After catching up for a while, Luo Xiu took Master Ping to the Land of Lawlessness.

The brothers hadn't seen each other in many years, and having reunited today, both were shamelessly bragging that they would drink the other under the table.

Luo Xiu said jokingly, "Actually, I was just about to have a good meal but was worried that Yan'er and I couldn't finish it by ourselves. Who knew I'd run into you, you fat pig, just when I needed you most?"

"What do you mean by that?"

"I caught a soft-shelled turtle, the really nourishing kind."

Master Ping suddenly understood and shook his head, saying, "When will this endless cycle of vengeance end? Kid, don't harbor such great hatred in your heart. You need to learn to understand him, and then forgive him."

Master Ping had already heard Luo Xiu's story about Ai Kun. And now, hearing Luo Xiu talk about eating a turtle, he naturally understood that Luo Xiu had no intention of letting Ai Kun off the hook.

Luo Xiu looked at Master Ping with a strange expression, and just as he was about to speak, Master Ping continued, "I'm serious, kid. Hatred will only cloud your mind."

"If you try to forgive him, you'll be surprised to discover… that he's still better braised in soy sauce!"

"However, steaming is also fine. It doesn't ruin the original texture, but the flavor will be very bland, not suitable for pairing with alcohol."

Luo Xiu was speechless, almost stumbling to the ground. "It seems you've become quite the connoisseur, Master Ping."

"Of course!" Master Ping patted his large belly. "Take a look! How else do you think I got all this priceless meat on me?"

Luo Xiu curled his lip in disgust. "Priceless meat? I think you look more like a priceless fool."

"Hey! Prepare to die, kid!"

Luo Xiu turned tail and ran.

Before long, the two brothers entered the Green Lotus Palace, jostling and laughing. As soon as they stepped through the main gate, they were greeted by an appetizing aroma of food. It turned out that Hua Muyan was already busy in the kitchen.

Seeing the massive turtle carcass in the yard outside the kitchen, Luo Xiu said, "Looks like I don't need to do any forgiving. Yan'er has already sent the giant turtle to its final rest."

"It seems this Flower Demon is getting to know you quite well."

Hearing the noise, Hua Muyan trotted over. She looked as obedient as ever, but the turtle blood spattered all over her added a horrifying edge to her demeanor.

"Master, you're back! Huh… who is this?"

Master Ping puffed out his chest proudly. "What, you don't recognize your handsome and dashing Master Ping anymore?"

Hua Muyan's eyes widened, and she covered her mouth with her hand. "Master Ping? How are you…"

"Yan'er, go on back to your work. Make a few more good dishes."

"Okay!"

…

Luo Xiu had no idea how much he drank at this reunion feast. For so many years, apart from the time right after he descended from Ghost Valley Mountain—when Ai Hongye had arranged for Lin Xiyue to pick him up after he'd passed out drunk—he hadn't drunk so freely and happily. As the night wore on, even his cultivation couldn't suppress the alcohol's effects, and eventually, he blacked out completely. The Imperial Marrow Brew he had acquired from the Azure Dragon Sword Array in the Ancient God Ruins was potent, even when diluted with water.

「The next day.」

When Luo Xiu awoke, he found himself lying naked in bed. Even from a distance, he could hear Hua Muyan muttering and complaining in the yard, apparently washing his dirty clothes.

Sigh… Looks like I drank a lot last night, and threw up a lot, too.

Luo Xiu rubbed his forehead and rolled out of bed.

Master Ping had already woken up early. When Luo Xiu found him, he was in the Hundred Herbs Garden, squatting beside the Primordial Divine Vine. To an unknowing observer, it looked like he was hiding there to defecate and fertilize the vine.

Luo Xiu said, "I plan to go to the Divine Oracle Cave Heaven right now."

Master Ping waved his hand. "Go on, then. I'll stand guard for you here. Hopefully, you can find all the ingredients soon."

Luo Xiu sat down cross-legged on the spot and began to activate the spell to enter the Divine Oracle Cave Heaven. A short while later, as the Void warped, he vanished as if he had evaporated.

…

"Xiao Yu, are you there?"

Luo Xiu's first act upon entering the Divine Oracle Cave Heaven was to call for the Cave Spirit, Xiao Yu.

"Dear Daoist Friend Ao Debiao, Xiao Yu is here," she responded.

