Chapter 553: Dark Energy User

"My lady, someone has come to the house," Li Li Banfeng said, tossing Chu Chu Zikai into the main room. "Help me keep an eye on him for now.

I still have some business to attend to. I'll interrogate him slowly when I return."

The lady smiled and said, "Go and return quickly, husband. I'll help you pick some vegetables first."

Li Li Banfeng returned to the side hall of the ballroom and tried probing with the Begging Bowl again, but received no response.

What kind of method did that golden-haired old man use to escape?

He must investigate this thoroughly in the future. Next time they meet, he absolutely cannot let him leave alive.

There was no time to delay now. Li Li Banfeng carried Shui Shui Yongquan on his back, left Yanlou Village, ran straight to Flower Lake Park, passed through the New Land, and ran all the way to Qiqiu City.

Qiu Qiu Luoye was eating when he saw Shui Shui Yongquan, and the pumpkin in his hand dropped to the ground.

"Old Shui—"

Qiu Qiu Luoye walked over and stared at Shui Shui Yongquan for a long while. "Say something, Old Shui."

"He cannot speak for the time being." Li Li Banfeng told Qiu Qiu Luoye about Shui Shui Yongquan's experience.

He had originally wanted to settle Shui Shui Yongquan in Sleepless Town, but Sleepless Town had just been captured and its foundation was unstable. Feng Daiku and Ma Wu could only help look after him; Ma Wu had to manage his own New Land, and Feng Daiku still had to take care of Pant-Belt Ridge and the Soda Kiln.

The only one left who could take care of Shui Shui Yongquan was Qiu Qiu Luoye.

"Old Seven, leave him with me. Whether he can recover or not, I certainly won't let him suffer," Qiu Qiu Luoye sighed. "Old Shui was cautious his whole life; who could have imagined he would end up with such a result."

"Brother Qiu, the people from Snowflake Pier have their eyes on him. They might come to cause trouble again in the coming days, so please be extremely careful and on guard."

"Let them come! Just let them come!" Qiu Qiu Luoye told the tiger to clean up a house for Shui Shui Yongquan. "It's been a long time since I've loosened my muscles and bones; my arm roots are a bit itchy. I'll kill one for every one they send!"

Li Li Banfeng wandered around Qiqiu City and saw two new restaurants had opened on Ma Junyang Avenue. The restaurants had just been completed, the food prices were cheap, and every seat was taken.

A "Seven Nights Pavilion" had opened on the street, which was actually a dance hall. Ma Wu insisted on giving it such a cultured name,

but not many people recognized the character "Pavilion," so everyone read it as "Seven Nights Dry."

It was said that whoever could fight for seven consecutive nights there would receive a red envelope from the shopkeeper.

Li Li Banfeng was slightly dissatisfied with the Seven Nights Pavilion, but he was very satisfied with the changes in Qiqiu City. With full effort in management, a New Land full of wilderness and a lifeless small town had finally taken on the prototype of a city.

He returned to his own residence, hid the key, and entered the Portable Dwelling.

Chu Chu Zikai's attitude was much more humble. Xiang Xiang Hongying helped him comb through his bones and flesh, the Record Player helped him reorganize his meridians, and the communication between the two sides had become much smoother.

Li Li Banfeng asked, "Your Snowflake Pier has been causing me trouble constantly. Can you tell me the reason for this?"

Chu Chu Zikai shook his head and said, "My status in Snowflake Pier is not high, and I don't know much about your affairs. If you want to ask me about the Ferry Gang, I can tell you a bit more."

"The Ferry Gang belongs to a branch organization of Snowflake Pier in the Outer Provinces, right?"

"You can't put it that way; the Ferry Gang doesn't belong entirely to Xuehuapu. It's an organization jointly established by Xuehuapu and the Birch Hidden Cultivator Society."

"What is the background of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society?"

"The Birch Hidden Cultivation Society is somewhat similar to the Light-Chasing Group; they are both foreign dark energy organizations. By comparison, the combat power of the Light-Chasing Group is clearer."

What did "clearer" mean?

