Chapter 587: The Summit Above the Clouds

Li Li Banfeng went to the lab, expecting his wife to fly into a rage for his tardiness, but she was so absorbed in her experiment she'd forgotten the time entirely.

"Beloved husband, just give your humble wife a moment longer, just a little while." His wife still refused to leave; Li Li Banfeng tried to lend a hand, but the experiment was too complex—he'd arrived midway and couldn't assist, and he was less useful than the pendulum or Mengde.

Since he had to wait anyway, Li Li Banfeng returned to his personal quarters to reward those who earned merit in the battle.

The top merit goes to the Ninth Chamber Lady.

Tensions still lingered between Li Li Banfeng and the Ninth Chamber, but merit and fault must be clearly distinguished.

Without the Three Gates, Three Opens Array, Ji Yuren City would have fallen—merit must be rewarded.

Moreover, Sun Sun Tiecheng had a message for the Ninth Chamber; Li Li Banfeng entered her quarters, retrieved Did Honglian, and first expressed his gratitude to her.

The Ninth Chamber replied: "You shouldn't thank me—this is something I should thank you for. You're the one who went out to fight and risk your life; without you, Ji Yuren City would have suffered still."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Do you miss Ji Yuren City so much?"

"I do. Truly I do." The Ninth Chamber's tone was calm, but her words were heartfelt.

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment, then said: "I'll speak with the Old Master. If he agrees, I'll take you to see Ji Yuren City."

"Really?" The Ninth Chamber's voice trembled with excitement.

Li Li Banfeng said: "But if the Old Master refuses, don't blame me. And I'll only take you to look—you must return afterward, and you must not speak of household matters outside."

"I'll sign a covenant: if I don't return on time, or if I reveal household secrets—intentionally or not—I accept your harshest punishment!" Her voice grew unsteady, trembling with hope.

"Sun Brother also hopes you'll return. He said if you don't hate him anymore, you should go back and see." Li Li Banfeng delivered Sun Sun Tiecheng's message and turned to leave—when the Ninth Chamber called him back.

"Wait. I don't want to go to Ji Yuren City anymore."

Li Li Banfeng blinked: "Why not now?"

"If I don't hate him, I should go see him—but if I go, won't that mean I no longer hate him?"

What kind of logic is this? Reversing cause and effect?

The Ninth Chamber's voice suddenly turned low and deep:

"Why should I stop hating him? Is it that easy? I've accepted I'll never return in this life—I'll hate him for the rest of my days!"

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What's the depth of your grudge?"

"Hmph~" The Ninth Chamber sneered. "Younger brother, please return Did Honglian to me. With this elder sister as company, my days are quite bearable."

Li Li Banfeng brought Did Honglian back to the Ninth Chamber, who calmed her emotions.

Then Did Honglian teased: "Elder sister, tell me—what are heavenly people like?"

Did Honglian replied: "I've told you countless times—I truly don't remember."

"Surely you remember something. Was the light that fell to earth truly released by heavenly beings?"

"What did that madman give you to make you keep probing me?"

"Elder sister, I'm not probing you—I'm genuinely curious."

Since the Ninth Chamber refused reward, the second-place merit must now be honored.

Today's second-place merit goes to Gloves. At the critical moment, if he hadn't helped Li Li Banfeng, Li Li Banfeng might have fallen to the Thief Cult's Ancestor.

Li Li Banfeng pulled Gloves from his chest: "Brother, you've done great service today—brother, what's wrong?"

Li Li Banfeng called out repeatedly; Gloves barely moved his fingers, then fell silent. Li Li Banfeng was terrified. His personal quarters sighed: "Gloves was wounded by Xiao Xiao Qianshou, that old dog—he must be that old dog's disciple."

"How could Xiao Xiao Qianshou wound him? He never even touched Gloves."

"He placed curses on his disciples. I don't know the exact method."

During his battle with Xiao Xiao Qianshou, Xiao Xiao Qianshou had indeed said he sensed a Dao Sect disciple.

"Gloves has become a magic treasure—how can a curse still affect him? Is Xiao Xiao Qianshou's curse technique that advanced?"

His personal quarters replied: "Xiao Xiao Qianshou himself doesn't know curse techniques. He has a master nearby who does—and his curses are hard to break."

Li Li Banfeng tucked Gloves back into his chest: "I'll go find Song Song Qianhun. He has a physician named Kang Kang Zhenchang—he might be able to cure Gloves."