Luo Xiu's expression was strange; he had almost forgotten his name here was "Ao Debiao." In that moment, he deeply regretted his impulsive choice. After all, it wasn't like he needed to ride a heavy-duty bicycle to haul bananas. What he didn't know yet was that, in the future, this name would resound throughout the cosmos.

"Could you not talk like that? It sounds just like a customer service rep from that online treasure marketplace."

"Okay, dear."

Luo Xiu shook his head and cut straight to the point. "Where can I find Dao Crystals, Life-Forfeiture Flowers, and Celestial Nourishing Grass?"

After a moment of silence, Xiao Yu replied, "The Life-Forfeiture Flower can be found on the tenth layer, which corresponds to the Mahayana Realm. The Celestial Nourishing Grass can only be found on the twelfth layer."

"As for Dao Crystals, according to my memory, there is no such Grand Dao treasure within the Divine Oracle Cave Heaven."

I'll find the Life-Forfeiture Flower and Celestial Nourishing Grass first, then. he thought. "Can you send me directly to the tenth layer?" he asked.

"I'm sorry," Xiao Yu said. "Since you have not been there before, you cannot be transported there directly."

"The Divine Oracle Cave Heaven has twelve layers in total, each representing a cultivation realm."

"From lowest to highest, they are: Body Refinement, Embrace Qi, Meridian Channeling, Vajra, Grandmaster, Gathering Spirit, Golden Core, Nascent Soul, Purifying Void, Mahayana, and Earth Immortal."

"The first layer is known as the Body Refinement Realm; the second, the Embrace Qi Realm; the third, the Meridian Channeling Realm, and so on."

"Furthermore, regardless of which layer you are on, you will be restricted by its Laws and can only exhibit the strength of the realm that layer represents. For instance, on the first layer, the Body Refinement Realm, you can only use the strength of the Body Refinement Realm."

Luo Xiu nodded and did a quick count in his head. "That's only eleven layers. Is the twelfth layer only accessible to those who have reached the Emperor Realm?"

"Yes, dear. However, those who appear on the twelfth layer are generally geniuses from the Celestial Realm, and they often look down on cultivators from the Mortal Realm."

Luo Xiu asked, "When people from the Celestial Realm say 'Mortal Realm,' are they referring to the Upper and Lower Realms?"

"That's right, dear."

Luo Xiu waved his hand dismissively. "We're getting sidetracked. Back to the point, how do I climb to the higher layers?"

Xiao Yu explained, "My analysis shows that your cultivation has reached the White Emperor Realm, so you can go to any layer. However, since this is your first visit, you must pass the Daoxuan assessment on each layer to proceed to the next."

"What kind of assessment?"

"You must strike the Daoxuan Bronze Bell. The bell will then automatically calculate your overall potential, talent, and degree of Fusion Path with the current realm before giving you a score."

"The number of times the bell rings indicates your level of Fusion Path. For example, if it rings three times, it means you have achieved a third-level Fusion Path in this realm."

"Additionally, you must reach a fourth-level Fusion Path to proceed to the next layer."

"Understood. Send me there."

…

With a flash of white after darkness, Luo Xiu appeared out of thin air in a vast square. He scanned the area and saw it was crowded with people, who he presumed were the talented individuals from various realms, perhaps even the Celestial Realm.

In the center of the square stood a high platform, and suspended over it was a large bronze bell.

That must be the Daoxuan Bronze Bell that Xiao Yu mentioned.

"Indeed, dear."

Xiao Yu's voice suddenly sounded in his mind.

Luo Xiu jumped. "You can communicate with me in here, too?"

"Your situation is special," Xiao Yu explained. "You entered here via the Human Sanctuary opened by the Ancient God's inheritance. Therefore, I will maintain constant contact with you to answer your questions."

Luo Xiu chuckled. "Does that make me a VIP, then?"

GONG—!

Suddenly, a resonant peal of the bell echoed through the square. An elder's voice then carried through the Void.

"Zhang Guangsheng, Level 1 Fusion. You have not yet met the standard to enter the next layer. We hope you will cultivate diligently to perfect your Fusion Path in the current realm."

Luo Xiu strode forward, glancing down at his fist with a sense of growing anticipation.

I wonder what my level of Fusion Path will be.

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