The Overlord of Puluo

Old Mister Yao wanted Li Banfeng to go to the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs to deliver a prescription to Pan Dehai.

Before agreeing to the request, Li Banfeng asked, “Who is Pan Dehai?”

“He is the big ladle handle in the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs,” Old Mister Yao answered.

“Big ladle handle” should mean the local land deity, right? Li Banfeng thought.

The Ridge of Bottomless Stomachs’ big ladle handle is a Moralism Cultivator.

Is there an unavoidable connection between Moralism Cultivators and gluttons?

“What level is his cultivation at?”

This was something Li Banfeng had always been curious about, but after asking, he realised it was unlikely Old Mister Yao would answer. After all, if he were to reveal the local land deity’s cultivation level, it would be the same as revealing his own cultivation level.

Just as Li Banfeng had expected, Old Mister Yao did not state it plainly. “How high Pan Dehai’s cultivation level truly is, I cannot say for certain. But his level should not be below mine.”

Then Li Banfeng asked another question. “Why do you trust me?”

“I already explained why. You can pass through a New Land. That means you are a capable person. And your temperament matches mine well. I know you will not use my prescription to do evil. Well then, are you willing to go?”

The major aristocratic families were very likely going to stir up conflict at the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs, and Li Banfeng did not really want to get dragged into it.

However, that also depended on the price. Old Mister Yao offered a hefty reward.

With this wine gourd, it would be as if Li Banfeng had a distillery of his own. He could obtain Old Mister Yao’s medicinal liquor anytime, anywhere. Whether for setting fires or treating illness, this medicinal liquor was top-grade.

There was also the map. Not only could it take Li Banfeng back to Blue Poplar Village, but it could also let him travel to multiple places without a travel permit. In Puluo, this was an extremely rare treasure.

After weighing the pros and cons, Li Banfeng agreed to the business deal.

Then a map, a prescription, and a wine gourd appeared before Li Banfeng.

A woman’s cry rang from inside the wine gourd. “Good wine, such good wine!”

It truly is an enchanted artifact! But why is it a woman? Are there really women in this world who love wine to the point of obsession?

The items had been delivered in advance.

Li Banfeng hurriedly said, “Old Mister Yao, I do not have much cash on hand. I will send you the five hundred thousand shortly.”

Old Mister Yao did not care about such a small sum. “That is of no concern. First, memorize the route.”

The map on the table unfolded itself, and a trail of water appeared on it, carrying a strong scent of wine.

This watery trail covered Medicine King Gully, Greenwater Bay, Girdle-Slipping Hollow, the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs, Bitter Greens Manor, the Lowly Person’s Hillock, and Iron Gate Fort.

This was the route Old Mister Yao had drawn for Li Banfeng.

“There is more than one route you can take to get through the New Land, but you must remember this. You are to follow the route I have drawn. The other routes are too dangerous, and with your current level of ability, you cannot walk them. When you need to climb mountains, climb mountains. When you need to cross ridges, cross ridges. Do not take any detours. You must not take even one detour.”

“Old Mister Yao, once I reach the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs, how should I contact Pan Dehai?”

“First, use the prescription to make a few batches of insecticide. When you reach the disaster area, use it to kill some mosquitoes. Pan Dehai will see you do it. When the time comes, he will naturally appear and ask you for the prescription. It’s not an easy task for you to bring the prescription all the way there. He ought to give you a sum as thanks. As long as he brings it up, do not hold back; ask for a large amount. Cut him hard.

“But if he gives you an enchanted artifact, try your best to resell it. No matter how precious it is, do not grow attached to it. In the Outer Provinces, there is something called a recording device. You should have heard of it. The enchanted artifacts in his possession all have recording devices. If you are not careful, they could leak your secrets.”

Sell it?

Enchanted artifacts were not easy to resell, let alone things that could be sold off within a day or two.

Moreover, as long as Li Banfeng had an enchanted artifact, it had to go into the Pocket Dwelling. If this matter were leaked, Li Banfeng would suffer a tremendous loss.

If it really came down to it, he would forgo the enchanted artifact altogether and ask for money from Pan Dehai instead. That was the most practical option.

Old Mister Yao continued, “Pan Dehai has a silver tongue. He will probably make you plenty of promises. Just treat it as he’s talking out of his ass. If he turns hostile and lays a hand on you, tell him that injuring you means making an enemy of me. If he ever falls into my hands, I will collect this debt with interest!”

