Chapter 702: Must Slide (High Energy, Request Monthly Tickets)

Li Li Banfeng and Face Not Big sat across from each other drinking tea.

Face Not Big said: "First tell me, what did the Peddler do in Suihuang Plain last year?"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "You tell me first—how did my brother's leg heal?"

Face Not Big grumbled: "I'm just asking about surface matters, yet you immediately go for the vital points. If we swap like this, I'm the one getting cheated."

Li Li Banfeng didn't bargain: "This isn't a surface matter. Myself and the Peddler had many experiences in Suihuang Plain—all tied to the secrets of that time!"

At the mention of those past secrets, Face Not Big grew curious: "What secrets were told? Good brother, just slip me one hint? You speak first, then I'll speak—I swear I won't renege."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Our trip to Suihuang Plain was for the outlet of Neizhou."

Face Not Big's small eyes widened: "The Suihuang Plain outlet reopened?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "It reopened. I met Blow-Cut-Hair, Wrist-Open-Mountain, and Walk-Through-Bogs there. The Peddler met even more—they plan to act together against Suihuang Plain."

Face Not Big's features twitched repeatedly; Li Li Banfeng's words pained him.

"In the past, we were all friends. I always called Shan Chengjun a bastard—I once counted him as a friend too.

That bastard Shan Chengjun and Shu Wanjuan tricked me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have suffered so much, and Big Face Not Big wouldn't have been trapped."

As he spoke, Face Not Big grew sorrowful—his temperament was hard to fathom.

Sometimes Li Li Banfeng thought him cunning and perceptive, able to see through Lan Qiao Yi's schemes.

Yet sometimes he acted like a child; whenever something upset him, his face never hid it.

Li Li Banfeng followed up: "Did these two trick you into Neizhou?"

Face Not Big nodded: "After we drove off the Sage with the Peddler, we settled down in Like Puluozhou. The Peddler traveled everywhere; I opened a factory with Old Train."

Li Li Banfeng continued: "Your factory must've made a lot of money back then?"

Face Not Big added a lump of charcoal to the tea stove, his face tinged with bitterness: "We made plenty, but suffered plenty too."

"What kind of suffering?"

"Old Train could build steam engines. In all of Like Puluozhou, his were the best. Some even said

his steam engines were better than those from Neizhou.

All factories relied on his engines. I could only make lubricating oil—he looked down on me, never let me touch critical processes, always told me to shut up and work.

I was furious. Then some outsiders came to Like Puluozhou with internal combustion engine technology.

I saw how useful it was and decided to learn from them.

But Like Puluozhou couldn't store oil. Old Train told me not to waste my time and urged me to improve my lubricating oil instead!

I'm a founding master—do I have to spend my whole life making lubricating oil? I made up my mind: I'd master the internal combustion engine."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Did you succeed?"

Face Not Big looked disappointed: "Almost. Oil was just too hard to store. To get more, I modified something."

"What did you modify?"

Face Not Big's eyebrows twitched—there was a flicker of excitement, a touch of pride, and a hint of fear:

"I modified myself."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "How?"

"I turned myself into an oil field—I produce oil that lasts a long time."

Li Li Banfeng pondered long, unable to grasp the process: "Your oil field—is that Big Face Not Big?"

Face Not Big nodded, explaining: "I split myself in two. One half became Big Face Not Big—he does only two things: grow bigger and bigger, and produce oil, endlessly.

Li Li Banfeng stared, mouth agape, mumbling: "What about everything else?"

"Everything else? I do it myself. The other half became Small Face Not Big—that's me!"

Having stayed long in Like Puluozhou, Li Li Banfeng had grown accustomed to many strange things—but this self-modification was hard to accept.

"Then what? Did you finish the internal combustion engine?"

At this, Face Not Big grew more despondent: "Almost. Then Shan Chengjun betrayed me.

I was captured by Neizhou. You know what happened after—I was trapped, suffered greatly."

Li Li Banfeng traced the logic.

"You hadn't finished the internal combustion engine yet, yet Neizhou captured you just because you could produce fuel?"

Face Not Big fell silent for a long time, speaking softly: "Not entirely because of that."

"Then why?"

Face Not Big suddenly fixed his gaze on Li Li Banfeng, eyes brimming with suspicion: "You only told me the Suihuang Plain outlet reopened—said nothing else. Why should I reveal so much?"

Li Li Banfeng sensed danger, then smiled: "Brother, what do you want to know? Anything I know, I'll tell you."

