CHAPTER 1214: CHAPTER 1212: THE PRIMORDIAL’S GREATEST MERIT—EARTH

"Holy Monk, if we proceed further, we will reach the Reincarnation Tower!" The Soul-Hooking Envoy looked somewhat troubled as he spoke to Jiang Liu.

"Reincarnation Tower? What is that?" Jiang Liu asked, looking bewildered at the Soul-Hooking Envoy.

Indeed, the name Reincarnation Tower was something he was hearing for the first time.

"Master, I know about this..." Zhu Bajie, standing nearby, interjected.

Jiang Liu and Sun Wukong turned their heads to look at Zhu Bajie in inquiry.

"Master, it’s said that in ancient times, Empress Earth pitied all sentient beings after their death, as lost souls wandered with no place to return. In her great mercy, she transformed into reincarnation, and the Reincarnation Tower is where the last trace of Empress Earth’s True Spirit resides!" Zhu Bajie answered.

"I see!" Jiang Liu exclaimed, realizing suddenly.

One of the Twelve Ancestral Witches, Empress Earth, transformed her body into reincarnation, yet her True Spirit did not perish but was preserved.

Back when Goddess Nvwa created humans, she complied with the Heavens and earned immense merit, thus achieving saintliness.

Similarly, Empress Earth’s transformation into reincarnation was a grand merit. Although she did not achieve sainthood, her stature must be exceptionally high, right?

Just like the three sovereigns in the Flame Cloud Sage Cave. Although they have not become saints, their stature is very high, only slightly below a saint.

The merit of Empress Earth lies not in a single race, but in the countless sentient beings under heaven. Therefore, Empress Earth commands the utmost reverence from all beings on earth.

Especially from those in the Underworld!

Hence, although the Soul-Hooking Envoy was explaining the places along the road to Jiang Liu and his companions, upon seeing them about to enter the range of the Reincarnation Tower, he spoke up to stop Jiang Liu if possible.

If it is possible, Jiang Liu indeed does not wish to disturb the True Spirit of Empress Earth, but looking at the treasure map in his hand, the indicated direction is still ahead.

Give up at this point? Jiang Liu naturally wouldn’t want to.

"Since we have already arrived at Empress Earth’s Reincarnation Tower, it would not hurt for this humble monk to pay a visit!" After a moment of contemplation, Jiang Liu said, then stepped forward, continuing to move ahead.

Though the Soul-Hooking Envoy spoke, it was merely a suggestion. Seeing Jiang Liu and his companions continue forward, he naturally dared not physically obstruct them, only following behind them on the path.

As they continued onward, Jiang Liu and his companions could distinctly feel that the surrounding wandering souls and fierce ghosts were becoming fewer, until none were visible at all.

Jiang Liu understood it was not because of their approach, but due to the presence of the Reincarnation Tower here.

Thus, whether it is the low-level wandering souls or the high cultivation fierce ghosts, none wished to disturb Empress Earth here and kept a respectful distance from the Reincarnation Tower.

"In terms of compassion, Empress Earth might be the most benevolent existence from ancient times to present!" Spotting a simple, earthy-yellow tower towering in the distance, Jiang Liu knew he had reached the vicinity of the Reincarnation Tower, and such thoughts welled up in his heart.

Although Goddess Nvwa attained sainthood through the merit path, her merit was solely for the Human Clan, having created the human race.

The merit of Empress Earth, on the other hand, pertains to all living beings.

No matter if you are a commoner, a cattle, a horse, or an exalted Immortal or Buddha, even the presence of a Quasi-Saint, if deceased, must enter reincarnation, which counts as merit of Empress Earth.

"It’s said that the merit of Empress Earth’s transformation into reincarnation is comparable to when Goddess Nvwa created humans, but Empress Earth lost her body and lacks the Hongmeng Purple Qi, so despite great merit, she couldn’t achieve saintliness!"

Walking beside Jiang Liu, looking at the nearby Reincarnation Tower, Zhu Bajie also spoke.

Jiang Liu nodded in agreement with these words.

If Empress Earth’s merit was enough to achieve saintliness, it would indeed be reasonable.

But Hongmeng Purple Qi is the foundation of the Great Dao, an essential for attaining saintliness.

After some reflection and casual conversation, Jiang Liu continued to look at the directions indicated on his treasure map, which still pointed toward the direction of the Reincarnation Tower.

"Could the Witch-Slaying Sword be in Empress Earth’s possession?"

Having reached the surroundings of the Reincarnation Tower, and with the treasure map pointing right in its direction, Jiang Liu felt greatly surprised in his heart.

The Witch-Slaying Sword was a supreme weapon forged by the Demon Clan to combat the Witch Clan, yet this weapon ended in the hands of the Witch Clan?

It all seemed somewhat ironic!

Regardless of Jiang Liu’s thoughts, by now, he had arrived at the vicinity of the Reincarnation Tower.

A simple, earthy-yellow, ancient pagoda stood quietly, as though it had been here since time immemorial, very tranquil, seemingly waiting silently for someone’s arrival.

