"Doesn’t this characteristic seem familiar? Doesn’t it remind you of a contagious disease, or perhaps my Taoist Sect’s Ancestral Master? The disease he inflicted also has no cure."
Li Banfeng nodded slightly. Considering this characteristic alone, there were indeed some similarities.
Cui Tiq continued, "But there is one thing that needs to be verified: whether the Ancestral Master or the Knife Labor Ghost came first.
Puluo State has no complete history, and its historical stories often lack a clear timeline. This is very similar to my homeland; depriving people of their history is an effective way to strip their souls. However, based on a rough estimate from some documents, I believe Knife Ghost Ridge appeared before my Taoist Sect’s Ancestral Master."
Li Qi said, "So, you believe your Taoist Sect’s Ancestral Master was a Knife Labor Ghost, not the Greenwater Beggar?"
Cui Tiq pondered for a moment and said, "That explanation is still inaccurate. The Knife Labor Ghosts possess a special ability. This power originates from the Rabies Virus they carry, and the power of the Rabies Virus, in turn, comes from Dark Matter.
From this perspective, the Knife Labor Ghosts can be called Dark Energy Users—very primitive ones. However, they are still far from what constitutes the Taoist Sect. In my homeland, there are many such Dark Energy Users. They are called Wizards. They possess Dark Abilities but cannot use them freely; they require many complex rituals.
I know a witch who, to use Wall-Penetrating Sorcery, had to prepare rituals for two full days. For you, however, it was merely a simple application of a Fourth Level Technique of Traveling Cultivator.
The Wizards of my homeland have no concept of the Taoist Sect, much less mature techniques. When hunted, they had few means of resistance.
Who exactly created the Taoist Sect, and who is the progenitor of Disease Cultivation? That is the key question."
Cui Tiq’s description reminded Li Banfeng of what Ling Miaosheng had said about the Inner Amikan Country. At the moment, however, Li Banfeng was more concerned about another issue: "You’ve actually had your eye on Knife Ghost Ridge for a long time, haven’t you?"
Cui Tiq nodded.
"Was it you who moved Knife Ghost Ridge here?"
"I don’t have that kind of power."
Li Banfeng asked again, "You’ve definitely been to Knife Ghost Ridge before, haven’t you?"
Cui Tiq shook his head and said, "Knife Ghost Ridge is on Sheep Fork Mountain in Puluo State. Only a certain type of person can ascend Sheep Fork Mountain."
"What kind of person?"
"Those who can find the entrance to Sheep Fork Mountain. Sheep Fork Mountain belongs to Proper Land. Proper Land has three main divisions: the Front Third Division, the Middle Third Division, and the Last Third Division. Besides these nine parts of land, there is also one part of Unclear Land. Sheep Fork Mountain belongs to this Unclear Land."
Li Banfeng was familiar with this concept; Ma Wu had mentioned it to him.
"Is Sheep Fork Mountain like Bitter Vegetable Manor?"
"It’s the same, yet not the same," Cui Tiq explained. "Sheep Fork Mountain and Bitter Vegetable Manor both belong to the Unclear Land; in this respect, they are the same. However, Bitter Vegetable Manor has entrances everywhere; every territory in Puluo State can reach Bitter Vegetable Manor.
Sheep Fork Mountain is the opposite. It has no entrances—or rather, no entrances reachable by normal means. As for why an entrance has appeared in this New Land, I can’t figure that out either."
As he said this, Cui Tiq suddenly laughed.
Li Banfeng knew why Cui Tiq laughed and said, "Never mind why. This entrance is to your liking, isn’t it? You can go explore the origins of the Taoist Sect."
Cui Tiq nodded and said, "My luck is indeed good. But if I truly want to investigate thoroughly, I’ll still need the Local Deity’s help."
"What does this have to do with the Local Deity?"
Cui Tiq stood up, looking at the distant mountains. "The appearance of Knife Ghost Ridge is a good thing for others, but it’s a huge problem for the Local Deity. The Local Deity will soon seal the entrance to this mountain. When that happens, it will be difficult for me to go up.
Li Qi, I saved Chu Er’s life. Chu Er then saved your life. That’s equivalent to me saving your life. You have to help me with this."
"How can I help you?"
"Could you negotiate with the Local Deity? Ask for three days for me, allowing me to freely enter and exit Knife Ghost Ridge each day."
"Three days? You need that long?"
"I have no choice. The Knife Labor Ghosts on Knife Ghost Ridge only appear during thunderstorms. It’s impossible to predict which day it will rain."
WHOO-WHOO!
The train whistle sounded, urging Li Banfeng to hurry back.
Li Banfeng stood up. "I’ll go and ask for you, see if three days is possible."
As Li Banfeng passed Chu Er’s camp, he saw Chu Er packing.
Li Banfeng coughed and said, "You saved me just now. I haven’t thanked you yet."
"Don’t thank me. Go thank that Foreigner," Chu Er said. "A life for a life means we’re even."
"You’re leaving in such a hurry?" Li Banfeng asked, a rare question from him.
Chu Er kept his head down, packing his clothes. "Why wouldn’t I leave? I crossed the Boundary. My attempt to develop this land has failed. According to the rules of the New Land, I can’t develop land within a hundred-mile radius of here anymore."
"There might be room for discussion. I’ll talk to the Local Deity. You’ve been developing land here for what barely amounts to three days; maybe that can be taken into account."
Chu Er put down his clothes. "You know the Local Deity?"
"I guess we’re somewhat acquainted."
"Alright then, I’ll wait for your news."
Li Banfeng pulled his hat brim low and walked off.
Chu Er sat in his tent. Thinking of Li Qi’s demeanor just now, he couldn’t help but chuckle.
...
Back in the Portable Residence, the Phonograph was frantic. "Husband, did you go to Knife Ghost Ridge?!"
Li Banfeng was startled. "Beloved wife, how did you know? Even I didn’t realize I was on Knife Ghost Ridge! With the thunderstorms and Knife Labor Ghosts everywhere, I nearly lost my life!"