Thirty-two more years passed.

Over the course of thirty-two years, Lu Xuan’s mind gradually cleared as he contemplated the Dao. He made great strides in several of the Divine Techniques he had gained as an Earth Immortal—the ones most useful to him.

Shrinking Inches, Celestial and Earthly Laws, and Vertical Earth Golden Light all reached the Great Success Level.

Even Flowers Bloom in an Instant, a more profound technique involving the principles of Time and Birth and Death, had reached Minor Achievement!

However, he made little progress in Great Divine Techniques like Mediation of Creation. These techniques grew exponentially more difficult at higher levels. In a mere thirty-two years, even Lu Xuan had only managed to comprehend a few more Great Dao Texts.

At this very moment, after thirty-two years, Nine Nether had finally and completely integrated this portion of the Nine Nether’s authority, making it one with himself!

As Lu Xuan felt his absolute control over this murky, chaotic expanse of the Nine Nether, he felt a daze, almost as if he had returned to his Peach Blossom Spring!

’No, this is even better than being in the Peach Blossom Spring. After all, the Peach Blossom Spring is just a minor world. Even acting as its Celestial Dao, the authority I wielded was minimal.’

’But the Nine Nether is different!’

’The Nine Nether is a pillar of the Great Heaven and Earth. Even though Nine Nether only controls a third of its authority, right here, in this place, he has the power to challenge a Daluo!’

Lu Xuan silently savored this profoundly mysterious state. His comprehension of Daos such as Withering, Extinction, Death, Yin, and Silence skyrocketed. A faint Silent Extinction Dao Rhyme enveloped his true body, and phenomena such as the Netherworld, the Yellow Springs, and a divine stillness manifested around him.

With a violent tremor, the great prison that had enveloped the area began to crack and crumble on its own.

Nine Nether, a being who now exerted a palpable pressure on even Xuandu and Lamp Buddha, rose to his feet. This simple, unremarkable movement stirred immense waves in this place, reflecting a magnificent vision of the Netherworld that spanned the Celestial Realms, all accompanied by a deathly silence!

"Greetings, Fellow Daoist," Nine Nether said, bowing to Lu Xuan.

Lu Xuan returned the gesture. Feeling the sublime, boundless power that Nine Nether now commanded, he broke into a brilliant smile.

At that moment, Lamp Buddha rose. After chanting a Buddhist name with a sigh, he channeled a stream of Buddhist light from his palm, infusing it into Nine Nether’s body.

The terrifying, chaotic-formed creature shifted and transformed, finally settling into the appearance of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva. With radiant Buddhist light and swirling Brahma Sound, the disguise was impossible to see through!

"Excellent, excellent." Lamp Buddha pressed his palms together. "I have been trapped here for thirty-two years. I shall return to Spirit Mountain first. Fellow Daoist Luo Hou, Fellow Daoist Profound Yellow, we shall meet again if fate wills it."

"It won’t be long," Lu Xuan replied with a smile and a bow.

After Lamp Buddha departed,

Lu Xuan directed Nine Nether, still in his Ksitigarbha disguise, to fly toward Ksitigarbha Hall. His gaze deepened as he glanced to the side and said,

"Senior Brother, let’s head out as well. Thirty-two years have passed in a flash. I wonder what’s become of the outside world."

"Very well." Xuandu nodded slightly.

.........

「In a certain Daoist Palace.」

The Lame Daoist chuckled and shook his head.

’He thinks this is enough to fool a Dao Fruit? That little rascal... he’s underestimating them a bit...’

As he spoke, he summoned the Four Immortal Slaying Swords. He severed the threads of Cause and Effect and threw the workings of fate into disarray. Only then was he satisfied.

After concealing all traces of Lu Xuan’s actions and ensuring he wouldn’t be detected by the other Dao Fruits,

The Lame Daoist chuckled.

’The Nine Nether represents extinction within the cycle of birth and death. It aligns perfectly with my own Dao. Worthy of being my dear disciple.’

"Shang Shan!"

’Still, it’s not foolproof. If Houtu investigates too closely, she’s bound to notice something is off... No good. I’ll have to go pick a fight with her.’

’Once we’re fighting, she won’t have time to worry about such trivial matters.’

At this thought, the Lame Daoist broke into a wide grin. Holding the Immortal Slaying Sword Array in his palm, he strode boldly out of the Daoist Palace, his voice shaking the Great Chaos:

"Houtu, face my sword!"

A colossal beam of sword light tore through the Chaos, annihilating everything in its path. A certain peerlessly elegant Dao Fruit took the blow, her face a mask of utter bewilderment. Her expression turned frosty, and her eyes went red with fury.

She engaged the Lame Daoist in battle, demanding loudly,

"Are you insane?!"