Son of Heaven of the Nether Court

After Xu Ying departed, the supreme will of the Heavenly Dao universe rolled like thunder above the Palace of Heavenly Gods: "Can his origins be traced?" "No such person found." "Check his birthplace." "No such place found." "Check his father and mother." "Numbers too vast to query." The supreme will fell silent. After a long pause, the will of a heavenly god inquired, "My Lord, must this be reported upward?" "Do not report it for now. If we offend someone... suppress it." The supreme will detonated into rolling thunder, rumbling with immense resonance. "Treat today's events as though they never occurred. Erase all records on the Heavenly Dao divine artifacts. Plague God, you may not seek vengeance." "We obey the decree." Outside the Palace of Heavenly Gods, both Yuan Qi and Yuan Weiyang remained utterly unconvinced. Yuan Qi in particular was skeptical—some of the crimes committed by this culprit surnamed Xu had been done right alongside him! How could he have done no evil? Could it be that Lord Niu Qi's criminal record had been wiped as well? "I truly am innocent—more innocent than ever before," Xu Ying explained to them. "The heavenly god masters in the Palace of Heavenly Gods pulled the dossiers and checked three of my lifetimes. Spotless. Not a single blemish or prior offense. If you don't believe me, you can ask Lord Bell!" "You lie!" Zhou Qiyun sorely wanted to point at his nose and berate him for spouting sheer nonsense, but he held back. Even he could not survive confronting the tens of thousands of gods in the Palace of Heavenly Gods all at once. The heavenly gods of that palace commanded the Heavenly Dao divine artifacts—the Heavenly Principles, the Heavenly Laws, the Heavenly Canon, the Heavenly Retribution, and a host of other divine artifacts possessed of world-striding majesty. The third matter he intended to undertake in the future was also tied to the Heavenly Dao world, so he knew its terrifying power all too well. As long as the Palace of Heavenly Gods deemed you guilty, stepping on a single ant was a capital crime! To the Palace of Heavenly Gods, a person was born steeped in sin; how could condemning them ever be difficult? Because they wielded supreme authority, they could convict anyone of anything! Xu Ying was certainly no paragon of pure virtue, either. Slaying gods and butchering officials all along the road, his misdeeds were too numerous to record. Why, back at Huaihua Palace, over a dozen sons of the Zhou clan had perished at his hands! Yet Xu Ying had walked out of the Palace of Heavenly Gods safe and sound. It genuinely rattled Zhou Qiyun—so much so that he no longer dared act toward Xu Ying with his former overbearing arrogance. "Heavenly gods cannot walk out of an ascension site. Their power is too colossal, something the mortal realm cannot tolerate." Zhou Qiyun steadied his mind. Instead of continuing to press Xu Ying on how he had escaped the Palace of Heavenly Gods, he answered Xu Ying's earlier question. "If one wishes for a heavenly god to descend, one must offer sufficient sacrifices to heaven. Only through that conduit can a heavenly god descend. The heavenly gods within the Palace of Heavenly Gods cannot walk out of the palace. As for whether an ascension site can degenerate, I have never heard of such a thing." Xu Ying humbly sought further insight. "Old Ancestor Zhou, can a heavenly god descend completely into the mortal realm from the Heavenly Dao world?" Zhou Qiyun shook his head. "I have never heard of it." Xu Ying turned to ask Yuan Weiyang, who also shook her head. "I haven't heard of it either. However, my Yuan clan possesses a vast library; there might be records concerning the descent of heavenly gods among our scrolls." Xu Ying looked at Yuan Qi, who shook his head as well. "My family's collection doesn't have any records on that either." Doubt stirred in Xu Ying's heart. Down in the well on Little Stone Mountain, the bronze bell had suppressed not only the maiden in the coffin, but also a colossal behemoth—and the bell had explicitly claimed it was suppressing a heavenly god! By that logic, heavenly gods could indeed descend completely. Why, then, were there no records of it? And why had the bronze bell suppressed a heavenly god? Or rather, why had the bronze bell's master wanted to suppress one? Now that this heavenly god had broken free, there was no telling what chaos it might stir up. 