The Nether Qi hangs down ten thousand feet.
In the distance, an ancient Immortal Palace stands faintly in the depths of the Nether Ocean. Beneath the Nether Ocean, one can seemingly see the image of a gigantic Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc rotating three-dimensionally, exceptionally grand, evoking a shudder from deep within one’s soul.
Under that Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc, even the mightiest Immortal Gods seem no more than a drop in the ocean.
Zhang Jian composed his mind and immediately stepped into the ancient Immortal Palace.
In the Pingxin Grand Hall, Zhang Jian saw a majestic goddess standing on the divine seat at the center of the hall. Majestic Divine Light flowed obscured around her figure, preventing Zhang Jian’s Primordial Spirit Divine Sense from clearly seeing the face of this majestic goddess, but he dared not glance further and directly cupped his hands in respect.
"Zhang Jian, disciple of the Tongshan Dao Lineage, pays respects to His Majesty Houtu!"
"Arise!"
On the divine seat, the majestic figure remained serene.
Then, Zhang Jian felt an incomparably pure gaze fall upon him, and as this gaze landed on him, he felt that everything he had hidden fell into the other party’s eyes without doubt.
Though Zhang Jian had mentally prepared for this, facing such a situation brought immense pressure.
No one is born loving to play high stakes games.
If not for survival or ambition, most would prefer to lay idle.
However, Zhang Jian had anticipated such a scenario, and calmly retrieved a stone comb from his hand and presented it.
"Some days ago, I acquired certain items left by Lady Xuanming, and I wish to offer them to Your Majesty Houtu!"
Zhang Jian raised his hands, only to see the stone comb instantly vanish, landing in the hands of the majestic goddess on the divine seat shortly after.
The majestic goddess played with it briefly, Zhang Jian unable to see her expression, and then spoke.
"Additionally, I am here to seek the goddess’s aid in consolidating the Emperor’s Authority of the Jiuyou Emperor. I fear the breakthrough might trigger disturbances in the Six Paths of Reincarnation, so I kindly seek the goddess’s mercy to overlook this!"
Upon hearing this, the majestic deity on the divine seat chuckled lightly.
"You have quite the nerve, little deity, to reach out to this god?!"
At the end of the sentence, Zhang Jian suddenly felt the pressure on him amplify, sweat unconsciously appeared on his forehead.
He quickly said.
"My intentions cannot be hidden from the goddess; my foundation is frail and solely for the Dao Path, I humbly ask for the goddess’s approval!"
Zhang Jian knew that emulating parts of the foundation of the myth’s two Mothers of the Earth for his own path was audacious, but having met the Fuxi Saint Emperor without being warned, Zhang Jian thought it feasible.
However, it was best to get the other’s consent for such unusual actions.
If the other disagrees, he would at worst have to find ways to alter his path, costing time.
But ignoring their attitude and relying on luck could certainly lead to trouble.
If the mythical Mothers of the Earth get angry about it, just a thought from them would leave him no chance for correction.
Zhang Jian couldn’t gamble on that.
Even without the stone comb, he would still find another reason to understand the Houtu Earth Goddess’s attitude towards those who touch upon her path.
But gambling on that was far riskier than personally entering the Netherworld’s Pingxin Hall.
Seeing Zhang Jian’s attitude, the majestic deity on the divine seat showed slight waves in her gaze.
"You are a smart person, bold and meticulous, possessing a rare benevolence. Rest assured, although this palace won’t make things difficult for you!"
"But if you want this palace to completely overlook your act of pilfering this palace’s authority, you must do a task for this palace!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian showed a troubled expression.
"My goddess disciple’s magical power is shallow, my knowledge doesn’t match those under the goddess’s numerous Netherworld Emperors; I fear my abilities may be limited, potentially ruining the goddess’s great plans!"
Seeing Zhang Jian complain, the Houtu Earth Goddess on the divine seat chuckled as she put on a stern face.
"You sly one, I haven’t reproached you, yet you start complaining first!"
Upon hearing this, Zhang Jian sincerely said.
"Your Majesty, it’s not complaint from me, indeed it’s that things even your Majesty Houtu cannot accomplish, I dare not promise lightly; if I fail, it would be a breach of trust with your Majesty Houtu, further ruining your Majesty’s grand plans!"
Zhang Jian would rather give up part of his path than easily agree to dangerous tasks.
He cherished his life greatly.
The Earth Emperor Path is indeed enticing, but it all hinges on being alive first.
Plus, letting go of the Earth Emperor Path doesn’t mean there won’t be bright prospects.
