Chapter 521: Grandmaster, Just Give In Already!

Li Li Banfeng had the Wine Gourd inspect the scene; the residual flesh and blood of the Green Flower Child must be cleaned away, or it could trigger an epidemic.

Cui Ti rushed to Li Li Banfeng's side and lowered his voice: "No need to worry—my ancestor's flesh and blood are priceless treasures; I'd never waste them. But I need your help with something."

"Go on."

Cui Ti said: "The place I most want my ancestor to go is Dao Ghost Ridge—same place we're talking about, right?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded.

Cui Ti's eyes glowed with barely concealed excitement—he'd never intended to hide it: "Based on what I've seen in Pulu Province, Dao Ghost Ridge is the most extraordinary place in Pulu Province, and the Dao Labor Ghost is the most extraordinary creature. Back at Sage Peak, many experts whose cultivation surpassed Cloud Level were driven back by the Dao Labor Ghosts."

"But I don't believe the Dao Labor Ghosts killed my ancestor—my ancestor's strength shocked me too. I'm curious what kind of miracle my ancestor and the Dao Labor Ghost would create together, especially after we've improved the Dao Labor Ghost."

Li Li Banfeng stared at Cui Ti with cold eyes: "This is your own doing—none of my business!"

Cui Ti smiled: "No need to be so formal. I'm not one to crave credit. I just need you to help me—I really want to witness the miracle my ancestor creates on Dao Ghost Ridge. But it's far away, past the border between Waizhou and Pulu Province. Getting there isn't easy."

Li Li Banfeng said: "You want me to take you there?"

Cui Ti nodded: "That's exactly what I mean."

"Not yet. I need time to recover—" Li Li Banfeng shuddered.

Cui Ti sniffed and caught the scent of fever: "Your ancestor acted ruthlessly. When you used Ten Thousand Li Separation, he left a pathological lesion inside you."

This was expected. After fighting the Green Flower Child, some lingering illness was inevitable.

Cui Ti said: "I can handle this for you."

Li Li Banfeng said: "On the condition that I get you to Dao Ghost Ridge, right?"

Cui Ti smiled: "Don't underestimate our friendship. Whether or not you take me to Dao Ghost Ridge, I'm willing to help you.

The lesion your ancestor left is deeply hidden—not easy to deal with. Now, clear your mind, stay calm. I'll remove it right now."

Clear your mind?

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment: "During removal, the patient's mental state is crucial?"

"Not exactly," Cui Ti shook his head. "I just want you calm—if I mess up, I don't want you hitting me."

Li Li Banfeng accepted Cui Ti's treatment with a calm mind.

Cui Ti stood before Li Li Banfeng like a clay statue, his gaze slowly sweeping over him.

Li Li Banfeng first felt cold, then heat.

When his body temperature returned to normal, Cui Ti exhaled: "Your ancestor's lesion is still delicious."

"Now you can rest easy—I've eaten every last lesion."

Li Li Banfeng expressed his thanks: "Tomorrow at this time, wait for me at Huazhou Garden, Baiyuan District. I'll take you to Dao Ghost Ridge."

Let Cui Ti see it—just in case the Green Flower Child escapes again, at least he can warn Li Li Banfeng.

After watching Li Li Banfeng leave Suichen Road, Cui Ti went to He He Jiaqing's side.

He He Jiaqing was barely alive. Cui Ti paused, then decided: "Regardless, the three of us achieved our goal. I saw what I wanted. So I honor my promise—I'll remove your lesion."

Half an hour later, He He Jiaqing woke up; the stench of pus and blood in his breath was gone.

He was extremely weak, trying several times to sit up but failing.

Cui Ti checked his pocket watch: "I must go. I advise you to leave quickly—the Dark Star Bureau will arrive soon."

He He Jiaqing nodded: "Thank you, friend."

Cui Ti shook his head: "Don't call me friend yet—we're not that close."

He He Jiaqing thought: "I pulled you back from Sage Peak. We've shared life and death."

Cui Ti remembered: "You came to save me for the contract. Though it didn't affect the outcome, I still consider the motive."

