Chapter 652: Hundred Steps Across

Oh no!

A deafening ship’s horn startled Xiao Yeci awake.

Rubbing her eyes, Xiao Yeci glanced out the porthole; it was pitch black outside.

She yawned, ready to roll over and go back to sleep, when Liang Wucai entered the room, jumped onto the bed, pinned Xiao Yeci down, and began scratching her all over.

Xiao Yeci struggled for a while, then said in annoyance, “Stop it! It’s the middle of the night, what are you making so much noise for?”

Liang Wu chuckled, “Middle of the night? Look at the time!”

Xiao Yeci opened her pocket watch. It showed nine o’clock.

“Is this morning or evening?”

“Morning, of course! Come on, let’s go eat breakfast!”

Xiao Yeci covered her head with a pillow. “I’m not eating. I’m going back to sleep for a bit.”

Liang Cai pulled Xiao Yeci up, saying, “Our ship has docked at an island. Perhaps our hearts will find a harbor here too.”

“What harbor? There are many harbors in my dreams!” Xiao Yeci groggily followed her sisters downstairs to the restaurant on the second deck.

This passenger ship had three decks. The first deck was the main hall, suitable for dances. The second deck housed the restaurant, cinema, study, tea room, and observation deck. The third deck had twelve bedrooms—six suites and six single rooms—conditions far superior to the old mud boat.

Xiao Yeci and Liang Wucai sat in the restaurant, and a waiter immediately brought them menus. Although the restaurant environment was good, the food choices were sparse. This was at sea, after all, and ingredients were limited, so the available dishes were always the same few options.

After they ordered, the waiter served the food and left without saying a word. To call him cold would be an exaggeration, but he certainly wasn’t enthusiastic. This wasn't their own business; from the captain down to the crew, everyone was hired. They earned the same amount whether there were passengers or not, and the ship's owner only visited two or three times a year, so he wouldn’t notice if they did a good or bad job. While the passengers were indeed rich and powerful, the crew members knew their boundaries. As long as they did their duty and didn’t offend the guests, they could just muddle through.

Tan Jinxiao also came for breakfast. Liang Wucai quietly asked, “Where’s Seventh Master?”

“Seventh Master? Isn’t he in your room?”

Liang Wu snorted, “If he were in our room, would we need to ask you?”

Liang Cai also snorted, “If he were in our room, would we even need to eat breakfast?”

Then, the sisters looked at Xiao Yeci together. “Could it be you?”

Xiao Yeci choked on her black tea. “How could he be with me? You both looked in my room; I was the only one there.”

The two sisters’ eyes widened. “Could it be Juanzi?”

Tan Jinxiao frowned. “Don’t talk nonsense! Juanzi was studying techniques all night and only fell asleep at dawn.”

Liang Cai looked at Tan Jinxiao. “How do you know this?”

“I sleep next door to her. She was making noise all night; how could I not hear?”

After his explanation, they really had no idea where Seventh Master had gone. Liang Wu was a bit worried and discussed with Liang Cai, “Let’s go check Seventh Master’s room.”

Tan Jinxiao shook his head. “I say, you two don’t need to worry so much. Seventh Master does whatever he pleases. On this ship, no one can touch him.”

Xiao Yeci looked out the window. The restaurant’s portholes were larger, allowing her to vaguely see lights outside.

“Brother Tan, what’s the name of this island?”

Tan Jinxiao replied, “This island is called Black Face Wharf, specifically for selling black powder.”

“Black powder? I’ve never eaten that!” Xiao Yeci genuinely wanted to try the local delicacy.

Tan Jinxiao chuckled. “This black powder isn’t for people to eat; it’s for machines. This is a place that sells coal. This is a boiler ship we’re on; we need to refuel coal at fixed points. There’s nothing much to see on this island; it’s all coal mines. Let’s just stay on the ship.”

After breakfast, the group strolled on the deck. The coal was almost loaded, and the captain had returned from the island. He approached Tan Jinxiao and initiated a conversation. “Sir, where is the guest who came with you?”

Tan Jinxiao frowned. “That’s a strange question. Several guests came with me. Which one are you talking about?”

