「Land of Lawlessness. Green Lotus Palace.」

After a full day of rest and a wonderful night's sleep, Luo Xiu felt much better. Of course, this was largely thanks to Hua Muyan's Flower Demon Yin Essence.

Early the next morning, Luo Xiu left Hua Muyan's tender embrace. After changing his clothes and washing up, he found that Luo Ying had already prepared breakfast.

"Young Master, Ying'er has a favor to ask of you."

"What is it?"

"Could you possibly keep it down in the future? Ying'er was in the next room last night, and all the noise made it impossible to cultivate in peace."

"Er... you should probably take that up with the Flower Demon. She was the loud one, not me."

Luo Ying huffed and muttered, "But isn't the Flower Demon only so loud because of you? Who could possibly withstand your speed of four times a second?"

"Well, how about you join us next time? That way, no one will be able to disturb you."

"Ying'er would never!"

"..."

After breakfast, Luo Xiu went to the main courtyard alone to take inventory of the spoils from his trip to the Dragon Grotto.

Anything the Azure Dragon Venerable saw fit to keep in his Storage Magical Treasure was bound to be an extraordinary treasure. Apart from the jar of Imperial Marrow Brew, there were numerous rare crystals brimming with Spiritual Power and precious metals that couldn't be found in the Lower Realm. There were also many Magical Treasures.

Master Ping suddenly laughed, "Kid, you're really lucky!"

Knowing Master Ping must have spotted something good, Luo Xiu said hurriedly, "Just get to the point!"

"Take that white crystal," Master Ping said.

Without a second thought, Luo Xiu picked the white crystal out of the pile and set it aside.

"Take that copper slip as well," Master Ping added.

Luo Xiu rummaged for a moment before picking up the copper slip. "Is there anything else?"

"The rest isn't worth much. There are a few decent Magical Treasures, but they're not of much use to you," Master Ping said. "You need to establish your own power now so you can fight back against strong enemies in the future. It would be better to give these Magical Treasures to the Fox Clan warriors."

"As for the metals, you can keep them. We can use them to help Dou Dou repair that broken sword of hers later."

Luo Xiu nodded. When it came to appraising treasures, he knew he was no match for Master Ping, so he generally followed his advice.

"So, what's the use of this crystal?"

"Watch your language!" Master Ping chided.

Luo Xiu rephrased, "What wondrous use does this crystal have?"

"This is a Chaos Divine Crystal, an indispensable material for forging your Second Dantian in the future. I never expected you to find one here. That's why I said you were lucky."

Luo Xiu quickly stored the Chaos Divine Crystal in his Holy Lotus Jade Pendant. "As for this copper slip," he continued, "I can faintly sense the aura of a Divine Skill from it."

Master Ping chuckled. "It seems you have some discernment after all."

"That's right. The Dao patterns on this copper slip are the traces of a Divine Skill. Since you've just cultivated the Thunder Path Physique, you can try to comprehend it."

Luo Xiu then summoned Luo Ying, handed the remaining items to her, and told her to dispose of them as she saw fit.

After giving his instructions, Luo Xiu went alone to the area where the Primordial Divine Vine was planted, planning to comprehend the Divine Skill traces on the copper slip. The area had been developed into a large estate by the Fox Clan warriors. Located behind the Green Lotus Palace, it served as the secluded cultivation grounds for His Majesty the Azure Emperor.

Luo Xiu had even given the estate a name—the Hundred Herbs Garden.

In the Hundred Herbs Garden, Luo Xiu sat for several hours but ultimately gained nothing. He couldn't grasp the traces of the Divine Skill contained within the copper slip's patterns, let alone comprehend them.

I can confirm that this is a Thunder Path Divine Skill, but for some reason, even with my Thunder Path Physique, I still can't decipher it.

Luo Xiu stared at the copper slip in his hand, his expression pained.

What a pain in the ass.

"Comprehending Divine Skills requires not only insight but also affinity," said Master Ping. "Just because you have a Thunder Path Physique doesn't guarantee you can comprehend a Thunder Path Divine Skill."

"Besides, you already possess two Divine Skills. Adding another will be difficult."

"Still, you can hold onto this copper slip and trade it for something else useful later."

"Forget about trading it," Luo Xiu said. "Good things should go to our own people first. Let's let them have a try."

With that, he looked toward a nearby flower and said, "Yan'er, bring Ying'er, Dou Dou, Yaya, and Brother Xiong here."

Before long, the three women and Kuang Pi arrived at the Hundred Herbs Garden.

Dou Dou, brandishing her little fists, announced, "I'm a powerful expert with a Divine Skill now, so I don't need it."