"Is the combat power of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society not clear?"

Chu Chu Zikai shook his head and said, "It is indeed not clear. They have no fixed sect, nor do they have clear levels. It is very difficult to measure their combat power with clear standards.

Members of the Light-Chasing Group can be estimated and compared using our standards. I know a bishop of the Light-Chasing Group whose combat power is equivalent to a sixth-layer dark energy user.

But for personnel outside the Light-Chasing Group, their combat power is very difficult to estimate. The person who fought alongside me just now, his name is Migelov, and he is the president of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society.

He is skilled at creating buildings and also skilled at searching for hidden spaces. Simply comparing these two methods, his combat power can be estimated as a cultivator at the third layer Above the Clouds.

But he was once beaten to the point of being unable to fight back by a seventh-layer martial cultivator, and even almost lost his life. This cannot be explained by simple sect mutual restraint.

His overall ability has serious shortcomings, to the point where it is impossible to estimate his actual combat power using the levels we are familiar with. Such people are everywhere in the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society.

I once saw a member of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society who could set up a special formation using medicinal herbs and the blood of some animals. After the formation was activated, it could destroy buildings within several hectares.

But it took him three days or even longer to set up a formation once, and besides setting up formations, he had no other skills. For such a person, the combat power is clearly not clear."

Li Li Banfeng said, "Why did Snowflake Pier and the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society join forces to establish the Ferry Gang?"

"For money!" Chu Chu Zikai answered very directly. "Snowflake Pier and the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society have both encountered serious economic problems. During the battle with you today, I didn't use a dark energy carrier; that's because the suitable dark energy carriers were all sold by me."

Li Li Banfeng frowned and said, "Poor to this extent?"

"I'm not considered poor yet; at least I can maintain a decent life on the surface. There are people in Snowflake Pier poorer than me, to the point where they can't even sustain their food and clothing."

Li Li Banfeng didn't quite believe it: "This is a bit exaggerated, isn't it? Wang Wang Zimian is also one of your people, and his life is still very luxurious. Just a single thumb ring is worth more than two factories."

Chu Chu Zikai smiled bitterly: "I can only say that everyone's pursuits are different, and everyone's loyalty to Snowflake Pier is also different. I am willing to contribute everything I have; even if I have to eat boxed lunches and sleep under a bridge tomorrow, I am willing."

Li Li Banfeng smiled and said, "Have you ever slept under a bridge?"

Chu Chu Zikai shook his head: "This is just a metaphor to express my loyalty to Snowflake Pier."

"I still don't understand. Snowflake Pier can mint currency for Puluo Continent; no matter which angle you look at it from, you shouldn't be short of money."

Chu Chu Zikai asked Li Li Banfeng in return: "Do you know what the quantity theory of money is? Do you know what the demand theory of money is? Do you know what the equation of exchange is?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "I really don't understand these."

Chu Chu Zikai said: "I don't understand these either. I only know that money cannot be minted casually; it must conform to economic laws. The economic situation of Snowflake Pier cannot be saved by minting money; it must be saved by us members."

Li Li Banfeng said: "So you didn't hesitate to go bankrupt for this, selling all your personal magic treasures and spiritual items?"

"Those weren't all magic treasures and spiritual items," Chu Chu Zikai didn't give too much explanation. "This is my loyalty to Snowflake Pier, a loyalty without complaint or regret."

"What has Snowflake Pier given you to make you so loyal?"

Chu Chu Zikai said: "Do you know about my past?"

"I've seen some things on the internet. It is said that you were born into an ordinary worker's family and achieved today's success in the music scene through your own efforts."

Chu Chu Zikai said: "That's half right. My parents were indeed ordinary workers. They tried their best to let me study music, but I failed the music academy entrance exam three times in a row. I thought it was because my ability wasn't good enough. Later, I found out it was because I missed a tutoring class before the exam. The tuition for that class alone made my father tremble all over just for one lesson.

I took a total of ten lessons and didn't learn much, but I recognized a master. With this master, I successfully got into the music academy.

