[{"data":1,"prerenderedAt":-1},["ShallowReactive",2],{"origin-lord-of-the-proles":3,"chapter-lord-of-the-proles-lord-of-the-proles-chapter-791":6},{"origin":4,"title":5},"chinese","Lord of the Proles",{"chapter":7,"nextChapterSlug":19,"prevChapterSlug":20,"totalChapters":21,"novelImage":22},{"id":8,"novel_id":9,"title":10,"slug":11,"index":12,"content":13,"wordcount":14,"created_at":15,"updated_at":15,"volume":16,"translator":17,"content_hash":18},2291089,4478,"Chapter 791: Why the Dwelling Spirit Is a Traveling Cultivator (This Chapter Is High-Energy)","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-791",791,"\u003Cp>Meeting means life or death.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Who could have imagined that when Li Banfeng first arrived at Yaowang Gou, the peddler and the Heavenly Maiden nearly met—only a backpack separated them.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>If they had truly met back then, the peddler would have killed the Heavenly Maiden, and the border of Pulu Province might have been lost, with countless weapons from Neizhou pouring into Pulu Province.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>What if the peddler had not killed the Heavenly Maiden? What would have happened then?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Without the peddler, Pulu Province’s situation would be even more unimaginable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After drinking twelve bowls of Soul-Returning Soup, Li Banfeng barely sat up, his breath still ragged, dizziness and blurred vision overwhelming him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>When he lay back on the cart, he couldn’t move again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler frowned: “Don’t move yet. I’ve only temporarily gathered your human energy. If you exert yourself improperly, it might explode. If you’re blown apart twice, I can’t save you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “After drinking so much Soul-Returning Soup, can’t this human energy be dissolved?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler shook his head: “To dissolve human energy, you must ascend. There’s no other way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took it calmly: “Then let’s ascend. With you here, there must be a way.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler studied Li Banfeng’s condition: “Not yet. You can’t move now, and you can’t leave this cart. You must wait until the human energy fully stabilizes before ascending. If it remains unstable, you’ll have to drink more Soul-Returning Soup.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For a Traveling Cultivator’s ascent, I can help you—but my method is dangerous, and your current state may not withstand it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“For a Dwelling Cultivator, I can’t help. Dwelling Cultivators must ascend inside a dwelling, using the Dwelling Spirit’s methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng was deeply curious about Dwelling Cultivation: “Why is it so unique? Why must a Dwelling Cultivator have a Dwelling Spirit to ascend? Why must they learn techniques from the Dwelling Spirit?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler was also puzzled: “Since the Heavenly Maiden created the Dwelling Cultivation path, this rule has always been followed.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I’ve never understood why, and she never told me.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Heavenly Maiden created the Dwelling Cultivation path.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “Was Dwelling Cultivation created late?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Not late!” the peddler shook his head. “Dwelling Cultivation was the fifth path to emerge. For a person, the most urgent needs are clothing, food, shelter, and travel.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I thought people’s top priority was eating. After eating, they’d want clothes; after clothes, shelter. So I assumed Dwelling Cultivation should’ve been the third path. But I was wrong. After eating, people don’t always need clothes—they want to do other things. If they have nothing to eat and nothing to do, they steal. So Joy Cultivation and Theft Cultivation came before Clothing Cultivation and Dwelling Cultivation.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought back over the timeline. In Pulu Province, few cared about exact chronology, but this time he sensed a serious problem: “Didn’t you meet the Heavenly Maiden during the war?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“All paths in Pulu Province must pass through you to be recognized. If that’s true, Dwelling Cultivation should’ve emerged only after you met her—after the war began. That’s not early at all.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler chuckled: “Who told you I met the Heavenly Maiden during the war? If we had no prior connection, why would she have helped me during battle?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re good-looking?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng snorted: “You’re a merchant—you must have had some advantage.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler turned, fetched a funnel, inserted it into Li Banfeng’s mouth, ladled a bowl of Soul-Returning Soup from the pot, and poured it down his throat.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng mumbled: “I already drank twelve bowls! Why more? It’s hot! Too hot!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Younger brother, I see your human energy is gathering too slowly.” The peddler set down the bowl, sat beneath the willow tree, and gazed at the sky, as if recalling something.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I knew her long ago. Back then, I was just a peddler. Every day I pushed my cart to her doorstep and just looked at her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breeze blew. The peddler turned to Li Banfeng: “Have you decided? Ascend as a Dwelling Cultivator or a Traveling Cultivator?