Face Not Big stared straight at Li Li Banfeng: "You said you had the Peddler's secrets. I want to hear the secrets!"

"The secret is—"

That the Peddler was injured?

That wasn't something to reveal lightly.

Li Li Banfeng told Face Not Big about the Peddler framing Blow-Cut-Hair and Wrist-Open-Mountain.

Face Not Big nodded: "Cleverly done. But—"

His expression turned sinister: "Is this even a secret? I'd have found out eventually!"

Face Not Big was too clever to be easily deceived.

What other secrets could he reveal? Li Li Banfeng weighed options when Zhong Er called from the courtyard: "Master, how's the oil's texture?"

Before Zhong Er stood a bowl of oil—he'd crafted it using Oil Cultivation.

Face Not Big inspected it, smiling: "Good lad, not bad at all. You've more talent than Xiao Ning!"

Hearing this, Dengpao wasn't pleased: "Master, he just started! You say he's talented?"

Face Not Big shook his head: "Don't judge by current level. Qin Minghui, study hard under me.

When the Peddler comes, I'll get you some Joy Cultivation powder. Learn both arts together—you'll surpass your senior in less than a year."

Dengpao's face flushed red, veins bulging.

Face Not Big sneered: "Disagree? Talent is talent. If you lack it, work harder! Don't even dream of Joy Cultivation—you can't even master one art, let alone two?"

Li Li Banfeng quickly intervened: "Brother, you teach Oil Cultivation—why keep bringing up Joy Cultivation?"

Face Not Big grew despondent again: "I never enjoyed such blessings—I want my disciples to."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "What blessings?"

Face Not Big whispered: "The blessings of Joy Cultivation."

"Aren't you married?" Li Li Banfeng remembered Face Not Big saying he had a wife who called him Face Not Big.

Face Not Big lowered his head: "That wife? Better never married. Forget her. Let's talk secrets."

Li Li Banfeng returned with Face Not Big to the main hall and recounted Suihuang Plain events, selecting what to reveal.

This time, Face Not Big didn't press. He pondered details: "Telling Chu Shaoqiang and Gu Gu Wuyan alone isn't enough.

Chu Shaoqiang is from Neizhou—locals won't fully trust him. Gu Gu Wuyan is loyal to you—others won't trust him either."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I've contacted newspapers. Once it's printed, everyone will believe it."

Face Not Big shook his head repeatedly: "Newspapers won't help. How many local gods read newspapers?"

"They don't read—fine. But if the news spreads, it'll reach their ears eventually."

Face Not Big still thought it insufficient: "Newspapers can't explain this clearly. In Like Puluozhou, few even know about Neizhou. Even if you explain in detail, they won't understand."

"Do you have a better idea, brother?"

Face Not Big paced twice around the room, then said to Li Li Banfeng: "This must spread by word of mouth—in terms they understand.

Do you know anyone from the Gangmen? In Like Puluozhou, Gangmen have always been the source of vital news. Let them spread it—local gods will hear it fast."

Li Li Banfeng thought briefly, then had an idea.

As for why Zhong Er could walk, Face Not Big decided not to mention it—he felt it would cost him too much.

Li Li Banfeng didn't press further, rose to leave, when Face Not Big suddenly called: "Bu Feng!"

Li Li Banfeng turned—only Face Not Big called him that.

"Are you really not insane?" Face Not Big confirmed.

Li Li Banfeng straightened his chest: "Doctors checked—I'm not insane!"

Face Not Big asked: "You're a Travel Cultivator—but do you truly like Travel Cultivation?"

"I do! I love traveling!" Li Li Banfeng answered firmly.

"Then why do you carry the aura of a Home Cultivator?"

Li Li Banfeng fell silent, uneasy—Face Not Big always surprised him.

"Brother, how can you sense Home Cultivator aura?"

Face Not Big didn't explain: "Brother, if you don't like Travel Cultivation, stop. Your cultivation base is high enough. Keep forcing yourself on a path you dislike—you'll go mad."

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "Why would it make you mad? What's the link to liking it?"

"There's a link!" Face Not Big said seriously. "In Like Puluozhou, who has the highest Wu Xiu talent?"

Li Li Banfeng thought: "Definitely Wu Xiu Master Shan Chengjun!"

"Not him!" Face Not Big shook his head. "His disciple Ai Ai Yeqing. Ai Ai Yeqing has the highest Wu Xiu talent in Like Puluozhou.

