Chương 179: Leaving the Underworld

The Palace of the Six Paths of Reincarnation.

Fang Yang looked at Houtu Niangniang sitting regally on the throne and felt a pang of regret. After leaving Yinshan, he planned to travel east to Qianxue Mountain to spread his teachings. Unexpectedly, Houtu Niangniang summoned him to the Six Paths of Reincarnation Palace.

"Young friend Fang Yang, you have saved all the evil spirits of the eighteen levels of hell in just a hundred years. I have witnessed your talent. I believe that you will be able to help my underworld resolve its current predicament."

The Goddess Houtu was extremely satisfied with Fang Yang's performance; she needed someone as efficient as Fang Yang as an assistant. As for the methods Fang Yang used, the Goddess Houtu didn't care; she only wanted the result.

"Your Majesty is too kind. Ultimately, it is Your Majesty's leadership that is truly commendable. Only a great figure like Your Majesty is capable of shouldering the responsibility for the future of the Underworld and the Three Realms."

Fang Yang bowed deeply to Houtu Niangniang, his attitude extremely humble.

The more you do, the more mistakes you make; the less you do, the fewer mistakes you make. He does what he can, but he will never take on anything he is not confident he can do.

Is it his responsibility to resolve the predicament of the underworld? No!

He was merely a minor disciple of the Jie Sect; he was not a true descendant of Pangu, much less a representative of the Daoist lineage. He absolutely could not agree to Houtu's words.

Seeing that Fang Yang didn't respond, Houtu Niangniang gave him a deep look.

The Sage disciple before her was vastly different from the other Sage disciples; this Sage disciple was independent. She had deduced Fang Yang's past. The other Sage disciples treated their Sage disciple status like a basic attack, revealing it from time to time, while Fang Yang treated it as his last resort.

Fang Yang's attitude towards life allowed him to survive well in the world even after losing his status as a disciple of a sage.

If Fang Yang were not a disciple of the Tongtian Sect Leader, Houtu Niangniang would have liked to recruit him into the underground faction.

"Young friend, you are too modest. Your abilities are evident to all the great beings of the heavens. I intend to request that you temporarily assume the position of Lord of the Underworld for nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine years. What do you say?"

As Houtu Niangniang spoke, her smile gradually disappeared, and her expression became increasingly solemn.

Upon hearing this, Fang Yang was startled, but his face immediately showed a look of fear.

"Please, Your Majesty, rescind your decree! This junior is of shallow virtue and is not a person of the underworld. I am unworthy of the position of Lord of the Underworld and it is difficult for the ghosts to be convinced."

Fang Yang is not the Jade Emperor. The Jade Emperor has the ambition to become the Holy Heavenly Emperor, but Fang Yang does not. He only wants to be a simple cultivator, and he has no desire to get involved in the karmic entanglements of positions such as Heavenly Emperor or Underworld Emperor.

Moreover, the job that Houtu Niangniang gave him was only a temporary one.

To become the ruler of the underworld for 9, 999 years, he would have to accumulate countless karmic debts. This deal was extremely unprofitable.

Of course, Fang Yang knew that his reasons for refusing were not sufficient, so he continued.

"Your Majesty, Senior Brother Taiyi of the Chan Sect is deeply rooted in virtue, and his character and cultivation are among the best of our generation. I admire Senior Brother Taiyi wholeheartedly. Why don't you appoint Senior Brother Taiyi as the Lord of the Underworld? He will surely be able to reform the Underworld, bring blessings to all the ghosts and spirits there, and create a new era for the Underworld."

Fang Yang looked at Houtu Niangniang with utmost sincerity. When Houtu Niangniang looked at him, he nodded appropriately to express his sincerity.

Houtu Niangniang stared at Fang Yang, speechless at his antics.

No matter what, the Underworld is a world on par with the Heavenly Realm and the Human Realm. Becoming the Underworld Emperor means being respected alongside the Heavenly Emperor and the Human Emperor. Such a great temptation is irresistible, even to a quasi-saint, let alone a Great Luo Golden Immortal.

Unexpectedly, Fang Yang avoided her like the plague, not only regarding her good intentions as a terrible threat, but also trying to push her away to the disciples of the Chan Sect.

She had lived through countless years, seen those who coveted power and profit, and met ambitious people, but she had never seen anyone treat the position of ruler of a realm as a hot potato and pass it on to someone else.

"Young friend Fang Yang, do you know what it means to be the Lord of the Underworld?" Houtu Niangniang spoke slowly, her tone somewhat solemn.

"This position can gather the earth's fortune and comprehend the earth's Dao. With your cultivation, young friend, after ascending to this position, you will reach the Quasi-Saint realm in no more than ten thousand years."

Fang Yang understood, but his face showed even more fear: "Your Majesty's kindness is something I should accept. However, I am used to a carefree life and do not like the constraints of power."

He would never take that position.

By dealing with one of the eighteen levels of hell, he offended a large number of people. But that didn't matter, because the evil spirits of the eighteen levels of hell couldn't do anything to him, and no one dared to confront him about karma.

Once he becomes the ruler of the underworld, most of the underworld will be punished for his sins. After 9, 999 years, the benefits will go to Houtu, while he will bear the blame. Why would he be willing to suffer such a loss?

"It's not that I'm unwilling, but I simply can't get away. I've already dealt with the matters of the eighteen levels of hell and left our sect's teachings in the underworld with my fellow disciples. I've fulfilled Master's decree. I was preparing to return to Jin'ao Island to hand over the decree to Master, and now that Your Highness is here, I'd like to take my leave."

Fang Yang understood that if he rejected Houtu Niangniang, he would have no way to face her again. Rather than that, it was better to withdraw as soon as possible.

Earning merit can be done anywhere. But if he falls into Houtu Niangniang's trap and becomes the ruler of the underworld, he won't even have a place to cry.

After Fang Yang said this, Houtu Niangniang had nothing more to say.

Fang Yang had already brought up the Tongtian Sect Master; what could she do? Besides, she could see that Fang Yang was determined not to become the Lord of the Underworld. Continuing to force him to stay would only make things worse.

Seeing that Houtu Niangniang remained silent, Fang Yang immediately bowed again and said, "Our sect has many affairs to attend to, and it is inconvenient for this junior to stay in the Underworld any longer. Please understand my difficulties, Your Majesty!"

After a long silence, the Goddess Houtu finally sighed softly.

"Very well, young friend, you may go now!"

Fang Yang was neither a being of the underworld nor a member of the Witch Clan. If Fang Yang wanted to leave, she had no reason to force him. However, as Houtu Niangniang watched Fang Yang's departing figure, a strong sense of defeat welled up in her heart.

If she hadn't made that request, Fang Yang would definitely have continued to help the Underworld with its affairs. She's really pushing her luck!

Fang Yang is a disciple of the Jie Sect. Helping her is a favor, not an obligation. If she tries to force the task onto Fang Yang, he will naturally not stay in the Underworld any longer.

After leaving the Underworld, Fang Yang immediately summoned Qian Yao Daojun and the others, announcing his intention to leave. Qian Yao Daojun and the others did not inquire about the reasons; if Fang Yang wanted to leave, he must have his reasons.

This time, Fang Yang didn't take the path of death. He directly opened a portal in time and space, leading Daoist Qianyao and the others to escape from the underworld.