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng paused, then asked: “Which do you think suits me better?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler glanced at his bandages: “You’re injured. Ascending as a Dwelling Cultivator is safer. It causes less physical damage. After ascending, your body grows stronger, making it easier to endure the pain of later Traveling Cultivation ascent.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled bitterly: “These injuries? I got them during my last Dwelling Cultivation ascent. But tell me—why did you originally push me toward dual cultivation? Don’t say it was an accident. Qiao Yuesheng’s cultivation level couldn’t have bumped into your cart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler added water to the boiling pot: “It was a last resort. If you weren’t a Dwelling Cultivator, you couldn’t control the Little Train. Without the Little Train, you couldn’t contain her.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “You overestimate me. I’m a beginner with no rank—how could I contain someone like Suishenju?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler took some Ten-Thousand Gold Ointment and rubbed it on Li Banfeng’s face: “Everything I sell comes with a contract.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if it’s verbal, the Little Train must honor it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng thought again and asked: “Then why make me dual-cultivate?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“To save your life,” the peddler said, pouring two mouthfuls of soy sauce into Li Banfeng’s mouth. “If you travel alone with the Heavenly Maiden and stay in one place, you’re dead.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Back then, you actually cared whether I lived or died?” Li Banfeng was baffled. “I brought her to Pulu Province—it nearly destroyed the whole place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler shook his head: “It’s not your fault.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Does right or wrong even matter?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler nodded: “It matters to me. Right is right, wrong is wrong. You didn’t know why you were bathed in heavenly light, or what you carried. When Ma Junyang and Qin Tian came, I listened to your three conversations and realized you knew nothing about Pulu Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You were clearly a scapegoat. You shouldn’t die for this. That’s all there is to it.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>A breeze blew. The cart’s wind chimes tinkled.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng cautiously moved his left hand: “Didn’t you ever consider finding someone else to take over Honglian? Someone you knew better, trusted more?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler answered honestly: “I did. But back then, no one was suitable. The man with you was Monkey Qiu. If I’d given the Heavenly Maiden to Monkey Qiu, his cautious nature would’ve made him open the pack. Once he opened it—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“We’d have met. And everything would’ve been ruined.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Even if I’d used tricks to stop him from opening it, Monkey Qiu’s loyalty would’ve led him to hand her over to Lu Dongliang. Lu Dongliang’s temperament is unpredictable—he might even hand her to Neizhou.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left hand moving freely now, Li Banfeng tried his right: “But you weren’t the only one there. The driver was too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“You mean Che Wushang?” The peddler laughed. “Brother, do you know how powerful his fortune-avoidance skill is? He’d never agree to this. Even if I mentioned it once, he’d vanish from Pulu Province forever.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng cautiously sat up. The peddler helped him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Since then, have you never thought of replacing me?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did,” the peddler remained honest. “I sought you many times. I always wanted to find someone suitable to take her out—I’d feel more at ease, and you could live peacefully. It’d benefit both of us. But later events left me no choice.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>\"I thought about it,\" the peddler remained candid, \"I sought you many times afterward. I truly wanted to find someone suitable to rescue the Heavenly Maiden—I could have found peace, and you could have lived in safety; it would have benefited us both. But later events left me no choice.\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler handed Li Banfeng a bag of nuts: “I couldn’t find anyone better than you. Every time I thought I’d found someone better, I realized none matched you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng chewed the nuts: “Why am I the best?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Because you’re the most reliable,” the peddler said, carefully picking pills from a jar with tweezers. “For a long time, I trusted no one. But from Haichiling’s insect plague to Moxiang Shop’s toad outbreak, I learned I could trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler gave Li Banfeng two pills—one orange-flavored, one honeydew-flavored.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng swallowed them. His joints felt less stiff.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler said: “Try getting off the cart.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng carefully stepped down—and instantly lost strength, swaying, barely able to stand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He realized: this cart held some mechanism. Without it, he wouldn’t have lasted this long.