After Yuan Shi left Kunlun Mountain, he calculated in the mortal world and identified two individuals with the fate of flying bears: one named Jiang Shang, also known as Jiang Ziya, and the other named Shen Gongbao. Seeing that both possessed the flying bear destiny, Yuan Shi was momentarily unsure who to choose.
In his indecision, Yuan Shi decided to bring both back to Kunlun Mountain and leave the final decision to his elder brother, Taishang.
In the Heavenly Court, Haotian learned of Tongtian's impending arrival and had already assembled all heavenly personnel to await him at the South Heavenly Gate. Upon seeing Tongtian, Haotian rushed forward with a fawning expression.
Tongtian held no good feelings for Haotian. Upon seeing him, Tongtian spoke directly: "The calamity qi has arisen. The elders of Kunlun are to return to Kunlun immediately. The remaining disciples are either to return to Kunlun or descend into the mortal world to take disciples and spread their lineage!"
The assembled individuals exchanged glances, unsure of the sect leader's intentions, but did not dare to question him further.
Haotian, upon hearing this, immediately became anxious and couldn't help but ask, "Sect Leader Tongtian, what about my Heavenly Court?"
Tongtian shot Haotian an impatient glance and said with irritation, "Elder Brother said for you to guard the Heavenly Court well. You need not worry about anything else!"
Seeing Tongtian's impatience, Haotian dared not say another word, as this individual was not one to reason with.
After speaking, Tongtian led the Kunlun elders and the disciples willing to return to Kunlun back to the mountain.
There were also a considerable number of disciples who intended to enter the mortal world and establish lineages. Tongtian paid them no mind, merely allowing them to depart as they pleased before leading the rest towards Kunlun.
On Kunlun Mountain, as Tongtian had just returned, Taishang's voice echoed in everyone's ears.
"All elders, come see me at once. Disciples, return to your respective cultivation abodes!"
Upon hearing this, Tongtian immediately proceeded to the Taiqing Palace with the other elders.
In the Taiqing Palace, after seeing everyone arrive, Taishang immediately spoke: "Twelve Ancestral Witches, Taiyi, Changxi, Dijun, Xihe, Fusang, Yuegui, would the eighteen of you be willing to journey to the Netherworld?"
The assembled individuals exchanged glances, unsure of Taishang's intentions. Why would they be sent to the Netherworld? The Twelve Ancestral Witches were siblings to Houtu, and thus naturally willing.
Taiyi pondered for a moment before asking, "Martial Uncle, has something happened in the Netherworld?"
Everyone else also looked at Taishang, awaiting his response, even Tongtian.
Taishang shook his head and explained, "Fellow Daoist Houtu wishes to establish eighteen layers of hell, but she lacks lords to guard them. You are all innate great beings, and a sojourn in the Netherworld would be beneficial rather than harmful."
Upon hearing this, everyone understood and agreed to enter the Netherworld.
Seeing their agreement, Taishang nodded, instructed them to prepare, and then entered the Netherworld.
After the others left the Taiqing Palace, Tongtian inquired,
"Elder Brother, why is Houtu establishing hell? The name alone suggests it's not a good place!"
Taishang shook his head and did not explain to Tongtian. Just then, Yuan Shi entered the Taiqing Palace, bringing two individuals with him.
One was in his twenties, while the other had already passed his sixtieth year.
"Elder Brother, Third Brother, I have returned! These are my new disciples, Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao!"
Jiang Ziya and Shen Gongbao quickly bowed to Taishang and Tongtian.
"Greetings, Martial Uncle, greetings, Martial Nephew!"
Taishang nodded gently upon seeing the two.
Tongtian looked at the two individuals Yuan Shi had brought back. Shen Gongbao was one thing, but Jiang Ziya...
Tongtian walked to Yuan Shi's side and whispered, "Second Brother, why did you bring back an old man?"
Yuan Shi ignored Tongtian and looked towards Taishang.
"Elder Brother, they both possess the flying bear destiny you mentioned. I was unsure who to choose, so I brought them both back. Please decide..."
Taishang waved his hand, interrupting Yuan Shi, "There is still some time. You shall personally teach them both and ensure they have some means of self-preservation. A decision can be made later."
Yuan Shi nodded and led the two away from the Taiqing Palace towards Yuqing Peak.
After Yuan Shi departed, Tongtian pouted with some dissatisfaction and said, "Elder Brother, why did Second Brother bring back an old man past sixty? Truly!"
Taishang smiled faintly and said slowly, "Third Brother, one should not judge a person by their appearance! You may also return."
In the Netherworld, Taiyi and his entourage arrived to find Fengdu waiting for them. They were all contemporaries and thus old acquaintances.
Fengdu led them to see Houtu. Houtu nodded and said, "I have now opened the eighteen layers of hell. Since I am appointing you as the eighteen lords, the merit of the Netherworld will be distributed accordingly. However, you must not slacken in your cultivation. If one or two of you can take that step, it will be a blessing to the Great Desolation."
After speaking, Houtu immediately mobilized the power of reincarnation in the Netherworld, and Houtu's voice resonated throughout the Great Desolation.
"Today, due to the moral failings of the spirits born of heaven and earth, I have established the eighteen layers of hell!"
"I hereby appoint Hou Yi, the twelfth Ancestral Witch, as the Lord of the First Hell! He shall command the First Hell and receive the protection of the Netherworld!"
"I hereby appoint Changxi, the Star Lord of Taiyin, as the Lord of the Second Hell! She shall command the Second Hell and receive the protection of the Netherworld!"
Xihe - Third Hell!
Dijiang - Fourth Hell!
...
Taiyi - Fifteenth Hell!
Dijun - Sixteenth Hell!
Yuegui - Seventeenth Hell!
Fusang - Eighteenth Hell!
As Houtu's voice fell, a significant amount of merit descended from the heavens and earth, disappearing into the ground.
In the Huoyun Cave, the Three Sovereigns of the Human Race were awakened from their cultivation by Houtu's voice.
After calculating a divination, Fuxi's expression became extremely grim.
Shennong and Xuanyuan, seeing this, quickly inquired, "Fuxi, what is it?"
Fuxi's expression was exceedingly grim, and he said in a low voice, "The conduct of the Human Race is wanting. These eighteen layers of hell established by Empress Houtu are set for our Human Race!"
Shennong and Xuanyuan's faces also turned grim. After the incident with Yao Ji last time, they had entered seclusion to cultivate and had not paid attention to the affairs of the Human Race. They never expected such a matter to arise!