Chapter 377: As Big As It Gets (Begging for Monthly Tickets)

In Leaving Leaving Suishenju, Li Banfeng opened his eyes, still half-asleep, and heard his wife muttering by his ear: "Oh, husband, running two businesses at once is really not easy."

Xiang Xiang Hongying put down her eyebrow pencil and said: "What exactly are these two businesses? Doing it together? Would Qi Lang know how to do that?"

"You little hussy!" His wife used a phonograph needle to pick up a rag and flung it at Xiang Xiang Hongying's spearhead. "All day long thinking wild thoughts, you have no shame!"

After washing up, Li Banfeng held the phonograph close for a while, and felt that the phonograph's figure had grown slightly slimmer.

This won't do — it had taken so much effort to fatten his wife up, and she'd already lost weight in just a few days.

The phonograph comforted Li Banfeng: "Husband, these past days your maid has been studying craftwork, swinging a hammer every day, burning through more energy, losing a little weight, your maid isn't hungry, really not hungry at all."

What a sensible wife.

The more his wife said this, the more uneasy Li Banfeng felt inside.

A puff of steam wrapped around Li Banfeng, and his wife said softly: "Husband, you really don't need to worry about your maid. Counting from today, it's the third day, husband should go check on the plot of land,

If the plot has opened up, husband should ask Meng Yuchun for some good seeds, plant some herbs that can gather Dao affinity,

If the plot hasn't opened up, husband need not be upset, just don't forget to reward the strange creatures with some cultivation,

More human presence is certainly good, but more strange creatures is also a good thing, they can also boost husband's cultivation."

"More strange creatures can also boost cultivation?"

"Yes, living people bring human presence, and strange creatures similar to people can also bring human presence, but compared to living people, the human presence brought by strange creatures is much less,

Some local land gods know they can't manage to build up human presence, so they simply go all out recruiting strange creatures from all sides, slowly accumulating, and their cultivation can also advance,

Husband is still far from Cloud Ascending, building up more foundation is always good. Even if you don't count on the human presence brought by strange creatures, they are still the fighting force under husband,

In the future if you go to war with other local land gods, the vanguard charging into battle will all depend on strange creatures, you must never treat them poorly."

His wife spoke reasonably. This place was so remote, recruiting more strange creatures might well be a way out. If Ba Shan Zhu had had this awareness back then, he wouldn't have dragged things out until his oil ran dry and his lamp burned out, going to fight Meng Yuchun to the death.

After leaving Leaving Leaving Suishenju and taking a turn around his own territory, Li Banfeng realized a practical problem.

This wasn't Ba Shan Zhu's fault — even the number of strange creatures in this remote place was very limited.

Compared to Water Shui Shui Yongquan's domain, the number of strange creatures on Meng Yuchun's territory might not reach two-tenths of his.

In terms of fighting strength, Water Shui Shui Yongquan and Autumn Falling Leaves were also above Meng Yuchun; the gap in strange creature numbers led to the difference in their cultivation.

Li Banfeng's territory went without saying — it probably didn't even reach one-tenth.

The human presence brought by strange creatures was far less than that brought by living people. If the strange creatures weren't even at scale, it proved this path wouldn't work either.

Forget it, let's go check on Youtao's plot first.

Youtao was gnawing on a lamb leg on the plot — she had endured through these three days.

The matter with Xiao Feng had hit her hard, but the chef's cooking tempted her greatly too. The chef spoke reason: as long as your belly is full, there's truly no knot in the heart that can't be untied.

But heart and heart were one thing, strength was another. Youtao didn't have the strength to open up wasteland; she had only held on until now entirely thanks to the chef's help.

Past noon, the examination ended.

Li Banfeng felt a jolt of his heart.

Youtao gazed up at the sky and saw the faint glow of heavenly light.

"Is that heavenly light?" Youtao could hardly believe it.

Li Banfeng handed Youtao a shovel: "Try digging, see if there's water."

Youtao's energy didn't flag; she dug with the shovel for an hour and saw water gushing out.

It worked!

Youtao was extremely excited: "Brother Bai Sha, big brother Chef, it worked, I've opened up a plot, I have land!"

Li Banfeng smiled with an approving look.

The chef nodded repeatedly: "In a bit I'll cook up a couple of dishes, let's have a good drink."

Youtao said with tears in her eyes: "From now on this is my land. If anyone bullies me, I'll spill blood, and the local land god can protect me, right?"

The chef nodded: "That's the rule of a new plot."

Li Banfeng didn't know how to answer.

This was a bit troublesome — Li Banfeng couldn't stay here forever.

But this was a duty a local land god had to fulfill.

He'd have to think of a way to solve this problem in the future.

Li Banfeng was still pondering when Youtao excitedly pulled out a knife and aimed it at her own palm: "I'll try it right now!"

"No!" Li Banfeng quickly stopped Youtao.

If he let her try now, the situation would get complicated — how would the local land god get over here?

