Hong Ying was taken aback: "Which esteemed personage is so generous?"
The phonograph slapped Hong Ying’s peach: "Why do you have so much to say?"
If Li Banfeng wanted to speak, he would directly name that esteemed person, but since he didn’t want to, the phonograph never asked more; it was the tacit understanding between the couple.
"Husband, do you wish to advance above the clouds at the Pine Bridge, or return to your own territory?"
Li Banfeng replied: "Is it possible to have both territories?"
"If it’s possible, of course, it would be ideal, but the key is where to advance. If we choose our own territory, Li Furong is a name you recognize, but if we choose Pine Bridge, do you recognize the name Li Yi?"
Li Banfeng nodded: "I recognize that name too."
"How many contract books does Pine Bridge have?"
"Two."
The phonograph pondered for a moment: "In that case, advancing at Pine Bridge might be more prudent. At least the Inner State won’t interfere, and even if something goes wrong at Pine Bridge, we can retreat to our own territory as a fallback. There’s a station there, Old Man can return in the blink of an eye.
Husband, if you wish to advance at Pine Bridge, you must become familiar with the territory. Do you remember when Qiu Luoye passed three thresholds?
Jumping over the Tenth Layer, forcibly ascending above the clouds, the soul will waver, just as when Qiu Luoye did. To stabilize the soul, you must rely on your own territory as a foundation; the more familiar you are with the territory, the steadier your soul will be.
Husband still has ample time; in these days, not only should you become familiar with the territory, but you should also learn about its customs,
Proper Land and New Land are different. To hold the human energy, you must first grasp the local customs and practices."
Li Banfeng nodded: "The tasks your wife has given, I will surely accomplish. However, I am only at the Eighth Layer cultivation level now, a bit far from being above the clouds."
Heh heh~
The phonograph laughed: "Beloved husband, don’t worry about the cultivation level. Little Servant will find a suitable day to naturally bring you to the Ninth Layer. In the next couple of days, consume some Gold Yuan Pills, but don’t overindulge; you should know the appropriate measure."
The phonograph was reminding Li Banfeng that the Traveling Cultivator had already reached the Ninth Layer and to take more elixirs to bring him closer to the Tenth Layer.
Speaking of elixirs, Li Banfeng thought of the coachman, and wondered how far his refinement had progressed.
In the Ninth Room, Red Lotus gave Li Banfeng some assurance: "The elixir is still being refined; it’s estimated that two Xuanyun Pills can be produced."
Previously, seven were stored, and now two more have been refined. Adding the one given by Zheng Siyi, there are ten Xuanyun Pills in total.
Upon reaching above the clouds, Xuanyun Pills will play an important role.
Li Banfeng entrusted all the Xuanyun Pills to his wife for safekeeping. The phonograph looked at the elixir given by Zheng Siyi: "This one’s color is lacking. Little Servant will keep it for you for now, and we can discuss it when there are truly not enough elixirs."
...
At the Lu Family Bookstore, Sun Tiecheng stayed from morning until evening. Many customers visited, yet Boss Lu was nowhere to be seen.
Sun Tiecheng wasn’t in a hurry and just sat behind the counter. When someone bought a book, he collected the money according to the price, offering discounts for bulk purchases, and conducted business happily.
As it got dark, Sun Tiecheng chuckled: "Zhou Badou, the old rogue, must have run away. Will anyone else show up?"
After waiting over an hour and seeing no one, a gust of Yin energy drifted in from the entrance.
It was two Ghost Servants.
"It’s good that you came, come and sit for a moment." Sun Tiecheng called the two Ghost Servants next to him and started small talk, "It must have been a tiring journey, right? Have you eaten dinner? When did you arrive at Pine Bridge..."
Soon after, the two Ghost Servants exited the bookstore, floated across two streets, and approached Gui Jianchou, the Smiling Ghost King, whispering: "The Drachma Calligrapher is in his bookstore."
Gui Jianchou smiled: "Zhou Badou has come too, does he also fancy Pine Bridge? Who does he plan to give this place to?"
The two Ghost Servants remained silent; it wasn’t a question they could answer.
Gui Jianchou led a group of Ghost Servants and proceeded into the bookstore, seeing Zhou Wencheng, the Drachma Calligrapher, arranging the bookshelves.
Gui Jianchou clasped his fists: "Brother Zhou, you arrived a step earlier."
Zhou Wencheng did not turn around: "Didn’t you also come?"
Gui Jianchou laughed: "You know my nature; we can make peace to gain wealth; we absolutely don’t let our faces turn red in conflict. If you really want this territory, I’ll let it go to you; but if there’s room for negotiation, please name your price."
Zhou Wencheng snorted: "What price are you talking about? What do you intend to do? With your cultivation level today, do you still dare to come and seize territories? This clearly breaks the rules. Aren’t you afraid of the Peddler retaliating?"
Gui Jianchou said: "How can this be called seizing territory? If the Local Deity were alive, and I came to interfere, that would be called seizing territory; the Local Deity is already dead, and I’m here to take over. This is helping the Peddler to guard the territory. Isn’t Old Xu guarding Medicine King Valley? I’m the same, doing a good deed."
Zhou Wencheng wiped the bookshelf: "Enough with the nice words. Who do you plan to give Pine Bridge to?"
Gui Jianchou said: "That’s not for you to worry about. I’ll say it again: if business can’t be discussed, I’ll leave immediately. If business can be discussed, let me know what you think Pine Bridge is worth, just name your price."
Zhou Wencheng thought for a moment: "I truly don’t know what Pine Bridge is worth; do you remember the value of Fool’s City back then?"
Gui Jianchou was startled, staring at Zhou Wencheng for a moment.
Is this Zhou Wencheng?
He looks very much like it, but somehow not quite like it.
Something’s wrong!
Seems just a facade!
This is the Foolish Cultivation Technique!
Gui Jianchou rose and headed for the door.
"Zhou Wencheng" said: "That place looks like a door, but it isn’t a door."
Gui Jianchou didn’t go out, turning towards the window instead.
"Zhou Wencheng" said: "That place looks like a window, but it isn’t a window."
Gui Jianchou didn’t exit again. He became incorporeal, attempting to wall-walk.
This was a last-resort measure. Wall-walking wasn’t difficult for Gui Jianchou, but what lay beyond the wall was uncertain.