293: Chapter 293 Houtu's Desire for Seclusion, Meng Po's Substitute (Part 2)

Red Cloud gently tossed the top-grade Innate Spirit Treasure in his palm, and the Spirit Treasure instantly suspended between the two, emitting a scorching and pure fluctuation of the Law of Fire.

"The origin of this thing... is indeed somewhat unexpected."

He briefly recounted the situation on the previous battlefield.

Patriarch Yan Lie of the Fire Clan had fallen, and the Spirit Treasure protected its master. Having his Primordial Spirit captured, he and the Spirit Treasure were taken away together.

Zhenyuanzi listened quietly, his gaze falling upon that Spirit Treasure, remaining silent for a long time.

For a moment, only the gentle humming sound of the Spirit Treasure remained within the grotto-heaven.

After a long while, he slowly opened his mouth, his voice carrying a trace of expectation:

"Fighting until heaven and earth shattered, countless deaths and injuries... yet in the end, the Opportunity fell upon your head."

Red Cloud grinned, about to praise his own good fortune a bit more, only to see Zhenyuanzi suddenly raise his eyes. Looking at his smug appearance, the corners of Zhenyuanzi's mouth rose slightly, his eyes filled with gratification.

"You guy, your Opportunity is still the same as before. It seems I should let you go out and wander more often in the future."

Red Cloud laughed heartily, just as he was about to say something more, a cold and steady voice suddenly came from outside the door.

"Two Saints."

The figure of Ancestor Witch Houtu had quietly stood outside the grotto-heaven. Dressed in a dark dress, the Law of Earth faintly flowed around her, and her aura was a bit more condensed than in past days.

Red Cloud and Zhenyuanzi raised their hands simultaneously, and a gentle force in the Void Realm softly lifted Ancestor Witch Houtu up.

"Ancestor Witch Houtu, what brings you here?" Zhenyuanzi asked.

Ancestor Witch Houtu bowed slightly, her voice calm yet carrying a hint of solemnity:

"Two Saints. Houtu's recent comprehension of the Law of Earth has reached the realm of a half-step Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal. Soon, I will enter seclusion to break through to the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal."

She paused, and continued:

"Therefore, I came here to ask the two Saints... can you find someone to temporarily replace Houtu in holding the position of Meng Po?"

The position of Meng Po concerns the salvation and Reincarnation of countless deceased souls, and is the most basic and indispensable link in the Six Paths of Reincarnation system.

Zhenyuanzi nodded slightly, a flash of approval crossing his eyes:

"Very well. You go back first and prepare for the matter of seclusion. In a few days, someone will naturally come to hand over with you."

Ancestor Witch Houtu bowed deeply: "Thank you, two Saints."

With that, her figure turned, slowly exiting the grotto-heaven and returning to Naihe Bridge to continue simmering the Oblivion Soup.

Watching her departing figure, Zhenyuanzi murmured:

"Among the Ancestral Witches... is a Hunyuan finally going to be born?"

Red Cloud stood with his hands behind his back, gazing into the distance with a sigh of emotion as well:

"With one more Hunyuan, I suppose our future work will be much easier."

The grotto-heaven fell silent for a moment.

Just at this moment, Red Cloud blinked, turned his head, and asked curiously:

"By the way, Big Brother, who do you plan to have succeed Ancestor Witch Houtu's position as Meng Po?"

Zhenyuanzi picked up his teacup, took a sip, and said with a calm expression:

"Rakshasa Girl. Her Heart-Nature is steady, and she is very familiar with the Netherworld Blood Sea and the Reincarnation order. It is most appropriate for her to temporarily act in this role."

"What, Second Brother, do you have a better candidate?"

Red Cloud grinned, smiled a bit foolishly, leaned forward, and whispered:

"I want Ancestral Witch Gong Gong to replace her."

"..."

As soon as these words were spoken, Zhenyuanzi's hand holding the teacup paused slightly, and then he rolled his eyes unreservedly and glared at him ungraciously:

"Ancestral Witch Gong Gong? Aside from Evil Qi and turbid Qi, his mind is full of nothing else, and his temper is incomparably irritable."

