Chapter 742: Breaking the Curse

Li Li Banfeng bought a ship, piloted by a group of shadows, to take Zhang Wanlong and Xiao Xiao Genzi to Bai Jun County.

Xiao Xiao Genzi had never been on a ship before; the journey felt fresh, as if endless beauty lay before his eyes.

Zhang Zhang Fanglong had traveled far and wide and boarded many ships, but he suffered severe seasickness and vomited nonstop.

At the edge of the sea market, Li Li Banfeng had sent word ahead; the border guard office dispatched personnel to open the boundary. The ship sailed two more days before finally reaching Bai Jun County.

Upon arriving at Bai Tao Island, Zhang Wanlong's body went limp and he collapsed.

At Li Li Banfeng's recommendation, Ling Bai Tao offered peaches.

After taking a bite of the delicious peach, Zhang Wanlong gradually recovered, his complexion turning ruddy and strength returning to his body—but when he saw the peach trees on the island, his face drained of color again.

"These are trees?" The leader of the Geng Xiu, at a glance, realized none of the peach trees on the island were trees.

Ling Bai Tao said nothing.

Li Li Banfeng lowered his voice: "Brother Zhang, haven't you been to Bai Jun County before?"

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "I've never been here."

"If you've never been here, how did you know the seeds won't work here?"

"Someone once came to me to buy seeds and sent them to Bai Jun County. The seeds failed to grow, and later they clashed with me over it."

Zhang Wanlong walked the entire island. At first he felt a chill run down his spine; after Li Li Banfeng explained the origin of these trees, Zhang Wanlong was filled with reverence and bowed to the peach grove.

He collected some soil and studied its properties carefully. When Ling Bai Tao asked about this man's background, Li Li Banfeng said: "This is a Geng Xiu I've brought to help you cultivate."

Ling Bai Tao smiled faintly and shook her head slightly.

Many Geng Xiu had been invited, but none had succeeded in cultivating here. Ling Bai Tao had little hope for Zhang Wanlong, but since he was brought by Li Qi, she at least let him try.

Zhang Wanlong studied all day, selected a patch of land, took some eggplant seeds, and planted them in the soil.

These eggplants were first grown by Xu Han; Zhang Zhang Fanglong had improved them.

Xiao Genzi recognized the seeds; the eggplants' key trait was strong resistance to toxicity: "Brother, you think the soil here is poisoned?"

"Nothing grows except peaches—there must be poison."

Zhang Zhang Fanglong's tone sounded like a guess, so Xiao Genzi felt uncertain—until the medicine droplets hit the soil and the eggplants sprouted. Zhang Wanlong beamed: "See? That's my eye for detail."

Xiao Genzi picked up the spoon: "Brother, you're amazing—if we have eggplants, we'll have soldiers."

"We can't just plant eggplants—we still need—"

Before Xiao Genzi could fertilize, the eggplant seedlings withered.

The new green leaves turned yellow in an instant; before Xiao Genzi could set down the bucket, the leaves fell off.

"What poison is this, so potent?" Xiao Genzi was stunned—the poison spread too fast.

Zhang Wanlong grabbed a handful of soil and rubbed it for a long while: "We need to study it carefully and find a way to neutralize it."

Ling Bai Tao stepped forward and said to Zhang Wanlong: "Friend from afar, thank you for your kindness. This land is cursed—neutralizing poison won't help."

Hearing "curse," Zhang Zhang Fanglong's face darkened—breaking a curse was far more complex than removing poison.

Li Li Banfeng knew nothing of Zhou Xiu, only what his wife had told him: "Brother Zhang, do you know any Zhou Xiu? I'll invite them to help."

"I know a few, but none well. These people are impossible to get close to."

"Zhou Xiu are hard to deal with. I advise you not to seek them out—even avoiding them might bring hidden trouble."

His wife had once said the Zhou Xiu sect was the most treacherous among all the hundred schools.