After graduating from the music academy, I went to work at a music company. This company wasn't big, and I worked in many positions, but every time I brought up wanting to sing, I was rejected. They said my voice lacked texture.

So I went to the black market, bought a guide agent, and became a singer. When I sang in front of them, they still said my texture wasn't good enough. Even when I used techniques, they still said I wasn't good enough.

I began to doubt the whole thing. Was it the song that wasn't good, or was it me, or did the company decide I wasn't good?

So I found a friend, a friend who was even more miserable than me. He was very talented. He wrote the song "I Am Your Pot Helmet."

For next month's rent, he sold this song to me for three thousand yuan. I hired someone to make the accompaniment, recorded the single, and released this song in a small circle on the internet.

People in this circle have a certain level of musical literacy. They could hear that this was a good song. With their recognition, I felt I was enough."

Li Li Banfeng frowned and said: "Does this have anything to do with Snowflake Pier?"

"Yes!" Chu Chu Zikai said. "In this small circle, there was a member of Snowflake Pier. He suggested that this was a very excellent song.

He was willing to pay to provide me with operating funds. I understand this process; it's very simple, it just requires burning money.

Money has to be burned like paper.

I couldn't afford this, but he said he was willing to bear it for me. He promised to push me to the top of the charts, and he only put forward one condition: let me join Snowflake Pier."

"Did you know what Snowflake Pier did at the time?"

"I didn't know, and I didn't want to know. I agreed. For me at the time, this opportunity was too rare, and I didn't have anything to lose myself.

That person fulfilled his promise and let me reach the top of the charts. I became famous, I had my first album, held my first solo concert. I experienced glory I had never had in my life, met people I never dared to climb high to reach, and obtained wealth I never dared to imagine in my life.

But pop music is just like this. The popularity of "Pot Helmet" was maintained for a period of time and then gradually faded. People still remembered my name and were waiting for my new songs, but I couldn't produce better works.

"Pot Helmet" wasn't written by me, and I couldn't write better songs, because I discovered I wasn't good at creation. Li Li Banfeng said: "Then go find someone good at creation. What about the one who wrote "Pot Helmet" for you before? Give him more money, he must have other good songs to sell to you."

Chu Chu Zikai shook his head and said: "He returned to the North. He didn't have money to buy coal in winter, so he hugged his guitar and froze to death.

And Snowflake Pier didn't abandon me. They hired many lyricists and composers, trying every possible way to maintain my popularity, and at the same time, they gave me a new path. They hoped I would become an outstanding cultivator—not a dark energy user, but a real cultivator."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned: "What's the difference?"

Chu Chu Zikai said: "The difference here is huge. You wouldn't think a Walker is a Traveling Cultivator, would you? Do you think a Singer is a Sound Cultivator?"

"Isn't it?" Li Li Banfeng felt it was very strange. The essence is the same, the names are different. Dark energy users and cultivators are differences in cognition between Puluo Continent and the Outer Provinces. This is the most basic common sense.

Chu Chu Zikai smiled: "Of course not. You have been in the Outer Provinces for too short a time and don't have a deep enough understanding of the dark energy users in the Outer Provinces. At low levels, a gap has already appeared between dark energy users and cultivators.

If you do a few more tests, you will discover where the gap lies. The overall ability of dark energy users is far from as comprehensive as that of cultivators. When reaching a certain level, dark energy users will encounter a bottleneck and cannot be promoted anymore. This bottleneck is generally the seventh layer.

In the Outer Provinces, people always say the limit of dark energy users is the seventh layer. You must think they are lying, but actually, they are telling the truth."

Li Li Banfeng turned back to look at the Record Player. The Record Player was silent, because the Record Player was also not familiar with the Outer Provinces.

Chu Chu Zikai said: "I know you are unwilling to believe me, but you can verify this matter yourself, and you will find the answer very soon.

Dark energy users are technological products of the Outer Provinces. They try to manufacture a dark energy system belonging to the Outer Provinces using the cultivation rules of Puluo Continent.

But the guide agents manufactured by the Outer Provinces are far from the entry-level medicinal powder of the Peddler; they can only be considered inferior imitations.

