Chapter 174: Feng Daiku's Secret Technique

"The south wind gently kisses my face, a strong fragrance of flowers drifts over. The south wind gently kisses my face, the stars are sparse, the moon is hazy. We cuddle close, our affection endless. We cuddle close, every word from our hearts…"

The Queen of Song, Jiang Mengting, was performing in the grand ballroom of the Paramount. She wore a sleeveless purple cheongsam, cinched incredibly tight at the waist, with a very long, flowing skirt that somewhat resembled a Western evening gown.

This was the unique style of Puluo Province, perfectly blending Eastern elegance with Western luxury.

Like the song 'Tonight, How Precious,' which was also popular in other provinces. However, while its melodies elsewhere were mostly lyrical and melancholic, in Puluo Province, its unique jazz style made it more lively and playful.

This not only suited the dancers' steps but also perfectly matched the atmosphere of the Paramount.

One came to the Paramount to indulge in pleasure.

The pianist swayed gently to the rhythm, while the violinist and flutist winked and teased each other.

The accompanying dancers playfully swayed their slender waists and firm buttocks, stirring an impulse in He Haiqin, even as he sat by the edge of the dance floor, to go up and slap one.

"How did such a wonderful place end up belonging to the Lu family?" He Haiqin muttered, a cigarette dangling from his lips, a hint of regret in his expression.

Yang Yanzheng knocked and entered Chu Er's room. "Miss, Master He from the He family has arrived. Would you like to go out and offer a toast?"

There is high culture and low culture. The Paramount was a landmark of Greenwater City, but it couldn't escape the common customs of Puluo Province.

Given He Haiqin's esteemed presence, Chu Er should, by custom, have gone out to greet the guest.

But Chu Er didn't want to go out today.

The grand ballroom, the waltz hall, and the celebrity boxes were all packed, yet Chu Er couldn't feel happy at all.

Seeing Chu Er remain silent, Yang Yanzheng asked again, "Reporters are here, saying they want to do an exclusive interview."

Chu Er nodded. "Let them in."

Yang Yanzheng led the reporters into the room. The photographer adjusted the lighting, the shutter clicked repeatedly, and the reporter inquired, "Under your management, the Paramount has regained its former glory. What do you have to say about this?"

"What I have to say?" Chu Er lowered her head, then rolled her eyes upward, looking at the reporter.

The photographer stopped taking pictures; Chu Er's expression was quite frightening.

"Does it matter what I want to say? No matter what I say, won't you just write whatever you want anyway?"

The photographer awkwardly looked at the reporter, who awkwardly looked at Chu Er. "Our reports are, of course, based on facts..."

"Based on facts?" Chu Er smiled. "What are the facts? Does this prosperity of the Paramount have anything to do with me?"

The reporter was speechless. Even Yang Yanzheng didn't understand what Chu Er meant.

The Paramount was making money every day; how could she say it had nothing to do with her?

"This has absolutely nothing to do with me!" Ma Wu said to Li Banfeng, back in Lanyang Village, taking a large gulp from his wine cup. "I didn't come up with any ideas; I just organized a concert.

"When I was at Xiaoyao Dock, I organized many concerts, and for each one, I had to spend a fortune inviting celebrities to boost the event.

"This time, it was great: no need to boost the event, no need to invite celebrities; they all eagerly came themselves.

"What does this have to do with me? What does this have to do with Chu Er? It's all because of Monkey Qiu's influence!

"Monkey Qiu has been with Lu Dongliang for half his life. Those unaware of the inside story see him as merely a subordinate, but truly discerning people know just how powerful Monkey Qiu really is!"

"So you're not planning to serve Chu Er anymore?" Li Banfeng asked.

Ma Wu shook his head. "I never intended to serve her. The Paramount business is over; it has nothing to do with me now. For a while, I plan to focus on cultivation. Without true skill, relying solely on cunning will ultimately lead to nothing significant.

"Like this Paramount, if Monkey Qiu decides to take it back one day, can I stop him? Can Chu Er stop him?"

Li Banfeng agreed wholeheartedly. "But if you want to cultivate, you should go to the Paramount; there are many women there."

"Just relying on women is useless!" Ma Wu said, shaking his head repeatedly as he held his wine cup.

