After leaving the space, Yunxi began to mull things over. From the attitude and tone of Black and White Impermanence, it was clear that Azure Star being cut off from the Underworld was not punishment for the emergence of the "reincarnation system" replacing the Underworld's duties.
That left only one possibility. Something had gone wrong within the Underworld at some link in the chain, forcing all living beings on Azure Star to "control" life and death on their own.
Previously, the authorities had used the "reincarnation system" to achieve an alternative form of "immortality." It served their personal interests and could be considered stolen years.
But once the entire cycle of rebirth on Azure Star began to fail, the authorities could no longer keep themselves untouched. Even for the sake of their own interests, they would have to grit their teeth and maintain the "reincarnation system."
According to Elder Nan, a traveler through time and space, even with the authorities doing everything they could, the system ultimately collapsed. The arrival of Yun Chen and Han Lian could not reverse the tide. In the end, the living beings of Azure Star would likely die out.
The place would eventually fall under the control of twisted monsters and utterly deranged evil souls, becoming a dead star.
Yunxi had good reason to suspect the handiwork of an evil cultivator. The goal was to manufacture these twisted monsters and evil souls by design. If Azure Star was not the only low-tier plane with this problem, if there were two, three, or even more with the same issue…
She shook her head and refused to follow that line of thought. This would depend on the Underworld's vigilance. If they used this case as a lead and dug deeper, they might truly uncover something.
She, however, was a cultivator. From the day she set foot on the path, she had stepped out of the cycle of reincarnation. She had no standing to intervene in Underworld affairs. At most, she could hint and remind Black and White Impermanence. She could do nothing more.
Just then, Yunxi sensed a fluctuation in space. A black hole appeared outside her law-house. A tall man in red robes, dignified without anger, arrived at the door with Black and White Impermanence in tow.
Yunxi waved her sleeve, opened the concealment array, and flashed to meet the three bailiffs. She smiled and cupped her fists. "I did not know you were coming. Forgive me for failing to welcome you from afar. Please, inside."
She gestured invitingly.
Judge Cui gave Yunxi a brief look, then nodded and entered Yunxi's law-house. Once both sides had taken their seats, Yunxi spoke first. "How does the Underworld plan to handle Azure Star? Do you require the four of us to lend a hand?"
Judge Cui sighed. It was embarrassing, but there were things one could not hide. He cleared his throat. "This is negligence on the Underworld's part. The Book of Life and Death for Azure Star was tampered with, which is why the Gates were shut. Fortunately, you four acted. Otherwise, this might never have been discovered."
Yunxi feigned surprise, then followed up. "Has this happened only on Azure Star, or are other small worlds facing similar issues?"
A glint flashed in Judge Cui's eyes. He answered by skirting the point. "Because of this, the Ten Yamas are greatly alarmed and have already begun inspections. We will ensure such errors do not recur.
I have come to ask the four of you to erase Azure Star's 'reincarnation system.' Black and White Impermanence will cooperate with you to seize souls that have already gone wrong, and we will release a batch of fresh souls to guide Azure Star back onto the proper track of reincarnation."
"Good. No problem. We also prefer to finish what we started and resolve this matter cleanly." Yunxi agreed in one breath.
Hearing Yunxi accept, Judge Cui continued, "Since you are tidying up after the Underworld, what would you like in return?"
Yunxi had not expected such directness and smiled. "I suppose Judge Cui has heard from seniors. We four were sent to this isolated low-tier plane by our enemies. Their goal was to trap us until we died. Thankfully we had some means and carved out a path for ourselves.
Since you ask, I will be straightforward. We wish to borrow a path through the Underworld to return to Weiyu Realm. Is that possible?"
Judge Cui lowered his gaze and considered. "Entering the Underworld with your physical bodies would be inappropriate."
Yunxi had anticipated this and replied with a smile, "We have no wish to disrupt the order of the Underworld. We will enter in soul form. We only ask that you make it convenient and point us to the proper route so we can return as soon as possible."
This time Judge Cui did not look troubled. They had already compromised. If he refused again, it would seem ungrateful. He nodded. "In that case, I will grant it. However, none of you has reached the Out-of-Body stage. If your souls remain separated for too long, it will affect your future cultivation."
"Thank you for your concern, Judge Cui. Once the Heavenly Dao of this realm is mended and the power of Laws condenses, the four of us will seize the chance to break through."
"In that case, I will leave Black and White Impermanence to assist you."
Judge Cui was a busy man. Since both sides had reached an agreement, he did not linger. The Judge's Office still had a mess waiting. He rose and took his leave.
After seeing Judge Cui off, Yunxi turned to Black and White Impermanence with a smile. "Congratulations to you both. You have rendered great service. A promotion may be in sight."
Black Impermanence waved it off. "Please, we would rather coast a few more years. This matter touches many places, and it is not only Azure Star…"
"Ahem. You talk too much. Nothing has been confirmed. Do not speak carelessly." White Impermanence cut in at once.
Once she had them seated, Yunxi said evenly, "Even if you said nothing, I could guess that Azure Star is not the only unlucky small world. The hand behind this has great ambitions, using dirty methods to create countless evil souls and overturn the Five Realms."
Black and White Impermanence exchanged a look, eyes full of shock. They had not expected Yunxi to know so much.
Yunxi did not mind laying it bare. "The reason we four were thrown from Weiyu Realm into this aura-less place was a gift from an evil cultivator. They not only wanted to trap us. They wanted to turn us into evil souls to be driven at their whim.
Too bad Heaven is fair. We also had some means. We knocked on the Gates. That merit we spent was not shed in vain. We must return to Weiyu Realm and settle this debt with the mastermind."
By the end her voice had gone cold, the killing intent within her words startling both bailiffs.
"Ran Xi Daoyou, in that case act quickly. Do not waste time here." White Impermanence spoke at once.
"Alright." Yunxi then went to the cultivation room, which really meant pulling the three who were cultivating out of the space.
Fortunately, all three had prepared to depart at any time and had left a strand of consciousness outside. When they were brought out, their eyes opened at once.
"Everyone, Judge Cui from the Underworld has been here. He admitted it was their dereliction and asked us to set Azure Star back on course. He also agreed to let us borrow a path through the Underworld back to Weiyu Realm."
Han Lian's eyes lit up. "Truly? That is excellent."
"Amitabha. The clouds part and we see the moon."
Only Xun Kun frowned. "Our cultivation is still lacking."