The captain didn't know Li Banfeng, nor did he know Tan Jinxiao. If a guest didn't state their background, he wouldn't even ask for their name. At sea, business had to be done this way. Over eighty percent of the people on this ship were traveling with lovers for pleasure, seeking privacy. The ship’s crew shouldn’t expect to curry favor; just doing their job was enough.

But today, the captain was acting unusually. “I’m talking about the gentleman who boarded with you—the guest who seems to be in charge.”

Tan Jinxiao understood he was referring to Li Qi. “Why are you looking for him?”

“That guest ordered a bottle of wine yesterday. I wanted to ask if he drank it, and if it should be charged to the account.”

“You don’t need to ask. Consider it drunk, and charge it to the account.”

The captain pursed his lips, finding it awkward to say more, and descended the ladder to the boiler room below deck.

The stoker approached, asking in a low voice, “Boss, is it him?”

The captain shook his head. “I didn’t see him just now.”

As they spoke, the chief engineer also arrived. “Boss, I hear them discussing over there. Did something happen on our ship?”

The stoker didn’t dare to speak, but the captain did. “It’s not something on the ship; something happened in the city. Our owner is gone.”

“Are you talking about Lord Gui?” The chief engineer was startled. “Who said this? Is the news accurate?”

The stoker whispered, “Accurate! There’s been a stir in the human market for a while. Lord Gui first went crazy, wanting to raise the rent, then he waived it, and a couple of days later, he disappeared. No one is left in the entire Qingyuan area! Do you think it could be fake?”

The owner of this passenger ship was Zhu Yu Gui, the leader of the human market.

The chief engineer was horrified. “Who did this? Was it the proprietor?”

The captain said, “It wasn’t the proprietor, but a message came from the proprietor’s side. The one who did it is a ruthless man from Green Water City, Li Qi.”

“Li Qi…” The chief engineer thought for a moment. He seemed to have heard the name, but he couldn’t recall what this person did.

“I just saw a photo of Li Qi on Black Face Island, and he looks somewhat like a guest on our ship.” The captain showed the photo to the chief engineer.

The chief engineer looked at it for a long time, then shook his head. “Boss, you can’t even see the face in this photo, only a person in a suit and hat. There are many people dressed like that. Who can say for sure that the person on our ship is Li Qi?”

The photo was cut from a newspaper, a candid shot by a photographer, and Li Qi’s face was completely obscured.

The captain said, “But I heard Li Qi came to Sea Market. If we count the days, it really could be him. I also heard that Guan Huodong, the boss of Sea Market, hasn’t shown up for several days. Many people are saying that he went to find Li Qi a few days ago and never came back.”

The stoker’s face turned pale. “Boss, is our ship still sailing?”

“Sail…” The captain rubbed his hands, growing more afraid the more he thought about it.

The chief engineer, being older and more experienced, was calmer than the captain. “Boss, we must sail. If we stop here, things will get bad. Think about it: if it’s not Li Qi on the ship and we stop, we’ll offend the guests, and we can’t afford that. If it really is Li Qi on the ship, we absolutely cannot offend him. If this murderous devil turns hostile, who among us will survive? Black Face Island is so small; we’d have nowhere to hide!”

The stoker said with a grim face, “What if he turns hostile when we’re at sea?”

“Once we’re at sea, we’ll have many more options.”

Seeing the chief engineer’s confidence, the captain made up his mind and told the stoker, “Tell the guys to add coal and water. It’s time to depart.”

The stoker wasn’t a boiler operator; he was the head of the boiler room, with a dozen people under him. These dozen people included those who loaded coal, added water, provided draft, and controlled the valves. Once the steam pressure was sufficient, the turbine started, and the passenger ship slowly sailed away from Black Face Island.

The chief engineer repeatedly warned the captain to pay close attention to Li Qi's movements.

While these people were looking for Li Qi, Li Qi was currently in the Portable Abode, teasing Hong Ying.

Li Banfeng sat beside Hong Ying, tapping his chest and saying, “In our family, when it comes to both wisdom and courage, the first person I think of is Yingying! Not to mention distant examples, let’s just talk about Eight-House. She was such a shrewd Calculation cultivator; ordinary people simply couldn't handle her. Yingying used a brilliant scheme just once and subdued Eight-House. Who else would have such cunning?”

