I will not become the World Honored One until hell is emptied.

Bing E walked side by side with Pei Si and explained to Pei Si the duties of the City God.

There is no training time in the underworld.

Bing E looked at Pei Si, a man from the Later Jin Dynasty, and laughed, "If there were no underworld, ghosts would linger in the human world, and over time, they would grow into monsters."

Pei Si nodded; that was indeed the case in the present world.

With the separation of Yin and Yang, ghost messengers are unable to enter the mortal world.

Bing E continued:

"When a person's lifespan in the mortal world is about to end, the ghost messengers or the local earth god will summon their soul to the City God Temple to report. We are responsible for the initial review, first registering the good and evil deeds of the deceased, then checking the Book of Life and Death, and finally sending the deceased to the underworld for further judgment."

Pei Si suddenly had a strange thought and asked, "Our human race has a netherworld to manage the souls of the dead, so do demons have a corresponding underworld to manage them?"

Bing E nodded and said, "Reincarnation is a natural law, just as the sun shines eternally during the day and the moon shines eternally at night. Demons and monsters are also managed by the underworld."

"Didn't you see that the Underworld is currently preparing its armor and weapons, and promoting several Underworld generals and commanders?"

"There are rumors that a major battle is about to break out."

"The target is the demon underworld."

Upon hearing this, Pei Si felt a chill run down his spine.

It turned out to be the case.

He usually slayed demons and monsters. Before he mastered the Taoist arts that could devour the souls of demons and monsters, he had never seen any demon soul-reaping messengers come after he killed a demon.

If we deduce, the human race should have won this war between the underworlds.

Bing E continued, "As the City God, in addition to the initial examination of the deceased, you must also check the good deeds, evil deeds, vows, and oaths of all the living people in your jurisdiction. You can send your subordinates to patrol and report. This is especially important, as it will directly affect the fortunes of the living in the mortal world, their rewards and punishments after death, and the quality of their reincarnation."

Pei Si nodded. This was how good and evil were monitored within the territory, and merits and demerits were recorded. It was the same as the talismans granted by the Daoist court that automatically recorded the merits of those who held the talismans.

"The third point is to protect the city and safeguard the people."

When a city's inhabitants suffer from disasters, plagues, evil spirits, or other major upheavals, the City God will mobilize his ghostly soldiers to protect the city. The people will also come to the City God's temple to pray for blessings.

Pei Si: "Great disasters are always followed by great chaos, and demons are likely to emerge."

Bing E nodded. "Indeed, the city under my jurisdiction once suffered a severe drought. Many people starved to death, and the people within the territory were filled with despair. Countless emotions of despair gathered together and bred a demon, which took a great deal of effort to kill."

"Then, we must act impartially. If the government in the mortal world cannot handle something, then we, the City God, must handle it. If a living person comes to the City God Temple to file a complaint in the underworld, after investigating the cause, we can punish the wicked and shorten their lifespan."

Evil begets evil, and good begets good. For the virtuous, blessings and longevity will be added, and their homes will be protected and safe.

Bing E didn't stop for a moment, and continued, "If any evil spirits or ghosts linger in the mortal realm, arrest them immediately and lock them up in prison. They must not be allowed to wreak havoc on the human world."

Anyone who disturbs the living shall be executed on the spot to uphold the dignity of the underworld.

Pei Si hummed in agreement.

The City God is equivalent to a county magistrate in the mortal world, and also a local governor overseeing a hundred miles of land, but he is in charge of the spirits of the dead.

The concept of City God has a long history. After the Zhu family emperors ascended the throne in the previous era, they widely bestowed titles upon City Gods and divided them into several ranks according to different administrative levels.

The City God also served as the official in charge of the imperial examinations.

Scholars must pay homage before taking the imperial examination and after becoming officials.

"Last and most importantly, the City God also receives the incense offerings and sacrifices from the mortal world and conveys the people's wishes to the Heavenly Court." Bing E's mouth was dry from speaking, and Pei Si appropriately handed him a bowl of iced drink.

Bing was disgusted by this.

When I heard the word "Heavenly Court".

Pei Si narrowed his eyes.

This world has people, demons, monsters, ghosts, and the underworld, so it should also have gods!

However, in his time, there was no news of the Heavenly Court.

The Heavenly Court seems to have vanished.

Another unsolved mystery.

What exactly happened in these four ancient times?

Pei Si had no choice but to ask, "Are there any celestial officials from the Heavenly Court currently overseeing the Underworld?"

Yes, there is.

"The Heavenly Official is honored as the Three-Eyed Wondrous Dao God, who oversees all beings to embody the Great Dao, controls the Underworld and judges the human world, and is also the superior of us City Gods. He is respectfully called the Supreme City God and Earth God of the World, who commands all City Gods and Earth Gods of the world, and also controls the troops of the Yin-Yang Division of the Three Realms and Nine Provinces."

