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**Clatter!**
Sensing the threat from the Vajra Demon Pig, the dead no longer dared to linger. Despite the doubts swirling in their minds, they kept silent, fearful of inciting the demon's wrath. Their only thought was to leave the dangerous Underworld snake path as quickly as possible. They knew that falling off the path could lead to a fate worse than death, as the terrifying Yellow Springs River awaited below.
"We're still understaffed," mused the Vajra Demon Pig, rubbing its chin thoughtfully. "Forget it, I'll summon the children to assist. As the jailer of the Underworld, it's too troublesome to manage these evil spirits and undead without subordinates."
Like the Three-Eyed Demon Monkey and other chaotic demon gods, the Vajra Demon Pig had also created its race—the Demon Pig Clan—while guarding Chaos City. Each demon pig possessed an indestructible Vajra body, capable of devouring anything, from copper to iron, and wielded immense strength, making them fearsome warriors that terrified countless enemies.
Much like Zhu Bajie from later generations—who, despite his comedic persona on the journey to retrieve the Buddhist scriptures, was known for his formidable combat skills in Heaven Court, including mastery of the Thirty-Six Transformations of Tiangang—the Demon Pig Clan was a force to be reckoned with. Though Zhu Bajie often appeared ineffective, it was merely because his opponents were mighty.
In no time, the Demon Pig Clan received the Vajra Demon Pig's summons, and their entire race sprang into action.
"The god has ordered us to serve as jailers in the Underworld!"
"The Underworld? What kind of world is that?"
"I'm not sure, but it's said that the City Lord places great importance on it. It's the world where the souls of all living beings go after death. It must be incredibly significant."
"A great opportunity! This is a chance to make a big contribution. Managing the realm of the dead—what an honor!"
"Since it's the god's command, we must obey without question!"
"Pack your bags, everyone—we're heading to the Underworld!"
The Demon Pig Clan bustled with excitement. They prepared for their new duties without hesitation and set off for the Underworld.
**Whoosh, whoosh!**
Under the Vajra Demon Pig's call, the entire clan arrived in the Underworld in an instant. Standing tens of feet tall, clad in black robes, black crowns, and golden armor, they exuded an intense aura of murderous intent. Each demon pig carried various weapons—axes, cables, bows, arrows, swords, and halberds—ready to drive away the evil spirits and undead, ensuring order in the Underworld.
These demon warriors were natural-born jailers, fierce and ruthless, with indestructible Vajra bodies and limitless combat prowess. Many evil spirits were powerless against them.
"Master God," an elder demon pig approached and addressed the Vajra Demon Pig, "The Underworld is vast and desolate. To effectively manage these evil spirits and maintain order, we may need to construct several Underworld cities."
"Build cities? A good idea, but we lack the manpower to do that," the Vajra Demon Pig replied.
"Don't worry," the elder demon pig reassured. "Before coming here, we acquired several engineering robots from the Machine Clan. These robots can build structures at incredible speeds using local materials. With their help, we could erect vast cities in less than three days."
In the past, building cities would have been nearly impossible for the Demon Pig Clan, as they excelled in destruction, not construction. However, their alliance with the Machine Clan allowed them to purchase engineering robots, enabling them to construct numerous buildings wherever they went.
Many races across the heavens and myriad realms utilized such robots, ensuring they could establish infrastructure even in the most remote locations.
"Good, I'll leave this task to you," the Vajra Demon Pig said, nodding in approval.
"Yes, my lord," the elder demon pigs replied before swiftly retreating to begin their work.
A few days later, across the Underworld, cities began to spring up. These Underworld cities housed the evil spirits and undead from various worlds, bringing order and prosperity to the realm of the dead. The Underworld gradually became a well-organized world of its own.
Meanwhile, near the Yellow Springs—the source of the Yellow Springs River—lay a boundless sea of blood known as the Nether Blood Sea. This place exuded endless resentment, killing intent, and the aura of death.
"As expected of the City Lord—how powerful! With just a few gestures, he has opened up an entire Underworld, accommodating the dead from infinite worlds," marveled Luo Hu, who was hiding in the Nether Blood Sea. He could feel the Underworld undergoing massive transformations, becoming something entirely new.
Originally, the spatial laws of the Underworld were weak, allowing saints to come and go as they pleased. But now, with the integration of endless death laws, entering the Underworld without the permission of its overseers had become nearly impossible.
Fortunately, Luo Hu had remained hidden in the Nether Blood Sea when the City Lord began shaping the Underworld. During this time, he had comprehended many laws of death, even integrating his true spirit into the Underworld itself.
In this way, Luo Hu became a creature born of the Underworld, though not a dead soul, giving him the unique ability to enter and exit the Underworld at will.
"I'm on the verge of sanctification. I can't achieve this here; I must leave the Underworld. If I remain, I risk being discovered by those chaotic demon gods," Luo Hu thought to himself, feeling the imminent breakthrough. Witnessing the creation of the Underworld had granted him profound insights into the Dao laws of the Primal Ancient Snake, bringing him close to reaching the realm of a saint.
Although he lacked the primordial purple energy required for sanctification, his newfound understanding allowed him to step into the saintly realm. However, achieving sanctification in the Underworld would cause massive disturbances, potentially revealing his identity and resulting in his expulsion from the realm.
**Whoosh!**
In a flash, Luo Hu vanished from the Underworld, slipping quietly into the heavens and myriad realms, seeking a place where he could achieve sanctification in peace. With his departure, the Nether Blood Sea lost its terrifying guardian.
Immediately, the creatures born in the Nether Blood Sea breathed a collective sigh of relief. The overwhelming presence of the quasi-saint Luo Hu had put them under immense psychological pressure.
"Haha! That monster is finally gone! The Nether Blood Sea is now mine!" a figure in the blood sea laughed triumphantly. It was Patriarch Styx, who had been oppressed by Luo Hu for years, unable to show himself for fear of being crushed with a single finger.
But with Luo Hu gone, Patriarch Styx became the undisputed ruler of the Nether Blood Sea.
"I must refine the Nether Blood Sea as soon as possible and become its true master. That way, even if that damn monster returns, it won't be able to do anything to me," Patriarch Styx resolved, a gleam of determination in his eyes.
Ordinary beings would find it nearly impossible to refine the Nether Blood Sea, but Patriarch Styx was different. Born from the sea itself, he was one with it, making the process of refinement far easier for him than for others.
Once he succeeded, the sea of blood would never dry up, and Patriarch Styx would become immortal, untouchable even by saints.
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