Chapter 528: Two Entrances

The train pulled into San tou cha, and Liao Zihui boarded.

If not for his round figure, Li Qi might not have recognized him. Liao Zihui was wrapped head to toe, his face covered by a thick mask.

Liao Zihui removed his mask and greeted them one by one. "Brother Li, long time no see! Old Shen, how long has it been since we last met!" On the train, there was no need to guard against the Sky-light, so they could temporarily take off their gear.

Li Banfeng exchanged pleasantries with Liao Zihui, specifically mentioning, "The Autumn Song Festival at Xiaoyao Dock is approaching, Chief Envoy Liao, you absolutely must attend and show your support."

Liao Zihui waved his hand repeatedly, saying, "Director Shen is listening right here. We can't talk about this in front of him; he'll definitely report me back at the office."

Shen Jingye laughed, "What's wrong with listening to a song? Jiang Mengting, the top songstress of Puro Province, seems to be at Xiaoyao Dock, right? Everyone says her singing is exceptional; I'd like to hear her too."

After the pleasantries, they began to discuss the main topic.

Liao Zihui produced a list. "Brother Li, this is the roster of five thousand people. Take a look."

Looking at the roster was useless; Li Qi had never been to San tou cha and didn't recognize anyone on the list. He asked Liao Zihui if these people were all selected from Sinner City.

This was a condition set by Greenwater Bow, who stated that the Three-Headed people he wanted must be from Sinner City.

Liao Zihui nodded, "The place we are in is Sinner City. The people I selected are all from Sinner City. If you don't believe me, just ask each one. If one lies, perhaps I taught them, but surely all five thousand won't lie?"

Li Qi indeed intended to verify this. "Since Chief Envoy Liao has said so, let's get off the train!"

Liao Zihui had his people retrieve their gear. Li Banfeng put on his hat, donned a heavy protective suit, and wore a mask.

"Director Shen, are you coming with us?" Liao Zihui asked.

Shen Jingye scratched his neck. "Chief Envoy Liao, would you mind getting me some inhibitors? I took some before I came, and the effect seems to be wearing off now."

Uncultivated individuals who arrived at San tou cha would be affected by the local realm, causing their necks to itch and their consciousness to wander, leading to the hallucination of growing two extra heads.

Of course, this depended on how long one stayed at San tou cha. If it was only for a few hours, it wasn't a big problem, and the hallucinations would soon disappear.

However, if one stayed for ten days to half a month, it might no longer be a hallucination; two heads might actually grow.

To be safe, it was best for uncultivated individuals to take inhibitors upon arriving at San tou cha. Shen Jingye requesting inhibitors at this moment served two purposes: first, to indicate his status, implying he was still a "white lamb" and it was best not to let him get off the train.

Second, it conveyed his attitude: now that they were in Puro Province, these matters were no longer his concern.

Liao Zihui quickly ordered someone to fetch inhibitors for Shen Jingye, then he and Li Banfeng disembarked from the train.

The platform was as it had always been, with the area outside the iron fence still crowded with Three-Headed people.

They reached their hands through the fence, palms open, their faces filled with anticipation as they looked at Li Qi.

Li Banfeng asked Liao Zihui if all these people were boarding the train today.

Liao Zihui shook his head. "Not all of them."

"What do you mean?"

Liao Zihui explained that some were family members who came to see them off. "Once they leave, it's uncertain if they'll ever see each other again in this lifetime, so they had to come bid farewell."

After speaking, Liao Zihui waved his hand and ordered the gate opened.

Five thousand people, lined up in a single file, entered the station through a temporary passageway.

The temporary passageway was formed by iron fences. As they walked forward, people from inside the fence reached out, grabbing their clothes and hands.

Li Banfeng heard crying and faint, fragmented parting words.

Li Banfeng saw many people extending their hands towards him, clasping them together in a gesture of respect and farewell.

Since the day he could remember, Li Banfeng rarely avoided other people's gazes. When speaking or conducting business, he would generally look directly into their eyes.