'Lord Bell suppressed both the maiden in the coffin and a heavenly god at the same time. Just how ferocious must it have been in its prime?' Xu Ying glanced at Zhou Qiyun, musing, 'Surely not inferior to Zhou Qiyun, right? What a pity Lord Bell became so broad-minded.' Ahead lay the Heavenly Court of the Netherworld. Only now did Xu Ying have the leisure to observe this colossal entity that governed the underworld. Looking from afar, he saw unimaginably towering divine statues standing amid vast mountains and rivers. Drifting between these statues were radiant, colorful Hidden Scenery latent transformation lands. Those divine statues were taller and grander than the mountains themselves, the surrounding peaks barely reaching their waists. Inconceivably thick incense smoke swirled around their bodies, weaving into flowing ribbons that gathered into dense clouds. Palatial, magnificent edifices drifted atop these cloud layers. Those structures were the Hidden Scenery latent transformation lands—fairy realms, one and all. These realms formed the core of the Nether Court. Long avenues linked fairy realm to fairy realm. Flanking the streets were buildings growing in every direction, staggered in height. In any case, this was the Netherworld, suspended high in the sky, and its inhabitants were all ghosts; houses had no need to point upward, and hanging upside down worked just as well. Some nether gods ran shops here, offering every manner of goods imaginable. The Nether Court, formally known as the Heavenly Court of the Netherworld, was a place Xu Ying had assumed would be dismal, cold, and drenched in ghostly gloom. To his surprise, the presence of the Hidden Scenery latent transformation lands lent it vivid color, creating a magnificent panorama unseen even in the mortal world of the living. Xu Ying and the others followed Zhou Qiyun onto the avenues of the Nether Court, where the scent of incense permeated the air. Suddenly, something bumped into Xu Ying's calf. Looking down, he saw numerous squat, short Earth Gods sprinting down the street carrying letters, shouting as they ran, "Too late, too late!" One Earth God yelled at the top of his lungs, "Mine is the most urgent! Out of the way, everyone, out of the way! Zhou Qiyun, the ruthless bandit of Lingling, has entered the Nether Court! The bandit Zhou Qiyun has walked straight into the net—slay him to bolster our heavenly majesty!" The other Earth Gods scrambled to make way, allowing the little Earth God to scurry straight to the front. Zhou Qiyun remarked unhurriedly, "The Imperial Annals state that these Earth Gods are tasked with relaying intelligence. They deliver the daily occurrences of every locality to the Nether Court, where dedicated message-handling deities process and aggregate them. In this way, not a single affair under heaven, across both the mortal realm and the netherworld, escapes the eyes and ears of the Nether Court." Xu Ying was deeply shaken. Earth Gods were the most common deities: they existed not only across the mountains, but also in every tiny village, and even along the avenues of cities, where squat Earth God shrines could always be found. These Earth Gods possessed keen ears and fast news. If all their intelligence was consolidated in the Nether Court, then everything under heaven was indeed held firmly in its grasp. "Emperor Zhidao Dasheng truly possessed remarkable foresight when he united imperial power and divine authority with the Nether Court," Xu Ying said. Zhou Qiyun nodded gently. "Emperor Zhidao Dasheng pacified the Nether Court, unified Shenzhou, and forged a divine kingdom upon the earth. From then on, divine authority and imperial rule became one, eliminating all hidden perils. But thereafter, Emperor Zhidao Dasheng indulged in wanton pleasure and placed his trust in eunuchs and powerful ministers. One can see how lust ruins an empire." Yuan Weiyang raised an eyebrow and asked, "Then what about the powerful ministers?" Zhou Qiyun replied placidly, "I am that powerful minister. Had Emperor Zhidao Dasheng not lost himself to womanly charms, how would I ever have had the chance to rise?" Another Earth God sprinted forward, shrieking, "Zhou Qiyun, the wretched snake catcher from Yongzhou, has reached the Ghost Gate, coming to seek his death!" A horde of Earth Gods hollered in alarm and scattered for cover. "The