Xiao Genzi took out the Signal Firecracker and asked Ma Wu, "Should we tell Seventh Master?"
Ma Wu nodded.
Xiao Genzi broke open the Signal Firecracker. His luck was surprisingly good today; the first one ignited.
「」
Li Banfeng was idling in the wilderness. He found drawing incredibly difficult, let alone the prospect of later studying sculpture and pottery. He was pondering a quick learning method when he suddenly saw a flash of fire in the sky.
Li Banfeng sprinted toward the plot of land. Along the way, he saw the Light Halo in the sky.
Li Banfeng pulled out his pocket watch for a glance.
He had been so focused on learning the Fourth Layer Technique that he had forgotten about the time. The three-day land development period had already passed.
Li Banfeng ran faster and faster. By the time he reached the edge of the plot of land, he saw Ma Wu, covered in injuries, smiling at him.
The Light Halo around the plot of land was gone. The New Land had truly been developed.
Li Banfeng walked onto the plot of land, looked at Ma Wu, and they both laughed heartily.
"Brother!" Ma Wu called out hoarsely, "I made it!"
"You did it! Well done!" Li Banfeng shouted back, their laughter echoing across the wilderness for a long time.
「」
It took the three of them half a day to dig a well. Ma Wu lit a bonfire, and Li Banfeng drew a bucket of water, waiting for it to clear.
Xiao Genzi went to cultivate, carrying the bucket on his back. They had spent the past three days developing the land, and he urgently needed to replenish his Golden Juice.
The two men sat by the fire, drinking a few cups, when Ma Wu said to Li Banfeng, "Brother Li, how old are you this year?"
This question stumped Li Banfeng. He was an orphan and didn’t know his own birthday. Based on the welfare home’s records, he should be about twenty-two this year.
"Let’s just say twenty-two."
Ma Wu said, "I’m twenty-three, a year older than you. Calling you Brother Li always feels a bit formal. Can I call you Old Qi?"
Li Banfeng nodded. "Then from now on, I’ll call you Old Five."
"Old Qi, we’ve stumbled and crawled our way here together. I’ve always been a drag on you. Now that this wasteland is developed, I finally feel like I’m useful.
"In the future, we’ll build houses on this land, establish our foundation, do business, and advance our cultivation levels.
"With each of us having our own skills, we’ll develop several more plots of land, and we’ll certainly carve out our own domain!"
Li Banfeng had the same intention. Just as he was about to speak, he suddenly heard an angry shout by his ear: "Fie! You two shameless ones!"
The Local Deity quite admired Ma Wu. But when he heard these two planning to use this method to develop more plots of land, he couldn’t hold back his anger. He spat at them and then departed.
A downpour fell, dousing the bonfire.
The two men gathered some dry wood, ready to light a fire, when Li Banfeng’s ears twitched, and he looked into the distance.
With the help of his Silk-pulling Earrings, he heard the sound of a massive creature moving. The dry wood fell from his hands as Li Banfeng shouted, "Old Five, bleed!"
Straw Moth Lady was here! Just hearing the sound of her crawling made Li Banfeng find it hard to speak clearly.
Ma Wu stood in front of Li Banfeng, calm and collected. "Don’t panic," he said. "Leave it to me."
Li Banfeng replied, "It was always meant for you to handle. This is your plot of land, hurry up and bleed!"
According to the Local Deity’s covenant, Ma Wu bleeding would signify seeking the Local Deity’s protection. If Straw Moth Lady forced her way in, the Local Deity was obligated to protect Ma Wu.
But Ma Wu had no intention of bleeding.
He stood on the edge of the plot of land, waiting for Straw Moth Lady to appear.
"Brother, I won’t be a drag on you anymore!" Ma Wu’s expression was unwaveringly resolute until Straw Moth Lady’s form came into view.
Straw Moth Lady looked at Ma Wu, paused for a moment, her body trembled, and she suddenly retreated, saying, "Little Brother, I’ve wandered into the wrong place. It’s dark; I didn’t see the road clearly.
"I’m not here to find you, truly not. I’m leaving now, leaving immediately..."
Watching Straw Moth Lady flee, Li Banfeng was utterly puzzled.
But what happened next puzzled him even more.
Ma Wu leaped up and landed on Straw Moth Lady’s back.
Straw Moth Lady wailed, "No, absolutely not! I really can’t today, Little Brother! I realize my mistake; I truly took the wrong path. Please spare me..."
The power the Local Deity had lent Ma Wu had already been withdrawn. Ma Wu wasn’t that strong at the moment.
But Straw Moth Lady was very frightened. Shaking her body frantically, she ran wildly, trying to throw Ma Wu off.
But Ma Wu sat firmly, entirely at ease.
Watching the dust fly all around, Li Banfeng stood dumbfounded within the plot of land.
PS: This battle was very important for Ma Wu. He was Ban Feng’s brother, not his burden.
Straw Moth Lady didn’t like to kill but enjoyed playing with people. This time, she got more than she bargained for.