Chapter 622: The Rise and Fall of the Four Directions Hangs on a Single Thought

Cui Ti followed Li Li Banfeng to the soda kiln, ate a plate of braised beef, two flatbreads, and a bottle of soda. After eating and drinking his fill, Cui Ti remembered something important.

"I forgot to bring the medicine."

Li Li Banfeng frowned. "We're here to do big business. Show a little more care. Is the medicine that important?"

"Don't you need props for a performance?"

Cui Ti admitted this was a serious oversight. He bought three bottles of soda from the shopkeeper—orange, pineapple, and grape flavors. He also bought a bag of salt, a bottle of soy sauce, and a bottle of vinegar. He found an abandoned factory, pulled out three test tubes, and began mixing the medicine.

"Is this even medicine?" Li Li Banfeng was deeply dissatisfied with Cui Ti's attitude.

"Fine medicine often comes from humble materials." Cui Ti handed the three prepared test tubes to Li Li Banfeng. "Taste one. This flavor is as pure as our friendship."

Li Li Banfeng didn't drink it. He ignored Cui Ti entirely, passing through several workshops until the two reached the deep interior of the abandoned factory.

Cui Ti's body rapidly changed: his limbs shortened and thickened, his body swelled, his eyes and brows vanished, and thick lips sprouted sparse, sharp teeth. Three snails had already arrived at the factory, anxiously waiting for Li Qi. The moment they saw Cui Ti, they were startled.

"Is that a Dao Dao Laogui?" Luo Su Lijun cried out. "How did you bring this thing here?"

The transformed Cui Ti pulled three vials from his pocket and muttered indistinctly. Li Li Banfeng asked: "He's here to deliver medicine. Who wants to try one?"

Luo Su Lijun snapped: "Do you think we're mad? Who'd dare eat this?"

The youngest, Luo Luo Shaojun, looked hopeful: "If I eat this, will the itching stop?" Li Li Banfeng nodded. "Try it and see. The medicine cures instantly."

Luo Luo Shaojun looked at Luo Su Lijun. "Sister, let me try."

Luo Su Lijun said nothing. Luo Luo Yanjun spoke up: "Let Luo Shaojun try. Since Li Qi came to do business, he won't ruin his own reputation." Luo Luo Shaojun gathered courage and stepped close to the "Cui Dao Laogui," using her antennae to take the vial from his hand.

Cui Ti seized the opportunity to extract Luo Luo Shaojun's affliction.

With the affliction gone, Luo Luo Shaojun naturally recovered. She carried antibodies, and with the special constitution of an Neizhou native, she wouldn't contract the plague again anytime soon.

Luo Luo Shaojun didn't understand why, but she swallowed the vial whole. After waiting over ten minutes, the excruciating itch gradually faded. "Sister, this medicine works!"

Hearing this, Luo Luo Yanjun stepped forward. "Let me try too!"

Cui Ti put the vials away. Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "Business is business—buy and sell. You haven't paid yet. I won't give you medicine for free." Luo Su Lijun lifted her head. "We had an agreement. We won't default. Whose deed contract do you want?"

Three vials. Three deed contracts. Li Li Banfeng had already planned this.

He'd intended to reclaim Li Li Furong's deed contract—but changed his mind. He couldn't take it back.

Following standard procedure, Luo Su Lijun would go to retrieve Li Li Furong's contract. The clerk managing the contracts would never have heard of Li Li Furong. They'd first check the registry.

Li Li Furong's name wouldn't appear in the Neizhou registry. The registry would list only Ba Shan Zhu.

It was normal for a name to be missing—perhaps the land's ownership had changed. Then they'd have to search through every deed contract one by one.

But when they found Li Li Furong's name, they'd realize it wasn't a change of ownership—it was that Ba Shan Zhu's name had been altered. That would be hard to explain. Li Li Banfeng would never get the contract back. Neizhou would likely destroy it.

Destroying it wouldn't matter. Li Li Banfeng had other lands to support him. He wasn't afraid of losing his rank.

The contract held no flesh or blood of his. He wasn't afraid of curses.

But the key problem: the contract was only half-complete. Could the land still be used? For safety's sake, Li Li Furong's land would be set aside for now.

"The first deed contract I want is Meng Yu's."

