Chapter 258: Rebirth VIP Channel

"So that's how it is..."

Over the vast, misty expanse of the East Sea, Li Changshou explained the matter of the treant spirit in detail to Jiu Jiu.

Jiu Jiu looked at the spiritual artifact in Li Changshou's hand, which contained a soul. She pursed her lips and sighed, "Senior Sister Jiang Yu's life has been quite difficult. Ultimately, Senior Brother Qiyuan acted somewhat impulsively. For this, we should raise a toast!" Jiu Jiu casually grabbed the gourd hanging by her slender waist, tilted her head back, and gulped down two mouthfuls. Then, she let out a satisfied "Haah..."

"Hiccup!"

Sitting behind her, Li Changshou found it amusing. If she wanted to drink, she should just drink; why bother finding an excuse? Since his junior aunt's sitting posture was rather casual, Li Changshou found it inappropriate to stare. He simply... *ahem*... gazed at the blue sky and white clouds!

Li Changshou said, "Great-uncle Master Forgetting-Emotion has now achieved Golden Immortal status, so he'll be immortal from now on."

"What's so great about immortality?" Jiu Jiu curled her lips. "All cultivators chase after it, without thinking... what if, what if... Oh? How does that saying go? Anyway, for me, if one day all the wine runs out, and I still have to live forever, what immense suffering that would be."

Li Changshou chuckled, "Are you trying to say 'loss of self and passion,' Junior Aunt?"

"Yes, yes!" Jiu Jiu immediately gave Li Changshou a thumbs-up. "Little Changshou really knows a lot!"

"Junior Aunt, everything has two sides. 'Loss of self and passion' is also a state in cultivation," Li Changshou said gently. "The higher one's cultivation realm, the closer one is to the Great Dao. In the past, the founder of the Daoist sect merged with the Heavenly Dao, aiming to reach the ultimate destination of this cultivation path. However, what you said is also correct, Junior Aunt. If after achieving immortality one loses their temperament, preferences, or even the pursuit of the Dao, then that immortality truly would be in vain."

"Changshou, you're different." Jiu Jiu shifted her body backward, sliding from the front of the gourd to its slender waist. She leaned back on her hands, crossed her legs, and tilted her head back, meeting Li Changshou's gaze from the rear section of the gourd.

Jiu Jiu suddenly let out a chuckle. Li Changshou blinked, wondering what his junior aunt was up to now.

"Little Changshou, you're the most interesting and amusing person this junior aunt has ever met!"

Li Changshou: ...

That's a compliment, right? It should be a compliment! If she were calling him a goofball, she'd probably use different words, right?

Li Changshou smiled without a word, took out a pill-making scripture he had recently compiled, and said, "Please, Junior Aunt, manage our direction to the Underworld. I'll cultivate for a bit."

"Honestly, I just complimented you, how boring!" Jiu Jiu snorted but didn't say much more, as it was her idea to accompany him to the Underworld. Was she just out for a stroll? No, it was because she was worried that Little Changshou, having only recently reached the Spirit Immortal realm, couldn't just casually wander into a dangerous place like the Underworld.

Junior Aunt Jiu Jiu had a little more to drink, then sped up the gourd, racing towards the Underworld.

Thus, a few days later...

"Niu, is that Sea God really as mystical as you say?"

On the eastern side of Fengdu City, atop two parallel mountains, a bonfire crackled by the cliff. Two burly men, quite similar in appearance, wearing the 'official uniforms' of Underworld Emissaries, squatted there, chatting.

"Ma, why would I lie to you? What's in it for me? Whose fault is it that you insisted on secluding yourself for cultivation like a human cultivator recently? Do you even need seclusion? You're a freaking Witch, you idiot! If you hadn't gone into seclusion, you could've come with me and seen it yourself! The scene, oh my, was packed with people, flags fluttering, gongs and drums booming, and mighty figures everywhere!"

One Witch cursed casually, while the other chuckled apologetically, repeatedly expressing regret.

Suddenly, 'Ma's' eyes lit up. He raised his long chin, pointing towards a small path not far below the mountain. "Hey? Is that our Witch Clan bloodline? Niu, look over there. The human girl sitting in front on that big gourd, is she a Witch-human?"

