Chapter 176: Home Cultivation Fourth Level Technique

The Tang Sword cut off the flower’s stem, and the bud fell to the ground.

The Mengling Flower was severely injured and temporarily lost control of its techniques.

Freed from the restraints of the Dream Cultivation techniques, Li Banfeng could now easily wake up.

The Wine Gourd sprayed a mouthful of wine onto Li Banfeng’s face. Stimulated by the hot and pungent liquid, Li Banfeng regained consciousness.

“Master, you’re awake at last!” the Tang Sword exclaimed with delight.

While the Tang Sword was looking at Li Banfeng, a segment of the pistil emerged from the petals, attempting to burrow into the ground.

The Tang Sword suddenly shot up and severed the pistil into two pieces.

Did it think the Tang Sword would be distracted just by speaking to Li Banfeng?

It was sorely mistaken.

Even if the Tang Sword were sparring with Li Banfeng, it could still cut down the Mengling Flower if she dared to escape.

The lower half of the pistil was motionless, but the upper half was still struggling.

Li Banfeng pinched the upper half of the pistil in his hand. The pistil shrieked, “Spare me! I know I was wrong! Please spare me!”

Li Banfeng wanted to crush the Mengling Flower to death then and there, but he suddenly remembered something.

The folding fan had been reforged by Honglian, but it still lacked some spiritual essence.

Li Banfeng asked the Gourd, “Is this flower’s spiritual essence sufficient?”

The Gourd pondered for a moment, then replied, “The Mengling Flower is quite rare, so its spiritual essence is certainly enough. However, it’s best to let Big Sister deal with it first.”

By “Big Sister,” she was referring to the Phonograph.

The Phonograph had been sleeping for so many days; it was probably time for her to wake up. Perhaps some “machine oil” tonight would do the trick?

Li Banfeng was about to take the pistil into his Portable Dwelling when he heard it cry out again, “Oh, Grandfather! I only have half a body; I won’t survive for even half a day before I die. You are a kind-hearted person; please have mercy and take the rest of my remains with you. From now on, I will serve you every day and do whatever you ask!”

Li Banfeng was indeed soft-hearted. Seeing such unique petals and leaves, it truly seemed wrong to discard them. What if they could be used to refine elixirs?

He collected the entire Mengling Flower plant into his Portable Dwelling, and the Mengling Flower expressed endless gratitude.

The Pendulum secretly scoffed, “Wouldn’t a swift death be better for this foolish woman? Once the First Madam wakes up, it’ll be too late even if you want to die.”

Sure enough, the Phonograph woke up.

She wasn’t woken by sleep, but by the Mengling Flower’s noise.

Upon entering the Portable Dwelling, the Mengling Flower remained well-behaved, staying obediently in the vase without daring to make a sound.

Once Li Banfeng and the other magical artifacts had left, the Mengling Flower couldn’t resist and began to sing.

It was her nature; she simply couldn’t restrain herself.

When she was alive, she would take the stage even when gravely ill.

She died on stage, then lingered in the dance hall for seven days.

After seven days, instead of reincarnating, she traveled to a new land, transformed into the Mengling Flower, and continued to sing.

Over the years, countless living beings, including passersby, had been sung to death by her.

Those who listened to her songs would remain motionless, listening continuously for three days and three nights until their bodies withered and bones rotted, eventually transforming into one of her leaves.

The Mengling Flower’s elaborate appearance, like an evening gown, was formed from the accumulation of these listeners.

But today, she had chosen the wrong audience.

Honglian found her incessant singing annoying and had long wanted to deal with her, but the Insect Overlord was undergoing a critical refinement process, so Honglian refrained from acting for the time being.

Besides, Honglian didn't consume things in their raw state. Even if she destroyed the Mengling Flower's form, she couldn't extinguish her soul.

However, waking the Phonograph was a different matter entirely.

