Li Banfeng took out 500,000 in cash for Wang Xuejiao to bring to Yu Nan, who would then pass it on to Elder Yao. He also gave Wang Xuejiao an extra 2,000 as a token of thanks.
Upon reaching the intersection on Paifang Street, Li Banfeng had a feeling that something good was about to happen. He stopped and looked around.
He was searching for someone—the Coachman with the Fire Wheel.
He actually found him. The Coachman had only two waiting spots: one at the station and one in Li Gou. He was lying asleep in his carriage; if you didn’t look carefully, you wouldn’t see him.
Li Banfeng approached carefully and woke the Coachman. The Coachman rubbed his eyes, saw Li Banfeng, and smiled, "Need a ride?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "To the New Land of Sanpan River."
"Sanpan River? That far? Is it urgent?"
"Not urgent. We can take our time."
"How much will you pay?"
"You name the price."
"If you’re not in a hurry, it will take us the better part of half a day."
"I’ll provide food."
After calculating for a moment, the Coachman made an offer: "Three thousand five hundred!"
Li Banfeng didn’t bargain; he just climbed into the carriage.
Although Li Banfeng had said there was no rush, the Coachman still drove the carriage at a rapid pace because the journey was indeed quite long.
They left Li Gou, and after two hours, it was lunchtime. Li Banfeng asked, "Shall we find a place to eat, or just make do with what we have?"
"There’s no village ahead and no inn behind us. Where would we find a proper place to eat? We’ll just have to make do!" The Coachman wiped his sweat and took out the flatbreads he had brought.
He understood Li Banfeng’s intention. Spending so much money to ride in his carriage meant Li Banfeng wanted to seek advice on cultivation.
Li Banfeng had brought some canned food, which went well with the flatbreads. They ate and chatted.
The Coachman asked, "Are you going to the New Land to clear wilderness?"
Li Banfeng shook his head. "I want to cultivate. They say that Traveling Cultivators increase their cultivation level quickly in the New Land."
"Cultivation levels might increase quickly, but Cultivators die just as fast," the Coachman snorted. "I don’t get why you people are always so eager to risk your lives. Isn’t it better to cultivate steadily, like me?"
"Speaking of cultivation, I actually have something to ask you. What is the Third Layer Technique for Traveling Cultivators?"
"The Third Layer?" The Coachman snorted again. "You only reached the First Layer a few days ago, and now you’re already thinking about the Third Layer?"
Li Banfeng explained, "Once I enter the New Land, I plan to cultivate for ten or twenty years. I reckon I could at least reach the Third Layer by then. If my cultivation level is high enough but I can’t learn the Technique, wouldn’t that be a great loss?"
The Coachman sighed. "Do you really think you can survive ten or twenty years in the New Land? Why do you think so highly of yourself?"
Li Banfeng chuckled. "That depends on luck and opportunities. Who knows? Maybe I’m just hard to kill."
The Coachman shook his head. "If you were asking about other things, I could tell you. But if you’re asking about Techniques, the price isn’t right. For the Second Layer Technique, you’d have to give me at least 10,000. The Third Layer Technique is another matter entirely."
"Someone already told me about the Second Layer Technique. I just want to ask about the Third Layer. We can still negotiate the price."
Still, the Coachman refused. "It’s not about the money. Third Layer Traveling Cultivators are few and far between. Do you think I can just casually tell you the Technique? Even if you gave me 100,000..."
Li Banfeng then took out two Mysterious Flame Pills and handed them to the Coachman.
The Coachman examined the quality of the Mysterious Flame Pills and pocketed the Elixirs. "We’re from the same Taoist Sect," he said. "I see you’re setting off to the New Land by yourself, which isn’t easy. I’ll give you a little advice.
"Our Sect’s Third Layer Technique is called Trample Over Thousands of Rivers."
Li Banfeng analyzed the name literally and asked, "Does this Technique come in especially handy when crossing mountains and traversing ridges?"
The Coachman didn’t speak. He stood up, still eating from a can, and took a step forward.
CRACK!
The sound of his footstep hitting the ground was sharp, making Li Banfeng shiver.
In front of the Coachman’s toes, a fist-sized stone turned into dust.
Li Banfeng was stunned.
The Coachman looked down at Li Banfeng. "This is one of the most powerful offensive Techniques in our Taoist Sect. Our sect’s Techniques are generally not difficult to learn, with the Third Layer Technique being the sole exception. This one is extremely difficult.