"She's probably a descendant of our Witch Clan, but how did her bloodline strengthen her physique to the point of developing such chest muscles? How would she fight anyone like that?"

"Just charge and ram them, I guess."

The two exchanged glances, then shrugged and snickered.

But as they laughed, 'Niu' suddenly snapped to attention. He spotted another person sitting behind the large gourd and urgently called out: "See that man behind? That's the Sea God's close acquaintance! The only reason we can even talk to the Sea God is because of his introduction!"

"Is the Sea God male or female?"

"Male!"

"By the Goddess, these humans are truly depraved... Hehehe, but I like it."

"Bah, I misspoke! That's the Sea God's good friend! Not a lover!" 'Niu' immediately stood up, pulled out his headpiece, and quickly put it on. "Quick, let's go down and prepare to receive them! This is a great chance for us to help those folks on the surface!"

These two battle-witches, who had shed blood in the ancient wars, busied themselves for a moment, then transformed directly into the Underworld Soul Reapers, Ox-Head and Horse-Face.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face waited on the cliff for a while. When the large gourd flew to the 'One-Line Sky' and was stopped by an Underworld Emissary, Ox-Head let out a shout, and two figures leaped down from the cliff edge!

Below, Jiu Jiu put away her precious gourd and followed behind Li Changshou. Li Changshou was taking out a treasure pouch, which he handed with a smile to the Underworld Emissary general there. The Underworld Emissary general that day seemed to be suffering from indigestion or constipation; his entire face was dark. He took the treasure pouch, glanced at Jiu Jiu, and snorted: "Behave yourselves when you enter Fengdu City. This isn't a place where you human True Immortals can act wildly!"

Jiu Jiu rolled her eyes but said nothing.

Just then, two dark figures crashed down from high in the sky. The various restrictions above the One-Line Sky flashed in unison but did not impede the two figures...

"Stop!"

"Hey! What are you doing?!"

Two shouts were heard, and a large foot flew in from the side, directly kicking the Underworld Emissary general flying. The treasure pouch was tossed two zhang high, and Ox-Head neatly caught it.

Ox-Head glared at the Underworld Emissary general, who had been kicked a hundred zhang away, and cursed: "Are you blind?! These are our honored guests of the Underworld! Moo!"

Horse-Face immediately stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu. His horse-like face, which was surprisingly handsome, bore a gentle smile. "Esteemed guests, my subordinate has been disrespectful, please forgive him... Neigh."

Jiu Jiu was already standing in front of Li Changshou, shielding him. She transmitted a message, saying, "Be careful, this Underworld is a bit too strange."

Li Changshou: ...

He couldn't dismiss everyone with a single stroke. The most abnormal ones were these two guys in headpieces right in front of him.

Then, Ox-Head chuckled and sidled closer. Horse-Face stood somewhat reservedly to the side, holding a stone comb and quietly grooming his long, brown mane. Ox-Head completely ignored Jiu Jiu and smiled at Li Changshou: "Changshou, we meet again! Are you here in the Underworld this time on the Sea God's instructions?"

"Junior Aunt, allow me," Li Changshou murmured something to Jiu Jiu, then stepped forward and bowed respectfully to Ox-Head.

After a few pleasantries, Li Changshou stated his purpose: he was there to escort a friend to reincarnation.

Ox-Head laughed, "This is easy. My brother and I happen to be free, and guiding souls to reincarnation is our duty as Soul Reapers, so we'll accompany you on this trip! Please! This way! Don't be formal in the Underworld, we're all family here, just like you're at home!"

"Thank you, Senior Ox-Head," Li Changshou replied with a smile.

Jiu Jiu couldn't help but put a hand to her forehead, finding it a bit unbearable to watch.

Ox-Head summoned a comfortable open-top ox-cart and invited Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu to sit, while he and Horse-Face accompanied them. They also assigned a team of Underworld Emissaries as escorts, proceeding unhurriedly towards Fengdu City. The old ox pulling the cart was no ordinary spiritual beast; it traveled on black clouds, moving at a considerable speed.