As Jiang Liu and his companions arrived in front of the Reincarnation Tower, suddenly, without any warning, the door of the tower slowly opened.

Since the door was already open, Jiang Liu naturally had no intention of wasting words and stepped inside directly.

From the outside, this Reincarnation Tower didn’t appear particularly large, similar to an ordinary pagoda, but upon entering, he discovered the space inside was remarkably vast.

"How many years has it been? It’s been so long since anyone has come here..." As Jiang Liu and the others stepped into the Reincarnation Tower, a dignified female voice resonated.

"This humble Soul-Hooking Envoy of the Underworld pays respects to Empress Earth!" As this voice sounded, the Soul-Hooking Envoy beside Jiang Liu immediately knelt down and hastily spoke.

"Xuanzang along with his disciples, here to pay respects to Empress Earth!" Jiang Liu also followed suit and spoke.

"Now that the Immeasurable Kalpa of heaven and earth has reopened, Xuanzang, you, being the focus of this Immeasurable Kalpa, have specifically come to my Reincarnation Tower for what purpose?" Empress Earth’s voice remained calm and gentle, as if a kindly elder was casually chatting with a younger relative.

"It’s quite shameful to say!"

Upon hearing Empress Earth’s words, Jiang Liu had no intention to hide and frankly said, "I have come today not to meet Empress Earth but in search of the Witch-Slaying Sword..."

"The Witch-Slaying Sword? How did you know the Witch-Slaying Sword was in my possession?" Empress Earth’s tone finally changed slightly, with a hint of surprise in her voice.

"I came following this Treasure Map..." Jiang Liu raised the treasure map in his hands, replying.

The treasure map Jiang Liu held lifted without wind, unfolding itself mid-air.

The true spirit of Empress Earth resided within this Reincarnation Tower, though she did not appear, everything within the tower was undoubtedly within her perception.

As the treasure map unfolded, after a moment, it refolded and fell back into Jiang Liu’s hands.

"The Witch-Slaying Sword was originally a fierce weapon crafted by the Demon Clan to deal with my Witch Clan. In recent years, it has been in the hands of Demon Master Kunpeng, who discovered remnants of the Witch Clan in the Demon Realm. I seized the opportunity to take the Witch-Slaying Sword from him..."

With a slight pause, Empress Earth continued, "Originally, only Kunpeng and I knew of this affair. Unexpectedly, you were aware of it, and even had a map to guide you!"

"So that’s how it is!" Jiang Liu’s heart felt enlightened upon hearing Empress Earth’s words.

He had always felt strange, thinking that it would be least likely for the Witch-Slaying Sword to fall into the hands of the Witch Clan. Unexpectedly, Empress Earth had seized it from Kunpeng.

As for when Empress Earth took it? Without being told, Jiang Liu could roughly guess.

In recent years, Kunpeng seemed to be constantly in a seriously injured state. With Empress Earth’s capabilities, taking the Witch-Slaying Sword from him while he was injured seemed unsurprising, right?

"It seems, I have no way to obtain the Witch-Slaying Sword, do I?" Although he understood the ins and outs, thinking that the Witch-Slaying Sword was in Empress Earth’s hands, Jiang Liu secretly sighed.

For a peerless weapon like the Witch-Slaying Sword, it wasn’t easy for Empress Earth to seize it from Kunpeng’s hands; how could she easily hand it over?

And if Empress Earth was unwilling to hand it over, could he still snatch it by force?

"This Treasure Map, it seems it really is useless..." Realizing he couldn’t acquire the Witch-Slaying Sword, Jiang Liu secretly shook his head.

Previously, with the epic level Treasure Map, although the Whip of Thunder Lord was by Shen Gongbao’s side, at least he was suppressed, allowing him to take and leave with it.

But the Witch-Slaying Sword? It was in Empress Earth’s hands. How could he seize it?

Was the so-called Treasure Map pointing to something owned by others instead of unclaimed treasures?

Next time if he obtains another Treasure Map, and it points to the Pangu Banner, would he have to rush up to Yuanshi Heavenly Venerable and snatch his Pangu Axe?

While Jiang Liu was secretly grumbling in his heart, suddenly, the space within the Reincarnation Tower distorted slightly.

Immediately afterward, a sword completely black as ink appeared, suspended in mid-air.

At the same time, Empress Earth’s voice resounded again, "Since you, Xuanzang and your party, came for the Witch-Slaying Sword, you may take it!"

"Ah!?" Hearing Empress Earth’s words, Jiang Liu’s eyes widened, looking dumbfounded, almost unable to believe his ears.

"Why!?" Staring blankly at the Witch-Slaying Sword floating in mid-air, Jiang Liu asked reflexively.

The Witch-Slaying Sword was painstakingly seized by Empress Earth, and now that he had come with a Treasure Map, she simply agreed to give it to him without saying anything?

Why on earth?

"It seems you feel uncertain, don’t you? In that case, should I set up a few challenges and difficulties for you to overcome before agreeing to give it to you?"

"No need, thank you, Empress!"