Luo Su Lijun hesitated. "Her contract is hard to get. I'll do my best."

Luo Luo Shaojun didn't think it was difficult. "Before, it was hard. But now all three clerks managing the contracts are sick and useless. A little effort will get it."

Luo Su Lijun swung her tentacle and struck Luo Luo Shaojun, then said to Li Qi, "Continue." "The second is the contract for Shuiyongquan."

Luo Su Lijun swung her antennae and struck Luo Luo Shaojun. "Go on, Li Qi." "The second is the deed contract of Shui Shui Yongquan."

Shui Shui Yongquan's contract was cursed. He'd lost his rank and become a Shang Masha. But Neizhou still held his flesh and blood in the contract—the curse might still be active. And Zhengjing Village sits on his land. This contract must be reclaimed to ensure Zhengjing Village remains outside Neizhou's control.

Luo Su Lijun sighed. "His contract is even harder to get. I can only try. If I fail, you'll need another replacement." Li Li Banfeng added: "The third is Rong Rong Sijiao."

Luo Luo Shaojun rushed to speak: "That one's easy. He—"

Luo Su Lijun swung her antennae again, ready to strike. Luo Luo Shaojun fell silent.

Luo Luo Yanjun asked: "Young Master Li, why do you want Rong Rong Sijiao's contract?"

Rong Rong Sijiao had no connection with Li Qi. Why would Li Qi help him reclaim his contract? Luo Luo Yanjun was deeply surprised. "Rong Rong Sijiao is a righteous man. I've received much of his help lately. Assisting him is only right."

Luo Su Lijun nodded. "If no unexpected changes occur, we'll get the contracts tomorrow. If we can't get them, we'll discuss alternatives."

The three snails dove into the water. Luo Su Lijun told Luo Luo Shaojun: "Sister, spit out the medicine. We'll take it back and study it carefully. If we figure it out today, we won't need to come back to Li Qi tomorrow."

Luo Luo Yanjun frowned. "Sister, I don't oppose studying it later—but shouldn't we finish this business first? If you renege now, how will we ever deal with Li Qi again?"

Luo Su Lijun said: "Let's make the medicine first. We can haggle over price later. With leverage in hand, we're better off than always being at his mercy. Luo Shaojun, spit it out."

"I can't spit it out." Luo Luo Shaojun whispered.

Luo Su Lijun snapped: "What did I tell you yesterday?!"

Luo Luo Shaojun replied: "You say so many things every day—I can't remember them all. Besides, I was itching terribly. Finally, medicine came. I got nervous and swallowed it all."

"You little slut, you deserve a beating!" Luo Su Lijun whipped her antennae across Luo Luo Shaojun's body ten times. Luo Luo Shaojun cried pitifully. Luo Luo Yanjun stepped in to shield her. After a few words of comfort, Luo Su Lijun left to find the contracts herself—on her way out, she still cursed Luo Luo Shaojun: "How did we end up with such a fool in the family?!"

Luo Luo Yanjun looked at the weeping Luo Luo Shaojun and silently admired her.

Leaving aside other matters, this move wasn't foolish at all. Finishing the business honestly benefited both sides. The next morning, they met again. Luo Su Lijun brought the three deed contracts.

Earlier, she'd made things sound difficult to ensure safety and to negotiate better terms. With her status, she had many ways to obtain contracts. Li Li Banfeng carefully examined the three contracts and had Feng Daiku verify them again outside the factory.

Confirmed correct, Li Li Banfeng ordered Cui Ti to give the medicine to Luo Su Lijun and Luo Luo Yanjun. Cui Ti repeated the process, extracting their afflictions.

Luo Su Lijun wanted to take the medicine away. Li Qi refused. If the medicine wasn't drunk and the illness vanished, the deception would be exposed. "You must drink it right here."

Luo Su Lijun was furious. "What's the logic behind that?"

"I fear you'll take it back and study it!"

Seeing the argument escalate, Luo Luo Yanjun hurried forward to mediate: "Sister, our Master Li already agreed: three potions for three contracts—let's not break the rules." Luo Luo Shaojun added beside her: "Sister, you can keep a little for yourself, but taking it all is just too much."

"This is my rule. Medicine is for consumption—not research!"

