Chapter 867: The Eight Sceneries Unify

Chapter 867: The Eight Sceneries Unify

"Hmm?"

Death is merely closing one's eyes, leaving the divine soul in the Nether Palace, completely severing all ties with the mortal realm.

At this moment, one should no longer hear any sounds from the mortal world. Even if one were to turn back, they would only see emptiness, forever parting with the joys of the mortal realm and facing the countless evil spirits of the Nether Palace alone.

Of course, there would be regrets in one's heart.

One had only been awake for a few years, and it had been less than a year since they discovered their true identity.

It was all thanks to the gift from Lao Jun Mei that they were able to live as a normal person.

But ever since waking up, they had been struggling to survive, never having the leisure to enjoy the liveliness of the mortal world. Instead, they rushed to say goodbye to the mortal realm.

Hu Ma did not have such a high level of enlightenment when he made this decision; it was impossible for him not to have regrets.

But what could he do?

Blocking the Nether Palace with his body was only because he knew that, because of him, hope would come to the mortal realm, and it would become even more lively.

It was only because of the reincarnates who dedicated themselves to this world that he couldn't turn a blind eye.

For those who carry firewood, one cannot let them freeze to death in the wind and snow. Therefore, I am willing to take the risk and find a way to save you all...

This is my sincerity!

Unfortunately, it ultimately failed.

So, he could only pay this price and use it to help clear the final obstacle for the mortal calamity.

There would be regrets and disappointments, but no matter what, there would be no regrets.

"Xiao Hong Tang, are you afraid?"

Amidst his busy schedule, Hu Ma turned to glance at Xiao Hong Tang, feeling a hint of regret.

Xiao Hong Tang had followed him for so many years and had never enjoyed a day of peace.

"I'm not afraid!" Xiao Hong Tang hugged Hu Ma's leg tightly, hiding half of her body, but stubbornly said, "I'm not afraid when I'm with Brother Hu Ma."

Hu Ma shook his head with a bitter smile and turned to look at Meng Jia Laozugong. It was nailed to the ground, its divine soul about to burst, and he couldn't help but sigh softly, saying, "Although you're not the real Meng Jia Laozugong, the Meng family has bowed to you for over twenty years. Although you don't have a specific consciousness and only act on instinct, in the end, you followed me and charged through eight palaces..."

"From now on, there will be no Tong Meng in this world, nor will there be a Hu of Pest Suppression..."

"... "

In his sigh, he suddenly raised his head, leaped forward, and opened his mouth wide, spitting out a 'Soul Sun Arrow'.

No longer a living person, he could no longer shoot a Blood Sun Arrow or even a Blood Sun Arrow. However, using his soul as an arrow, he unleashed a torrent of power, tearing through countless evil spirits.

He gripped the spear embedded in Meng Jia Laozugong's body and suddenly pulled it out with force, shouting, "So the grudge between our two families is wiped out today..."

"... "

For him, wiping out this grudge was a significant decision.

However, Meng Jia Laozugong didn't pay any attention and couldn't understand this, even as his body crumbled. In the moment the spear was pulled out, he charged towards the endless evil spirits of the Nether Palace.

He could only see one person, the ghost general who had just pierced his body with the spear. Now, he was extremely vicious, chasing after the other party, but in an instant, he was engulfed by the evil spirits.

It was unfair.

"You're quite brave," Hu Ma said, unable to hold back a smile as he watched the brave figure.

Then, he let go of his last bit of reluctance and looked at the countless evil spirits. Suddenly, he raised the Phoenix Emperor Great Sword: "Let's have a fight, then!"

Fight until the divine soul shatters, until everything is empty.

This life has been busy but also brilliant. Why mention regrets?

"Chi la!"

With a shout, he took a step forward and stood in the Nether Palace. Wherever the Phoenix Emperor Great Sword passed, evil spirits were torn apart.

Even Xiao Hong Tang rushed forward, jumping onto the head of an evil spirit and punching its face.

Hu Ma glanced at her with a sidelong glance, his worries subsiding.

Xiao Hong Tang had secretly picked up many treasures from the Nether Palace and was now extraordinary.

She would win this battle!!

"Ka-ka..."

But there was also the sound of endless emptiness being compressed and shattered, like broken glass. It was the Second Palace Emperor Ghost, leading the civil officials by his side, pressing down towards Hu Ma's head.

