Xuanqing returned to the Netherworld.

He pushed open the gates of the Taisha Heavenly Palace, walking amidst the vast Universe.

The ethereal sounds of chanting came from all directions.

"Dao speaks: In the Primordial Blue Heaven, a serene void sings, the Great Fuli Soil. Received by Primordial Salvation, Infinite High Grade, Yuanshi Tianzun, it was stated to be the scripture."

"After completing ten cycles, to summon from ten directions, one should initially visit the seat. The Heavenly True God, Supreme Venerable, the Wandering True Master, the untold masses..."

Hell worlds shone like dazzling ancient stars, today the inmates were especially quiet.

They all sat in meditation, reciting scriptures, and enjoying the hell's meal.

Upon seeing Xuanqing's arrival, the inmates were greatly spirited.

"Sect Hierarch!"

Led by the chief elder brother of the Outer Sect, Fu Zhu, divine light drifted in the hells.

This cry of "Sect Hierarch" was uniform and neat, respectful and polite, with joyful submission.

They were no longer insincere as before.

"Have you all thought it through?"

Xuanqing surveyed the hells, his gaze clean and calm, free of any oppressiveness, sweeping over each divine being.

"We have thought it through!"

Meng Huai, the second disciple of the Outer Sect, materialized in hell, respectfully bowing to Xuanqing.

"Disciple and others were previously mistaken, all thanks to the Sect Hierarch's broad-mindedness and tolerance."

"Now after discussion, we all sincerely wish to pledge allegiance under the Sect Hierarch, to become true Outer Sect disciples of the Chan Sect!"

Ending his speech, Meng Huai immediately prostrated in the void, leading everyone to perform the grand ritual of three kneels and nine bows to Xuanqing.

"No need for such formalities, our Chan Sect does not have this custom," Xuanqing raised his hand lifting everyone up, smiling lightly: "A simple bow will suffice."

"Yes!" The Outer Sect disciples readily agreed, bowing in respect.

Xuanqing nodded slightly, turning his gaze towards the chief elder brother Fu Zhu of the Outer Sect.

"Was this conversion prompted by Meng Huai?"

Upon hearing this, Meng Huai hurriedly interjected, stamping his foot: "Sect Hierarch, it's not my credit, not my credit!"

Fu Zhu glanced at Meng Huai, his lips curling into a smirk, serves you right for causing unnecessary trouble, now the Sect Hierarch remembers you.

Fu Zhu looked towards Xuanqing and answered truthfully, "Replying to the Sect Hierarch, this matter was promoted by Meng Huai, but everyone clearly knew their choices and it wasn't entirely due to his incitement."

After the establishment of the Demon Sect and the battle between immortals and demons, aside from a few stubborn individuals, the inmates of the Outer Universe were genuinely convinced by Xuanqing, recognizing him as their Sect Hierarch.

Even without Meng Huai's persuasion, everyone would likely make the same choice soon after.

It was only that Meng Huai's involvement brought forward the decision of the Outer Sect disciples.

Moreover, Meng Huai, by his demonstration of Dao Fruit, convinced the last few stubborn individuals.

That led to the scene where all gods of the Outer Universe chose to convert.

Indeed, even at this point, Meng Huai was still performing, only this time, his "performance" benefited the Chan Sect.

And of course, himself as well.

This "persuasion of demons to convert" act alone would earn him substantial rewards from the Dao of Performance.

"This young man is a great talent!"

Xuanqing watched Meng Huai, nodding lightly.

"Now, I declare, you are free!"

Unlike the disciples of the Inner Sect who chose to transcend in secrecy, the disciples of the Outer Universe studied the "Great Demon Black Law Spiritual Book", choosing to embrace the Demon Path, becoming Trial Demons.

Compared to the Netherworld Ghost Gods or the Da Luo Heavenly Immortals, the path of a Demon King seemed more suited for these fellows.

No matter what, these Outer Sect disciples had truly pledged allegiance under Xuanqing's guidance.

According to the previous rules, he would fulfill his promise, no longer restraining the gods of the Outer Universe.

However, to Xuanqing's surprise, when the Outer Sect disciples heard they were free, they didn't cheer loudly, nor were they eager to leave Hell.

Instead, they hesitated, dawdling, reluctant to leave.

Xuanqing joked, "What, have you gotten used to living in Netherworld Hell?"

"Sect Hierarch, no kidding, but really no kidding."

The disciples laughed, "Ever since you reduced our penalties last time, we've been increasingly comfortable living here."

In the Iron Tree Hell, a disciple who heard he could be free felt somewhat lost: "For these billions of years, we've been living in hell, struggling against it, and now suddenly being freed, it feels like something's missing."

"Exactly, exactly! Thinking about going out, I lack these hardships, and feel somewhat uneasy," a disciple transformed into a Demon King in the Red Lotus Hell, even displaying a dignified aura.

In the Ice Mountain Hell, a disciple wearing shackles stepped out from the ice mountains.

He candidly told Xuanqing, "Now that we have converted, the shackles in our hearts have been removed, wearing these physical ones does no harm, consider it as encouragement from the Sect Hierarch, urging us to continue refining ourselves."

In Black Rope Hell, a disciple said, "This hell has become part of our lives; there's no rush to leave."

"It's normal for a Demon King to reside in Hell, right?"

"Right, that's what I think."

"Me too."

"..."

Disciples exchanged words one after another, expressing their reluctance to leave Taisha Heavenly Palace.

In Blood Pool Hell, the chief elder brother of the Outer Sect, Fu Zhu concluded:

"Since we have now converted, the Taisha Heavenly Palace should be the entrance to our Chan Sect, isn't the Outer Universe our address? Our hells are also Grotto Heavens."

"Staying in our own home, what's not free about it?"