"You can't try now. If you summon the local land god right now, wouldn't the chef and I become intruders?" Li Banfeng gave a reasonable explanation.

Youtao thought about it, and it made sense, so she put the knife away.

Li Banfeng wanted to ask Meng Yuchun for some seeds, but the chef had already prepared them.

"Having received heavenly light, we should sow some good seeds that can gain Dao affinity."

The chef had been a great help this time. Li Banfeng gave him three Mysterious Crimson Pills. After the seeds were planted, Li Banfeng and Youtao watched together in silence.

"Having your own land is wonderful," Youtao's eyes were full of hope, "if I could have a few more plots it would be even better."

Yes, if only he could open a few more plots, that would be great — Li Banfeng also hoped to see more heavenly light.

Within a hundred-li domain, a one-li square plot numbered ten thousand.

Li Banfeng wasn't greedy — he didn't expect all ten thousand plots to light up in a short time. If a hundred or so could light up, that would be good; then this domain would look a bit more presentable.

But who could he count on to open up wasteland in this place?

In the identity of Li Qi, open up wasteland for Li Furong?

That move was too absurd — if mishandled, it could bring contract backlash.

But up until now, only Youtao had come to open up wasteland. To count on her to open a hundred plots — that was a tall order.

"When did you enter the Dao?" Li Banfeng asked.

Youtao smiled and said, "I entered at sixteen, so by now it's been eight years. I'm not far from the second layer either."

The cook raised his brows. "I'm going to cook."

He didn't have the heart to say it plainly, but given Youtao's condition, she really wasn't close to the second layer.

Li Banfeng said, "Your cultivation is rising too slowly. You don't usually take cultivation seriously, do you?"

Youtao sighed, "Cultivation depends on fate. Without the right person, who could I find to cultivate with?"

While speaking, Youtao looked at Li Banfeng, a faint blush on her cheeks.

Li Banfeng gazed at Youtao, a hint of coldness in his eyes.

She still knows how to blush?

She still knows shame?

Her attitude toward cultivation is simply wrong!

Ma Wu entered the Dao a year and a half ago and reached the third layer; he never picked and chose his partners.

Whether they were human or not, he never picked.

Seeing Li Banfeng's unfriendly expression, Youtao lowered her head, and her thoughts drifted again to Miss Xiao Feng. A pang of sorrow crept in.

Li Banfeng reminded her, "Your cultivation was interrupted for three days. You need to find a partner as soon as possible."

While they were talking, Huang Die flew over. Li Banfeng felt she would be a fine candidate, though he didn't know whether Meng Yuchun would be willing.

Youtao had no interest in Huang Die. To be honest, Huang Die's appearance made her a bit uncomfortable.

Huang Die hadn't come for Youtao either; she had come for Li Banfeng.

"A crazy woman showed up on Miss Meng's territory, saying she's looking for you. That woman is fierce as anything."

Which woman is so fierce!

Li Banfeng suddenly thought of He Yuxiu and hurried off to Meng Yuchun's territory.

He Yuxiu grabbed a python and demanded, "Did you hear what I just asked you? Has a man come through here?"

The python was so scared it had turned green, and it had no idea which man He Yuxiu was talking about.

Meng Yuchun watched from the shadows, her fists slowly clenching.

By rights, the local earth god shouldn't meddle in such a small matter, but she was hot-tempered and couldn't stand He Yuxiu running wild on her territory.

Li Banfeng came to Meng Yuchun's side and explained, "This is my little sister. If she's offended you, let me apologize to you first."

Meng Yuchun gave a cold snort and turned to leave. Li Banfeng went to He Yuxiu's side: "You got here so fast?"

He Yuxiu tossed the python aside, clapped her hands, and said, "Seventh Brother, this place was really hard to find. Have you finished what you needed to handle?"

After returning to Green Water City, He Yuxiu scraped together a sum of money, no small amount.

But she was still wearing the oversized men's clothes Li Banfeng had bought her.

A plaid shirt, a beige suit, her hair tucked into a fedora—just as dashing and sharp as ever.

Li Banfeng stared at He Yuxiu for a long while, then grabbed her hand and said, "Sister, come with me."

"Where to?"

"To my place. I'm in a hurry."

"Such a rush?" He Yuxiu was startled. "Um, brother, I've been traveling all the way and I'm pretty sweaty. Find me a place to wash up first."

"No need. Wash up at my place; there's water there."

"Such a rush, Seventh Brother…"

Li Banfeng was in a hurry. The more he looked at He Yuxiu, the more urgent he felt.

Look at this girl's figure—how proper it is!

Look at these shoulders, look at this back, look at these arms, look at this waist, and then look at these peaches!

Such a fine girl, such a wonderful figure—if she doesn't go open wasteland, isn't that a waste?

Arriving at Li Banfeng's territory, Li Banfeng said, "Sister, pick a plot!"

He Yuxiu was startled. "Brother, out there we should at least… put something down to cushion it. This place is awfully prickly!"

