"My junior brother speaks truly. One must be strong oneself to forge iron, and improving one's cultivation is the most important thing,"
After speaking, Shi Jian focused on cultivating his lightning techniques in Guangjiu Residence, no longer intending to leave the eighteenth level of hell.
Lightning techniques were the most刚 (gāng - rigid/hard) and 阳 (yáng - masculine/positive). The Purple Firmament Divine Lightning was created by the Heavenly Dao, and some low-ranking ghost marshals were very afraid of冥雷 (míng léi - nether lightning).
Not only that, but the Yin spirits within Guangjiu Residence fled far away upon seeing the three types of lightning techniques appear, fearing they would be struck and lose their chance at reincarnation.
Because Guangjiu Residence underwent punishment every three days, unlike the other seventeen levels of hell which had punishment once or thrice a day.
Therefore, being able to cultivate lightning techniques with a calm mind meant he didn't need to bother with the affairs of the underworld at all.
If the forces of the Underworld were not so divided, he could have even secretly sneaked into the Heavenly Court to seek guidance on lightning techniques from the Heavenly Venerable of the Nine Heavens' Divine Thunder Manifestation.
"It's not easy to be a ghost marshal in the Underworld these days, having to scheme and plot here. It would be better to catch ghosts in the mortal world for a good thrill."
After dissuading Shi Jian, Daoist Master Qianhe patrolled Guangjiu Residence, harboring a desire to become a Soul Reaper.
However, the Soul Reapers were guarded by the four ghost immortals: Black and White Impermanence, and Ox-Head and Horse-Face.
If he went, he could only be a minor ghost marshal, cooperating with the four Yin commanders in apprehending souls. It would be more enjoyable to be a head ghost marshal in the eighteenth level of hell.
"Currently, my strength is at its peak, and it is already a blessing to have reached Ghost Immortal. It is better to assist Senior Brother in managing the Underworld."
Beside him, Daoist Master Qianhe's strength could not advance further, so he gave up the idea of cultivation and attended to the trivial matters of Guangjiu Residence.
Some of the souls judged by the Ten Kings of Hell were punished and sent to the eighteenth level of hell, so every so often, thousands of souls would arrive at the eighteenth level of hell.
It was inevitable that the King of Wheel Turning, King Chujiang, and King Biancheng would seize the opportunity to cause trouble.
Time flowed by, and Shi Jian continuously honed the three lightning techniques in Guangjiu Residence.
Until the Extinction Purple Lightning, the Evil-Smiting Divine Lightning, and the Wutu Nether Lightning all reached the ninth level, and his cultivation realm broke through from Celestial Immortal to the late stage of Golden Immortal, he stopped cultivating.
"The Purple Firmament Divine Lightning is truly a good thing. To break through realms quickly, one must rely on Heavenly Dao merit."
Unfortunately, Shi Jian, as a judge, gained very little merit each day. It was almost impossible to break through realms. With only the meager Heavenly Dao merit, it might take thousands of years to break through to Profound Immortal.
Another method was to cultivate techniques like the Eighty-Nine Arcane Arts.
"I must find some way to obtain Heavenly Dao merit!"
Shi Jian's mind raced. Heavenly Dao merit was something that could be met by chance but not sought.
The Ten Kings of Hell in the Underworld all relied on processing souls for reincarnation and maintaining order between the human and ghost realms. The Heavenly Dao would regularly bestow merit as a reward to the Yin officials.
This way, the Ten Kings of Hell accumulated Heavenly Dao merit over time, reaching the cultivation of Grand Unity Golden Immortal, which showed how valuable Heavenly Dao merit was.
In the Three Realms, only the official positions in the Underworld could stably obtain some merit each day.
Beyond that, it was extremely difficult to obtain more merit.
"After such a long time, I've only accumulated a few hundred merit, not even enough to fill the gaps in my teeth."
With a flash of inspiration, Shi Jian thought of a good method in his mind.
Buddhism came to the Underworld to convert souls, primarily for Heavenly Dao merit.
If he, along with Daoist Master Qianhe, educated the Yin spirits in the eighteenth level of hell, wouldn't they also obtain Heavenly Dao merit?
"This method is most likely feasible. If the Buddhist sect can convert souls, our Taoist sect can also educate souls to gain Heavenly Dao merit."
