Li Taiqing gazed at the illusory yet truly existent soul shadow of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal. Even with his steadfast Dao Heart, his eyes couldn't help but moisten at this moment.
He took a step forward and, just as in his past life, respectfully performed a Disciple's salute toward the remnant soul of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal.
"Master, it is Qinglian. This is a long story. Please allow your Disciple to report the details slowly later; first, let me stabilize your soul body."
The remnant soul of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal stared blankly at Li Taiqing, then looked at his own illusory hands. Suddenly, he felt a warm power flowing through his entire body, and his originally weak soul became much more solid.
"You're back... Good... It's good that you're back..."
The Pure Yang Golden Immortal murmured, his gaze falling on Li Taiqing. That shock transformed into boundless complexity and emotion, along with a trace of relieved gratification.
Su Ming withdrew his hand seal and nodded to the Nether Lord, indicating that the matter was finished.
The Nether Lord nodded slightly, his gaze toward Su Ming also carrying a hint of surprise. He hadn't expected success on the very first try, and the process was smoother than anticipated. Su Ming's utilization of the power of Reincarnation seemed even more exquisite than he had estimated.
It seemed he had still underestimated Su Ming's potential.
Given time, perhaps the other party could reach the same heights as him, or even have the chance to go a step further.
After all, behind him stood a Primordial Limitless expert; his chances might be even greater than his own.
Of course, this thought only flashed by for a moment.
Li Taiqing carefully used a jade bottle to once again nurture the soul body of the Pure Yang Golden Immortal. He turned and gave a deep bow to Su Ming and the Nether Lord:
"Thank you, Brother Su. Thank you, Nether Lord, for your help! Taiqing will keep this kindness engraved in his heart."
"It is only right for the friendship between fellow Disciples," Su Ming said with a light smile, though his aura was slightly weak, clearly showing significant exhaustion.
"You are too polite, young friend. Being able to help you fulfill your wish is also a matter of fate."
The Nether Lord waved his hand, his attitude becoming increasingly friendly.
This matter not only gave Su Ming Face but also earned him a favor from the first Disciple of the Xuantian Dao Venerable, while also allowing him to witness Su Ming's potential. For him, it was killing multiple birds with one stone.
Li Taiqing did not disturb the two of them. Carrying the jade bottle nurturing the Pure Yang Golden Immortal's soul, he once again solemnly thanked Su Ming and the Nether Lord. Then, he transformed into a clear and resolute sword light, breaking through the dense mists of the Nether Sea and speeding toward the Xuantian Dao Domain.
Having resolved his greatest mental knot, he felt his Dao Heart was clearer and more translucent than ever before. Even the speed at which he controlled the sword light was a few points faster than when he arrived; he was as eager as an arrow returning home.
Watching Li Taiqing depart, Su Ming also breathed a sigh of relief. Things had gone very smoothly.
In reality, his pressure had been quite high. If he had made a mistake, wouldn't it have been a disaster?
The Nether Lord turned to Su Ming, whose aura was still somewhat unstable, the look of appreciation in his deep eyes growing stronger.
"Young friend Su Ming, I did not expect that in such a short time, you would have already finished comprehending the first three volumes of the Nether Scripture."
"Come, I will take you to meet the elites of my Underworld."
The Nether Lord was in a cheerful mood and led Su Ming to the Underworld he had established.
This place was the true core of power in the Underworld, the Youdu Divine Palace.
The Nether Lord and Su Ming stepped into the gates of the divine palace.
The scene inside the palace was completely different from the deathly silence outside; it appeared orderly and well-regulated.
Countless Nether Gods, Judges, and Underworld Messengers of varying strengths and forms were busy within. Seeing the Nether Lord, they all stopped their tasks and bowed. Their gazes swept over Su Ming with curiosity and awe; clearly, they had all heard the rumors.
The Nether Lord led Su Ming directly to the main hall at the deepest part of the divine palace—the Reincarnation Hall.
The hall was vast and empty, save for a massive Reincarnation Disc in the center that rotated slowly, emitting a heart-palpitating aura of the Origin of Reincarnation.