But today, he looked away.

"Chief Envoy Liao, how many Three-Headed people are there in San tou cha?"

Liao Zihui replied, "Sinner City has over two hundred thousand. Those hidden outside the city haven't been counted."

Over two hundred thousand—

Li Qi looked at the five thousand people who had boarded the train. They were led into freight car compartments, which had no windows.

"Is food and drink prepared?"

Liao Zihui smiled. "Don't worry, we certainly won't let them starve."

Li Qi checked each compartment. Once everyone was inside, the train whistled, signaling its departure.

Li Qi boarded the train and stood by the window, watching the station.

People outside the platform were still bowing to him.

The train slowly started moving. Amidst the hiss of steam, Li Qi heard drumming, a deep, low drumming.

Liao Zihui frowned. "Why are they drumming today? What trouble are they stirring up now?"

They weren't trying to cause trouble.

This was Sinner City's unique large drum, struck only in two circumstances: first, on New Year's Day, symbolizing Sinner City's hope for life.

Second, when life became unbearable, it was struck as a symbol of Sinner City's struggle for survival.

Today was not New Year's, but they saw hope. They didn't know why these five thousand people were leaving Sinner City, nor did they know where they were going.

But leaving meant hope.

*Boom! Boom!*

Li Banfeng stood by the window, silently watching the receding platform.

"Wait for me, I'll be back."

En route, Li Qi went to count the Three-Headed people in their compartments. Liao Zihui seized the opportunity to ask Shen Jingye, "Why is Green Blossom interested in these Three-Headed people?"

Shen Jingye shook his head repeatedly. "I haven't figured that out either. By the way, when does the Autumn Song Festival at Xiaoyao Dock usually begin?"

"It's still early, about a month away," Liao Zihui replied, then asked, "I heard Director Du also encountered Green Blossom. How is he doing now?"

"He's still undergoing treatment. Are those major songstresses from Puro Province all participating in this Autumn Song Festival?"

"It's hard to say about previous years, but this year they definitely have to attend. Xiaoyao Dock is Li Qi and Ma Wu's territory; which songstress would dare not participate? I just wanted to ask if Director Du really encountered Green Blossom. Although Kang Zhenchang is there, Green Blossom's lesions are difficult to handle."

"With Doctor Kang there, he should be fine," Shen Jingye asked mysteriously, "Old Liao, tell me honestly, are you interested in Jiang Mengting?"

Liao Zihui sneered, "Is that even interesting?"

The two fell silent.

Shen Jingye hadn't said anything useful; his comment was indeed pointless.

Two days later, at ten o'clock at night, the train arrived at Greenwater City. Deputy Chief Envoy Tang Huanjie brought people to meet them. Liao Zihui said to Shen Jingye, "Old Shen, want to come to my place for a drink in a bit?"

Shen Jingye waved his hand. "Not today, I have to rush back; there's a pile of work at the bureau."

Liao Zihui frowned. "What's wrong, Old Shen? We haven't seen each other in so long, are you becoming estranged? Didn't you say you wanted to see the Autumn Song Festival?"

"When the festival day comes, be sure to tell me, and I'll definitely go. For now, I truly can't get away. Let's process the paperwork; I'm rushing back tonight."

Shen Jingye didn't even get off the train.

His mission was to escort Li Qi to Greenwater City; everything after Greenwater City was Liao Zihui's responsibility and no longer his concern. He understood this very clearly.

Leaving the station, Liao Zihui deployed twenty-five steam trucks, each pulling four carriages, with each carriage carrying fifty people, to transport the five thousand individuals into Greenwater Bay.

As they passed through Greenwater City, the Three-Headed people peeked out through the cracks in the carriage boards.

The gaps were very small; they couldn't clearly see what was outside, only various colorful halos flashing through the night, looking beautiful.

In Sinner City, they feared light at night, because any light at night usually signaled the arrival of Sky-light.

But today's light wasn't frightening at all; they just didn't know where it came from.