"Letting him go to Naihe Bridge to simmer soup for deceased souls to drink? Do you want him to demolish Naihe Bridge, or do you want those souls about to be reincarnated to directly suffer Soul Flying Away and Spirit Scattering?"

"Oh, Big Brother, isn't it just seeing that Ancestral Witch Gong Gong has been staying in the Netherworld with nothing to do."

Reproached sharply by Zhenyuanzi, Red Cloud scratched his head somewhat awkwardly, gave a dry laugh, and said:

"I just wanted to find some proper business for him to do."

"Besides, it's not like you don't know, Big Brother, how many years has Ancestral Witch Gong Gong been led by several other Ancestral Witches to help the Yama Hall handle affairs?"

"Tossed about by those cumbersome matters every day, his temper has long been smoothed out. How could he still easily get impatient..."

Over these years, Red Cloud had also seen with his own eyes how Ancestral Witch Gong Gong was treated like a coolie by brothers and sisters like Dijiang, Ancestral Witch Zhu Jiuyin, and Xuanming in the Netherworld.

The Ancestral Witch Gong Gong of back then was impulsive and easily angered, but now, after being tempered by the endless years of the Netherworld, he was long no longer a reckless man. Simpering a bowl of soup, he could still do that.

"Oh? Is that so?"

Hearing this, Zhenyuanzi's expression shifted slightly, and he fell into brief contemplation.

His fingertips lightly tapped on the tabletop, pondering Red Cloud's words.

Ancestral Witch Gong Gong was the Ancestral Witch of Water, naturally controlling the water system Law of the world, and Meng Po soup was brewed with Netherworld water supplemented by special medicinal herbs. Speaking of control over the Law of Water, indeed very few people between heaven and earth could surpass Ancestral Witch Gong Gong.

After a moment, Zhenyuanzi slowly raised his head, a trace of playful smile welling up in his eyes, and said:

"Since you vouch for him like this, it is not entirely impossible. However, to ensure nothing goes wrong, let Ancestral Witch Gong Gong and Rakshasa Girl jointly serve as acting Meng Po."

Red Cloud's eyes lit up: "Big Brother means?"

Zhenyuanzi flicked his sleeve and smiled, setting down the arrangement:

"Ancestral Witch Gong Gong is the Ancestral Witch of Water, with ultimate mastery over the Law of Water. He will be responsible for simmering the Oblivion Soup in the rear."

"As for Rakshasa Girl, her mind is delicate and her temperament is gentle. She will be responsible for serving and feeding soup to the souls crossing the bridge at the front desk."

Upon hearing this, Red Cloud immediately clapped and laughed heartily: "As expected of Big Brother. In that case, let it be as Big Brother says."

...

Above the Netherworld, Pangu Hall.

Red Cloud left the Reincarnation Hall, walked straight outside Pangu Hall, cleared his throat, and said in a clear voice:

"Ancestor Witch Gonggong, are you in the hall?"

As soon as his voice fell, the heavy stone doors of Pangu Hall burst open with a rumble.

A figure as burly and imposing as an iron tower strode out, with water vapor lingering around his entire body. It was precisely Ancestral Witch Gong Gong.

Seeing Red Cloud, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong hurriedly stepped forward and respectfully welcomed him:

"Gong Gong greets Saint Red Cloud! I wonder what important matter the Saint has in personally gracing us with your presence and calling upon Gong Gong today?"

Red Cloud grinned, his face full of joy: "Haha, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong, today this seat has brought you a heaven-sent good Opportunity!"

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong was slightly stunned, asking curiously: "Saint, what good Opportunity?"

Red Cloud patted Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's shoulder and smiled:

"Ancestor Witch Houtu... her comprehension of the Law of Earth has reached the half-step Hunyuan, and before long, she will enter seclusion to break through to the realm of the Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal!"

"What?!"

As soon as these words were spoken, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong shook violently all over, his thick hands suspended in mid-air.

After reacting, he trembled all over with excitement, and actually dropped to his knees on the ground with a thump. Facing the Void Realm of the Netherworld, he kowtowed continuously in wild joy, shouting in a rough voice:

"Father God bless us! Father God bless us!"