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler said again: “Try walking.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng took tentative steps, stumbling, then collapsed onto the ground.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler was satisfied overall: “Human energy has gathered. But Soul-Returning Soup’s effect is limited. You must ascend quickly. Have you decided which path?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sensed the quantity of human energy within him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This time, the energy was too vast—ascending one path alone might not disperse it: “Hard to choose. I’ll skip choosing. I’ll go home and ascend both paths at once!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler stared, then laughed: “Others couldn’t do it. But you? You’re tough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow: “How tough do you think I am?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Tougher than me!” The peddler retrieved two boxes of Xuan Yun Pills from the cart and handed them to Li Banfeng. “These are all I have left. Take them.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng accepted the pills. They exchanged farewells.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The peddler warned: “If you truly ascend both paths at once, be extremely careful!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng smiled: “You said I’m tougher than you. I trust you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Back at Suishenju, his wife rushed forward: “Just now, Old Master said you were hurt. Husband, how are you?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng kissed his wife: “My dear, I must ascend again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Again?” she gasped. “We just ascended!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed: “I bumped into the Heavenly Maiden’s statue. My human energy is full. No other option.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao knew the consequences of overfilled human energy. After long consideration, she said: “Husband, ascend Traveling Cultivation this time. Delay Dwelling Cultivation. If you go to Ling’er again, she’ll use those scissors—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng shook his head: “I’m ascending both at once. This much energy—ascending one path won’t be enough.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Both at once?” Zhao Xiao’s eyes widened. “Husband, you can’t do that!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I did it before—when I ascended Yunshang.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“That’s different! This is Yun Six!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“No problem. Back then I was still Dipi. Now I’m Yun Five. My body’s much stronger.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Then don’t ascend Dwelling Cultivation first. Yingying’s too unreliable.” Knowing Hong Ying’s nature,\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>and recalling Li Banfeng’s ordeal during Yunshang’s ascent, she knew that even if he succeeded with her help, his body would be utterly weakened—making the next Dwelling Cultivation ascent nearly impossible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Her judgment favored ascending Dwelling Cultivation first: “Husband, will you go to Ayu or Ling’er?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This required careful thought.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going to Jiang Linger seemed safer—but Li Banfeng’s old wounds hadn’t healed. Another cut from the scissors might kill him. Even if he survived, recovery would take months.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After ascending Dwelling Cultivation, he’d still need to ascend Traveling Cultivation. Jiang Linger’s path was clearly unworkable.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Going to Ayu would be gentler.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But since his last experience, Li Banfeng distrusted Ayu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>He trusted anyone in his household more than Ayu.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Besides, someone in his household was an expert—her understanding of Dwelling Cultivation surpassed Ayu’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng went to the Fifth Chamber. The girl there immediately hid deep in the flowerbed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The girl overreacted. Li Banfeng wasn’t there for her.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sat before the Bronze Lotus and smiled: “I never thought—I knew you before I came to Pulu Province.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Bronze Lotus unfurled its lotus leaves: “Why not? We met at the campus supermarket.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus unfolded its lotus leaves: “What’s so surprising? We already met at the campus supermarket.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng sighed: “Yeah, ever since I got you out of the campus supermarket’s locker, I’ve been carrying you, Ah Yu carried you, the Thief Cult Master carried you, and now I’m carrying you—you really love being carried.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus’s leaves paused slightly, then brushed against Li Banfeng’s cheek: “Where did you get that idea? When did Ah Yu ever carry me? And who exactly is this ‘Thief Cult Master’ you’re talking about?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Still pretending?” Li Banfeng laughed. “The famed Celestial One—I hadn’t even been in Puluozhou long when I heard your name.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I kept wondering what kind of person you were, and now I find out you’ve been living in my house.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus retracted its leaves, its demeanor suddenly fearful: “Ah Qi, are you having another episode? That’s terrifying talk. I’m just a tool for alchemy—my master is the Celestial One. Don’t you dare confuse the two.