vicious fiend has fought his way up!" A green-skinned greater ghost bellowed, "I am the Ghost Gate Strongman! If that snake catcher Zhou Qiyun dares take half a step past the Ghost Gate, watch my ghost-head blade cut him down!" Yuan Qi was dumbfounded. "Old Ancestor Zhou, it seems your reputation in the Nether Court isn't quite stellar." Zhou Qiyun let out a snort and continued forward. The moment they stepped past the Ghost Gate, the Ghost Gate Strongman tossed aside his ghost-head blade and bolted, fleeing with a speed that left onlookers staring in disbelief. Another Earth God dashed past, shouting, "The Zhou clan ancestor is storming the Soul Return Gate! The ghost generals of the Soul Return Gate fight to the death and refuse to yield!" Yet before the ghost generals guarding the Soul Return Gate even crossed paths with Xu Ying's group, they cast off their armor and helmets, fleeing in frantic disarray. Yuan Qi said in surprise, "Their tone grew considerably more respectful this time." Passing the Soul Return Gate brought them to the Hall of the Ghost King. An Earth God sprinted by, crying, "Grandmaster Zhou of the mortal realm graces the Nether Court with his presence to visit the Ghost King!" The massive doors of the Hall of the Ghost King slammed shut with a deafening boom. Evidently, the Ghost King had no desire to meet Zhou Qiyun. Reaching the Judge's Office, another Earth God proclaimed loudly, "The Nuo immortal of the Zhou clan honors us with his presence! Why haven't you petty gods of the Nether Court kowtowed in welcome?" Yet another Earth God called out, "Quick, embroider the dragon flags! Take down the banner of the Son of Heaven of the Nether Court and hoist the flag of Emperor Zhou!" By the time they arrived before the Hall of Senluo, ranks of nether gods lined both sides of the thoroughfare. Bowing low with solemn salutations, they kowtowed one after another, calling out in unison, "Upper Immortal! We humble gods present these rare delicacies to welcome the arrival of the Upper Immortal's royal host to the Nether Court, to overthrow the tyrannical rule of that Son of Heaven of the Nether Court!" Along the avenue before the Hall of Senluo, tables laden with exquisite banquets had long been set out. Alluring ghost maidens played string and woodwind instruments, singing and dancing. One ghost maiden called out, "Whoever claims the title of courtesan queen tonight shall enter the palace to attend upon the sovereign!" Zhou Qiyun burst into hearty laughter and declared in a ringing voice, "Why must the Son of Heaven of the Nether Court resort to such antics to fool me? Zhou Qiyun of the mortal realm has come to pay his respects. I request an audience!" The instant the words left his mouth, pillars of immortal light erupted into the heavens from those various Netherworld Hidden Scenery latent transformation lands. Towering figures manifested one by one, cloaked in otherworldly Dao bones and celestial bearing, drifting gracefully as their auras roiled the skies of the Nether Court, instantly churning the clouds and winds of this realm! And from the supreme hall of the Heavenly Court of the Netherworld up ahead, an intensely brilliant radiance surged forth, coalescing into a deity whose flowing robes enfolded the supreme palace. The deity's robes fluttered and billowed, enveloped in dazzling splendor—every beam a radiant strand of immortal light, unimaginably sacred, glowing so intensely that looking upon it directly was nearly impossible. Zhou Qiyun's expression tightened slightly. This was a Primordial Spirit. Although he had drawn extensively upon the strengths of various schools and excavated ancient tombs and cave-heavens in an effort to reconstruct the cultivation system of Qi Refiners, he had still not successfully formed a Primordial Spirit to this day. Though his soul was formidable, it remained merely a soul in the end, far lacking in refinement compared to the Primordial Spirit of the Son of Heaven of the Nether Court! Zhou Qiyun glanced around and noted that the Nuo immortals within each Hidden Scenery latent transformation land possessed powerful auras, every one an extraordinary figure. However, these Nuo immortals were mostly deceased individuals, possessing only the essence of souls without physical flesh. The immortal light surrounding the Son of Heaven of the Nether Court gradually receded, his aura drawn inward