Chapter 700: Must Slide

Li Banfeng and Faceless sat facing each other, drinking tea.

Faceless said, "You first tell me, what did the Peddler do in the Desolate Land last year?"

Li Banfeng shook his head and replied, "You first tell me, how did my brother's leg heal?"

Faceless retorted, "I'm just asking about superficial matters, but you immediately go for the critical points. If we trade information this way, I'll be at a disadvantage."

Li Banfeng didn't haggle, "These aren't superficial matters. The Peddler and I had many experiences in the Desolate Land, all related to the hidden truths from back then!"

Hearing about the hidden truths from back then, Faceless became very interested. "What hidden truths are we talking about? Good brother, won't you reveal a little? You say a bit first, and I'll speak later. I definitely won't go back on my word."

Li Banfeng nodded, "Our trip to the Desolate Land this time was for the exit to Inner State."

Faceless's small eyes widened. "The exit to the Desolate Land has opened again?"

Li Banfeng nodded, "Yes, it has. I met Hair-Snapper, Wrist-Smasher, and Bog-Walker there. The Peddler encountered even more people. They're preparing to make a move on the Desolate Land together."

Faceless's features twitched. Li Banfeng's words saddened him.

"Actually, we used to be friends. I always called Shan Chengjun a scoundrel, but I was once friends with him too. He and Shu Wanjuan, those two scoundrels, deceived me. Otherwise, I wouldn't have suffered so much, and Big Faceless wouldn't have been trapped."

As he spoke, Faceless grew very sad. His temperament was hard to gauge. Sometimes Li Banfeng felt he was cunning and could see through schemes of people like Qiao Yi. But at other times, he acted like a child; whenever something upsetting happened, he could never hide it on his face.

Li Banfeng seized the opportunity to ask, "Were these two the ones who tricked you into going to Inner State?"

Faceless nodded, "After the Peddler and I drove away the Saint, we settled down in Puluo State. The Peddler went all over the place, and I started a factory with Old Train."

Li Banfeng continued, "You must have made a lot of money running a factory back then, right?"

Faceless added a piece of charcoal to the tea stove, a hint of bitterness on his face. "We did make a lot of money, but I also suffered a lot of grievances."

"What grievances did you suffer?"

"Old Train was good at making steam engines. His were the best in all of Puluo State. Some even said his steam engines were even better than those in Inner State. He made all the steam engines for all the factories. I could only make lubricating oil, and he looked down on me. He never let me get involved in crucial procedures, always telling me to talk less and do more. I was very angry. Later, some outsiders came to Puluo State, and they had internal combustion engine technology. I found this thing very useful, so I learned from them. But Puluo State couldn't store oil. Old Train told me not to waste my effort and even told me to find ways to make the lubricating oil better! I, a dignified Grandmaster of a discipline, am I supposed to make lubricating oil my whole life? I made up my mind; I was determined to develop the internal combustion engine."

Li Banfeng asked, "Did you manage to develop it?"

Faceless looked a bit crestfallen. "I was just a little short. Oil was indeed difficult to store. To get more oil, I changed something about myself."

"What did you change?"

Faceless's eyebrows and eyes twitched. There was a hint of excitement, a touch of pride, and also a trace of fear on his face. "I changed myself."

Li Banfeng asked, "How did you change yourself?"

"I transformed myself into an oil field. The oil I produced could be stored for a very long time."

Li Banfeng thought for a long time but couldn't grasp what kind of process this was. "The oil field you're talking about, is that Big Faceless?"

Faceless nodded and explained, "I split myself into two halves. One half became Big Faceless. He only has two tasks: one is to grow, constantly growing, and the other is to produce oil, constantly producing oil."

Li Banfeng stared wide-eyed, mouth agape, and asked indistinctly, "Then what about everything else?"

"I do everything else! The other half of me became Little Faceless, which is me!"

Having spent a long time in Puluo State, Li Banfeng had come to accept many things, but Faceless's self-transformation process was not so easy to accept.

"What happened then? Did you manage to develop the internal combustion engine?"

Hearing this, Faceless became even more dejected. "I was just a little short, and then I was harmed by Shan Chengjun. I was captured by Inner State, and you know what happened after that. I was trapped and suffered a lot."

Li Banfeng processed the logic. "You hadn't even finished developing the internal combustion engine back then, yet Inner State captured you because you had a way to produce fuel?"

Faceless was silent for a long time, then said in a very small voice, "Not entirely because of that."

"Then what was it because of?"