If you want to become a real cultivator, you can only go to Puluo Continent to buy medicinal powder. Except for a portion of private collections of wealthy families,

the Peddler's medicinal powder is the only correct path for a cultivator's entry."

There is an essential difference between dark energy users in the Outer Provinces and cultivators in Puluo Continent.

Could this be the reason for the insufficient combat power of the Dark Star Bureau?

"Where does the medicinal powder privately collected by wealthy families come from?"

"Do you really want to know?" Chu Chu Zikai stared closely at Li Li Banfeng. "Spare my life, and I will tell you the truth. I can also tell you many truths you don't know."

Li Li Banfeng smiled and said: "You want to buy your own life by just making up a lie? Where in the world is there such a cheap thing?"

"Forget it if you don't believe me," Chu Chu Zikai continued. "After becoming a Sound Cultivator, I stayed in Puluo Continent for a period of time and learned a lot of precious knowledge. With the help of Snowflake Pier and through my connections in the Outer Provinces, I completed quite a few businesses."

"What kind of business?"

"There is the business of Ghost Servants, and there is also the business of magic treasures and weapons. I know how to manage, and I know who to spend money on. I earned a lot of money for Snowflake Pier, and Snowflake Pier provided me with a large amount of medicinal pills—medicinal pills with almost no side effects."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Are you referring to no pill poison?"

"To be precise, the pill poison is very small. Do you know where these medicinal pills come from?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head.

Chu Chu Zikai said: "They come from the Profound Life Did Honglian. Snowflake Pier once mastered the Profound Life Did Honglian and left behind a large amount of high-quality medicinal pills. It was precisely by relying on these high-quality medicinal pills that I spent ten years accumulating my cultivation to Above the Clouds. Now that the Did Honglian is in your hands, you should know this process better than I do."

Snowflake Pier once mastered the Did Honglian?

Is this true?

He could find the Did Honglian to verify it, but the Did Honglian might not necessarily be willing to tell the truth.

According to official data, Chu Chu Zikai is thirty-four years old this year, and he became famous thirteen years ago. If his description is true, this promotion speed is indeed a bit fast, faster than the heads of various major families in Puluo Continent.

Chu Chu Zikai sighed: "But it was precisely during these years when I was devoted to cultivation that Snowflake Pier's economic situation encountered a crisis. This should be related to the disappearance of the Did Honglian. Snowflake Pier changed my life, and fighting for Snowflake Pier is my duty. I spent all my savings to fully maintain the operation of Snowflake Pier. In order to further expand the scope of business, I contacted Migelov,

and together with him, I organized the Ferry Gang.

Through him, I could conduct some business abroad. I became a real ship boss, sending valuable things to all parts of the world."

Looking at Chu Chu Zikai's expression, Li Li Banfeng smiled and said: "You are very proud."

"Isn't it worth being proud of? I maintain long-term contact with more than thirty foreign dark energy organizations. Do you want to know their information? Spare my life, and I can tell you everything. I can even introduce them to you."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Your business abroad is so big, why didn't you sell Shui Shui Yongquan abroad?"

"Foreign psychics generally don't acquire War Spirits from Puluo Continent; the obstacles to communication are really too great.

Foreign dark energy users are more optimistic about magic treasures and spiritual items—I mean magic treasures and spiritual items, not dark energy carriers. Dark energy carriers in the Outer Provinces cannot be mentioned in the same breath as magic treasures and spiritual items in Puluo Continent.

You can't imagine how much profit there is in this. As long as you choose to join forces with me, you will possess wealth you cannot imagine."

"Wealth I cannot imagine?" Li Li Banfeng patted Chu Chu Zikai's face. "How much money do you think that is?"

Chu Chu Zikai knew Li Qi wasn't so easily moved, but life was at stake, so he had to try to persuade Li Qi: "I know you have a very deep foundation in Puluo Continent, but your vision is too narrow. You know nothing about things outside Puluo Continent.

