Chapter 373: New Land Heavenly Light and Proper Land Heavenly Light

Can a spirit household ever become so powerful that even a local deity cannot stop it?

There's no need to doubt it—my wife is proof enough.

If my wife were let loose, ordinary local deities truly couldn't hold her back.

But the question now is, why do You Tao and Xiao Feng believe Li Banfeng can withstand this spirit named A Xia?

Local deities have at least Cloud-Upper strength, while Li Banfeng's cultivation is still at Earth-Surface level—just how reliable is Xiao Feng's divination?

"You really intend to clear land here?"

You Tao looked ashamed: "Brother Baishai, I know I have no right to ask you, but we're strangers here and can't find anyone to help us.

We only need a plot one li square—we've offered offerings for days, burned through several deed scrolls, yet the local deity never responds.

We don't know why, but we beg you to give us just one piece of advice."

The offerings, the deed scrolls—all procedures were flawless. The only problem: the local deity was away.

Now that the local deity is home, will you agree to this?

"I'll go ask an expert." Li Banfeng brushed them off, then found a quiet spot and entered his Personal Dwelling.

"Wife, someone wants to clear land on my territory—how should I handle it?"

"Husband, don't rush." His wife took chisels, axes, saws, and planes from the front counter, selected two pieces of wood, and two tuning needles darted like lightning—within moments, she had crafted a small stool.

"Husband, sit."

Li Banfeng sat on the stool, pondering the meaning behind his wife's actions.

Was she showing off her craftsmanship?

"Husband, you're a local deity. When people come to clear land, it's actually a good thing. In the long term, when you ascend to Cloud-Upper, every scrap of human energy on your land becomes cultivation base.

In the short term, when someone succeeds in clearing land, heavenly light appears on your territory. Gaining heavenly light means gaining Dao affinity—accumulating more Dao affinity will greatly benefit your future cultivation."

Heavenly light?

Dao affinity?

Li Banfeng asked in surprise: "Wife, when I first arrived in Puluo Province, I was bathed in heavenly light—it did indeed accumulate Dao affinity, but isn't that different from the heavenly light on new land?"

As soon as he finished speaking, Hong Ying, eight rooms away, shuddered.

Huhhh~

His wife smiled: "That heavenly light you experienced was caused by that wretched Hong Ying. People call it Proper Land Heavenly Light.

They say Proper Land Heavenly Light and New Land Heavenly Light are different, but that's a misconception—they originate differently, yet share the same nature; only Proper Land Heavenly Light is more intense.

Proper Land Heavenly Light is like thunder—strike once, and ordinary people soon die.

New Land Heavenly Light is like gentle rain—it falls softly, and humans cannot benefit from it, nor even perceive it."

Li Banfeng blinked: "If humans can't benefit, isn't it useless?"

"Humans cannot use it, but your territory can. When heavenly light falls like rain upon the earth, it fuses with the unique earth qi of new land, transforming into rare flowers and exotic herbs.

These rare flowers and exotic herbs, when refined, become excellent pills for accumulating Dao affinity. If you need Dao affinity, just eat these pills yourself."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I've already been bathed in heavenly light once—I shouldn't lack Dao affinity."

"According to proper principle, one exposure to heavenly light should provide enough Dao affinity for you to reach Cloud-Upper. But others run businesses—you have two businesses open. Accumulating more Dao affinity is always better."

Li Banfeng wiped sweat: "Wife, what do you mean by two businesses open? I don't understand."

"I mean you're keeping two spirit households—Hong Ying, isn't that right?"

"Who asked him to keep me?" Hong Ying lowered her head, blushing slightly. Lately, her figure had grown fuller; her old clothes no longer fit.

Li Banfeng chuckled awkwardly and didn't respond.

His wife continued: "Even if you don't want Dao affinity, hunters will eventually come to harvest these rare flowers and herbs.

The more hunters come, the greater your territory's reputation becomes. Then more land-clearers will arrive—when they succeed, heavenly light returns again, and human energy on your land grows stronger."

It's a complete virtuous cycle.

Li Banfeng grew increasingly delighted.

But his wife also warned: "Once land is cleared, it acknowledges its lord. Changing lords afterward will be extremely difficult.

A one-li plot isn't small—you must carefully vet the land-clearers. Don't skip necessary trials. Don't ruin your own land.

If the lord lacks the ability to manage the land, and the land becomes neglected and barren, the entire territory may never become Proper Land."

