Within the Nine Prisons secret realm.
Ten grim cities stood tall, shrouded in black mists; from time to time, wretched screams echoed from within.
Lu sat in his Thousand-Bladed Chair, clad in white robes.
Nie Changqing gently pushed the wheelchair, expression calm as water; Yi Yue lurked in shadows—like an emotionless assassin.
Ni Yu carried black pot; held bamboo umbrella; somewhat terrified gazing around—this eerie environment made hairs on her neck stand uncontrollably.
So scary—was there ghosts?!
Little Yinglong sprawled on Ni Yu’s head; tail curled like meatball; eyes peeking through gaps at outside.
Nie Shuang strode boldly—he immensely shocked; never imagined Nine Prisons secret realm… held such profound secrets.
He thought Nine Prisons fully explored—yet beyond seemed vast world.
“Young Master… where is this?”
Nie Shuang blinked; immensely curious asked.
“Nether Soil.”
Lu sat; surveying all in Nine Prisons Nether Soil.
Very satisfied with Nether Soil—Dantai Xuan’s ability unquestionable; managed reincarnation ten cities orderly; even befriended remaining nine city lords.
Now Nine Prisons secret realm’s nine city lords—very close to Dantai Xuan; convinced by his methods and strategies.
Entire Nether Soil—like massive machine; operating orderly.
Lu’s gaze faintly flickered.
Ten cities—each assigned tasks by Dantai Xuan; judged incoming spirits per duties; after judgment—assigned spirits: reincarnate or cruel punishment.
Beigong Holy Lord respectfully followed Lu; explaining all in Nine Prisons secret realm.
“Dantai City Lord is merciful sovereign—he divides incoming spirits into three punishment levels.”
Beigong Holy Lord said.
“Oh? Which three?”
Lu brows raised—rarely managed Nine Prisons secret realm.
Without this Heavenly Gate opening—encompassing Lower Three Heavens; planning include Nether Soil reincarnation in Lower Three Heavens—he truly lacked interest managing Nine Prisons reincarnation.
Beigong Holy Lord eyes lit; somewhat excited—evidently admired Dantai Xuan.
“Dantai City Lord handles incoming spirits in three ways.”
“All based on lifetime deeds.”
“First: great merits in life; blessed one region—after death enter reincarnation; given choice—stay city as yin soldier, yin general, yin envoy, or clerk etc.; manage many spirits—or erase memories; reincarnate human; born noble houses.”
“Second: no great merits; mediocre life; no evil deeds—directly erase memories; reincarnate ordinary mortal.”
“Third: great evil in life; blood on hands—punished by evil degree; most severe—imprisoned in Dantai City Lord’s city; endure endless torment.”
Beigong Holy Lord said.
Lu narrowed eyes upon hearing.
“Commit great evil—imprisoned in Dantai Xuan’s city?”
Lu asked.
“This Dantai Xuan’s own decision? Those tormented surely harbor endless resentment—imprisoning great evil ones—brushed by resentment; become resentment-filled great city—affect cultivation; pollute primordial spirit… Dantai Xuan unafraid?”
Beigong Holy Lord gaze flickered; bowed: “Dantai City Lord said… other nine city lords heaven-piercing cultivation; demeaning for such tasks. He Dantai Xuan ordinary life; severed from immortal fate; long accustomed no great cultivation—so… Dantai City Lord voluntarily opened own city as evil punishment ground.”
Lu smiled: “Good one—if I not enter hell; who will.”
Lu said no more.
Beigong Holy Lord continued guiding Lu and others through Nine Prisons secret realm; understanding reincarnation operation principles.
Nine city lords also appeared together; accompanying.
Dantai Xuan gazed Lu’s back—faint flicker.
He arrived here—with Lu’s help; meaning this Nine Prisons secret realm—deeply tied to Young Master Lu.
This period—conversed much with Beigong Holy Lord; Beigong spoke some Nihility Heaven secrets.
Dantai Xuan guessed—perhaps this Nine Prisons reincarnation—work of ancient supreme.
In fact—Dantai Xuan sensed; this reincarnation Nether Soil tied to Five Phoenixes operation.
Because—reincarnating spirits carried immense soul power.
From Five Phoenixes enter reincarnation; from reincarnation feed back Five Phoenixes.
Any mishap—likely cause major Five Phoenixes issues.
“Young Master Lu waited long.”
Dantai Xuan smiling approached Lu.
Lu glanced Dantai Xuan—for Dantai He’s judgment; Lu didn’t interfere—Dantai Xuan’s family matter.
You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.
“Actually no need so strict—he your own son after all.”
Lu said.
“Young Master Lu jests—law knows no favor; moreover… if not my son; perhaps lenient. But as my Dantai Xuan’s son; Great Xuan Human Emperor—he should bear more.”