as he smiled. "'Son of Heaven of the Nether Court' is nothing more than a title. If I can bear it, so can you. Fellow Daoist Zhou, you may come to the Nether Court after your death, and We shall yield the throne of the Son of Heaven to you." Zhou Qiyun strode forward, smiling. "I hold no longing for what comes after death. What I seek is longevity and eternal life—to cross the tribulation and ascend to immortality!" The Son of Heaven of the Nether Court laughed heartily. The immortal light around him withdrew completely, and his Primordial Spirit contracted, returning into the palace. His voice drifted out from within the hall, speaking faintly, "Who doesn't desire that? Even We wish to return to the mortal realm and live as a carefree, joyous immortal. Master Zhou, you are already a Nuo immortal of the human realm, roaming free and unconstrained. What more could you be unsatisfied with?" *Hum—* A burst of immortal light suddenly surged from the palace, charging straight at Zhou Qiyun as he ascended the steps, as though intent on engulfing him! Zhou Qiyun paused in his tracks, his Shenzhou Hidden Scenery expanding outward around him as he exclaimed in surprise, "You are a ghost immortal?" Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang had stopped their advance long before, staying well back. Even so, the terrifying auras of the two supreme powerhouses pounded against their chests like wardrums, suffocating them! Not only that, but their divine senses fell into disarray as incomprehensible Dao methods invaded from the immortal light, throwing their thoughts into turmoil. Dressed in azure robes, Uncle Xiao stepped in front of them, enduring the discomfort as he barked, "Fall back!" Xu Ying and Yuan Weiyang scrambled backward. Yuan Qi also whipped around in panic, and only when they retreated as far as the Judge's Office did they finally catch their breath. Zhou Qiyun's voice rang out: "Son of Heaven of the Nether Court, you were originally an immortal whose physical body was destroyed, leaving only a Primordial Spirit to become a ghost immortal! Am I right? The gulf between possessing a physical body and lacking one is vast. Though you are a ghost immortal, you are no match for a Nuo immortal who retains his flesh!" Terrifying tremors surged out from the Hall of Senluo, erupting in all directions. The resulting shockwaves tore through everything along their path, so violent that even Uncle Xiao could not withstand the brunt, blood trickling from the corner of his mouth as he struggled to keep his footing! Suddenly, a chime rang out, and a massive bronze bell manifested, inverting itself downward. The moment the bell collided with the shockwaves, a resounding *clang* shook the air. Dragon-and-serpent-like patterns rippled across its surface in shimmering radiance, forming a thick wall of light that sheltered everyone beneath it! All at once, within each of the Hidden Scenery latent transformation lands, ghost Nuo immortals pointed their fingers in unison. Hidden Sceneries soared forth from the latent transformation lands, bearing weighty Dao imagery as they bore down toward the Hall of Senluo! Xu Ying suddenly felt warmth in his nostrils. Wiping his nose, he found his hand covered in blood—the sheer pressure of the Dao imagery latent within the ghost Nuo immortals' Hidden Sceneries was forcing blood from his vessels! He looked toward Yuan Weiyang, Uncle Xiao, and Yuan Qi, only to see blood seeping from their eyes, ears, noses, and mouths under the crushing weight as well! "Lord Bell, you have to hold on!" Xu Ying yelled. The bronze bell gave a muffled grunt. Suddenly tilting sideways, it whirled away with a screeching roar, shouting, "I can't hold! We're leaving!" Struck by the aftershocks of that terrifying collision of Dao imagery, the bronze bell bounced and crashed repeatedly, *clang-clang-clang*, smashing through building after building as it tumbled down the length of the avenue. Inside the bell, Xu Ying said to the badly shaken Yuan Weiyang and Uncle Xiao, "Don't worry, Lord Bell can take a beating. I've been through this sort of thing many times." *CLANG!* The bronze bell smashed a gaping breach straight through the Ghost Gate and tumbled out of the Nether Court, chiming noisily all the way down. Curled into a ball, Yuan Qi suddenly had an epiphany: "Wait a second... doesn't this mean we've finally shaken off Zhou Qiyun?"