Seeing the dispute escalate, Luo Luo Yanjun stepped forward. "Sister, we agreed: three vials for three contracts. Don't break the rules." Luo Luo Shaojun added: "Sister, you can hide a little, but taking it all is too obvious..."

Luo Su Lijun spat in anger: "I can't stand his arrogance—he's cruel and tyrannical. If he were like Fifth Brother, a man of grandeur, I'd let it go. But over just this little bit of potion, he's haggling with us like a miser!"

Luo Su Lijun and Luo Luo Yanjun both swung their antennae, flinging the little snail into the pool. Right before Li Qi's eyes, they drank the medicine. Back in Neizhou, Luo Luo Yanjun advised: "Sister, why argue with him? Just spit out a bit of the medicine."

Luo Su Lijun growled: "I can't stand his arrogance. He's cruel and domineering. If he were like Wu Lang—a generous man—I'd accept it. But over a few vials, he haggles like a miser!"

Luo Luo Yanjun snorted. "You say Wu Lang? I believe that. But calling him generous? That's nonsense. We've done many things with Li Qi—in Like Puluozhou, in Waizhou—he's never failed. Such a man deserves such dominance!" Luo Luo Shaojun nodded. "He deserves it. Such a man is best."

Luo Su Lijun cursed: "You little slut—no wonder you say whatever you're asked. You're trying to cling to him!"

"Let's focus on business," Luo Luo Yanjun said. She swallowed over eighty percent of the medicine, spitting out less than twenty percent.

Luo Su Lijun frowned. "You only spit out that little?"

Luo Luo Yanjun thought it was plenty. "Getting even this much is good enough. Our physicians and alchemists may not be able to break Li Qi's medicine. If I spit out too much and my plague isn't cured, I'll lose everything."

As she spoke, Luo Luo Yanjun stretched her body. "Sister, this medicine really works—I'm not itching anymore!" Luo Su Lijun stretched too. The itch was truly gone.

She picked up the medicine Luo Luo Yanjun spat out and nodded. "This should be enough." Luo Luo Yanjun stared in shock. "Sister, you didn't spit out anything at all!"

The rabbit was no larger than an ordinary wild hare, but it was in fact a strange creature from the New Land, sentient and able to speak. This year's snowfall was too heavy; food was hard to find in the snow.

Beneath Rongku Mountain, a rabbit hopped about, foraging.

The rabbit was small, no larger than a common wild rabbit—but it was an anomaly from Xin Di, sentient, capable of speech. This year's snowfall was heavy; food was scarce in the snow.

The rabbit lifted its head, gazing at Rongku Mountain. The fresh green grass there was irresistible. Just one bite. Just one bite. Rongku Shen wouldn't mind.

But recently, a deer had eaten one blade of grass on Rongku Mountain—and Rongku Shen had taken its life. The rabbit, starving, saw the grass as if it had grown from the mountain down to the ground.

Grass grown down here should be edible.

The rabbit stepped forward, opened its mouth—and suddenly, a man appeared before it. Rongku Shen!

The rabbit didn't dare raise its head. It crouched, trembling. "This grass grew down here—I only came to look. I didn't mean to eat."

The man touched the fresh green blade. Its color darkened rapidly—from pale green to deep green, then to yellow. In an instant, the grass became dry and withered. The rabbit urinated in the snow.

The man turned and vanished. This was Rongku Shen's warning.

Shaking, the rabbit left Rongku Mountain, seeking food elsewhere. It trudged dozens of miles through snow—until it saw two figures.

It was an anomaly—it didn't need to eat grass. Eating humans would suffice.

These two walked carelessly through Rongku Shen's territory. They must have no cultivation. Perfect prey. The rabbit hid beside a pine tree, waiting for them to approach.

This was the rabbit's most common hunting tactic. When close enough, it would leap, using its front paws to gouge out its prey's eyes.

If the prey's companion didn't flee, it would continue to harass, aiming to blind both. If the companion fled, it wouldn't chase—this one prey would feed it for days.

Cui Ti glanced at it: "This rabbit's kind of cute—I feel bad about cooking it. Let's eat it raw." The rabbit spoke up: "Gentlemen, I'm one of you!"

