Chapter 378: Tilling Cultivation Opens New Land

Xiao Genzi has run all the way to Li Banfeng's wasteland to clear land — Li Banfeng is quite shocked.

Seeing him lift the bucket up, the matter is no longer as simple as mere shock.

"Genzi, how did you end up clearing land here?" Li Banfeng kept pressing his palm downward, signaling Genzi to put the bucket down first.

Genzi carried the bucket on his back and said with a solemn face: "Seventh Master, isn't this the good place you mentioned? It's a bit out of the way, sure, but there's food nearby. Brother Zhang and I want to do some business, and this place is just perfect."

Zhang Wanlong coughed beside him, signaling Genzi not to say too much.

That was unnecessary on his part — no matter what it was, Genzi could never hide anything from Li Qi.

"This is Brother Zhang?" Li Banfeng looked toward Zhang Wanlong.

Zhang Wanlong quickly took off his straw hat and said with a smile to Li Banfeng: "I'm Zhang Wanlong. I only just met Genzi not long ago, but the two of us hit it off especially well, so we became friends."

Li Banfeng didn't care how they became friends — what he cared about was the business between these two.

Judging from Zhang Wanlong's appearance and manner of speaking, this man's experience far surpassed Genzi's.

"The business you just mentioned was…"

"No business to speak of. Coming to this place was mainly for cultivation practice." Zhang Wanlong tried to brush the topic off with Nian Fuyan.

Li Banfeng pointed toward Meng Yuchun's territory: "If you want to cultivate, you should head that way. The food is on that stretch of land, there are more people there too, and there's usually someone to look out for you."

Genzi shook his head: "We can't go to that place. Brother Zhang says our business can't be seen by others."

Zhang Wanlong's expression turned a little awkward.

Li Banfeng asked Genzi: "What kind of business can't be seen by others?"

Little Genzi lowered his voice: "We're here to make people."

Li Banfeng looked at Little Genzi, then looked at Zhang Wanlong, and asked seriously: "How exactly are the two of you going to make people?"

Zhang Wanlong waved his hands repeatedly: "Seventh Master, you've got the wrong idea. Genzi likes to joke around too — we won't be making people."

Genzi raised the bucket: "We can. As long as we have the materials, we can."

"Genzi, put the bucket down," Li Banfeng advised earnestly. "I don't think your materials are really suited for making people."

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "Seventh Master, forget about the making-people business for now. What we want is to open up a plot of land here and grow some things."

Little Genzi said: "This Brother Zhang here is a Tilling Cultivator — he can grow all kinds of good things. But for things to grow well, they need new land, and they need my golden juice,

so I figured we should pick a quiet spot on new land, and that's why we chose here."

Genzi choosing this spot was the result of careful deliberation.

He could have chosen a location near Zhengjing Village, but he didn't — because he didn't trust Zhang Wanlong, and he didn't want to bring trouble upon Zhengjing Village.

There are so many new lands — why not just pick any random wasteland?

If he had picked any random plot, the moment Zhang Wanlong turned hostile, Genzi might not even have known how he died.

This was a place Li Qi had recommended. The local land god here might be acquainted with Li Qi, so if Genzi really lost his life, at least Li Qi would get word.

Putting everything together, Li Banfeng understood what Genzi meant.

Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Wanlong: "Brother Zhang, you say you're here to grow things — what exactly are these good things you're growing? Mind if I take a look?"

Zhang Wanlong gave a modest smile: "Just some little trinkets, not worth mentioning. But since Seventh Master has asked, allow me to show off my humble skills."

Zhang Wanlong scattered a seed on the ground and dripped a few drops of medicinal liquid on it.

Ten-odd minutes later, the seed broke through the soil, sprouted, and grew into a sapling over a chi tall.

Li Banfeng had seen Grass Cultivators before — when they used their arts, trees grew even faster than this. Such a trick was nothing to marvel at.

He nudged the sapling, but heard it let out the voice of a delicate woman.