“You damn slut! Singing so atrociously and still wailing endlessly!” Three phonograph needles simultaneously pierced the petals, and amidst the wails, devoured the singer’s soul completely.

With the soul devoured, the Madam retained the spiritual essence.

The Mengling Flower, now only spiritual essence, had lost most of its memories, retaining only a few lyrics. It stood by the bed, continuing to sing.

The Madam exhaled a puff of steam, blocking the singer’s mouth. “Hearing you hum a single note dirties my ears,” she declared.

Honglian scoffed, “Wicked woman, where do you even have ears?”

The Phonograph snapped, “Bitch, hurry up and finish eating that insect’s head! I’m still waiting for you to refine the magical artifact!”

That evening, Li Banfeng returned and discussed the refinement of the magical artifact with the Phonograph.

The Madam said, “Dream Cultivators excel at sneak attacks, and Virtue Cultivators are skilled at maneuvering. Combining the spiritual essence of a Dream Cultivator with the physical essence of a Virtue Cultivator can indeed refine an excellent artifact, one capable of both offense and defense. However, the quality of this artifact will depend on Sister Honglian’s methods. My dear husband, please think of a name for it first.”

“Dream Cultivator plus Virtue Cultivator,” Li Banfeng pondered for a moment, then said, “Let’s call it Mengde!”

The Phonograph exclaimed admiringly, “My husband, that’s an excellent name!”

The Tang Sword snorted coldly, “So, Master can choose pleasant names too.”

Li Banfeng glared at the Tang Sword. “Is the name ‘Er Dao’ not pleasant?”

As they spoke, the Mengling Flower, standing by the bed, began to sing again.

Li Banfeng asked in surprise, “Wasn’t her soul eaten by the Madam? Why does she still love to sing so much?”

Clank-clank-clank.

“Oh, my dear husband,” the Madam replied, “The soul is gone, but the spiritual essence remains. This wench's love for singing is simply her nature.”

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. “Then refining the artifact seems unrelated to whether the soul is consumed or not,” he said.

“Oh, my dear husband, you are mistaken,” the Madam clarified. “If this wench’s soul isn't consumed, she won't forget her original identity. The artifact would be extremely difficult to refine, and even if it were, it would be difficult to control…”

The Madam provided a detailed explanation.

To put it bluntly, consuming the soul is about devouring the other party’s self-awareness.

Taking the Mengling Flower as an example, if she were to retain her self-awareness, it would be impossible to redefine her.

She would never become a loyal and capable general like the Tang Sword, nor a cherished confidante like the Gourd.

She would remain that singer, the one who would rather die than leave the stage. In such a case, even if she were refined into an artifact, many thorny problems would arise.

Retaining only the spiritual essence is the best method to preserve the artifact's combat power and ensure its obedience. Of course, spiritual essence can also bring its own issues. As the Madam had said before, all magical artifacts have inherent limitations or “costs,” which must be endured.

The Bronze Lotus was still working on the Insect Overlord’s head and couldn't refine the artifact for the time being. The Phonograph, resigned, had to endure the Mengling Flower’s singing.

“This wench sings far too much; her mouth can’t be stopped! If only you sang well, but that noise is like tearing a foot-rag. How dare you put on such a display?”

The Mengling Flower stopped singing, stared directly at the Phonograph, and retorted, “Do you sing well? If you’ve got the guts, sing a piece!”

The Blood-Stained Pendulum angrily exclaimed, “How audacious of you!”

The Phonograph, however, wasn't annoyed. She exhaled a cloud of steam, enveloping the Mengling Flower, and sang slowly, “You say you can’t sing, and you’re still unconvinced? Today I’ll teach you a few lines; listen carefully.

“Winter arrives, snow vast and boundless,Warm clothes made, sent to my beloved,A beautiful maiden hidden in the house,And add another concubine for my husband!”

“Wait a moment!” Li Banfeng immediately stood up. “Madam, please wait, I’m not ready yet, wait, slow down!”