The rabbit leapt—straight at Li Li Banfeng, aiming to gouge his eyes. Before its paws could strike, Li Li Banfeng reached out and seized its ear.

"Good. Haven't had lunch yet. Let's eat this." Li Li Banfeng tossed the rabbit to Cui Ti.

Cui Ti glanced at it. "This rabbit's cute. I feel bad cooking it. Let's eat it raw." The rabbit cried out: "Gentlemen, I'm one of you!"

Cui Ti looked at Li Li Banfeng. Li Li Banfeng shook his head. Neither knew who this "one of you" was. Cui Ti grabbed the ear, shook the rabbit. "What do you want from us?"

The rabbit shouted: "I'm here to warn you—this is Rongku Shen's territory. Don't trespass!" Li Li Banfeng had never heard of Rongku Shen. Cui Ti was equally confused.

The rabbit explained: "Rongku Shen is the deity who governs prosperity and decay. All life in this land—from birth to death, from flourishing to withering—is under Rongku Shen's control!" Cui Ti asked Li Li Banfeng: "Friend, did we come to the wrong place?"

Li Li Banfeng looked at the rabbit. "Isn't this Rong Rong Sijiao's land? When did it become Rongku Shen's?" The rabbit roared: "Insolent! Don't speak Rongku Shen's name so casually!"

Rong Rong Sijiao stood beside the corpse, sprinkling powder over the bones; the white skeleton lost its luster, the rotting hue deepening. "A beast with no memory—leave it here as a warning." Rong Rong Sijiao turned and left, kicking up dust as he went. This year's snow was heavy, and many strange creatures would come up the mountain to steal grass; leaving more corpses was the best deterrent for them.

The rabbit stood tall, ears erect, voice sharp: "Prosperity and decay hinge on a single thought. Haven't you heard of Rongku Shen's name?" Rong Rong Sijiao stood at the foot of Rongku Mountain, watching a cow graze on the mountain's grass.

This time, he offered no warning. Soon, the old cow collapsed, spitting green sap, its flesh melting rapidly, revealing gleaming white bones—like a corpse decomposed in moments.

Rong Rong Sijiao stood beside the corpse, sprinkling powder over the bones. The white bones lost their luster, the rot deepened. "A beast without memory. Left here as a warning." Rong Rong Sijiao turned and left, dust swirling beneath his feet as he ascended Rongku Mountain.

This year's snow was heavy. Many anomalies would come to steal grass. Leaving more corpses was the best deterrent.

Whether they starved or froze, these anomalies must understand one truth: Rongku Mountain cannot be defiled. Rongku Shen cannot be defiled.

Li Li Banfeng and Cui Ti were debating how to handle Rong Rong Sijiao. The rabbit, ears twitching, eyes wide, sat quietly listening.

Cui Ti said: "Since this is my land, I should handle it myself. My method is more efficient."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head. "Your method isn't necessarily efficient. What if it turns into De Song Cliff again? You'll ruin a good land."

【101】 "I won't easily use 'Barren Earth,'" Cui Ti tucked the canned box into his coat. "For most of the time, I can restrain myself."

【102】 "But when you can't restrain yourself? Why risk an unpredictable probability?"

【103】 The rabbit clicked its teeth, watching the two men cautiously.

【104】 He didn't know what they planned—but he knew something huge was about to happen on Rongku Mountain.

【105】 Rong Rong Sijiao paced inside his courtyard.

【106】 His courtyard sat atop Rongku Mountain. The front gate faced the forest; the back gate faced a cliff.

Standing at the cliff's edge, Rong Rong Sijiao gazed across his territory; a patchwork of halos coated his vision in silver, strikingly beautiful. A thousand square units of land had been cleared within his domain—unquestionably outstanding among newly acquired lands.

If he could secure some aid from Li Li Banfeng and acquire a batch of Three-Headed Ones, transforming his new land into legitimate territory would be just around the corner.

But Li Qi was uncooperative. When the Land God himself went to beg him, Li Qi not only refused but demanded food, drink, and housing for them—treating those monsters as if they were people. Worse still, he insisted on signing contracts, claiming certain matters required his approval, not the Inner State's.

Who did he think he was? Did he even know the height of heaven or the depth of earth?