Li Banfeng took a half-step back. "Then what do you want to rely on?"

Ma Wu drained his wine and set the cup down. "I want to go to New Territory."

New Territory?

Li Banfeng indeed planned to cultivate in New Territory, but what could Ma Wu do there?

Ma Wu explained, "Miss Feng taught me some cultivation techniques that I can only truly utilize once I reach New Territory."

Techniques?

Do you need techniques?

Li Banfeng didn't ask further, assuming Miss Feng's secret arts were not to be disclosed. "Going to New Territory is a good idea. I've successfully reclaimed land there, so we have a place to stay. You can also clear a plot for yourself; if you encounter danger, the local deity will protect you."

This coincided with Ma Wu's own thoughts. He immediately began preparing provisions, and this time, he also brought an assistant.

Initially, he intended to bring Xiaochuan, who was a craftsman cultivator. After successful land reclamation, Xiaochuan could directly plan the next phase of construction.

However, Xiaochuan still had to manage the business in Lanyang Village. After much deliberation, Ma Wu decided to take Xiaogen instead.

At first, Xiaogen refused.

"Fifth Master, when you give an order, I shouldn't object. But if I go with you, what about my cultivation?"

Everything else was fine, but golden fluid was hard to find, and there were too few people in the New Territory.

Ma Wu rebuked him, "You're being foolish! Do you have to get golden fluid from humans? New Territory has so many anomalous beings; good materials are everywhere. Will there really be none for you?"

Xiaogen pondered this and realized it made sense.

Cultivation materials shouldn't be too singular; golden fluid from anomalous beings might be even more effective.

The three of them set off that same day. The journey was more familiar this time. Ma Wu had acquired a better pair of shoes from Chu Er and gave his old pair to Xiaogen.

The path ahead was easy, but the most difficult part remained the Ironline River. Ma Wu still didn't possess any flying magical artifacts. When they set up camp for the night, Ma Wu specifically warned Xiaogen, "Tomorrow, listen to everything Seventh Master says. If you fall into that river, not even your bone fragments will be left."

Xiaogen looked towards Seventh Master Li's tent and quietly asked, "Where is Seventh Master? I don't think he's in his tent."

"Seventh Master prefers peace and quiet. Make sure not to disturb him. Get some rest early; we still have to travel tomorrow."

"You rest, I can't. You said good materials were everywhere, but after walking all day, I only found two pieces."

Ma Wu knew cultivation wasn't easy and reminded him, "Don't go too far, don't stay up too late. Just look nearby. If you really can't find anything, never mind; I'll give you some elixirs to make up for it."

At noon the next day, the three arrived at the bank of the Ironline River and stood speechless for a long moment.

The Ironline River was gone.

Only a bare riverbed remained; not a single ironline worm was in sight.

Xiaogen poked the riverbed with his spoon. "Fifth Master, are those worms you mentioned all underground?"

The riverbed soil was somewhat loose. Li Banfeng dared not step forward rashly. Ma Wu also didn't know what was happening. Then, a massive white egret slowly strutted across the riverbed, left a steaming pile, and then elegantly flew away, flapping its wings.

"Good stuff!" Xiaogen exclaimed, recognizing its unusual quality from its shape, and rushed forward with his spoon.

Ma Wu couldn't stop him and shouted, "Don't be reckless! Watch your step!"

Xiaogen skillfully scooped the pile into his bucket, leaving a line of footprints as he walked on the riverbed, still seeing no worms.

No worms in the Ironline River?

Could it be that the worms were afraid of Xiaogen?

Impossible. These ironline worms were so ferocious; how could they be afraid of a first-level metal cultivator?

Li Banfeng tentatively took a step into the riverbed, perceiving no danger.

He crossed the riverbed smoothly, and Ma Wu followed close behind, also passing through.

Xiaogen, holding his spoon, chuckled naively, "Everyone said this path was difficult, but we got through it just fine!"

Li Banfeng sighed inwardly, "This brother's luck is truly good."

Upon reaching the Little Yellow Spring, Ma Wu became even more cautious. Li Banfeng dared not let go of his feather duster for a moment.

Xiaogen, calm-faced, walked at the very front, holding his spoon.

A group of spirits had originally been protecting Li Banfeng, but upon seeing Xiaogen approach, they all dispersed.

