Xiao Genzi looked at Li Qi’s tent and asked in a low voice, "Where did Seventh Master go? I have a feeling he’s not in his tent."
Ma Wu replied, "Seventh Master loves peace and quiet, so you’d best not disturb him. Get some rest. We still need to push on tomorrow."
"You get some rest, Master Wu, but I can’t," Xiao Genzi said. "You keep saying there are good materials everywhere, but after walking all day, I’ve only found two pieces."
Ma Wu knew cultivation wasn’t easy and reminded him, "Don’t go too far, and don’t stay up too late. Just look around nearby. If you really can’t find anything, forget it. I’ll cover you with an elixir."
At noon the next day, the three of them arrived at the bank of the Iron Thread River. They stood there silently for a long while without speaking.
The Iron Thread River was gone.
Only the bare riverbed remained, with not a single Iron Thread Worm in sight.
Xiao Genzi poked the riverbed with his spoon and asked, "Master Wu, do you think those worms are all underground?"
The soil of the riverbed was somewhat loose. Li Banfeng didn’t dare to approach recklessly. Ma Wu was also unsure what had happened. Then, they saw a large egret slowly stepping across the riverbed. It left behind a steaming pile before flapping its wings and flying away gracefully.
"Good stuff!" Xiao Genzi recognized its quality by the shape and charged toward it with his spoon.
Ma Wu couldn’t stop him and shouted, "Don’t be rash! Watch your step!"
Xiao Genzi skillfully scooped the pile into his bucket. His feet made prints on the riverbed, but he saw no worms.
Li Banfeng took a tentative step onto the riverbed but sensed no danger.
He crossed the riverbed without incident, with Ma Wu following closely behind.
Xiao Genzi, holding his spoon and wearing a simple smile, said, "Everyone says this path is tough, but it wasn’t so bad after all!"
Li Banfeng sighed to himself.
When they reached the Little Yellow River, Ma Wu became even more cautious, and Li Banfeng didn’t dare put down his feather duster for a moment.
Xiao Genzi, looking nonchalant with his spoon in hand, led the way.
A group of Lost Souls had always protected Li Banfeng, but they scattered when they saw Xiao Genzi approaching.
It wasn’t that they couldn’t beat him; they simply didn’t want to provoke him.
Their journey became even smoother, and the three quickly arrived at the New Land Li Banfeng had pioneered.
There was a faint light in the sky, and spring water bubbled from the ground below.
Ma Wu chuckled. "It’s truly been developed."
He quickly took out the table for offering, placed the offerings on it next to Li Banfeng’s plot, and prepared to develop another piece of wasteland.
The offering was still just a bottle of wine. Li Banfeng frowned. "So stingy! Put out a few more bottles. Let’s get a larger plot!"
Ma Wu shook his head. "I’m not greedy. One square li is enough for me."
"Just listen to me," Li Banfeng insisted. "Leave the development to me."
Seeing Li Banfeng’s confidence, Ma Wu was tempted. He was about to take out more bottles of wine when he suddenly noticed that the bottle on the table for offering was already empty.
The Local Deity had accepted the wine.
Ma Wu scanned his surroundings and noticed the plot hadn’t lit up.
Just as Ma Wu was about to ask, Li Banfeng signaled him to keep quiet.
The Local Deity was right next to the table for offering. Li Banfeng could see him.
Li Banfeng removed his top hat, bowed slightly, and said, "You’ve already accepted the offering. Isn’t it time to grant the plot of land?"
A green flame circled Li Banfeng twice slowly, without responding.
Li Banfeng frowned. "Taking someone’s offering and giving nothing in return—is that really proper?"
The Local Deity hovered above Li Banfeng’s head and retorted, "TUI! Shameless!"
Ma Wu, lacking the Techniques of Insightful Spirit Sound and Golden Gaze Autumn Hair, couldn’t hear the Local Deity’s voice nor see its appearance. He only saw rain falling over Li Banfeng’s head.
Li Banfeng wiped his face. "Why are you still holding such a grudge? Tell me, what exactly do you want?"
The Local Deity issued a divine decree: The land could be granted, but there were three conditions.
First: Li Banfeng was not allowed to take the land or develop it.
Second: Ma Wu’s plot could not be adjacent to Li Banfeng’s plot.
Third: During the development period, Li Banfeng must not appear within a hundred-li radius.
Li Banfeng said angrily, "What kind of deep grudge do you have against me?"
Why was the Local Deity so wary of Li Banfeng?
It was because the Local Deity worried Li Banfeng would help Ma Wu cheat.
The Local Deity didn’t know what method Li Banfeng had used last time. He only knew that for three days, he had been completely unable to sense Li Banfeng’s presence.
Such a person had to be kept far away from the Pioneer; otherwise, the plot of land would be as good as given away for free.
After relaying the three divine decrees, Li Banfeng advised Ma Wu, "Let’s just forget it this time. I’m afraid you won’t be able to manage the development alone."
After some hesitation, Ma Wu said, "Brother Li, I want to give it a try."
Xiao Genzi, spoon in hand, was very supportive of Ma Wu. "Seventh Master," he said, "I’ll go with Master Wu. You can rest assured."
Li Banfeng looked at Xiao Genzi. "Brother, you’re only at the First Layer, right? If something really happens, how much help can you actually be?"
Xiao Genzi puffed out his chest and said, "I’ve saved Master Wu’s life before. I’m a capable person too!"
Ma Wu was also insistent. "Brother Li, just let the two of us try. If it really doesn’t work out, we’ll just run. At worst, it’ll just be a failed development attempt."
Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and asked, "Did you bring the Signal Firecrackers?"
Xiao Genzi took out five Signal Firecrackers. "Got them," he said, "but I’m not sure if they’ll actually go off."
In Puluo State, gunpowder was often unreliable.
Li Banfeng cautioned them, "If you really run into trouble, head for my land. The moment I see a Signal Firecracker, I’ll rush back immediately."
Ma Wu nodded and promised repeatedly.
Li Banfeng truly didn’t understand.