*Crack!*

A piece of wood on the carriage was pried off, revealing a hole.

Through the hole, the Three-Headed people saw clearly.

Outside, there were buildings with all sorts of lights flashing on them.

People were on the streets, dressed in beautiful clothes, moving back and forth beneath the shimmering lights.

As the vehicle passed Harmony Building, a very young Three-Headed person named Shuanzhu, with his three heads tilted back, looked at the tall building and asked what that place was.

No one could answer him. No one knew what such a tall and beautiful building was used for.

Shuanzhu stared at Harmony Building for a long time until it completely disappeared from his sight. "It's so beautiful, that place is so beautiful, and the people there are beautiful too. Are they like us?"

A middle-aged man beside him scoffed, "How could they be the same? They don't have three heads."

"They are all the same!" Li Qi peeled off another wooden board from the carriage. "They are all human, there's no difference."

At 4:30 AM, the trucks stopped at Serpent Bridge Village.

The village was extremely remote. It had been deserted for many years due to bandits, and its houses were dilapidated.

Liao Zihui ordered the unloading of the trucks. The five thousand Three-Headed people disembarked, and Liao Zihui's mission was complete.

"Brother Li, is Greenwater Bow meeting them here soon?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Yes, wait here for a moment; he'll be here shortly."

"Why should I wait for him? We're not related."

For anyone else, Liao Zihui really would have to wait. But Green Blossom was different; encountering him might lead to unforeseen complications.

The trucks drove away. Soon after, two groups of people arrived in the deserted village: one from the He family, and the other from Ma Wu's contingent.

For the next period, they would be responsible for looking after this group of Three-Headed people.

In Seven Autumn City, Ma Wu had seen many Three-Headed people and should have been accustomed to them. However, seeing five thousand Three-Headed people standing before him all at once still made him a little nervous.

He Yuxiu was also a bit nervous, but not because of the Three-Headed people. She had traveled extensively in Puro Province and seen everything. Her nervousness was about the matter of advancing her cultivation.

With the Three-Headed people's arrival, the day of forcibly advancing to the Cloud Realm was also approaching.

He Yuxiu breathed into her palms; her hands had been constantly cold these past two days.

"Brother Qi, I'm a bit reluctant."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Reluctant about what?"

He Yuxiu smiled. "I want a child. When I was young, I didn't want to have one, but at this age, I want to, but can't find a suitable person."

Li Banfeng thought she was joking again. "Life is long; you can take your time to find someone."

He Yuxiu said, "Aren't I about to advance my cultivation? I don't know if I'll have another chance after that."

Li Banfeng frowned. "You told me last time that you knew how to forcibly advance to the Cloud Realm."

The mechanism of martial cultivation was different from journey cultivation and dwelling cultivation. Li Banfeng's advancement method was not suitable for He Yuxiu.

"I know, it's 'Two Entrances'," He Yuxiu indeed knew the method, but whether she could succeed was another matter.

"What is 'Two Entrances'?"

"It's a method unique to us martial cultivators," He Yuxiu didn't want to elaborate, fearing Li Qi would worry if she did. "Brother Qi, I owe you a lot in this life. If this doesn't work out, the He family will still need your care. If it does succeed, I truly don't know how I'll repay you. I'll be yours from then on. Don't overthink it, I don't mean anything else. I, I can't explain—"

"You can't explain it," Li Qi laughed. "You were already mine long ago!"

With a laugh and a playful remark, He Yuxiu felt much more at ease. With everything properly settled, Li Qi went to the Soda Kiln.

Upon arriving at the factory, Feng Daiku was waiting outside. "I told Luo Lijun that the Customs Hall was preparing to move, but Luo Lijun didn't believe it and wanted to go out and see for herself."

Li Qi shook his head. "That won't do. She cannot leave that factory building. This rule cannot be changed."

The two entered the factory building. Luo Lijun was pacing by a pool. Seeing Li Qi, she waved her tentacles and came forward. "You said I needed to go out and see. It's not that I don't trust you; I've even brought the contracts. But there needs to be a verification. I can't just take your word for it."