In Li Changshou's view, this pair of Underworld Soul Reapers was quite interesting. In terms of personality, Ox-Head was boorish, while Horse-Face was refined. Ox-Head sat cross-legged on the ox-cart and chatted aimlessly with Li Changshou. Horse-Face, on the other hand, brought a stool and sat upright at the back of the ox-cart, and even prepared a blanket for Jiu Jiu, the female cultivator in a short skirt, to drape over her legs. When Ox-Head ran out of things to say, Horse-Face would begin conversing eloquently with Li Changshou about life and art, describing the beautiful landscapes of the Underworld, preventing any awkward silence.

Jiu Jiu, sitting behind Li Changshou, couldn't help but whisper via spiritual transmission: "Little Changshou, are these the 'acquaintances' from the Underworld you mentioned?"

Li Changshou remembered the five hundred female ghosts and replied via transmission: "Our relationship is moderately good. They have a favor to ask of another friend of mine, which is why they're trying to curry favor with us. Actually, these two are battle-witches from the Witch Clan, followers of the Great Virtue Houtu. They are very powerful and hold Heavenly Dao divine positions, so they are worth befriending."

Upon hearing this, Jiu Jiu's expression instantly became... indescribable.

Li Changshou soon realized that while Ox-Head and Horse-Face might not hold high divine positions, their status within the Witch Clan must be extraordinary. With the two of them personally accompanying them, their journey was completely unimpeded.

As they entered the grand and eerie Fengdu City, the numerous Underworld Emissaries saluted them, while covertly stealing glances. Humans and demons who came to Fengdu City for business also observed their entourage with curiosity. And the many ghost cultivators and Yin cultivators already present in Fengdu City now showed expressions of reverence.

Sometimes, to be impressive, all you need is an ox-cart.

The ox-cart swayed gently, slowly making its way directly to the forbidden area of Fengdu City—the central region of the city. After passing through several grand formations, the true appearance of the place was revealed. Ten magnificent halls floated in the air, connected by black chains several zhang in diameter, forming a certain array. Below these ten halls, at the very center of Fengdu City, was a round pit dozens of li in diameter and seemingly bottomless. An immortal island floated above the pit, with a massive, glowing disc, enveloped in auspicious light, standing upright on it. The bottom of the deep pit was filled with blood mist, and below it seemed to be an endless abyss, from which countless souls' agonizing wails continuously emerged...

This was the Yama Hall, the Land of Reincarnation, and the Eighteen Layers of Purgatory.

Numerous figures flitted about the Yama Hall, Underworld Emissaries flying up and down, escorting individual Yin souls to their designated places. Li Changshou and his companions first went to the Yama Hall above, not through the main hall, but directly to a corner. Reincarnation also had its steps, but with Ox-Head and Horse-Face present, these steps could naturally be skipped as much as possible.

Horse-Face directly invited a Judge over. This Judge held a slightly higher divine position in the Underworld than Ox-Head and Horse-Face, but he was quite respectful upon seeing them. Li Changshou recognized him; this Judge had also attended the Sea God Sect's grand ceremony last time.

Ox-Head rubbed his large hands and asked with a smile, "Changshou, where's our Senior Aunt?"

"She's here," Li Changshou said, taking out the porcelain bottle and releasing the treant spirit's soul. The small treant spirit's soul curled into a ball in Li Changshou's palm.

The Judge took out an iron brush and an ancient book—these were projections of the Heavenly Dao's supreme treasures, the Book of Life and Death and the Judge's Brush, usable only by judges of various ranks in the Yama Hall. In Li Changshou's understanding, the Book of Life and Death and the Judge's Brush were essentially a 'system,' rather than merely two treasures.

The Judge touched the treant spirit's soul with the iron brush, and lines of text appeared on the Book of Life and Death. Then, the Judge patiently explained: "In this life, there were no sins. In the previous life, she accumulated merits and performed good deeds, with merits outweighing her karma. She should enter the human realm in her next life, but her path will be somewhat arduous. Would you like to make any adjustments here?"

Li Changshou quickly replied, "If it's convenient."

"Alright, then I'll do my best to help adjust her fate." The Judge deliberated for a moment, then took up his brush and wrote two lines. Although he couldn't alter the existing text on the Book of Life and Death, he could add a phrase like 'Misfortune turns to fortune, meet noble benefactors on the path ahead,' which effectively changed her fate.