Pei Si became increasingly alarmed as he listened.

Three eyes, wondrous path.

He is in charge of judging the underworld and the human world, overseeing all the city gods and land gods under heaven, and controlling the troops of the Yin and Yang departments of the Three Realms and Nine Provinces.

The more I listen to this, the more it sounds like that Qingyuan Miaodao Zhenjun.

"Don't even think about it. City Gods of our rank are not qualified to meet this celestial official at all," Bing E said with a smile, seemingly seeing through Pei Si's thoughts.

To be honest, Pei Si really wanted to meet this celestial official.

No, he should be called the Three-Eyed Mystic Dao Lord. Use the Rotten Chessboard on him. I wonder what kind of immortal techniques he can master?

"I wonder what kind of background that Shixiu, who has attained the Bodhisattva level, has?" Pei Si asked curiously.

"I truly do not know this. I have only heard that this person was extraordinary, and thus attained the Bodhisattva level in one step from the position of a monk."

"But after attaining the Bodhisattva level, he was directly required to enter the underworld, and it was Xiang Kuai, the Ghost King of the Ten Directions of the Underworld, who personally went to receive him," Bing E said with emotion.

Pei Si was completely bewildered. What was the Ten Directions Ghost King?

He was completely dumbfounded. Bing E had no choice but to explain.

"The Ten Directions Ghost Kings are special beings in the underworld."

After the establishment of the order of the underworld, ten powerful spirits were granted titles and cultivated into Ghost Kings, wielding a special power known as Ghost King Power.

These ten ghost kings roam the underworld, specifically tasked with capturing powerful evil spirits that have escaped from the clutches of the netherworld.

At this point, Bing E's face was filled with emotion. "Comparison is the thief of joy," he thought. "That Buddhist monk was personally greeted by the Ghost King. He and Pei Si, on the other hand, were summoned directly by a minor official."

"Hurry up, if we're late we'll only be able to listen outside that Bodhisattva's temple. Let's go and grab a good spot first," Bing E said hastily, urging them on.

Pei Si followed closely behind Bing E.

There are more and more people.

Fortunately, Pei Si and the others arrived early enough.

"We've arrived," Bing E said in a low voice.

A floating island lay before them.

Bing E patted Pei Si on the back and said, "Since we're already here, let's go see the true face of that Bodhisattva."

The two stepped onto the teleportation array.

There was a faint scent of grass in the air, and golden kerria flowers bloomed all over the island, making it feel like being in a sea of ​​yellow flowers.

A gentle breeze blows, and the Cyclocarya paliurus planted on the island sways slightly.

People had already arrived early at the temple and were waiting. They sat cross-legged on the prayer cushions.

The Bodhisattva has not yet appeared.

Pei Si and Bing E sat side by side, chatting idly.

More and more people gathered in the temple, and the empty prayer cushions were all occupied.

In the blink of an eye.

Solemn chanting echoed through the temple.

A round-faced A compassionate and serene monk, with his gaze slightly lowered and his expression gentle and merciful, stepped forward.

He wore a Vairocana hat on his head, held a tin staff in his right hand, and held a jewel that shone with flames in his left hand.

Beside him followed a strange beast.

The beast was also quite remarkable in appearance. It had a single horn, dog ears, a dragon's body, tiger claws, and a lion's tail, with a faint aura flowing around its massive body.

The Bodhisattva took his seat and said with a smile, "Fellow practitioners, today, this humble monk will speak about the Dharma of Buddhism."

As he finished speaking, the Bodhisattva began to expound the Dharma while striking a wooden fish.

Those around him listened intently, nodding repeatedly. It was unclear whether they truly understood or were simply pretending.

Anyway, Pei Si didn't understand.

Pei Si thought to himself, "Perhaps I am not destined to be with Buddhism."

"That old bald monk Wu Jing is definitely lying to me."

Pei Si breathed a sigh of relief.

If he had listened to Wu Jing's advice and switched to Buddhism, he might be lying in a coffin somewhere by now.

Unwittingly, Pei Si exchanged a glance with the Bodhisattva, then looked away.

"Strange, when I look into his eyes, I feel as if my body and soul have been seen through," Pei Si thought to himself.

This Bodhisattva is truly extraordinary.

I wonder what this Bodhisattva would feel if he saw the situation at Da Luo Guo Temple?

The Bodhisattva spoke at length, and Pei Si strained his mind, trying to glean some meaning from it, but he couldn't understand a word he was saying.

"Sigh, perhaps I should be a monk," Pei Si murmured to himself.

If practicing Qi cultivation can become a profession, then why can't monks do the same?

At that time, a paper effigy of a spirit will be created, and it will be used to cultivate Buddhist practices.

Having multiple avenues seems like a good idea.

