[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-18":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},2290316,4478,"Chapter 18: Selecting the Dao Gate","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-18",18,"\u003Cp>For most Heng nationals, buying a house is the greatest challenge in the world, without exception.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And this raises a crucial question: where should the house be bought?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should it be in Yuezhou, or in Yaowang Gou?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Don’t even think about Yuezhou—the housing prices there could rob you of the will to live.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Why not just buy a house in Yaowang Gou and live there permanently?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Looking around at the green trees and red flowers, living here wouldn’t be so bad.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The housing prices in Yaowang Gou probably aren’t too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng patted the two thousand yuan in cash in his pocket, estimating what kind of house two thousand yuan could buy.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The fare for the rickshaw he just took was five hundred yuan…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Before owning a house, does a Zhai Xiu have no special abilities at all?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean techniques?” Ma Wu thought for a moment. “There are some techniques—even without a house, after entering the path, a Zhai Xiu’s body becomes stronger than an ordinary person’s, and they can blend into the crowd unnoticed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What do you mean by blending into the crowd unnoticed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Zhai Xiu never draw attention; they’re often overlooked when mixed among people, able to evade surveillance. Higher-level Zhai Xiu can even evade the probing of Ting Xiu.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Evade surveillance.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s extremely useful to me!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng’s inclination leaned toward Zhai Xiu, when Qin Xiaopang reminded him: “Brother Li, if you choose Zhai Xiu, how will you make a living? Those who choose Zhai Xiu all come from wealthy families—they never worry about food or clothing.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng glanced at Qin Xiaopang: “Do I look like someone who worries about food and clothing?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I really am that kind of person right now.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is indeed a problem.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Can’t a Zhai Xiu even go out to work?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Must they stay cooped up at home forever?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If all else fails, we could find a remote job.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But the question is, does this place even have internet?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a long-term perspective, the limitations of Zhai Xiu are indeed considerable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What about choosing a Lv Xiu instead?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Do Lv Xiu have innate talents too?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Yes!” Ma Wu nodded. “Lv Xiu can walk, their legs are fast, but they must walk every day—no walking means no cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The higher their level, the farther they must walk, so Lv Xiu have no fixed residence—they live wherever they end up.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Given the current situation, walking around every day would easily attract the attention of the Anxing Bureau.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From a long-term perspective, Lv Xiu have no fixed home and still face livelihood issues, unless they have a profession like a tour guide.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Should we become Huan Xiu together with Ma Wu?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu strongly agreed: “Brother Li, your physique is sturdy—you’d suit Huan Xiu well. Huan Xiu excel at confusing the mind and can secretly inflict heavy damage on enemies.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s also a good path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Ma Wu raised a very serious issue.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, how is your partner’s physical condition?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Partner?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“What partner?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu raised his eyebrows: “If Brother Li is still single, it’s problematic—fleeting encounters won’t last.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This is a practical issue: Ma Wu doesn’t lack women, but Li Banfeng has no such resources.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Go back to university and find Master Song?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng couldn’t possibly return to school in the short term.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Even if he did, ten times a day? His teacher couldn’t manage that!\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>While pondering, Li Banfeng had a bold idea: “Can I choose more than one Dao Gate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Cultivate multiple Dao Gates at once, secure all the innate talents first, then focus on whichever Dao Gate suits me best later.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang shook his head and laughed: “How could such a thing exist? You can’t even master one Dao Gate—how can you juggle several?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu didn’t laugh—he’d heard of similar cases: “Choosing more than one is impossible, but combining two Dao Gates—dual cultivation—is something that has happened before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But those who attempt it are almost always forced into it, and rarely achieve anything.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Think about it: how much energy does it take to cultivate just one Dao Gate?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A Shi Xiu must eat at least five catties of rice daily; if you add a Jiu Xiu, you’d need to drink three to five catties of alcohol every day. Not only would you never gain more time, even keeping up with basic cultivation would be exhausting.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Must both Dao Gates be cultivated simultaneously? Can’t you abandon one?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Absolutely not! Once you’ve chosen two Dao Gates, you mustn’t abandon either. If you cultivate only one and neglect the other, the cultivator will die.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Therefore, the two Dao Gates must have similar natures and complement each other. If they’re dissimilar, the cultivator will likely die on the spot.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng immediately abandoned the idea of dual cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If both Dao Gates must be maintained simultaneously, such a choice is neither wise nor practical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu is right—no one has the energy to cultivate two Dao Gates at once.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And if Shi Xiu and Jiu Xiu were even possible to combine, eating and drinking—typical of similar natures and mutual reinforcement.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But among the Dao Gates offered by the peddler, none seemed to complement each other.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu asked again: “Dual cultivation requires deep Dao affinity. How is your Dao affinity, Brother Li?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng blinked: “What is Dao affinity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Banfeng’s bewildered expression, Ma Wu froze. Qin Xiaopang froze too.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You don’t even know what Dao affinity is?” Qin Xiaopang was astonished. “If you have no Dao affinity, why are you here buying medicine? Aren’t you just seeking death?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Li Banfeng still didn’t understand, Ma Wu explained: “Dao affinity is your foundation. To build mine, I spent a fortune buying spring water from Huiming Spring and drank over thirty liters before my foundation was solid.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang snorted: “We’re not rich. We’ve tried countless folk remedies—five full years passed before we dared come buy medicine.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng still didn’t grasp the concept of Dao affinity: “Must Dao affinity be obtained through special medicine?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Medicine?” Ma Wu felt the term was inappropriate.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang understood Li Banfeng’s meaning: “Not necessarily medicine—you can also accumulate Dao affinity in specific places. San Tou Cha is one such place!