But he hates Wu Xiu. Shan Chengjun saw his talent and forced him to train. He trained his whole life but never surpassed Shan Chengjun.

It's like a bearing without oil—it won't turn. Ai Ai Yeqing's cultivation can't rise further.

If he keeps going, he'll either ruin his body and become useless, or ruin his mind and go mad."

Li Li Banfeng found Face Not Big's way of speaking interesting—he always used oil as a metaphor.

"You mean, if you like it, the bearing gets oil?"

Face Not Big nodded: "Exactly! With oil, it slides; with sliding, you're not afraid. Brother, if you don't like Travel Cultivation, just tell me—I'll change it for you."

Li Li Banfeng was startled: "Can your cultivation base even be changed?"

"It can!" Face Not Big answered with absolute certainty.

When he said "change," he probably meant dual-cultivation?

Li Li Banfeng added: "My cultivation base isn't low—I'm already past Ground Level."

"I know!"

Li Li Banfeng elaborated: "I'm far higher than an average Cloud Top."

"I know that too!"

"Can that be changed too?"

"It can!" Face Not Big glanced around, lowering his voice to a whisper: "Your cultivation base surely can't match Old Train's, right?"

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "No way it could."

Face Not Big said: "Even Old Train could be changed!"

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Brother, what are you talking about?"

He dropped his voice even lower: "Old Train didn't like Craft Cultivation—he wanted to be a Travel Cultivator. But back then, his Craft Cultivation base was already too high to dual-cultivate Travel Cultivation."

"I helped him—slid him over—so he could dual-cultivate Travel Cultivation."

Li Li Banfeng thought for a long while, then smiled faintly: "I see."

It was easy to understand: Face Not Big had been bullied by Old Train for too long; wanting to get the last word was only natural.

Face Not Big grew impatient: "I'm not lying—I slid half of Old Train's Craft Cultivation base over to Travel Cultivation."

"That's why Old Train stopped going mad."

Slid Craft Cultivation over to Travel Cultivation?

Maybe Face Not Big's cultivation base was too high—he'd gone a little mad himself.

But he didn't look mad.

Li Li Banfeng looked at Face Not Big: "Brother, you're not joking about making him dual-cultivate Joy Cultivation, are you?"

Face Not Big answered with grave seriousness: "How could I be joking? Ask Old Train yourself! I told him: stop studying Craft Cultivation. But he wouldn't listen—he couldn't bear to give up his skills, yet he hated it inside. That torment, that lack of smoothness—it drove him mad."

"Cultivation is a tormenting path. You must find the Dao you truly love, or the torment grows worse. By the fifth or sixth layer, your body starts breaking down. That's why advancement beyond the fifth or sixth layer is so hard."

"At the ninth layer, the torment is so severe—even if you love your path, your body can't hold up. It easily breaks apart."

"That's when you need to shed your old form and be reborn. That's why the saying exists: 'Ninth to Tenth requires entering Neizhou,' because only Neizhou can give a cultivator a new body and a territory to anchor their position."

"But going to Neizhou isn't the only way. With oil, you can slide through. After sliding, your body changes with your cultivation base—becomes stronger, tougher—and you can keep cultivating downward."

Face Not Big's voice grew quieter and quieter.

Li Li Banfeng held his breath, afraid to miss a single word: "With oil, you can slide through?"

Face Not Big's cheeks trembled constantly. He lowered his head: "I was just joking. Don't take it seriously. And don't tell anyone."

His cheeks, not large, kept trembling as he lowered his head and said, "I was just joking, don't take it seriously, and whatever you do, don't tell anyone."

The two stood in silence for a long time.

Face Not Big picked up his teacup: "Brother, if there's nothing else—"

Li Li Banfeng turned away: "Then I'll take my leave."

On the road, Li Li Banfeng recalled every word Face Not Big had said, one by one.

He now understood why Neizhou wanted to capture Face Not Big.

He now understood why the Peddler had to rescue Face Not Big.

Ninth to Tenth was every cultivator's tribulation.

But Face Not Big said: with oil, you can slide through.

Face Not Big must be protected.

Li Li Banfeng ran back to Face Not Big's dwelling and handed him a phone.

Back at Xiaoyao Wu, Li Li Banfeng summoned Qin Qin Tianjiu and told him about the Suihuang Plain.

Little Fat listened, thrilled: "You killed the Ancestor himself, Seventh Brother—I truly respect you!"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "That was only because the Peddler was there."