Cui Ti left, but both he and He He Jiaqing were thinking the same question.

Where is the contract of the Green Lv Lv Shuigong?

Zhong Er waited beyond the cordon, listening as Suichen Road grew silent. He was more tense than before—Li Ju hadn't emerged.

Tang Yuan asked: "Is the battle over?"

Dengpao wasn't sure: "Probably?"

Zhong Er stepped across the cordon: "I'm going to check."

Dengpao blocked him: "Don't go—wait!"

Zhong Er shook off Dengpao: "I don't know what the Bureau's plan is. They said they'd send support—no one's come, not even a drone. This operation is suspicious!"

As they reached the depths of Suichen Road, they saw scorch marks, broken bricks, shattered tiles.

It had been ruins already; after the brutal fight, little trace remained.

"Where's Li Ju?" Zhong Er grew more anxious.

Dengpao searched everywhere but found no trace of Li Qi.

Tang Yuan said: "Let's wait outside the cordon. Seventh Master won't be harmed."

Li Li Banfeng lay on the bed in his Personal Dwelling, his wife treating his wounds.

Gloves paced inside the Personal Dwelling, visibly agitated. Li Li Banfeng asked the Phonograph: "Wife, is Gloves injured?"

The Phonograph raised its needle to jab Gloves, who dodged frantically: "Master, I'm not hurt—I'm just uneasy. This battle was too dangerous. We need to properly review what happened."

"We do," the Personal Dwelling spoke. "Gloves, you did well. You adapted on the battlefield and advised Seventh Master. Merit deserves reward. Gloves, go to Room Three—I've prepared some fine items for you. Pick one."

Gloves shook his index finger: "Old Master, fairness matters. I don't crave glory—I act with integrity. In this fight against the Green Flower Child, Tang Dao deserves first merit, Old Master second, Third Merit goes to Wine Gourd and the Projector. I'm just a helper—I'm not due for reward."

The Personal Dwelling said: "Reward can be decided by Seventh Master. We two must review the battle."

Tang Dao was badly wounded. Did Honglian had brewed an elixir, dissolved in Wine Gourd's wine, and was applying it. Hearing the review, Tang Dao grew excited: "Today's battle deserves proper discussion. We fought hard, won barely. That beggar's bowl—dragged the Lord and us into the Unnameable Realm. We were terrified!"

The Personal Dwelling agreed: "Alu's right. But where did that beggar's bowl go?"

Gloves was curious: "Yes, where did it go?"

Wine Gourd recalled: "During the battle, I saw the Green Flower Child clutching that bowl tightly—how did it suddenly vanish?"

The Personal Dwelling said: "I'm worried about that too. If it's mishandled, touched, or grabbed—"

"It might send someone into the Unnameable Realm. Getting out would be impossible. Don't you agree, Gloves?"

Gloves tapped his index finger: "Exactly. We must be extremely careful. Who took the bowl?"

The room fell silent.

Tension thickened. Li Li Banfeng unconsciously touched his wife.

His wife focused on healing him, ignoring them.

The Pendulum whispered to the Earring, who shook violently: "Sis, it was chaos—I didn't hear anything."

The Old Master's voice grew lower: "Ji, what do you say?"

The Projector glanced at Gloves, then around the room, voice trembling: "I… used up all my film."

The Old Master asked again: "Sickle, you never lie. Where's the bowl?"

Sickle said: "I wanted to fight that beggar, but I've had little battle experience—never got a chance to strike. I didn't see the bowl."

The room trembled. The Old Master was displeased.

"Brat, you're denying everything?" The Personal Dwelling's voice turned hoarse and sinister.

"Old Master, catch the thief with the stolen goods!" Gloves remained calm, tone even.

The Personal Dwelling roared: "Catch the thief? If I hadn't knocked him over, you'd never have had the chance! Do you have no conscience?!"

Gloves was indignant: "When you knocked him over, I was far away. How do you know it was me?"

They argued. Everyone watched in silence.

Tang Dao stepped forward: "This must be settled clearly—no one should yield!"