His personal quarters said: "A-seven, don't be reckless. To break a curse, don't seek a physician. If you misjudge the curse's mechanism, you'll make things worse and kill Gloves."

"Then how do you break a curse?"

"The best way is to find the caster—but you can't go to Xiao Xiao Qianshou, that old dog. Another good method is the Mansion Cult's Cloud-Top technique: 'High Pillow, No Worries.' Too bad you haven't learned it yet."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'll go learn it from my wife right away."

His personal quarters said: "A-seven, don't rush this. To learn a technique, you must first advance—but you've ascended too fast. Your body can't handle it. Wait and hear what your wife says."

His wife was still busy in the lab. Li Li Banfeng said: "Wife, I want to learn a technique."

"Beloved husband, it's only been a few days—you're already thinking about advancement again?"

"It's for our Gloves." Li Li Banfeng handed Gloves to his wife.

His wife was startled. After learning the cause of Gloves' injury, she understood his purpose.

"Beloved husband, you want to learn the 'High Pillow, No Worries' technique?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "The Old Master said this technique can break curses."

His wife said: "The 'High Pillow, No Worries' technique doesn't just break curses—it heals wounds, cures illness. It's truly a fine Mansion Cult technique. But the Mansion Cult has many fine techniques—won't you consider others?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Let's learn 'High Pillow, No Worries' first, then other techniques later."

"Husband, you won't learn any other techniques after this. Cloud-Top has only three levels—it's the peak. Beyond that is Cloud-Top Above."

"Cloud-Top Above?" Li Li Banfeng stared in shock. "Wife, the ground path has ten levels—why does Cloud-Top end at three?"

"Husband, the path of cultivation works this way. That's why I urge you to be cautious."

Cloud-Top cultivation was too short—Li Li Banfeng couldn't accept it:

"Then—then if I reach Cloud-Top Above, can't I learn any more Cloud-Top techniques?"

His wife shook her trumpet: "Once you reach Cloud-Top Above, you can no longer learn any Dao Sect techniques. Cloud-Top Above techniques are all self-created by cultivators.

At Cloud-Top Above, the concepts of level and technique vanish. Human Qi becomes useless. Husband, you'll never find a clear path of cultivation again—you'll have to grope forward by chance and experience alone.

Husband, listen to me: before you fully understand the Dao Sect's mechanisms, don't lightly step into Cloud-Top Above. Otherwise, your cultivation will never advance again."

Li Li Banfeng looked at the dying Gloves, thought a moment, then said: "I'll advance to Mansion Cult Level Three. I'll learn 'High Pillow, No Worries.'"

Li Li Banfeng looked at the nearly dead glove, thought for a moment, and said: "I'm advancing to Yu Zhaixiu Level Three; I'll learn the technique called High Pillow, No Worries."

"There are other powerful Mansion Cult techniques. Listen, my husband—one is 'Connecting the Bridal Chamber.' This technique—"

"Beloved wife, stop. You're making me restless. I don't want to learn any other technique—I only want 'High Pillow, No Worries.'

Gloves is like this because of me. If he'd stayed still, Xiao Xiao Qianshou might never have noticed him. Even asleep, he could have evaded Zhao Zhao Lanmeng. I owe him this debt—I must save him, no matter what."

His wife sighed: "Then I'll follow your wish. Hand Gloves to me first—I'll stabilize the curse.

I've consumed many ingredients lately; advancing you won't be hard. In the coming days, eat more Human Qi, rest well, and take your pills on time."

Lushui City, Lu's Bookhouse. Master Lu entered the second-floor storage room and inspected Yu Yao's completed device.

Externally, it resembled a cannon: a long tube with two wheels.

Measured by size, the cannon stood over a meter tall on the ground, its barrel nearly thirty centimeters in diameter—too bulky to carry onto the street.

Master Lu went downstairs, took an old newspaper from the rack, and brought it to the storage room: "Xiao Zheng once created something called a Magnetic Shock Cannon—it ended in ridicule. He and his cannon were both trapped inside the Boundary. Your device shouldn't be the same, right?"

Yu Yao glanced at the newspaper and said to Master Lu: "I don't know Xiao Zheng or what his Magnetic Shock Cannon was. I'm certain my device won't cause similar Boundary changes."

Master Lu stared at Yu Yao's massive creation, his expression grave.

