Chapter 378

Xiao Genzi came to Li Banfeng's newly reclaimed land, and Li Banfeng was stunned.

Seeing him lift that bucket, this was no longer just a matter of shock.

"Genzi, why did you come here to reclaim land?" Li Banfeng kept pressing his palm downward, signaling Genzi to put the bucket down first.

Genzi slung the bucket onto his back and said solemnly: "Seventh Master, isn't this the place you said was good? It's a bit remote, but there's food nearby, and my brother Zhang and I want to do business—this spot is perfect."

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

It was unnecessary—he could never hide anything from Li Qi.

"Is this Brother Zhang?" Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Wanlong.

Zhang Wanlong quickly removed his straw hat and smiled at Li Banfeng: "I'm Zhang Wanlong. I just met Genzi not long ago—we hit it off immediately and became friends."

Li Banfeng didn't care how they became friends—he cared about their business.

From Zhang Wanlong's appearance and mannerisms, this man had far more experience than Genzi.

"What business did you just mention?"

"There's no business—we came here mainly to cultivate," Zhang Wanlong tried to deflect.

Li Banfeng pointed toward Meng Yuchun's territory: "If you want to cultivate, go over there. Food grows on that land, there are more people, and you'll have mutual support."

Genzi shook his head: "That place is off-limits. Brother Zhang says our business can't be seen by others."

Zhang Wanlong looked embarrassed.

Li Banfeng asked Genzi: "What business can't others see?"

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

Li Banfeng looked from Genzi to Zhang Wanlong and asked seriously: "How exactly do you two make people?"

Zhang Wanlong waved his hands frantically: "Seventh Master, you've misunderstood. Genzi likes to joke—we're not making people."

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

"Genzi, put the bucket down," Li Banfeng urged earnestly. "I think your material isn't suitable for making people."

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "Seventh Master, forget about making people for now. We just want to claim a plot and grow something."

Genzi said: "This Brother Zhang is a Cultivation Farmer—he can grow all kinds of wonderful things. But for them to thrive, they need fresh land and my golden fluid."

"I figured we should pick a quiet spot on fresh land, so we chose this one."

Genzi had chosen this location after careful thought.

He could've picked land near a proper village—but he didn't, because he didn't trust Zhang Wanlong. He didn't want to bring trouble to the village.

There were so many fresh lands—why pick this one?

If he'd picked any random plot, and Zhang Wanlong turned hostile, Genzi might not even know how he died.

This was a place Li Qi had recommended. The land spirit here might know Li Qi. If Genzi truly died, at least Li Qi would hear about it.

Putting the pieces together, Li Banfeng understood Genzi's meaning.

Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Wanlong: "Brother Zhang, you say you came to grow things—what exactly are you growing? May I see it?"

Zhang Wanlong smiled humbly: "Just small trinkets, nothing worth mentioning. Since Seventh Master asks, allow me to show you."

Zhang Wanlong dropped a seed onto the ground and dripped a few drops of medicinal fluid onto it.

Within ten minutes, the seed sprouted and grew into a sapling over a foot tall.

Li Banfeng had seen Grass Cultivators—when they used their arts, trees grew faster than this. This was nothing remarkable.

He touched the sapling—and heard a frail woman's voice.

"Be gentle."

Li Banfeng froze.

This tree could speak.

He hadn't used Insight of Spiritual Sound, nor had he worn the Threaded Earrings.

He heard it clearly—the sapling was definitely speaking.

Genzi said: "Seventh Master, I didn't exaggerate—Brother Zhang truly has ability."

Li Banfeng stared at the sapling for a long time.

He'd seen talking trees before—there were many in Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye's territories.

But those strange beings had complex origins—some were once humans, even high-level cultivators, whose souls took root in trees after death.

Others were ordinary trees that had soaked in fresh land for years, gaining sentience.

But according to Shui Yongquan, such trees needed to grow for at least a hundred years before gaining sentience—and even then, learning to speak required the right opportunity.

Zhang Wanlong had grown something so bizarre in mere minutes—and it could speak. His methods were truly extraordinary.

This reminded Li Banfeng of another strange thing.

Fighting watermelons.

Li Banfeng looked at Zhang Wanlong: "Brother Zhang, where did you make your fortune before?"

Zhang Wanlong shook his head and smiled: "Fortune? I wander the four seas, just scraping by."