Let me out, and I can open the door of the whole world for you. You will see the real impact of dark energy on this world, and you will know where the peak of power really lies."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head and said: "Too far away. It's better to talk about things right in front of us. Where does Migelov live? I have something to find him for."

"Are you afraid?" Chu Chu Zikai smiled deeply. "You should indeed be afraid. Migelov knows your identity, which means the entire Birch Hidden Cultivation Society knows your identity. They won't let you go.

If you want to find out Migelov's movements and make corresponding precautions, you still have to rely on me. I can continue to maintain contact with Migelov, and I can act as an inside agent for you in the name of the Ferry Gang.

Don't worry, I have already done my best for Snowflake Pier. As long as you let me out, I will become your most loyal subordinate."

Li Li Banfeng frowned slightly: "I asked you for Migelov's residence; why are you saying so much?"

Chu Chu Zikai looked at the door: "Let me out first. As long as I get out, I will say whatever you ask me."

Li Li Banfeng stood up and said: "So you don't want to say it now?"

The Record Player came to Li Li Banfeng's side and gently stroked Li Li Banfeng's spine with a mass of warm steam: "My precious husband, don't be angry. You don't need to do this kind of thing.

Little Slave knows what you want to ask. Leave the rest to Little Slave. As long as it's something he knows, Little Slave will definitely be able to ask it out. You should go find some friends to drink and relax."

Li Li Banfeng left the Portable Dwelling. A mass of scalding steam wandered over Chu Chu Zikai's body. Chu Chu Zikai endured the severe pain and shouted: "Without me, Li Qi won't be able to survive! The Birch Hidden Cultivation Society won't let him go, and Snowflake Pier won't let him go either! Just wait to collect his corpse!"

The Record Player smiled and said: "I've heard these words until my ears have grown calluses. Xue Yingying, teach him the rules of speaking."

Xiang Xiang Hongying held a small knife and made a cut on Chu Chu Zikai's face: "Didn't I teach you the etiquette before? You forgot it so quickly?"

"Let me go! Let me leave this room, and then I will tell you the truth!"

Xiang Xiang Hongying made another cut on his face: "Speaking must follow the rules, emphasizing primary and secondary order. Start with that so-called Lov. Didn't Seven Young Master ask you? Where does he live?"

Li Li Banfeng didn't linger in Qiqiu City. He immediately returned to Yuezhou and found Jin Jin Shunying through Yin Yin Siniang.

Jin Jin Shunying was scared out of her wits. She had originally planned to take a flight the next day to leave Yuezhou. Li Li Banfeng warned her: "Even if you leave Yuezhou, you might not be able to hide from the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society."

Jin Jin Shunying looked blank: "What is the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I don't know too much about this organization either. I've prepared a travel permit for you. Go to Green Water City; someone will meet you at the station. Hide there for a few days first."

Jin Jin Shunying thought for a long while and asked: "Which province is Green Water City in?"

"Green Water City is in Puluo Continent."

"Puluo Continent?" Jin Jin Shunying was dumbfounded. She knew the concept of Puluo Continent and had also seen Ghost Servants from Puluo Continent, but this name was still a bit blurry to her.

"That's a good place; perhaps it can turn you into a real cultivator."

"Cultivator? Isn't that a dark energy user?"

Li Li Banfeng wasn't sure what the relationship between cultivators and dark energy users was either: "I'll explain this to you later. Hurry up and pack your things; I'll take you to the station."

Jin Jin Shunying packed her luggage and followed Li Li Banfeng to Platform 96.

The moment she saw the steam train, Jin Jin Shunying was very nervous: "Boss, are you going to—"

Li Li Banfeng looked at the carriage number on the ticket: "I didn't intend to sell you, and I will absolutely never harm you. Going to Puluo Continent is definitely a good thing for you."

"I know it's a good thing," Jin Jin Shunying said with tears in her eyes, biting her lip. "But, how much money will this cost? The cost of living in Puluo Continent isn't low, right! I don't have much money on me—"

Li Li Banfeng said with a sincere face: "I'll cover your food and lodging, and I'll even pay you a salary. Hurry up and get on the train."

