Chapter 377: How Big? As Big As You Want (Requesting Monthly Votes)

Inside the Sui Shen Ju, Li Banfeng opened his eyes, half-asleep, hearing his wife murmur beside him: "Honey, running two businesses at once is truly hard."

Hong Ying put down her eyebrow pencil and asked: "What do you mean by two businesses? Running them together? Can Seventh Brother do that?"

"You little wretch!" His wife snatched a cloth with her needle and flung it at Hong Ying's spearhead. "Always daydreaming nonsense—don't you have any shame?"

After washing up, Li Banfeng cuddled the phonograph for a long while, feeling its shape had grown slightly slimmer.

This won't do—I went to so much trouble to get my wife to gain weight, and now she's lost it all in just a few days.

The phonograph comforted Li Banfeng: "Husband, your little servant has been studying craftsmanship these days, swinging hammers daily, burning up a lot of energy—just a bit thinner, but I'm not hungry, truly not hungry at all."

What a considerate wife.

The more she said this, the worse Li Banfeng felt inside.

A wisp of steam wrapped around Li Banfeng; his wife whispered softly: "Husband, truly don't worry about your little servant—today marks the third day, you should go see your land plot."

If the land plot opens, go to Meng Yuchun for good seeds and plant herbs that accumulate Dao affinity.

If the land plot doesn't open, don't be angry—just remember to reward the anomalies with cultivation.

More human energy is good, but more anomalies are good too—they can boost your cultivation.

"Anomalies can also boost cultivation?"

"Yes. Living humans bring human energy; anomalies resembling humans bring it too, though far less than living humans.

Some land gods, knowing they can't sustain human energy, instead focus entirely on recruiting anomalies from all corners, accumulating slowly—still, their cultivation can advance.

You're far from Yunshang; building more foundations is always better. Even if you don't count on the meager human energy from anomalies, they're still your combat force.

When you fight other land gods, you'll rely on them to charge the frontlines—never mistreat them."

His wife's words made sense. This place was so remote; recruiting more anomalies might be a viable path. If Baishan Lord had realized this earlier, he wouldn't have waited until his energy ran dry and gone to beg Meng Yuchun for a desperate fight.

After leaving the Sui Shen Ju and walking his land, Li Banfeng realized a harsh reality.

It wasn't Baishan Lord's fault—this remote place had an extremely limited number of anomalies.

Compared to Shui Yongquan's territory, Meng Yuchun's land probably had less than two-tenths the number of anomalies.

In combat strength, Shui Yongquan and Qiuluye surpassed Meng Yuchun; the gap in anomaly numbers directly caused their cultivation differences.

Li Banfeng's land was even worse—likely less than one-tenth.

Anomalies brought far less human energy than living humans; if they weren't numerous enough, this path was dead.

Forget it—first, go see the peach land plot.

You Tao was gnawing on a lamb leg on the land plot; she'd made it through these three days.

Xiao Feng's death had shaken her deeply, but the chef's cooking was a powerful lure—the chef was right: once your belly was full, no heartache was unsolvable.

But spirit was spirit, strength was strength—you Tao lacked the ability to clear land; she'd only held on thanks to the chef's help.

After noon, the assessment ended.

Li Banfeng felt a pang of heartache.

You Tao looked up at the sky and saw a faint glow beginning to brighten.

"Is that… heavenly light?" You Tao couldn't believe it.

Li Banfeng handed You Tao an iron spade: "Dig—see if water comes up."

You Tao didn't slow down; she dug for an hour, then saw water gushing out.

Success!

You Tao was ecstatic: "White Sand Brother, Chef Brother—it's done! I've opened my land plot! I have land!"

Li Banfeng smiled approvingly.

The chef nodded vigorously: "I'll cook two dishes—we'll celebrate with a drink."

You Tao, tears in her eyes, said: "This is my land now—if anyone bullies me, I'll spill blood, and the land god will protect me, right?"

The chef nodded: "That's the rule for new land."

Li Banfeng didn't know how to answer.

This was complicated—he couldn't stay here forever.

But it was the land god's duty to protect.

He'd have to find a way to solve this later.

As Li Banfeng pondered, You Tao pulled out a knife and pressed it to her palm: "I'll test it now!"

