[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-123":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2290421,4478,"Chapter 123: Mind Cultivation","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-123",123,"\u003Cp>At critical moments, it doesn’t always work.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s not good.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng recalled his clash with Huang Guangshi—he’d been stabbed in the cheek with an iron ruler, had planned to flee, but failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had intended to use Kuibu Wuhen, but panic seized him at the critical moment of life and death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This technique demands great mental composure!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Use intention to guide your steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steal one step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took a step forward—it failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I steal another step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Still no success.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Watching Li Banfeng stumble forward, Ma Wu frowned: “Brother Li, you’re overthinking. You’ve only been in the sect for a few months—why push for the second level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’m just preparing now, so when I do advance, I won’t be lost. Brother Ma, do you know the three-tier techniques of Travel Cultivators?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I don’t know. Each sect’s techniques are rarely written down, especially those above the third tier—few cultivators reach them, and they never reveal their methods. Only a handful even know them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If a book truly recorded such techniques, it’d be priceless. Even the Ma family’s library probably doesn’t have one.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As they spoke, the two reached the marshland and soon found the sticky mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This lump of sticky mud was hard to distinguish—it looked nearly identical to the sludge scattered everywhere in the marsh. Ma Wu, knowing its traits, lowered his voice: “The sticky mud has a black hem. Near water, you can see the hem trembling.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng studied it closely—the edge of the black mud was indeed quivering.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Overall, the lump resembled a rotting jellyfish.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, move gently. This mud is an anomaly—it has spirit. If you make too much noise, it’ll flee. You hold the jar. I’ll take the mud.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu put on gloves and stepped two paces into the marsh—his foot slipped into a mud pit and began sinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He panicked, trying to pull his foot free, but his other foot sank into the sludge too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This isn’t right—the marsh has changed! It’s different from when he last came.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stopped struggling and turned awkwardly to look at Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng held the iron jar, standing silently on the bank, watching Ma Wu sink lower into the marsh.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After hauling Ma Wu out of the mud, Li Banfeng put on gloves and walked toward the sticky mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Travel Cultivators have a natural advantage in marshes—each step Li Banfeng took let him sense the fortune or misfortune of the next step, greatly reducing the risk of sinking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>About five steps from the mud, a splash rang out—the movement was too loud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The sticky mud sensed it—the surrounding hem began trembling rapidly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu frowned—the mud was trying to escape.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He dared not urge Li Banfeng, fearing he’d panic and step wrong.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stepped forward swiftly.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mud’s body rolled violently, trying to sink beneath the sludge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Underestimated its speed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took another step.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The mud’s body had already vanished into the sludge.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng bent low, plunged his hand into the muddy water, grabbed the entire lump, and shoved it into the iron jar.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Almost came for nothing,” Li Banfeng smiled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stared in shock: “Brother Li, you just stole a step.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean, stole a step?” Li Banfeng looked confused.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t know how to explain.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When the mud vanished into the water, Li Banfeng was three steps away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three steps—over two meters.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Unless Li Banfeng had lain flat in the water, he couldn’t possibly have reached the mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In that instant of bending down, he stole a step—a long one.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The distance shrank to one and a half steps—that’s how he barely reached the mud.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When Li Banfeng stepped out of the marsh, Ma Wu couldn’t help asking: “Brother Li, what level are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng replayed the motion of retrieving the mud and realized the distance had been strangely off.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ll just say,” Li Banfeng said calmly, “this stuff needs preparation—you never know when you’ll ascend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stopped asking.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’d never asked much about Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why could he kill first- or even second-level opponents? Why could he dispose of corpses without a trace? Why had he suddenly gone to Green Water City to buy a phonograph? Why had he thrown it away? How had he escaped the Cloak Moth Lady? Why hadn’t he paid after eating noodles?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu never asked about these things—he knew he shouldn’t.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But this moment made him unable to hold back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He and Li Banfeng found the peddler on the same day, joined the sect on the same day—he’d barely passed the first level, yet Li Banfeng was already at the second?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he ate Snake Speck Elixir every day, he couldn’t do it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Not even if he took one Xuan Chi Elixir daily—he still couldn’t do it!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What’s the reason?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could it be because he was bathed in heavenly light?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Surviving after being bathed in heavenly light—could that be what’s called innate talent?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, what method do you use to cultivate? Could you give me a hint?” Ma Wu asked sincerely.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought a moment, then replied: “Cultivation depends mostly on mindset. When the mindset arrives, the cultivation base arrives.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mindset?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu wasn’t familiar with the term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Maybe it’s similar to “heart state”?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Is my cultivation not devout enough?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng came from Medicine King Gully to Green Water Bay—not just to flee the Lu family. He’s cultivating.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Crossing the border must have been filled with countless dangers. Travel Cultivators accumulate more time in peril—he did this for cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His heart state is far more devout than mine.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I seem obsessed with Joy Cultivation, but can I truly be as relentless as he is?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I can’t slack off anymore.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two returned to Blue Willow Village. Soon after entering the village gate, Song family’s chief steward Tang Tianjin stepped before them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Behind him stood three men—Ma Wu recognized them as Song family’s enforcers.