Throughout history, no powerful clan in Pulu Province dared challenge a Land God. Li Qi has gained some influence in both Inner and Outer States, yet now he's grown utterly arrogant—he must be taught a lesson, so he learns his place.

Rong Rong Sijiao walked to the front gate, strolling through the forest, pondering how to deal with Li Qi.

In the depths of winter, Rongkushan was peculiar: maple leaves blazed red, willow branches stayed green, and flowers of every hue bloomed vibrantly—this vast mountain looked like a brilliantly colored painting. Li Li Banfeng crouched on a tree and asked Cui Ti: "Is this a Grass Cultivator?"

Cui Ti shook his head: "Not a Grass Cultivator. They despise restraint—their surroundings grow wild and chaotic. But here, the vegetation grows in orderly layers, exquisitely refined. I believe this person is a Farming Cultivator."

Li Li Banfeng asked the rabbit: "What sect does Rongkushen belong to?" "Rongkun Dao." The rabbit trembled violently.

There's such a sect?

Rong Rong Sijiao walked through the forest, still mulling over Sha Sha Dingzhong's stance. He'd previously discussed allying against Li Qi with Sha, and Old Sha had promised wholeheartedly. But Old Sha promised many things—how many were genuine?

"Old Sha, Old Sha," Rong Rong Sijiao muttered to himself, "when will you ever change your sandy ways?" "I'll speak to him someday—I can't stand his conduct either."

"Who?" Rong Rong Sijiao turned around and saw a figure standing silently beneath a tree. He'd just passed this tree—and hadn't noticed anyone was there.

His voice sounded a bit like Li Qi's.

The man stepped toward Rong Rong Sijiao, smiling: "I heard you wrote a letter to the Inner State?" Rong Rong Sijiao's skull throbbed; his body tensed instantly.

The man lowered his palm, signaling Rong Rong Sijiao to relax: "I'm not like Li Qi. I'm a cultured man—I act with reason and propriety. Tell me plainly: what great crime did Meng Meng Yuchun commit?"

This man isn't Li Qi?

Rong Rong Sijiao tried to study his face, but the man's features were utterly black—no contours, no details visible. "Who are you?"

The man said nothing, advancing closer. Rong Rong Sijiao could no longer make out his face—only a silhouette remained.

Having served as Land God for years, Rong Rong Sijiao, drawing on battlefield instincts, immediately deduced: this man used an illusion technique! He claimed he wasn't Li Qi, yet came because of the letter—proving he had a special connection to both Li Qi and Meng Meng Yuchun. Were Li Qi and Meng Meng Yuchun nearby?

Though this was his own territory, if the opponent had overwhelming numbers, he might not gain the upper hand. If a fight was inevitable, he must choose another battlefield—avoid falling into an ambush.

As he thought, Rong Rong Sijiao suddenly crouched, snatched a handful of wild strawberries from the ground, and hurled them at the man.

"What kind of weapon is that?" The man, startled by strawberry juice staining his clothes, looked up—only to see Rong Rong Sijiao scattering dust beneath his feet, sprinting swiftly downhill.

The man, seeing Rong Rong Sijiao flee, chased after him.

Li Li Banfeng, perched on the tree, was astonished: "Rong Rong Sijiao runs fast—this doesn't seem like a Farming Cultivator."

The rabbit finally spoke: "As long as Rongkushen focuses his mind, he can appear anywhere in the world at will!" "How does one move his mind?" Li Li Banfeng tugged the rabbit's ear.

The rabbit lifted his head, baring his large front teeth: "I saw it with my own eyes!"

"What did you see?" Li Li Banfeng pinched the rabbit's cheek. "Did he appear before you, then vanish to every corner of the world?"

The rabbit bristled: "He just can! And Master Rongkun can summon wind and rain—with a wave of his hand, he creates lakes on flat ground; with another, he turns those lakes into forests!"

Cui Ti, hearing the rabbit's description and recalling the battle, deduced the sect despite Rong Rong Sijiao's single move: "He's a Color Cultivator."

Knowing his life hung in their hands, the rabbit, eager to please, whispered a secret: "Though it's disrespectful, Rongkushen is indeed lecherous—he selects beautiful women every year. Just two days ago, he took my neighbor, a she-bear."

A she-bear?