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Really?” Li Banfeng picked up the copper lotus. “The peddler’s right outside. Shall I take you to meet him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The tip of the copper lotus’s leaf trembled, its voice no longer gentle: “Why would I want to see him?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “They say the Red Lotus was forged by the peddler and the Celestial Maiden together—he’s half your master. Don’t you owe him any loyalty?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Saying this, Li Banfeng carried the copper lotus toward the door.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus cried: “Ah Qi, Ah Qi, Qi Lang—let’s not go out yet. I’ve got a grudge with the peddler. We can’t meet. Listen to me first—what exactly do you want?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before reaching the main chamber, the copper lotus was drenched in dew from fear.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Nothing else. I need to ascend.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Didn’t you just ascend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“I looked at your statue once—your aura nearly exploded. You have to take me to Cloud Level Six.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus spoke softly: “Ah Qi, I can’t help you with this. I’ve never been a household spirit. I don’t understand ascension. I’m just a lotus—Qi Lang, don’t rush. Don’t go outside. I give in, alright? Just go get Hong Ying first!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus spoke softly: \"Ah Qi, I can’t help you with this. I’ve never been a household spirit, and I don’t understand promotion. I’m just a lotus—Qi Lang, don’t rush, don’t go toward the door. Fine, I give in! First, go get Hongying, that bitch!\"\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus said: “Hong Ying is your household spirit. To ascend as a household cultivator, you need her. She’s the leader of the Traveling Cultivators—she can help you ascend as a traveler too.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng summoned Hong Ying. His wife stood nearby watching.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying puffed out her chest, imposing and fierce: “Qi Lang, don’t be afraid—I’ll help you ascend!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Seeing Hong Ying’s demeanor, Zhao Xiaowan couldn’t relax.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked the copper lotus: “So how do we proceed?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus unfurled its leaves, studying Hong Ying closely: “This one—this one here—he’s the problem. How should he ascend?—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Household cultivators ascend through the household spirit’s methods.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“A traveling cultivator serving as a household spirit? The Celestial Maiden never saw anything like this.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying snorted: “Looking down on me? I’ve served as a household spirit before. When Qi Lang ascended previously, I always said I didn’t know how—because Xiao Wan was there, I never dared interfere!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This wasn’t boasting. In Tiekang Fortress, Hong Ying had indeed served as household spirit to the steward, Old He. Li Banfeng earned her only after defeating Old He.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng asked: “How did you help Old He ascend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying thought: “The method was simple—just pierce his lower back with the spear tip and run him all over the place.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er said from the side: “Your spear tip could kill him easily. How did Old He survive?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying smiled faintly: “Back then I was blind and deaf, but my hands had control—I could avoid vital points.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er pondered: “Isn’t the lower back a vital point?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying added: “Household cultivators have tough bodies. He lay in bed for two or three months and was back on his feet.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er still didn’t understand: “So you just ran him around like that—and it made him ascend?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus rubbed its lotus heart with its leaves, as if grasping something: “The step technique operates between the realms of the Unnameable, within dimensions beyond naming. It’s not a high-level art, but it cultivates pure control over the Unnameable Force.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Ascension is merely about alignment and guidance. Ah Yu uses kneading, Jiang Linger uses cutting, Hong Ying drags Li Qi in and out—why not?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“But heaven and earth are different. When using the step technique, you need finesse. Let’s try it as we go.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Fine!” Hong Ying let her hair fall loose, revealing the spear tip.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ren Xing grabbed a wooden board and struck: “How dare you? What are you doing with that? Carry your husband!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying picked up Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After careful thought, the copper lotus first told Li Banfeng: “Tell Xiao Huochē to open every room’s door.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng gave the order, and the Sui Shen Ju complied immediately.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All room doors opened. The copper lotus told Hong Ying: “Use the step every three steps—from the main chamber all the way to Room Thirteen. And—don’t start walking yet. Take me along!