Zhang Wanlong added: "Besides, every Zhou Xiu has a unique method. Even if I gathered every Zhou Xiu I know, they still might not break this curse."

"Then let's replace the soil." Li Li Banfeng found a secluded spot and had his shadows unload soil from his portable dwelling.

This soil came from the New Land, where Zhang Zhang Fanglong's seeds had all been cultivated.

"Master Qi, impressive! How did you bring so much soil?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I have a magic treasure that can store cargo."

"Is it Hai Chi Lao Che?" Zhang Wanlong, truly well-traveled, even knew Hai Chi Lao Che.

Li Li Banfeng shook his head; Zhang Wanlong did not press further.

With the New Land soil, Zhang Wanlong felt confident—he planted pumpkins instead of eggplants. Pumpkins are large, sturdy, and resilient.

But soon after sprouting in the New Land soil, the pumpkin seedlings withered too.

This soil didn't work either.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Could the water be the problem?"

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "I watered the seedlings with water from my flask—it came from the Underground City."

"The curse isn't tied to water or soil—then where exactly is it rooted?"

Li Li Banfeng had no answer, but fortunately, Zhou Xiu had their weakness.

His wife had said Kui Xiu were the natural enemies of Zhou Xiu; at equal levels, Kui Xiu could uproot curses entirely.

He touched his Xiao Qian Si earring. Xiao Qian Si had been attentive since Ling Bai Tao mentioned the curse—she had searched tirelessly for its source, yet found no trace. The curse's level far surpassed hers.

Xiao Qian Si failed—there was still Boluo.

Li Li Banfeng used Hong Lian Kuo Dong Fang to bring Boluo out, and had the projector follow behind him, concealing Boluo's form as much as possible.

Boluo walked the entire Bai Tao Island, sensing the curse's aura—but could not locate its origin.

His face, covered in dark spots, twisted in frustration.

He had faced many battles and powerful foes; victory and defeat were common—but against Zhou Xiu, he had never lost.

Li Li Banfeng suspected the curse's origin lay beyond Bai Tao Island. Bai Jun County had five islands; Li Li Banfeng took Boluo to Huang Tao Island.

Huang Tao Island was the same: Ling Pan Tao, oil peaches, watermelons—all bore the curse. Every island carried the curse, yet its origin remained hidden.

Boluo's pride wounded, he sat by the sea, gloomy.

Zhang Wanlong grew more determined; he spent two days using the Root Deep and Firm technique to plant sweet potatoes in the New Land soil.

"This technique, Root Deep and Firm, resists disease, poison, and even curses. Though it doesn't fight well, it yields high. When battle comes, let the sweet potatoes take the front line and bear the blades!" Zhang Wanlong, truly a Geng Xiu genius, succeeded—the sweet potatoes grew.

Li Li Banfeng sat by the field, waiting for the sweet potatoes to become Sweet Potato People.

After several hours, Zhang Zhang Fanglong chuckled: "Bai Jun County only has peaches to eat. I wanted to give them something else."

The sweet potatoes grew—but the Sweet Potato People failed.

One sweet potato grew over a meter tall. Zhang Wanlong planted a large patch; Ling Bai Tao hurriedly ordered people to harvest them and distribute them door to door.

The islanders were delighted to have sweet potatoes and thanked Zhang Wanlong.

The more they thanked him, the colder Zhang Wanlong felt.

Sitting by the field, Zhang Zhang Fanglong stroked his beard: "I poured real effort into those sweet potatoes. What kind of curse is so powerful it prevents me from creating even one Sweet Potato Person?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "Sweet potatoes are still good—they can serve as food."

Zhang Wanlong shook his head: "Eating only sweet potatoes won't do. Forget food for now—we came to strengthen Bai Jun County's forces. What's the real missing piece?"

Zhang Wanlong stayed awake all night; Boluo did too.

