Li Xiaobai organized his thoughts and began to recall the four Divine Apes he knew about, astonished that as a time-traveler, he could one day rely on memories from his previous life.
However, it seemed that this world also had the Chaos Worldâs Four Monkeys; perhaps they were the same as those he knew.
âThe first is the Spirit Stone Monkey, master of transformation, discerning of the seasons, knowledgeable of the earthâs richness, capable of moving stars and changing constellations.â
âThe second is the Six-Eared Macaque, skilled in listening, able to discern truth, knowing past and future, with a clear understanding of all things.â
âThe third is the Through-Arm Gibbon, able to grab the sun and moon, shrinking thousands of mountains, distinguishing fortune and misfortune, toying with the universe.â
âThe fourth is the Red-Bottomed Horse Monkey, understanding Yin and Yang, adept in human affairs, good at coming and going, evading death to extend life.â
âThe Sea-Calming Divine Needle in the hands of the Vice Leader, with an Artifact Spirit that is a golden Divine Ape with six ears, must be the very Sea-Calming Divine Needle of the Six-Eared Macaque.â
âAnd the Sea-Calming Divine Needle that I summoned, which gave birth to the Artifact Spirit of a Long-Armed Divine Ape, must be the Sea-Calming Divine Needle that belongs to the Through-Arm Gibbon.â
âIt is precisely because of this that I have speculated there might be as many as four Sea-Calming Divine Needles in total.â
Li Xiaobai turned to Master Rong and said slowly.
âI see, so according to what Young Master Li says, each of the Chaos Worldâs Four Monkeys in this world has a Sea-Calming Divine Needle. Therefore, aside from the two we have here, there should indeed be other Sea-Calming Divine Needles, correct?â
Master Rongâs brow furrowed slightly; Li Xiaobaiâs explanation matched her own conjecture, but the key question was, where were the other two Sea-Calming Divine Needles at this moment?
What connections were there between the Sea-Calming Divine Needles?
Li Xiaobai could not answer these questions either; his knowledge was quite limited. Divine Artifacts like the Sea-Calming Divine Needle were provided by the System â how could he know if there were any connections between them?
The System gives, and he uses; it doesnât rely on reasoning or logic, itâs that simple.
âIndeed, but these are merely my speculations. Whether they hold true or not requires meticulous inquiry and research.â
âSeeing is believing, only then can its existence be truly confirmed.â
Li Xiaobai nodded slightly and spoke indifferently.
âLittle sister, Young Master Liâs view is quite similar to yours. It seems your conjecture is indeed correct. To uncover the key to this mystery, it looks like ascending to the Upper Realm is our only chance to explore further.â
Huahuo tapped the table and took a sip of tea, speaking lightly.
âYoung Master, this is tea brewed from Enlightenment Tea Leaves. Although itâs not considered the finest in the human world, it does have some effects on focusing the mind and calming the spirit. Care to try it?â
Huahuo poured a cup of tea and pushed it towards Li Xiaobai.
âMany thanks, Lady Hua!â
Li Xiaobai quickly accepted the tea and drank it all in one gulp, a pleased expression appearing on his face as he couldnât help but exclaim, âGood tea, indeed a fine tea!â
Huahuoâs forehead was covered in black lines. Tea is supposed to be savored slowly to appreciate it; what kind of enlightenment could one have by downing it in one go?
Can such a gulping manner even discern the quality of the tea?
It was nothing short of perfunctory.
âHeh, Young Master Li indeed has a straightforward nature, drinking tea like hard liquor. It is clear that you are broad-minded and unconcerned with trivialities. I quite appreciate that.â
Huahuo still maintained her gentle smile, chuckling as she spoke.
âLady Hua flatters me.â
Li Xiaobai touched his nose, fully aware that he had been seen through; indeed, he hadnât felt anything at all.
Having become accustomed to Huazi, tasting the mind-clearing and tranquil tea seemed somewhat bland and lackluster.
âSister is correct,â Young Master Li and I share almost the same view. It must be so. As for ascending to the Upper Realm, Iâve just come back today and I wanted to discuss this matter with you all.â
Liuren spoke from the sideline, with half of a banana in his mouth, cheeks bulging, his speech somewhat muffled.
âFinish eating before you talk; have you forgotten basic etiquette? What kind of image is this to present!â
Huahuoâs face darkened as she scolded Liuren. As a vice leader, his casual behavior in front of outsiders, devoid of decorum, did nothing but tarnish Aolai Countryâs reputation for no good reason.
âI got it.â
Liurenâs eyes looked slightly aggrieved as he gulped down the banana in two or three bites.
âVice Sister, just now you were about to talk to us about ascension. Could it be that youâve already touched upon that threshold?â
Master Rong looked at Liuren and slowly spoke. She knew Liuren had always been cultivating with the goal of ascending to the Upper Realm.
âIndeed, this matter started when I went to quell the conflict at the first battlefield on the border.â
Liuren nodded and recounted the series of events that occurred at the first battlefield in great detail, from the appearance of the Sea-Calming Divine Needle to the opening of Tangneng First-class and the Good Goods Shop, to the secret of the Five-colored Altar that communicated with the Upper Realm.
She recounted every detail meticulously.
Li Xiaobai listened silently on the side. These werenât major secrets, and he had never planned to hide them; to create a passage between the two realms in the future, he relied on these true power players to scout ahead.
After hearing Liurenâs words, everyone fell silent. Master Rongâs eyes flickered with a strange light, as though she was pondering something.n/ô/vel/b//in dot c//om
âGood Goods Shop, Tangneng First-class, is their effect truly so miraculous?â
âEven you, Xiao Liuzi, felt a considerable benefit?â
Surprise was unstoppable in Huahuoâs eyes. For someone at their level of cultivation, it was exceedingly difficult to make any progress; being told now that soaking in a bath and smoking Huazi could significantly boost oneâs cultivation was hard to believe.
If it hadnât been Liurenâs statement, she might have suspected insanity.
âCough cough, as for the effects of Huazi, the three family heads might as well give it a try. I believe that after trying it, you will come to a conclusion in your hearts. As for the matter of partnership, I am very sincere.â
Li Xiaobai timely offered three sticks of Huazi, one for each person.
Following Liurenâs example, Huahuo and Master Rong both lit their cigarettes, involuntarily taking a puff. In just an instant, both their pupils contracted sharply, their expressions drastically changing as they felt a tempest stirring in their hearts.
Their internal organs were purified and their Spiritual Platforms became clear, resolving all prior difficulties in cultivation and ambiguities in their cultivation techniques.
Exchanging a glance, they saw the shock reflected in each otherâs eyes.
This wasnât a dream; it was real!
Huahuo even recalled a difficult battle over a hundred years ago and unconsciously analyzed all the flaws she had at the time.
Was it possible that just a stick of Huazi could enhance their enlightenment and even allow them to revisit and analyze memories from a hundred years ago?
What kind of Heaven and Earth Treasure was this?
At that moment, Huahuoâs eyes revealed a terrifying light, like a wild beast choosing its prey, filled with a wild, aggressive aura, staring intently at Li Xiaobai.
Li Xiaobai felt a tightness in his heart, worried that the Great Family Head might harbor greed and want to forcefully extract the method of creating Huazi.