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying dashed off with Li Banfeng in her arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus watched Li Qi’s condition, hopping anxiously behind—but she couldn’t keep up with Hong Ying.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er picked up the copper lotus and chased them all the way to Room Thirteen. The copper lotus stared at Li Banfeng the whole way, noticing faint signs of ascension—but they were too subtle.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One step every three steps—the frequency seemed too low.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus thought again: “Use the step every two steps. Try again.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying obeyed instantly, sprinting back from Room Thirteen to the main chamber.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng curled in Hong Ying’s arms, his body convulsing uncontrollably.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Ascension was too violent—the frequency was too high.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus said: “Use the step every two and a half steps—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Nonsense!” Hong Ying snapped. “How can you even measure half a step?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan offered a suggestion: “Alternate—three steps, then two steps.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It wasn’t easy. Walking required constant shifts in step rhythm—only Hong Ying’s flawless technique made it possible.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng stepped out of Hong Ying’s arms, his body wracked with spasms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His left face smiled; his right face twitched. One leg kicked sideways, the other stepped forward.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“Hong Ying, maybe we should switch—let me carry you.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying’s face flushed red as she shouted at the copper lotus: “It’s all your fault, you bitch!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus stayed silent. The last idea had been Zhao Xiaowan’s.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But Li Banfeng’s suggestion might work. The copper lotus leapt onto Li Banfeng’s shoulder: “You two take turns. Hong Ying, use the step every two steps. Li Qi, every three steps—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before she finished, the copper lotus nearly fell off Li Qi’s shoulder.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Qi’s cultivation base was unstable; his convulsions worsened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus asked: “Do you have Xuan Yun Pills?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan pulled out a pill, hesitating over dosage.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus urged: “At this critical moment—give him one now!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Would one be too much?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan paused, then fed Li Banfeng the entire pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng calmed slightly. Following the Red Lotus’s instructions, he and Hong Ying held each other, alternating as they ran.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying lifted Li Banfeng—two steps, one step—smooth and effortless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng lifted Hong Ying—three steps, one step—and failed.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His technique wasn’t as refined as Hong Ying’s. He took steps, but the effect only came after several.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Though slower, the signs of ascension were clearer now—the copper lotus’s theory was right.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er noticed something. She brought ink and marked the floor: “Hong Ying, don’t walk straight. Step sideways. Let Li Qi’s steps be more varied.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng had learned the step technique to dodge—so he was more familiar with lateral steps.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er’s trick worked. Li Banfeng’s steps grew smoother; the ascension trend intensified.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan glanced at the wall clock—it was seven at night.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Two hours later, the two had walked countless laps inside the Sui Shen Ju. Li Banfeng began convulsing again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus told Zhao Xiaowan: “Give him another Xuan Yun Pill.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan’s forehead was slick with sweat. Her hand trembled as she held the pill.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus urged: “Hurry—he’s a Twin Cloud body. He can take it!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>After another pill, Li Banfeng recovered slightly. They resumed alternating steps—but the ascension trend weakened.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>“The step isn’t working,” the copper lotus muttered. “We need another method. Xiao Huochē, close all the room doors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sui Shen Ju didn’t respond.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng said: “Master, close the doors.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All room doors shut. The copper lotus said: “Hong Ying uses the step. Li Qi uses Unobstructed Passage. Alternate using the Unnameable Force—see if it works.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>It worked. The ascension trend returned.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The Sui Shen Ju grew tense. He didn’t want to disturb Li Qi, and whispered to Zhao Xiaowan: “Won’t you use Yi Po Wan Chuan soon?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan didn’t know how to answer. She didn’t trust the copper lotus—and worried about Li Banfeng.