"Is this Color Cultivator close to a Joy Cultivator?" Li Li Banfeng worried. The man who fought Rong Rong Sijiao wasn't Li Li Banfeng—it was his shadow. If Rong Rong Sijiao wouldn't spare a bear, would he target the shadow?

Cui Ti shook his head: "Not close to Joy Cultivators—closer to Painting Cultivators. Some say Color Cultivators are a branch of Painting Cultivators; others say Painting Cultivators evolved from Color Cultivators. Either way, their ties are deep."

"The mountain we're on may not be a real mountain—it could be painted by a Color Cultivator."

Li Li Banfeng studied the surroundings: rough pine bark, tender willow branches, sticky poplar buds with a peculiar scent—all plants and trees felt utterly real.

"Then Color Cultivators and Painting Cultivators are essentially the same."

Cui Ti replied: "There are differences. Painting Cultivators excel in layout; Color Cultivators specialize in combat. All Color Cultivators have a foundation in Painting, 【139】 They can paint mountains, rivers, and trees on scrolls—but they cannot paint flying birds, running beasts, or living, speaking humans. 【140】 Though their painting skill is inferior, their attacks are far faster. Their pigments are their weapons. The red strawberry juice on your puppet? That's a Color Cultivator's tool. 【141】 Generally, each advancement grants control over one color. Red usually means fire—but exceptions exist. Your puppet is likely already burning from the juice. Go check immediately."

Letting Color Cultivators paint mountains, rivers, plants, and trees is something they can do, but if asked to paint flying birds, walking beasts, or even humans who can speak and move, they cannot.

Although their painting skill is inferior to that of Painting Cultivators, Color Cultivators act far faster; their pigments are their weapons—just now, your puppet was stained with red strawberry juice, and that is the weapon of a Color Cultivator.

Under normal circumstances, each time a Color Cultivator advances a level, they gain control over one color; red in the hands of a Color Cultivator is usually fire, though exceptions exist—your puppet is likely already burning from the strawberry juice; I suggest you go check on it quickly.

Li Li Banfeng wasn't worried about the shadow burning—he cared about other colors: "Besides red, what other colors do you know?"

Cui Ti thought: "Blue is water, green is poison, silver is blades. These are common knowledge my master compiled from fighting Color Cultivators. But techniques vary. One Color Cultivator used silver not as blades, but as illusions—it differs by person."

The rabbit pondered. The foreigner sounded plausible. Last time he saw Rongkushen create a lake—it was blue.

But the rabbit felt this was only part of Rongkushen's power. He refused to believe the omnipotent Rongkushen was merely a cultivator. Cui Ti told Li Qi: "Color Cultivators are stubborn. Let me handle him."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "I promised you a complete territory. Until Rong Rong Sijiao is driven out, I haven't fulfilled my word."

Since this mountain is Rong Rong Sijiao's painting, we must remain vigilant. Patrol the mountain—alert me if anything happens."

Cui Ti didn't dare delay. He took the rabbit and scoured the mountain carefully. If this mountain was entirely painted by Rong Rong Sijiao, unexpected traps might activate during battle.

Li Li Banfeng swiftly caught up to his shadow—sure enough, it was burning.

Rong Rong Sijiao intensified the flames. Though the shadow feared no fire, it feared light. The fire's angle differed from sunlight, scattering and weakening the shadow, reducing its combat power.

But Rong Rong Sijiao wasn't faring well either. He bore multiple wounds, scattered across his body—clearly inflicted by the shadow's Tread Through Ten Thousand Rivers. Judging by the current state, the shadow was roughly even with Rong Rong Sijiao.

Even if Rong Rong Sijiao was weak, he was still a Cloud-Ascendant cultivator with vast combat experience. For the shadow to hold out this long… "Come down and help! Are you just watching?" the shadow roared. Li Li Banfeng descended from midair.

Seeing Li Qi arrive, Rong Rong Sijiao grew fearful.

He didn't want to fight two at once. He pulled a bottle of ink from his sleeve and flung it to the ground, spreading a pool of blackness.

The ink looked merely dark. As Li Qi drew near, he felt cold wind gushing outward—the ink, under Color Cultivator technique, had become a cave entrance. Rong Rong Sijiao intended to flee underground.