"So you had a Peddler helping you, and he had a Chief helping him? Seventh Brother, I'm in awe—if I could win a battle like that, I'd brag about it for generations!"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Go brag now. Spread the word. Have your Bangmen disciples tell others—but be selective. Make sure you clearly reveal the identities of the Broken Hair and the Wrist Mountain Breaker."

"Don't worry, Seventh Brother! Not just our Bangmen—other Bangmen will spread it too, if the Three Heroes Sect gives them face. But I can't speak for He He Jiaqing's men—"

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "He'll spread it himself. No need for us to worry. How high is your cultivation base now?"

Qin Qin Tianjiu thought: "I'd say I'm at Layer Seven, maybe even close to Eight."

"You'd say?" Li Li Banfeng sighed. This brother was still so scatterbrained—but after the Insect Cave, his cultivation had skyrocketed.

Li Li Banfeng gave him a pair of land deeds, explaining the location and transfer process.

"Go claim the territory. If you can handle it alone, do so. If you don't understand something, ask Ma Wu. If you can't handle it, get Pan Pan Dehai to help—your debt is on me."

Qin Qin Tianjiu knelt: "I can handle it, Seventh Brother—I'll never repay your kindness enough—"

"Stand up!" Li Li Banfeng pulled him up. "Listen carefully—this is no small matter. If you can't handle it, speak up. Don't pretend you can!"

Qin Qin Tianjiu puffed out his chest: "Seventh Brother, I'm already a fat guy!"

After seeing Qin Qin Tianjiu off, Li Li Banfeng called Luo Zhengnan: "Old Luo, we've known each other this long—I've never asked your cultivation base. How high are you now?"

Luo Zhengnan replied: "Years with Seventh Master have earned me plenty of good elixirs. I won't hide it—I've reached Layer Eight."

"Layer Eight is enough," Li Li Banfeng said. "I've acquired new land deeds. Hand over the Underground City to your subordinates. Return and take charge of a new territory. Become its Lord."

He'd brought so many people to the Underground City to give them trials. Now it was time to test their mettle.

Luo Zhengnan fell silent for a long while. When he spoke again, his voice cracked: "Seventh Master, I—I don't deserve—"

"I've picked you a good territory."

Luo Zhengnan thanked him repeatedly: "Seventh Master, once I settle the Earth Market affairs, I'll come right away."

Old Luo was always cautious. This couldn't be rushed.

Li Li Banfeng contacted Qiu Qiu Zhiheng: "Brother Qiu, I have a territory for you."

"Brother, you've given me too much already. I can't take it—I can't leave the Underground City easily."

Qiu Qiu Zhiheng truly couldn't leave. The Human Market was the most complex territory in the Underground City—and its economic lifeline.

"Let your subordinates take over gradually. When the timing's right, come to Lüshuicheng and find me."

Li Li Banfeng summoned Lu Lu Chunying: "How high is your cultivation base?"

Lu Lu Chunying lowered her head: "If I say Layer Five, I'd be exaggerating—"

Li Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead: "I haven't given you enough elixirs?"

Lu Lu Chunying nodded: "You've given me plenty, but the potency's too strong—I can't take them constantly—"

"What about your mother's base?"

"About the same as mine."

Li Li Banfeng calculated: two Layer Four cultivators—combined, Layer Eight—

Li Li Banfeng calculated: two fourth-layer cultivators, totaling eight layers—

Making them mother and daughter Lords would be a joke.

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'll reserve a territory for you two in the new land. Come claim it in two years. If you can't handle it then, don't blame me for giving it to someone else."

Lu Lu Chunying nodded eagerly: "Thank you, Seventh Brother—I'll never forget your kindness, your grace, your goodness to little sister—"

Li Li Banfeng waved him off: "Go cultivate. Ask your elders—how did your father cultivate?"

After seeing off Lu Lu Chunying, Li Li Banfeng summoned Ma Wu and gave him a pair of land deeds: "Li Li Haoyun's favor is repaid. What about Zhang Zhang Xiuling? Is she one of us?"

Ma Wu shook his head: "Not close to me. But with you? No doubt."

Li Li Banfeng frowned: "Is she familiar with you?"

Ma Wu sighed: "You haven't interacted much, but she definitely has feelings for you."

Li Li Banfeng didn't believe it: "Really?"

Ma Wu smiled: "If you don't believe me, go see her tonight. One night—you'll know exactly how deep it runs. Saves you from long-winded talk."