Nine-Maiden rolled her eyes at Li Banfeng. “What do you mean ‘subdued’? She clearly beat her into submission. If she couldn’t calculate, she’d just beat her, grabbing her and beating her half to death. Is that a brilliant scheme?”

Li Banfeng glared at Nine-Maiden. “Only by teaching according to talent can one see extraordinary methods. Yingying possesses great wisdom!”

Tang Dao swayed its blade. “General Hong indeed possesses great wisdom!”

Hong Ying snorted. “No need to flatter me. You just want me to teach you the marking technique. If you don’t call me ‘Good Madame,’ I certainly won’t teach you.”

Li Banfeng rubbed his hands. “See, you’re so stubborn. Why be a Madame when you could be anything else?”

Hong Ying looked at Li Banfeng. “You heartless man, if I’m not a Madame, what else could I be to you? Your maid? I don’t compete with Xiaowan for your favor, but I at least deserve a proper title. Just tell me, will you call me ‘Madame’ or not?”

“No,” Li Banfeng was equally stubborn.

“Then don’t come looking for me!”

Tang Dao advised Li Banfeng, “Master, calling her ‘Madame’ is no loss. General Hong’s marking technique is indeed powerful.”

Li Banfeng glared at Tang Dao. “I already have a Madame. How can this be treated lightly?”

Tang Dao stood its blade upright in the middle of the room and declared righteously, “The Marshal is not one to quibble. If she truly starts to quibble, we shall let the Marshal and General Hong have a fair fight. Whoever wins shall be the Matriarch, and I will bear witness!”

*Shhhh!*

A burst of steam assailed them. Tang Dao, glowing red all over, appeared beside Li Banfeng. “I will bear witness with Master!”

Li Banfeng ignored Tang Dao and continued to discuss with Hong Ying.

Hong Ying simply refused to agree. Li Banfeng took a step back. “You don’t have to teach me, but at least tell me, what’s the use of a Traveler cultivator’s mark? If I learn the Traveler mark, can I use ‘Separate by Ten Thousand Li’ freely? Will I no longer get lost?”

This was a long-standing concern for Li Banfeng, and why he insisted on learning the marking technique. "Separate by Ten Thousand Li" was Li Banfeng's favorite Traveler cultivation technique. On the battlefield, he could come and go as he pleased, both killing enemies and escaping. Where could he find such a good method? However, the side effects of this technique were too great. With one step, he didn’t know where he was going, nor where he would end up. A slight misstep could ruin everything, so Li Banfeng never dared to use "Separate by Ten Thousand Li" lightly. Marks could be used to find people, so they could certainly be used for positioning. If he had a positioning method, the side effects of "Separate by Ten Thousand Li" could be greatly mitigated.

Hong Ying put down her eyebrow pencil, looked at Li Banfeng, and smiled triumphantly. “Seventh Lang is right. If you learn my mark, you can use the Separate by Ten Thousand Li technique as you please.”

Upon hearing this, Li Banfeng’s eyes were filled with anticipation.

“Heh heh!” Nine-Maiden chuckled. “Ah Qi, don’t believe her nonsense. Back during the war, she had to tie a rope to her waist, otherwise, after using Separate by Ten Thousand Li, she wouldn’t even know where she’d fly off to. This isn’t something a mark can solve at all.”

Hong Ying looked at Nine-Maiden, a hint of chill in her eyes. “That’s just your ignorance. Later, I lost that rope, but I could still use Separate by Ten Thousand Li. That’s a method I researched from the marking technique.”

Nine-Maiden shook her head. “I don’t know what method you used afterwards, but it certainly has nothing to do with marks. When performing Separate by Ten Thousand Li, a person can’t perceive direction at all, not even knowing where the marks are. What good is it to leave marks beforehand?”

Hong Ying sneered, “There’s profound wisdom in Traveler cultivation here. Even if I told you, you wouldn’t understand.”

Nine-Maiden laughed even louder. “You’re just talking nonsense. Am I not a Traveler cultivator? How could I not understand? Do you think I don’t know how to use marks? Ah Qi, if she won’t teach you, I will.”

