I subdue demons and monsters, and cultivate immortality in hell to become a saint.

Zhong Jiu thought to himself that the sheer amount of incense he possessed was enough to push the "Yin Fu Li Jing" all the way to the peak of the God King realm!

However, since the underworld was newly opened and incense was needed everywhere, he suppressed his impulse and continued to check the rewards.

Summoning wind and rain, turning beans into soldiers—these are priceless supernatural powers with endless applications.

The Golden Light Across the Ground is a top-tier escape technique. When facing an enemy, it transforms into a golden light, covering thousands of miles in an instant, allowing for free movement, ensuring survival and eliminating enemies, and proving invincible!

Overnight, Zhong Jiu mastered three great divine abilities, his cultivation soared to the God King Realm and the Profound Immortal Realm, and his strength had undergone a complete transformation!

Looking at the mortal world now, he felt only an indescribable weariness. It was too weak!

The spiritual energy recovery is still shallow, and the current level of cultivators is low. Not to mention being his opponent, there isn't even one who can exchange a single blow with him!

This boredom fueled his growing anticipation for the mysterious underworld: "The underworld must be a completely different place now, right?"

With three days remaining before his departure to take up his post in the underworld, Zhong Jiu was not in a hurry to set off.

He shed his divine body, transformed into a mortal, and strolled through the streets of Xingsha, listening to the excited discussions among passersby about the strange phenomenon he had just witnessed.

"Was that golden light and auspicious clouds just now... a sign that another deity in the City God's Palace has been promoted?"

"The affairs of the gods are too mysterious for us mortals to fathom!"

"No matter what, with divine protection, our lives will only get better!"

Listening to the cacophony of discussions, Zhong Jiu smiled faintly. People are naturally curious about the unknown, and this pure reverence is truly rare.

He returned home to find the house empty; Zhong Yingmei was not there.

This has long been the norm. In the past ten years, Zhong Yingmei has already broken through to the Nascent Soul Realm and holds a respected position in the official cultivation system. She is usually either in seclusion cultivating or handling official business and rarely goes home.

Zhong Jiu casually folded a paper crane, and with a gentle blow, the paper crane fluttered its wings and disappeared in a streak of light.

In a short while, Zhong Yingmei arrived, holding a paper crane, stepping through the air.

"Brother, you were looking for me?"

Ten years have passed without leaving a trace on the brother and sister. Zhong Yingmei, who is now in her thirties, has become even more beautiful. She wears a long palace dress that trails on the ground, her long hair flowing, and she holds a green sword in her hand, looking like a fairy descended from the heavens.

After the revival of spiritual energy, the aesthetics of the world have changed dramatically, and ancient style elements have become popular again.

When practitioners go out, they often see people dressed in ancient costumes, pretending to be scholars or heroines. Over time, this has become the norm, and even ordinary people have become accustomed to it.

Zhong Jiu looked at Zhong Yingmei, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes.

Over the past decade, she has grown rapidly and is now at the mid-stage of the Nascent Soul realm. The cultivation techniques I taught her have become incredibly effective.

While his cultivation level soared, his foundation remained as solid as a rock, making him invincible within his own realm and even capable of challenging Earth Immortals across realms!

Zhong Yingmei had already sensed something was wrong. Such a heaven-defying technique could not possibly be the "slightly better quality" that Zhong Jiu had mentioned.

She had tried to probe him, but Zhong Jiu was meticulous and kept a tight rein on things, not revealing a single word.

The intelligent and perceptive woman, seeing that Zhong Jiu was unwilling to speak openly, always kept a low profile, knowing the principle that "a common man is innocent, but possessing a treasure is a crime."

Within the official cultivation system, it is not uncommon for members to turn against each other in the struggle for treasures. Even colleagues may not be trustworthy. Being low-key and composed is the true wisdom.

I need to go out for a while.

Zhong Jiu snapped out of his thoughts and said in a calm tone.

Zhong Yingmei's heart skipped a beat. If it were a normal outing, Zhong Jiu would never have specifically called her back. She immediately asked, "How long are you going to be gone?"

Zhong Jiu pondered for a moment, then slowly said, "It might take a long time."

This journey to the underworld is uncertain, and the future holds no telling.

Cultivation knows no time, and gods have no concept of time. Hundreds or thousands of years may only be the time it takes to go into seclusion for them.

"where are you going?"

Zhong Yingmei remained silent for a moment, her voice carrying a hint of barely perceptible sadness.

"It cannot be said." Zhong Jiu gently shook his head.

"Can I go?" she asked again, her eyes full of anticipation.

"I'm afraid it's not suitable." Zhong Jiu's answer was without the slightest hesitation.

"Okay, then I'll wait for you in Changsha."

Zhong Yingmei remained silent for a moment before slowly speaking. It wasn't that she was carefree; she simply knew Zhong Jiu's temperament well. Once he made a decision, he wouldn't change it. Crying and whining were useless; the only thing to do was to wait rationally.

"it is good."

Zhong Jiu nodded, without any worry in his heart.

With the blessing of a heaven-defying cultivation technique and the protection of a nine-grade lotus platform, Zhong Yingmei is more than capable of dealing with most dangers in the mortal realm.

