Shrouding the Heavens: The Ultimate Daoist Venerable

Chapter 377: The Underworld Appears
After attaining enlightenment, Emperor Sansheng did not immediately go into seclusion, nor did he begin touring the universe. Instead, he went directly to the underworld.

Similar to Ying Shenxiao, the Immortal Saint Emperor, and the Azure Heaven Overlord, the Three-Life Emperor has already used the Elixir of Immortality and the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill, so he only has one lifetime left in the mortal realm.

In terms of physique, although he had been modified by the Netherworld Scripture, which improved his physique, he was not a spirit of the ancient corpse, nor was he as compatible with the scripture as the Netherworld Emperor. Therefore, his physique was obviously inferior to that of Ying Shenxiao, the Immortal Saint Emperor, and the Azure Heaven Overlord Emperor.

Even though the Celestial Venerable of Annihilation was a mortal, his Annihilation Heavenly Art broke through again due to his reincarnation, so his physique was slightly stronger than that of the Three-Life Emperor.

As for his personal path and methods, although he obtained the inheritance of the underworld, which allowed him to advance further, he was still not as good as the Heavenly Venerable of Nirvana and the Divine Lord of Heroes.

Therefore, the lifespan of the Three-Life Emperor might be slightly longer than that of ordinary enlightened beings, but it could not possibly compare to that of the Celestial Venerable of Nirvana. According to the Three-Life Emperor's own estimation, his lifespan was estimated to be around 15,000 years.

As for reversing the course of life and prolonging life, that's even more difficult than ascending to heaven. If the Elixir of Immortality and the Nine-Turn Immortal Pill could still work, he would be confident that he could comprehend the method of reversing life from the Netherworld Scripture, but he clearly doesn't have that time now.

Therefore, the Three-Life Emperor felt a great sense of urgency. He would probably only exist in the mortal realm for a maximum of ten thousand years, like the previous ones, so he had to accumulate as much as possible during this time to prepare for his arduous cultivation in the strange world.

For him now, the Underworld is clearly the best place for seclusion, as it is most suitable for him in terms of Taoist techniques, environment, and laws.

The Three-Life Emperor arrived outside the Underworld. With the help of the Underworld Scripture's aura, the gradually thickening world barrier did not repel him in the slightest.

Upon entering the underworld, the Three-Life Emperor saw that the Underworld Emperor had been waiting for him for a long time.

The Underworld Emperor cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Sansheng, I have been waiting for you for a long time. I did not expect that your first stop after attaining enlightenment would be the Underworld. It is truly an honor for my humble abode."

The Three Lives Emperor cupped his hands and said, "Fellow Daoist Underworld Emperor, you jest. My success today is firstly due to the Supreme Heavenly Venerable Wuji, and secondly, isn't it also thanks to you? Moreover, Fellow Daoist Underworld Emperor's cultivation is now far beyond my reach, so why belittle me like this?"

The Underworld Emperor laughed and said, "Old friends change easily, yet people say that old friends are fickle. We haven't seen each other for many years, and I'm not sure if you're still the same person you were back then. I think you must still have things to do, so I'll take my leave now. Remember to come to the Underworld Emperor's Palace after you've finished your personal matters."

Emperor Sansheng said, "Then we'll see you later."

The Underworld Emperor concealed his form and disappeared into the depths of the Underworld, while the Three Lives Supreme went straight to the vicinity of the Three Lives Palace.

The reason he came to the underworld so quickly was because his clan had been relocated there long ago when he joined the underworld.

After all, his clan was just a small one, and being able to cultivate in a treasure land like the Underworld was a great benefit.

Now, after countless millennia, his people still live in peace and prosperity, their fortunes rising ever higher. Clearly, the Underworld Emperor must have given them special favor. Otherwise, given the strength of his people, it would be difficult for them to occupy such a prime location in the Underworld.

Therefore, the Three-Life Emperor couldn't help but feel grateful to the Underworld Emperor.

Thus, Emperor Sansheng began to leave behind a legacy within his clan and set up his own imperial array patterns. As for the legendary imperial weapon, he has not yet begun to forge it.

After completing these tasks, the Three Lives Emperor arrived at the Underworld Emperor's Palace. Following the Underworld Emperor's aura, he reached the core of the Underworld, looked at the two Lakes of Reincarnation before him, and felt a surge of emotion.

This treasure land from the Underworld Lord dazzled him. Although it wasn't the first time he had seen it, the Three-Life Emperor was still captivated by it and couldn't extricate himself.

The Underworld Emperor said, "Fellow Daoist Sansheng, I have a favor to ask of you." He replied, "Fellow Daoist Underworld Emperor, please speak frankly. If I can do it, I will not refuse."

The Underworld Emperor sat before him and said, "I hope that you, fellow Daoist, will join me in establishing your residence in the Underworld, so that this realm may truly appear in the human universe."

In the past, the Underworld Emperor had always been very restrained in keeping the Underworld partially hidden, and only a few cultivators knew of its existence.

Now, the Underworld has reached a bottleneck in its development. It needs to introduce some fresh blood and engage in trade and other exchanges with the outside world in order to better develop the Underworld.

After a moment's thought, the Three Lives Emperor said, "Fellow Daoist Underworld Emperor can also do this, so why make me do it?"

The Underworld Emperor sighed, "Although the mythological era has passed and the scourge of corpses has long since disappeared into the river of history, the reputation of my Underworld is still not very good. After all, I also come from that era, and it is difficult for people to trust me."

“Fellow Daoist Sansheng, you have an innocent background and have even participated in the operation to wipe out the forbidden zones. You are more suitable than me to serve as a figurehead to wash away the infamy of the Underworld.”

"Of course, if you are in a difficult situation now, then just pretend I didn't say anything. This underworld is still your home, and you can freely cultivate in seclusion here."

The Three Lives Emperor laughed and said, "Fellow Daoist Underworld Emperor, this is nothing to worry about at this moment. I accept."

The two exchanged a smile and then began their collaboration.

Then, Emperor Sansheng began his busy life.

He not only had to go into seclusion to cultivate and perfect his own path, but also had to study all the scriptures and master all the traditions in the underworld. Moreover, he also had to represent the underworld in dealings with the outside world and completely whitewash the underworld's reputation.

Finally, he even took the time to forge an ultimate imperial weapon for his clansmen.

However, this part is much easier, as with the help of the Underworld Emperor, there is no shortage of materials and suitable places for refining weapons.

Outside the mortal realm, these events naturally caused turmoil in the human universe. Keep in mind, this is the Underworld, a powerful force renowned since the mythological era. Although its infamy is notorious, it is indeed known to all.

Although after all these long years, the memories of the underworld among all living beings in the universe have become very vague, the words "corpse calamity" are enough to make most cultivators in the universe wary.

The Three-Life Emperor, this new emperor at the time actually joined the underworld. Could it be that a great calamity is about to be born in the human world?

However, their doubts were quickly dispelled. The underworld and the netherworld are now incredibly peaceful, and the spread of all evil magic is strictly limited.

Although the underworld possesses immense power, it has no desire for expansion and simply engages in trade and exchange with the outside world.

With the guarantee and promotion of the Three Lives Emperor, the name of the Underworld has been largely whitewashed, and it has become another transcendent power in the universe after the Kunlun Clan of Kunlun Immortal Mountain.

Thus, imperceptibly, the authority and influence of the Undying Divine Dynasty declined significantly once again. Although the Heavenly Emperor's son was unwilling, he understood that as long as he did not attain enlightenment, the Divine Dynasty was bound to decline, so he could only shrink his sphere of influence. As a result, large swathes of the universe declared independence.

(End of this chapter)