He almost forgot. Nine-Maiden was also a Traveler cultivator. Since she understood marks, he didn’t have to rely on Hong Ying.

Hong Ying saw Li Banfeng was tempted and quickly said, “Seventh Lang, each person’s mark is different. Her mark isn’t as easy to use as mine!”

Nine-Maiden scoffed, “What makes you say yours is better?”

Li Banfeng nodded. “Exactly. Whether it’s good or not isn’t just about talk!”

As he spoke, he patted Tang Dao.

Tang Dao straightened its blade and stood in the middle of the room, saying, “General Hong, Nine-Maiden, the time has come to see your true abilities. Both of you, reveal your marks. Let’s have a direct competition; no one can hold back!”

Hong Ying turned back to her grooming. “I won’t fall for your trick. I won’t reveal it!”

Nine-Maiden linked arms with Li Banfeng. “Ah Qi, she has no real skill; don’t listen to her bragging. Learn from me. I won’t make you call me ‘Madame.’”

Hong Ying stood up and cursed, “Bitch, why do you always go against me?”

Nine-Maiden laughed, “Because I’m reasonable and understanding. I don’t fight or grab. I care about my Ah Qi the most. Ah Qi, let’s go!”

Li Banfeng eagerly followed Nine-Maiden to her room.

Hong Ying gnashed her teeth in anger. “This wretched woman just wants to spite me!”

The phonograph sighed softly. “That feud of hers is truly difficult to resolve. It wouldn’t be a surprise if she stabbed us in the back later.”

Hong Ying grabbed a long spear beside her. “Then we should kill that wretch sooner!”

The phonograph entered Zhao Xiaowan’s body, picked up a comb, and came behind Hong Ying to comb her hair. This combing session extinguished Hong Ying’s anger. Hong Ying sat before the dressing table, cheeks flushed, her head bowed in silence.

“Yingying, some matters aren’t so easy to decide, nor should we be the ones to decide them.” Zhao Xiaowan picked up an eyebrow pencil and drew Hong Ying’s eyebrows again.

In Nine-Maiden’s room, Li Banfeng diligently learned the marking technique from her. Nine-Maiden first taught him the essentials of the mark. She took out two wooden sticks, half a foot long, and brought two vases to demonstrate.

“The essence of a Traveler cultivator’s mark lies in the perception between journeys. I insert this stick into the first vase, then, holding this stick in my hand, I travel forward. This is equivalent to marking that section of the journey.”

Li Banfeng asked, “What is the purpose of this mark?”

Nine-Maiden placed the other stick into the other vase. “With this section of the path marked, advancing and retreating are under control.”

Li Banfeng exclaimed excitedly, “So, that means if I use Separate by Ten Thousand Li at the endpoint, I can then retreat to the starting point?”

Nine-Maiden pinched Li Banfeng’s cheek. “Ah Qi, I told you not to always think about Separate by Ten Thousand Li. It’s a flawed technique, and no one can compensate for its flaws. The purpose of a mark is to control a section of a journey. For example, if you leave a mark outside a forest, and then another mark inside the forest, that section of the path is under your control. Others might walk ten thousand *li* to get out of the forest along that path, but you can walk out in just a few steps. Therefore, on this path, advancement, retreat, offense, and defense are all under your control.”

Li Banfeng was surprised. “If I set a starting point in Green Water City and an end point in the Underground City, wouldn’t that be…”

Nine-Maiden pinched Li Banfeng’s chin. “What beautiful dreams are you having? If marks could reach that far, Traveler cultivators would have been invincible long ago!”

“How far can they reach then?”

“With my ability, the farthest I can do is a hundred steps. Let me show you.”

Nine-Maiden placed the two vases at the two doorways of her room and said to Li Qi, “To use a Traveler mark, the foundation of generating wind from flat ground must be solid, and the speed must be very fast. My body isn’t up to it, and this room is too short for me to fully display it, but I’ll do my best to demonstrate.”

Nine-Maiden truly exerted herself. She placed the first wooden stick in the vase, instantly moved to the second doorway, and placed the second wooden stick.