"Easy, please."

Li Banfeng was stunned.

This tree could talk.

Li Banfeng hadn't used Insightful Spirit Sound, nor had he used the Thread-Pulling Earrings.

He heard it very clearly — this little tree really was speaking.

Little Genzi said: "Seventh Master, I wasn't exaggerating. This Brother Zhang really is a man of real ability."

Li Banfeng stared at the sapling for a long time.

He had seen talking trees before — there were plenty of them on Water Surge Spring and Autumn Qiu Luoye's territories.

But the origins of those anomalous beings were all extraordinary. Some had been people in life — cultivators of no low rank at that — whose souls went to new land after death and attached themselves to trees, becoming anomalous beings.

Some had originally been ordinary trees that, after years of immersion in new land, became spiritual anomalous beings.

But according to Water Surge Spring's account, trees of this kind needed at least a hundred years of growth before they might develop any spirituality, and whether they could learn to speak depended on having the right opportunity.

For Zhang Wanlong to be able to grow something this bizarre — something that could talk in just over ten minutes — his methods were indeed no small matter.

Yet this reminded Li Banfeng of a very bizarre thing.

Watermelons that could fight wars.

Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Wanlong and asked: "Brother Zhang, where were you making your fortune before?"

Zhang Wanlong shook his head with a smile: "What fortune? The four seas are my home — I just get by."

"You're too modest, Brother Zhang. A Tilling Cultivator who has endured and made a name for himself — at the fifth layer he stands as a champion, a lord or marquis. Your cultivation looks like it's long past the fifth layer. I'd guess you've already risen above the surface layer, haven't you?"

Zhang Wanlong waved his hands repeatedly: "Seventh Master, you're embarrassing me. My cultivation is nothing worth putting on display — I wouldn't dare show off in front of you."

Genzi said to Li Banfeng: "I boarded the train at Medicine King Gully, and not long after it started moving, I ran into Brother Zhang."

This was to tell Li Banfeng that Zhang Wanlong had most likely also come out of Medicine King Gully.

Zhang Wanlong said: "We just want to find a quiet place to grow some flowers and plants, sell them to others as little curios to pass the time. I truly have no other skills."

Li Banfeng looked at the sapling: "This is for passing the time?"

Genzi nodded: "It can pass the time. Brother Zhang has a pot of flowers — much cleverer than this tree. That pot of flowers talks all day long, very understanding of human nature."

While speaking, Genzi kept watching Li Banfeng.

Genzi knew Zhang Wanlong was a man with real ability, and also a very difficult one to deal with.

Although he knew doing so was dangerous, Genzi hoped Li Banfeng would give him a chance — a chance to keep in contact with Zhang Wanlong, because Zhang Wanlong could bring Genzi unimaginable opportunities.

Li Banfeng nodded and said: "Genzi, when you meet a capable man like Brother Zhang, you must learn your skills from him properly. I have other matters to attend to, so you stay here with Brother Zhang and clear the wasteland,

but we have to agree on this — you cannot use your own methods to clear this piece of land."

Genzi looked at Tongzi and said: "Seventh Master, what's wrong with my method?"

"Your method easily provokes the local earth god. Just clearing one li of wasteland — Brother Zhang here definitely has the means for it."

Zhang Wanlong nodded repeatedly and said: "I also feel Genzi's method isn't suitable. Even if the land is cleared, it'll be hard to manage afterward."

Li Banfeng looked at the saplings Zhang Wanlong had planted, lowered the brim of his hat, and turned to leave.

Were these saplings really just for relieving boredom?

That was a joke.

Li Banfeng was certain that once these saplings grew, their combat power would absolutely be no inferior to those watermelons from the Geng family medicine shop.

This Zhang Wanlong should be the unaccomplished farming cultivator disciple that Xu Lao had mentioned.

Could he be allowed to stay on the land and clear wasteland?

That depends on how you think about it.