"Modesty doesn't suit you, Brother Zhang. Cultivation Farmers who endure to reach prominence become dukes and marquises. Your cultivation clearly exceeds the fifth layer—I'd guess you're no longer bound to the land?"

Zhang Wanlong waved his hands: "Seventh Master, you're embarrassing me. My cultivation isn't worth showing off—not before you."

Genzi told Li Banfeng: "I boarded the train at Yaowang Gou. Not long after departure, I met Brother Zhang."

He was telling Li Banfeng: Zhang Wanlong likely came from Yaowang Gou too.

Zhang Wanlong said: "We just want a quiet place to grow flowers and grass, sell them as amusing trinkets. I have no other skills."

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

Genzi nodded: "It's amusing. Brother Zhang has a potted flower even smarter than this tree—it talks nonstop, understands people perfectly."

As he spoke, Genzi kept watching Li Banfeng.

Genzi knew Zhang Wanlong was truly powerful—and dangerous.

Though he knew this was risky, he hoped Li Banfeng would give him a chance—to keep interacting with Zhang Wanlong—because Zhang Wanlong offered opportunities beyond imagination.

Li Banfeng nodded: "Genzi, if you meet someone like Brother Zhang, you must learn from him well. I have other matters—I'll leave you here to reclaim land with him."

"But we must agree: you cannot use your method to reclaim this land."

Genzi looked at the bucket: "Seventh Master, what's wrong with my method?"

"Your method angers the land spirits. Reclaiming a mile of land? Brother Zhang clearly has better methods."

Zhang Wanlong nodded vigorously: "I agree—Genzi's method is unsuitable. Even if you reclaim the land, it'll be a mess to clean up later."

Li Banfeng glanced at the sapling Zhang Wanlong had planted, pulled down his hat, and turned to leave.

Was this sapling truly just for amusement?

That was a joke.

Li Banfeng was certain that once these saplings matured, their combat power wouldn't be weaker than the Geng Family Pharmacy's watermelons.

This Zhang Wanlong must be the incompetent Cultivation Farmer disciple Xu Lao mentioned.

Should he be allowed to reclaim land here?

It depended on how you looked at it.

His ability had drawn Xu Lao's attention—he was clearly powerful. Li Banfeng could drive him off, but killing him wouldn't be easy.

Would driving him off help?

No.

He'd just find another land to reclaim and keep growing these strange plants.

If conflict arose, Zhang Wanlong would likely kill Genzi first.

For now, Zhang Wanlong showed no hostility. This could still be observed.

The land spirits had too many matters to handle. Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead, feeling weary.

Back at his residence, Li Banfeng told his wife: "The land is reclaimed—and two more groups have come to reclaim land."

"Congratulations, husband. The land is thriving—this is good."

"It's good, but more people mean more trouble. What if I'm not near the land—how will I handle these matters?"

His wife had already planned ahead: "It depends on whether you value the land's reputation."

"If you don't care about reputation, just abandon the land and ignore it."

"What if someone who reclaimed land successfully comes to me for help—do I ignore them too?"

"It depends on luck. If they meet Meng Yuchun, he'll likely help them. Later, you give Meng Yuchun some of the land's cultivation as thanks."

"What if they don't meet Meng Yuchun?"

"Then it's their bad luck—they're on their own. If they bleed to beg for aid and the land spirit ignores them, the land's reputation will be ruined."

That won't do.

If reclaiming land brings no protection from the land spirit, who will ever come here to reclaim?

"Wife, I do care about the land's reputation."

"If you care, you can't wander far. You must guard every hundred li. Handle threats you can manage yourself—when you can't, immediately call Meng Yuchun for help. With your speed, that's easy."

Li Banfeng sniffed: "Do I have that kind of speed?"

"My meaning is—you can use the Deep Courtyard Technique to borrow methods from Xiang Hongying."

Xiang Hongying nodded eagerly: "Seventh Master, if you ask, it's all easy. First tell me—how exactly are these two businesses run?"

Thwack!

The phonograph slapped a rag across Xiang Hongying's face, then said to Li Banfeng: "Weigh gains and losses carefully. Seizing a position is extremely difficult—slight missteps, and all your efforts vanish."

Forcibly seizing a position is inherently extremely difficult; one misstep could lead to losing all prior progress.

Weigh carefully.