It wasn't that they couldn't win; they simply didn't want to provoke him.

Their journey became even smoother, and the three soon arrived at the New Territory Li Banfeng had opened up.

Faint light shone in the sky, and spring water surged underground.

Ma Wu laughed, "It's truly been opened."

He quickly took out an offering table, arranged the offerings, and next to Li Banfeng's territory, prepared to clear another plot of land.

The offering was still a bottle of wine. Li Banfeng frowned, "Stingy! Put out a few more bottles, let's claim a bigger plot!"

Ma Wu shook his head. "I'm not greedy; a one-li radius is enough."

"Just listen to me. Leave the land reclamation to me."

Seeing Li Banfeng's confidence, Ma Wu was somewhat swayed. Just as he was about to take out more bottles of wine, he suddenly noticed that the bottle on the offering table was already empty.

The local deity had accepted the wine.

Had he agreed?

The contract hadn't even been burned yet!

Ma Wu looked around, but the plot hadn't lit up.

Had the local deity not come?

Had something else stolen the wine?

Just as Ma Wu was about to ask, Li Banfeng motioned for him to be silent.

The local deity was right next to the offering table; Li Banfeng could see him.

Li Banfeng removed his top hat and bowed slightly. "You've already accepted the offering, shouldn't you grant the land plot now?"

A wisp of green flame circled Li Banfeng twice, emitting a faint glow, but gave no response.

Li Banfeng frowned. "Is it honorable to just take someone's offering for nothing?"

The local deity appeared above Li Banfeng's head and responded, "Pah! Shameless!"

Ma Wu, lacking the techniques of 'Spiritual Hearing' and 'Golden Eyes of Discernment,' couldn't hear the local deity's voice or see his appearance. He only saw a shower of rain falling on Li Banfeng's head.

Li Banfeng wiped his face. "Why are you still holding a grudge? Tell me, what do you want?"

The local deity issued a divine oracle:

The land plot could be granted, but on three conditions!

First condition: Li Banfeng was not allowed to claim land or reclaim it.

Second condition: Ma Wu's plot could not be adjacent to Li Banfeng's.

Third condition: During the reclamation period, Li Banfeng was not to be within a hundred-li radius.

Li Banfeng retorted angrily, "What kind of grudge do you have against me?"

Why was the local deity so wary of Li Banfeng?

Because the local deity was worried Li Banfeng would help Ma Wu cheat.

The local deity didn't know what methods Li Banfeng had used last time; he only knew that for three days, he had been completely unable to sense Li Banfeng's presence.

Such a person must be kept far from the reclaimer, otherwise, the plot would be as good as given away for free.

After relaying the three divine oracles, Li Banfeng advised Ma Wu, "Let's just give up this time. By yourself, I'm afraid you won't be able to reclaim the land."

Ma Wu hesitated for a long moment. "Brother Li, I want to try."

Xiaogen, holding his spoon, strongly supported Ma Wu. "Seventh Master, I'm with Fifth Master. Please don't worry."

Li Banfeng looked at Xiaogen. "Brother, you just reached the first level, didn't you? If something really happens, how much help can you be?"

Xiaogen puffed out his chest. "I saved Fifth Master's life. I'm capable too."

Ma Wu was also persistent. "Brother Li, just let the two of us try. If it really doesn't work out, we'll just run. At most, it'll just be a failed reclamation."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "Are you bringing signal flares?"

Xiaogen pulled out five signal flares. "I have them, but I don't know if they'll even go off."

In Puluo Province, gunpowder was unreliable.

Li Banfeng warned them, "If you really encounter trouble, run towards my territory. As soon as I see a signal flare, I'll rush back immediately."

Ma Wu agreed repeatedly.

Li Banfeng truly didn't understand why Ma Wu was so persistent about the New Territory.

Nor did he understand how Ma Wu planned to cultivate in the New Territory.

But this was Ma Wu's own decision; no matter how deep their friendship, he couldn't interfere.

Li Banfeng left.

Ma Wu walked ten li away, set up the offering table again. This time, he didn't arrange offerings; excessive offerings could make things very troublesome.

He directly burned the contract, and a one-li radius plot lit up.

The local deity prepared to test him, and Ma Wu prepared to reclaim the land.