Luo Ying smiled sweetly. "Ying'er still hasn't fully comprehended the 'Holy Blasphemy' you taught me, Young Master, so I have no desire to learn another Divine Skill right now."

Yaya added, "I am a noble of the Kun Tribe and have my own Innate Divine Ability, so I don't need it either."

Luo Xiu then turned to Kuang Pi. "Brother Xiong, what about you?"

"This is exactly what I need!" Kuang Pi said excitedly. "Xiao Luo, do you remember the Wild Thunder Destroying Divine Lance I taught you? With this copper slip, I should be able to perfect it!"

A look of realization dawned on Luo Xiu's face as he tossed the copper slip to Kuang Pi.

Kuang Pi excitedly took the copper slip and walked off to the side to begin meditating on it.

Then, Luo Xiu turned to Dou Dou, his curiosity piqued. "By the way, I still haven't seen that Divine Skill you comprehended from the Thunderstrike Wood. What is it?"

Dou Dou gave a mysterious smile. "Let's just say it's ridiculously powerful."

"This is Dou Dou's ultimate secret technique. I won't show it to anyone unless it's absolutely necessary."

"But since we're all family, I can give you a little demonstration."

She took a deep breath, set her feet shoulder-width apart, sank slightly at the waist, and slowly raised her hands in a classic Tai Chi opening stance.

Instantly, a terrifying, destructive aura began to permeate the air!

Luo Xiu, Luo Ying, and Yaya exchanged glances and hurriedly backed away.

Dou Dou looked at the three of them proudly and announced, "This Divine Skill... I call it the 'Lightning Five Continuous Whips'!"

Luo Xiu's face darkened. "That's enough. Don't demonstrate it. When we run into an enemy, you can be the first to go out and let us witness this 'Lightning Five Continuous Whips' of yours."

"Okay, you got it."

Dou Dou immediately retracted the terrifying, destructive aura.

To avoid disturbing Kuang Pi, Luo Xiu led the three women out of the Hundred Herbs Garden to the nearby Three Flavor Study Hut. At Master Ping's urging, Luo Xiu found some time to smelt the jade pillar he had taken from Yumian Jun into a liquid using the Indestructible Divine Flame. Master Ping seemed overjoyed and eagerly absorbed the bone liquid.

「At night.」

Luo Xiu ordered a bonfire party and even generously brought out the Imperial Marrow Brew. However, the brew's potency was too strong. Even Luo Xiu couldn't handle it neat, so it had to be diluted with water. Just a single spoonful was enough to mix a large vat of fragrant, fine wine.

After the party ended, a tipsy Luo Ying leaned against Luo Xiu. She watched the Fox Clan warriors, who had fallen into a wondrous state after drinking the Imperial Marrow Brew, and said softly, "Young Master... you're planning to cultivate your own power, aren't you?"

Hearing this, Luo Xiu looked down at her. Their eyes met, and they both smiled in silent understanding.

「Elsewhere.」

Following Master Ping's guidance, Mu Xueyan quietly slipped away from the crowd. After finding a deserted spot, she entered the World Inside the Vase.

"Girl, your time is running out."

Mu Xueyan's face was filled with reluctance. "I want to stay with him a little longer."

Master Ping sighed. "I knew you'd say that. Luckily, I came prepared." He continued, "Once the leg bone of the Mysterious Jade Turtle is smelted into a liquid, it can suppress your cursed body to some extent. It will also refine your bones into Jade Bones, a great boon for your future path of cultivation."

Mu Xueyan looked puzzled.

Master Ping laughed. "Are you wondering why I'm being so good to you?"

Mu Xueyan knew Master Ping's Dao Technique allowed him to read minds, so she simply nodded.

"There's no special reason," Master Ping said. "It's because you have the potential to become a Great Emperor and will be a great help to Luo Xiu in the future."

"Of course, there is one other reason."

"What reason?"

Master Ping grew nostalgic. "Actually... you remind me a bit of my disciple."

Mu Xueyan was taken aback. "Senior, you have a disciple?"

Master Ping chuckled. "I've lived for countless ages. Isn't it normal for me to have taken on a disciple?"

"Where is your disciple now?"

"I don't know," Master Ping said. "It's been so long without any news, she's probably forgotten all about me. Perhaps she died in battle in some bygone era, or maybe she's still alive... a Heavenly Emperor in the Celestial Realm by now."

He suddenly changed the subject. "Girl, how about this: you become my disciple."

"But... I already have a master."

Master Ping smiled. "Your master is already dead. You can find a new one. That hardly counts as betrayal."

"This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. I've had a bit of that Imperial Marrow Brew and I'm feeling a little tipsy, so think fast."

Without a moment's hesitation, Mu Xueyan declared, "Master above, please accept your disciple's bow!"

"..."

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