The Judge's Pen yawned, flew to Room Nine, lay on the table, and covered itself with a newspaper.

After the argument, Gloves admitted: "I took it. But hear me—I didn't plan to keep it. Keeping it serves no purpose. I'm terrified of it."

The bowl had indeed been taken by Gloves. He spoke truthfully. His earlier agitation came from fearing the bowl's uncontrollable nature.

If the bowl sent Gloves into the Unnameable Realm, he had no idea how to return.

The Personal Dwelling asked: "Then why refuse to hand it over?"

Gloves explained: "I took it to give to the Master. Used properly, it can kill enemies and save lives—a rare treasure!"

In short, Gloves feared the Personal Dwelling would forcibly take it.

Li Li Banfeng was more relaxed: "Old Master, Gloves' contribution is immense. I trust him.

If you truly need the bowl, I'll give it to you!"

The Personal Dwelling thought a moment: "Show it first."

Gloves spat out the bowl before everyone. They stared, seeing nothing special.

After long silence, the Personal Dwelling finally spoke: "This is a key."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "The key to the Green Flower Child's residence?"

The Personal Dwelling said: "Not just that. It's the key to the Unnameable Realm."

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "Isn't the Green Flower Child's residence the Unnameable Realm?"

The Personal Dwelling said: "The place we entered wasn't his residence—it was an Unnameable Realm in Waizhou."

The Phonograph asked: "Old Master, which Unnameable Realm can this bowl open?"

The Personal Dwelling said: "Used properly, it can open any Unnameable Realm."

The room fell silent. Many still didn't fully grasp it, but all sensed its extraordinary nature.

The Phonograph understood the weight: "Old Master, the Green Flower Child couldn't have made this, could he?"

The Personal Dwelling said: "He learned only three-tenths. The remaining seven-tenths—he never mastered."

Li Li Banfeng told Gloves to put the bowl into Room Three: "Let Old Master study it slowly."

The projector asked Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Director, I've collected a lot of ash from the Green Flower Kids—what should I do with it?"

Even if it's burned to ash, that doesn't mean it's necessarily clean.

The lady thought for a moment and said: "Hand it over to that bitch Did Honglian—she might have a way."

Did Honglian glanced at the ash with clear distaste, but after swallowing a small amount, she did taste something.

"This can be used to brew pills, but the pills won't increase cultivation—only cause disease."

Li Li Banfeng thought for a moment: "Then brew them."

The projector handed all the ash to Did Honglian, had the gourd rinse the film chamber, then took his phone and satellite phone and stood guard outside the Portable Dwelling.

Of everyone in the Portable Dwelling, only the projector could communicate with the Fifth Chamber girl, and he had methods to block tracking and surveillance; with him guarding the door, Li Li Banfeng felt deeply at ease.

After spending the night lying in the Portable Dwelling, Li Li Banfeng's injuries had mostly healed.

Stepping out of the Portable Dwelling, the projector pulled out four phones: "Seventh Director, many people called you."

"I didn't answer any of them."

The phones issued by the Dark Star Bureau were all calls from bureau personnel—Shen Shen Jingye called once, the bulb,

Zhong Er and Tang Yuan each called over a dozen times.

On the personal phone, only Song Song Laoshi had called over thirty times.

Li Li Banfeng wanted to call Song Song Laoshi back, but the projector said: "This phone received even more calls."

The simple phone Luo Zhengnan made for Li Li Banfeng, according to the projector's description, had barely stopped ringing last night.

Li Li Banfeng first called Luo Zhengnan back.

Old Luo was frantic: "Seventh Master, I couldn't reach you all night—did something happen?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I fought the Green Flower Kid last night."

Luo Zhengnan stared blankly for a long while, then asked cautiously: "Which Green Flower Kid?"

"Which one could it be? The Green Lv Lv Shuigong, the local deity of Green Water City."

Luo Zhengnan seemed dazed—Seventh Master had fought the Green Lv Lv Shuigong?

I must have misheard.

Li Li Banfeng said: "First, tell me what's going on with you."