Luo Lijun had indeed brought both pieces of the contract. Li Qi took the contract, examined it, and asked if they were indeed a pair.

"Of course, they're a pair!" Luo Lijun, fearing Li Banfeng wouldn't believe her, specifically explained the verification method. "Once the Customs Hall moves, I'll give you the land seal and the location of the new land. You can then take the contract to the new land and perform a blood test; if both pieces react, it proves the contract is valid."

Li Qi was still uneasy. "We need to be clear: this new land will entirely belong to me. You are not allowed to leave behind any curses or other means."

Luo Lijun produced a paper contract. "As long as the Customs Hall moves out, we can finalize this paper contract right now!"

Judging solely by the sincerity, there was really nothing to fault in Neizhou's approach.

Li Qi certainly couldn't let this snail leave the factory building, but not giving her a chance to verify was indeed unfair. "Send someone else, then. Don't you have many people from Puro Province working for you?"

The snail girl pondered seriously, considering who could be considered reliable.

After much thought, Luo Lijun spoke a name. "Chu Shaoqiang, do you know him?"

Li Qi nodded. "Yes."

Feng Daiku also knew Chu Shaoqiang. "Why are you revealing this person to us? Aren't you afraid we'll cause him trouble?"

Luo Lijun explained, "This is a fair transaction. I want to be upfront. Chu Shaoqiang will arrive at the Soda Kiln within a day or two, and he certainly won't escape your notice then. Since we're speaking frankly, I ask that you don't make things difficult for him."

Her words were indeed candid, and events proved Luo Lijun's approach was correct.

Feng Daiku possessed special abilities, and the Soda Kiln's territory wasn't large, so she could quickly sense Li Qi's arrival every time.

Chu Shaoqiang arrived at the Soda Kiln the next day and was discovered by Feng Daiku in less than half a day.

That evening, Luo Lijun met with Li Banfeng again, with Chu Shaoqiang also present.

Luo Lijun stated that Chu Shaoqiang had verified the situation: most of the Customs Hall personnel had withdrawn. "I trust you, so today we'll finalize the paper contract, give you the land seal, and tell you the location of the new land."

She had prepared a map indicating the location of the new land.

Li Banfeng had expected this new land to be very remote, but after looking at the map, he found it wasn't far from Greenwater City.

The matter seemed almost too smooth.

Both parties finalized the paper contract, and Li Banfeng received the land seal. From then on, the new land was his.

Chu Shaoqiang left the factory with Li Qi and Feng Daiku.

As they parted ways, Chu Shaoqiang cautioned Li Banfeng to be extra careful.

Li Banfeng asked what he needed to be careful about.

Chu Shaoqiang looked around, then lowered his voice and told Li Qi that he had never seen a new land with two complete contracts before. Honestly, he was very envious, and he was sure he wasn't the only one. Many people would surely want this new land, and whether one could keep it after obtaining it would depend on their own abilities.

Chu Shaoqiang left, and Feng Daiku also felt uneasy. "Young Master Li, Neizhou might have further tricks up their sleeve; you should be extra vigilant."

Li Banfeng held the paper contract, looking it over twice. "Honestly, I can't see what other tricks they could have hidden here."

Feng Daiku shook her head. "If Neizhou acted so honorably, their reputation wouldn't be so bad. It's hard to say what mystery is hidden here."

Li Banfeng also knew things shouldn't be so smooth, yet he couldn't think of any other tactics Neizhou might employ. After much thought, he asked, "I'd like to ask Miss Feng about a technique: how did you know Chu Shaoqiang had come to the Soda Kiln?"

Speaking of this ability, Feng Daiku was indeed formidable. Ma Wu had once said that whenever he reached Kuzhaikan, Feng Daiku would definitely sense it.

Hearing this, Feng Daiku smiled. "Young Master Li, do you want to learn?"

Li Banfeng knew that such a profound skill couldn't be easily taught to others. "I, Li, never ask people to do things for nothing. Miss Feng, whatever your conditions, we can discuss them."

