Chapter 743

Li Banfeng said: "Brother, we've decided—we're getting you out this time."

The Train Eunuch shook his head: "I've told you countless times—don't think about rescuing me. The place holding me, you can't reach."

Li Banfeng remembered something and quickly asked: "Brother, I met another you in Waizhou—is that also a shadow?"

"Waizhou—" The Train Eunuch startled sharply. "What did the other me look like?"

"It was a locomotive!"

The old train gasped: "Stay far from him—that one is truly me."

Li Banfeng said: "If it's you, why run from it?"

The old train explained seriously: "I was split in two. That half is dangerous. Where's Lao Qi?"

Li Banfeng said: "He's negotiating with Lan Qiao Yi. This time, we're forcing him to release you."

"Nonsense. Lao Qi's been tricked by Lan Qiao Yi—get him back right now!" As he spoke, the Train Eunuch's figure grew fainter.

Li Banfeng asked anxiously: "Brother, what's happening to you?"

The Train Eunuch opened his mouth as if shouting loudly, but Li Banfeng heard nothing—just watched him vanish.

This shadow cannot stray too far from its original. This distance exceeded his limit.

Inside the mansion, Li Li Banfeng and Lan Qiao Yi finalized the price, but several details remained disputed.

Both sides agreed to complete the deal in ten days: Li Li Banfeng would cure Lan Qiao Yi's eyes, and in return, Lan Qiao Yi would erase the debts of the two cities.

Lan Qiao Yi insisted the transaction occur in Chaoge—once his eyes were healed, Li Li Banfeng could take the Train Eunuch away.

Li Li Banfeng refused this condition.

"If I heal your eyes and you renege on releasing him, what then?"

Lan Qiao Yi said: "We'll sign a contract. If I break it, I'll face punishment."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "You've surely found ways to bypass contracts. The location must change—no Chaoge."

Lan Qiao Yi sighed: "That's difficult. The Master of Jiangmen is in Chaoge. If we don't transact here, where else will you find him?"

Li Li Banfeng had already suspected the old train was in Chaoge: "I'll search for the Train Eunuch in Chaoge. You go to Tianyi City—no weapons. I'll arrange for someone to heal your eyes."

Go to Tianyi City unarmed?

Wouldn't that leave him at Li Qi's mercy?

Lan Qiao Yi shook his head repeatedly: "Your Highness, don't put me in this bind."

Li Li Banfeng gave his assurance: "In Tianyi City, I guarantee your safety—if you guarantee I can safely extract the Train Eunuch from Chaoge."

Lan Qiao Yi weighed it carefully, then countered: "I won't go to Tianyi City. No matter your promises, it's your territory—I might not survive stepping foot there. I'll go to Wubian City. The Luo family can at least protect my life."

Li Li Banfeng conceded: "Then it's settled—Wubian City."

This old devil surely has plans waiting in Wubian City.

Lan Qiao Yi asked: "If the Master of Jiangmen refuses to leave with Your Highness, what then?"

Li Li Banfeng didn't understand: "Why would he refuse to come with me?"

Lan Qiao Yi said: "The Master of Jiangmen is eccentric. Some of his actions are beyond my comprehension."

"I can wait in Wubian City for only one hour. If within that hour you haven't taken the Master of Jiangmen, how do we proceed?"

"One hour is too short."

"What duration would Your Highness deem suitable? I can't stay in Wubian City for a year or half a year."

Li Li Banfeng considered carefully: "Three hours. If I don't rescue the old train, I'll return to Wubian City and renegotiate with you."

Lan Qiao Yi said: "The deal has two steps: first exchange information, then act."

Li Li Banfeng nodded: "Agreed."

Both pierced their fingertips and pressed their seals onto the contract.

Back in Tianyi City, Li Banfeng said: "The Train Eunuch's shadow came just now—he told us not to rescue him."

Li Li Banfeng had been worried about this. It seemed Lan Qiao Yi wasn't lying—the Train Eunuch might truly not want to leave.