The Four Seasons Song!

The Four Seasons Song isn't something one sings lightly.

This means advancement.

Li Banfeng had actually had a premonition; the Madam had consumed so many good things recently, and her condition seemed excellent. Bringing Li Banfeng to the fourth level was a natural progression.

However, the process itself caught Li Banfeng off guard. A cloud of steam swept over, directly sucking him into the Phonograph’s horn.

Fifteen minutes later, Li Banfeng struggled out of the horn, his hair, beard, and eyelashes all permed into large waves.

The Phonograph looked at the Mengling Flower. “Have you learned it?” she asked.

The Mengling Flower dared not utter a sound.

She felt ashamed.

Compared to the Phonograph, her singing style was truly unpresentable.

Li Banfeng wiped the moisture from his face, sat beside the Madam, and asked, “Madam, let’s ignore her for now and discuss this fourth-level technique.”

Clank-clank-clank.

“Oh, my dear husband,” the Madam replied, “The fourth-level technique for Dwelling Cultivation is called ‘Golden House, Hidden Beauty.’ It is a technique possessed by all Dwelling Cultivators. This technique is exceedingly difficult; you will need to apply yourself and study it slowly.”

Golden House, Hidden Beauty.

Li Banfeng smiled, placing his hand beneath the stylus arm and scratching gently. “Madam,” he chuckled, “when it comes to ‘Golden House, Hidden Beauty,’ aren’t you the beauty I hide?”

“Oh dear! Oh dear! Husband, don’t tickle my armpit! Your little servant is ticklish; I can’t bear it! It’s too much! I’m out of breath from laughing. Husband, please have mercy on your little servant!”

“Laugh! I’ll give you something to laugh about! Promoting without even a warning! Later, when I apply the ‘machine oil,’ we’ll see if you can still laugh!”

“I won’t let you apply the ‘machine oil,’ and I won’t let you tickle my armpit. Your little servant knows her mistake; isn’t that enough? Husband, please stop teasing; your little servant genuinely can’t breathe…”

Panting and hissing, the room filled with steam.

The Gourd was very envious. The other artifacts dared not make a sound, while Honglian offered two clear dewdrops to the pair.

The Phonograph composed herself for a moment and said, “Your little servant will first explain the principles of the technique to my husband. Can you bring some clay? If there’s no clay, flour will do.”

Flour would certainly be hard to find.

Li Banfeng remembered encountering some clay during his journey.

He went out and returned in less than fifteen minutes with a bag of clay on his shoulder—such was the swift pace of a wandering cultivator.

The Madam brought an iron basin, added water, and instructed Li Banfeng to mix the clay thoroughly.

“Oh, my dear husband, use this clay to sculpt a beauty. The more beautiful, the better.”

A beauty?

What kind of beauty could he sculpt from clay?

It wasn't just about the shape; it was also about the artistic conception.

Li Banfeng carefully considered it, then grabbed a lump of clay and sculpted a large sphere.

He then grabbed another lump of clay and sculpted a small sphere.

He grabbed yet another lump of clay and rolled four long strips.

The small sphere served as the head.

The large sphere served as the body.

The four long strips served as limbs.

The clay figure was complete.

The Phonograph looked at it for a moment, then asked Li Banfeng, “My husband, do you call this a beauty?”

Li Banfeng brought some rouge and drew red lips on the clay figure.

“Madam, is it beautiful enough now?”

The Madam sighed lightly. “My husband, you’re truly not serious. The ‘Golden House, Hidden Beauty’ technique absolutely requires allure and beauty. The created object must be an unparalleled beauty; the more beautiful its appearance, the stronger its combat power.”

Li Banfeng stared at the clay figure in his hand. “This thing has combat power?” he asked.

The Phonograph nodded. “Once a Dwelling Cultivator ventures outside, they don’t hold an advantage over other Daoist sects. Their combat power relies entirely on this fourth-level technique. My husband, concentrate your mind and give this clay figure a drop of your blood.”