“Did it work?” Li Banfeng asked with concern.

“No,” Nine-Maiden shook her head. “I wasn’t fast enough just now.”

She didn’t retrieve the sticks but directly took out a third one, rushed to the opposite doorway, and threw it into the vase.

Still no. This marking technique was difficult.

Nine-Maiden still didn’t retrieve the sticks. She ran to the other side to throw the fifth one. After throwing sixteen wooden sticks in a row, Nine-Maiden stood at the doorway and said to Li Banfeng, “It’s done.”

Li Banfeng was delighted and quickly walked towards Nine-Maiden. He sat in the center of the room, then walked from the center towards the doorway. He walked over a hundred steps and still didn’t reach it! The effect of this technique greatly surprised Li Banfeng. Nine-Maiden took a small step and came close to Li Banfeng, hooking his chin. “Ah Qi, did you see clearly?”

Indeed, just that one small step. The distance that Li Banfeng couldn’t cover in over a hundred steps, Nine-Maiden covered in one small step. This was absolute control over distance. From one door to another, the straight line between the two doors was controlled by Nine-Maiden.

But what if I don’t go in a straight line? Li Banfeng tried to circle around Nine-Maiden, but after circling for over a hundred steps, he still couldn’t get past her.

Nine-Maiden chuckled, “If it were that easy for you to get around me, then I would have made this mark for nothing. The length and width of this path are all determined by me. However, the longer and wider the path, the shorter the technique lasts.”

The mark lasted for over a minute. During that minute, Li Banfeng was continuously unable to approach Nine-Maiden, while Nine-Maiden could approach Li Banfeng at any time. This mark was powerful. Li Banfeng felt it was even more formidable than Mr. Kong Fang's copper coins.

Nine-Maiden cautioned, “Ah Qi, the key to making a Traveler mark is to tear open an unnamable space between two points at extreme speed. This unnamable space is the path we control. The mark is very difficult to create; with my cultivation, the success rate is only two or three tenths. Remember, when fighting later, if you fail, absolutely do not think about starting over. Immediately treat the second stick as the first, the end as the beginning, and continue. If the second time doesn’t work, try the third. If you’re going to use this technique, use it to the end. In short, don’t stop yourself, and definitely don’t lose your nerve.”

Li Banfeng nodded repeatedly. “This is good, I’m willing to learn this!”

Nine-Maiden softly asked, “Ah Qi, are you truly willing to learn?”

Li Banfeng smiled darkly. “Ah Jiu, I know you won’t teach me for nothing. Tell me, what are your conditions?”

Nine-Maiden shook her head, hooked Li Banfeng’s nose, and said, “Sister has no conditions. Sister truly treats you well. It’s just that this matter needs to be discussed with your Madame first, and then you yourself must agree.”

Li Banfeng didn’t understand. “I’d definitely agree to this! And why do I need to discuss learning a mark with my Madame?”

Nine-Maiden took the two wooden sticks and placed them in Li Banfeng’s hand. “Because the Traveler cultivator’s mark is a Cloud-level technique called Hundred-Step Traverse. If you want to learn it, you must ascend to the third Cloud-level, so you’ll need to ask your Madame for a Profound Essence Pill to help you advance. You’ve already learned two Traveler Cloud-level techniques. Hundred-Step Traverse will also take up one of your techniques. Please consider it carefully.”

Li Banfeng clutched the wooden sticks and fell silent.

Advancing to Traveler Third Cloud-level was expected. Li Banfeng had long desired to advance, and his physique had improved significantly recently, so with a Profound Essence Pill, the difficulty shouldn't be too great. However, whether or not to sacrifice a technique slot for it was a decision that required careful consideration. According to the normal cultivation path, reaching the Third Cloud-level was considered the peak. Beyond that, one had to embark on the cultivation path *above* the Cloud-level. If Li Banfeng took this path, then the three Traveler Cloud-level techniques would be the last Cloud-level techniques he could learn. Even if Li Banfeng didn’t take the path above the Cloud-level and continued cultivating at the Cloud-level, how much further could he go? Reaching Cloud-level Four, and who knew if there was a Cloud-level Five. In short, every Cloud-level technique was extremely precious.

