Volume One: The Lich Calamity, Chapter 235: The Completion of the Underworld and the Great Emperor of Fengdu

After the formation of the Malicious Dog Ridge, the three continued forward. Taishan then shouted loudly to the surroundings.

“Where are the Golden Roosters!”

In the next moment, countless golden eggs appeared, each cracking open one by one to reveal fierce Golden Roosters.

These Golden Roosters feed exclusively on evil spirits. They can discern good from evil, and even if some malevolent ghosts escaped from Malicious Dog Ridge, they would hardly evade the Golden Roosters’ hunt.

With the birth of these Golden Roosters, a great mountain suddenly materialized, blocking the path. It served to intercept souls entering the underworld here, forcing them to undergo inspection by the Golden Roosters.

After completing Golden Rooster Mountain, the three proceeded onward. Taishan waved his hand, and a village instantly took shape. He then forcibly summoned the malevolent spirits from the underworld into this village.

Their role was to tempt those souls harboring evil thoughts, causing them to fall further into depravity and remain there, effectively replacing themselves.

Passing through the Village of Evil Ghosts, Taishan flicked his sleeve behind him, and a special road instantly appeared, leading straight to the Gate of Ghosts.

Along this path lay the Gate of Ghosts, the Viewing Platform, Malicious Dog Ridge, Golden Rooster Mountain, and the Village of Evil Ghosts.

“The underworld has the Yellow Springs, created to guide souls. Then this path shall be called the Yellow Springs Road!”

As Taishan finished speaking, the Yellow Springs of the underworld connected here, flowing forth.

Next, Taishan retrieved the Mirror Platform and the Well, pointing ahead as a grand hall swiftly rose from the ground.

A plaque hung above the hall, inscribed with “Hall of Bewildered Souls.”

Inspired, Taishan placed the Well and Mirror Platform within the hall.

Thus, the Sinister Mirror Platform and Bewildering Well were born.

As their names suggest, the Bewildering Well produces soul-confounding water that compels the souls who drink it to speak truthfully, confessing the evil deeds they committed in life. Meanwhile, the Sinister Mirror Platform reveals all aspects of one’s past, allowing judges to discern whether the accused speaks honestly.

With the Hall of Bewildered Souls completed, it became the ruling center of the underworld. Moved by a sudden inspiration, Taishan caused a magnificent city to arise.

Fengdu City became the residence of the underworld’s sovereign.

“Fengdu City is formed. I shall take the title Fengdu Great Emperor of the Underworld, Emperor of the Northern Yin Fengdu!” Taishan declared.

At that moment, his robes transformed into a dark, imperial garment, his presence growing even more imposing.

Pingxin, witnessing this, felt no objection but rather a sense of relief.

“So, from now on, you shall be the ruler of the underworld. Since you are a mountain deity’s mansion, calling it simply the underworld feels inappropriate. Do you have any ideas?”

Tai Shan, now the Fengdu Great Emperor, responded, “The Nine Netherworlds remain the underworld, but it is vast, with many regions inhabited by underworld beings. Changing the name entirely feels unsuitable. Let us divide the realm that manages departed souls, making arrangements easier.”

“From now on, the domain dealing with souls shall be called the Earthly Court.”

Pingxin nodded in agreement.

Thus, the Earthly Court was born within the underworld.

At this time, Ming River, as the Asura Path Lord among the Six Paths, understood that the Earthly Court had now formed within the underworld.

He addressed the Great Freedom Heavenly Lords and others, “In the future, the sea of blood souls will gradually diminish until it vanishes. Now that the Earthly Court has been born, it is time to appoint people. Since you have experience dealing with souls, you may consider registering to assist.”

The Great Freedom Heavenly Lords were moved by this offer.

Seeing their reaction, Ming River led them forward.

Meanwhile, the Fengdu Great Emperor sat upon his hall’s throne. As Fengdu took shape, it required many personnel and attention to various details for completion.

Subsequently, the Fengdu Great Emperor established the Offering Hall, Ghost Fortress, Lotus Platform, the Resurrection Hall, and other vital structures.

Most importantly, the Resurrection Hall connected directly to the Naihe Bridge, where Meng Po resides, leading to the Six Paths of reincarnation.

As the Earthly Court solidified, plentiful merit descended from the heavens upon Fengdu Great Emperor, rapidly elevating him to the pinnacle of the Great Dao Golden Immortal.

With the Earthly Court perfected, Pingxin entrusted the Book of Life and Death, written with the Nine-turn Eternal Pen, to the Fengdu Great Emperor.

Then, the Fengdu Great Emperor struck his primordial spirit, instantly manifesting ten figures representing the ten kings of the underworld: Qin Guang King, Song Emperor, Chu Jiang King, Chuguan King, Yanluo King, the Wheel-turning King, among others.

“Fengdu Great Emperor, this humble Daoist Ming River pays respects!”

“Ancestor’s arrival brings glory; please come in,” Fengdu Great Emperor replied warmly. Then, seeing the Asura tribesmen accompanying Ming River, his eyes lit up.

He knew well that before Fengdu’s birth, the Asura race had assisted greatly in underworld affairs.

“Asura Path Lord, your timing is perfect. I have been troubled by a shortage of personnel in the Earthly Court. I never expected the Ancestor to bring so many helpers!”

“For them, this is an opportunity as well. Thus, it is mutually beneficial!”

Ming River responded calmly.

The two then discussed many matters concerning the Earthly Court’s operation, including the positions allocated to the Asura.

With their fierce appearance and experience, the Asura became imprisoning soul agents and some even served as Earthly Court judges.

The birth of the underworld’s Earthly Court brought unrest to the vast prehistoric land.

At this time, the conflict between the demon and shaman tribes intensified, with casualties mounting, increasing the Earthly Court’s workload.

In the end, the Fengdu Great Emperor appointed many deceased shaman souls and some demons with minor sins or meritorious deeds as imprisoning soul agents to assist in administration.

Henceforth, the prehistoric land often saw soul-captors armed with soul-binding chains and mourning clubs, mainly from the Ox-Head and Horse-Face tribes.

In the Northern Abyss, since the last incident, Kunpeng’s hatred toward Emperor Jun and the others grew ever deeper.

“Two Sages, why visit my Northern Abyss today?” Kunpeng asked as the Western Two Sages suddenly appeared.

He had agreed to join the West hoping they would help him fend off the petty Emperor Jun and reclaim his primordial spirit’s seal.

Yet, they had abandoned him, leaving him alone to face Emperor Jun’s petty schemes.

Now, long after, they still had not retrieved the spirit seal for him.

It was clear how deep Kunpeng’s resentment ran. Though their karmic debts had been settled, their promise remained unfulfilled.

Jieyin, feeling somewhat embarrassed, spoke up.

“We’ve brought back your primordial spirit seal!”

After saying this, Jieyin pointed at Kunpeng.

In the next moment, a golden apparition appeared beside Kunpeng.

Seeing this, Kunpeng first reclaimed his primordial spirit seal, then his eyes shifted thoughtfully.

‘Are these two truly so kind? Given their usual self-interest, there may be other conditions!’

But regardless, recovering this spirit made Kunpeng feel quite pleased.