"No!" Li Banfeng quickly stopped her.

If she did it now, things would get messy—how could the land god even come?

"You can't test it now—if you summon the land god, you and I become invaders," Li Banfeng offered a reasonable explanation.

You Tao thought it over—yes, that made sense—and put the knife away.

Li Banfeng wanted to get seeds from Meng Yuchun—the chef had already prepared them.

"Now that you've seen heavenly light, it's time to sow seeds that bring Dao affinity."

The chef had helped greatly; Li Banfeng gave him three Xuan Chi Dan. After planting the seeds, Li Banfeng and You Tao stood silently watching.

"Having your own land is wonderful," You Tao's eyes glowed with hope. "If only I could have more land plots."

Yes—if only more plots could open, Li Banfeng too longed to see more heavenly light.

A hundred-li territory held ten thousand plots, each one li square.

Li Banfeng wasn't greedy—he didn't expect all ten thousand to glow at once. Even a hundred or so would make this territory look respectable.

But who could possibly clear land here?

With Li Qi's status, clear land for Li Furong?

That would be absurd—risking backlash from the covenant.

So far, only You Tao had come to clear land; expecting her to open a hundred plots was impossible.

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

You Tao smiled: "I entered at sixteen—eight years now. I'm not far from the Second Layer."

The chef raised an eyebrow: "I'll go cook."

He didn't say it outright, but You Tao's condition was far from the Second Layer.

Li Banfeng said: "Your cultivation grows too slowly—you don't take it seriously, do you?"

You Tao sighed: "Cultivation depends on fate. Without the right partner, who can I find to cultivate with?"

As she spoke, You Tao looked at Li Banfeng, cheeks slightly flushed.

Li Banfeng stared at You Tao, his gaze cold.

She still knew how to blush?

She still felt shame?

Her attitude toward cultivation was wrong!

Ma Wu entered a year and a half ago—now he's at the Third Layer. He never picks.

Doesn't matter who it is—he doesn't care.

Seeing Li Banfeng's expression, You Tao lowered her head, remembering Xiao Feng again, her heart heavy.

Li Banfeng reminded her: "You've interrupted cultivation for three days—find a partner quickly."

As he spoke, Huang Die flew over. Li Banfeng thought she'd be a good match—if only Meng Yuchun would agree.

You Tao had no interest in Huang Die—in truth, Huang Die's appearance unsettled her.

Huang Die wasn't here for You Tao—she was here for Li Banfeng.

"A madwoman appeared on Miss Meng's land—says she's looking for you. She's terrifyingly fierce."

Who was this terrifying woman?

Li Banfeng suddenly remembered He Yuxiu and hurried to Meng Yuchun's land.

He Yuxiu gripped a python and asked: "Did you hear me? Has a man come through here?"

The python turned pale green with fear—didn't even know which man she meant.

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

Normally, land gods shouldn't interfere in such matters—but her temper was short; she couldn't tolerate He Yuxiu's rampage on her land.

Li Banfeng arrived beside Meng Yuchun and explained: "This is my little sister. I apologize for her trespass."

Meng Yuchun snorted and turned away. Li Banfeng went to He Yuxiu: "You came this fast?"

He Yuxiu dropped the python and clapped her hands: "Seventh Brother, this place is hard to find. Have you finished your business?"

After returning to Lüshui City, He Yuxiu obtained a large sum of money.

Yet she still wore the oversized male clothes Li Banfeng had bought her.

Plaid shirt, beige suit, hair tucked under a hat—still strikingly elegant and sharp.

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

"Where?"

"To mine—I'm in a hurry."

"So urgent?" He Yuxiu gasped. "Uh, Brother, I've been walking all day—I'm sweaty. Let me find a place to wash."

"No need. Wash at mine—I have water."

"So urgent, Seventh Brother…"

Li Banfeng was desperate—the more he looked at He Yuxiu, the more desperate he became.

Look at this woman's figure—so perfect!

Look at her shoulders, her back, her arms, her waist—then look at these peaches!

Such a beautiful woman, such a fine figure—why not clear land? Isn't that a waste?

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

He Yuxiu startled: "Brother, out here… at least put something down, this is too prickly!"