Returning to the main room, Li Banfeng asked the phonograph, “My dear Madame, do you think my physique can advance another level?”

“Advance what? Husband is already at Cloud-level Three. Do you want to advance above Cloud-level now?” The phonograph teased Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng smiled, saying nothing. Hong Ying, nearby, noticed something amiss. “Seventh Lang, did that wretch Nine-Maiden really teach you Hundred-Step Traverse? Listen to me, Seventh Lang, what she teaches isn’t good. I’ll teach you properly. I know I was wrong, please don’t be angry with me.”

Li Banfeng wasn't angry. He asked Hong Ying, “What are the Traveler Cloud-level techniques?”

“Carefree and Uninhibited, Riding the Wind and Driving the Clouds, Hundred-Step Traverse. Haven’t you known them already?”

“Then tell me what I don’t know.”

“I don’t know any others. I only learned these three techniques!”

Li Banfeng stared at Hong Ying for a long time. The phonograph explained from the side, “Husband, Yingying is telling the truth. After learning three Cloud-level techniques, Yingying ascended above Cloud-level. She knows nothing of any additional techniques.”

This certainly fit Hong Ying’s personality. But Li Banfeng had asked Nine-Maiden, and Nine-Maiden also said she only knew these three techniques. Such an intelligent woman, would she not even be willing to ask more?

The phonograph thought Nine-Maiden wasn't lying either. “Husband, Cloud-level cultivators are truly rare in this world. Trying to find information about techniques is even harder than climbing to the heavens. Old Train is a grandmaster of Traveler cultivation. Let’s ask our old man to see if he knows of any other Traveler Cloud-level techniques.”

Everyone fell silent, awaiting the Portable Abode’s reply.

The Portable Abode remained silent for a long time. The glove urged, “Old man, just tell us if you know or not. We’re all family, don’t always play games.”

A chair fell to the ground, landing squarely on the glove. The glove went silent, and the old man spoke. “After so many years, I really have forgotten.”

The old man had forgotten too. If someone could remember and explain one or two or three, offering a comparison, Li Banfeng wouldn't feel so upset. But now, he knew Hundred-Step Traverse was useful, yet he didn't know if there were even better techniques, which made it difficult for Li Banfeng to decide.

The phonograph advised, “Husband, Hundred-Step Traverse is indeed a good technique. You won’t lose anything by learning it. Your physique is also quite excellent recently; it’s a good time to advance. I’ll go prepare the elixir, and let’s advance today.”

“No rush,” Li Banfeng took a deep breath. “I’ll go take care of things outside and also condition my body.”

“Husband, don’t I know your body? Now your physique is becoming increasingly strong and robust; it’s truly a good time to advance.”

“There’s no rush for this moment.” Li Banfeng left the Portable Abode.

Hong Ying asked from the side, “Xiaowan, why have you changed your temper? You used to always worry about Seventh Lang advancing too quickly. Why are you urging him to advance today?”

“Because I’m afraid he’ll do something foolish!” The phonograph’s tone was serious; she knew Li Banfeng’s nature.

Back on the ship, Li Banfeng had dinner in the restaurant. The captain brought Li Banfeng a bottle of foreign wine. Li Banfeng waved his hand, saying, “No alcohol tonight.”

“It’s a gift from the ship. Please keep it. When you feel like a drink, the crew will prepare the utensils for you.”

Li Banfeng took the wine. The captain calmly left the restaurant, hastened down to the engine room. Once inside the engine room, the captain’s legs turned to jelly, and the composure and calm on his face vanished completely.

He took out Li Qi’s photo and said to the chief engineer, “It’s him, it’s him, he’s back…” His subordinates called the stoker. Hearing that Li Qi was back, the stoker was also terrified.

The chief engineer remained calm. “Boss, brothers, we cannot reveal anything now. Even if we’re scared to death, we absolutely cannot reveal it. Once we do, our lives will be left on this ship! If you trust me, listen to me first. Boss, you stay on the ship, eat and drink as usual, and don’t say anything to the brothers upstairs. Tonight’s work, we do it as we always do. In the middle of the night, when we’re roughly at Hundred Confluence, they should be sound asleep. I’ll launch the dinghy, and we’ll follow the ocean currents directly to Iron Nose Island, stay there for a month, and then each go home.”