"Have you found any news about the Dangkou Camp?"

Boluo shook his head: "We've gathered plenty of other intelligence, but not a single word about the Dangkou Camp."

Li Li Banfeng manipulated Tianyi City, shifting positions several times—still no news. Time was running out. He directed Tianyi City out of Shangguo and headed straight for Dao Dao Guiling.

Ten days later, Li Li Banfeng arrived in Wubian City with Cui Ti.

Cui Ti still wore his Dao Dao Laogui form, trailing beside Li Li Banfeng.

Though unsettling to look at, it saved trouble—everyone except Luo Luo Shaojun kept their distance from Li Li Banfeng.

With Lao Ge here, Luo Luo Shaojun feared nothing.

Besides, she remembered this Dao Dao Laogui—when the plague struck Chaoge, she and her two sisters were cured by his medicine.

Using Wubian City to reach Chaoge, Li Li Banfeng stationed Cui Ti at Yucui Tower, while Luo Su Lijun went ashore.

She brought Lan Qiao Yi into Wubian City.

As agreed, Lan Qiao Yi carried no weapons, only Nian Nian Shangyou beside him. He met Li Li Banfeng in the city to begin the first step: exchanging information.

"The Master of Jiangmen is in Jiucheng City. I've prepared documents—no soldiers will stop you along the way."

"The man who can heal your eyes is at Yucui Tower. Wait for me downstairs."

The Luo family hid far away, afraid to listen or watch.

They didn't know what Lan Qiao Yi and Li Qi planned to do—and dared not ask about what they shouldn't know.

Luo Su Lijun led Lan Qiao Yi and Nian Nian Shangyou to Yucui Tower. Lan Qiao Yi ordered no one allowed into the back garden.

Luo Luo Shaojun escorted Li Li Banfeng out of Wubian City to the Chaoge shore. She warned: "Seventh Brother, I don't know what you plan in Chaoge—I only know whatever you do is vital."

"But if you go deep into Chaoge, don't be careless. Once you enter the sixth city, tread with extreme caution."

Li Li Banfeng nodded, bid farewell to Luo Luo Shaojun, and passed through the first gate. The guards, seeing the Inner Cabinet's documents, let him pass without question.

The remaining gates were the same—until the sixth gate. The guard didn't recognize Li Qi but warned: "Sir, proceed with caution inside. If trouble arises, contact the soldiers immediately."

The layout of the sixth city resembled a palace—pavilions, terraces, towers, and halls stood in orderly rows; soldiers patrolled every street and alley.

Li Li Banfeng had only visited Lan Qiao Yi's mansion, but Banfengzi had been to many places—he nearly got sucked into a furnace here,

and once encountered the Train Eunuch's shadow here.

Banfengzi's memories reminded Li Li Banfeng to avoid deserted streets, guiding him all the way to the seventh city.

The seventh city presented a different scene: every building was a pavilion—some two stories, some five, the tallest over ten. Eaves curled upward, beams carved and painted, each pavilion splendid, corridors winding through the air, linking every structure together.

Only Banfengyin had visited the seventh city. He whispered in his ear: "Watch the tallest pavilion—it never moves. Neither do the seventh and eighth gates."

"Follow these three points, use the aerial corridors to reach the eighth city. Don't get lost—this place is dangerous."

"Lan Qiao Yi once said the seventh city has seven hundred seventy-seven pavilions—one pavilion, one world. If you stray, you'll never escape."

This place is dangerous; Lan Qiao Yi once said that Sevenfold City has seven hundred and seventy-seven towers, each tower a different world—if you step into the wrong one, you can't get out.

Seven hundred worlds?

Li Li Banfeng looked up—could Mengqian Tower be here too?

Following Banfengyin's guidance, Li Li Banfeng crossed the seventh city and entered the eighth.

Beyond the gate lay a lake, its surface crowded with countless boats.

Some were huge—larger than Waizhou cruise ships; from shore, you couldn't see both bow and stern.

Others were tiny—barely big enough for one or two people, like dugout canoes.