Dantai Xuan waved hand; gaze somewhat carefree.
Lu said no more.
Then Dantai Xuan guided Lu and others wandering Nine Prisons secret realm; understanding Nine Prisons reincarnation operation principles.
Nine city lords accompanied.
Dantai Xuan gazed Lu’s back—faint flicker.
He arrived here—with Lu’s help; meaning this Nine Prisons secret realm—deeply tied to Young Master Lu.
This period—conversed much with Beigong Holy Lord; Beigong spoke some Nihility Heaven secrets.
Dantai Xuan guessed—perhaps this Nine Prisons reincarnation—work of ancient supreme.
In fact—Dantai Xuan sensed; this reincarnation Nether Soil tied to Five Phoenixes operation.
Because—reincarnating spirits carried immense soul power.
From Five Phoenixes enter reincarnation; from reincarnation feed back Five Phoenixes.
Any mishap—likely cause major Five Phoenixes issues.
“For Nine Prisons reincarnation matters—this young master won’t interfere; but this visit—found you did very well.”
Lu said.
Fingers tapped chair arm; narrowed eyes: “But far insufficient—you prepare; next—perhaps massive spirits flood in; your tasks more arduous.”
Hm?
Dantai Xuan stunned; behind nine city lords also slightly stunned.
Next—Dantai Xuan expression drastically changed.
“Could… Five Phoenixes face great calamity; many deaths?”
Lu waved hand.
“No… worry not for Five Phoenixes; Five Phoenixes fine.”
Words eased Dantai Xuan’s breath.
Though dead—once Human Emperor; unwilling see Five Phoenixes beings slaughtered.
“Hm—you should know… now Five Phoenixes some ascended?”
“Heavenly Gate opened; ascension land appeared.”
“Nine Prisons reincarnation soon greatly change.”
Lu said.
Words—seeming meaningful.
Dantai Xuan and nine city lords expressions grave.
“Ascension land—this young master glimpsed; perhaps because Upper Realm severed ascension path… causing Lower Three Heavens top cultivators nowhere ascend; thus Five Phoenixes Heavenly Gate emerged; Lower Three Heavens cultivators entered ascension land.”
“Thus—Nether Soil likely similar.”
“Perhaps massive Lower Three Heavens spirits flood in.”
Lu said.
Words fallen.
Beigong Holy Lord aura fluctuated; nearly lost control.
What?
Five Phoenixes Heavenly Gate—became Lower Three Heavens ascension land?
Likely Nether Soil also become Lower Three Heavens reincarnation ground?
This this this…
Beigong Holy Lord felt chill from soles.
Felt—as though great net; about to ensnare entire Lower Three Heavens.
Lu meaningfully glanced Beigong Holy Lord.
Next—under Dantai Xuan guidance; wandered Nine Prisons secret realm again.
Then brought maids; and dazed life-doubting Nie Shuang—left Nine Prisons secret realm.
“Farewell Young Master Lu.”
Dantai Xuan and nine city lords at Nine Prisons exit—bowed sending off.
Saw white-robed figure—slowly pushed by maids; vanished between gates.
Left Nine Prisons secret realm; sent Nie Shuang back Beiluo City.
Lu prepared return White Jade Pavilion.
Before leaving—Lu lightly patted Nie Shuang’s big head.
Once stubbornly knelt before him; begging save Nie Shuang’s little guy—now grown into regional powerhouse.
“Cultivate diligently; early force open Heavenly Gate; borrow post-gate immortal energies cultivate—become stronger.”
Lu said.
“Young Master… not enter Heavenly Gate?”
Nie Shuang curiously asked.
Lu smiled upon hearing: “Heavenly Gate… likely cannot contain this young master.”
Words fallen.
Silver-gray light dropped.
Spatial profound surged.
Lu and others’ figures vanished.
Left Nie Shuang alone before Beiluo City.
…
Lu brought Nie Changqing, Ni Yu and others back to lake island.
“Cultivate well; this young master secludes.”
Back on island—Lu instructed Nie Changqing and Ni Yu; had lurking Yi Yue appear; cultivate well on island.
“Yes.”
Three maids obediently curtsied.
Returned White Jade Pavilion.
Lu’s eyes flickered; mind entered preaching platform.
Eight Trigrams array words churned.
Nine Prisons secret realm scene emerged before eyes.
“To accommodate entire Lower Three Heavens spirits—with current Nine Prisons Nether Soil likely insufficient… thus—expand.”
Lu mind surged; hands raised—tore sides.
Whoosh…
Preaching platform simulated Nine Prisons secret realm constantly torn larger; land expanded; opened many deep lands.
Lu gazed vast barren land; stroked chin.
Raised hand—slowly swept.
Rushing waters dropped from sky.
Boom!