Li Banfeng pondered the entire cycle, then suddenly had a question.

"Wife, if this gentle-rain-like heavenly light fell upon Proper Land, what would happen?"

His wife fell silent. Li Banfeng realized how absurd his question was—how could New Land heavenly light appear on Proper Land?

Hong Ying turned from the mirror and said: "Seventh Master, there really are such places."

"Wretched woman, speak out of turn!" His wife snapped. Hong Ying turned away and said nothing more.

"Husband, I don't withhold this truth because I want to deceive you—I fear your impatience will lead you into danger."

Li Banfeng puffed out his chest: "I listen well to my wife."

"Since you're willing to listen, I'll say more: if gentle-rain-like heavenly light falls upon Proper Land, it harmonizes with Proper Land's qi and produces not Dao affinity, but cultivation base."

Cultivation base!

Li Banfeng froze for a moment, a location flashing in his mind.

Kuwu Mountain!

The snake-spot chrysanthemums on Kuwu Mountain can be refined into Snake-Spot Pills, and Snake-Spot Pills can be exchanged for cultivation base.

Following Kuwu Mountain, Li Banfeng recalled Xu Han, the ancestor of Jin Xiu.

Old Xu once said that Yaowang Gou had a special place—Kuwu Mountain.

Precisely because of Kuwu Mountain's uniqueness, Neizhou is also eyeing Yaowang Gou.

"Wife, is Kuwu Mountain really such a special place?"

His wife paused, then said: "Since you've guessed, I won't hide it—Kuwu Mountain is a special feature of Proper Land, continuously bathed in heavenly light. The rare flowers and exotic herbs it produces enhance cultivation base.

I know you've been to Kuwu Mountain and harvested snake-spot chrysanthemums. The few you collected then mean nothing there.

But I beg you, husband—don't go back to Kuwu Mountain lightly. You haven't yet seen its true dangers."

Li Banfeng promised his wife, then asked: "Now that land-clearers have come to my territory, and it's a good thing—how should I respond?"

"That's tricky. Your rank is too low—you must borrow external power. Hong Ying, lend him some authority.

Tang Dao, generate some killing aura for him.

Judge's Pen, carry him aloft so he can see the full one-li territory."

Hong Ying and Tang Dao immediately agreed. Judge's Pen snorted: "Me?"

His wife said: "Who else?"

"You say fly?" Judge's Pen spoke three words.

His wife smiled: "You understand everything else—no need for me to explain further.

Film Projector, set up a scene on the territory—don't let the land-clearers see my husband's true face.

Husband, once all the aura is prepared, to elevate your rank you must show real skill. When Judge's Pen lifts you, unleash the Deep Courtyard Technique as fiercely as you can—I'll assist you then.

Husband, remember: only by firmly believing you possess Cloud-Upper cultivation can you illuminate your territory. Not a single doubt must linger—that's the hardest trial. You must try many times.

Once the land is illuminated, immediately consume the offerings and seal the covenant with the land-clearers. Whether they clear land themselves or hire others, they must agree beforehand. One day later, the trial begins—then we'll strategize.

If this attempt fails, no matter. There will be other chances. Don't lose your composure!"

Li Banfeng memorized his wife's instructions, borrowed authority from Hong Ying, took Tang Dao, Judge's Pen, and the Film Projector, and left his Personal Dwelling.

He first chose a spot at the forest's edge—open view, easy to mark boundaries. One li's territory—don't give them more.

Then he found a tree, adjusted the angle, and set up the Film Projector.

He walked to the tent. Xiao Feng bowed her head, hiding behind You Tao. You Tao watched Li Banfeng with eager anticipation.

Li Banfeng asked: "Will you clear the land yourselves, or hire others?"

On Meng Yuchun's territory, several successful land-clearers were managing their plots—they had experience.

Xiao Feng shook her head from behind: "We'll clear it ourselves. We won't interact with anyone on that land except to fetch water."

Why did she harbor such hostility toward Meng Yuchun's territory?

Li Banfeng had You Tao move the offering table to the forest's edge, then instructed them to burn the deed scrolls and prepare all offerings.

"Wait here. See if the local deity responds today. If not, try again at dawn tomorrow."

The Film Projector had already set the scene. Li Banfeng found a hidden spot and pulled out Judge's Pen.

"Fly." Li Banfeng gave the order. He waited ten minutes—nothing happened.

"Fly?"