Li Qi flicked his teapot; tea surged from the ground, washing away the ink. Pshhh!

The ink and tea mixed into a sludge. Rong Rong Sijiao stepped into it—the sludge rose to his knees. The old teapot poured hot water into the sludge, scalding Rong Rong Sijiao until he shivered.

Two years ago, the old teapot couldn't move this fast—he couldn't even touch Rong Rong Sijiao's shadow.

But now, fed a heap of fine ingredients, his technique was refined, his attacks relentless, leaving no room for the enemy to breathe.

The old teapot aimed to pour water over Rong Rong Sijiao's head. Rong Rong Sijiao scattered sand beneath his feet—fine black-brown grains turned into pale yellow sand, allowing him to break free. The teapot lunged to pursue—Rong Rong Sijiao scattered dust again, launching himself like the wind, vanishing from his spot.

He truly rode the wind. At the sixth tier, Rong Rong Sijiao mastered the Gray technique—his definition of gray was wind.

With wind aiding him, Rong Rong Sijiao moved swiftly—but this time, he couldn't escape. The old teapot had surrounded him with a barrier. Rong Rong Sijiao flung ink, drawing an exit on the barrier, and burst through.

The old teapot waited at the exit, pouring half a pot of tea directly onto Rong Rong Sijiao's head.

That half-pot nearly collapsed him. The teapot intended to pour the entire pot—Rong Rong Sijiao would die or be gravely wounded. But Li Li Banfeng stopped him.

The teapot frowned: "Young brother, what's the meaning?"

Li Li Banfeng looked down at Rong Rong Sijiao: "Don't rush. Give my shadow more chances." Rong Rong Sijiao heard this.

Shadow?

That black figure was Li Qi's shadow?

How could he use a shadow?

Do Travelers have this technique?

Where did the shadow go?

Dammit—he's a Traveler…

Bang!

Rong Rong Sijiao shuddered—his internal organs felt like they exploded.

Not just felt—it did explode. The shadow used Walk Through the Flowers.

Li Li Banfeng evaluated: "Fast enough—but the power is weak."

The shadow snorted, charging again toward Rong Rong Sijiao.

cahsi

In desperation, Rong Rong Sijiao prepared to fight to the death.

He didn't flee or hide. He pulled a handful of silver powder from his pocket and flung it into the air.

The powder coalesced into a nine-foot-long blade. Rong Rong Sijiao slashed downward, shouting: "One Cut, Two Halves!" From crown to crotch, he guided the blade, vertically splitting the shadow in two.

The two halves instantly faded, collapsing from the massive damage.

Li Li Banfeng tried summoning another shadow—but failed.

In Hulucun, Li Li Banfeng's mind was unstable—the shadow ran wild, uncontrollable.

Now his mind was clear—but he couldn't summon the shadow at all.

Rong Rong Sijiao flipped his wrist, palm up, sweeping leftward, shouting: "Two Cuts, Four Parts!"

This cut required adjustment—slower. The shadow could still escape if it moved quickly.

But the shadow didn't flee. The two halves, left and right, hopped forward on one leg toward Rong Rong Sijiao.

In mortal combat, both shadows charged relentlessly. Before Rong Rong Sijiao could strike, they closed the distance.

Gloves, quick-handed, rushed to hand the shadows weapons—he passed a sickle to one half, a shovel to the other.

One half swung the sickle, hooking Rong Rong Sijiao's neck. The other swung the shovel, severing his right hand.

Rong Rong Sijiao screamed, collapsing. Silver powder rained down; the blade dissolved into nothing.

He struggled to rise, ready to fight again—only to see the two halves stretch, becoming two complete shadows.

More with every cut?

Rong Rong Sijiao cried out: "Heavenly Unity Technique!"

Li Li Banfeng had watched the entire battle, aiding only occasionally with magic treasures—he never fought directly.

"Rongkun's domain shifts in a thought—you'd make a fine Deceiver. Come, visit my home. Let's talk properly!"

As his words ended, the two shadows seized Rong Rong Sijiao. Li Li Banfeng opened his door and shoved him inside his Portable Dwelling.

PS: It's been a long time since the family had a feast.

Thank you, Patron Shan Xiong Di Ting, for your tremendous support of this work and Salad.