Banfengyin didn't know which way to go.

"When Lan Qiao Yi came, Nian Nian Shangyou arranged a boat to meet him, taking him straight to the island in the lake's center—that's Jiucheng City. Now, with so many boats, I don't know which to board."

When Lan Qiao Yi came, Nian You had made arrangements beforehand: a boat came to meet him and took him all the way to the island in the lake's center—that island was Ninefold City. Now with so many boats, I don't know which one to board.

Li Li Banfeng had been to too many unfamiliar places—he was used to it. A Traveling Cultivator wasn't afraid of this.

Li Li Banfeng used the Wind-Riding Cloud Technique and flew toward the lake's center. Half an hour passed—he shivered.

Not because danger approached—but because danger was right before him.

How vast was this lake?

At his speed, he'd flown this long and still hadn't seen the island Banfengyin described.

Was he even heading toward the center?

He turned back—the shore and the gate were gone. With no reference, Li Li Banfeng flew forward by instinct alone.

Less than five minutes later, someone caught up behind him.

"This is an ocean. Fly like this, and you'll never know where you're going!"

Li Li Banfeng smiled: "Brother, you're here?"

The Train Eunuch shook his head: "I'm not here. My shadow is. Don't call me brother—I'm brother to your shadow, not to you."

The Train Eunuch shook his head: "I'm not here; my shadow is. Don't call me elder brother—I'm brothers with your shadow, but with you, there's still one layer between us."

The old train snapped: "Stop joking. Are you both mad? You brat—I told you not to come, and you insist on finding me!"

"I'm getting you out today!"

"You can't!"

"At least let me see where you are—otherwise, this trip was pointless!"

The old train sighed, changed direction, and flew onward: "I'll take you to Jiucheng City. See it, then leave—don't stay, or I'll punish you!"

Flying at that speed, they crossed the lake for another hour before reaching Jiucheng City.

Li Li Banfeng exclaimed: "That was really an ocean?"

The old train grunted: "What did you think? It connects to the seas beyond!"

The old train snorted: "What do you think? It connects all the way to the sea outside!"

Li Li Banfeng calculated the journey: "This Eighth City is this big?"

Old Train said: "The Ninth City isn't small either. We can't fly—have to walk. Fly too high, and the wind'll sweep you away."

The Ninth City was indeed vast, but its layout was relatively simple.

Outside, four palaces—east, south, west, north—encircled a garden; at its center stood a grand hall, where the furnace resided.

Old Train stood at the East Palace gate, not rushing in.

He told Li Li Banfeng: "Brother, when the gale hits, press against the wall and don't move. Wait till it passes, then walk toward the palace gate."

Li Li Banfeng asked why. Old Train explained: "The great furnace shifts wind direction every five minutes in order: east, south, west, north. Right now, I reckon it's drawing in from the West Palace. When the West Palace's turn ends, it moves to the North Palace."

"When the North Palace's turn ends, it moves to the East Palace."

"Once the wind reaches the East Palace, we can't walk inside—it'll suck us in. So we must wait for the right moment to enter."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Does the furnace look like the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian?"

Old Train blinked: "What does the Xiao Xuan Sheng Did Honglian look like? I don't think I've ever seen it."

Li Li Banfeng said: "Brother, you've never seen the lotus?"

"I already told you—I'm not your brother. I'm just a shadow," Old Train thought for a long while. "My true self lived long enough to have seen it—but whether in this half or the other half, I can't say."

After a pause, the wind shifted to the North Palace. Li Li Banfeng asked: "Brother, do you know where the Dangkou Camp is?"

Old Train, the Eunuch, was also investigating: "The Dangkou Camp isn't in Chaoge, but I know it's been training again. The Ministry of Military Affairs has been busy, and the Grand Pharmacy has produced many new elixirs."

At the mention of the Grand Pharmacy, Li Li Banfeng's eyes lit up: "Where's the Grand Pharmacy?"