"Senior brother is right!" The Outer Sect disciples nodded.

After the shackles in their hearts were removed, everyone's mindset quickly changed.

"In the past, they struggled daily against Hell, seeking to escape and find freedom.

Now, Hell has become their home, the Prison Chief their sincerely acknowledged Sect Hierarch, and all their fellow prisoners have become their fellow sect brothers.

This feeling, it seems quite good too!

Of course, there's another reason: everyone has seen what the outside world is like.

Previously, transformed as Demon Kings and Great Demons, they roamed around a couple of times.

Everyone discovered that our Chan Sect is more interesting!

Moreover, the Sect Hierarch is a Da Luo Supreme, staying in the Heavenly Palace and occasionally listening to the Sect Hierarch's teachings— isn't that much better than wandering around aimlessly?

Therefore, this solidified everyone's decision to continue staying within the 'Mountain Gate,' listening to the teachings of the Sect Hierarch.

'Come, everyone, let's renovate our Grotto Heaven Blessed Land, let the Sect Hierarch see our passion for life, and our love for the Chan Sect!'

Meng Huai stepped out of the Fire Sea Hell, urging everyone to start remodeling their residences.

'Alrighty!'

Thus, the Hell worlds were illuminated with divine light, and the Primordial Qi floated about.

The disciples one after another came out of Hell, undertaking major renovations of their abodes.

After their conversion, Taisha Heavenly Palace granted these followers more permissions.

Not only could they renovate their Grotto Heavens, but they could also adjust the intensity of the Hell punishments.

Yes, these Outer Sect followers, while renovating the Grotto Heaven Blessed Lands, retained the Hell punishments.

'It turns out the suppression ability of the Iron Tree Hell can be enhanced, no wonder the Sect Hierarch is never afraid of us escaping.'

'Oh my Pangu God, the Tongue-Pulling Hell wasn't activated? There are actually three more levels of punishment behind, the Sect Hierarch is truly merciful!'

'The difficulty of the Stone Mill Hell can still be raised! I've always wanted to try the high-difficulty punishments, but was too afraid. Now, I can enjoy myself.'

'The Great Dao is hard to seek, these punishments will inspire me to move forward.'

After gaining control over Hell, each of them was extremely excited and enthusiastic.

[Outer Sect Senior Brother] Fu Zhu said, 'Since we've reincarnated as Trial Demons to test the Dao for all beings, it wouldn't make sense for us to choose to slack off ourselves.'

'Senior Brother is right!' the followers nodded.

[Outer Sect Second Senior Brother] Meng Huai continued, 'The Sect Hierarch said: Demons are for temperance!'

'I think, we demons of the Demon Sect, not only have to shoulder the mission to temper all beings but also must constantly temper ourselves, to help ourselves grow!'

'Otherwise, how can as Great Demons of All Heavens undertake the heavy task of tempering all beings?'

'How can we live up to the teachings and cultivation of the Sect Hierarch?'

Hearing this, the Outer Sect followers clapped and laughed in agreement.

'Second Senior Brother is right!'

'We Great Demons want to temper all beings; we must first temper ourselves!'

'Sect Hierarch, go about your tasks, we are starting our cultivation!'

After ardently remodeling Hell, they couldn't wait to start their own closed-door cultivation.

'Great Cold Hell, increase the punishment, add punishment!'

'Volcano Hell, add fire!'

'Saw Hell, fourth form, activate!'

One Hell after another started to operate again.

'This is your passion for life? Your love for the Chan Sect?' Xuanqing twitched his lips, watching each disciple, feeling something was amiss.

Xuanqing had already reduced their sentences, and now they had also been liberated, but after the demons changed their way of thinking, their level of enlightenment was extraordinarily high.

They lingered in the memories of Hell punishments.

Not wanting to leave was one thing, but they even voluntarily increased their own punishments!

'Above the Three Realms, the expansive Da Luo. Without the root of delusion, the clouds are towering. Only Primordial, the home of calamities. Educating all heavens, governing all demons...'

The sonorous chanting entered the Inner Universe.

Guang Chengzi, who was preaching in the C Universe, led his junior disciples to come.

Seeing such a scene, they were also astonished.

'Isn't it, after these Outer Sect Disciples converted, their enlightenment became so high?'

'It makes us Inner Sect seem quite abnormal!'

Chi Jingzi worried about the mental state of the Outer Sect followers.

Indeed, our Chan Sect is mad enough; hardly a few are sane.

However, Inner Sect Senior Brother Guang Chengzi clapped and laughed, 'Very good, the Outer Sect junior brothers truly have a profound realization!'

'What is great liberation? This is great liberation!'

Pointing at those reactivated Hells, Guang Chengzi remarked, 'After the Outer Sect disciples converted, they were not confined to the freedom of this body but aspired for the freedom of this heart, the freedom of the Great Dao.

'With this shift in thought, the Netherworld is Pure Land, Hell is Grotto Heaven, and all punishments are the temperance of the Great Dao.'

'With such followers, why worry that our Chan Sect will not prosper!'

The Inner Sect disciples, looking at these diligent Outer Sect kings, also had to admire, 'It's embarrassing to say, but we didn't have such enlightenment when we transcended.'

'Yes!'

'Why don't we learn from them? If the Outer Sect disciples are so diligent, we of the Inner Sect can't fall behind.' Taiyi suggested, having just returned to Chan Sect for classes and seeing the diligent Outer Sect disciples, he immediately felt a sense of crisis.

Xuanqing looked at the self-abusing Outer Sect disciples, then at the Inner Sect disciples who were preparing to start their own intense cultivation.

He felt deeply moved.

'Really, this Primordial age is unconventional, and my Chan Sect is also unconventional!'

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ps: I have errands to run today, won't be free during the day, the second chapter will be published at either eight or ten in the evening."

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