Chapter 21: Two Crucial Paths

Why can’t a house spirit be born?

Because it has no foundation, the peddler explained, “for a house to birth a house spirit, it must take root in one place and absorb spiritual energy.

This house wanders aimlessly—wherever the key goes, it follows, so it can never take root.”

Can it still be used for cultivation without a house spirit?

The peddler stroked his chin. “Definitely not for higher levels, but for beginners, it’s fine. Maintaining daily basic cultivation is also possible, as long as you accept this house.”

“I accept it?” Li Banfeng was puzzled.

“Yes—if you treat this house as home, you’ve accepted it. But remember: accepting a house must come from the heart.”

Treat this as home?

That’s difficult.

Li Banfeng struggled to understand the house’s nature: “Invisible, intangible, and mobile—what kind of existence is this house?”

“Didn’t I say? It follows the key—wherever the key is, the house is. But how it moves, I don’t know either.

This shelter was built by a Traveler Master himself. Later, as his cultivation deepened, he no longer needed it, so he sold it to me.

If you find it suitable, I’ll give you this house. Though it has no house spirit and won’t elevate your House Cultivation level, living in it daily still keeps you on the right path and at least won’t kill you immediately.”

Li Banfeng asked: “So I can fully cultivate Traveler Cultivation, and just maintain House Cultivation as-is?”

“Of course not,” the peddler shook his head. “When cultivating both paths, their levels must not differ by more than three tiers.

Without a house spirit, your House Cultivation can’t reach even the first tier. If your Traveler Cultivation reaches the first tier, it’s manageable. If it reaches the second tier, House Cultivation will turn against you.

If Traveler Cultivation reaches the third tier, House Cultivation endangers your life. If Traveler Cultivation reaches the fourth tier while House Cultivation remains below the first, the cultivator will surely die. Remember: the gap between the two must never exceed three tiers.”

Li Banfeng pinched his chin. “So the conflict between House and Traveler Cultivation remains unresolved.”

“How to put it?” the peddler smiled. “You’re from outside the provinces—have you seen cars?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “I’ve seen them.”

“If a car kills someone, do you have to pay compensation?”

“Naturally.”

“After paying, can the dead be brought back to life?”

“Absolutely not.”

“If it can’t bring them back, why pay at all?”

Li Banfeng was left speechless.

The peddler chuckled. “That’s the principle: when you do something wrong, you must offer proper compensation.

You’ve taken up two incompatible paths. This is partly my fault, so I must give you fair compensation.

This is my rule—a reasonable rule. I’ve given you fair compensation.

But whether this compensation saves your life depends on your own fortune. Two paths: one, cultivate in a perilous location; two, take this mobile house. Choose one.”

Both paths seemed to solve the problem, yet neither truly did.

Li Banfeng first considered the first path: “If I cultivate a house spirit in a perilous location, and later decide to abandon the house, can I move it?”

No one wants to live in a perilous place forever.

The peddler nodded. “House Cultivation allows changing houses, but the house spirit must be handled properly.

If abandoned, a house spirit becomes a resentful spirit. It lures others into the house—spend one night inside, and you become its prisoner.

Unless someone comes to replace the imprisoned person, the spirit will hold them until death, then continue harming others.

The more people it kills, the stronger its magic power grows. If it learns to leave the house, it will seek revenge on its former master.

Many House Cultivators have died at the hands of house spirits. Changing houses must be done with extreme caution. Ideally, hand the old house to another House Cultivator—and only with the spirit’s consent.”

This just became much harder!

Where would I find someone to take it?

House Cultivators stay indoors—they’re hard to find. Even if found, they likely won’t accept it. They already have their own house spirit—why take on a dangerous one?

The first path can cultivate a house spirit, beneficial long-term.

The second path only solves the immediate problem—not a lasting solution.

Weighing pros and cons, Li Banfeng chose the second path.

The reason was simple: he had no capital for a long-term strategy.