Li Banfeng agreed to do as Old Mister Yao said. The yellow paper turned to ash and dispersed into the air, cutting off the line of communication with Old Mister Yao.

Then Li Banfeng took one Golden Essence Pill and a Blue Poplar Pill. Adding in the cultivation progress time he had accumulated earlier while rushing through the New Land, he was less than half a year’s worth of cultivation away from reaching level three as a Wanderlust Cultivator.

After resting at the inn for more than five hours, Li Banfeng gradually started moving again. He returned to the Pocket Dwelling and fell into a deep sleep, making sure not to delay his cultivation as a Homebound Cultivator.

At eight in the morning the next day, Li Banfeng left the inn and first went to four different medicinal trading houses. He bought a pile of herbs from each one and had them ground up the herbs for him.

He deliberately avoided buying everything from a single shop, fearing the prescription might get leaked. To prevent that, Li Banfeng also bought many useless medicinal herbs and stored them in the Pocket Dwelling.

Returning to the inn, Li Banfeng prepared the insecticide according to Old Mister Yao’s prescription.

Was it really that simple to produce a concoction of herbs? Certainly not, as Li Banfeng was not a Medicine Cultivator.

Holding the prescription, he searched for each herb by name and weighed them out. Even after spending a long time on it, he still could not finish preparing even one dose.

The wine gourd hopped over in front of Li Banfeng. “Hey~ my little pal, come have a sip of wine. Warm yourself up and take a break.”

Li Banfeng sized up the gourd and asked, “Can your wine actually be drunk?”

“How could it not be drinkable? Listen to yourself. My wine treats illness, satisfies cravings, boosts virility, and drives out the cold. Being able to drink even one sip is your good fortune!”

Li Banfeng took a sip. The wine was surprisingly good.

“Little pal, you cannot make a concoction like this. If you weigh out all of the herbs one by one, you will exhaust yourself to death! Weigh what needs to be weighed. What does not need to be weighed, you should have a feel for it in your hands!”

The wine gourd helped Li Banfeng make the concoction while also feeding him wine.

The work was not tiring at all. In a single morning, they made over a hundred doses of insecticide.

The wine gourd possessed very high intelligence, clearly surpassing the Tang saber.

Once Li Banfeng was done making the insecticide, it was noon. Li Banfeng went to Yu’s Cloth Shop. The shop had not yet opened, and only Wang Xuejiao was watching the door.

Li Banfeng took out five hundred thousand Huan yuan in cash and had Wang Xuejiao deliver the money to Yu Nan, who would then pass it on to Old Mister Yao. He also gave Wang Xuejiao an extra two thousand as a thank you.

When Li Banfeng reached the intersection at Memorial Arch Street, he sensed that something good was about to happen, so he stopped and looked around.

He was looking for someone, the rickshaw driver with the fire wheels.

And Li Banfeng really did find him. The rickshaw driver with the fire wheels had only two waiting spots, one at the station and one in the Inner Gully. He was lying inside his rickshaw, asleep. Without looking closely, no one would even notice him.

Li Banfeng stepped forward and cautiously woke him.

The rickshaw driver rubbed his eyes, looked at Li Banfeng, and smiled. “Need a ride?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “To the New Land at Three-Shift River.”

“Three-Shift River? That far? Is it urgent?”

“Not urgent. We can take it slow.”

“How much are you paying?”

“Name your price.”

“If you are not in a hurry, it will take us half a day.”

“I will cover the meals.”

The rickshaw driver did some quick calculations and quoted a price. “Three thousand five hundred!”

Li Banfeng did not haggle and got straight into the rickshaw.

Although Li Banfeng had said it was not urgent, the rickshaw driver still pulled the rickshaw at great speed, as the destination was quite far away.

After leaving the Inner Gully and traveling for two hours, it was time for lunch.

Li Banfeng asked, “Should we find a place to eat, or just make do with something simple?”

“There’s no village up ahead and no eateries behind us. Where would we find a proper place to eat? Let’s just make do!” the rickshaw driver replied. He wiped his sweat and took out the flatbread he had brought.

He understood Li Banfeng’s intent. Spending that much money to ride his rickshaw meant he wanted to ask about cultivation.

Li Banfeng took out the several cans of food he had been carrying. They paired well with the flatbread. The two men chatted as they ate.