Luo Zhengnan shook his head, clearing his thoughts: "Seventh Master, Fifth Master sent word—he clashed with the Neizhou people."

Li Li Banfeng was startled: "How is Fifth Master?"

"Fifth Master is fine—I'll patch you through now, you two talk alone."

Li Li Banfeng exhaled deeply—Ma Wu was safe.

Soon after, the phone rang again; Luo Zhengnan connected them for a private call.

"Seventh, I've figured it out."

"You scared me half to death—were you injured?"

"Minor injuries, nothing serious. Neizhou has an entrance at the Soda Kiln, guarded by a carp—its flesh and blood stripped away by the Waizhou side, left only a skeleton, yet it still lives.

The Neizhou people sought revenge, killing over fifty Waizhou people; as they died, those men claimed they were from the Special Task Group, all under the command of Special Envoy Xu Shouming."

Who was Xu Shouming? Why target the Neizhou people?

Li Li Banfeng couldn't understand the motive, but Ma Wu continued: "Neizhou will definitely retaliate—this war is probably unavoidable. I'm discussing it with Luo Su Lijun; right now I fear they'll clash in Puluo Province—if war breaks out, Puluo Province is finished."

"Who is Luo Su Lijun?"

"A Neizhou person—pureblood."

"A pureblood Neizhou person, discussing matters with you?"

"At first she refused to negotiate, but with Miss Feng's help, we broke her."

The Sn

Ma Wu turned and glared at the Snail Girl: "What's that supposed to mean?"

The Snail Girl lowered her head: "I just still Bufu."

Feng Daiku frowned: "This bitch still needs a beating—I'll teach her another lesson later!"

Luo Su Lijun's voice sounded wounded: "If you've got guts, don't gang up—fight me one at a time. I'm not afraid."

Ma Wu sneered: "Big talk. I'll take you first—see how long your mouth stays hard."

"You shouldn't—" The Snail Girl was afraid of Ma Wu, "I'm definitely not afraid of Feng Daiku!"

The phone was still open; Li Li Banfeng had no idea what they were talking about.

"Seventh, I'm about to ascend in the next two days—if you can spare time, come back and see me. You'll need to talk to Luo Su Lijun again about Neizhou matters, and Miss Feng has something to discuss with you too."

After hanging up, Li Li Banfeng was utterly confused.

Ma Wu fought a battle with Neizhou people—and now he's ascending?

How does that even work?

It makes no sense!

Li Li Banfeng called Song Song Laoshi; upon hearing his voice, she was overjoyed.

"Did you encounter the Green Lv Lv Shuigong? Were you injured? Did you catch his affliction? How are you now? Where are you? I'll contact Kang Kang Zhenchang right away—he must have a cure!"

Song Song Laoshi spoke rapidly, her diction unclear; Li Li Banfeng quickly soothed her: "Breathe deeply, calm down—I'm fine, nothing's wrong."

"Don't worry about me—I haven't had an episode in a long time," Song Song Laoshi paused to catch her breath, her tone returning to normal. "Where are you now? Can I meet you? Don't worry—no one can eavesdrop on my phone."

"At ten o'clock, call me from a suitable location—don't let anyone notice me.

I'll come to you then."

Li Li Banfeng went to Qingzhou Road Garden Community; this neighborhood had once housed a demonic cultivator whose ghost servant went rogue

and caused a murder.

Now, most residents had moved out; the area was empty and desolate.

Cui Ti waited there a long while: "This place is hard to find—even harder than last night's."

Li Li Banfeng said: "The Dark Star Bureau will have many personnel investigating the scene on Suichen Road—this place is relatively safer."

Cui Ti stretched his limbs, assumed a stance: "I'm ready—anytime we can go to Dao Dao Guiling. But since we're friends, can we discuss something? Could you please not use your foot?"

Li Li Banfeng solemnly agreed. At ten o'clock, he received Song Song Laoshi's call and pulled a feather duster from his trench coat.

Cui Ti was startled: "Why are you hiding something like that in your coat? Just push me—"

Li Li Banfeng swung the feather duster hard and struck Cui Ti on the back.

