This fellow seems quite aware of the current situation.
Li Banfeng inquired, "How did you die?"
"I was combating pest infestation at Hai Chi Ridge, made a mistake, intended to escape far away, and was ambushed by He Haiqin and He Haisheng; I met my end at their hands."
"After your demise, why did your soul venture to Inner State? Was it to enhance your cultivation level and exact revenge on the He Family brothers?"
Lu Dongjun shook his head and stated, "I didn't seek revenge; dead is dead, I've come to terms with it, and I let it go.
I didn't plan to journey to Inner State; I simply wished to find a place for reincarnation. Following my death, my soul instinctively followed a vast road, a path trodden by many others.
I asked them where the road led, and they informed me it was Yellow Springs Road, urging me to hasten, lest I miss the reincarnation hour.
I proceeded with haste and arrived at a location where I encountered He Haiqin's father, He Caiyuan.
He Caiyuan had passed away many years ago, and upon inquiring why he hadn't yet reincarnated, he revealed that he held an official position in the underworld, thus exempting him from the cycle of reincarnation.
I attempted to ingratiate myself with him and requested a similar official post. He declared my cultivation level insufficient, advising me to cultivate there for a few years for a potential opportunity.
Several Lost Souls journeying with me overheard this and promptly disclosed their cultivation levels: one at the Third Layer, another at the Fifth Layer, and a third at the Seventh Layer.
He Caiyuan declared their cultivation levels inadequate and that they all required further cultivation. I found it peculiar that all these individuals possessed cultivation levels.
Later, He Caiyuan announced it was time for cultivation and led us towards a kiln. I sensed this kiln was no auspicious place, so I attempted to escape, and others fled alongside me.
He Caiyuan possessed formidable skills; with a single action, he subdued us all and cast us into the kiln.
Within the kiln, those with lesser cultivation levels dissolved into water with alarming speed. I endured for a considerable duration, yet nearing my end, with portions of my body melting, a high-level being intervened and rescued me."
Li Banfeng pressed, "What sort of high-level being was it?"
Lu Dongjun shook his head and replied, "I never glimpsed the high-level being's appearance; only his voice reached me. He instructed me that survival depended on breaking out of the kiln."
That moment, I truly risked my existence, utilizing nearby Lost Souls as implements to breach a hole in the kiln.
The high-level being, perhaps perceiving some capability within me, employed a certain method to ensnare He Caiyuan's group, thereby facilitating my escape from the kiln.
Subsequently, this high-level being continued to guide me from obscurity, advising me to seek refuge in a desolate mountain. I remained there for an extended period; he would occasionally communicate with me but never revealed himself.
I inquired if he had managed to escape the underworld; he informed me that I had never truly been to the underworld; this realm was Inner State, and I had not escaped. He conveyed that he himself had been confined within Inner State for many years without any means of escape.
I remained perplexed and posed a question to the high-level being: was it not the case that one required a cultivation level at the Tenth Layer to enter Inner State for cultivation?
The high-level being clarified that reaching the Tenth Layer was not for the purpose of cultivation in Inner State; rather, they were sent there for labor, essentially serving as mere brick carriers."
Journeying to Inner State for labor at the Tenth Layer; Li Banfeng was acquainted with this information.
"But why did you proceed to Inner State before attaining the Tenth Layer?"
"To make bricks," Lu Dongjun responded. "The high-level being apprised me that the kiln's purpose was for firing bricks, and any individual possessing cultivation, upon their demise, was destined for Inner State. Those lacking Tenth Layer cultivation were thrust into the kiln to become bricks."
Could such a thing truly exist?
Why had this never been brought to light before?
Shui Yongquan, Qiu Luoye, Meng Yuchun had all visited Inner State; why had none of them mentioned this?
Li Banfeng glanced back at the phonograph, and the phonograph responded, "Beloved husband, Little Servant has indeed heard similar conjectures but has not verified their authenticity. This likely pertains to a secret of Inner State, beyond the reach of ordinary individuals."
Could He Caiyuan not be an ordinary individual? Why possessed he the ability to access such a place?
