While no territory lacks monstrous beasts, not all ventures face monstrous beast trials. Some pioneers opt for remote locations with sparse monster populations. Combined with the pioneers' own formidable strength, most monstrous beasts shy away from risking their lives for mere cultivation levels. Even when local deities exert pressure, they still prefer to abstain.
Three days passed, concluding the examination. No monstrous beasts appeared for combat, yet the pioneering effort was deemed successful because the territory understood the underlying reason.
"Seventh Master, I did not observe any monstrous beasts in your designated plot. However, it's not that no one came for the examination. Wandering monsters arrived, not to cause mayhem, but for the assessment. To deny them participation would be deliberate deception, a move the territory would not permit."
Li Banfeng listened with rapt attention, the cook's explanations offering him a fresh perspective on territories, local deities, and pioneers.
Upon reflection, Li Banfeng found these concepts strangely familiar, though he couldn't pinpoint the exact reason.
The territory recognizes the local deity, who, alongside the territory, safeguards the pioneers. This resembles the dynamic of a house, its spirit, and the practitioners within...
While Li Banfeng remained lost in thought, Weng Fangqu stealthily entered the territory unnoticed.
"Esteemed guests, you have endured hardship. Please, be seated." Weng Fangqu wiped a patch on the green stone slab with his sleeve.
Just as the trio of three-headed individuals began to sit, Li Banfeng interjected, "You cannot sit! They have arrived to examine you!"
The twenty-five three-headed beings suddenly comprehended. Weng Fangqu shot Li Banfeng a glare before engaging the trio.
Despite their physical advantage, the three-headed individuals possessed limited combat experience, their techniques rudimentary and reliant on sheer force. The skirmish lasted less than ten minutes. Six of the three-headed beings, having inadvertently sustained three strikes from Weng Fangqu, were incapacitated and could only observe from the sidelines.
He Yuxiu watched anxiously, fearing that at this rate, the three-headed people stood little chance of prevailing.
Li Banfeng, however, remained unperturbed. Worrying would not alter the situation, nor could he intervene.
He retrieved two Gold Yuan Pills from his satchel and offered them to the cook.
The cook was taken aback; the offering was extraordinarily valuable.
"Seventh Master, I cannot possibly accept this..."
"Take it, my friend." Li Banfeng surveyed the pioneers' predicament and the five thousand three-headed people awaiting water. It was evident the Inner State had implemented another stringent measure.
The Inner State provided Li Banfeng with no monstrous beasts in this new territory, thereby legitimizing the arrival of wandering monsters for examinations.
The combat prowess of wandering monsters is exceptionally high, making pioneering new lands exceedingly difficult.
Should Li Banfeng attempt to borrow wandering monsters from neighboring territories, none would dare comply. If another's monstrous beasts were to appear, their local deity would inevitably offend the Inner State.
If Li Banfeng were to transport wandering monsters from his own domain, it would risk exposing his new land. Subsequently, the Inner State would undoubtedly investigate Li Furong, possibly leading to repercussions for Li Banfeng through the Contract Book governing the new territory.
This presented a formidable predicament.
Amidst his deep contemplation, the battle had already concluded. Within half an hour, all twenty-five three-headed individuals had been subdued by Weng Fangqu.
Weng Fangqu acted with considerable restraint, employing his Feng Cultivation Technique to manage the twenty-five combatants, allowing them to depart the territory of their own accord without fatalities. Although a few who resisted fiercely sustained injuries from Weng Fangqu, they were not grave.
Weng Fangqu demonstrated remarkable skill, avoiding the ire of Li Banfeng and He Yuxiu while simultaneously enhancing his cultivation.
A harrier soared overhead. Weng Fangqu glanced up, observing the bird circle the plot three times before he exited the area.
His successful defeat of the pioneers this time was recorded by the harrier, which would then report to Rong Si Jiao, ensuring Weng Fangqu received his rewards.
Weng Fangqu had the option to remain for further examination opportunities or depart victoriously.
However, the elder, displaying considerable astuteness, opted to defer the decision to the local deity: "My Lady, this is the extent of my efforts. I still hope to earn a meal here. Will you show me favor?"
He Yuxiu felt a strong urge to reprimand him, definitively refusing to permit any further examinations.
On the other hand, Li Banfeng wished to retain Weng Fangqu, as his departure might invite other unusual monsters. These new arrivals, unlike Weng Fangqu, might not exercise such restraint, potentially engaging in fights that involved outright killing rather than mere competition.
The cook, Brother Chu, perceived Li Banfeng's concerns. Having already accepted two Gold Yuan Pills, he felt a sense of obligation and eagerly offered his assistance: "Seventh Master, these pioneers possess certain potential. They merely lack refinement in their combat techniques. With some guidance, they could contend with wandering monsters."
Li Banfeng expressed his delight, "Brother Chu, your help is greatly appreciated."
The cook nodded, "Since Seventh Master places his trust in me, allow me to outline my thoughts. Firstly, we should cease creating plots of just one mile. Instead, we ought to start with areas at least three miles in size."
"The cultivation level of these wandering monsters is above the Fifth Layer. Fighting them for a mere one-mile plot is hardly worthwhile. Our first priority should be expanding the pioneering land to three to five miles. This would allow us to face only one or two wandering monsters at a time, making the encounters manageable for the pioneers while ensuring the territory's needs are met."
A one-mile plot equates to a single square. A three-mile plot expands to nine such squares, and a five-mile plot encompasses twenty-five squares.
The cook had struck a crucial point: engaging wandering monsters should yield more than just a single square of territory. The effort must be commensurate with the reward!
The cook continued, "Secondly, we must ensure these pioneers grasp the fundamentals of combat. Currently, they tend to charge headlong into battles."
"This direct approach might be effective against creatures like bagworm moths, whose brute strength can be countered by the pioneers' own forceful attacks. However, it proves entirely inadequate against opponents such as Weng Fangqu."