Yu Yao was displeased with Master Lu's attitude: "My device has a remote control. Even if something goes wrong, we can evacuate immediately. I think these safeguards are enough to reassure you. We should at least have basic trust."

"My trust in you isn't 'basic.'" Master Lu took a book from the shelf.

It was a thread-bound copy of *Tianxiang Ci Hua*. Its exterior was plain, but the paper and craftsmanship were exquisite. Most remarkable: every page held a detailed illustration.

The illustrations were painted by master artist Shan Yougui and engraved by master printer Su Guangrui. Few copies reached the market—this book alone was worth hundreds of silver dollars.

Not to mention the special methods Master Lu had embedded within it.

Master Lu opened a page. The illustration was stunning: the male and female protagonists, after resolving their misunderstanding, made love in the wilderness. The man was carefree yet slightly arrogant; the woman, shy yet tender. The entire scene was rendered vividly.

Master Lu raised an eyebrow at Yu Yao: "Pretty, isn't it?"

Master Lu opened one page; the illustration on it was stunning—the male and female protagonists, after resolving their misunderstanding, made love in the wilderness; the man was carefree yet slightly arrogant, the woman tender yet shy, the entire painting rendering the scene with lifelike vividness.

Master Lu said mysteriously: "The later pages are even better."

"Really?" Yu Yao reached to examine the book closely.

Master Lu waved him off: "Not yet. Finish the business first."

He lifted *Tianxiang Ci Hua* and placed it atop the cannon.

The entire cannon vanished.

As Yu Yao stared in astonishment, Master Lu showed him the illustration.

In the wilderness, beside the man and woman, now stood a cannon.

Even stranger: the couple in the painting stared at the cannon beside them, their expressions filled with shock.

Yu Yao remained speechless. He looked at Master Lu: "What technique is this?"

Master Lu smiled: "In Pulu Province, don't ask others about techniques—unless they bring it up themselves."

Yu Yao knew he shouldn't ask—but curiosity lingered: "I've seen many books in your shop. You call those with special abilities 'cultivators.' You define cultivation levels. You must be a Cloud-Top Above cultivator, right?"

Master Lu sighed: "Don't just look at these things. Look at Pulu Province's customs. Don't ask about techniques—and don't ask about cultivation levels either."

Yu Yao was dissatisfied: "If I can't ask anything, how will I ever live in Pulu Province?"

Master Lu thought a moment: "Fair point. I'll tell you the truth—I'm not a Cloud-Top Above cultivator."

"Then when will you reach Cloud-Top Above?"

Master Lu shook his head: "I'll never reach Cloud-Top Above."

"Is it because your talent is insufficient?"

Old Lu shook his head: "I will never reach above the clouds."

Is it because your talent is insufficient?

Old Lu frowned and said, "Don't you have manners outside Waizhou? Would you really speak like that? I don't want to go to Yunshang Yunshang Zhishang because I've taken a different path—even if a true Yunshang Yunshang Zhishang came here, they wouldn't necessarily be my match."

After putting away the scroll, Old Lu was just leading Yu Yu Yaoming downstairs when the bell above the door rang—someone had entered the bookstore.

Yu Yu Yaoming turned to run upstairs, but Old Lu gestured for him to stay still, right there beside the second bookshelf.

Old Lu walked around the third bookshelf and reached the bookstore entrance, where he saw He He Jiaqing step inside.

"Young Master He, haven't seen you in a while," Old Lu greeted, then quickly ordered a clerk to brew tea.

He He Jiaqing waved his hand. "No need for trouble—I just came from a teahouse, drank a whole pot. I'm here to see if you have any new books."

Old Lu smiled. "New books are on every shelf—take your time."

He He Jiaqing walked slowly past each bookshelf; when he reached the second one,

he paused slightly longer.

He felt the person he was looking for was nearby, but after using several methods, he still couldn't spot them.

After circling the store, He He Jiaqing bought a set of "Xiu Shuang Ji."

"Xiu Shuang Ji" was a collection of stories, twenty-seven volumes, gathering over six hundred folk tales of romance and vulgarity; people often said one could endure three volumes of "Tian Xiang" but not one of "Xiu Shuang"—proof of its power.

Old Lu teased, "Young Master He, you're never short of girls,

yet you still like this set?"

He He Jiaqing shook his head. "Old Lu, you're an expert—this book's subtleties can't be found on any girl."

The two exchanged a knowing smile.