Pei Si began to make plans in his mind.

Suddenly, the Bodhisattva stopped preaching the Dharma, his gaze filled with compassion, and his voice resounded throughout the underworld, attracting countless gazes to watch him simultaneously.

"Only after all sentient beings have been liberated can one attain enlightenment."

"I will not become the World Honored One until hell is emptied!"

The Bodhisattva made a great vow.

Pei Si's pupils suddenly contracted.

Are you kidding me!

What did he just hear?!

I vow not to become a Buddha until hell is emptied!

Could this Bodhisattva be the Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva he knew in his previous life?!

Pei Si stared intently at the strange beast beside the Bodhisattva.

It has a single horn, dog ears, a dragon's body, tiger claws, and a lion's tail.

This is Di Ting!

Pei Si read Journey to the West quite a bit in his previous life. Who wasn't fascinated by the Monkey King when they were young?

Therefore, Pei Si read the original Journey to the West.

The Di Ting (谛听) possesses great supernatural powers. By prostrating itself and listening, it can hear the four continents, heaven and earth, humans and ghosts, and the past and future. It can also discern good from evil, perceive the wise from the foolish, distinguish truth from falsehood, and right from wrong. It can hear the voiceless and know thoughts, conspiracies, and grievances.

Yes, yes, the kerria flowers in this temple are also known as the flowers of Ksitigarbha.

According to legend, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva was a prince of Silla during the Tang Dynasty, named Kim Gyo-gak, who was later revered as Kim Ksitigarbha. He was accompanied by a white dog.

After Kim Gyo-gak passed away, he was regarded as an incarnation of Ksitigarbha, and the white dog beside him was also deified and became Di Ting.

Why did Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva make the great vow that he would not become a Buddha until the hells were emptied?

Pei Si knew a thing or two.

The reason is ancient, involving Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva before he attained the Bodhisattva fruition.

In one of her lives, the Bodhisattva was a woman named Guangmu. Her mother, driven by greed, killed living beings and fell into hell after death. To save her mother, she vowed to liberate all suffering beings in hell and attain Buddhahood herself. In another life, she was a Brahmin woman who, to save her mother from hell, made extensive offerings and ultimately fulfilled her great vow.

Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva possesses supreme compassion that transcends the duality of self and others.

One theory suggests that hell is the result of the evil karma of sentient beings. Bodhisattvas, unable to bear the suffering of sentient beings, take on the responsibility of liberating those in the netherworld and relieving them of their suffering. Attaining Buddhahood is the highest attainment in spiritual practice.

However, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed not to attain Buddhahood until he had achieved it. As long as there is even one person in hell who has not been liberated, he will never attain perfect Buddhahood. Through countless eons, he manifests in the ten directions to continuously save sentient beings and fulfill his vow.

Pei Si felt dizzy and disoriented. Could it be that this Azure Heaven was actually one of the Ten Directions World?

Is the Bodhisattva before us one of the incarnations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?

Pei Si had too many questions in his mind.

Two pairs of eyes simultaneously noticed Pei Si.

A warning bell rang in Pei Si's heart.

The sounds around me and the surrounding world disappeared.

Only the Bodhisattva in front of him and the "Di Ting" remained.

Di Ting pressed its ear to the ground, and in that instant, Pei Si felt as if he were a blank sheet of paper exposed to the other's eyes, from the inside out.

The Bodhisattva looked at Pei Si, her voice carrying a reassuring quality.

"Cultivators of later generations need not panic," the Bodhisattva said softly.

Pei Si bowed, a perfectly timed look of bewilderment flashing in his eyes. "Bodhisattva, how should I address you?"

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"

The Bodhisattva neither agreed nor disagreed, saying, "Do as you please."

"You are the most important person."

The Bodhisattva pointed at Pei Si.

Pei Si pointed to himself: "Me?"

"Your arrival here proves that the time has come." The Bodhisattva spoke with a hidden meaning.

"What is the opportune moment that the Bodhisattva spoke of?" Pei Si's gaze suddenly sharpened; he was unwilling to be the riddle-maker.

"Corpse Immortal," the Bodhisattva uttered.

Corpse Immortal!

"The King of the Corpses, an eternal enemy entrenched at the end of the path of seekers of the Dharma," Pei Si said coldly.

"Yes, they are very difficult to kill," the Bodhisattva remarked.

Pei Si felt a slight sense of unease.

Although there is no Taoist court in this era, there is a Heavenly Court!

Even the Heavenly Court can't do anything about the Corpse Immortal?

"Corpse Immortals are not immortal; there are even higher beings above them," the Bodhisattva said succinctly.

Pei Si: "The Corpse Immortal is merely a pawn crossing the river for those in higher positions?"

The Bodhisattva nodded and said, "Leaving aside those high-ranking beings, even a Corpse Immortal can be killed."