"The Grand Pharmacy is in the Seventh City. Hard to find—I got lost there myself. I drew a map; I'll show you later." Old Train guessed Li Li Banfeng's intent. "That old bastard Lan Qiao Yi must've gotten the formula. Destroying the Grand Pharmacy won't help—within three days, the Inner State can rebuild it."

As they spoke, a violent wind blew from outside into the East Palace.

The wind was fierce. Li Li Banfeng pressed against the wall, his feet lifted off the ground.

Amid the wind, cries echoed. Li Li Banfeng used his Golden Eyes to peer—dozens of twisted figures struggled desperately within the gale.

These were clearly the souls of the dead. Old Train sighed: "People without cultivation always feel their lives were wasted. But once they gain cultivation, they lose their next life.

In Like Puluozhou, anyone with cultivation, upon death, comes to Chaoge. They don't know why they're here, or what to do—until they're sucked into the furnace, where they can only scream twice."

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Must those with cultivation eventually enter the furnace? Can't they escape this Tribulation Crossing?"

"Of course. Two ways: First, stay alive—don't die. Live forever, and you never enter the furnace.

Second, die, but force yourself to remain alive—even as a wandering ghost, even as a sentient magic treasure, even as a demon cultivator's spirit servant. If your soul lingers in the mortal realm, you won't enter the furnace.

Even if you do enter, there's still a chance: grit your teeth, fight them inside the furnace. Win, and you stay. One day, you'll emerge—and still be a man." I'm waiting for that day!"

Li Li Banfeng stared, dumbfounded: "Brother, you're inside the furnace?"

Old Train smiled: "That's why I told you not to come!"

That old bastard Lan Qiao Yi!

No wonder he agreed to this deal!

Old Train was trapped inside the furnace—couldn't get out. How could Li Li Banfeng save him?

That old scoundrel was cruel!

After a while, the wind in the East Palace ceased. Old Train led Li Li Banfeng through the gate: "The wind's moved to the South Palace.

When it returns to the East Palace, we'll have fifteen minutes. Move fast—I'll show you the furnace. Afterward, we leave."

Inside the East Palace, grand halls nested within smaller ones. Li Li Banfeng counted roughly ninety halls—all different.

Old Train found it odd: "The East Palace once held many top-tier weapons. Why aren't any here today?"

Li Li Banfeng said: "I've already negotiated terms with Lan Qiao Yi. The contract is clear: I'm here to rescue someone.

He can't stop me."

Old Train sighed: "You shouldn't have made a deal with Lan Qiao Yi. He knew you couldn't save me—that's why he signed."

They walked through, and it took nearly five minutes just to cross the East Palace.

Only fifteen minutes total. Including the return, Li Li Banfeng had five minutes near the furnace.

When the East Palace wind returned, could he use the Skill of Unimpeded Passage to slip into the West Palace and hide?

Li Li Banfeng stared at the walls, lost in thought.

Old Train shouted: "Hurry! Don't think about passing through walls. You don't know how thick they are—or what's inside."

Li Li Banfeng said: "We're moving this fast, and time's so tight. How could an ordinary Inner State cultivator ever get near the furnace?"

"Not everyone from the Inner State can approach the furnace. Only certain special ones can. The four palaces protect them. As long as they don't leap onto the furnace, they won't be sucked in.

Even if they leap onto it, if they step in the right places, the grand hall shields them—they won't fall into the furnace's pit."

They reached the grand hall. Li Li Banfeng finally saw the furnace.

Lotus leaves unfurled, swaying gently. Whenever his wife couldn't see, the Did Honglian would brush its leaves against Li Li Banfeng's face—a gesture he knew well.

Now, the furnace did the same—brushing its leaves against the faces of the dead. Its leaves were far larger; a single tip could cover an entire soul's face.

The leaf trembled—dozens of souls tumbled onto it. The leaf curled, swallowing them whole into the lotus heart.

So the leaf brushing faces was just a prelude to eating.

Did the Did Honglian have the same habit?