"What do you mean by 'deep' and 'long-winded'?" Li Li Banfeng didn't understand. He took another pair of land deeds. "I'll test Zhang Zhang Xiuling later. Give these to you—find any brothers with sufficient cultivation base and help them."

Ma Wu took the deeds, troubled: "Among our people, no one's cultivation base is high enough. The only one with potential… might be Jiang Jiang Mengting."

Li Li Banfeng laughed: "You're teasing me—Jiang Jiang Mengting's only been in for a few days!"

Ma Wu said: "Jiang Jiang Mengting's at Layer Four. You don't believe me? She's always felt unworthy of you. She trains relentlessly every day—her voice is hoarse again today."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I'll get some medicine. I'll go see her later."

At dawn the next day, Li Li Banfeng returned to his personal quarters.

He gave Jiang Jiang Mengting medicine. Her illness improved greatly. She insisted on singing for him.

From her voice, Li Li Banfeng heard exhaustion. She trained hard—but brute force wouldn't work.

Ma Wu had found her several teachers, but none were very high-level. Li Li Banfeng wanted to ask his wife for cultivation advice—but he didn't know if she'd agree.

As for Zhang Zhang Xiuling, the two had discussed "Jade Fragrance Records" all night. Her literary foundation was deep, her potential undeniable.

From the singing, Li Li Banfeng could tell Jiang Jiang Mengting was exhausted; she was hardworking, but training this brutally wasn't a solution.

Ma Wu had found her several teachers, but none of them had high cultivation; Li Li Banfeng wanted to ask his wife for advice on cultivation methods, though he wasn't sure if she'd agree.

As for Zhang Zhang Xiuling, the two discussed the Jade Fragrance Record all night; Zhang Zhang Xiuling's literary foundation was deep, and her potential was profound—this was beyond doubt.

Choosing these local deities isn't about picking loyalists for myself—it's about selecting the future pillars of Pulu Province.

Zhang Zhang Xiuling is someone who can bear the weight of a pillar; though I haven't interacted with her much, Li Li Banfeng decided to give her a pair of covenant scrolls.

Regarding the oil cultivators, Li Li Banfeng wondered whether he should discuss it with his wife, but before he could speak,

Xiang Xiang Hongying seized Li Li Banfeng's hand: "Seven Lang, I've missed you."

As she spoke, Xiang Xiang Hongying gazed deeply at Li Li Banfeng; her face had changed dramatically, and she waited for his evaluation.

"I've missed you too," Li Li Banfeng replied casually; he didn't feel Xiang Xiang Hongying was any different from usual.

Xiang Xiang Hongying gripped Li Li Banfeng's hand tightly: "Seven Lang, look again, more carefully."

Li Li Banfeng studied her closely, still seeing no difference, when his wife prompted: "Husband, look how lovely Xue Yingying's face has grown."

This time Li Li Banfeng saw it—Xiang Xiang Hongying had grown a face on her head.

But the face was still incomplete; above the nose, including the forehead and eye sockets, remained a spearhead, devoid of flesh.

"Very pretty!" Li Li Banfeng complimented.

Xiang Xiang Hongying beamed, pulling his hand: "Seven Lang, give me a kiss."

Changji said beside them: "Husband, kiss Xue Yingying—I won't be angry."

It was sincere; Changji truly wasn't angry.

Since growing her face, Xiang Xiang Hongying had shown it off all night; though the family found it hard to watch, everyone praised her beauty—Jiu'er hesitated slightly and was slapped by Xiang Xiang Hongying.

If Seven Lang rejected her today, she'd cause chaos beyond imagining—Changji might not even be able to hold her back.

But from Old Lao Chahu's perspective, kissing that face was no easy task; he spoke slowly: "I'm old—"

Xiang Xiang Hongying snapped: "Where are you going?"

Old Lao Chahu didn't dare move.

Li Li Banfeng didn't hesitate—he kissed Xiang Xiang Hongying's face.

"Really very pretty," Li Li Banfeng said sincerely.

Xiang Xiang Hongying's cheeks flushed red, her fingertips trembling.

Gloves praised: "Master, well done!"

Projector exclaimed: "This is art, too!"

Tang Dao sighed: "Lord, you're extraordinary—even this you can bring yourself to kiss!"

Xiang Xiang Hongying grabbed Tang Dao: "This blade's been used too long—it's dulled. Better to melt it down and reforged!"

PS: Every Daoist sect that has endured through time possesses its own unique brilliance.