Ox-Head asked, "What else can we do here? Do everything for our Senior Aunt!"

"We can also determine where she'll be born," the Judge replied with a smile. "While it will consume some merit, we're all familiar here, and this person isn't evil, so a slight modification is permissible."

"Do it!" Ox-Head waved his large hand, and the Judge immediately put brush to paper.

Although, by rules, Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu were not allowed to view the Book of Life and Death, they could occasionally glance at it from the side and 'accidentally' see... Soon, Senior Aunt's reincarnation package was fully arranged. The Judge also explained, "The Book of Life and Death mostly only affects mortals. Once one begins cultivation and steps onto the immortal path, the Book of Life and Death's restraint over their fate is largely weakened."

Li Changshou thanked the Judge and presented him with a generous gift he had prepared. The Judge glanced at Ox-Head and Horse-Face, then accepted it with a smile.

After determining the soul's next life and securing a reincarnation slot, Ox-Head and Horse-Face led Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu out of the Yama Hall. They detoured along a side path and ascended the immortal island floating above the deep pit. This immortal island was quite extraordinary. The moment they stepped onto it, light and shadows swirled, the cosmos turned chaotic and inverted, and the surrounding scenery immediately transformed... This place actually concealed a minor thousand world!

A colossal, seven-colored disc stood upright at the far end of this confined realm...

Many Underworld Emissaries were busy everywhere, escorting humanoid souls to the Platform of Hometown Gaze, then to view the Three Lives Stone, and finally onto the Bridge of Helplessness, where they drank a bowl of Meng Po's soup before being sent into reincarnation. This was reincarnation following the standard procedure. There were also countless true spirits floating everywhere, like fireflies on a summer night, occasionally drawn by the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc, drifting towards it. This was true spirit reincarnation, which differed significantly from soul reincarnation.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face led the two directly to the front of the Platform of Hometown Gaze, cutting in line, and a group of ghost attendants quickly made way. Most of the souls were dazed and had no opportunity to voice their opinions.

A pale yellow ray of light shot out from the Platform of Hometown Gaze, enveloping the treant spirit's soul. The treant spirit's form slowly dissipated, transforming into the original form of a true spirit, and then condensed into a beautiful woman wearing a silk dress. Her eyes were full of bewilderment. She glanced at the Platform of Hometown Gaze and saw only an old tree, on the verge of dying, its lifespan having run out. Then, the woman was drawn by a ray of light, flying to the Three Lives Stone nearby. She stood quietly on the Three Lives Stone for a while, seeing her previous life, and the life before that...

Soon after, tears welled up in the woman's eyes. She turned to look at Li Changshou and Jiu Jiu, softly calling out: "Thank you... thank you... Junior Sister Jiu, and Changshou... thank you..." She must have seen Li Changshou's figure and learned his name during her life as a treant spirit.

Li Changshou bowed in Daoist fashion. Jiu Jiu grinned at Wan Jiangyu, but secretly wiped the corner of her eye. The wind got into her eyes; it wasn't because she was easily moved to tears.

Ox-Head and Horse-Face stepped forward together and called out, "It's getting late. Go quickly and reincarnate early, don't let your friends' good intentions be in vain."

Wan Jiangyu bowed to Li Changshou again, then was escorted by Ox-Head and Horse-Face, one on each side, onto the Bridge of Helplessness. After crossing the Bridge of Helplessness, before Meng Po, Meng Po casually scooped a bowl of soup. Ox-Head leaned forward and whispered a few words. Meng Po's hand trembled, spilling most of the soup back into the wooden bucket, leaving only a small portion for Wan Jiangyu to drink.

As Wan Jiangyu's figure was enveloped by the light emanating from the Six Paths of Reincarnation Disc and rapidly vanished, a weight was finally lifted from Li Changshou's heart. Next, he would go to the place where Senior Aunt Wan Jiangyu was reincarnating and arrange for a paper effigy to guard her.

Li Changshou turned his head and saw Jiu Jiu, leaning her head gently against his shoulder, letting out a soft, heartfelt sigh.