Chapter 191: Turning Negative to Positive Transforming the Abstract into the Concrete

A brief introduction was enough for them to confirm each other's identities. The main section of the Chunmu River was nearby, and the City God of Desheng Prefecture recognized the Baizhao River God. Furthermore, the divine light emanating from Ying Ruoli, the True God of Waters, was even more resplendent than Bai Qi's, undeniable proof that she was from the Tongtian River, the only one of its kind in Dazhen and neighboring countries.

Ordinarily, these two River Gods would not display so much divine light. Even if they found it difficult to fully conceal, there would at most be a subtle, extraordinary aura behind them. Today's display was solely to confirm their exalted identities.

The City God of Desheng Prefecture, in his divine form, accompanied Ji Yuan and his companions, guiding the esteemed guests into the Underworld of Desheng Prefecture. Inside, waves of chilling Yin energy and ghostly aura pervaded the air. While an ordinary person would undoubtedly be terrified, for Ji Yuan and his group, it was perfectly commonplace.

"The main hall is ahead, please come in!"

The City God gestured for them to enter, then led the way into the City God's main hall.

Compared to other ghosts and gods, City Gods possess their own distinct pride. While they revere those with profound cultivation and immense power, they do not grovel. After showing appropriate respect, they conduct themselves as usual.

Inside the main hall, the City God took the main seat of honor. Ji Yuan and the old dragon sat beside each other on the right, while the Dragon Girl and Bai Qi were seated on the left.

The chief officials of the various departments and the Local God were seated on either side, though some preferred to stand. Qin Zizhou also had a chair, as all the ghosts and gods present were well aware that this Physician Qin might, in a hundred or several hundred years, become a true Boundary Roaming God.

However, Qin Zizhou dared not sit down. Many of the chief officials of the Underworld were choosing to stand, after all.

"Qin Zizhou, in your lifetime, you were one of Desheng Prefecture's notable philanthropists. You committed no wicked deeds or crimes. You managed your household with strictness and taught disciples with great care. You practiced medicine for over eighty years, saving countless lives. You are granted 120 years of blessed afterlife. Your good deeds can bring blessings to six generations of your descendants..."

Qin Zizhou's merits extended beyond his personal medical practice and saving lives; he also nurtured numerous students who possessed both medical skill and ethics. Over the years, countless individuals benefited from his work.

The City God of Desheng Prefecture personally assessed Qin Zizhou's lifetime achievements and shortcomings. After a slight pause, he scanned the surroundings before continuing.

"Now, an immortal elder has recognized your life's merits and has also observed the pure spiritual essence within you. He wishes to guide you into cultivating... the path of a Boundary Roaming God. Do you agree?"

Even the Prefecture City God couldn't help but emphasize the words "Boundary Roaming God."

Before Ji Yuan and his companions arrived, the gods of the Underworld had already explained to Qin Zizhou what a Boundary Roaming God entailed. While the concept was truly elusive, and the Underworld gods themselves didn't fully grasp it, this explanation at least cleared up Qin Zizhou's initial confusion.

Now that Ji Yuan had arrived with the True God of Water, the final decision still rested with Qin Zizhou himself.

It was impossible to say he wasn't nervous. Having lived for so long, he had no Qin family ancestors in the Underworld to guide him. However, after two days of adapting to the afterlife, Elder Qin was no longer as anxious and bewildered as he was immediately after his passing. He had regained the calm demeanor and gravitas of a master physician.

There were times when patients' symptoms were so frightening that even their closest relatives dared not approach. Yet, apart from the immediate family, only the physician remained calm and unruffled. Qin Zizhou was precisely that kind of person.

Qin Zizhou already understood the immense significance of this opportunity, and his heart leaned towards a certain decision. However, when faced with the City God's question, and while bowing respectfully, his reply seemed somewhat off-topic.

"I, Qin, understand this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I merely wish to ask Immortal Elder Ji why he has chosen me. While I have indeed saved many lives through medicine and my soul might be somewhat special, with your abilities, Immortal Elder, you could surely find many others. What could I possibly offer in return?"

Qin Zizhou's question, in fact, mirrored the doubts of most people present. Perhaps only the old dragon felt he could grasp Ji Yuan's reasoning a little.

Upon hearing this, Ji Yuan thought to himself, "Physician Qin, you truly shouldn't underestimate yourself; souls like yours are exceedingly rare."