The next morning, Boluo found Li Li Banfeng: "Master Qi, can you fly me higher?"

"How high?"

Above sea level, the cave ceiling was no more than ten meters high. To fly higher, Li Li Banfeng would need to use Duan Jing to carve a path—he could barely manage another ten meters.

Boluo calculated the distance: "At least thirty meters."

Li Li Banfeng looked up at the ceiling: "I'll try. If I can't, I'll have to call Hong Ying."

He grabbed Boluo, used the Ride the Wind and Cloud technique to reach the ceiling, then used Duan Jing to carve a crack.

He squeezed through with Boluo.

The crack was fifteen meters deep; combined with the distance from ceiling to ground, the total height reached over twenty meters.

But Boluo was unsatisfied: "Master Qi, in this crack, I can't see anything—my view is too obstructed."

Li Li Banfeng used Duan Jing again to widen the crack.

Still insufficient. Li Li Banfeng had to push himself.

After over an hour, Li Li Banfeng collapsed, exhausted. Since learning Duan Jing,

he had never trained so intensely.

Boluo took out a sheet of paper and began sketching the dimensions and positions of the five islands.

From the height and field of view just now, an ordinary person could not see the full layout of the five islands.

But Boluo, a high-level Kui Xiu, combined observations from multiple angles and drew the complete layout of the Five Bai Jun Islands.

"A formation!" Boluo recognized the curse's source: "Master Qi, these five islands were built according to a curse formation—their positions, distances, and sizes all match the curse's pattern. No wonder we couldn't find the origin—it's the islands themselves."

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand curse formations: "Is there a way to break it?"

"Yes—reclaim the sea," Boluo said, drawing on past experience breaking formations: "I measured the depth—the seawater isn't deep. If we build a new island in the sea to make six islands instead of five, the curse will break."

Reclaiming the sea was a massive project—building a whole island might take years.

But it was still a viable plan. Li Li Banfeng immediately contacted Tan Tan Jinxiao, ordering ships to transport soil to Bai Ji County.

Zhang Wanlong heard the news and blocked Li Qi: "Reclaiming the sea won't work."

As a Geng Xiu, he was hypersensitive to land: "The seabed is shifting—the surrounding land is shifting too—but these five islands remain still."

"If you dump soil into the sea, the shifting ground will carry it away. No matter how much you add, it's useless."

Hearing this, Li Li Banfeng recalled something: these five islands themselves moved.

Once the Inner State opened its exit, these five islands would shift beneath it.

Dumping soil was indeed useless. Was there another way?

Zhang Zhang Fanglong made up his mind: "Give me more time—I'll break this curse."

For several days, Zhang Wanlong used the New Land soil and the Root Deep and Firm technique to cultivate potatoes, pumpkins, cabbage, and honeydew melons.

Bai Jun County's food supply improved—but not a single crop person was produced.

Li Li Banfeng brought limited soil, and its fertility was nearly exhausted.

Zhang Zhang Fanglong was mentally and physically drained, barely holding on.

That day, a cargo ship arrived at Baishun County—arranged by Li Li Banfeng, with ships coming monthly to deliver supplies.

Li Li Banfeng boarded the ship to inspect the cargo, looking for anything useful to help Zhang Wanlong, only to find Tan Tan Jinxiao personally accompanying it: "Seventh Master, I heard my junior brother arrived—where is he?"

"Your junior brother?"

"Of course! Two junior brothers came together!"

Li Li Banfeng pondered: Tan Tan Jinxiao was a Jin Xiu—he might truly be Xu Lao's disciple.

Li Li Banfeng pointed to Zhang Wanlong and Xiao Gen by the field. Tan Tan Jinxiao immediately ordered his men to bring gifts: "Seventh Master, I'll go greet my two junior brothers—you go welcome the old master."

"Which old master?"

"Who else? Our master, of course!" Tan Tan Jinxiao lowered his voice: "Our old master has spent his life tending only his one mu and three fen of land—he never meddles in others' affairs."