Dao Dao Guiling is so far—the force might not be enough to send you there.

Crack!

That blow was brutal—Cui Ti cried out in pain, and both of them flew upward.

Cui Ti flew far, moving so fast he couldn't make out any surroundings.

When they landed, Cui Ti rubbed his back, didn't pause to think, and immediately activated his affliction, swelling his body until he became a Dao Dao Laogui.

Dao Dao Guiling—the situation was tense.

Large numbers of Dao Dao Laogui were advancing up the mountainside; from their gait, it was clear they were heading to battle.

"Hu ya! Hu ya! Hu hu hu ya!" One Dao Dao Laogui approached Cui Ti, waving arms like chunks of meat, gesturing for him not to fear—to charge forward!

"Hu ya ya ya! Hu hu!" Cui Ti waved his own arm, signaling he wasn't afraid—he'd fight to the death.

He followed a group of Dao Dao Laogui up the mountainside and saw the battered Green Lv Lv Shuigong, locked in bloody combat with a horde of Dao Dao Laogui.

His boils had vanished; he looked clean and pale—meaning his affliction was nearly spent.

Beneath his clothes, he carried numerous weapons, fighting the Dao Dao Laogui with martial cultivation techniques.

Cui Ti hid among the Dao Dao Laogui, wanting to urge his Ancestor Master.

Ancestor Master, just submit!

Why go through this?

The Sage himself, with the entire Shengxian Peak, couldn't hold back these Dao Dao Laogui—how long can you last? Why not just accept becoming a happy Dao Dao Laogui?

As the Green Lv Lv Shuigong grew exhausted, Wan Wan Jinxian led another wave of Dao Dao Laogui in a fresh charge.

This was the second time.

Previously, Wan Wan Jinxian had led a group of Dao Dao Laogui into battle—all were killed, yet another group followed him into combat.

Wan Wan Jinxian held great status among the Dao Dao Laogui and harbored deep resentment toward the Green Lv Lv Shuigong.

Where did this resentment come from? From Wan Wan Jinxian's memories?

Did Wan Wan Jinxian retain his prior memories?

Cui Ti realized the Dao Dao Laogui held many mysteries still to study, and he needed to pay closer attention to Wan Wan Jinxian—if memories truly persisted, Wan Wan Jinxian's impression of Cui Ti was likely not favorable.

Li Li Banfeng flew into Song Song Laoshi's home—he'd visited during university and knew it well.

Song Song Laoshi wasn't surprised to see him; when he asked her to call, she'd already guessed it was the Ten Thousand Li Technique.

She first examined his wounds, confirmed he was unharmed, then asked about last night.

Li Li Banfeng said: "I was tricked. Someone told me to fight a Cloak Moth—I met the Green Lv Lv Shuigong instead. Teacher, do you know who tricked me?"

Song Song Laoshi hesitated, then answered: "This matter has gone beyond the Dark Star Bureau's scope."

Li Li Banfeng nodded slightly and dropped the subject—Song Song Laoshi hadn't spoken plainly, so she must have her reasons.

Song Song Laoshi advised: "The current situation is extremely complex. Those who maintain balance are in grave danger. I suggest you return to Puluo Province to lie low."

"I'll consider it carefully. Please don't reveal our meeting today."

Song Song Laoshi handed Li Li Banfeng her research and lecture notes on dark energy: "I don't know if you can still make use of these."

"I can. They're invaluable—thank you, Teacher." Li Li Banfeng bowed deeply to Song Song Laoshi.

Master Song said, "Your calls to me won't be monitored—always come to me if you're in trouble.

I'll help you."

After leaving Master Song's home, Li Li Banfeng went to Huahu Park.

He did need to go to Like Puluozhou, but not to flee.

Neizhou was preparing to go to war with Waizhou; Li Li Banfeng had to uncover the causes and consequences of this conflict.

Crossing Xindi, he ran all the way to Qishuiyao, and at the place Ma Wu described, he saw Miss Luo Su Lijun.

Perhaps because he'd spent so long with Ma Wu, or perhaps because he'd seen Ge Jun and the workshop,

before this massive freshwater snail girl, Li Li Banfeng behaved with complete ease.