Feng Daiku sighed. "This condition isn't simple. I can perceive matters within the realm because I have planted 'roots of emotion' all over it. If Young Master Li wishes to learn this craft, you must enter my Taoist sect."

This was indeed a bit difficult. Li Banfeng had already taken on two professions; starting a third would be too dangerous.

Moreover, even if he could start a third profession, it couldn't be in emotional cultivation.

Seeing Li Qi remain silent for a long time, Feng Daiku didn't press the issue. "Young Master Li, now that Waizhou has left, Neizhou has fewer constraints. It's hard to say how many changes there will be in the future. I hope you will take good care of the Soda Kiln territory."

After agreeing, Li Qi left the Soda Kiln. In Greenwater City, he found He Yuxiu and first took her on a tour of the new land.

This territory was good. It had a tall mountain, vast forests, abundant timber and stone, and large open fields suitable for cultivation if farming cultivators were introduced in the future.

He Yuxiu exclaimed, "What a wonderful place!"

Li Qi took out the two pieces of the contract. "If you think it's good, then sprinkle your blood."

He Yuxiu bit her lip. "Okay, let's first choose a place to bury the contract."

He Yuxiu found a sinkhole on the mountain. In the sinkhole's rock face, there was a cave. He Yuxiu pried open a rock, chiseled a hole, and asked Li Banfeng, "Brother Qi, how about this spot?"

Li Banfeng looked around, feeling that the spot wasn't very secure. However, He Yuxiu had another plan.

She took out a palm-sized clam, placed it on the ground, cut her palm, and sprinkled blood onto the clam.

Upon contact with the blood, the clam's flesh continuously writhed inside its shell.

Soon after, a cloud of white mist spurted from the clam's shell. Beneath the mist, the hole He Yuxiu had just chiseled disappeared.

Li Banfeng activated his "Golden Eye of Autumn's Faint Hair" technique, maximizing its power, and could barely discern the outline of the hole on the rock face.

He Yuxiu was very confident in this magical artifact. "This is called a 'Mirage Clam.' It's of a high level. I spent a lot of money for this item. As long as it's here, no one will be able to find the contract."

Li Banfeng nodded. "It's indeed a good item, Xiuer. Where do you plan to hide this Mirage Clam?"

He Yuxiu looked at Li Qi, pursed her lips, and said nothing.

"Do you think she can figure out something like that?" the Mirage Clam spoke. Li Banfeng possessed the skill to discern spiritual sounds and heard it clearly, but He Yuxiu couldn't.

Li Banfeng squatted down and asked the clam, "Do you have a good idea?"

The clam replied, "Have her give me one tael of blood to eat each month. It doesn't have to be her blood, but the cultivation level must be at least eighth-tier. I will figure out how to hide myself and can also guard the contract for her."

Li Banfeng stared at the Mirage Clam without speaking.

If this were his own magical artifact, the matter would indeed be settled. But He Yuxiu couldn't communicate with the artifact, so the clam's loyalty was questionable.

The Mirage Clam seemed to sense Li Banfeng's concern. "There's a contract between He Yuxiu and me. If I dare betray her, I will lose my life!"

Li Banfeng turned and asked He Yuxiu, "Do you have a contract with this artifact?"

"Yes," He Yuxiu handed the contract to Li Banfeng.

The contract was written on special paper, with all terms and conditions detailed meticulously, leaving no loopholes.

Li Banfeng took out a piece of contract paper and also made a contract with the Mirage Clam: he would give it two taels of blood every month, but if the clam betrayed them, it would face double punishment.

With everything prepared, He Yuxiu was ready to sprinkle blood on the contract, but her hand trembled slightly.

Li Banfeng stopped He Yuxiu. "Xiuer, if you're scared, wait a little longer."

He Yuxiu blushed. "You're, you're making fun of me."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'm not laughing, nor should I."