Li Banfeng felt the ground and said to He Yuxiu, "It's perfectly flat. Not prickly at all."

"How is it not prickly?" He Yuxiu's tone was a little aggrieved. "If you don't believe me, try lying down yourself."

Li Banfeng said, surprised, "Lie down and do what?"

He Yuxiu lowered her head and said, "Lying down isn't necessary, but my palms and knees can't take it either."

"What's there to not take? Aren't you trained in martial arts?"

"Trained in martial arts… this place still isn't suitable."

"If this place isn't suitable, let's change it. First tell me how big you want it!"

He Yuxiu was taken aback. "How can it be up to me how big? That depends on how big Seventh Brother is!"

"I've got every size!"

He Yuxiu was stunned.

What does "every size" mean?

Isn't there only one of these things?

Could Li Qi be a body cultivator instead of a travel cultivator?

He Yuxiu considered for a moment and said, "Little sister thinks a slightly bigger one is better."

"True," Li Banfeng nodded, then added, "But it can't be too big either."

"Yes, a too-big one can't be handled either."

Li Banfeng considered for a moment and said, "How about three li?"

He Yuxiu gasped, "By the li?"

"Yes, one li, three li, five li—pick one. Don't pick ten li for now; one person really can't handle it."

He Yuxiu's expression went blank for a moment; she roughly understood what Li Banfeng meant.

……

On the three-li plot, He Yuxiu laid out the offerings and burned the contract.

She thought Li Qi made a lot of sense—hiding from disaster in the new land required having a plot of one's own.

Li Banfeng, hanging from the Judge's Brush, first lit up the plot, then waved both arms and came over beside the offering table and ate the offerings.

A jar of sorghum wine and a whole roasted sheep—Li Banfeng didn't have that big an appetite, but these were things He Yuxiu had bought from the cook.

The cook's skill was really too good; Li Banfeng ate quite a bit, then stowed the rest in Leaving Leaving Suishenju, saving it for the next meal.

He had also been curious—where exactly did this sheep come from? If it was sheep produced in the new land, could it be poisonous?

But the cook told Li Banfeng to eat without worry: no matter where the sheep came from, as long as it was an ingredient, once it reached him he could purge the poison from it.

He Yuxiu didn't make any extra preparations; a three-li plot, as long as nothing unusual happened, posed no difficulty for her.

She wanted to find a place to rest; You Xuetao had already set up the tent.

He Yuxiu was taken aback: "Miss, do I know you?"

"I'm You Xuetao. A friend surnamed Li asked me to come over and lend a hand."

A friend surnamed Li.

Li Qi had sent her.

He Yuxiu smiled: "All right, then. What sect are you from, and what level?"

That wasn't something one should ask lightly, but since You Xuetao had come to find He Yuxiu on her own, it was only proper to state her background.

"I'm a Joy Cultivator, first-layer cultivation."

"First-layer cultivation is a bit lacking—can you handle odd jobs?"

"Yes!" You Xuetao nodded vigorously, stealing glances at He Yuxiu from time to time. This woman was so dashing, and in men's clothes she looked even more handsome.

You Xuetao didn't know He Yuxiu; she rarely read newspapers in normal times, and someone of He Yuxiu's level was beyond her reach as well.

He Yuxiu said to You Xuetao: "Go fetch me some water, will you? I want to wash up."

"Okay!"

She wanted to wash up.

You Xuetao, blushing and heart pounding, ran out.

……

Great, this is wonderful!

With He Yuxiu here, opening up eight or ten plots wouldn't be a problem.

Li Banfeng was just getting excited when he felt another wave of heart palpitations.

Someone else has come to open land!

This plot's market price is going up!

Li Banfeng waved both arms and flew over excitedly; halfway through the flight, the Judge's Brush threw him onto the ground.

"Walk yourself!"

It was rare for the Judge's Brush to speak in such a loud voice—it was truly angry.

Li Banfeng arrived near the plot, and sure enough, someone had set up an offering table.

The ones opening land were two men. A middle-aged man said: "Brother, we still need to make some preparations. Even though a one-li plot isn't hard, being cautious is never wrong."

"Leave this matter entirely to me. I won't dare say too much, but I've never failed at a one-li plot. I've already prepared all the materials—

and this is a place Seventh Master introduced us to; the number of strange creatures isn't too high."

"It's not that I don't trust you, but when it comes to opening land, accidents are unavoidable. What if we run into a wandering strange creature? A little more preparation never hurts."

"I've prepared more than enough. I'll take them out right now and show you."

The young man untied the bucket and casually picked up the ladle.

Li Banfeng sprinted over at full speed: "Genzi, put the bucket down!"

PS: Can't let Genzi use his usual method to open land here. The details of his usual method are in chapter two hundred sixty-five.

Dear readers, my lord, have a pleasant weekend—give all your monthly votes to Yumian Shala.

(End of chapter)