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What are they up to?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking for trouble?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Young Master Wu, off hunting new land again? Catch anything good?” Tang Tianjin stroked his beard and smiled at Ma Wu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu pointed to the stinking fish slung over his shoulder: “Went to fish for peaches. Bad luck—the peach trees didn’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin chuckled: “Too few fish—of course the peach trees won’t come.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu grimaced: “Only two of us. Even if we wanted to carry more stinking fish, we couldn’t lift them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin nodded: “It’s hard on you, Young Master. Our master feels bad seeing you work so hard. How about this—we send a few more hands tomorrow to help you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No, no—I don’t deserve such favor. I just want to pick a few peaches to earn my meals. I dare not trouble Master Song.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How’s that trouble? Business is about negotiation. Please come with us—our master is waiting for you both at the great warehouse.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu sensed trouble. He glanced at Li Banfeng, signaling him to prepare to flee, then turned back to Tang Tianjin with a smile: “Master Tang, please tell Master Song we’re just trying to earn a few coins. If we’ve offended, we’ll come to your estate to apologize another day.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t want to go?” Tang Tianjin’s face darkened. “Today, you’re going whether you want to or not!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At those words, Ma Wu turned to run.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But his body twisted—his legs refused to move.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go with him. Go with him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A thought churned repeatedly in his mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That thought slowly took control of Ma Wu’s will.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu stepped toward Tang Tianjin, one step at a time.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Damn—it’s a Mind Cultivator!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He’s controlling me with mental force.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu still resisted subconsciously—but it was useless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Because his core thought had been seized.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Everyone has many thoughts in their mind, but one dominates—it determines a person’s actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Mind Cultivators can seize a person’s dominant thought and thus control their actions.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin smiled at Ma Wu, then turned to Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t know who this man was—he knew Ma Wu had a helper, but because Li Banfeng was a Home Cultivator, he’d always ignored him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Strange, Ma Wu has already walked over—why is he standing still?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Could his cultivation base be high enough to break through my mental force?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If he had that level of cultivation, why would he still follow Ma Wu and suffer like this?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What is he doing over there?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seems like he’s talking?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was indeed speaking, but Tang Tianjin couldn’t hear what he said.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Doesn’t matter if you can’t hear—he wasn’t speaking to you.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“They told you to go over—why don’t you go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What would I go over for? I don’t even know him.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But I think you should go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you want to go, then go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“If you’re standing there Budong , how am I supposed to go?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“How long are you two going to keep arguing? This is a battle—can’t you see?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin was stunned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He didn’t understand Li Banfeng’s condition.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Like any normal person, Li Banfeng had many thoughts.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Tang Tianjin couldn’t find the primary thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin had never encountered such a situation, but he was confident in his technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was a Level Two Mental Cultivator—he refused to believe he couldn’t subdue such a young pup.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He intensified his technique, then suddenly felt his head splitting open.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Inside Li Banfeng’s mind, countless thoughts argued among themselves, their clamor seeping through mental force into Tang Tianjin’s mind.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This man was truly different.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had no primary thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The thoughts in Li Banfeng’s mind had no hierarchy—they were all equal.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Tang Tianjin was just about to withdraw his technique when Li Banfeng suddenly appeared before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A step?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Level Two Travel Cultivator…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before Tang Tianjin could react, Li Banfeng slashed his throat with a sickle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Three enforcers rushed forward—Tang Dao drew his blade, one cut per man, two fell to the ground in succession.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The last one turned and ran—Ma Wu suddenly looked up and glanced at him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu, having passed the First Trial, had learned the Confusion Technique—the enforcer shuddered, lost his footing, stumbled—and Li Banfeng raised his sickle, hooking it into the man’s skull.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Ma, check around—any other ambushes?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu understood: Li Banfeng didn’t want witnesses while collecting corpses, so he hurried off to scout the distance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sent the four corpses into his Personal Dwelling. His wife yawned and sang: “Husband, you’ve worked hard—your humble wife will prepare the ingredients right away. These ones need quick handling—I can tell they’re about to break.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Should I give them some herbs?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No need for such trouble—I’ll just eat faster.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng exited his Personal Dwelling, found Ma Wu, and prepared to return to the wooden hut.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu told Li Banfeng: “Brother Li, we must pack up quickly—we can’t stay in Lanyang Village. The Song family won’t let us go. We need to find another place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Are there other places?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“There are plenty. The Lu family is in chaos now—they’re not paying attention to you. We can find a quieter town near Lüshui City to settle for now, but those places aren’t near the New Lands, so we’ll have to find a new trade.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then shook his head: “This trade is so good—I really hate to give it up. Let’s do one more job. Just now, that old man mentioned the Song family’s great warehouse—what’s that place?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu’s eyes widened: “Brother Li, what are you planning?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s expression remained utterly calm: “I’m just asking—does his warehouse have anything valuable?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Identifying an opponent’s core thought is the essence of a Mental Cultivator’s technique.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",1958,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","72358448e5bae72d1074e990cc8cd2e312abda722d5e754965b523127b9f025f","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-124","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-122",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]