Faceless suddenly looked at Li Banfeng, his eyes full of wariness. "You just told me the exit to the Desolate Land opened, nothing else. Why should I tell you so much?"

Li Banfeng felt a sense of danger, then smiled and said, "Brother, what do you want to ask? I'll tell you anything I know."

Faceless stared directly at Li Banfeng. "Didn't you say you had a secret about the Peddler? I want to hear the secret!"

"The secret is—"

Should he say the Peddler was injured? This shouldn't be revealed so easily.

Li Banfeng told Faceless how the Peddler had framed Hair-Snapper and Wrist-Smasher.

Faceless nodded, "That was very clever, but—" Changing his tone, Faceless's expression turned sinister again. "Can this even be considered a secret? I would have found out about something like this sooner or later!"

Faceless was very clever; it wasn't easy to deceive him.

What other secrets could he reveal? Li Banfeng was weighing his options when he suddenly heard Zhong Er shout from the courtyard, "Master, how's the quality of this oil?"

A bowl of oil sat in front of Zhong Er, which he had made using oil cultivation techniques.

Faceless examined it, a smile on his face. "Good boy, not bad at all! You're more talented than Xiao Ning!"

Hearing this, Lightbulb became unhappy. "Master, he's just started, and you say he's talented?"

Faceless shook his head. "You can't just look at the current level, Minghui. You should learn diligently from your master. When the Peddler arrives, I'll get you some Joy Cultivation powder. If you study both disciplines, you'll surpass your senior brother in less than a year and a half."

Lightbulb's face flushed, and veins throbbed.

Faceless sneered, "Unconvinced? If you lack talent, you lack talent. Work harder yourself! Don't even think about Joy Cultivation. If you can't even master one skill, why bother thinking about two?"

Li Banfeng quickly intervened, "Brother, you teach oil cultivation. Why do you always think about Joy Cultivation?"

Hearing this, Faceless became disheartened again. "I've never enjoyed such blessings, so I want my disciples to enjoy them."

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "What blessings are you talking about?"

Faceless whispered, "The blessings of Joy Cultivation."

"Don't you have a wife?" Li Banfeng recalled Faceless mentioning he had a wife, and she said he wasn't handsome.

Faceless lowered his head. "That wife... I might as well not have married her. Never mind, let's not talk about her. Let's discuss the secret."

Li Banfeng followed Faceless back to the main hall and recounted the events in the Desolate Land, choosing what he could reveal.

This time, Faceless didn't quibble. He was thinking about some details. "Just telling these things to Chu Shaoqiang and Gu Wuyan isn't enough. Chu Shaoqiang is from Inner State, so the local deities around might not fully believe what he says. And Gu Wuyan is determined to follow you, so people around might not believe his words either."

Li Banfeng said, "I also contacted the newspaper. Once the news is in the paper, everyone will believe it."

Faceless kept shaking his head. "Newspapers aren't very useful. How many local deities can read newspapers?"

"It doesn't matter if they don't read them. Once the news spreads and reaches their ears, won't that be enough?"

Faceless still felt it was inappropriate. "This matter can't be explained clearly through newspapers. In Puluo State, not many people even know about Inner State. No matter how detailed you are, they won't understand."

"Do you have a better idea, Brother?"

Faceless paced around the room twice and said to Li Banfeng, "This matter needs to be spread by word of mouth, using language they can understand. Do you know anyone from the gangs? The gangs in Puluo State have always been a source of important news. Have them spread the word, and the local deities will soon receive it."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment and came up with an idea.

As for why Zhong Er could walk, Faceless didn't intend to say. He felt he would suffer a great loss if he did.

Li Banfeng didn't press further and stood up to leave. Faceless suddenly called out to him, "Not Crazy!"

Li Banfeng turned around. Only Faceless would call him that.

"Are you really not crazy?" Faceless confirmed.

Li Banfeng puffed out his chest and said, "A doctor has seen me, I'm not crazy!"

Faceless then asked, "You are a Travel Cultivator, but do you truly like Travel Cultivation?"

"Yes, I do! I just like traveling everywhere!" Li Banfeng answered very affirmatively.

"But why do you have a strong aura of Home Cultivation about you?"

Li Banfeng was silent for a while. He was a little scared; Faceless always managed to surprise him. "Brother, why can you smell the aura of Home Cultivation?"

Faceless didn't explain. "Brother, if you don't like Travel Cultivation, then don't be a Travel Cultivator anymore. Your cultivation is not low. Continuing to cultivate a path you dislike will turn you into a madman."