But he didn't voice this thought. Instead, he replied with a question, simultaneously opening his Dharma Eyes to their fullest extent.

"Physician Qin, what was your purpose in practicing medicine your entire life?"

Qin Zizhou was startled. What kind of question was that?

"To cure illnesses and save lives, of course!"

Qin Zizhou's answer came purely from his heart. The clear Qi flowed within him, and the aura of his body and soul remained perfectly calm and natural.

This indicated that his words were truly aligned with his heart and intention. For Qin Zizhou, it had been the simplest possible meaning of life for many years, as fundamental as the need to eat and drink to survive.

While the statement seemed simple, it was not. Few could utter such words with such an undisturbed mind.

"I hope, Physician Qin, that even after entering the path of divine cultivation, you will still strive to save—not just hundreds or thousands of people in one or two places, but all people, all spirits, all beings, and all sentient creatures under heaven. What say you?"

"This..."

Qin Zizhou was silent. It wasn't that he was unwilling, but rather that he couldn't fully grasp the profound meaning of Ji Yuan's words, and he feared he lacked the ability to achieve such a feat. After all, he still thought with a mortal's mind, though he understood it was undoubtedly a matter of great righteousness.

Ji Yuan, however, smiled.

"The path of a Boundary Roaming God is not achieved overnight, but it is indeed extraordinary and miraculous. It is not bestowed upon those who do not possess innate benevolence. Physician Qin, how many people do you think there are in this world like you?"

Ji Yuan didn't wait for Qin Zizhou's answer but continued speaking himself.

"In all my years of cultivation, I have only encountered one such as you!"

As soon as these words were spoken, all those with profound cultivation present, including the old dragon, subconsciously scrutinized Qin Zizhou again, looking him up and down. To receive such praise from Mr. Ji, this Qin Zizhou must indeed be extraordinary.

Observing the reactions of the ghosts and gods, Qin Zizhou felt a surge of pressure, yet he also seemed to realize his own unique qualities.

"Humans, ghosts, demons, spirits, gods, immortals, Buddhas, devils; insects, scaled creatures, birds, beasts, plants, and even mountains and waters; in heaven and earth, all things have spirits, all things have emotions. As I said before, I hope, Physician Qin, that even after entering the path of divine cultivation, you will still strive to save—for all living things, for all sentient beings!"

Though his voice was calm, it rolled forth like a wave of profound ancient wisdom, conjuring an image of all creation in the listeners' minds. Qin Zizhou, in particular, was overwhelmed with shock and awe, his expression utterly stunned.

Ji Yuan stood up and looked solemnly at Qin Zizhou's soul. He further unleashed the inner imagery of mountains and rivers, reversed the natural creation processes of heaven and earth, and merged his inner intentions with the outer world.

This was also the result of Ji Yuan's self-cultivation after meeting Qiu Feng in the small pavilion, where he had inadvertently experienced a state of "melancholy." Although he couldn't, and wouldn't dare to, compare it to that profound state, it was still extraordinarily miraculous.

"Whether you can achieve it is one thing; whether you dare to do it and are willing to do it is another. Those who can walk the path of a Boundary Roaming God are exceedingly rare, but the path is not necessarily easy, just as few among cultivators can attain the Dao..."

As Ji Yuan reached this point, his voice suddenly deepened, imbued with a powerful, authoritative tone.

"Qin Zizhou, are you willing to cultivate divinity for the sake of all living beings in the world?"

His voice was like a surging torrent, causing the souls of the less cultivated ghosts and gods nearby to tingle, with profound mystical principles subtly hidden within the sound. Yet, Qin Zizhou, a newly deceased soul, seemed to be awakened by it, looking towards Ji Yuan's calm, ancient eyes.

Amidst the Daoist resonance, Qin Zizhou felt as if his vision was drawn closer, allowing him to perceive the mountains, rivers, heaven, and earth.

A moment later, the pure Qi within Qin Zizhou manifested outwardly. He saw sincerity in the immortal elder's eyes, and his own thoughts and worries seemed like laughable trifles in the vastness of the universe at that moment. He remained steadfast amidst the manifestation of Daoist essence, bowing deeply and respectfully.

"I, Qin Zizhou, dare not promise to fulfill the Immortal Elder's grand expectations, but this path, I am willing to walk!"