But today, he's come to lend a hand—yet he's too embarrassed to step off the ship.

R

"What's the big deal? I'll go find him!" Li Li Banfeng cheerfully boarded the ship.

Tan Tan Jinxiao, carrying gifts, approached Zhang Wanlong and Xiao Gen.

The two didn't recognize Tan Tan Jinxiao, who grinned: "I left the sect early; you joined late—we're sworn brothers by cultivation. I'm your senior brother, you're the senior junior brother, and he's the junior junior brother!"

"These are a few tokens from your senior brother—take them."

Li Li Banfeng entered the cabin and met Xu Lao.

Xu Lao stood by the window, hands behind his back, gazing outside: "I happened to pass through and thought I'd check on my unworthy disciple."

Here, Xu Lao paused, then asked: "How are things going with their work?"

He knew Zhang Zhang Fanglong and Gen were here—and what they were doing.

Li Li Banfeng said: "Progress is slow. The five islands of Baishun County form a curse array, rendering the original soil barren—even after replacing the soil and applying techniques, only basic food crops can be grown."

"So it's a curse." Xu Lao had heard of Baishun County's peculiar nature but didn't know its cause—he never involved himself in matters beyond his one mu and three fen.

Xu Lao stepped onto the deck, studied the direction, flew around the cave ceiling, and roughly mapped the distribution of the five islands.

Li Li Banfeng handed Xu Lao a map—drawn by Boluo—with precise dimensions. Xu Lao studied it and discerned patterns.

"This curse isn't simple. Breaking it with cultivation techniques alone is too much for Zhang Wanlong. To dispel evil, we need Golden Light Ten Thousand Rays!" After half a day's thought, Xu Lao wrote a formula: "Give this to Tan Tan Jinxiao and Gen."

"Have them help Zhang Fanglong."

Li Li Banfeng took the formula to them. Zhang Wanlong, not a Jin Xiu, couldn't read it. Tan Tan Jinxiao glanced at it and frowned: "These ingredients are hard to find."

Gen was confident: "Baishun County has many people—if we work hard, we'll find suitable ones."

"Fine. I won't leave—we'll figure this out together."

After unloading, the cargo ship departed. Tan Tan Jinxiao stayed on the island; Xu Lao moved to Li Li Banfeng's passenger vessel.

Over two days, Tan Tan Jinxiao and Gen mixed a barrel of golden fluid and poured it directly onto the fields.

Following Xu Lao's instructions, the fields rested for two days before Zhang Wanlong replanted.

This time, the seedlings grew taller—but before maturing, they withered again.

Zhang Wanlong saw hope and decided to try new seeds.

That night, Xu Lao secretly inspected the seedlings, returned to the ship, and revised the golden fluid formula.

After dozens of trials over weeks, they still couldn't grow crops.

Li Li Banfeng grew increasingly anxious. Li Bai Tao urged: "Brother, don't pressure these friends. They've brought so much food—we're grateful. Even the Peddler tried breaking this curse and failed."

Yes, the Peddler must have tried every method—he'd have done anything to secure food for Baishun County.

If the Peddler couldn't do it, who else could?

Zhang Wanlong stood on the field ridge, watching the corn leaves sway gently.

He knew his master had arrived.

He quietly left the field and found Li Li Banfeng: "Seventh Master, go attend to your business—we still need time."

"Will it work?" Li Li Banfeng had no confidence.

"It will!" Zhang Wanlong clutched a handful of seeds, gazing steadily toward the field.

Xu Lao cursed in the field: "You cursed dog—if I ever meet you, I'll dunk you in a barrel and keep you there for life!"

Tan Tan Jinxiao said: "Master, why say such things? We can't find the curse cultivators—they strike from behind, never face-to-face."

Xu Han glared at Tan Tan Jinxiao: "Do you think I need you to teach me?"

