said to his evil self.

“As you wish, fellow Daoist,” replied Emperor Fengdu.

Emperor Fengdu turned to the Netherworld. A book and a banner appeared in his hands; he handed the banner to Tongtian.

Tongtian, not knowing what was happening, could hardly contain his joy upon hearing those words—this was the legendary, heaven-defying treasure.

Emperor Fengdu entered the Netherworld, which slowly descended, leaving a long winding path beside the Sea of Blood.

Upon entering the Netherworld, Emperor Fengdu manifested two beings, one yin and one yang. “You shall be the guides for departed souls, named ‘Black and White Impermanence.’”

Black and White Impermanence bowed in gratitude, “We obey your command, Your Majesty,” and withdrew to escort the souls of the dead.

Emperor Fengdu’s form split into ten kings: Qin Guang, Chu Jiang, Song Emperor, Five Officials, Yan Luo, Biancheng, Mount Tai, City King, Equality King, and Wheel King. Each presided over one of the Ten Courts of Hell, thus known as the Ten Kings of Yama.

Yan Luo, chief among the ten, oversaw the Book of Life and Death. Feeling the need for an assistant, he gathered yin energy to create a Judge, gifting him a pen to record the deeds of all living beings.

Soon, the Netherworld operated smoothly. Souls found rebirth, and the primordial world entered a new era.

Tongtian descended to the deepest shrine of Houtu, gazing at her primordial spirit nourished by boundless merit, and asked:

“Do you regret?” His words were both strained and persistent.