Li Li Banfeng realized he'd misunderstood some of the Did Honglian's actions.

As the leaves unfurled, the Eunuch pointed to the lotus heart: "Seven holes in the lotus heart. The one slightly east is mine."

Li Li Banfeng looked at the lotus heart.

Old Train's true body was inside one of the holes.

Hidden too deeply!

Old Train's shadow sighed: "Now you know why I didn't want you to come. It's not that I don't appreciate you, or doubt your strength—I simply can't get out."

As he spoke, a hand emerged from the eastern hole in the lotus heart.

Li Li Banfeng said: "That hand is—"

"That's my true body's hand," Old Train said. "My true self has always tried to crawl out. When the wind's weak, I can inch forward two inches. When I'm too weak, it pulls me back two inches. Maybe one day, I'll gather enough strength to crawl free."

"Brother, you've seen enough. You can't save me. Time's up. Let's go. Remember this path. I say—you little brat, what are you doing!"

Li Li Banfeng leapt up, landing on the lotus heart. As Old Train's hand reached out, he grabbed it. He came to rescue someone—he had to save him. He wouldn't leave empty-handed.

Li Li Banfeng pulled for a long while, dragging out half of Old Train's body.

Old Train's true body had its eyes closed, seemingly unconscious—but its limbs still moved, crawling out by instinct.

"Push harder, Brother!"

Old Train's shadow froze. Faintly, he seemed to see a little train.

Was this the Skill of Qianshan?

Above the lotus heart, the wind surged violently—the furnace seemed enraged.

Old Train's shadow rushed onto the lotus heart and yanked Li Li Banfeng back.

"I told you not to go! Why won't you listen?"

As he spoke, the half of Old Train's true body that had emerged was sucked back in.

Li Li Banfeng kicked the ground in fury: "Why'd you pull me back? Let's drag his true body out together!"

Old Train's shadow was shaken: "We can't pull him out. Look at the furnace's strength—my true body can't resist it, let alone you. Stay longer, and you'll be sucked in!"

Li Li Banfeng recalled his feeling: "The wind didn't feel that strong. It shouldn't have pulled me in."

Old Train snorted: "You used the Skill of Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel. That's why the furnace couldn't drag you."

"Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel?" Li Li Banfeng scratched his head. "I just used the Skill of Qianshan to give myself a boost. I haven't learned Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel yet."

"With the courage of a Traveler, you tread the peril of a thousand mountains—boundless, limitless, fearless. You charged the furnace with single-minded determination—and that alone triggered Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel."

"How long did I use it for?"

Old Train pulled a pen from his sleeve and drew a pocket watch on his palm. After a moment, he said: "Thirteen point two seconds. I don't admire any of your other techniques—but this one? Perfect. First time using it, and you held it this long."

Li Li Banfeng puffed out his chest: "I can't promise much, but I can last a long time. Time it again—I'll try once more."

Old Train grabbed him: "Stop fooling around! The founder of the Traveler Sect could only use it twice a day—with half a day's rest in between!

Even if I let you use it again, you still couldn't pull me out. We've got seven minutes left before the wind returns to the East Palace. We need to leave."

Li Li Banfeng stood at the grand hall's entrance, refusing to move.

Old Train sighed: "Brother, I know your loyalty. I kept my promise—I showed you. Now if you keep acting recklessly, you're the one in the wrong."

"Brother, don't you know Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel? Let's charge together!"

Old Train's shadow shook his head: "I told you—I'm not your brother. Why won't you understand?

I don't know Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel. I'm just a shadow. I don't know many techniques."

Li Li Banfeng shook his head: "Brother, don't tease me. When I first met you in Mengqian Tower, you knew every technique!"

"That wasn't me," Old Train's shadow said. "That was the Old Train from the dream—half his soul was there. He was far stronger than me. Too bad he's trapped in Mengqian Tower.

Here's an idea: come with me to Mengqian Tower. We free his half-soul, then figure out what to do."

Enter Mengqian Tower. Fight its master, Meng Xiao Qian.