The fact that he caught Xu Lao's attention proved Zhang Wanlong's strength was no small matter. Li Banfeng had a helper by his side — he could drive the man off his land, but killing him would absolutely not be that easy.

Would driving him away do any good?

No.

He could find another piece of land to clear and continue planting these strange flowers and exotic herbs.

And once a conflict broke out between the two sides, Zhang Wanlong would very likely kill Genzi first.

Judging by the current situation, Zhang Wanlong had shown no ill intent, so this matter could continue to be observed.

The local earth god had too many matters to handle. Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead, feeling it was rather taxing on his mind.

Returning to Leaving Leaving Suishenju, Li Banfeng told his wife: "The land has been cleared, and two more groups have come to clear wasteland."

"Congratulations, husband. The land is thriving day by day — this is a good thing."

"A good thing it is, but with more people, matters also get troublesome. If I'm not near the land in the future, how are these matters to be handled?"

His wife had long made plans for Li Banfeng: "That depends on whether my husband cherishes the land's reputation.

If my husband doesn't care about reputation, just leave the land here and pay it no mind."

"If those who successfully clear the wasteland seek my help, should I also pay them no mind?"

"That depends on luck. If that person is lucky and runs into Meng Yuchun, Meng Yuchun should offer some help. Afterward, my husband can give Meng Yuchun some of the cultivation from the land as a reward."

"What if they don't run into Meng Yuchun?"

"Then blame their bad luck — they can only fend for themselves. They shed blood seeking help, and the local earth god doesn't respond. This land's reputation will be ruined."

That won't do.

If they clear the wasteland successfully but receive no protection from the local earth god, who would still be willing to come here to clear wasteland in the future?

"Hey, wife — I do cherish this land's reputation quite a lot."

"If you cherish the reputation, my husband cannot wander far. Within a hundred li, my husband must guard it with care. Enemies you can handle, you deal with yourself. Those you can't handle, immediately find Meng Yuchun for help. Given my husband's speed, doing this shouldn't be difficult."

Li Banfeng twitched his nose and said: "Am I really that fast?"

"What this servant means is, my husband can use the Tianhe Zhi Ji of Shen Zhai Da Yuan to borrow some techniques from Xiang Xiang Hongying."

Xiang Xiang Hongying nodded rapidly and said: "Seventh Young Master, as long as you say the word, these are all easy to arrange. First tell me — how exactly should these two businesses be run…"

Smack!

The gramophone slapped the cloth onto Xiang Xiang Hongying's face, then said to Li Banfeng: "The gains and losses, the advantages and harms — my husband must weigh them carefully.

Forcibly seizing a position is already an extremely difficult matter. One careless slip, and all previous efforts could come to nothing."

Weigh carefully.

This matter was hard to weigh.

The next afternoon, Li Banfeng left Leaving Leaving Suishenju and went to He Yuxiu's land to check on things.

He Yuxiu had prepared for the examination. Youtao followed behind her and asked with concern: "You'll be gone for three days — shall we wash up before going?"

"No need to wash." He Yuxiu shook her head. This Miss called Youtao was a bit overly enthusiastic.

She worked very diligently. Yesterday, she not only drew hot water, but also helped He Yuxiu wash from top to bottom — every spot washed very thoroughly. Even now, thinking of it, He Yuxiu still felt tingling numbness all over her body.

Entering the land, before long, the first strange creature to come for the examination appeared.

Anyone who dares to open a three-li land — the wasteland clearer naturally has some ability. The strange creatures who dare come for examination are also of very different caliber.

This time it was a mosquito — a mosquito about the same size as Youtao.

Though large in size, this mosquito attacked very cautiously.

She spread her membrane wings, lay flat on the ground, blending with the dead branches and fallen leaves, showing not the slightest change.

Crawling all the way, the mosquito entered the land. He Yuxiu and Youtao noticed nothing at all.

This mosquito was very patient. Lying beside Youtao, she waited a full two hours without making a move.