"I, I'm not actually afraid of death, I just—"

"There's nothing wrong with being afraid of death. You only have one life, why wouldn't you be afraid?" Li Banfeng handed He Yuxiu a cigarette. "Think it over carefully, and tell me when you've made up your mind."

That night, He Yuxiu slept directly in the cave, while Li Banfeng quietly returned to his Portable Dwelling.

Through the Five Housemaidens, the Lady saw He Yuxiu. After a careful scrutiny, she asked, "Is this woman thirty years old?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "She should be forty."

"She doesn't look it. She's so pretty and has such a good figure. Husband, tell your little slave the truth, have you slept with her?"

"My dear wife, I swear on this oil lamp, I absolutely have not."

The Lady smiled and asked again, "Husband, put down the oil lamp first. Tell me, what method does she intend to use to ascend to the Cloud Realm?"

Li Banfeng recalled for a moment. "She said the method is called 'Two Entrances.' I don't know what kind of technique it is."

Hong Ying said, "I understand 'Two Entrances'!"

"It's not the same as what you're thinking," the Gramophone gave Hong Ying a light smack, then continued to Li Banfeng, "Ah, 'Two Entrances' is the martial cultivators' crudest advancement method. She first has to take the martial cultivation forbidden drug, Heart-Piercing Pill, to accumulate her Dao affinity."

"What kind of pill is a Heart-Piercing Pill?" Li Qi had never heard of it.

"The Heart-Piercing Pill is a potent Dao affinity drug. Taking one is equivalent to being exposed to the Sky-light twice consecutively. A 'white lamb' would explode after one exposure; He Yuxiu, with her ninth-tier cultivation, would be crippled even if she didn't explode after two exposures."

"If she becomes crippled, how can she still ascend to the Cloud Realm?"

"At this point, she must proceed to the second step of advancement: applying 'entry powder' to her body. Through a second entry into the Dao, she forcibly obtains Cloud Realm cultivation. Hence, this method is also called 'Two Entrances'."

Li Banfeng pondered. "This method is indeed crude. Is there no better way?"

"There is a better way, but only someone with an extremely meticulous mind can achieve it."

"How meticulous?"

"It means being completely aware of one's own physique, cultivation, strengths, and weaknesses, perceiving even the slightest change."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then shook his head. "It seems she can't do that."

"If she doesn't have such a meticulous mind, then this 'Two Entrances' method will have to do. I see this woman has a robust physique; barring accidents, she should be able to get through this stage. Husband, remember that after taking the Heart-Piercing Pill, her bones will soften and her muscles will go numb, so she might not be able to hold the powder. At that time, you must help her apply it. The amount of powder must be precise; too little, and it won't work; too much, and it will harm her body, even an infinitesimal excess could directly cost her life. So, apply a small amount at a time, testing slowly. After taking the Heart-Piercing Pill, her blood and Qi will be vigorous. Husband, find areas of thick skin to apply the medicine, changing locations each time. Be very careful not to break her skin, or the blood will flow incessantly, which could also endanger her life."

"My dear wife, when you say 'thick skin and flesh,' what exactly do you mean?"

"Do I even need to say? Figure it out yourself."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and then realized with a sudden understanding. "You mean the heels of her feet, right, my Lady?"

The Gramophone was silent for a long time. "The heels are indeed thick, but husband, after her advancement, she will need to familiarize herself with the realm. If her heels are damaged, how will she walk?"

The next morning, He Yuxiu made up her mind. "Brother Qi, it's one life anyway. I'll take this gamble. I'll sprinkle my blood!"

"Are you truly sure?"

"I am!"

He Yuxiu went to the sinkhole, sprinkled her blood on the contract, and then established a paper contract. This served as proof for the hundred-mile territory, and He Yuxiu's name was now on the contract.

After burying the contract and the land seal, He Yuxiu became the local deity of this territory.

According to the previously established plan, He Yuxiu would first familiarize herself with the territory, then complete her advancement, and only then would she call the Three-Headed people to begin cultivation.