Li Banfeng took a cone, pricked his fingertip, and let a drop of blood fall onto the clay figure.

“My husband, concentrate your mind and gaze at this clay figure!”

Li Banfeng stared at the clay figure for nearly ten minutes, and slowly, the clay figure stood up.

Success! It could move!

Li Banfeng was greatly surprised and delighted.

The Phonograph exclaimed admiringly, “My husband has such talent! Take this clay figure out and test its abilities.”

Li Banfeng led the clay figure out the door. In the wilderness, he spotted a rabbit foraging.

Li Banfeng commanded the clay figure, “Go and catch that rabbit for me.”

For the first test of the technique, he shouldn’t choose too difficult a target. The important thing was to build his own confidence and establish rapport with the clay figure.

The clay figure received the command and stepped forward, beginning to pursue the rabbit.

Its speed seemed a bit slow; catching the rabbit was impossible. Catching the earthworm in front of it, however, still seemed hopeful.

Chasing an earthworm would also be fine!

It encountered a stone on the path.

The clay figure tripped.

Its head fell off.

And then…

There was no ‘then’ after that.

Half an hour passed, and the clay figure never moved again.

Li Banfeng picked up the clay figure and took it back to the Portable Dwelling. “Madam,” he said, “this thing isn’t very useful.”

Hiss! Hiss!

“Oh, my dear husband,” the Madam hissed, “Didn’t your little servant say that you must create a beautiful maiden? The more beautiful the maiden, the stronger her combat power.”

“This is clay sculpting; how would I know how to do that…” Li Banfeng scratched his head, feeling a bit awkward.

“Clay sculpting is indeed a bit difficult. My husband, how are your drawing skills?”

“Drawing skills? You mean drawing pictures? I can do that.”

“You can also draw a painting of a beauty, my husband, but the combat power of a beauty in a painting will be somewhat discounted.”

Even with a discount, it would be far stronger than this useless clay figure.

Li Banfeng took out paper and a brush, and diligently drew a beauty.

First, he drew a small circle for the head.

Then he drew a large circle for the body.

Then he drew four sticks for the limbs.

After the Madam saw it, she asked again, “My husband, do you call this a beauty? I can’t even tell it’s a woman.”

Can't tell it's a woman?

Surely not?

Li Banfeng then drew a few long hairs for the “beauty.”

The Madam examined it for a moment, and all three of her horns simultaneously puffed out smoke. “Oh, you crazy fellow!” she exclaimed. “Go find a three-year-old child; even they could draw something better than this!”

In the early morning, the Centipede Girl’s mother walked out of the territory, utterly dispirited.

She didn’t even glance at the wild boar beside the territory, walking straight into the depths of the jungle.

The Centipede Girl was waiting halfway, glaring fiercely at her mother.

The Centipede Mother lowered her head and said, “Daughter, listen to your mother. Things are not as you think. Your mother isn’t the kind of person you imagine; your mother was affected by her technique…”

“Shut up! What nonsense are you spouting?!” the Centipede Girl roared. “Just think about all the tricks you played with him! Where will you put your old face now? How are we, mother and daughter, supposed to live in this territory after this?!”

“Let’s move,” the Centipede Mother sobbed. “We can’t stay here anymore.”

The centipede mother and daughter left.

Ma Wu struggled to support himself, looking at the wild boar outside the territory. He shouted, “Are you coming or not?”

The wild boar’s body trembled slightly. After a long silence, its gaze shifted.

It turned its head and walked into the depths of the jungle.

It felt relieved.

The forest was good: there were deer to eat, and sheep to eat. After enough meat, it could even have some greens.

After eating its fill, it could sleep, and after waking up, it could find a large tree to scratch an itch.

Weren’t such days good enough?

Cultivation could wait.

It shouldn