Therefore, he remains adamant against agreeing easily.
On the divine seat, the Houtu Earth Goddess regained composure and said peacefully.
"This palace won’t bully the small, the matter won’t exceed your capabilities, you shall know in due course!"
As she spoke, not waiting for Zhang Jian’s response, she vanished from the divine hall, and then ghost gods entered the Pingxin Hall to send him off.
Seeing this, Zhang Jian was left helpless, unclear whether to feel happy or worried.
Yet swiftly, Zhang Jian calmed himself, at least this moment the Houtu Earth Goddess hadn’t troubled him over the pilfering of Netherworld’s authority, nor felt slighted over combining the paths of the two Mothers of the Earth.
This alleviated a great burden on Zhang Jian’s mind.
For the matter of the Houtu Earth Goddess, it would have to wait until he achieves Daoist Monarch.
Could this mean the Houtu Earth Goddess believes he is destined to become Daoist Monarch?
Thinking inversely, Zhang Jian’s mood improved significantly.
At that moment, the ghost god beside him smiled and said: "Celestial Monarch’s origin is extraordinary, it’s rare for Your Majesty Houtu to meet with other Immortal Gods within an Inference Era, but you, Celestial Monarch, were summoned by Your Majesty, you’re bound to achieve remarkable success one day!"
Zhang Jian’s eyes flickered, he smiled and cupped his hands.
"I have yet to ask how to address you, fellow Daoist?"
At this moment, the ghost god’s attitude made a complete turn, smilingly introducing himself.
"This god is Shi You, currently serving as the Palace Guardian God for Your Majesty Houtu!"
"Fellow Shi You Daoist standing guard at Pingxin Hall on behalf of Your Majesty Houtu, it seems your foundation is indeed extraordinary, unmatched by common Immortal Gods!"
The two exchanged pleasantries and became acquainted.
Leaving Pingxin Hall, Zhang Jian met King Yu outside.
"Ah Yu, how did it go?"
Seeing Zhang Jian, King Yu showed an inquiring expression.
Facing King Yu, Zhang Jian displayed a slight smile and nodded gently to him.
"Patriarch, Your Majesty Houtu agreed!"
Upon hearing this, King Yu relaxed his expression, feeling happy for Zhang Jian.
With approval from Houtu Earth Goddess and Dongji Qinghua Emperor, Zhang Jian succeeded greatly on the Jiuyou path.
The two gods at this moment glanced towards the shadowy Netherworld, both sensing the scenery as entirely different.
At that moment, the two gods planned to leave the Netherworld, returning to the Celestial Realm.
However, just then, they noticed the Netherworld bustling, the armies from various Netherworld Ghost Kingdoms being gathered by the Ten Great Netherworld Emperors, streaming towards the Land of Reincarnation.
The Netherworld inside and outside was in chaos.
This clearly signaled preparations for a great battle with one of the major powers!
"Could it be the Outer Demon Gods have invaded?"
Zhang Jian pondered, King Yu slightly bent his fingers to infer, then he instructed Zhang Jian to wait in place while he ventured into the depths of the Netherworld and returned shortly thereafter.
His face bore a mysterious expression.
Zhang Jian couldn’t help but ask.
"Patriarch, has something happened in the Netherworld?!"
King Yu lightly nodded.
"The Netherworld is deploying troops to participate in surrounding the Ancestral Dragon Soul!"
"The Ancestral Dragon Soul again?"
Zhang Jian’s eyes showed surprise.
The first time he attended the Celestial Court’s Grand Dynasty meeting, he heard the Ancestral Dragon Soul reincarnated. Could it be thousands of years ago the Celestial Court failed to successfully slay the Ancestral Dragon Soul?
Yet let the Ancestral Dragon Soul escape!
Zhang Jian contemplated, if the Ancestral Dragon Soul evaded capture, it would sure create a stir in the All Heavens Void.
The Ancestral Dragon Soul has always been a major threat to the Celestial Court.
Its former establishment of Immortal Qin once occupied a dimension of the Celestial Realm, wielding great influence, nearly altering the Celestial Court’s grand scheme.
However, these affairs were irrelevant to his Eternal Ice Castle for now.
The Eternal Ice Castle resided in the heart of the Central Celestial Realm, making it difficult for the Ancestral Dragon Soul to infiltrate.
Zhang Jian prepared to focus on the elevation of the Sheji, unifying two kinds of Dao Qi, the Nine Netherworld and Earth, transforming them into Ancestral Qi, thus completing the Fifth Step of cultivation.