The twenty-seven volumes were too heavy to carry, so He He Jiaqing left an address and asked Old Lu to deliver them.

Old Lu agreed. After seeing He He Jiaqing off, he waited nearly ten minutes, then circled back around the third bookshelf and found Yu Yu Yaoming beside the second.

Yu Yu Yaoming was also reading "Xiu Shuang Ji," his hands trembling with each page.

Old Lu said, "We should go."

Yu Yu Yaoming gave a slight shake of his head. "Let's go another day—I want to study in the bookstore today."

"Finish the important business first, then come back to study. My bookstore has plenty of learning—you won't finish in a lifetime."

The two took "Tian Xiang Ci Hua" and left the shop, stepping onto the street.

Yu Yu Yaoming lowered his voice. "Give me some makeup—you're going to stand out like this."

From Waizhou to Like Puluozhou, Yu Yu Yaoming had changed into a Zhongshan suit and black leather shoes,

tidied his hair, but made no other alterations to his face.

Old Lu shook his head. "I've thought this through carefully—those looking for you aren't ordinary people. Makeup won't fool them; they'll see through it instantly. Better to show nothing at all—it won't draw attention."

Old Lu was right—but today was unusual. They'd been spotted by an ordinary person.

Qin Qin Tianjiu was handling affairs across the street at a jewelry shop.

The jewelry shop belonged to Shen Shen Jinzhong of San Yingmen, a profitable business lately plagued by thieves.

Previously, a female food cultivator had come to rob them openly. Though they burned her clothes and pockets, she still stole several pieces of jewelry—neither the items nor the thief were recovered. Shen Shen Jinzhong flew into a rage.

Two days later, several thief cultivators struck again. No one noticed at first; only when they received a thank-you letter from the thieves did the shop inventory reveal the losses.

These thieves were brazen. Shen Shen Jinzhong lost money and reputation, and nearly shut the shop down in fury.

If he'd shut it, things would've been easier—but after much thought, he couldn't bear to abandon the business. So he turned pressure onto Qin Qin Xiaopang.

Out of respect for Li Qi's face, Shen Shen Jinzhong didn't dare push too hard, but Qin Qin Xiaopang couldn't bring himself to refuse, so he stayed nearby, keeping watch.

Today he'd just seen Old Lu exit the bookstore with a man. At first, Qin Qin Xiaopang paid no mind, assuming the man was just a clerk.

But after a second look, he sensed something wrong—the man looked familiar.

Where had he seen him...?

Qin Qin Xiaopang remembered the photo Li Qi had shown him: this man was Yu Yu Yaoming,

from Waizhou. Li Qi suspected he'd come to Like Puluozhou and ordered Qin Qin Xiaopang to watch closely—don't tell anyone, immediately contact Luo Zhengnan, and relay the news to Li Qi.

He'd searched Lüshui City many times without success—yet here he was, right across the street!

Qin Qin Xiaopang pulled out a simple phone, about to dial, when he saw Old Lu and Yu Yu Yaoming turn into an alley.

Where were they going?

Old Lu had taken the man away—he didn't know if they'd return. By the time Seventh Brother arrived, both might be gone.

Old Lu was just a bookstore owner, and Yu Yu Yaoming had no high combat power.

Qin Qin Tianjiu was already a Level Four food cultivator—following these two shouldn't be hard.

He'd follow them for a while, find out what they were up to, then send word to Seventh Brother.

Qin Qin Tianjiu told his men to watch the jewelry shop, then followed Old Lu toward Yangjiao Garden.

Yangjiao Garden had seen many strange events lately. Liao Liao Zihui had activated the surrounding boundaries,

sealing off most of the garden.

One boundary cut through the garden's woods—invisible itself, but its trace was clear: no plants grew near it.

Old Lu opened "Tian Xiang Ci Hua," flipped to the previous illustration, and shook it.

Yu Yu Yaoming's cannon appeared silently before them; the man and woman in the illustration now had normal expressions.

"Won't the cannon be too loud?"

Yu Yu Yaoming shook his head. "No sound at all."

After connecting all equipment, Yu Yu Yaoming stood at a distance, holding the remote, and pressed the firing button.

No bright light, no noise—only the instrument panel's parameters changed.

Old Lu looked at Yu Yu Yaoming, who carefully compared the parameters before and after firing. "It's done."

"That's it?"