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Over an hour later, Li Banfeng convulsed again.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>By ten p.m. the next night, Hong Ying collapsed on the bed, unable to rise. Li Banfeng’s face was deathly pale, his spasms relentless.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan held Li Banfeng and asked Hong Ying: “Hong Ying, can you hold on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Hong Ying gasped on the bed: “If he ascends, I can hold on. But when will he ascend?!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>All eyes turned to the copper lotus. Jiu’er’s voice was grim: “Li Qi should’ve completed his ascension by now. Are you hiding something?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The copper lotus swayed its leaves: “He’s struggling to ascend. I don’t know why. I’ve been helping him. I have no reason to harm him—it benefits me nothing!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As she spoke, Li Banfeng began gasping wildly—each breath deeper than the last.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er looked at Zhao Xiaowan: “Xiao Wan, do you still have pills?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There were pills left—but Li Banfeng had already taken eight. Another would surely kill him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiaowan hugged Li Banfeng tightly and shouted: “Master! Go to Yucui Tower—get Linger! I won’t trust the Red Lotus anymore. I must be mad to believe her!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Sui Shen Ju could move, Li Banfeng’s body underwent violent transformation.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Before the Personal Dwelling could move, Li Banfeng’s body underwent drastic changes.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>From his cheeks to his torso, then to his limbs, Li Banfeng visibly withered away.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>His cheekbones rose higher, his jaws pressed tight against his teeth, his eye sockets sank deeper, nearly detaching from his eyeballs.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Li Banfeng extended his emaciated arm and grasped Zhao Xiao’s hand.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er tugged at the copper lotus’s leaf: “What on earth is going on?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus thought for a moment: “Try using a Waizhou blend—it should work!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er snapped: “What’s the difference between that and an elixir?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus said: “The blend is gentler—it can at least keep him alive!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er brought the blend; Zhao Xiao suddenly grew calm, lifting her head to gaze at the glove: “Is there still any human qi left?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>The glove swelled, spitting out a sack of tiny divine statues.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao placed the statues atop Li Banfeng’s head.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Jiu’er cried out: “This won’t work! His human qi is already about to burst!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao shook her head: “It won’t burst—he doesn’t have enough human qi.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>In the end, Zhao Xiao knew Li Banfeng best.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Previously, when Li Banfeng had advanced, he had shown signs of insufficient human qi; at that time, Jiang Linger had used yang qi to compensate for him.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>This situation was very similar; though Zhao Xiao still couldn’t fathom why his human qi was insufficient.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>One statue after another was drained by Li Banfeng; the glove said: “Madam, don’t worry—we’ve got plenty in stock.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>There truly was stock left—human qi harvested from San Tou Cha had yet to be used up.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>As more and more human qi was absorbed, Li Banfeng gradually recovered, though he remained even thinner than before.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>But at least he regained his usual vitality.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Exhausted, Li Banfeng fell asleep in Zhao Xiao’s arms.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus let out a long breath: “This time, it’s finally succeeded.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao looked up and asked: “What succeeded?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus said: “The advancement succeeded!”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao asked again: “Which path advanced?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus thought: “Zhai Xiu has definitely succeeded—my method can’t be wrong. Lv Xiu—perhaps it also advanced, since we’ve been using Lv Xiu techniques nonstop for a day and night.”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhai Ling is Lv Xiu; using Lv Xiu techniques to advance Zhai Xiu while simultaneously lifting Lv Xiu along with it is entirely logical.\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Zhao Xiao confirmed once more: “You mean both Zhai Xiu and Lv Xiu each advanced one level?”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Copper Lotus swayed his lotus leaf: “Of course they did, definitely—”\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>PS: What if they didn’t?\u003C\u002Fp>\n\u003Cp>Thank you, Patron Bai Xiaohanxing, for your support of this work!\u003C\u002Fp>",4115,"2026-06-20T03:43:17.761Z",1,"Qwen3-Next 80B","131cd5d7147607b3357c8cfd8209393c66e0b8808795a3e76b5bf7786c553411","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-792","lord-of-the-proles-chapter-790",863,"https:\u002F\u002Fnovelzhen.com\u002Fimages\u002Fcovers\u002Flord-of-the-proles-cover.jpg"]