The rickshaw driver asked, “Are you going to a New Land to activate it?”

Li Banfeng shook his head. “I want to cultivate. Everyone says Wanderlust Cultivators advance their cultivation faster in New Lands.”

“Sure. Cultivation advances fast, but cultivators die fast too,” the rickshaw driver replied with a cold snort. “I really do not understand people like you. Why are you always thinking about risking your lives? Is it not better to cultivate steadily like me?”

“Speaking of cultivation, there is something I want to ask. What are the level-three Wanderlust abilities called?”

“Level three?” The rickshaw driver let out another cold snort. “It hasn’t been long since you reached level one, and you’re already thinking about level three?”

Li Banfeng explained, “Once I get into that New Land, I am planning to stay and cultivate there for over ten years. I figure I should be able to reach level three somehow. Wouldn’t it be a huge loss if I manage to reach level three but can’t learn the ability?”

The rickshaw driver sighed. “You think you can survive in a New Land for more than ten years? Where do you get the confidence to think so highly of yourself?”

Li Banfeng smiled. “That depends on luck and opportunity. Maybe I have an enduring life?”

The rickshaw driver shook his head. “If you asked about something else, I could tell you. But abilities are different. The price is not right. For the level-two ability, you would have to give me at least ten thousand. For level three, that is a whole separate matter.”

When I asked about level one in the past, he had only charged five hundred. Now, asking about the level two costs ten thousand. How much would he charge to give out information about level three? Would one hundred thousand be enough? Li Banfeng wondered.

One hundred thousand was actually reasonable. Level-two cultivators were far rarer than level-one cultivators, and level-three cultivators were even scarcer. Cultivators became increasingly secretive about their abilities as their level went up, so it made sense that the rickshaw driver would only sell the information at a much higher price.

Li Banfeng said, “Someone else has already told me about the level-two ability. I only want to ask about level three. The price can still be discussed.”

The rickshaw driver still refused. “This is not about money. Level-three Wanderlust Cultivators are extremely rare. How could I casually tell you about the level-three ability? Even if you gave me one hundred thousand—”

Li Banfeng took out two Mystic Blazing Pills and handed them to the rickshaw driver.

The rickshaw driver examined the quality of the Mystic Blazing Pills and put them away. “We belong to the same Daoist path. Seeing as you’ll be venturing into a New Land alone, I know it won’t be easy for you. I will give you a bit of guidance. The level-three ability of our Daoist path is called Treading Through Ten Thousand Rivers.”

What does Treading Through Ten Thousand Rivers mean?

Li Banfeng analyzed the name, taking the words literally. He asked, “Is this ability especially useful when passing over mountain ridges[1]?”

The rickshaw driver said nothing. He stood up, still eating from a can, and took a step forward.

Crack!

The loud sound that the rickshaw driver made when he slammed his foot onto the ground startled Li Banfeng so badly that he shuddered.

Right in front of the driver’s foot, a stone the size of a fist turned into dust. Li Banfeng was stunned. This ability was incredibly powerful.

The rickshaw driver looked down at Li Banfeng. “This is one of the most combat-oriented abilities in our Daoist path. Most of our abilities are not hard to learn, but the level-three ability is an exception. This one is extremely difficult.

“When you first get to level three, if you can crush a pebble the size of a fingertip, that shows you’re blessed. As your cultivation advances, the ability will improve, but how much it improves depends firstly on your talent and secondly on your grasp of the ability.

“When using this ability, you must have courage and resolve. Focus your intent on your foot and gather your strength there as well. Even if a thousand troops stand before you, you must believe you can tread a path through blood!

“Many cultivators of our Daoist path cannot learn Treading Through Ten Thousand Rivers. If they cannot master the level-three ability, they cannot advance to level four. That is why level-four cultivators are extremely rare in our Daoist path.

“Even after you learn this ability, you must use it cautiously. Treading Through Ten Thousand Rivers consumes an enormous amount of power. Wanderlust Cultivators have excellent endurance, but a single full-powered step will expend half of your power.

“So, unless absolutely necessary, do not use the ability with full power. Once you unleash it at full power, you must not use it a second time. How you release your power and how you rein it in depends on how skilled you are at controlling it.”

Li Banfeng stood up, rushed over to the rickshaw driver, and thanked him with a deep bow.