The corn withered in vast patches. Xu Han couldn't swallow this humiliation.

Deep in the night, he approached Tan Tan Jinxiao and whispered: "Get me an old phlegm."

Tan Tan Jinxiao blinked: "How old?"

"So old it won't dissolve in water for three days!"

"That's hard to get."

Xu Han gritted his teeth: "If it were easy, would I ask you?"

"But what use is this thing?"

"Stop asking questions—go get it!"

"Master, your temper's too fierce—are you panicking?"

Lan Qiao Yi was fumbling through official documents, halfway through reading, when Nian Nian Shangyou entered with urgent news.

This interrupted Lan Qiao Yi's train of thought—he'd have to reread the entire document.

Fingers could never replace eyes; reading prevented focused thought.

This was only reading documents—reading people was worse. Today in the assembly hall, while handling affairs face-to-face, Lan Qiao Yi didn't know where the Minister of Revenue was, and made many blunders in conversation.

There was no help for it—Lan Qiao Yi couldn't touch the Minister of Revenue's face in front of everyone.

Frustrated and with no outlet, Nian Nian Shangyou arrived.

"What is it?" Lan Qiao Yi snapped.

Nian Nian Shangyou said: "Prince Prince Pingyuan has arrived in Chaoge."

Lan Qiao Yi froze. He'd begged Li Qi to come before—now he came voluntarily.

"Why has he come?"

"He says he's come to visit His Excellency."

Lan Qiao Yi's heart tightened: "Why visit me?"

Nian Nian Shangyou shook his head: "He gave no reason—only instructed me: he's here to visit, not to investigate."

Lan Qiao Yi stared: "Can he see?"

Nian Nian Shangyou thought: "From what I saw, Li Qi moves freely, needs no assistance, came alone to Tianyi City—no Luo sisters accompanied him."

Lan Qiao Yi paused, then said: "Invite Prince Li to the main hall."

Li Li Banfeng arrived at the main hall. Lan Qiao Yi went to greet him. The hall was soundproofed; only Nian Nian Shangyou remained to serve.

They met. Li Li Banfeng grasped Lan Qiao Yi's hand: "Brother Lan Qiao, I've come to see you. I see clearly now—can you see me?"

Lan Qiao Yi laughed nervously, saying nothing.

After sitting, Li Li Banfeng asked about one man: "Where is Dan Chengjun? I've long heard of the Martial Ancestor's name—I'd like to meet him."

Lan Qiao Yi sighed: "Your Highness jests. Dan Chengjun has defected to the False King and fled to Tufang—now he's an enemy of Great Shang."

"He defected to Tufang? Did he go empty-handed? Did he offer treasures to the Demon Lord?"

Lan Qiao Yi said: "I know nothing of this."

Li Li Banfeng bit his lip: "You say you don't know—then how did my eyes get ruined?"

Lan Qiao Yi feigned surprise: "What happened to Your Highness's eyes?"

"Still pretending? Didn't you order Dan Chengjun to blind you?"

Lan Qiao Yi immediately denied: "I had no knowledge of this."

"You didn't know? Then why send Nian Nian Shangyou to find me? You didn't know? Then why are your eyes blind too? You broke our pact and harmed me—now you suffer retribution, yet still claim ignorance?"

Lan Qiao Yi had no reply: "I'm still investigating the matter."

"Take your time. Forget the past—I can see now. Are you still going to stay blind?"

>

Lan Qiao Yi understood Li Qi's intent: "Your Highness—name your price."

"Straightforward!" Li Qi lifted his teacup and stated his demand: "Grant me a city."

"Which city, Your Highness?"

"Bozhou."

Lan Qiao Yi flinched.

Nian Nian Shangyou nearly laughed aloud.

Bozhou?

Why not Chaoge?

Nian Nian Shangyou clamped his mouth shut—he dared not say it. If he did, Li Qi might demand Chaoge.