"Don't worry, even when I'm not by your side, I'll always be watching over you. If you encounter a crisis you can't handle, just call me."

Chung Kau added, his tone carrying an undeniable confidence.

Although Zhong Yingmei had some doubts, she didn't ask any further questions and simply nodded obediently, "Okay. I'll cook you a meal."

Zhong Yingmei turned and walked into the kitchen.

Now the two of them no longer need to eat, but this meal is a farewell, a sign of their longing, and an old tradition etched into their bones.

After the meal, Zhong Jiu stayed in Xingsha for another day, strolling through the streets, taking one last look at the prosperous land he had created, before turning back to the City God's Mansion.

"Greetings, Your Honor!"

As soon as they stepped into the City God's Mansion, all the officials knelt down in unison, their eyes filled with excitement and awe.

They already knew about Zhong Jiu's promotion to judge, and they all held him in high esteem.

Zhong Jiu looked around at everyone, a sense of reluctance rising in his heart.

Having worked together for over a decade, these people were all his trusted confidants, loyal and devoted, and walked alongside him.

"After I leave, the position of City God of Xingsha will be held by Wen Tianxiang, the Director of the Yin-Yang Department."

Chung Kau's voice was loud and clear, resounding and firm: "He is fair and impartial, and possesses exceptional intelligence; he is the most suitable candidate. Do any of you have any objections?"

"No objections!"

Everyone responded in unison, their voices echoing throughout the City God's Mansion without the slightest hesitation.

Zhong Jiu glanced at the civil and military judges. Their expressions were sincere, full of support, and without the slightest dissatisfaction. He was completely relieved.

Logically, the position of City God of Xingsha should have been taken over by a civil and military judge with a higher rank, but after careful consideration, he decided to promote Wen Tianxiang, bypassing his rank.

As it turns out, Wen Tianxiang was capable of winning people's hearts and was worthy of this position.

"Thank you for your promotion, sir!"

Wen Tianxiang bowed deeply in gratitude, his tone filled with thanks and determination.

With the matter settled, Zhong Jiu slowly spoke: "Gentlemen, I will be departing for my post in the underworld today. If you have any important matters to attend to in the future, you may send a messenger to Fengdu City to see me!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhong Jiu's figure gradually faded away. When everyone looked up, he had already disappeared from the spot, leaving only a faint golden light behind.

In the blink of an eye, Zhong Jiu appeared in the clouds above Guiling City, looking down at the magnificent City God Temple below, a smile playing on his lips: "Little guy, don't wait any longer, it's time to go."

As soon as he finished speaking, a beam of dark divine light shot out from the Candle Dragon Palace, and the Candle Dragon leaped out with a joyful expression.

This scene stunned countless worshippers below. They only saw a flash of black light and could not make out the appearance of the Candle Dragon at all.

The current Zhulong has already left its infancy and is beginning to show the might of a ferocious beast. It has a human head and a snake's body, and its eyes are filled with a cold and sharp light. Even when it is close to Zhong Jiu, it still carries a terrifying aura that makes people tremble with fear.

No one can imagine how terrifying it will be when it reaches its peak.

Zhong Jiu didn't care at all. Things related to the underworld were mostly hideous and ugly, and he was already used to it.

He gently patted Zhulong's head, his tone calm yet authoritative: "Now that this matter is settled, come with me to the underworld!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Zhong Jiu led Zhulong and stepped into the boundary between Yin and Yang.

After walking a short distance, a majestic and imposing pass suddenly appeared before us.

gate of hell!

Chung Kau had been here before, and at that time, the Gate of Hell was just a decoration, lifeless.

Now, the underworld has been unlocked, and the words "Unlockable" are clearly visible on the gates of hell.

Unlocking the Gates of Hell requires a massive amount of incense points, but Zhong Jiu is wealthy and has accumulated a mountain of incense points over the years, so he doesn't need to worry about it.

"Unlocked!"

At the command, the Gates of Hell trembled violently, and the entire fortress seemed to come alive instantly.

Half of the pass is hidden in endless darkness, shrouded in layers of thick fog, foreshadowing that once you step in, you will be separated from the living and the dead, with no way to turn back.

The demon statues on both sides of the Gate of Hell suddenly came back to life, their eyes darting around and shooting out a chilling light.

These statues form the first line of defense guarding the entrance to the underworld. Zhong Jiu secretly estimated that even if a true immortal were to descend, they might not be able to break through the defenses of these two statues!

Stepping into the gates of hell, a long, winding road comes into view.

Chung Kau had walked this road before, when it was desolate. Now, the words "Unlockable" appear on the road.

Zhong Jiu casually unlocked the gate, and the Road to the Underworld instantly appeared.

Thick black fog swirled on both sides of the road, and faint, mournful howls of ghosts and wolves echoed from within, sending chills down one's spine. The spirits that walked this road trembled with fear, keeping their heads down and not daring to glance to either side.

No one knows whether beneath the black fog lies a sheer cliff or something even more terrifying.

The tattered paper money drifted in the wind, and the cries on the road to the underworld came and went, breaking one's heart.

This road is rugged and difficult to travel; any spirit that wishes to enter the underworld must first endure this hardship and trials.