Tai Ri Yang Mang had also become a white ghost, lying by a lake, scooping up river water with a bowl to drink.
The river water smelled like wine, with a rich aroma.
Tai Ri Yang Mang drank with great comfort and satisfaction.
"My son, don't drink anymore. Come back with me quickly," the Human Ancestor stepped forward and called out.
"My respected father, how did you come? Wonderful, let's drink together," Tai Ri Yang Mang opened his hazy eyes.
The Human Ancestor snatched the wine bowl from his hand and said with hatred for his unfulfilled potential, "Stop drinking! All you do is drink! Everyone knows that in the land of the dead, there is only this lake, and the water in it is soup. Once ghosts drink it, they become muddled and never want to leave."
Tai Ri Yang Mang said, "Father, you are wrong. This is not soup, it is soul-soothing wine. After drinking it, one can settle the soul, remove impurities from the spirit, no longer restless, and achieve great peace of mind. This is the finest wine in the world."
"I don't care what wine it is; you have to come back with me," the Human Ancestor grabbed Tai Ri Yang Mang's hand but found it as heavy as a mountain, impossible to move.
Tai Ri Yang Mang shook his head: "Some people die, their weight is heavier than a mountain. Some people die, their weight is lighter than a feather. Father, in my previous life, I had the Fame Gu, and I bathed in the light of glory before falling to my death. When I arrived here, my body became heavier than a mountain, unable to move a step, only able to lie here."
"Ah!" The Human Ancestor's heart sank, and he shouted anxiously, "I told you long ago, a tall tree catches the wind; fame is not a good thing. Why don't you get rid of the Fame Gu?"
Tai Ri Yang Mang shook his head again and sighed: "Fame and fortune cannot be brought when born, nor taken when dead. After my death, the Fame Gu left me. However, the Fixed Immortal Travel Gu still accompanies me."
The Fixed Immortal Travel Gu can take Tai Ri Yang Mang's soul out of the Gate of Life and Death, even to any place outside.
But only by taking the path of life can Tai Ri Yang Mang truly be resurrected.
"What to do..." The Human Ancestor realized he had been tricked by the Wisdom Gu. He had reached the deepest part of the Gate of Life and Death—the endless dark indulgence death realm—and found Tai Ri Yang Mang. But he found that he could not take his eldest son away.
At this, the Fairness Gu spoke: "Human Ancestor, don't you understand? There are only two paths to the Gate of Life and Death, both trampled out by the Fate Gu. Life and death are determined by fate! All things have life and death, so the universe can cycle endlessly. Your eldest son Tai Ri Yang Mang is dead. This is all the arrangement of fate; accept it. Besides, he lives well here; the indulgence death realm is the most peaceful place in the world. He drinks the best wine in the world, with no outside distractions. Can you not experience this happiness?"
The Human Ancestor stood still. He looked at his own flesh and blood for a long time before sighing deeply.
He knew he could not take his eldest son's soul away, at least not this time.
He had to bid farewell to the Fairness Gu and Tai Ri Yang Mang, leaving the indulgence death realm.
He set foot on another path, the path of life, from darkness to light.
But the Human Ancestor soon realized that walking on this path was countless times more difficult than the path of death he had come from.
The path of life had many more Gu of worries than the path of death. When the Human Ancestor walked the path of death, it became smoother with fewer Gu of worries blocking him. But when he walked the path of life, not only were there many more Gu of worries, but with every step he took, more Gu of worries flew over, desperately stopping him.
Soon, the Courage Gu could not hold on: "Human Ancestor, there are too many worries, and more will come. Death brings peace; life has endless worries. Quickly go to the Soul-refreshing Mountain and strike the Courage Stone. To survive, you need more than just courage; you need boldness."
The Human Ancestor quickly went to the Soul-refreshing Mountain, endured the pain of his soul being shaken, and obtained the Boldness Gu.
With the help of the Boldness Gu, his soul strengthened, and although it was still shaken, it was no longer a concern.
He crossed the Soul-refreshing Mountain and came to the Spirit-falling Valley.
The Spirit-falling Valley was like a maze, winding and twisting. Sometimes, a vast expanse of confusing fog would spread, causing the soul to become loose. Sometimes, a sharp wind like a blade would blow, specifically cutting through souls.
The Human Ancestor fell into the low point of life, losing direction. His soul, strengthened by the Boldness Gu, gradually became loose in the confusing fog. The loose soul was cut by the spirit-falling wind, falling piece by piece to the ground.
The Human Ancestor was about to completely lose himself when the Faith Gu flew out, illuminating his path.
The Human Ancestor walked out of the Spirit-falling Valley, leaving only a single most refined ball of soul.
He let out a great sigh of relief, feeling victory was in sight.
He arrived at the Reverse Flow River, the last checkpoint on the path of life.
He went upstream, which was even more difficult.
Endless worries pushed against him, making it difficult for him to move.
But he persevered, moving towards the light.
"Almost there." Seeing that he was about to succeed, the Human Ancestor looked ahead, only one step remaining.
He exhaled a long breath of foul air, relaxed, forgot the Wisdom Gu's advice, and stopped.
With this stop, the Human Ancestor was immediately washed away by the river water.