"Wait a bit."

Li Banfeng sighed. Communicating with Judge's Pen truly couldn't be rushed.

Another ten minutes passed. Judge's Pen yawned, then lifted Li Banfeng into the air.

From midair, Li Banfeng saw the entire one-li territory laid bare.

He activated the Deep Courtyard Technique and heard his wife's war drums.

The drumbeats were dense and thunderous—Li Banfeng's spirit surged, his combat power skyrocketed.

Tang Dao darted around him, weaving thick killing aura.

You Tao clutched Xiao Feng tightly. Influenced by the Film Projector, they couldn't see Li Banfeng in the air. Overwhelmed by the combined authority and killing aura, they trembled with genuine terror.

Li Banfeng now felt like an invincible general—one roar could scatter a thousand troops.

As a Wu Xiu, he possessed innate talent for measuring distance. He maintained his aura, eyes locked on the one-li territory's boundary.

After more than ten minutes, the boundary remained unlit.

The Judge's Pen asked five words: "Can you do it or not?"

Li Banfeng took a deep breath and intensified the force of the grand mansion.

The phonograph increased its power; amidst the booming drums rose chanting, word by word, stirring Li Banfeng's blood: "On the Changyang Bridge, a single roar—shattered the bridge, reversed the flow of water. His fourth disciple, Long Changshan, a hero unmatched under heaven, saved A Dou on Changban Slope, slew every Cao soldier till they wept."

"Waaahhhhh!" Li Banfeng roared, still staring at the boundary of the land.

When the song ended, the boundary still did not glow.

"Ah!" The Judge's Pen sighed deeply—he was truly exhausted.

He swiftly carried Li Banfeng upward, making Li Banfeng's pupils contract in shock.

After hovering for a moment, the Judge's Pen suddenly plunged Li Banfeng toward the ground.

What is he trying to do?

In any other situation, Li Banfeng would have thought of fleeing immediately.

But today he could not run—the Judge's Pen was helping him.

Knowing he would either die or be gravely injured upon impact, Li Banfeng still charged forward with the Judge's Pen.

This was using the technique of single-minded obstinacy to forcibly elevate Li Banfeng's rank.

At fifty meters above ground, Li Banfeng felt his cultivation base nearing the eighth level.

When less than thirty meters remained, his cultivation base surpassed the eighth level.

The oil peaches and Xiao Feng had their eyes blinded by the gale, yet they did not know where the wind came from.

At less than twenty meters above ground, Li Banfeng fixed his gaze on the boundary line; his aura and killing intent piled upon each other, the Lady's aria echoing endlessly in his ears—even the Judge's Pen felt Li Banfeng's status was sufficient, yet the land's edge still did not ignite.

The Judge's Pen immediately slowed, bringing Li Banfeng back into midair.

"Your mind has wavered," the Judge's Pen sighed—he had found the root of the problem.

Elevating one's status is this difficult; if Li Banfeng harbored even a sliver of doubt, his status could not rise.

But Li Banfeng had no cultivation above the clouds—how could he possibly harbor no doubt at all?

Just as the Judge's Pen was about to land with Li Banfeng, he suddenly heard Li Banfeng speak:

"You are the Earth Lord."

"Who says that? I don't have such high cultivation."

"Let's not talk about cultivation—you have a covenant."

"That covenant was tricked out of someone."

"No matter how you got it—you are the Earth Lord."

"Are you using the technique of Definite Assertion?"

"Don't care what technique I use—you are the Earth Lord, proven by the covenant."

…

Two minutes later, Li Banfeng gripped the Judge's Pen and swept his gaze across his territory once more.

The Judge's Pen sensed an unprecedented aura emanating from Li Banfeng.

"It's done!" The Judge's Pen laughed, lifting Li Banfeng higher to ensure he could see a full li of land.

The boundary of the land slowly ignited.

You Tao was overjoyed: "Xiao Feng, we've made it."

Xiao Feng nodded vigorously: "Yes, we've made it."

Li Banfeng burst into loud laughter: "Hohohoho! I'm the Earth Lord—I'm going to eat the offerings!"

The Judge's Pen was also delighted: "I'll take you."

"No need—I'm the Earth Lord, I can fly! Hohohoho!" Li Banfeng released the Judge's Pen.

"Fly?" The Judge's Pen paused, thinking. "He can't!"

PS: Banfeng flapped his arms and "flew" down like that.

(End of Chapter)