A new level-three cultivator could only crush a stone the size of a fingertip at best. Yet, the rickshaw driver had crushed a fist-sized stone with a single step, and he clearly had not used his full power. What did that mean? It meant the rickshaw driver’s cultivation level might be level five or even higher.

Upon knowing that he had received guidance from such a powerful person, Li Banfeng felt it was only right that he bow to the rickshaw driver to express his gratitude and respect.

“We’re done eating. Time to get going,” the rickshaw driver said as he got back into position to pull the rickshaw.

Li Banfeng, however, did not get into the rickshaw. “Senior, having you pull me makes me uneasy. I will walk the rest of the way myself. Could you give me some guidance on the level-four ability? The price can be discussed.”

Li Banfeng was preparing to take out a Purple Radiance Pill.

If the rickshaw driver looked down on it, Li Banfeng was even willing to take out a Golden Essence Pill.

The rickshaw driver laughed. “Little brother, abilities are the foundation of a cultivator’s survival. I did not teach you just for those two pills. I truly value the bond between fellow Wanderlust Cultivators. When you asked me point-blank about the level-three ability, I guessed you had already reached level two. I’m happy to see a prodigy like you emerge from our Daoist path. If it were someone from another Daoist path, I would not teach them the ability even if they piled a mountain of gold before me. Doing so would be tantamount to cutting off the Wanderlust Cultivators’ path of survival.

“You learned the level-three ability from me, and you should not share it with others. But I cannot control your mouth. As for the abilities beyond level three, do not ask again. I will tell you about them when you are close to reaching level four—if you are still alive by then, that is. Remember carefully what I told you earlier. Wanderlust Cultivators roam the world, crossing thousands of mountains and rivers. With every step you take, you must be ten thousand times more cautious.”

Li Banfeng did not dare to press further. He stood up and prepared to take his leave.

The rickshaw driver waved his hand and said, “You have already paid the fare. I must deliver you to your destination. Get in, and let’s get going. I have my rules about these things, and I intend to abide by them.”

Along the way, the rickshaw driver continued pulling the rickshaw at the same pace as before, escorting Li Banfeng all the way to the entrance of the Three-Shift River’s New Land.

The Three-Shift River was a river that flowed on a schedule.

Why was it said to be a river that flowed on a schedule?

It was because the river’s flow changed every eight hours, making a total of three times a day. That was the reason for its name, “Three-Shift River.”

From eight in the morning to four in the afternoon, the Three-Shift River would be extremely gentle. The water would babble softly, and for the average adult, the water level would only reach the knee. It would be no different from an ordinary creek.

From four in the afternoon to midnight, the river would suddenly dry up, leaving not a single drop of water behind. There would not even be muddy sludge left on the riverbed. Aside from faint traces left by flowing water, it would be no different from ordinary flat ground.

After midnight, massive waves would surge in, flooding the river. The water would reach a depth of five to six meters, submerging all the surrounding land on both banks.

Fortunately, Three-Shift River was not long. It ended above ground before it even reached fifteen kilometers, disappearing underground into subterranean cavities.

However, no one could withstand a flood that occurred once every day, so there were no residents near the Three-Shift River. It was due to this river that few people came to its New Land to activate land or hunt.

The best way to enter the Three-Shift River was to take advantage of the dry period and walk upstream along the riverbed.

It was possible to travel through the wasteland on both sides of the riverbank, but there were too many ferocious beasts near the river. Progress would be slow, and once the river flooded, retreating or advancing would be equally impossible, turning the situation dangerous.

When Li Banfeng reached the riverbed, it was just eight in the evening. The riverbed was dry, and there was still ample time.

Moving at a brisk pace, Li Banfeng entered the New Land in less than half an hour.

After walking another seven and a half kilometers upstream along the riverbed, Li Banfeng saw a mountain.

According to the map’s directions, this mountain was called Mount Bloodfang. He needed to cross it to get to the first stop on the way to the Ridges of Bottomless Stomachs.

Why does the name sound so ominous?

As Li Banfeng searched for a path up the mountain, he suddenly heard someone speak behind him. “Traveler, you cannot go up this mountain. Mount Bloodfang is the territory of the Dripper Bloodfang Monster. If you encounter it, there will be nothing left of you, not even your bones.”

1. Presumably he’s thinking the name means passing through mountain ridges like a river. ☜