"My Wu Clan... is finally going to produce a Hunyuan Daluo Golden Immortal! Hhahahaha!"

Watching Ancestral Witch Gong Gong before him, who was rough and bold, kowtowing with heartfelt wild joy, Red Cloud stood to the side, the corners of his mouth beginning to rise slightly and unconsciously.

Thinking of what was about to happen next, his heart blossomed with joy, and he almost laughed out loud.

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong finally calmed his wildly joyful emotions, crawled up from the ground, and bowed respectfully toward Red Cloud:

"Thank you, Saint, for specially coming to inform me of this matter! If there are no other affairs, Gong Gong will return to Pangu Hall to continue secluded bitter cultivation. I cannot let Younger Sister Houtu get too far ahead alone!"

With that, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong turned around and was about to walk into Pangu Hall.

"Hey! Wait!"

Red Cloud hurriedly grabbed Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's thick arm and smiled:

"Ancestor Witch Gonggong, don't rush to leave yet. Finding you today is not just to share good news; indeed, there is an important matter for you."

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong turned around, without thinking through his brain, and patted his chest with a foolish expression, speaking boldly:

"Saint, feel free to speak! As long as there is a place where Gong Gong can be of use, I, Gong Gong, will definitely and absolutely assist with all my might!"

Red Cloud nodded slightly, pulling him and saying in an even tone:

"It is like this: Ancestor Witch Houtu's seclusion this time to break through to Hunyuan will probably make it impossible for her to get away in a short time. As a result, the position of Meng Po is temporarily vacant."

Hearing the two words "Meng Po", Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's entire body stiffened, and his originally honest gaze instantly gained a trace of vigilance.

He swallowed a mouthful of saliva, subconsciously turned his head, and cast an extremely unnatural glance toward the open doors of Pangu Hall, an extremely ominous premonition rising in his heart.

He slowly took two steps backward.

Afterwards, Red Cloud's subsequent words directly confirmed his most terrifying guess in his heart.

Only to hear Red Cloud reveal an extremely brilliant smile and say in a clear voice:

"Ancestor Witch Gonggong, the Netherworld is currently short of manpower. Therefore, after discussing with Big Brother, this seat has decided that you and Rakshasa Girl will jointly serve as acting Meng Po!"

"You are the Ancestral Witch of Water, and your mastery over the Law of Water has reached the peak. You will be responsible for simmering the Oblivion Soup in the rear."

"As for Rakshasa Girl, she will be responsible for feeding soup to the souls crossing the bridge at the front desk. What do you think?"

"What?!"

These words falling into Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's ears were like a bolt from the blue.

Having said that, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong didn't even think about it, shaking his head like a rattle-drum, waving his hands desperately, and refusing without hesitation:

"No, no, no! Absolutely not!"

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong was so anxious that his face turned red, his rough hands waved repeatedly, and he pleaded with a crying face:

"Saint! For any other matter you command, even if it means attacking Lingxiao Palace, if I, Gong Gong, frown even a little, I am no longer a descendant of Father God! But solely this job of simmering and feeding soup... you truly cannot look for me!"

"I am clumsy and have a hot temper, how am I suited to do this delicate and boring work? Saint, you'd better look for someone else with higher brilliance!"

Knowing that Ancestral Witch Gong Gong would definitely refuse, Red Cloud was not surprised.

He took a step forward and hooked his arm over Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's shoulder:

"Ancestor Witch Gonggong, don't rush to refuse yet."

Red Cloud patted Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's thick shoulder and cajoled:

"You are the Ancestral Witch of Water. Among all the waters of this world, speaking of control and harmonization, who can surpass you?"

"That Oblivion Soup is essentially based on the Netherworld water veins, supplemented by the Divine Plant through brewing. With Ancestor Witch Houtu's seclusion imminent, looking across the entire Primordial World, besides you, who else can properly control this water nature?"

"But I really cannot stand it, Saint. Just looking at that job is too tormenting; sitting there quietly and motionlessly is too boring!"

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong gave a bitter smile, his eyes filled with rejection.

