Chapter 378: Chapter 37: Damn the Ancestral Dragon, the Profound Yellow Emperor Heads to the Nine Hells

The two dared not speak again. Qing He Daoist’s gaze darted around, searching for a chance to escape, but he was only a remnant soul, suppressed by chains, and a Chief Judge at the True Immortal level was presiding nearby...

A bitter smile touched his lips. He knew escape was hopeless, which only made him more anxious. ’If it was just reincarnation, I could accept that,’

’but I’ve heard they can probe into your past life in this Underworld. If they discover that Chen Ye and I are from more than a hundred thousand years in the future...’

The two souls exchanged a glance, both of their hearts pounding with terror.

Amidst their terror, they passed through the Ghost Gate, and the view before them suddenly opened up.

The Yellow Springs surged as a Ghost City stood tall. In the skies of the Nine Nether, an immensely grand figure was strolling about. With every footstep, the Underworld rumbled, shaking Qing He’s Soul to its core and terrifying him.

He stared at the terrifying figure, sensing its vast aura, and exclaimed in shock:

"That is..."

"Do not stare!" the Chief Judge warned. He lashed out with his whip, nearly shattering Qing He’s Soul, then barked, "That is one of the Ten Halls Yama of our Underworld, the King of the Wheel! All of you, show your respects!"

He bowed first, with Black and White Impermanence doing the same. Qing He, Chen Ye, and the other souls all followed their example, bowing toward the great figure in the sky, their hearts a mixture of awe and fear.

"Hurry up!"

White Impermanence glanced over and snapped:

"I know you all had Cultivation in your past lives, but don’t get any funny ideas. This is the Nine Netherworld. I don’t care if you were a dragon or a tiger; once you’re here, you behave!"

Having been struck twice, Qing He endured the searing pain and shot a reassuring glance at Chen Ye beside him before letting out a quiet sigh.

’I was hoping to find a trace of the Guangcheng Daoist Palace in this era, but instead I died an inexplicable death...’

A bitter smile returned to his face.

.........

「East Sea.」

Lu Xuan and his two companions had just risen from the depths of the sea, about to head for the Nine Nether, when they saw the sky fill with swirling Immortal Light. A host of Immortal Soldiers descended, led by Venus himself.

"A Decree from the Celestial Emperor!"

From a great distance, as if afraid Lu Xuan would misunderstand the purpose of the Immortal Soldiers behind him, Venus raised the Decree high and began to proclaim its contents:

"By order of the Celestial Emperor! For his profound merit and boundless fortune, Profound Yellow is hereby conferred the title of [Celestial Court Divine Emperor of the Sea and Profound Yellow]!"

"This is a First Grade immortal position, with command over the deities of the Human World, dominion over the Four Seas, and the authority to appoint, reward, and punish deities!"

"Furthermore, you are granted a thousand soldiers for your retinue, a True Phoenix as an attendant, a First Grade Imperial Chariot, one nine-thousand-year Peach of Immortality, an Emperor’s Palace, one hundred Fairies, eight hundred celestial horses..."

As the long list of boons was announced, Venus flashed forward. Behind him, a True Phoenix pulled a chariot, while over a thousand Celestial Soldiers stood in formation.

"Greetings, Profound Yellow Emperor!" Venus said with a broad smile, presenting the Celestial Emperor’s Decree. He bowed and added:

"His Majesty the Celestial Emperor has agreed to all of your requests. You need not reside permanently in the Celestial Court; you only need to report on your duties when you have time. If you’re too busy, then don’t worry about it... Those were His Majesty’s exact words."

Xuandu frowned, but a brilliant smile spread across Lu Xuan’s face. He accepted the Decree and said with a chuckle:

"In that case, I must have troubled you to deliver this Decree, Taibai."

"Not at all, Emperor," Taibai said, bowing with utmost respect. Internally, he was both shocked and suspicious. ’Just what is his background?’

’His Majesty agreed to so many outrageous requests and actually conferred upon him the title of Emperor...’

’This isn’t some empty title. It’s a genuine [First Grade immortal position], ranked just below the few [Daluo] level Great Emperors...’

At this thought, the look of reverence on Venus’s face deepened. He said deferentially:

"Emperor, the Decree has been delivered. The Peaches of Immortality, Fairies, and celestial horses are all waiting in the Emperor’s Palace. The True Phoenix Imperial Chariot and your thousand-strong Immortal Soldier escort are here... May the Three Altar Sea Assembly return to the Celestial Court now?"

"No rush, no rush," Lu Xuan said with a grin. "Nezha and I hit it off immediately. He wants to accompany me on a trip to the Nine Nether."

"To the Nine Nether?" Venus was taken aback.

"That’s right."

Lu Xuan laughed.

"I had a conflict with the East Sea Dragon Palace and accidentally killed two of their dragons. Now, I’m planning to send them to the Nine Nether for reincarnation."

As he spoke, he waved his hand, and the remnant souls of two Old Dragon Kings appeared. Taibai’s expression flickered.

After putting the remnant souls away, Lu Xuan said with another grin:

"Taibai, would you care to join me for a trip down the Yellow Springs?"

"Oh no, I couldn’t," Taibai said, snapping back to his senses. He hurriedly bowed, shot Nezha a look that screamed ’You’re on your own,’ and said with a smile:

"Since the Decree has been delivered, please proceed as you wish, Emperor. This humble immortal won’t stay any longer. When you have a moment, Emperor, don’t forget to go to the Emperor’s Palace and collect those Peaches of Immortality!"

"I won’t see you out!"

Lu Xuan watched Taibai depart with a grin, his gaze turning profound. ’This way,’ he thought, ’the news of my bad blood with the Dragon Race should spread.’

After a moment of thought, his smile returned, and he said:

"Come to think of it, I’ve never ridden in an Emperor Chariot. Tsk, and drawn by a True Phoenix, no less..."

He glanced at the True Phoenix, which emanated the aura of the Great Grade Realm, and strode forward. The True Phoenix immediately prostrated itself on the ground. The Immortal Soldiers performed a salute and shouted in unison:

"Greetings, Emperor!"

"Good."

Lu Xuan seated himself on the Emperor Chariot and invited his senior brother and Nezha to ride with him, but they refused.

Xuandu said calmly:

"Junior Brother, you are an Emperor now. How could others share your Emperor Chariot? Not even I am permitted."

"Indeed, indeed!" Nezha added, nodding fearfully.

"Is that so?"

Lu Xuan gave a light smile.

"Very well, then... Let’s be off. Time to see the Nine Netherworld."

The moment he finished speaking, the True Phoenix cried out to the heavens and took flight. The thousand Immortal Soldiers followed at its side, and auspicious omens like Qingyun began to manifest.

The Emperor Chariot sped toward the Nine Nether.