The purpose of this was to allow He Yuxiu to advance to the Cloud Realm under relatively secluded conditions. Otherwise, sending five thousand people directly to the new land would certainly attract attention, exposing the new land's location and making it much harder for He Yuxiu to advance peacefully.

For the next two days, He Yuxiu explored the territory, striving to stabilize her status after advancement.

Li Banfeng held his bowl, searching for a suitable location for her advancement.

He Yuxiu had mostly familiarized herself with the paths, so Li Banfeng decided to help her advance in a pine forest.

"In the forest?" He Yuxiu looked around. "It's not as good as in the cave."

Li Banfeng said, "Just listen to me. This place is the most suitable."

He Yuxiu held the Heart-Piercing Pill, looked at Li Banfeng, and took a deep breath. "Brother Qi, if I don't make it through, just kill me. Don't let me live the rest of my life as a cripple."

"Don't worry, you'll get through it." Li Banfeng put on rubber gloves and waited nearby. If He Yuxiu's condition was good, she would apply the entry powder herself; if not, Li Banfeng would do it for her.

He Yuxiu was very scared, but Li Banfeng had great confidence in her.

Holding the Heart-Piercing Pill, He Yuxiu opened her mouth and swallowed it.

She sat silently against a pine tree, motionless. Li Qi prepared the powder nearby.

Ten minutes later, the Heart-Piercing Pill began to take effect. Beads of sweat trickled down He Yuxiu's cheeks.

"Is it time?" Li Banfeng asked softly.

He Yuxiu shook her head. "Wait a little longer."

The medicine's effect wasn't fully there yet, and He Yuxiu gritted her teeth, enduring.

Another ten minutes passed. The medicine had taken full effect, and He Yuxiu tried to grab the powder, but her hand wouldn't lift.

Li Banfeng dipped his fingertip in the powder and gently applied it to He Yuxiu's right hand.

A person's palm has relatively thick skin.

He Yuxiu winced in pain. After waiting for over two minutes, she subtly shook her head.

The amount of powder was insufficient.

Li Banfeng again took a small amount of powder with his fingertip and applied it to He Yuxiu's left hand.

The Lady had warned him not to apply all the powder in one spot, as an external injury would be extremely dangerous.

After applying a little powder to each hand, He Yuxiu still shook her head; the amount of powder was still insufficient.

Li Banfeng took a little more powder, unbuttoned He Yuxiu's top, and applied it to her abdomen.

He Yuxiu cried out in pain, but the amount was still not enough.

From now on, he had to be extremely cautious. Just as Li Banfeng dipped his right hand into a bit of powder, he suddenly heard footsteps from outside the forest.

He Yuxiu was still conscious and quickly grabbed Li Banfeng's lapel.

If someone were to rush in now, He Yuxiu had no combat ability, and Li Banfeng would have to care for her, making it impossible for either of them to resist.

Li Banfeng looked at He Yuxiu, his expression calm, signaling her not to worry.

A voice came from outside the forest. "Sister, is that you? Don't be afraid, I'm here to help you."

Whose voice was that?

Li Banfeng didn't know, as he was unfamiliar with this person.

He Yuxiu was startled; she was all too familiar with that voice.

He Haiqin.

He Haiqin, the previous patriarch of the He family, who had abandoned his physical body and gone to Neizhou after advancing from the ninth to the tenth tier.

Why was he here?

He Yuxiu was naturally impetuous and valued familial ties, but at this critical juncture, she was unsure of He Haiqin's intentions.

"Sister, are you in this forest? If you don't answer, I'm coming in!"

As He Haiqin started to walk into the forest, a cloud of smoke drifted towards him.

"Brother, don't go there."

He Haiqin froze, then looked up slightly. "What do you mean?"

The smoke hovered around He Haiqin. "Brother, don't interfere with our sister."

He Yuxiu grew even more nervous; she also recognized this voice.

Li Qi's expression remained calm. He dipped his fingertip in some powder, gently turned He Yuxiu over, and applied the medicine to a different spot on her body.