Above them, the First Palace Emperor Ghost had a sinister look on his face, surrounded by countless evil spirits wearing animal skins and bone necklaces around their necks. With a crushing posture, he headed straight for Hu Ma.

Hu Ma could feel the gap between the two sides.

The Emperor Ghosts were not the same; the Second Palace Emperor Ghost and the previous eight Emperor Ghosts were not on the same level of power.

The First Palace Emperor Ghost was also not on the same level as the Second Palace Emperor Ghost.

His chances of winning were not high, but he could still fight this battle to his heart's content.

As long as he fought this battle and then disappeared cleanly, the Nether Palace would never be able to return to the mortal realm.

Thinking of this, he felt even more relieved and roared, causing the Phoenix Emperor Great Sword to surge with endless killing intent, accompanying Hu Ma as he charged through the eight palaces, slaying countless Emperor Ghosts in half.

Every inch of the Phoenix Emperor Great Sword now had ten times, a hundred times more killing intent than the Five Vengeful Gods. It was no longer necessary to borrow the bones of the Five Vengeful Gods to enhance his own killing intent.

In this fierce battle, the world, like a dream, was almost on the verge of collapse, with evil spirits dissipating everywhere. The chaotic purple aura formed a whirlwind, gathering and dispersing, only to be scattered again.

Hu Ma stood firm against the evil spirits, not retreating even half a step, but his divine soul was on the verge of collapse, his soul light dimming, and his Phoenix Emperor Great Sword had become serrated from the constant killing.

Even Xiao Hong Tang had a bruised left eye, though she didn't know who had struck her.

Yet before him, the ghostly shadows remained dense, as if they were endless. Behind these layers of shadows stood two Emperor Ghosts, each occupying a corner. Hu Ma had tried several times to charge forward and take down one of them to vent his frustration, but he had never succeeded. Instead, he had suffered two hidden losses.

If he couldn't kill them, then so be it...

Keeping them imprisoned here for eternity, changing their death sentence to life imprisonment, was also an acceptable outcome.

He calmly accepted his fate, the pressure becoming so overwhelming that he could no longer shield Xiao Hong Tang from the evil spirits. Nonetheless, he clenched his teeth, determined to make one final charge. But suddenly, he heard a knocking sound behind him.

"That's not right..."

Hu Ma was startled by the sound, and he quickly turned around. "At this moment, it's impossible for someone to knock on the Nether Palace's gate. It's blocked..."

But in this moment of distraction, he realized, "Someone is knocking on my door?"

This thought made him feel anxious. "Who could it be?"

"I just blocked the Nether Palace, and now someone is seeking me through mortal means. Don't they fear the trouble this might bring?"

"..."

As this concern arose, Hu Ma heard a cold hum, "Hu Clan descendant, you are still young..."

"There's still so much you have to learn!"

"..."

The next moment, Hu Ma felt a tingling sensation on his scalp.

Under the assault of the two palaces' evil spirits, his body had become somewhat light and ethereal, but suddenly, it felt incredibly heavy, as if an unimaginable force had entered his body.

"The Yin-Yang path is severed, life and death form a bridge, reincarnation cycles, and the great cycle is never in debt!"

"..."

As the National Teacher's cold and hard voice thundered in his ears, the two Emperor Ghosts also noticed the change in Hu Ma.

When Hu Ma had severed the bridge and blocked the Nether Palace, they were furious but dared not exert too much pressure. They could only capture Hu Ma alive, forcing him to yield or rebuild the bridge to have any effect on the Nether Palace.

If his soul were to disperse, the situation in the Nether Palace would be dire!

After all, the location of the Nether Palace was too deep, and time there was different from the mortal realm. Although it seemed like a short time had passed since the mortal who was worshipping and knocking on the gate of the Nether Palace, it might have been several days in the mortal realm, and that person might have been discovered and destroyed.

But now, things were different. Suddenly, they noticed a change in Hu Ma, as if a bridge had appeared again, and hope emerged.

The two Emperor Ghosts, disregarding their status, along with the civil and military officials, charged towards Hu Ma, accompanied by a gust of Yin wind in the palace.

But at that very moment, the National Teacher's ritual was complete, and he shouted sternly, "Governor of Pest Suppression, receive the Dharmic Robe!"

"..."

"Holy crap..."

Hu Ma felt an indescribable pressure descend upon him, making his light body instantly feel as heavy as a mountain.