Deep in the forest, a massive wild boar was gnawing on a water deer when the local deity's voice suddenly echoed in its ears:

"Last time, you were at a disadvantage. Don't say I'm not looking out for you this time; someone's reclaiming land tomorrow, don't be late!"

The local deity told the wild boar the time and place. The wild boar was thrilled; last time, when testing Li Banfeng, it had been frozen for a day and a night without seeing a single soul.

It seemed the local deity was fair after all; he thought of me first this time!

The wild boar finished eating the water deer and went to sleep early, but he still overslept.

By the time he ran to the vicinity of the plot the next day, the Centipede Woman had already entered it.

The wild boar angrily pawed at the ground. "You woman, you just had to take advantage of me!"

The Centipede Woman sneered, "First come, first served. What advantage are you talking about?"

This time, the Centipede Woman truly gained a huge advantage. Ma Wu wasn't hiding; he stood right in front of her, like prime meat delivered right to her mouth.

The Centipede Woman looked at Ma Wu and smiled, "Young man, you're quite handsome. Take my advice, leave quickly. I don't want to take your life."

Xiaogen, holding his spoon and carrying his bucket, stood in front of Ma Wu. "If you want to touch Fifth Master, you'll have to get past me first."

The Centipede Woman frowned. "What are you doing? Are you trying to disgust me? Do you think I'm afraid of your little tricks?"

Ma Wu told Xiaogen, "Wait for me at a distance."

Xiaogen turned back. "Fifth Master, I can't leave you!"

To be honest, Xiaogen was very scared. He had never seen such a monster. With so many limbs all over her body, he couldn't even tell if she was an insect or a human.

But even if he was scared, he couldn't abandon Ma Wu!

"Are you disobeying me?" Ma Wu snapped. Xiaogen gritted his teeth and retreated behind him.

Ma Wu stared at the Centipede Woman, scrutinizing her from head to toe.

The Centipede Woman grew angry. "What are you looking at?"

Ma Wu looked directly into the Centipede Woman's eyes and slowly said, "You are truly beautiful."

The Centipede Woman sneered. "What do you mean by that? So what if I'm beautiful? Do you want to sleep with me?"

Ma Wu nodded. "If I could sleep with you, I would die willingly."

The Centipede Woman said nothing. After a few tens of seconds, her body suddenly trembled.

The wild boar was stunned. "What's wrong with you?"

He suspected Ma Wu had used a technique!

Ma Wu hadn't used a technique; his 'joy cultivation' technique was too low-level to deal with the Centipede Woman yet.

He used a talent—the talent Miss Feng had given him.

During their time together, Miss Feng had healed herself using essence. To repay him, she had not only given Ma Wu a strong physique but also bestowed upon him a 'love cultivation' talent.

In that mutual gaze, the Centipede Woman became emotional; she had fallen in love with Ma Wu.

"Look at me again, and I'll gouge your eyes out!" The Centipede Woman's voice trembled. She tried to avert Ma Wu's gaze but couldn't.

Ma Wu, with a loving expression, asked, "Are you afraid of me?"

The Centipede Woman retorted angrily, "Why would I be afraid of you?"

"If you're not afraid of me, then sleep with me."

"How dare you..."

"If you're not afraid, then come!" Ma Wu advanced step by step.

"I, why would I with you...?" The Centipede Woman retreated step by step.

"If you don't dare come, then you're afraid of me!"

"I'm not afraid..."

"If you're not afraid, why are you hiding?"

"I, I'm not hiding! I've slept with more men than you've ever seen! Why would I be afraid of you?" The Centipede Woman had no idea what she was saying. If she heard herself, she would die of embarrassment.

Xiaogen was stunned.

The wild boar was also stunned.

They simply watched as Ma Wu walked into the Centipede Woman's embrace.

The wild boar bellowed, "Shameless woman! I'll tell your mother!"

The Centipede Woman's heart trembled. 'My mother is still waiting for me at home.'

She hesitated for a moment but quickly firmed her resolve.

'I'm this old, why should I be afraid of my mother?'

This man is so daring.

This man has so much potential!

How can he be so handsome?

How can he be so good?

Esteemed readers, do you know what a centipede looks like?

For cultivation, could you do the same?

(End of Chapter)