Li Banfeng didn't understand. "Why would I turn into a madman? What does that have to do with liking it or not?"

"It's related!" Faceless said seriously. "In Puluo State, do you know whose Martial Cultivation talent is the highest?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment. "That must be the Martial Cultivation Grandmaster Shan Chengjun!"

"Not him!" Faceless shook his head. "It's his disciple, Ai Yeqing. Ai Yeqing's Martial Cultivation talent is the highest in Puluo State. But Ai Yeqing doesn't like martial cultivation. Shan Chengjun saw his talent and forced him to learn martial arts, but he studied his whole life and still couldn't surpass Shan Chengjun. It's like a bearing without oil; it's not smooth and can't turn. Ai Yeqing's cultivation won't improve any further. If he continues to cultivate, he will either ruin his body and become disabled, or ruin his mind and become insane."

Li Banfeng found Faceless's way of speaking interesting; he liked to use oil as a metaphor. "You mean, as long as you like it, the bearing will be oiled?"

Faceless nodded, "Exactly! With oil, it's smooth. When it's smooth, there's nothing to fear. Brother, if you don't like Travel Cultivation, just tell me, and I'll help you change."

Li Banfeng was surprised. "Cultivation can be changed?"

"Yes!" Faceless answered very confidently.

Li Banfeng added, "My cultivation is quite high now; I'm no longer at the 'ground level'."

"I know!"

Li Banfeng elaborated, "I'm also quite a bit higher than ordinary 'Cloud Rank' cultivators."

"I know that too!"

"Can that also be changed?"

"Yes, it can!" Faceless looked around and lowered his voice. "Your cultivation certainly can't compare to Old Train's, right?"

Li Banfeng nodded, "No, certainly not."

Faceless said, "Even Old Train can change!"

Li Banfeng frowned, "Brother, what are you talking about?"

He lowered his voice even further. "Old Train didn't like studying engineering. He wanted to be a Travel Cultivator, but his Engineering Cultivation was very high at the time, so he couldn't simultaneously cultivate Travel Cultivation. I helped him; I helped him 'slip past' it, so he could dual-cultivate Travel Cultivation."

Li Banfeng thought for a long time, then smiled faintly. "I see."

Actually, this was easy to understand. Faceless had been bullied by Old Train for too long, so it was only natural for him to try and get a verbal advantage.

Faceless grew a bit anxious. "I'm not lying to you. I 'slipped' half of Old Train's Engineering Cultivation to Travel Cultivation. And Old Train stopped being crazy."

Engineering Cultivation 'slipped' to Travel Cultivation? Perhaps Faceless's cultivation was too high, making him somewhat mad. But he didn't look mad.

Li Banfeng looked at Zhong Er. "Brother, you said you'd let him dual-cultivate Joy Cultivation. You weren't joking, were you?"

Faceless answered very seriously, "How could that be a joke? If you don't believe me, ask Old Train! I told Old Train not to learn Engineering Cultivation anymore, but he didn't listen to me. He couldn't bear to give up his good skills, but he didn't like it in his heart. It just wore him down, making him unsmooth, and eventually, he drove himself crazy. Cultivation is a tormenting process. You must find a path you truly like; otherwise, it will wear you down more and more. By the fifth or sixth layer, it will damage your body, which is why it's especially hard to advance past the fifth or sixth layer. By the ninth layer, the cultivation path has worn you down too much. Even if you like it in your heart, your body can't withstand it and will easily be worn out. At this point, you have to undergo a complete transformation and get a new body. That's why there's the saying about 'nine ascending to ten,' and that you must go to Inner State, because Inner State can give cultivators new bodies and also a territory to support their status. However, going to Inner State isn't the only way. With oil, you can 'slip through'. After slipping through, your body transforms with your cultivation, becoming stronger and tougher, allowing you to continue cultivating further."

Faceless's voice grew softer and softer.

Li Banfeng held his breath, afraid of missing a single word. "With oil, you can 'slip through'?"

Faceless's cheeks trembled continuously. He lowered his head and said, "I was just kidding. Don't take it seriously, and whatever you do, don't tell anyone else."

"Okay," Li Banfeng nodded.

The two stood in the room for a long time without speaking.

Faceless picked up his teacup. "Brother, if there's nothing else, then—"

Li Banfeng turned around and said, "Then I will take my leave."

Walking along the road, Li Banfeng recalled Faceless's words, word for word. He now understood why Inner State wanted to capture Faceless. He knew why the Peddler was so determined to rescue Faceless. The 'nine ascending to ten' transition was a tribulation for all cultivators. But Faceless said that with oil, one could 'slip through'. Faceless must be protected.