To some extent, this pressure almost reached the level of a mortal Slaughter Tribulation, far surpassing the mortal realm's ability to perceive. It was as if a massive root system had suddenly emerged from the Nether Palace, one end penetrating his body and the other end taking root deep within the mortal realm.

"Boom!"

With this power, Hu Ma brandished his sword, pushing forward and using the Blocking Technique taught by his second uncle.

He not only pushed back the wave of evil spirits rushing towards him but also forced the two Emperor Ghosts to retreat slightly.

"Is it the National Teacher?"

"That old man couldn't resist and decided to intervene?"

"Smart people don't fall for provocations!"

"..."

As Hu Ma pushed back the evil spirits in the palace, he also understood the situation.

When he first arrived at Great Sorrow Mountain, Hu Ma had noticed the National Teacher's decline and wondered if he could provoke him into helping. The National Teacher's unreserved attitude towards the Nether Palace indicated that this possibility existed.

However, the mortal Slaughter Tribulation was more formidable than Hu Ma had imagined.

That was why he didn't need the National Teacher's help when he defeated the eight palaces, and the second palace was even more terrifying than he had expected.

Now that the National Teacher had finally intervened, was it too late?

"I will assist you with the Bridge of No Return, and this situation will be resolved!"

As he thought this, he felt a strange stone bridge, seemingly endless, extending from the Nether Palace towards his severed bridge.

Hu Ma stood at the broken bridge's head, facing the Emperor Ghosts of the Nether Palace. In the distance beyond the bridge, the National Teacher's shadow appeared, faintly visible, as he declared, "With me guarding the bridge, the Nether Palace will never reach the mortal realm!"

"Is he helping me seize a chance for survival?"

In an instant, Hu Ma understood the National Teacher's intentions, and his heart skipped a beat.

He wasn't afraid of facing these two Emperor Ghosts, but he feared they would use his bridge to return to the mortal realm.

So, he had to sever the bridge, block the Nether Palace, and lock the gate, determined never to return to the mortal realm. And they wouldn't be able to either.

And the National Teacher actually used the Bridge of No Return in the Netherworld to open a path of life for himself, connecting him to the mortal realm. If he wins, he can return to the mortal realm through this bridge. If he still loses...

...He can also sever the Bridge of No Return, effectively locking the Nether Palace's gate.

"Does he possess such means?"

Hu Ma could understand the principle, but his experience was still inferior to the National Teacher's, and he couldn't help but exclaim,

"Indeed, he is the number one practitioner in the mortal realm..."

"..."

"This doesn't even show my true abilities..."

At this moment, the National Teacher, who had used three chopsticks to create a path of life for Hu Ma in the mortal realm, had an increasingly solemn expression. He joined his hands together, gave them a slight turn, and with a flick of his wrist, a vermilion ink brush appeared.

He held it lightly in his hand, and then, the tip of the brush gently touched the center of Hu Ma's corpse's forehead, "Governor of Pest Suppression, I bestow light upon you!"

At this moment, although Hu Ma's mortal body had clearly died, this stroke of vermilion ink on his forehead seemed to add a few more traces of vitality.

On the National Teacher's face, there was only coldness and arrogance.

How could he not sense the small thoughts that the Governor of Pest Suppression was using against him?

But he was still provoked, solely because this descendant of the Hu Family had first severed his own bloodline to block the path to the Nether Palace.

To be able to pay such a price, even knowing that the other party was provoking him to take action, he would still fall for it!

With a single touch of the vermilion ink, it was like the rising of a scorching sun.

In the Nether Palace, Hu Ma vaguely felt as if he had become three people in one.

One in the mortal realm, one in the underworld, and one in the Nether Palace.

The one in the mortal realm was his own corpse.

Although his vitality had been severed, the vermilion ink made his body appear dignified and compassionate, with a kind and benevolent gaze.

In the underworld, there was a vast and eerie atmosphere, naturally imposing, with a blazing sun between the eyebrows. In an instant, it penetrated layer upon layer of uncertain netherworld mist, causing the countless small ghosts, big ghosts, and evil spirits in the underworld to simultaneously see their location.

They were driven by the National Teacher, surging forward towards Hu Ma, as if following the Bridge of No Return, like a massive flood, pouring into the Nether Palace.

Not only were there these evil spirits and ghosts, but even as the National Teacher performed his art, the vast and endless City of Wrongful Deaths was also affected, its huge walls torn apart, and the pond deities' dried bones, hidden in the deepest part of the City of Wrongful Deaths, all came surging forth, using the Bridge of No Return.

