"The House Spirit was really good to me, very good. After I came to Iron Gate Fort and settled down, the House Spirit guided me in my cultivation practice. It said that Iron Gate Fort had changed. It wasn’t the same as before, but it was still livable. It told me I had good talent but was just too honest. After practicing for over a decade, it helped me reach the Fourth Layer."
That’s the trouble with Home Cultivation. If you find a House Spirit that matches you well, your cultivation level grows rapidly, but if you clash with your House Spirit, you might stagnate for decades.
Old Lady Han is one example, Old Hu Tou is another.
"What’s the highest level of cultivation achieved by home cultivators in Iron Gate Fort?"
Wu Yongchao answered without hesitation, "It’s the Fourth Layer. We can’t go any higher. If anyone reaches a higher level, they can’t stay in the fort."
"Who made this rule?"
"It’s Lord Zhou of the Fortress’s rule. He said that Iron Gate Fort provides for the incapable home cultivators, but those who are capable should set out to make their own way and not linger here for an entire lifetime."
"Home cultivators don’t relocate easily. Once their cultivation reaches the Fifth Layer, can they still be forced out?"
Wu Yongchao shook his head. "No need to force. Home cultivators care about their reputation. We never cause trouble for others. If someone tells us to leave, we just leave. If worst comes to worst, we’ll have one last fight with our own home.
"The year before last, Old Wang, who lived diagonally across from me, reached the Fifth Layer. The Fortress Lord personally visited to persuade him to leave, and he agreed.
"He fought with his House Spirit and home for three full days and ultimately died inside his home. He told me that rules are rules, and there’s nothing to complain about."
Li Banfeng understood. It wasn’t that all home cultivators were unsuited for life outside; those who came here sought to avoid the tumult of the outside world. Their temperaments were among the simplest of all home cultivators. Though life was tough, there were far fewer unnecessary disputes here. Traders might take advantage of these honest folks, but it was still much better than them losing everything out there.
"Do you know what it’s like up on this cliff?"
Wu Yongchao shook his head. "Up on the cliff is the mountaintop. What else could there be?"
"Then, do you usually go out?"
"You mean out of the house door, or the main iron gate? We generally don’t go out of the main iron gate..."
According to Wu Yongchao, other home cultivators were in a similar situation. They rarely went out or mingled, keeping their distance from the outside world as much as possible.
As he spoke, a knock on the door resounded once more.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
Wu Yongchao looked at Li Banfeng.
Wu Yongchao went to check the door, but Li Banfeng stopped him.
He signaled Wu Yongchao to stay quiet.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Are you asleep? It’s me, Ma Dingfu! I’ve come to talk to you about money!"
Wu Yongchao moved to open the door but was once again stopped by Li Banfeng.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
"Sleeping like the dead, are you? Let me tell you, don’t play dumb! You owe Old Hu a life, and I’ll come find you tomorrow!"
Ma Dingfu left.
Wu Yongchao was deeply ashamed.
"This is my fault, all my fault. I sold the house. No matter what, I have to gather enough money."
Li Banfeng looked into Wu Yongchao’s eyes. "Brother, it’s not your fault. From beginning to end, none of it is your fault.
"Remember, from now on, unless you hear me knock, you are not to leave this home—not even one step!"
*PS: There are some things Ban Feng understands only half of. The other half hides beneath the mask, and he must personally unveil it!*