Li Banfeng ran back to Faceless's residence and handed a telephone to Zhong Er.

Back at Carefree Stronghold, Li Banfeng summoned Qin Tianjiu and told him about the events in the Desolate Land.

Little Fatty listened excitedly. "Even a Grandmaster died by your hand, Seventh Brother. I truly admire you!"

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "That's because the Peddler was there."

"You had the Peddler helping you, but didn't he have a Chief helping him? Seventh Brother, I truly admire you. If I could win such a battle, it would be enough for me to brag about for generations!"

Li Banfeng said, "Go brag about it now, and spread the word. Have your gang disciples disseminate the news, highlighting the key points, and make sure to clarify the identities of Hair-Snapper and Wrist-Smasher."

"Don't worry, Seventh Brother! Not just our gang, but other gangs, as long as they show the Three Heroes Gate some respect, can also help spread the word. It's just those few gangs under He Jiaqing; I don't have much influence with them—"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "He'll speak for himself; we don't need to worry about that. How high is your cultivation now?"

Qin Tianjiu thought for a moment and said, "I think I'm at the seventh layer, maybe even close to the eighth."

"'You think'?" Li Banfeng shook his head helplessly. This brother was still so muddled, but after a trip through the wormhole, his cultivation had indeed skyrocketed. Li Banfeng gave him a pair of deeds, explaining the location of the territory and the process for transferring ownership. "Go claim the territory. If you can handle it, take it on. If you don't understand something, ask Ma Wu. If you can't handle it yourself, find Pan Dehai to help you, and I'll owe him the favor."

Qin Tianjiu knelt on the ground. "I can handle it, Seventh Brother. I'll never be able to repay you in this lifetime—"

"Get up and talk!" Li Banfeng pulled Little Fatty up. "Let me tell you, this is no small matter. If you can't handle it, you must say something. Don't try to save face by pretending you can!"

Qin Tianjiu puffed out his chest and said, "Seventh Brother, I am a fatty already!"

After seeing Qin Tianjiu off, Li Banfeng called Luo Zhengnan. "Old Luo, we've known each other for so long, and I've never asked about your cultivation. What layer are you at now?"

Luo Zhengnan replied, "Over the years, following Master Seven, I've earned quite a few good elixirs, so I won't hide it anymore. My cultivation has reached the eighth layer."

"Eighth layer is enough," Li Banfeng said. "I've acquired some new land deeds. Hand over the matters of the Underground City to your subordinates for now. Come back and take over a new territory to be its local deity."

He had brought so many people to the Underground City back then precisely to give them a chance to gain experience. Now it was time for them to test their skills.

Old Luo was silent for a while. When he spoke again, he was a little choked up. "Master Seven, I... how could I be worthy—" Li Banfeng cut him off: "You are worthy. I've chosen a good territory for you."

Luo Zhengnan thanked him repeatedly, "Master Seven, I'll take care of the matters in the Soil Market first, and then I'll head over immediately."

Old Luo was always cautious in his work, so this matter couldn't be rushed.

Li Banfeng then contacted Qiu Zhiheng. "Brother Qiu, I have a territory for you."

"Brother, you've given me too much; I can't accept it. Also, I can't easily leave the Underground City right now."

Qiu Zhiheng indeed couldn't leave. The Human Market was the most complex territory in the Underground City and concerned its economic lifeline.

"Have your subordinates gradually take over. When you feel the time is right, come back to Greenwater City to find me."

Li Banfeng sent for Lu Chunying. "How high is your cultivation now?"

Lu Chunying lowered her head and said, "If I said five layers, that would be a bit of bragging—"

Li Banfeng rubbed his forehead. "I gave you plenty of elixirs, didn't I?"

Lu Chunying nodded and said, "Seventh Brother gave me a lot, but the potency is too strong, so I can't take them constantly—"

"What about your mother's cultivation?"

"About the same as mine."

Li Banfeng calculated: two at the fourth layer, adding up to eight layers— This won't do! If he made the mother and daughter local deities, it would be a joke.

Li Banfeng said, "I'll reserve a territory for you two in the new land. Come and claim it within two years. If you can't take it on by then, don't blame me for giving it to someone else."

Lu Chunying nodded repeatedly. "Thank you, Seventh Brother. I'll remember your kindness, Seventh Brother, forever. I'll never forget your grace, Seventh Brother, and your goodness to your little sister—"

Li Banfeng waved his hand. "Go cultivate quickly. Ask the elders in your family how your father practiced his cultivation."

