Qing Ling bowed and said, "Thank you, senior, for clarifying my doubts. I am immensely grateful."
Elder Ancestor Jiu Xuan smiled and said, "Indeed. Your ability to show proper respect and act accordingly demonstrates a disposition far superior to that young fellow Mo Yu.
I know you still have questions, but do not press for the truth about Xuan Wu Supreme from back then."
Qing Ling suddenly understood and asked, "Why is that?"
Jiu Xuan shook his head and said, "Back then, Xuan Wu was not Xuan Wu, but Tai Xuan. He had a turtle's head but no snake's body.
During that great battle to vanquish demons, after his consort perished, he merged his consort's corpse with his own being, sharing one life. To spare his consort the pain, he sealed away the memories of the demon-vanquishing war.
If you were to ask him, it would be the turtle head that answers. However, the snake head, which shares his consciousness, would also know. The snake head was formerly the Demon God Kan You, who has now perished. For a pair of consorts to finally find peace together, and then for you to inquire in a way that displeases them, Xuan Wu might come to resent you.
That old fellow exists on the thirtieth heaven. He may have even achieved half-step Hun Yuan strength by now. You must consider this carefully."
Qing Ling's heart trembled, and he said, "Thank you, senior, for informing me. I will bear it in mind."
Elder Ancestor Jiu Xuan nodded with a smile and said, "Once we are outside, you can no longer call me senior."
"Yes, senior's guidance is something I dare not forget."
"Enough. Since you call me senior, I shall act the part. Remember this: from this day forward, no matter what, do not go to the West again!" Elder Ancestor Jiu Xuan said with a half-smile, "Not even for the Dragon Clan. I am making an exception for you because you owe me a favor."
Qing Ling understood and replied with a smile, "Your junior will obey."
Elder Ancestor Jiu Xuan let out a hearty laugh, turned, and with a single step, left the Underworld. The space around him showed no disturbance.
Qing Xuan's eyes gathered divine light, and his primordial spirit diverged into the void for a long time. He couldn't help but be astonished, "What a cunning being!"
It turned out that Jiu Xuan had already left. The figure beside him was merely a "true form" projected by Jiu Xuan's nine-colored light. No wonder he dared to say he couldn't be kept.
Qing Xuan turned back to the Three Lives Stone. The Black and White Impermanence guards were already waiting there.
"Greetings, Lord of the Underworld," the two said, kneeling respectfully on one knee, their attitude utmost devotion. Even though he knew it was flattery, it made him feel pleased.
Qing Xuan couldn't help but find it amusing. With such subordinates, what if he were to borrow their prestige? It would only enhance his own renown.
"Rise. What business do you have?"
Black Impermanence respectfully said, "Ancestor Ghost sent us to inform you that the first great power of the Ghost Dao is about to emerge. He invites you to attend the ceremony."
"Oh? A ceremony?" Qing Xuan chuckled. "A mere Tai Yi ghost cultivator breaking through, and whether he succeeds is still uncertain. Yet he expects me to attend?"
White Impermanence hastily chimed in, "Indeed. That Ancestor Ghost is being rather audacious. He thinks that because he has become supreme, he is special.
This vast Underworld, under heaven, is all yours. He seems to have forgotten that point."
Daoist Qing Xuan let out a laugh and glanced at White Impermanence.
White Impermanence's heart tightened, and he quickly knelt, daring not to speak.
To his surprise, Qing Xuan laughed again and said, "Well said, 'under heaven.'
Rise. You must not speak like that in front of outsiders again."
White Impermanence immediately beamed and said, "Thank you, Lord of the Underworld. Your subordinate obeys."
Black Impermanence, who had been holding his breath, then asked, "So, will you go, my lord?"
Qing Xuan calmly replied, "Of course, I will go. Ancestor Ghost and I still have some past cordiality. As a supreme being, I must show him due respect.
When is it?"
White Impermanence immediately said, "Ancestor Ghost said in a thousand years."
"Then it shall be in a thousand years. Do not forget the time, you two." Qing Xuan added, "Also, make sure to utilize your special skills."
Bai Wu Chang was stunned and was about to speak, but Hei Wu Chang glared at him. He quickly said, "My lord, rest assured, your subordinate obeys!"
"You may withdraw."
"Yes, Black and White Impermanence take our leave!"
After the two left the confluence of the two rivers, Bai Wu Chang said, "Brother, what did the lord mean by 'special skills'? I don't know what special skills we brothers have."
Black Impermanence glared at him. "You silly ghost! Our Lord of the Underworld is so noble that even Ancestor Ghost is beneath him.
The Underworld has countless ghost spirits, yet our Lord of the Underworld favors only the two of us. Why is that?"
Bai Wu Chang was confused and said, "It's because our Lord of the Underworld sees the potential in us brothers, we..."
He suddenly got stuck.
Black Impermanence continued, "If it's about cultivation, we're only Tai Yi. If it's about background, we're just a pair of wandering ghosts. We have no spiritual treasures, and our origins are ordinary.
However, my brother and I possess one thing."
Bai Wu Chang was enlightened and happily exclaimed, "It's our loyalty to the Lord of the Underworld, our utter devotion."
"Precisely," Black Impermanence nodded. "You finally understand. My brother and I are skilled in demonstrating our loyalty and following our lord wholeheartedly. Our lord values this loyalty above all else.
And loyalty, while fundamental between master and servant, is a matter of face among great beings! Do you understand?"
Bai Wu Chang grinned. "I understand, I understand! This truly is our special skill!"
...
To the East, in the Du Guang land, atop the Jian Mu.
Qing Ling suddenly spoke, "Are you ready?"
Qing Xuan, who was far away in the Underworld, chuckled and replied, "I was ready, but your ally from back then is becoming rather restless. If I don't act now, I won't be able to manage affairs in the Underworld later."
Qing Ling smiled. "Then let's wait a bit longer. However, your taking in Black and White Impermanence is rather interesting."
Qing Xuan laughed softly. "There are some matters that great beings like us must handle personally, lest we become a laughingstock, yet we cannot avoid them. Thus, we need someone to do them.
While you have the loyal Four Directions Boundary Protectors of Du Guang, there is a difference between a ruler and a subject, and the difference between them and Black and White Impermanence. They are master and servant, akin to a minister and an eunuch."
Qing Ling said helplessly, "At least restrain yourself a little."
Qing Xuan laughed. "We are not within the Heavenly Dao, so why should we fear others?
However, I should ask you. When you suppressed Ming He in the Sea of Blood, your primordial spirit entered the twentieth heaven. Why have you not yet broken through to the supreme realm?"
Qing Ling shook his head. "It's not that I don't want to. The Four Void Creation could have propelled my primordial spirit to the twenty-first heaven back then, but my path to supremacy is not yet paved. Would you have me walk the path of the Three Corpses and cut out an evil corpse?"
Qing Xuan was silent for a moment and said, "The past self should emerge sooner. Otherwise, the immensity of the Earthly Dao cannot be contained by us, the great beings of Heaven and Earth!"
Qing Ling nodded. Although he had personally fostered the rise of the Earthly Dao, its status was too high. Once its power grew, it would be difficult to suppress.
"How about releasing Ming He?"
"No!" Qing Xuan said. "He is still a Da Luo. Although he is willing to join the Earth, his heart is not yet entirely aligned with ours. If that old fellow Shi Tian has any ulterior motives, all our efforts will be in vain."
Qing Ling nodded and said, "It's just difficult for you."
Qing Xuan smiled and said, "We are one, merely separated into three lives. In this life, my life and death are to be dictated by you!"