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

"Not prickly?" He Yuxiu's tone was wounded. "Don't believe me? Lie down and try it."

Li Banfeng blinked in surprise. "Why would you lie down?"

He Yuxiu lowered her head. "You don't have to lie down—but my palms and knees can't take it."

"Why can't they take it? Aren't you a Wu Xiu?"

"Even a Wu Xiu… this place isn't suitable."

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

He Yuxiu froze. "How can I say how big I want? It depends on how big Seventh Brother is!"

"I've got any size you want!"

He Yuxiu was stunned.

What does "any size" mean?

Isn't there just one?

Could Li Qi not be a Lv Xiu, but a Ti Xiu?

After a moment's thought, He Yuxiu said, "Little sister thinks a slightly larger one would be better."

"That's true," Li Banfeng nodded, then added, "But not too large."

"Yes, too large would be unbearable."

Li Banfeng considered a moment. "How about three li?"

He Yuxiu gasped. "You measure by li?"

"Yes. One li, three li, five li—pick one. Don't pick ten li; no one can handle that alone."

He Yuxiu's expression grew dazed. She roughly understood what Li Banfeng meant.

…

For a three-li territory, He Yuxiu laid out offerings and burned the contract.

She believed Li Qi was right: to hide from calamity in the New Land, one needed a personal plot.

Li Banfeng hung from the Judge's Pen, first activated the plot, then waved his arms and hurried to the offering table, devouring the offerings.

A jar of sorghum wine, a whole roasted lamb—Li Banfeng didn't have such an appetite, but these were bought by He Yuxiu from the cook.

The cook's skill was truly excellent; Li Banfeng ate a great deal, then stored the leftovers in his Portable Dwelling for the next meal.

He had wondered before: where did this lamb come from? If it was from the New Land, was it poisonous?

But the cook told Li Banfeng to eat without worry—no matter where the lamb came from, as long as it was food, he could remove all toxicity.

He Yuxiu made no extra preparations; a three-li plot, barring special circumstances, posed no difficulty for her.

She looked for a place to rest; You Taohao had already pitched a tent.

He Yuxiu blinked. "Girl, do I know you?"

"I'm You Taohao. A friend surnamed Li sent me to lend a hand."

A friend surnamed Li.

Li Qi sent her.

He Yuxiu smiled. "Fine. What sect? What level?"

This wasn't something to ask lightly, but since You Taohao came to her herself, revealing her background was only proper.

"I'm a Huan Xiu, first-level cultivation."

"First-level is a bit weak. Can you handle chores?"

"Yes!" You Taohao nodded vigorously, occasionally stealing glances at He Yuxiu—this woman was so commanding, even in male attire she looked stunning.

You Taohao didn't know He Yuxiu; she rarely read newspapers and had no contact with figures of her caliber.

He Yuxiu told You Taohao, "Go fetch me some water. I need to wash up."

"Yes!"

She needed to wash up.

You Taohao blushed, heart pounding, and ran out.

…

Wonderful! Perfect!

With He Yuxiu here, clearing ten or even twenty plots wouldn't be a problem.

Li Banfeng was delighted, then suddenly felt a wave of heart palpitations.

Someone else was coming to clear land!

The land market is rising!

Li Banfeng flailed his arms, excitedly flying over—halfway there, the Judge's Pen flung him to the ground.

"Walk yourself!"

Rarely did the Judge's Pen speak so loudly—he was truly angry.

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

Two men were clearing land. One middle-aged man said, "Brother, we should still prepare properly. Though a one-li plot isn't hard, being cautious never hurts."

"Leave it to me. I can't promise more, but I've never failed on a one-li plot—I've got all the materials ready, and this place was recommended by our Seventh Master; the strange monsters aren't too numerous."

"I'm not doubting you, but land-clearing always carries risks. What if we encounter wandering monsters? More preparation never hurts."

"I've prepared plenty. I'll show you right now."

The young man unslung his bucket and picked up a spoon.

Li Banfeng sprinted over. "Genzi, put that bucket down!"

PS: Don't let Genzi use his usual method here—his usual method is detailed in Chapter 265.

Dear readers, have a pleasant weekend—vote for Salad for the monthly tickets.

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