At this moment, dozens of figures were already waiting in the hall. Their auras were majestic, with the lowest being at the Grand Unity Golden Immortal Realm, and there were even many Hunyuan One Qi Great Luo Golden Immortals. They were the true core high-level members of the Underworld.
Seeing the Nether Lord and Su Ming arrive together, all eyes focused on them simultaneously, especially falling on Su Ming with curiosity.
They could feel a profound aura on Su Ming that was completely different from the Underworld system, and they could further sense the importance the Nether Lord placed on this person.
The Nether Lord faced the Nether Gods, his voice grand and echoing throughout the hall:
"I have summoned you all here today to announce one thing.
Today, I specially appoint Fellow Daoist Su Ming as a Nether God of our Underworld. His status shall be equal to the Yama Kings of the Ten Palaces. He shall enjoy the blessing of Reincarnation Luck, have free access to all the archives of the Underworld, and hold the authority to mobilize the Nether Army and inspect the Land of Reincarnation."
As soon as these words were spoken, although no one in the hall voiced an objection, an invisible shock and low pressure spread through the air.
Bestowing such authority upon an outsider who had just joined?
However, the Nether Lord quickly added a sentence:
"Su Ming has the potential of a Chaos Demon God. He is the Junior Brother of the Xuantian Dao Venerable and possesses extraordinary talent in the Dao of Life and Death. None of you should underestimate him just because of his youth."
Hearing this, everyone nodded, and all doubts vanished...
Time passed, and several hundred more years went by.
"I'm still a hair's breadth away from a Breakthrough..."
Han Xuanji opened his eyes, a trace of disappointment in them, but it vanished in an instant.
To think that relying on just one Primordial One Qi Purple Gold Pill and several hundred years of Dao comprehension would be enough for a Breakthrough was indeed too naive.
Or rather, if not for the assistance of the Medicinal Pill and the various supreme treasures provided for his comprehension, even with his Aptitude, wanting to break through one level would have taken an unknown number of years. Simple bitter cultivation could not easily achieve it.
However, Han Xuanji could already feel that layer of the Bottleneck. It shouldn't be long before he could break through.
Han Xuanji calculated that because of his intervention, the time for the Demon Ancestor's return had been significantly delayed. It would take at least another thousand years. This time was enough for him to break through to the fourth layer of the Limitless Primordial Realm.
"The strength of this avatar of the Demon Ancestor is still some distance away from the Middle Stage of Primordial Limitless."
Han Xuanji felt a bit confident. By the time he stepped into the Middle Stage of Primordial Limitless, perhaps he could suppress him with a mere wave of his hand.
However, if it provoked the Demon Ancestor's true body to descend, he didn't know if existences like the Taishang Dao Venerable would also take action.
On this day.
Li Taiqing requested an audience with Han Xuanji.
He had been back at the Xuantian Dao Palace for many years. Having resolved his mental knot, his Dao Heart had become even firmer. Although his trip out seemed to yield no opportunities, in reality, his cultivation had loosened, and he was one step closer to the Primordial Chaos Golden Immortal Realm.
By now, Li Taiqing had already settled the Pure Yang Golden Immortal, letting him cultivate in the Lingxu Heavenly Palace and leaving behind a large amount of resources.
Initially, the Pure Yang Golden Immortal was somewhat incredulous, but after quickly learning about Han Xuanji's deeds through various channels, he understood everything.
Regarding this, the Pure Yang Golden Immortal felt only pleasant surprise and had no other thoughts. He urged Li Taiqing to properly honor his Master of this life and not to worry too much about him, as he could handle himself.
In these years, Li Taiqing was naturally not just busy with cultivation; he had begun to manage the Dao Palace on behalf of Han Xuanji.
It had to be said that although Han Xuanji was the Lord of the Xuantian Dao Palace, in reality, he was solely focused on cultivation and didn't bother with other matters. He basically delegated most things to his capable eldest Disciple.
After all, when it came to managing an organization, he really wasn't skilled at it.
Generally speaking, he was better at convincing people with the "Dao."