"When you first enter the Third Layer, if you can crush a stone the size of your fingertip, that’s considered good fortune. As your cultivation level grows, the Third Layer Technique will improve. But how much it improves depends on two things: your talent and your comprehension.
"When you use this Technique, you need courage and imposing momentum. Concentrate your will on your feet, and focus your strength there as well. Even if thousands of soldiers and horses stand before you, you must believe you can stomp out a bloody path!
"Many Cultivators in our Taoist Sect fail to learn the Trample Over Thousands of Rivers Technique. If they can’t master this Third Layer Technique, they cannot ascend to the Fourth Layer. That’s why Fourth Layer Cultivators in our sect are so rare.
"Moreover, even if you learn this Technique, you must be cautious when using it. The Trample Over Thousands of Rivers Technique consumes a tremendous amount of energy. We Traveling Cultivators have excellent endurance, but if you use your full strength in this one stomp, you’ll expend half your energy.
"Only use your full strength in desperate situations. If you do, never use it fully a second time in quick succession. How to release and retract its power depends on your own skill."
Li Banfeng stood up, thanked the Coachman, and bowed deeply.
"We’ve eaten our fill. It’s time to get back in the carriage," the Coachman said as he prepared to pull it.
Li Banfeng didn’t get in. "Senior, I don’t feel right letting you pull me. I’ll walk the rest of the way myself. Could you please give me some guidance on the Fourth Layer Technique? We can discuss the price."
The Coachman laughed. "Young brother, Techniques are the foundation of a Cultivator’s survival. I’m teaching you not just for two Elixirs; I truly value the bond between fellow sect members.
"You directly asked me about the Third Layer Technique, so I guessed you’ve already reached the Second Layer. It makes me happy to see a rare talent like you emerge in our Taoist Sect.
"If it were someone from another sect, I wouldn’t share the Technique with them even if they placed a Golden Mountain before me. Doing so would be like severing the lifeline of all Traveling Cultivators.
"Now that you’ve learned the Third Layer Technique from me, you shouldn’t tell anyone else, though I can’t control what you say. As for Techniques beyond the Third Layer, don’t ask about them anymore. When you’re close to reaching the Fourth Layer—if you’re still alive by then—I’ll tell you.
"Remember what I told you before: as Traveling Cultivators, we roam and venture through countless mountains and waters. Every step must be taken with extreme caution."
Li Banfeng didn’t dare to press further and stood up to say goodbye.
The Coachman waved his hand. "You’ve already paid the fare, and I must take you to your destination. Get in the carriage quickly. I have my rules."
Throughout the rest of the journey, the Coachman continued to pull the carriage at the same pace, taking Li Banfeng all the way to the entrance of the New Land by the Sanpan River.
The Sanpan River was a river that flowed according to a schedule.
Why was it said to flow according to a schedule?
It was because its waters changed every eight hours, three times a day, hence the name Sanpan River.
From 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., the Sanpan River was very mild. The water murmured, was only knee-deep, and no different from an ordinary stream.
From 4:00 p.m. to midnight, the water would suddenly dry up, leaving not a single drop. There wasn’t even mud in the river channel. Besides some traces of water erosion, it looked no different from ordinary flat land.
After midnight, huge waves would surge in, and the river would suddenly flood, reaching a depth of five to six meters and submerging the land on both banks.
Fortunately, the Sanpan River was not long. It flowed for less than thirty miles before disappearing into underground caves.
But no one could withstand the daily flooding. Consequently, there were no residents near the Sanpan River, and few people came to this New Land to clear wilderness or hunt.
The best way to enter the Sanpan River area was to wait until the water receded and then walk upstream along the dry riverbed.
One could also walk through the wilderness on either side of the river. However, these areas teemed with fierce beasts. If one was too slow, they could be trapped when the river flooded, unable to advance or retreat, which would be very troublesome.
Li Banfeng arrived at the riverbed just at 8:00 p.m. It was precisely when the river was dry, so he had plenty of time.
He hurried along, and in less than half an hour, Li Banfeng had entered the New Land proper.
After walking another fifteen miles upstream along the dry riverbed, Li Banfeng saw a mountain.
According to the map, this mountain was called Bloody Fang Mountain. To reach Hai Chi Ridge, the first obstacle was to cross Bloody Fang Mountain.
Li Banfeng was looking for a path up the mountain when he suddenly heard someone behind him say, "Traveler, you can’t climb this mountain. This is the territory of the Lin Li Blood Fang Monster. If you encounter it, not even your bones will be left."
PS: Bloody Fang Mountain is a particularly interesting place.