"Miss Luo, could I meet the guardian of the entrance?"

"Why do you want to see him?" Luo Su Lijun's voice was cold. "Still planning to mock him?"

Ma Wu frowned. "Still Bufuqi?"

Luo Su Lijun lowered her head, glided to the edge of the pool, and gently tapped the water with her tentacles.

Soon after, a complete carp skeleton surfaced.

This skeleton could move, could bite, and moved with surprising agility.

Li Li Banfeng observed it for a moment with his Jinjing Jinjing Qiuhao technique and found the carp's bones held no trace of life—they were truly dead—but faint green light glowed within their crevices.

Green light meant the soul still lingered. The fish was dead, yet its soul refused to depart—clearly, some Daoist technique had been used.

"Is this a cultivation technique?" Li Li Banfeng asked.

Luo Su Lijun said, "You underestimate me. If this were just a basic soul-possession method, how could I not recognize it?"

Soul-possession was a fundamental cultivation technique—easy enough to identify.

But if it wasn't a demonic cultivation technique, what else could it be?

Seeing Li Li Banfeng silent, Ma Wu added, "At first I thought it was demonic too—but demonic ghosts know they're dead. This fish still believes it's alive. That's not an act."

Believes it's still alive…

That made Li Li Banfeng think of one place.

Fool's City.

Every resident of Fool's City believed they were still alive.

Could this be a Fool Cultivation technique?

According to Li Li Banfeng's knowledge, Waizhou did not possess Fool Cultivation methods.

Could this not be the work of Waizhou?

There are no living Fool Cultivators. Sun Sun Tiecheng took only two outside disciples: one is me, the other I killed.

Does that mean Sun Sun Tiecheng did this?

What was his purpose?

Luo Su Lijun asked Li Li Banfeng, "I heard from Ma Ma Junyang that you're Waizhou's Balance Keeper. If you're here to plead Waizhou's case, don't waste your breath—you won't end this war with a few words."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "I don't intend to end this war. You and Waizhou can fight however you like—

but not in Like Puluozhou."

Luo Su Lijun said, "Ma Ma Junyang already discussed this with me. I can only urge my people to minimize destruction in Like Puluozhou."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not here to negotiate. I'm telling you: no fighting in Like Puluozhou.

What your people think doesn't matter—if any of them set foot in Like Puluozhou, they'll pay with their lives."

Luo Su Lijun's tentacles trembled. "Our war with Waizhou is unavoidable. Like Puluozhou lies between both sides' territories—we have no choice but to fight here."

Li Li Banfeng said, "Not necessarily. Doesn't Neizhou have any other way to engage Waizhou? You'd better find out."

Luo Su Lijun didn't understand Li Li Banfeng's meaning, and he offered no further explanation.

Waizhou had already produced Xindi, and the Centipede Workshop—a Neizhou creature—proving Neizhou and Waizhou had already come into contact. If they wanted war, they'd find another place.

"Pure Neizhou people who appear in Like Puluozhou know the consequences," Li Li Banfeng said, glancing at the factory. "This factory sits on the border. Your activity inside is overlooked. But step outside, and you prepare to die."

The snail shell trembled. Luo Su Lijun was angry. "Are you speaking to a Neizhou person like this?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded. "I always speak this way. You and your people had better learn to adapt."

Feng Daiku added, "I'll say it plainly too—if any Neizhou person shows up in Qishuiyao, I'll kill them one by one."

There was something unusual in those words—what special connection did Qishuiyao have with Feng Daiku?

Luo Su Lijun walked to the pool's edge. "I'll relay your words to my people."

With that, she leapt into the pool.

Feng Daiku said to Li Li Banfeng, "Young Master Li, I'd like to discuss something with you too. I want to take control of Qishuiyao and become its local deity."

Li Li Banfeng paused. "Does this require my approval?"

PS: In Miss Feng's eyes, Li Qi's status seems unusually significant.

P. S.: In Miss Feng's eyes, Li Qi's status seemed anything but ordinary.