Yu Yu Yaoming nodded. "Directly ahead of the cannon's muzzle, a passage into a wormhole now exists."

"You made this wormhole?"

?

"Of course not—I merely detected an existing entrance at a specific point and reshaped it. From the parameters, the entrance is two meters high, two meters wide—enough for a normal human to pass through."

From the parameters, the entrance is two meters high and two meters wide, sufficient for a person of normal build to pass through.

,

Old Lu said nothing. Yu Yu Yaoming added, "If you don't believe me, I'll go test it."

He stepped forward, but Old Lu blocked him.

Old Lu opened "Tian Xiang Ci Hua" again, found another illustration.

It showed a bustling street, where a middle-aged man walked a birdcage.

Old Lu reached into the illustration, opened the cage, and took the bird as the man stared in shock.

He placed the bird in his palm, stroked its head, tickled its chin, and whispered to it.

The bird chirped, flew straight toward the boundary—and vanished the moment it crossed, leaving only a trace of ash.

Old Lu looked at Yu Yu Yaoming. Yu Yu Yaoming said, "Don't worry—it'll come back soon."

After fifteen minutes, nothing happened. Yu Yu Yaoming said, "Maybe your bird got lost inside the wormhole."

Old Lu shook his head. "This bird has been trained for years—it's smarter than most humans."

"Impossible," Yu Yu Yaoming replied. "Human and bird cognition differ fundamentally—some tasks can only be done by humans."

Old Lu sighed. "Why cling to your pride? That bird clearly hit the boundary and turned to ash."

Yu Yu Yaoming said, "If you crossed the boundary by ordinary means, yes—the bird would turn to ash. But passing through a wormhole entrance won't cause that."

Old Lu frowned. "You didn't see those ashes just now?"

"Those ashes aren't from the bird. I've experienced this before—I thought the ash came from the subject, but actually, it's dust from the wormhole entrance itself. This dust carries basic wormhole properties, unlike residue from destroyed ordinary matter."

Old Lu didn't want to argue anymore—he found talking to this man exhausting.

Yu Yu Yaoming remained stubborn: "Birds easily lose direction in unfamiliar environments. They're not human—they lack human adaptability and responsiveness."

"So you mean if we put a person in, they'll come out?"

"Theoretically, yes."

"Good!" Old Lu pulled a rope from the book and flicked it.

The rope shot into the grass, wrapping around Qin Qin Tianjiu.

Qin Qin Tianjiu struggled, but to no avail—the rope bound him tightly, leaving no room to move.

Old Lu tugged the rope, pulling Qin Qin Tianjiu to his feet.

Qin Qin Tianjiu tried to shout, but Old Lu traced a "forbidden" character on his face—no sound escaped.

"He's alive. If he walks through and comes back, you're right." Old Lu flung the rope—Qin Qin Tianjiu, still bound, hurtled toward the boundary opposite the cannon.

A puff of ash drifted past—Qin Qin Tianjiu vanished.

Half an hour passed. Qin Qin Tianjiu didn't reappear. Old Lu looked at Yu Yu Yaoming. "What do you have to say now?"

Yu Yu Yaoming lowered his head, stared at the cannon. "Maybe some adjustments are still needed."

"Adjustments are fine—we'll take our time. Why cling to pride?" Old Lu opened "Tian Xiang Ci Hua," stored the cannon, and the two left Yangjiao Garden.

"I shook the branches, threw sand to raise dust! We have no past grudge, no future feud—old man, please hear my plea!" Luo Zhengnan brewed tea, sat in a reclining chair, listening to "Wu Pen Ji," when suddenly, static crackled in his ear.

"I quickly shook the branch, grabbed a handful of sand and threw up dust! We have no old grudge nor recent quarrel—I beg you, old man, to hear my grievance!" Luo Zhengnan had brewed a pot of tea, sat on a reclining chair, and was listening to "The Black Urn Record," when suddenly a cacophony sounded in his ear.

Luo Zhengnan adjusted the antenna—the noise faded briefly, then returned.

He pulled the antenna from his skull, inspected it closely.

"Should I replace this? Problem is, it's not easy to buy."

"Shouldn't this thing be replaced? The problem is, it's not easy to buy."

After adjusting back and forth several times, Luo Zhengnan felt this static was odd—it was noisy and piercing, yet seemed to have a certain rhythm.

This didn't sound like static from a radio.

PS: This static seemed to be actively seeking him out.