Upon reflection, Chu Shaoqiang already held a certain standing within Inner State, and He Caiyuan's position surpassed Chu Shaoqiang's; his standing within Inner State was indeed exceptional.
Li Banfeng inquired once more, "How did you arrive in Inner State?"
Lu Dongjun explained, "I remained within the desolate mountain for the entirety of that period, and that high-level being periodically supplied me with Elixirs, which significantly bolstered my cultivation level.
Within the desolate mountain, the distinction between day and night was imperceptible; countless days elapsed before the high-level being abruptly instructed me to prepare for departure from Inner State."
My soul felt exhilarated; even as a wandering spirit, I felt no desire to return to that forsaken place. After two more days passed, the high-level being escorted me to a cliff face and waited patiently until it eventually cracked open.
He commanded me to enter the fissure; I complied and found myself amidst several 'Foreign Devils' engaged in chanting with a gathering of individuals.
I emerged from behind a sheet of glass, unfamiliar with their affiliations, and launched an assault. My recollection is of using shards of glass to dispatch a few and injuring others with my fists and feet before making my escape.
Later, I came to understand that the location was known as Outside Provinces. I joined other Lost Souls who journeyed here, and they identified this place as Rock Tower Village, a haven for the Lost Souls.
This locale is indeed advantageous, boasting abundant Yin Energy. My intention was to cultivate here for a period and then devise a means to return to Puluo State. Little did I foresee that numerous Nightmare Cultivators frequented this area to enlist Ghost Servants, and the Bird People had fixed their gaze upon me.
I genuinely wished to avoid conflict. My actions involved sparing many, allowing them to depart freely, yet I ultimately encountered your formidable group.
Now that I have disclosed all, might you grant me a chance at survival?"
Hong Ying scoffed, her tone dismissive. "Entering here, what chance do you imagine you have?"
Li Banfeng inquired, "Are you acquainted with the origins of that high-level being?"
"High-level being?" Lu Dongjun looked perplexed, not entirely grasping the question.
Li Banfeng elaborated, "The entity that descends upon Rock Tower Village on the sixth day of each month. A multitude arrives specifically to offer their veneration."
This matter was Li Banfeng's primary concern at present; he sought confirmation whether this high-level being was an emissary from the Heavens.
Lu Dongjun perceived Li Banfeng's underlying motive. "You refer to that individual. He is not some high-level being, but rather a Medical Cultivator who met his end many years ago.
Much like myself, he exists as a Lost Soul that has shed its physical form. His cultivation level, post-mortem, surpasses that which he attained in life.
He serves as a Ghost Servant to a Nightmare Cultivator, dispatched by them to Rock Tower Village to absorb some Yin Energy. Periodically, he tends to afflictions as a form of continued practice.
Those who petition for official positions or fortune and venerate the spirit in Rock Tower Village often find their pleas unheeded. However, individuals seeking medical remedies may find the Lost Soul amenable, and these interventions prove quite effective."
Merely a Medical Cultivator?
Li Banfeng deliberated for a moment before turning his gaze towards the phonograph.
Whoosh~
The phonograph exhaled, its voice tinged with realization. "Beloved husband, it appears we may have been overthinking the situation."
Li Banfeng shook his head, countering, "Not necessarily. It's possible we haven't been overthinking it, or perhaps Lu Er Young Master has withheld certain truths."
Lu Dongjun asserted, "What I have conveyed is the complete and unadulterated truth, without any hint of deception."
Li Banfeng addressed the phonograph, "Wife, we can ascertain the veracity of his statements gradually. The hour grows late; let us partake in our meal and then seek repose."
As the phonograph prepared to lift the needle, the Portable Residence interjected, "Ah Qi, would you discuss with your wife the possibility of forgoing a meal?"
Li Banfeng was momentarily startled. Could the Portable Residence harbor intentions of detaining Lu Dongjun?
The phonograph responded, "These are not ingredients of the highest caliber. Heed the Old Man's final decision."
The Portable Residence emitted a chuckle. "Very well, then. Entrust this individual to my care. I have a specific purpose for him."
PS: What possible use could keeping him serve?