Having made up his mind, Shi Jian found Qianhe and told him his thoughts.
Moreover, he felt that Guangjiu Residence had hundreds of millions of Yin spirits, and it was impossible for one person to educate so many souls. He needed to bring Qianhe and some junior brothers who were ghost marshals in the Underworld.
"Educating souls, with a chance to obtain Heavenly Dao merit, breaking through to Grand Unity Golden Immortal is not a dream?"
Daoist Master Qianhe's face was filled with shock as he listened to Shi Jian.
There were very few Taoist disciples who could serve in the Underworld, and no one was willing to spend a large amount of time educating souls.
Furthermore, the ghost marshals also had their own tasks, and it was difficult for just a few people to achieve this.
"Junior brother, you have been in the Underworld for so long, you should be able to contact some junior brothers."
"Then I will invite King Taishan, King Yanluo, and a few others to help arrange for you to be transferred to Guangjiu Residence, which should not be a problem."
"I can indeed contact some junior brothers!"
After speaking, Daoist Master Qianhe provided information about the disciples of Mount Mao.
"Junior Brother Lin has also come to the Underworld to be a ghost marshal?"
Shi Jian was not overly shocked to hear that Uncle-Master Jiu had come to the Underworld to be a ghost marshal.
Lin Fengjiao, as the "printer" of the Netherworld in life, was bound to secure a position as a ghost marshal in the Underworld after death.
"Senior Brother, while you were cultivating your lightning techniques, Senior Brother Lin's lifespan had reached its end."
"Because he accumulated good deeds and dealt with many zombies and fierce ghosts during his life, he was assigned by the Ten Kings of Hell to manage tens of thousands of Yin spirits in Sangjudu, the eighteenth level of hell."
"This is good. You quickly go and contact the various junior brothers, and I will go find the four Kings of Hell to facilitate this."
After handing over the task of contacting Uncle-Master Jiu and his group to Qianhe, Shi Jian used his Judge's Seal to open the gates of hell and headed to the Fifth Hall of the Ten Kings of Hell.
"King Yanluo, the Judge of Lightning Punishment requests an audience!"
The ghost judge within the Fifth Hall, upon learning that Shi Jian was outside the main hall, put down the Book of Life and Death and the Soul-Hooking Brush in his hands and hurried to inform King Yanluo.
"The Judge of Lightning Punishment hasn't been seen for over a decade. Why has he come to see me instead of staying in Guangjiu Residence?"
"Your Majesty, the Judge of Lightning Punishment has reached the late stage of Golden Immortal!"
Fan Zhongyan, the ghost judge beside King Yanluo, did not forget to mention Shi Jian's current realm.
"Strange, without vast merit, how could the Judge of Lightning Punishment have broken through to the late stage of Golden Immortal in such a short time?"
King Yanluo pondered for a moment, but ultimately did not pry further. He instructed Ox-Head and Horse-Face behind him to invite Shi Jian in.
"The Judge of Lightning Punishment pays his respects to King Yanluo!"
Entering the Fifth Hall, Shi Jian did not neglect his etiquette and cupped his hands in greeting to King Yanluo.
After all, the King of the Fifth Hall, headed by the Great Emperor of Mount Tai, belonged to an alliance and stood on the same front.
"Judge of Lightning Punishment, there is no need for excessive politeness. Now that you have reached the late stage of Golden Immortal, it is time for you to go to the Six Case Officials."
"King Yanluo, this subordinate has not come for official matters, but wishes for Your Majesty to help a subordinate with a favor."
Then, Shi Jian requested King Yanluo's assistance in arranging for Uncle-Master Jiu and his group to jointly educate the Yin spirits of the eighteenth level of hell.
The palace of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva did not belong to the official positions of the Underworld, so they could not go to the eighteenth level of hell to convert Yin spirits.
This also gave them an opportunity to earn merit. How could they go to the Six Case Officials before completing their tasks?
(The eighteen levels of hell are: Guangjiu Residence (first level of hell, and so on), Juxu Suilüe, Sangjidu, Lou, Fangzucu, Wubici, Dulunandan, Bulubanhuhu, Wujingdu, Niludu, Wulüe, Wuman, Wujie, Wuhu, Xujianju, Modugan Zihu, Qutongtu, Chenmo)