Jin Jin Shunying wiped away her tears and got on the train with a smile full of longing.

Nothing would happen on the train. The Birch Hidden Cultivation Society wouldn't dare to make a move on the train; this involved the bottom line of the Outer Provinces.

After arriving at Green Water City, he first let Old Luo settle her in the Xiaoyao Dock. Li Li Banfeng really didn't believe they would dare to reach into the Xiaoyao Dock.

Returning to the Dark Star Bureau, Li Li Banfeng asked Tang Yuan to help him find some information about the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society.

Tang Yuan only found a few documents: "Seven Young Master, I don't have much information on the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society, and the information we can find in the bureau is also very limited. But there is someone who has quite a bit of relevant information; it's just that I don't know if his source of information is accurate."

Li Li Banfeng was stunned: "You aren't talking about Zhong Er, are you?"

Tang Yuan nodded: "That's him. He is particularly interested in this type of organization."

Li Li Banfeng called Zhong Er over. He really had quite a bit of information: "Starting from the beginning of the middle of the last century, records about the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society had already appeared in some literary works. In the literature of the time, it was called the Birch Gang, Birch Sect, White Birch Mao Yi Faction, White Birch Mao Cha Society."

Li Li Banfeng said: "How do you know these gangs refer to the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society? Just because their gang names are related to birch trees?"

"It's not just the names. The relevant descriptions of these gangs completely conform to the characteristics of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society.

In these types of literary works, the corresponding gangs are all composed of Mao Yi people or Mao Cha people. This was the folk and even official term for foreigners at the time, specifically referring to foreigners whose hair color and skin color were different from ours—"

Zhong Er displayed the information he collected to Li Li Banfeng one by one, and Li Li Banfeng slowly organized the clues within.

"The influence of the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society is very large," Zhong Er took out a few more case files. "In several cases related to dark energy enthusiasts, the Birch Hidden Cultivation Society didn't show up directly, but the dark energy enthusiast organizations involved were all more or less related to them, including the previous Chamomile Wizard Association."

The Chamomile Wizard Association had taken Lu Lu Dongjun out of the Inner Provinces, almost causing a disaster, and almost made Li Li Banfeng step into a trap. This matter had been left hanging.

Li Li Banfeng collected the information and asked Zhong Er: "What level have you reached now?"

Zhong Er looked around, worried that there were monitoring devices around.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Here, you don't need to worry about being monitored."

Zhong Er lowered his voice and said: "Li Ju, I'm already at two and a half layers. I estimate I'm not far from the third layer."

Li Li Banfeng calculated the progress: "Have you finished eating all the harmonizing agents issued by the bureau?"

"Not yet. I went to the black market and got some more myself."

"You kid is still so bold!" Li Li Banfeng laughed. "Don't leave after work. I'll take you to a place to see your cultivation."

After work, Lightbulb drove, taking Li Li Banfeng and Zhong Er to the side of a wild lake in the suburbs.

Li Li Banfeng picked up a pebble and said to Zhong Er: "Use this as a weapon and spar with me for two rounds."

This pebble was round and smooth, without any sharp edges, and was wet and slippery, making it very difficult to grasp. Zhong Er observed it for a long while and shook his head: "Li Ju, you've stumped me. This pebble is really not suitable as a weapon."

Li Li Banfeng grabbed a handful of silt by the lake and handed it to Zhong Er: "What about this?"

Zhong Er held the silt and shook his head repeatedly: "This is even less suitable."

Li Li Banfeng thought about his previous experiences: "In the Garden Residential Area, you once fought with a bundle of straw mats, and you could use any broken tile you picked up as a weapon."

Zhong Er said: "Tiles are different. They have sharp edges, are easy to grasp, and are sharp enough. They are the best choice for weapons."

Li Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and said: "Have you always been so picky about weapons?"

Zhong Er didn't feel there was anything wrong: "Choosing suitable items as weapons is a required course for fighters."

This wasn't right.

PS: On this matter, Chu Chu Zikai shouldn't have lied. ===== CHAPTER 554 =====