246: Chapter 246 The Judge of the Underworld

Sure enough, on the meditation cushion placed in the center of the cultivation dojo where Councillor Simu had come, the aura of the laws representing the imagery of the bright moon, the [Lunar Yin Spirit Talisman], was released. The previously spacious and bright cultivation dojo instantly saw its light constrict and dim, with a pale, ghastly moon faintly appearing overhead.

Although his imagery was somewhat eerie, the radiation of the transcendent laws covered the entire space. Visible to the naked eye, spiritual primeval qi was slowly permeated by the law's radiation, gradually transforming into the purer and more spiritual [Shangqing Spiritual Primeval Qi].

The atmosphere of this place also felt suitable for his cultivation. Councillor Simu meditated for four hours, and seeing that the cultivation dojo was mostly prepared, he calmed his mind and entered, using his spiritual body to take control of the [Lunar Yin Spirit Talisman]. The imagery of the bright moon instantly covered and provided him with protection.

However, this alone was not enough to allow a spiritual body, which had not yet condensed into a Ghost Immortal, to enter the Netherworld without sustaining damage.

Immediately, Councillor Simu's spiritual body silently recited the incantation.

"Heaven is clear, Earth is bright; Lord of the Netherworld, Sovereign of Pardoning Sins, Celestial Venerable of Rebirth. Councillor Simu, Judge of Sins at the Zhoujue Yin Heaven Palace, humbly requests the Netherworld Edict."

...

As Councillor Simu recited the incantation three times, from an angle he could not observe, a divine edict exuding an imposing aura responded, communicating with the status of the Lord of the Netherworld within the Netherworld Realm.

The next instant, Councillor Simu felt a great force descend and envelop his spiritual body, leading him to plummet into the underground space condensed from earthly qi.

Ordinary Foundation Establishment cultivators could use earth-attribute techniques or divine abilities to dive ten thousand or a hundred thousand meters underground, but they could not compare to this kind of edict, which seemed to be heading directly into the depths of the Earth's core.

While descending deep into the underground space, Councillor Simu only slightly perceived the outside world protected by the edict. The earthly qi there was so dense it was about to condense into crystals, possessing a might that felt like steel bones and iron muscles, or as if carrying the weight of an entire planet.

He could feel that if he were to foolishly try to probe outward, he would be ruthlessly crushed by this extreme environment. Even the transcendent force field around him would shatter instantly without a doubt, unable to resist.

However, Councillor Simu had to enter the Netherworld every month; he was long familiar with this scene and had overcome his curiosity, allowing the Netherworld Edict to continue taking him deeper.

After an unknown amount of time, a sense of coldness permeated his spiritual body. The spiritual body, which had been illusory in the Yang World, immediately grew "flesh and blood," making it seem like a living human being.

This was the change that only occurred when entering another world where the law environment was vastly different.

In the Netherworld, spiritual bodies, mental bodies, and ghosts were the normal state. By absorbing Yin energy, they could maintain their forms without dissipating and even grow continuously stronger.

Councillor Simu released his spiritual energy, and a massive black mountain and a palace of ghosts and gods stood before his eyes.

This was the core of the Netherworld. The Black Mountain and its branches covered most of the Netherworld. The Lord of the Netherworld had not named it, but the Yin spirits, deeply influenced by both Buddhism and Daoism, habitually revered it as Mount Luofeng.

Similarly, the Lord of the Netherworld was also known as the Great Emperor of Fengdu.

Looking back, there was indeed a small Ghost Gate Pass located outside this plaza at the foot of Mount Luofeng.

This was a portal specifically set up for cultivators serving in the Netherworld to come and go; only those possessing the Netherworld Edict could travel freely.

Councillor Simu saw Yi Xiu, who had arrived a step before him, waiting in the plaza.

The two had been here many times and did not converse much, instead heading straight up to the Celestial Palace of Mount Luofeng to handle the cases that had accumulated during this period.

Since living beings from the Yang World could not stay in the Netherworld for long, usually, judges like Yi Xiu and Councillor Simu rotated shifts on a monthly basis.

As soon as the two walked into the Judgment of Evil Department, a sub-hall of the Celestial Palace, a Yin soldier at the Qi Refining stage who had converted to become a Ghost Immortal stepped forward to receive them.

"Welcome, Judges. I am Bi Qi, the newly appointed clerk of the Judgment Department, responsible for assisting the judges in trying Yin spirits and evil ghosts who have committed grave sins."

Councillor Simu looked the man up and down, seeing that his soul body was covered in armor. The entire soul body was extremely translucent, with a clear spiritual aura appearing in his eyes. Observing with their status as judges, there was a faint aura of auspicious peace behind his head.

Seeing this aura, Councillor Simu smiled faintly.

"Bi Qi, is it? You are not bad; you have potential. Cultivate the Great Dao of the Ghost Immortal well; it is not impossible for you to have a chance to forge a Dao Foundation."

"Amitabha!"

Yi Xiu recited a Buddhist chant from the side, signifying his agreement with Councillor Simu's statement.

Bi Qi was overjoyed to hear such praise from the renowned Daoist Master Sumu, who was famous even in the Yang World.

"I, Bi Qi, never expected that although I had no talent for cultivation while alive, I would be appreciated by such Dao Foundation experts after death. I must seize this opportunity."

He immediately and hastily expressed his dedication to the Dao to the two superiors.

"My talent for cultivation was too poor while alive, making it difficult to make any progress. I never thought that after my lifespan ended, I would be appreciated by you two. I will certainly strive to cultivate the orthodox Ghost Immortal path."

After some pleasantries, the three began the work process.

This time, Councillor Simu was in charge of the main trial, Councillor Yixiu was on the side reviewing and verifying the sins, and Bi Qi led several Yin soldiers to be responsible for escorting the sinful Yin spirits and evil ghosts.

Since the Netherworld system had truly been established for only a little over a decade, and only five Yin generals at the Dao Foundation level had been born, most key positions still relied on dozens of Dao Foundation cultivators from the Yang World to handle them. Naturally, it did not have the support of a vast system like the mythological underworld's Three Departments, Ten Kings of Hell, or City Gods and Earth Gods.

Although after passing down the Great Dao of the Ghost Immortal, it was possible to directly promote clear-spirited individuals from among some Yin spirits to cultivate the Ghost Immortal method, maintaining normal intelligence and wisdom to complete complex tasks.

However, compared to the Yin envoys who needed to guide hundreds of millions of souls every day in the Yang World, it was still far from enough.

Fortunately, there was the [Sin-Punishing Heavenly Mirror] bestowed by the Lord of the Netherworld. Officials serving in the Celestial Palace could rely on its status to invoke its power, detailing the sins committed during their lifetime based on the Yin spirits' karmic sins.

The work of the judges relying on the [Sin-Punishing Heavenly Mirror] to judge cases was relatively easy. Next, Bi Qi and several Yin soldiers escorted Yin spirits and evil ghosts up one by one, and Councillor Simu gave different judgments based on the severity and harm of their crimes.

After dealing with several people who wanted to commit suicide to enter the Netherworld to escape judgment.

A Yin spirit surrounded by black fog and surging resentment was brought into the majestic and spacious trial hall.

Such dense black energy and karmic sins surprised both Councillor Simu and Councillor Yixiu. Although they had seen people with even more monstrous sins, the appearance of such a person just days after finishing previous trials made them realize that a major case had occurred.

The [Sin-Punishing Heavenly Mirror] sub-mirror captured the person's aura, and the mirror surface immediately traced back the person's past life.

With his transcendent spiritual power, Councillor Simu quickly read through the person's criminal history and immediately made a summary and judgment.