Lan Qiao Yi took a deep breath: "Your Highness, don't joke."

Li Li Banfeng was serious: "I'm not joking. I've set my heart on Bozhou—I especially love its altar."

Lan Qiao Yi's face turned cold: "This jest is an insult beyond measure."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Then there's no negotiation."

Lan Qiao Yi said: "I am blind in both eyes, but my heart still sees. Even if I can never see the light of day again, I will not let others take over my ancestors' legacy."

With that, Lan Qiao Yi turned his eyes toward Li Li Banfeng—in that instant, it seemed as if he could see.

Li Li Banfeng met his gaze and nodded slightly: "You thought swallowing the Spy Powder made you see again? You really believe you've regained your eyes? Tomorrow, I'll spread the news far and wide—let the entire Shang Kingdom know you're blind. Do you think you won't slip up?"

Lan Qiao Yi said nothing. He knew slips were inevitable.

Li Li Banfeng added: "Qiu Xiu have many techniques tied to vision. Now that you're blind, how will you cultivate?"

If you can't cultivate, how long will you even survive?"

With that, Li Li Banfeng rose and walked away.

Nian Nian Shangyou stepped forward to block Li Qi: "Your Highness, calm down. You can't fix the price so harshly—let us counter."

"I won't haggle. I want Haocheng!" Li Li Banfeng shoved past Nian Nian Shangyou and kept walking out.

Lan Qiao Yi called out: "I've recently learned the whereabouts of the Jiangmen Master. Would Your Highness like to know?"

Li Li Banfeng turned back: "First clarify—do you mean Old Train?"

Lan Qiao Yi nodded: "That's the man. Your Highness, I'll tell you where the Jiangmen Master is, and you tell me how to cure my eyes. Let's make this deal—what do you say?"

Li Li Banfeng paused, then shook his head: "I don't think it's fair. Both the whereabouts and the cure are vague, insubstantial things."

Lan Qiao Yi said: "Then, Your Highness, name a concrete price."

Li Li Banfeng thought a moment: "You still owe me two cities, correct?"

Lan Qiao Yi nodded: "I won't deny those two cities—but which two, we must discuss."

Li Li Banfeng said: "I don't want the cities. I'll cure your eyes instead—but you must let me bring Old Train back to Puluo Province, whole and unharmed. Deal?"

Nian Nian Shangyou looked at Lan Qiao Yi.

Two cities and a pair of eyes for Old Train's life—that was a fair price.

Lan Qiao Yi weighed it carefully, then ordered Nian Nian Shangyou: "Prepare the contract."

Outside Chaoge City, Tianyi City was diving beneath the sea. Li Banfeng Yi controlled its direction, Ba Ba Suan guided its position, and Boluo tuned the radio.

The radio picked up many voices—but not a single word about the Dangkou Camp.

Boluo scolded Ba Ba Suan: "This is your best location?"

"What do you know? This is topology!" Ba Ba Suan held up his draft paper. "I don't know where the Dangkou Camp is—I only know this spot picks up the most signals."

Splash! Splash!

The Dragonbone Waterwheel outside the door rose to its feet.

Li Banfeng Yi startled: "Everyone, be careful—someone has infiltrated Tianyi City."

The Dragonbone Waterwheel stood at the door. Before it stood an elderly man with white hair, a round face, a large nose, and big eyes.

"Brother!" Li Banfeng Yi stepped outside—the man before him was none other than Train Eunuch.

"Why call me brother?" Train Eunuch's face was cold.

Li Banfeng Yi said: "We're brothers—we swore it in Mengqian Tower."

"Who did you swear it with?"

"With Train Eunuch!"

"I'm not Train Eunuch. I'm his shadow."

Li Banfeng Yi said: "I'm a shadow too."

Train Eunuch thought a moment, looked at Li Banfeng Yi, tears in his eyes: "Brother… how did you find me?"

PS: Old Train, Old Seven's come to save you!