As these words fell, not only did chess pieces form within Ji Yuan's sleeve, but the ghostly aura of Qin Zizhou's spectral body almost completely vanished. Pure Qi flowed within him, imbuing him with a faint vitality that made him truly indistinguishable from a living person.

This transformation astonished all the ghosts and gods in the hall. They all believed Ji Yuan had already begun to impart the cultivation method to Qin Zizhou, and even the old dragon thought the same. Little did they know, Ji Yuan himself was quite shaken, but he felt it more deeply than others, vaguely sensing that this might be due to Qin Zizhou's own spiritual essence making a profound vow.

Seeing Qin Zizhou's solemn bow, Ji Yuan, at this moment, dared not be neglectful and likewise bowed deeply and respectfully to Qin Zizhou.

"Noble indeed, Physician Qin!"

Fearing Qin Zizhou might not be able to maintain this rare state, Ji Yuan immediately turned to the City God of Desheng Prefecture and spoke.

"I request to temporarily use the Underworld's most Yin area."

The Prefecture City God stood up and replied.

"Immortal Elder, please proceed. If it is convenient, may my Underworld officials observe from the side?"

"It is not a dangerous or evil method. Observing from nine zhang away will be fine."

This was a major, yet top-secret, event for the Underworld. Even before Ji Yuan issued any warnings against disclosure, the entire Underworld was highly tense. Apart from the chief officials of the twenty-four departments and a handful of Yin constables, other Underworld personnel knew nothing about it, only that two True River Gods had arrived.

The most Yin area was located within the Prison of the Punishing Evil Department. All the evil souls originally imprisoned there were led away by Yin constables, and even the dark wood cells were magically removed by the Great God of the Punishing Evil Department. Although the area still felt chillingly filled with Yin energy, it was now enveloped in divine light.

Qin Zizhou sat cross-legged in the center. To his left sat Bai Qi, the River God of Chunhui Prefecture, and to his right was Ying Ruoli, the Lady River God of Tongtian River.

The old dragon stood behind, and Ji Yuan stood in front. Surrounding the prison were the Underworld City God, the Great Gods of the twenty-four departments, and, of course, the Local God of Deyuan County.

The Civil Judge held a scroll and moved his brush, creating a divine, enigmatic image on the paper that was three parts vivid and seven parts abstract, and somewhat hazy. Stroking his beard, he was highly satisfied with his work, which was inscribed: "Enlightenment of a Boundary Roaming God."

Ji Yuan stood solemnly before Qin Zizhou, gesturing in the air. An "Edict" character appeared on the ground where Qin Zizhou sat.

"My thanks to the two River Gods for your trouble!"

"No need to be polite, Uncle Ji!"

"No need for such formality, Mr. Ji!"

The Dragon Girl and Bai Qi responded aloud, their hands already performing the incantations. A rich essence of water was born in this extremely Yin area, intensifying its Yin energy.

The old dragon, standing behind, also flicked his sleeve. As his magic power surged, water and Yin energy interacted, miraculously giving rise to wisps of Yin spiritual spring water that encircled Qin Zizhou's soul.

The Dragon Girl and Bai Qi radiated brilliant divine light, with rainbow halos appearing behind them. As they gestured to cast spells, streams of colored light detached themselves and merged with the spiritual springs. Within this energy, one could faintly hear the prayers of countless people and see the circulation of incense offerings.

Even a tiny wisp contained an immeasurable amount of incense and vowed power, let alone the vast quantities now flowing forth.

As the divine light grew more intense, the entire former prison interior was enveloped in a brilliant aura. The ghosts and gods outside couldn't even clearly see what was happening within, yet none spoke or commented. They simply strained their Dharma Eyes with nervous anticipation, watching intently.

Ji Yuan, too, had to open his Dharma Eyes to clearly see everything. As the spiritual springs permeated Qin Zizhou's soul body, his ghostly form, circulating with pure Qi, had already reached the critical point of a Yin body.

"By Edict, transform!"

Ji Yuan's long-prepared edict, accompanied by a large stream of Xuanhuang Qi, emerged from his mouth. The sound was like a resounding bell, sending forth rolling waves.

The "Edict" character beneath Qin Zizhou lit up. Simultaneously, the boundless incense and vowed power within his body merged with the Xuanhuang Qi, all flowing into Qin Zizhou's own pure Qi.

First, Gui Water was born within his body, then a spark of True Yang arose from it. Like a prairie fire, his entire body transformed from Yin to Yang, from ethereal to solid.