At this moment in the Nether Palace, Hu Ma was like a fierce and evil deity, his killing intent filling the heavens. However, his face couldn't help but show signs of shock, as he felt the presence of the countless evil spirits and ghosts behind him in the underworld. Who could say how many evil spirits and ghosts there were?

They had all squeezed into the Nether Palace at the same time, like a huge wave, instantly sweeping away the evil spirits in the Nether Palace, leaving them in despair and howling.

The existence of evil spirits and ghosts in the underworld was also limited. Those who had died long ago often had their memories washed away, becoming ignorant and unaware. Even the most ferocious ones, who survived by devouring small ghosts, would only last a few hundred years at most.

But now, the underworld was filled with souls, most of whom were from the Duyi Clan that ruled the world for over two hundred years.

Among them, the most ferocious ones were precisely those slaughtered when the Duyi Clan seized power over two hundred years ago.

And in the City of Wrongful Deaths, the pond deities' bones formed the foundation. These pond deities were slaughtered precisely because of the existence of the Duyi Clan.

The cycle of cause and effect was indescribably wonderful.

Who would have thought that the evil spirits who had died over two hundred years ago would also have a day when they encountered the ones who had killed them? There was no need for Hu Ma to forcefully control them; this collision between evil spirits, with the Nether Palace as the stage and cause and effect as the threads, was vividly displayed.

...

...

"You're treating his corpse as a treasure for refinement."

On Great Sorrow Mountain, Lao Suandan naturally couldn't understand the National Teacher's move, but from that stroke of vermilion ink, he guessed something.

He was so shocked that he was left speechless and incredulous.

"It's still far from enough."

Facing his astonishment, the National Teacher merely smiled coldly, "The Great Dharmic Religion has three paths, how could it lose to the Emperor Ghosts of the Nether Palace?"

Either do nothing, or do it wholeheartedly.

He slightly closed his eyes, and his divine soul sank into the underworld. Wherever his gaze reached, the Bridge of No Return had already extended from the underworld, pointing directly into the void of the netherworld, precisely where Hu Ma was located in the Nether Palace.

Then he turned around and looked at several other places, speaking solemnly, "The Eight Scenic Views of the Yellow Springs are objects of enlightenment and naming by the Great Dharmic Religion."

"It was also I who divided them among the Seven Clans. Now, I want you to return them to me!"

"As a reward, perhaps I can let you see how your obstacle was overcome!"

"..."

"..."

In the underworld, his voice echoed in the mortal realm.

At this moment, the National Teacher was filled with vigor, as if he had returned to the Capital City, suppressing the Ten Clans.

"What's the difference between giving it or not giving it?"

The first to respond was surprisingly the Li Family of Impermanence. At the beginning of this slaughter tribulation, the two young misses of the Li Family had already joined the Granary Protection Army, serving as small vanguard officers under the Bright State King.

The old matron of the Li Family had already extinguished her karma and reached the end of her lifespan, leaving only the grandmaster of the Li Family of Impermanence, who was the top expert of this generation, unable to find anything to do.

Until he heard the National Teacher's answer, he couldn't help but smile bitterly,

"The authority of the Bloodstained Pool has already been taken away, so what's the harm in doing a favor and giving it to the Hu Family?"

"..."

The first to make a move, a white banner in the ancestral hall fluttered and flew towards the direction of Dai Ai Mountain.

"Now, I feel relieved..."

In the nameless town, the head of the Zhao Family heard a voice, and his face lit up with joy. "Amidst this tribulation, my Zhao Family's influence is the greatest. We summoned the most people and created this Hundred Entertainment Town. Yet, we are the ones who contributed the least."

"Although we are following the grand trend, it still doesn't sound good. But now, even the National Teacher has acknowledged it, what more can I ask for my Zhao Family?"

Amidst the laughter, he sat down, personally cut out a paper doll, and then burned it above a candle.

In the Underworld, a human skin appeared and floated towards the Hall of Shadows.

"Father..."

Only now did Zhao Sanyi hear the cry from the Underworld. He rushed to the door and shouted at him.

The head of the Zhao Family raised his hand and pointed, saying, "Sanyi, go southeast and help A Bao. Kill your father-in-law!"

...

...

In the southwest, at the Sun Family's Homeward Gaze Platform, Hua Diao Jiu held up a large umbrella and was staring blankly.