Since boarding the train, Li Banfeng had encountered too many realities that shattered his understanding. Had his luck been even slightly worse, he’d likely be dead by now.

This was merely daily life in Yaowang Gully. If he truly went to a perilous place, he wouldn’t survive a single day—let alone dream of obtaining a house spirit in half a year. He’d probably be a vengeful spirit himself, nourishment for someone else’s house spirit.

The deal was settled. The peddler handed Li Banfeng the brass key on the spot.

Li Banfeng tested it several times, confirmed it was correct, and the transaction was complete.

“Profit and loss, we’re even. This deal cost me, but I value my reputation. You’ve accepted my item—you must not damage my name. Tell no one. Promise?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “I promise.”

“Then it’s settled. Do you have relatives in Yaowang Gully?”

Li Banfeng frowned. “Why ask that?”

The peddler raised his eyebrows. “Once, a man was a Fire Cultivator. He regretted it and switched to Water Cultivation.

Nothing happened the first day. The second day, he turned to ash.”

Li Banfeng’s cheek twitched. “You mean—?”

“I mean you might not survive. Long-term matters are not my concern. But if you don’t make it through tonight, I can transfer this compensation to your relatives.” The peddler was indeed a man of his word.

Li Banfeng shook his head. “I have no relatives.”

It was true. In Yaowang Gully or anywhere else, Li Banfeng had no family.

“Then I can’t be blamed,” the peddler clicked his tongue. “I’ve given you the house. The rest is up to your fortune. Remember this: sleep in the house tonight. If you feel energy stirring inside you, you’ve truly accepted it—your cultivation will align with the house. You’ve passed the first test.

Inside the house, a House Cultivator’s combat power is strongest, far exceeding ordinary people. Outside, it slowly fades. Return to the house, and it recovers quickly. This is the essence of House Cultivation.

A Traveler Cultivator excels in wilderness—rougher terrain, stronger power. Trapped indoors, a Traveler Cultivator faces immediate danger. This is the essence of Traveler Cultivation.

Spend at least two hours daily in the house, walk at least twenty li. This is your daily foundation. Fulfill it, and you’ll sense progress. Fail it, and you’ll suffer backlash. Qiao Yuesheng is proof.

If you truly struggle, at least return home daily and walk three to five li. If you can’t even manage that, you’ll just die suddenly.

A Traveler Cultivator gains a tier by spending one night in a dangerous place. A House Cultivator gains a tier by pleasing the house spirit. When you ascend a tier, you’ll sense it. Remember, remember.”

The peddler tied the corpse-wrapped mat to his cart and pushed it away.

Li Banfeng asked: “Do you have a power bank?”

“Power bank? I don’t have that,” the peddler shook his head. “I don’t carry anything that uses electricity.”

Li Banfeng looked at the pitch-black wasteland, recalled his journey, and asked: “Is there electricity here?”

“Electricity?” The peddler hesitated. “Some households use it, but electricity doesn’t flow here.

In Pulu Province, electricity can’t be transmitted over long distances. In your outside-province terms, line loss is too high.

That power bank you mentioned—it’s for phones. In Pulu Province, avoid phones as much as possible.

There shouldn’t be any signal here. The signals you receive might not come from anywhere real—they could attract trouble, or worse, people who shouldn’t come.

Especially Spy Cultivators. They love using phones as bait in outside provinces.”

“What’s a bait?”

“Like a fishing hook. Spy Cultivators’ keen ears often hang on phones.” The peddler didn’t elaborate, waved at Li Banfeng, and said,

“This deal is done. Though there were minor hiccups, my reputation remains unchanged, my sincerity unchanged. Farewell, customer. Next time, please do business with me again.”

PS: Today’s third update. Another one at midnight. Dear readers, all moon tickets go to Shala, all go to Shala!

P.S.: Today’s three updates—another one at midnight. Dear readers, all your monthly votes go to Shala, all of them to Shala!

(End of Chapter)