Earth cracked; endless waters spread; piercing Nine Prisons secret realm; presenting yellowish-brown flow; seeming countless spirits wailing within.
“Lower Three Heavens spirits thus rush into Nether Soil along this river.”
“Yellow Springs path; Sea of Suffering end; countless spirits ultimately cross Sea of Suffering.”
Lu pondered.
Endless spiritual energies surged; all poured within.
Then—vast ocean emerged; boundless.
This—Sea of Suffering.
“Spirits follow Yellow Springs arrive; cross Sea of Suffering; wash good evil. Good float above; boats ferry out Sea of Suffering; evil sink below.”
Lu perfected bit by bit.
Since decided encompass Lower Three Heavens spirits—grand project.
“As for cultivator spirits—imprisoned in Youdu.”
Roughly so.
Lu gazed perfected Nine Prisons secret realm—like vast machine operating.
Lower Three Heavens spirits if reincarnate in Nether Soil—gradually supplement Five Phoenixes population issues.
Keep pace with Five Phoenixes expansion from Dao reserve inscription.
“Hm…”
Seemed recall something.
Lu narrowed eyes.
Ascension land has Great Emperor forbidden zones—Nether Soil… should have equivalent?
Smiled.
Lu’s spiritual energies surged again.
Deep in Nether Soil—opened vast abyss; Lu tapped brow; seemed pinch flower finger; divided strand primordial spirit.
Half abyss wall collapsed; formed half ten-thousand-zhang Buddha statue; Buddha’s giant hand held back-facing all beings figure.
“Couldn’t think of Great Emperor back—make do.”
Lu muttered.
Then.
Mind exited preaching platform.
Unknowingly—deducing all—over half month passed.
Lu exhaled; next crafting Nether Soil—another grand project.
Fortunately—with ascension land opening; many Immortal Transformation refining immortal energies—Lu’s spiritual energy surged; otherwise—Lu might tire again.
Spiritual Pressure Chessboard emerged; lines danced in Lu’s eyes.
Rolled sleeves; pinched piece.
Slowly placed.
Tap!
…
Nine Prisons secret realm.
Boom!
Suddenly.
Including Dantai Xuan—ten city lords all sensed.
Massive chairs emerged; they sat high; like giants overlooking entire Nether Soil.
Gazed Nether Soil gloomy skies.
Crack!
Skies abruptly torn—like piece placed; smashed massive hole.
Hole—vast waters rolled down.
Entire Nether Soil quaked; countless spirits terrified wailed—that soul-level oppression; that hair-raising dread aura.
“Young Master Lu spoke… truly happened!”
Dantai Xuan expression gravely serious.
Heart immensely shocked.
“Such heaven-splitting earth-opening methods—perhaps only ancient Great Emperors capable? Nether Soil… ascension land… Five Phoenixes truly extraordinary!”
Beigong Holy Lord body and mind trembled.
Once guessed Nether Soil Lu’s creation; now seeing this—felt impossible.
Though Holy Lord Lu immensely strong—even Great Venerable far inferior.
But based on prior displayed power—seemed still Immortal Ascension range.
Immortal Ascension… split heaven open earth?
Impossible!
“Ancient Great Emperors’ left methods?”
“Five Phoenixes secrets… increasingly dense mist shrouded!”
Beigong Holy Lord eyes gradually mad fervor.
Once unwilling arranged here.
But now understood—perhaps rare opportunity!
Boom!
Rushing river waters from sky; formed broad river; riverbanks filled deathly aura.
When river broadened to end—became massive ocean.
Ocean waves shimmered…
Churning—bone-eroding surged.
Faintly—seemed suck souls within.
Ancient; mottled age traces stone slabs crookedly inserted Nether Soil ground.
River named Yellow Springs; vast sea named Sea of Suffering!
All immensely shocked.
Again gazed…
Saw massive bamboo raft; raft immensely huge; seeming bear hundreds thousands; millions spirits.
Farther gaze—newly opened Nether Soil end…
Earth cracked; death energies surged.
Dantai Xuan body quaked.
Nine city lords terrified trembled.
Beigong Holy Lord suppressed couldn’t help kneel; countless yin envoys withdrew gaze.
Saw…
Earth cracked endless abyss.
Endless abyss—half wall embedded massive half ten-thousand-zhang Buddha statue.
Buddha’s hand held figure.
That figure—brought endless great terror; one more glance—seemed soul shredded!
That back… primordial supreme?!
Ancient Great Emperor; or ancient sage?!
All withdrew gaze; dared not view again.
Suddenly…
All raised heads.
“Coming!”
Dantai Xuan gaze flickered; faintly some excitement.
Boom!
With wretched voices tearing skies; endless flowing Yellow Springs—one after another spirits seemed rushed from beyond heavens.