Seeing that kind persuasion did not work, Red Cloud immediately reined in his smile, his expression sinking slightly as he changed to another set of rhetoric:

"Ancestor Witch Gonggong, the position of Meng Po concerns the foundation of the Netherworld."

"Now that Houtu is in seclusion, if the Reincarnation falls into chaos and generates a massive amount of Karma because no one takes over the position of Meng Po, thereby disturbing Ancestor Witch Houtu's Opportunity for a Breakthrough, can you bear this responsibility?"

"As an older brother, are you unwilling to make even this bit of sacrifice?"

Pressed down by this heavy hat, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong immediately wore a distressed face, yet still retorted with a red face:

"Saint, stop trying to persuade me! If it were any other matter, I, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong, would naturally march forward courageously, but this simmering soup... there are many more suitable people in the Netherworld. Aren't Jiufeng, Great Witch Houyi and others more suitable?"

"Even worse, letting Xingtian go would also work! Why must it be me!"

Regarding Red Cloud's claim that if he did not take over Meng Po, the Netherworld would fall into chaos, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong naturally would not believe it.

No matter how foolish he was, he understood that the Earth Dao was the foundation of the Primordial World. If it really fell into chaos, the Heavenly Dao would not agree either.

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong at this moment was stubborn as a mule, firmly unwilling to agree.

Seeing that this reckless man was immune to both soft and hard tactics, Red Cloud chuckled inwardly, knowing it was time to pull out his ultimate trump card.

He sighed softly, shook his head, patted Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's shoulder, and spoke in a lingering tone:

"Fine, fine, fine! Since Ancestor Witch Gonggong has spoken to this extent, it is not good for this seat to force someone against their will."

"Originally thinking that the position of Meng Po concerns the Reincarnation order, whenever a soul crossing the bridge is fed a bowl of Oblivion Soup and severs past entanglements, the Earth Dao would bestow an endless share of Earth Dao Karma."

Red Cloud paused, glanced sideways at Ancestral Witch Gong Gong, raising his voice by eight degrees:

"This position of Meng Po originally belonged to Ancestor Witch Houtu, and this massive Earth Dao Karma should originally have belonged entirely to your Wu Clan."

"Since you are unwilling to take over and insist on handing this heavenly Karma wholesale over to Rakshasa Girl... Sigh, then this Saint will not persuade you further and will go find Rakshasa Girl right now, letting her monopolize this monstrous Karma!"

With that, Red Cloud feigned disappointment, shook his head, and turned around as if to float away.

"Wait! Saint, stay your steps!!"

Hearing the two words "Karma", Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's entire person instantly stiffened in place.

Karma! That was real gold and silver, a treasure capable of washing away Evil Qi and Karma all over one's body, and even boosting cultivation.

The Wu Clan still had a large number of clansmen currently entangled by turbid Qi, needing Karma to wash clean and purify their brains.

Now, if the Karma of this Meng Po position were entirely given to an outsider because of a single word of his, when Dijiang, Ancestral Witch Zhu Jiuyin and the others found out later, they would definitely skin him alive!

Ancestral Witch Gong Gong's face turned from blue to white, his fists tightly clenched, and his rough face fell into endless struggle and entanglement.

Watching Red Cloud's retreating figure getting further and further away, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong suddenly gnashed his teeth, slapped his thigh fiercely, and shouted at the top of his lungs:

"Saint! Stay your steps! I'll take it! Won't it do if I take it?!"

Red Cloud's footsteps paused, and he turned around with a smile of a successful plot on the corners of his mouth: "Oh? Didn't Ancestor Witch Gonggong say he was clumsy and couldn't do this delicate work?"

Ancestor Witch Gong Gong trotted all the way over, rubbing the back of his head, revealing a foolish smile uglier than crying:

"I can do it! How can I not do it! Isn't it just simmering soup? I, Ancestral Witch Gong Gong, am the Ancestral Witch of Water; there is no water in this heaven and earth that I cannot control well! For Younger Sister, for... for the Karma of the Wu Clan, this big pot of soup, I am determined to simmer it!"