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>At the mention of San Tou Cha, Li Banfeng shuddered.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>To gain Dao affinity, you’d have to grow three heads? Not worth it.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked cautiously: “Is Dao affinity absolutely necessary?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang said: “What else? Do you think anyone who comes to the peddler can become a cultivator?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dao affinity is fate—a one-in-a-million chance! Cultivators are the rarest of the rare, the dragon-phoenix among men!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Dragon-phoenix among men?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>That’s exaggerated.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>I bet the rickshaw puller is also a cultivator—is he a dragon-phoenix among men?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu looked at Li Banfeng: “Dragon-phoenix among men? I won’t say that. But you’d better not go to San Tou Cha—once you go, you won’t come back.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Forget other matters—your foundation is no joke. Brother Li, do you have Dao affinity? If you don’t, don’t play around—this truly concerns your life.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng pondered for a long time, then asked carefully: “Does being exposed to heavenly light count as Dao affinity?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were exposed to heavenly light?” Ma Wu, who had been clutching his chest, suddenly released his grip and stood up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang also stood: “When did you get exposed to heavenly light?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng recalled: “Around two in the afternoon.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang glanced at the position of the setting sun; Ma Wu pulled out his gold-cased pocket watch.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Brother Li, how have you even survived until now?” Ma Wu stepped back several paces; Qin Xiaopang followed, standing beside him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gave a nervous laugh and confirmed: “If you’re exposed to heavenly light but don’t enter a Dao Gate, you die?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ma Wu nodded: “You’re absolutely right, Brother Li.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang stepped back two more steps: “Not only will you die—you might drag others down with you. I’d better leave now.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang clutched his stomach and staggered away. The peddler called out: “It hasn’t been half an hour yet!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qin Xiaopang waved his hand: “It’s fine—close enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two attendants helped Ma Wu to leave. Seeing Li Banfeng still standing there, Ma Wu turned back and warned: “Brother Li, enter a Dao Gate quickly—delay even a moment, and you might explode.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What you’ll explode into is uncertain, how many people you’ll injure is uncertain—this is a matter of life and death, no time to waste.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “If you’ve been exposed to heavenly light, is your Dao affinity deep?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Deep? Extremely deep!” Ma Wu said as he walked away. “Brother Li, forget dual cultivation—first, save your life!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>…\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The two departed one after another; the peddler continued his business.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A woman in her fifties bought a bottle of snow cream from him, then asked for a small pinch, which she rubbed directly onto her face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Don’t be stingy—I need to check if this stuff is pure!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler smiled: “Sister, don’t say that. Once you use my snow cream, your skin will be so elastic it’ll drip water!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You’re such a smooth talker!” The woman laughed and turned to leave.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Snow cream—an ancestral-level skincare product.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It’s not much different from modern face cream, primarily preventing skin dryness and cracking. Li Banfeng had seen the bottle of snow cream in Wu Laotai’s room at the orphanage and had once rubbed it on his own face.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>And indeed, the peddler’s snow cream was extraordinary—the woman’s face had gained a noticeable glow after applying it, perhaps explaining why she came to the wilderness to buy from him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It was nearly dark, and all the customers had left.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler turned to look at Li Banfeng and asked, “Have you decided? The Soul-Returning Soup can only keep you alive for four hours—your time is running out.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>With a wave of his hand, the peddler pulled out a row of drawers from the cart, each filled with different colored powders.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was urging Li Banfeng to take the medicine immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Time was indeed running short; Li Banfeng had drunk the Soul-Returning Soup before three, and it was now close to seven.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He had made up his mind: he would choose Traveling Cultivation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though he preferred Residential Cultivation in his heart, buying a residence was far too difficult; for the sake of his future cultivation, Traveling Cultivation was the most reasonable choice.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I choose Traveling Cultivation...”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>No sooner had he spoken than someone shouted behind him: “I want the Soul-Returning Soup! I want the Soul-Returning Soup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng turned around and saw a figure both familiar and strange.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was familiar because he appeared often in the news.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He was strange because Li Banfeng had never seen him in person before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The legendary sprinter Qiao Yuesheng sprinted toward Li Banfeng with powerful strides.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Beneath the setting sun, his body left afterimages.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng believed that with his current speed, Qiao Yuesheng could break the world record.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But that wasn’t the point.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The point was that he was charging straight at Li Banfeng and slammed into him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was launched off the ground and hurtled toward the peddler’s cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler hurriedly retracted the drawers, but it was too late.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thud—a dull crash—as Li Banfeng slammed into the cart.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two drawers hadn’t been fully pulled back; the powders spilled out.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The blue powder of Traveling Cultivation and the golden powder of Residential Cultivation landed on Li Banfeng’s face. A searing, unbearable pain surged through him, and he immediately lost consciousness.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler stared at Li Banfeng, then at Qiao Yuesheng before him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuesheng gripped the peddler’s shoulder, tears in his eyes: “I want the Soul-Returning Soup! I want the Soul-Returning Soup!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Clear, raised veins stood out on his skin.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Some of the veins were slowly rupturing.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Qiao Yuesheng looked at the peddler, his face filled with pleading.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler stared at Qiao Yuesheng, his frown deepening.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After a long silence, the peddler spoke in a chilling tone: “You’ve endangered his life and ruined my reputation—how do you intend to settle this?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: Dear readers, Shala has posted ten thousand words today—are you satisfied?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>(End of Chapter)\u003C\u002Fp>",2036,"2026-06-20T03:43:13.043Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","8cf349de6fd03a6a2af8ca1e31d92ac4c4f24e5c9f30fc3710e98a6d15992e76","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-19","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-17",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]