"What method?" Pei Si narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping the air.

"Only by simultaneously slaying it in the past, present, and future can it be completely eradicated," the Bodhisattva said calmly.

Pei Si: "Me... to slay the Corpse Immortal?"

"That's right."

Pei Si took a deep breath, seemingly accepting the outcome quickly.

"I am the present, then who is the future?" Pei Si asked.

The Bodhisattva shook his head and said, "No, I am the present, and you are the future."

"I am the future?" Pei Si nodded and said, "Okay, I am the future."

"When and where?"

"With my current cultivation level, I'm afraid I'm not qualified," Pei Si said.

Unless he was drunk and went to cause trouble for the Corpse Immortal?

Any one of the Corpse Immortal's magic corpses could crush him into dust.

"No need to be nervous, just let things take their course."

"At that time, you will be the one to initiate the war of cause and effect."

"Then how should we contact them?" Pei Si asked, his hands tucked into his sleeves, already composed.

The Bodhisattva gently touched Pei Si's brow, and a ray of light entered his brow.

"This item is called the Three Lifetimes and Ten Directions Decree. When you initiate the war of cause and effect, this item will be awakened and linked to the time in which I exist."

"That will be the time when the Corpse Immortal is destroyed."

However, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva vowed not to attain Buddhahood until he had achieved it. As long as there is even one person in hell who has not been liberated, he will never attain perfect Buddhahood. Through countless eons, he manifests in the ten directions to continuously save sentient beings and fulfill his vow.

Pei Si felt dizzy and disoriented. Could it be that this Azure Heaven was actually one of the Ten Directions World?

Is the Bodhisattva before us one of the incarnations of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?

Pei Si had too many questions in his mind.

Two pairs of eyes simultaneously noticed Pei Si.

A warning bell rang in Pei Si's heart.

The sounds around me and the surrounding world disappeared.

Only the Bodhisattva in front of him and the "Di Ting" remained.

Di Ting pressed its ear to the ground, and in that instant, Pei Si felt as if he were a blank sheet of paper exposed to the other's eyes, from the inside out.

The Bodhisattva looked at Pei Si, her voice carrying a reassuring quality.

"Cultivators of later generations need not panic," the Bodhisattva said softly.

Pei Si bowed, a perfectly timed look of bewilderment flashing in his eyes. "Bodhisattva, how should I address you?"

"Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva?"

The Bodhisattva neither agreed nor disagreed, saying, "Do as you please."

"You are the most important person."

The Bodhisattva pointed at Pei Si.

Pei Si pointed to himself: "Me?"

"Your arrival here proves that the time has come." The Bodhisattva spoke with a hidden meaning.

"What is the opportune moment that the Bodhisattva spoke of?" Pei Si's gaze suddenly sharpened; he was unwilling to be the riddle-maker.

"Corpse Immortal," the Bodhisattva uttered.

Corpse Immortal!

"The King of the Corpses, an eternal enemy entrenched at the end of the path of seekers of the Dharma," Pei Si said coldly.

"Yes, they are very difficult to kill," the Bodhisattva remarked.

Pei Si felt a slight sense of unease.

Although there is no Taoist court in this era, there is a Heavenly Court!

Even the Heavenly Court can't do anything about the Corpse Immortal?

"Corpse Immortals are not immortal; there are even higher beings above them," the Bodhisattva said succinctly.

Pei Si: "The Corpse Immortal is merely a pawn crossing the river for those in higher positions?"

The Bodhisattva nodded and said, "Leaving aside those high-ranking beings, even a Corpse Immortal can be killed."

"What method?" Pei Si narrowed his eyes, his fingers unconsciously tapping the air.

"Only by simultaneously slaying it in the past, present, and future can it be completely eradicated," the Bodhisattva said calmly.

Pei Si: "Me... to slay the Corpse Immortal?"

"That's right."

Pei Si took a deep breath, seemingly accepting the outcome quickly.

"I am the present, then who is the future?" Pei Si asked.

The Bodhisattva shook his head and said, "No, I am the present, and you are the future."

"I am the future?" Pei Si nodded and said, "Okay, I am the future."

"When and where?"

"With my current cultivation level, I'm afraid I'm not qualified," Pei Si said.

Unless he was drunk and went to cause trouble for the Corpse Immortal?

Any one of the Corpse Immortal's magic corpses could crush him into dust.

"No need to be nervous, just let things take their course."

"At that time, you will be the one to initiate the war of cause and effect."

"Then how should we contact them?" Pei Si asked, his hands tucked into his sleeves, already composed.

The Bodhisattva gently touched Pei Si's brow, and a ray of light entered his brow.

"This item is called the Three Lifetimes and Ten Directions Decree. When you initiate the war of cause and effect, this item will be awakened and linked to the time in which I exist."

"That will be the time when the Corpse Immortal is destroyed."