Seeing the two were somewhat lax, their focus not fully concentrated, the mosquito quietly rose, her long needle aimed at the back of Youtao's head and stabbed down.

If this strike had landed, there would be no need for venom — the wound alone could have killed Youtao.

The long needle approached the hair. He Yuxiu reached out and grabbed the mosquito's long needle. With a twist of her wrist, the long needle snapped on the spot.

The mosquito was greatly terrified, flapping her wings trying to escape.

He Yuxiu casually threw the long needle, and it precisely pierced through the mosquito's head.

The mosquito died on the spot. He Yuxiu kicked the corpse and said with a laugh: "Even creatures of this caliber dare come for examination? The strange creatures on this land have no quality at all!"

Li Banfeng felt he had been mocked.

Youtao praised her in rapid succession: "Sister really has skills, sister have some water, sister eat something, sister's sweating, let me wipe it off for you."

He Yuxiu took the handkerchief and said: "I can wipe myself, don't you go reaching your hands into my clothes."

Li Banfeng left; there was no need to watch the trials here — for He Yuxiu, the strange creatures here were beneath her notice.

Xiao Genzi had prepared the offerings on his side, and Li Banfeng was genuinely worried he might set the bucket on the offering table.

Fortunately, Zhang Wanlong was a man with sense — on the offering table sat a pot of corn liquor, wafting an enticing fragrance.

Li Banfeng didn't dare drink it, but he accepted the wine and lit up the plot.

By the next day, Li Banfeng grabbed the Judge's Brush, flew up over the plot, and watched to see how they would clear the land.

He didn't see Xiao Genzi — he only saw Zhang Wanlong holding a hoe, tilling the field.

Where was Xiao Genzi?

Li Banfeng's heart tightened; he scanned above the plot for a moment and found Xiao Genzi lying still in the wild grass at the center of the plot.

What was going on?

Li Banfeng looked again at the tilling Zhang Wanlong — a leech over five meters long was curling its body and creeping toward him, yet Zhang Wanlong was completely unaware.

The leech crept behind Zhang Wanlong, suddenly reared its body up, and swallowed Zhang Wanlong's head in one gulp.

Zhang Wanlong's body instantly shriveled flat; the segments on the leech's body rippled like surging waves, layer upon layer — it was feeding on Zhang Wanlong's flesh and blood.

In less than a minute, only a shriveled husk of skin was left of Zhang Wanlong on the ground.

The leech sniffed around, seeming to catch some scent, and crept toward Xiao Genzi.

Xiao Genzi didn't move a muscle, and not a trace of fear showed on his face.

Still twenty or thirty meters from Xiao Genzi, the leech reared its body up again.

What was it about to do?

Was it going to attack Xiao Genzi?

The distance was clearly wrong.

The leech plunged its head into the soil, then quickly raised it back up; its body showed layer upon layer of violent surging waves.

It curled its body up and opened it again, over and over — it was enduring intense agony.

On its rough black skin, a few bumps rose, and a tender green sprout broke through the skin.

The sprout grew rapidly; roots one after another pierced through the leech's skin and burrowed into the ground.

The green stem grew thicker and thicker, the leaves grew more and more numerous; stem and leaves twisted together, forming on the leech's body a round eggplant over a meter in diameter.

The eggplant slowly split open, and Zhang Wanlong climbed out of it, hoe in hand, and went on tilling.

The leech on the ground was still struggling, with more and more roots and stems bursting out of its body.

The stems and leaves quickly formed a new eggplant, and another Zhang Wanlong, hoe in hand, climbed out of it.

This was not the real Zhang Wanlong.

This was the "Zhang Wanlong" that Zhang Wanlong himself had grown.

The real Zhang Wanlong rose from the tangled grass, fiddling with the seeds in his hand.

PS: A Tilling Cultivator endures hardship to reach true mastery — this is what a high-level Tilling Cultivator looks like.

(End of chapter)