Everyone thought for a long time, then the captain sighed. “Are we just abandoning this ship?”

The stoker stomped his foot. “Abandon what? Is this our ship? This is the owner’s ship! Now that the owner is gone, what are we still guarding on this ship for? Let’s leave!”

The captain added, “What if Li Qi chases us? We’d be leaving him stranded at sea.”

The chief engineer replied, “Don’t worry, he won’t catch us. Have you forgotten where we’re going? Once we reach Hundred Confluence, a hundred ocean currents converge in that one place. From there, you can go to over thirty islands. How could Li Qi possibly know where we’re going?”

The stoker nodded. “That’s right. At Hundred Confluence, it’s reasonable for us to go anywhere. Li Qi and the others definitely won’t find us!”

The captain still hesitated. “The problem is that Hundred Confluence isn’t on our way. They’re going to the border, which is to the south, while Hundred Confluence is to the east!”

The chief engineer was even less worried. “Boss, I also checked the deck. These few people don’t know the sea routes. If we change direction tonight, they won’t be able to tell the difference.”

The captain deliberated repeatedly, and finally nodded. The stoker and chief engineer each gathered their men to pack their belongings. The crew’s quarters were below deck, so as long as they moved quietly, they wouldn’t alarm anyone in the passenger cabins. Soon, dozens of crew members boarded the small boats, and together they rowed swiftly away from the passenger ship.

Li Banfeng came to the deck, wondering what these crew members were doing. Fishing? They shouldn’t need so many people, right? Although it was suspicious, Li Banfeng had no time to deal with it. He had an important task to do: he needed to practice the Hundred-Step Traverse technique.

He carried a dozen wooden sticks onto the deck. His Madame was right; he was about to do something foolish. His Traveler cultivation hadn’t reached Cloud-level Three yet. Could he learn a third Cloud-level technique? Logically, no.

But Li Banfeng gave himself a logical explanation. First, he asked himself, “Am I a Cloud-level Three cultivator?” Then he tapped his chest and answered, “Yes!” Then he asked himself again, “Should a Cloud-level Three cultivator learn three Traveler Cloud-level techniques?” Then he tapped his chest and answered, “They should!”

And so, he went to learn. The deck of this passenger ship wasn’t long, perhaps ten meters by estimation. Li Banfeng wasn’t greedy; these ten meters were enough. He first inserted a wooden stick at the cabin door, then ran at extreme speed to the bow of the ship and inserted another wooden stick. He looked back at that section of the path but felt no sensation.

Don't stop, keep going! He tried over a dozen times, breaking several wooden sticks, but Li Banfeng still felt no sensation. He didn’t know if the method was wrong or if his rank wasn’t high enough. He felt it wasn't the method or the rank, but rather the speed. The deck was too short for Li Banfeng to build up enough speed. He organized all the usable wooden sticks and walked to the roof of the ship’s cabin. He planned to run down from the roof, pick up speed in mid-air, and then cast the technique upon landing.

Li Banfeng looked up at the roof, chose the spot to insert the wooden pole, and was about to charge down when he suddenly sensed an imminent danger.

“You’ve already started learning Hundred-Step Traverse. What is your current cultivation level?”

It wasn’t merely approaching; the danger had already arrived. Li Banfeng looked up and saw a man wearing a long gown embroidered with copper coins and a bamboo hat covered in copper coins, standing on the deck of the passenger ship.

Mr. Kong Fang. He had finally arrived. The copper coins beneath the bamboo hat were so dense that Li Banfeng still couldn’t see Mr. Kong Fang’s face. For fairness, Li Banfeng pulled down his hat brim, also obscuring his face from Mr. Kong Fang.

After a moment of silence, Mr. Kong Fang spoke. “Name your price.”

“What price?”

“The price for leaving the Underground City,” Mr. Kong Fang pulled out a long string of copper coins from his sleeve. “Money matters are easy to discuss; matters beyond money are also easy to discuss.”