After sending off Lu Chunying, Li Banfeng summoned Ma Wu and gave him a pair of deeds. "Li Haoyun's favor can be repaid. Also, what about Zhang Xiuling? Is she one of us?"

Ma Wu shook his head and said, "She's not that close with me, but with you, I'd say she's definitely on your side."

Li Banfeng frowned. "Is she familiar with me?"

Ma Wu smiled. "If you don't believe me, go find her tonight. You'll definitely know the 'depths' after one night, and save yourself from lengthy discussions."

"What depths and lengths?" Li Banfeng didn't understand. He took another pair of deeds. "I'll go sound out Zhang Xiuling later. I'll give these deeds to you. If you see any brothers among us whose cultivation is high enough, give them a hand."

Ma Wu took the deeds, looking a bit troubled. "Among us, there really aren't any brothers whose cultivation is high enough. If there's anyone with that potential, it might only be Jiang Mengting."

Li Banfeng laughed. "You're joking, right? Jiang Mengting only just started a few days ago!"

Ma Wu said, "Jiang Mengting is at the fourth layer, you don't believe it, do you? She always feels she's not worthy of you, so she cultivates diligently every day. Her voice is hoarse again today."

Li Banfeng said, "I'll get some medicine and go see her in a bit."

The next morning, Li Banfeng returned to his Portable Residence. He had given Jiang Mengting medicine, and she was mostly recovered from her illness. She insisted on singing for Li Banfeng. From her singing, Li Banfeng could tell Jiang Mengting was very tired. She was diligent, but practicing so hard wasn't the right approach. Ma Wu had found her a few teachers, but their cultivation wasn't very high. Li Banfeng wanted to ask Niangzi about cultivation methods, but he wasn't sure if she would agree.

As for Zhang Xiuling, the two discussed "The Tale of Jade Fragrance" all night. Zhang Xiuling's literary foundation was deep, and her potential was also profound; there was no doubt about that.

Selecting this group of local deities wasn't about choosing his own confidantes; it was about choosing the future pillars of Puluo State. Zhang Xiuling was someone capable of shouldering such responsibility. Although they hadn't interacted much, Li Banfeng decided to give her a pair of deeds.

Regarding the matter of oil cultivation, Li Banfeng was considering discussing it with Niangzi. Before he could speak, Hong Ying was the first to grab Li Banfeng's hand. "Seventh Master, I missed you."

As she spoke, Hong Ying gazed at Li Banfeng with deep affection. There was a significant change on her face, and she was waiting for Li Banfeng's reaction.

"I missed you too," Li Banfeng replied casually. He didn't notice any difference in Hong Ying compared to usual.

Hong Ying tightly gripped Li Banfeng's hand. "Seventh Master, look closely again."

Li Banfeng looked carefully again but still didn't notice anything different. Niangzi, from the side, prompted, "My dear, look how pretty Yingying's face has become."

This time, Li Banfeng saw it. A face had grown on Hong Ying's head. But this face was still incomplete. The part above the nose, including the forehead and eye sockets, was still the muzzle of the gun, without flesh or blood.

"It's quite beautiful!" Li Banfeng praised.

Hong Ying was overjoyed and pulled Li Banfeng's hand, saying, "Seventh Master, give me a kiss."

Phonograph said from the side, "My dear, go ahead and kiss Yingying. I won't be angry." This was true; Phonograph was genuinely not angry. Hong Ying, ever since she grew a face, had been showing it off all evening at home. Although her family found it a bit unbearable, everyone praised Hong Ying for being beautiful. When Jiu'er hesitated slightly, Hong Ying had already hit her. If Seventh Master disliked it, she would throw an unimaginable tantrum today; even Phonograph might not be able to control her.

However, from Old Teapot's perspective, kissing that face would actually be quite difficult. He slowly said, "I'm old—"

Hong Ying angrily said, "Where are you going?"

Old Teapot dared not move.

Li Banfeng didn't hesitate at all and kissed Hong Ying's face.

"It's truly quite beautiful." This was Li Banfeng's honest opinion.

Hong Ying's cheeks were flushed, and her fingertips trembled.

Glove exclaimed, "Master, well done!"

Projector exclaimed, "This must be a kind of art!"

Tang Sword sighed, "My lord is extraordinary; he can even kiss that!"

Hong Ying grabbed Tang Sword. "This sword, it's been used for a long time and has become dull. Why don't we melt it down and re-forge it!"