In dreams, Meng Xiao Qian holds all the advantage. Li Li Banfeng still didn't know where Old Train was.

This wouldn't work. Old Train's shadow brought this up just to get Li Li Banfeng to leave.

Li Li Banfeng stared at the lotus heart, still thinking.

Besides Xingzhe Xingzhe Wujiang Travel, was there another way?

After a moment, he whispered: "Could she do it?"

Old Train panicked: "Who? What are you talking about? Are you leaving or not? If you won't go, I'm leaving! Don't think I'm just a shadow—I didn't come out easily. I won't die here for nothing."

Old Train's shadow's ears weren't sharp—he heard someone speak, but couldn't make out the words.

Li Li Banfeng heard it clearly—it was one of the most familiar voices he knew.

"Let her try."

It was Leaving Suishenju.

Master, I knew you'd wake up!

As he spoke these words, Leaving Suishenju let out a long sigh; honestly, he still didn't know whether he should rescue Old Train.

Li Li Banfeng asked: "Where is she?"

Leaving Suishenju replied: "In the Fifth Chamber."

Li Li Banfeng quietly let fall a single drop of blood.

Old Train urged: "Hurry, there's no time left—if you don't go, I'll really punish you!"

The wind shifted; Old Train looked at his pocket watch.

While Old Train was bent over checking the watch, Li Li Banfeng used the Linked Chamber Technique to pull Did Honglian out.

Did Honglian had been watching the scene outside through the Fifth Chamber with her family.

Suddenly, a massive furnace appeared before her—the sensation was like stepping onto the movie screen during a film.

Did Honglian cried out: "What are you doing?"

Xiang Hongying in the household was also stunned: "What is Seventh Young Master doing? Won't this draw Heavenly Light?"

The phonograph remained calm; she understood Li Li Banfeng's intent: "This is Neizhou—Did Honglian can't reach those above,

so it won't draw Heavenly Light. It all depends on whether Did Honglian is willing to act."

Hua Jiuer watched anxiously: "There's not much time left."

Li Li Banfeng said to Did Honglian: "You said this furnace was modeled after you—you're the original, the first version. You should be able to control it, right?"

Did Honglian snapped: "What kind of logic is that? I didn't make this thing! How can I control it?"

"You don't need complex control. This thing has spirit. Just speak to it—it'll understand. Tell it to release Old Train. It'll listen to you."

Did Honglian growled: "You're insane! Listen to yourself—what nonsense are you spouting? Why should it listen to me?

I told you, I've never even seen it."

Li Li Banfeng carried Did Honglian forward: "I think you two should be quite familiar—just too far apart,

that's all. You've grown distant."

Did Honglian spread her lotus leaves, trying to break free from Li Li Banfeng's grip.

Old Train shouted: "Don't move forward!"

As the furnace drew ever closer, Did Honglian roared: "Stop where you are—I'll find a way!"

Did Honglian was indeed capable of breaking free from Li Li Banfeng's hold, but she didn't—because she dared not risk it.

She knew how fast the Traveling Cultivators of the Fourth Cloud Layer were; if Li Li Banfeng carried her straight to the furnace's lotus heart, it would be too late for anything to matter.

Did Honglian spread her lotus leaves before the furnace—but the furnace showed no reaction.

The Ninth Lady estimated the time: "Less than five minutes left."

Did Honglian tried over a dozen times; the furnace began to respond slightly—its lotus leaves opened and closed, gradually syncing with Did Honglian's rhythm.

Mengde warned: "Less than three minutes left."

Did Honglian fully opened all her lotus leaves—the furnace did the same, exposing its lotus heart.

A lotus seed sprouted from Did Honglian's lotus heart—but the furnace remained silent for a long while.

Mengde spoke again: "Less than two minutes left."

Old Train's shadow seized Li Li Banfeng: "Come with me!"

As the words left his mouth, a lotus seed sprouted from the furnace's lotus heart—and it pushed Old Train's true form out from within.

PS: Less than two minutes left—can they escape?