Although he had prepared himself to take on the role of the Shrine Deity and bear the calamities for the world, in theory, the people's hearts were not yet united, and it was still impossible to suppress the calamity. But when the time came, he would take on the pressure himself and sacrifice his life to forcefully suppress the Shrine Deities above the calamity.

At that time, the calamity could be suppressed, and he could also take the opportunity to leave, and this influence would be significant.

However, he never expected that the eight palaces' purple aura would return to the mortal realm, instantly suppressing the calamity.

As he was already emotionally prepared, he held a large umbrella and posed for a while, but there was no movement at all.

After staring at the Sun Family members for a while, he suddenly threw the umbrella in anger and cursed, "Are you trying to trick me again?"

Fortunately, at that moment, a voice came from the Underworld. Hua Diao Jiu's face was filled with anger and ruthlessness. He turned his head towards the Sun Family members and shouted, "Whoever takes on the calamity will have the qualification to control the Homeward Gaze Platform. If you Sun Family don't suppress the calamity, then hand it over!"

He snatched the last flag and threw it into the Underworld.

The Sun Family's few lunatics looked at each other and whispered, "We didn't say we wouldn't give it. Why are you in such a hurry?"

In the Northern Region, Miss Zhou supported the Iron Gate King Formation and, along with the New Year Guarding Technique experts, swept across the north, slaughtering twenty thousand iron cavalry, turning the land into a sea of blood. In just a few days, she established an extraordinary feat, capturing countless troops.

During this time, she encountered many dangers, but they all mysteriously resolved, until this moment when her heart stirred, and she headed towards a nearby apricot grove next to the town.

There, she saw her father, Zhou Zhiming, who had never shown his face but had always intervened in this battlefield. Now that the North was pacified and the grand trend was gathered, he wore a solemn expression, stepping in heavenly steps, pointing out the yin and yang, and slowly forming a circle on the ground.

Miss Zhou had long guessed that her father was secretly protecting her, which was why she had been so brave in her battles.

She was delighted and called out, "Father, what are you hiding here for?"

"What am I doing?"

Zhou Zhiming let out a cold huff, leaving a circle of footprints on the ground, and then stomped his foot, causing the mortal realm to transform into the Underworld. With him as the center, the realms of yin and yang separated.

Then he raised his hand and slowly pressed it towards the Underworld.

His voice carried a hint of resentment, "I'm trying to prevent you from having to become a widow before you even marry!"

...

...

Starting from the Wang Family's Bridge of No Return, the Li Family's Bloodstained Pool, the Zhao Family's Cloak Removal Pavilion, the Sun Family's Homeward Gaze Platform, and the Zhou Family's Ghost Gate were all handed over.

After Noble Zhang became Beggar Zhang, he lost control of Broken Money Mountain, which had already become ownerless, and the National Teacher had taken it long ago.

The remaining Mountain Watching Zhu Family's Wild Dog Village and the Spirit Summoning Chen Family's Mengpo Shop were also only slightly delayed.

Upon hearing that malevolent spirits were causing chaos, the Zhu Family, who had already turned the mountains into a sea of blood, was terrified. "The one who refines the Year God Pestilence is powerful but doesn't seem to like killing. This one clearly loves killing the most..."

"Hand it over, hand it over immediately. We can't give her a reason to come to the mountain..."

"..."

In the southeast, at the Spirit Summoning Chen Family, after Chen A Bao seriously told her father what she had said, the head of the Chen Family's face was already defeated, and he found it difficult to speak.

He was the only person in the mortal realm who didn't know what had happened in the Hall of Shadows. The Spirit Summoning Chen Family couldn't calculate these things, and those related to the Chen Family who could glimpse the secrets of the Hall of Shadows were all avoiding him at this time.

So, he was left with only despair, watching Chen A Bao stand up and approach him, saying in a low voice,

"Father, I'm going to usurp the throne. You... don't struggle anymore!"

"..."

"..."

The Eight Scenic Views of the Yellow Springs gathered in one person's body, something even the National Teacher couldn't have imagined or achieved.

But now, it was handed to him.

He knew that he had spoken the words himself, but this grand trend of suppressing the Ten Clans and making them listen had nothing to do with him. So, he could only sigh deeply and slowly raise his hands towards the corpse in front of him, slowly bowing down:

"Governor of Pest Suppression, with the Eight Shadows in hand, Heaven and Earth unite, and the mortal realm becomes a ladder under your feet..."

"Returning home... Will you?"

(End of Chapter)

Chapter end