This matter is hard to weigh.

That afternoon, Li Banfeng left Suishenju and went to He Yuxiu's territory to inspect.

He Yuxiu had prepared for the evaluation; You Tao followed behind, concerned: "You've been gone three days—why not wash up first?"

"No need," He Yuxiu shook her head. This You Tao girl was overly enthusiastic.

She worked diligently—yesterday she didn't just bring hot water, she washed He Yuxiu top to bottom, scrubbing every spot thoroughly. Even now, recalling it, He Yuxiu felt tingling shivers across her skin.

Once inside the territory, not long after, the first creature came to be evaluated.

Those who dared open three li of land naturally had some strength; the creatures who came for evaluation were far from ordinary.

This one was a mosquito, about the same size as You Tao.

Though large in form, the mosquito moved with extreme caution.

It spread its membranous wings, pressed itself to the ground, blending seamlessly with dead twigs and fallen leaves—no trace of its presence.

Crawling forward, it entered the plot. He Yuxiu and You Tao noticed nothing.

The mosquito was patient. It lay beside You Tao, waiting two full hours without striking.

Seeing the two grow lax, their focus slipping, the mosquito rose silently and drove its long proboscis toward You Tao's occiput.

If it pierced her, even without venom, the wound alone would kill You Tao.

As the needle neared her hair, He Yuxiu reached out, snatched the proboscis, twisted her wrist—and snapped it clean.

The mosquito panicked, flapping its wings to flee.

He Yuxiu tossed the broken needle aside—it pierced the mosquito's skull with perfect accuracy.

The mosquito died instantly. He Yuxiu kicked its corpse and laughed: "This level dares to challenge? These creatures in this territory are worthless!"

Li Banfeng felt mocked.

You Tao praised loudly: "Sister, you're so skilled! Sister, drink some water! Sister, eat something! Sister, you're sweating—I'll wipe you!"

He Yuxiu took the handkerchief: "I can wipe myself. Don't put your hands inside my clothes."

Li Banfeng left. There was no need to watch further—these creatures were beneath He Yuxiu's notice.

Genzi had prepared the offerings. Li Banfeng worried he'd place the bucket on the altar table.

Fortunately, Zhang Wanlong was a man of restraint—the altar held a jar of corn liquor, emitting a tempting aroma.

Li Banfeng didn't dare drink it. He accepted the liquor and activated the plot.

The next day, Li Banfeng seized the Judge's Brush and flew to the plot to observe how they cultivated.

He saw no Genzi—only Zhang Wanlong, hoe in hand, tilling the field.

Where was Genzi?

Li Banfeng's heart tightened. He scanned the plot above and found Genzi lying still amid the wild grass in the center.

What was going on?

Li Banfeng glanced again at Zhang Wanlong, now tilling—and saw a leech over five meters long, coiled, slithering toward him. Zhang Wanlong remained oblivious.

The leech slithered to Zhang Wanlong's back, reared up, and swallowed his head whole.

Zhang Wanlong's body instantly withered. The leech's segments rippled like waves, one after another, as it sucked his flesh and blood.

Less than a minute later, only a shriveled skin remained on the ground.

The leech sniffed around, caught a scent, and began slithering toward Genzi.

Genzi didn't move. His face showed no fear.

Twenty to thirty meters from Genzi, the leech reared up again.

What was it doing?

Was it about to attack Genzi?

The distance was wrong.

The leech plunged its head into the soil, then shot it back up—its body convulsed in violent, layered waves.

It repeatedly curled and uncurled, writhing in intense agony.

On its rough black skin, bumps rose—then a tender green sprout burst through.

The sprout grew rapidly; roots pierced the leech's skin and sank into the earth.

The green stem thickened, leaves multiplied, vines twisted together, forming a round eggplant over a meter in diameter atop the leech's body.

The eggplant slowly split open—and Zhang Wanlong crawled out, hoe in hand, resuming his tilling.

The leech on the ground still writhed, more roots and stems erupting from its body.

The vines quickly formed another eggplant—and another Zhang Wanlong, hoe in hand, emerged from it.

This was not the real Zhang Wanlong.

This was Zhang Wanlong's own cultivated "Zhang Wanlong."

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

PS: Cultivators of tillage endure hardship to reach greatness—this is high-level tillage cultivation.

(End of Chapter)