Chapter 717: Earned

Chapter 718: Meeting with Joy

Li Qi informed Luo Yanjun that the matter of the three-headed entity splitting into three individuals was negotiable.

Overjoyed, Luo Yanjun immediately sent a message to the Fish Envoy, Nian Shangyou.

Luo Shaojun worried that Yanjun had caused trouble, and even more that Nian Shangyou would harm Li Qi. "Brother Qi," she said, "you seem to be injured. It's best to be cautious and not rashly interact with that person."

Li Banfeng instructed Luo Shaojun: "Guard the back garden and have everyone leave. If I don't come out of the garden, no one is to enter."

Shaojun asked no further questions and had everything arranged in less than half an hour.

Li Banfeng took seventy-eight divine statues from the sunflower head.

He consumed all the spiritual essence from the seventy-eight divine statues and carefully estimated the amount.

95% or 97%?

Or was it enough?

Li Banfeng wasn't sure of the exact amount; he felt it should be enough, yet it seemed to be just a little short.

Back at Sui Shen Ju, Li Banfeng discussed his upcoming promotion with his wife.

His wife's two phonograph needles spun back and forth, clearly indicating her uncertainty. "My dear husband," she said, "I have never experienced advancing to Cloud Layer Four. Furthermore, this promotion is for your journey cultivation, so perhaps we should ask Yingying about it."

Hong Ying was putting on makeup in front of a mirror, sweat continuously dripping down her cheeks.

The phonograph snapped, "Are you done putting on makeup? Your husband is about to advance, didn't you hear?"

Hong Ying wiped off her sweat and said, "I haven't experienced Cloud Layer Four either, so I'm afraid I wouldn't understand it."

"The more critical the moment, the less reliable you are!" the phonograph exclaimed, calling for Ninth Miss. "Jiu'er, you've seen the Cloud Gate technique, so you should know how to advance to Cloud Layer Four."

Ninth Miss also looked troubled. "I've seen the Cloud Gate technique, but I haven't learned it. Besides, it probably won't be needed this time."

Hong Ying asked, "Why won't it be needed? Does that mean you can't advance to Cloud Layer Four if you don't know that technique?"

Ninth Miss explained, "A body at Cloud Layer Three cannot hold the spiritual essence required for advancing to Cloud Layer Four. The Cloud Gate technique is used to store excess spiritual essence.

Now A-Qi is already at Cloud Layer Four, and he can hold the spiritual essence, so the Cloud Gate technique won't be needed. Therefore..."

"So what's the issue then?" the phonograph asked.

Ninth Miss lowered her head, saying with a hint of shame, "So I can't help either."

Li Banfeng looked around the room, then turned to his wife. "Then I can only go find Jiang Linger."

The phonograph nudged Li Banfeng with its horn. "Husband," it buzzed, "then go ahead!"

"Wife, wait in the main room for now. You might still need to help when the time comes."

"I will obey you, Husband."

The phonograph saw Li Banfeng to the door, then turned to look at the people in the room.

Hong Ying continued grooming herself, applying lipstick again and again.

Jiu'er stepped forward to help Hong Ying comb her hair. The braids were done, then undone, and after being undone, they were braided again.

No one else dared to speak; only Tang Dao broke the silence.

"A great leader is broad-minded enough to sail a boat in his belly," Tang Dao said. "The master merely went out to find an outside woman. It's nothing important to worry about."

Hong Ying and Jiu'er both looked at the phonograph.

The phonograph angrily retorted, "Why are you looking at me? Isn't it because you're useless? If even one of you were competent, would that outsider get a chance!"

Li Banfeng went to Jadeite Pavilion, where Jiang Linger was doing needlework. She looked up at him and asked, "What do you want?"

Li Banfeng calmly replied, "Can't I just come to see you without any specific business?"

Jiang Linger lowered her head and continued her embroidery. "If you have something to say, say it quickly."

She was so straightforward that Li Banfeng could only tell her the truth. "I'm about to advance again."

Jiang Linger was taken aback. "Didn't you just advance to Cloud Layer Four? Why are you advancing again?"

Li Banfeng said, "As you know, I cultivate two paths. If one path advances, the other must certainly keep up."

As he spoke, Li Banfeng's legs kept trembling.

Jiang Linger looked at Li Banfeng's legs. "Your other path is journey cultivation, and I don't know much about it. It would be best if another journey cultivator could come and assist."

She agreed!

Li Banfeng truly hadn't expected Jiang Linger to agree so readily!

Li Banfeng nodded. "That's easy to arrange."

Jiang Linger thought for a moment, then added, "Dwelling cultivation and journey cultivation conflict with each other. I don't know how you got to where you are today. Does anyone know the art of reconciling them?"

"Yes!" Li Banfeng exclaimed, confident about this. When he had advanced from the ground level to the Cloud Layer, both dwelling and journey cultivation had progressed simultaneously, so his wife would definitely know how to reconcile them.

Jiang Linger then asked, "Do you have any Profound Essence Pills?"

"Yes!" He was never short of Profound Essence Pills.

Jiang Linger nodded. "Then let's begin."

Her straightforwardness in action filled Li Banfeng with guilt.

Jiang Linger continued her needlework, as if she had no intention of blaming Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng used his Connected Bridal Chamber Technique to bring out both his wife and Hong Ying.

Jiang Linger's face was expressionless as she murmured, "This fellow is too brazen! He actually brought outside women into the house!"

Jadeite Pavilion slowly whispered in her ear, "It's not just outside women, he even brought an outside residence!" Jiang Linger looked out the window for a long time. "Where is this 'outside house' built?"

Jadeite Pavilion whispered again, "I don't know where that house is, but I can sense it. You should be extra careful; these two women he brought are not easy to deal with either."

Jiang Linger looked at Hong Ying and the phonograph. Hong Ying showed no fear and glared at Jiang Linger. "What are you looking at?"

The phonograph somewhat dodged and didn't respond to Jiang Linger.

Li Banfeng instructed the three of them, "This promotion is extremely dangerous. Whatever grievances you have, put them aside for now. We must work together with one heart to get through this tribulation."

The phonograph hissed steam and said, "Husband is right, we must work together with one heart."

Jiang Linger looked at the two of them and asked, "Which of you is the journey cultivator?"

Hong Ying remained silent, so the phonograph nudged her. "She's asking you a question!"

Jiang Linger told Hong Ying, "First, help him establish the 'promotion environment'."

Hong Ying asked, "What is the 'promotion environment'?"

The phonograph said, "It's about creating a good environment for husband."

Hong Ying still didn't understand. "When you helped Qilang promote before, I never saw you create any 'good environment'."

The phonograph patiently explained, "A dwelling cultivator promoting in their dwelling is a 'good environment', and an alcohol cultivator promoting while soaking in a wine jar is also called a 'good environment'!"

Hong Ying finally understood. "Qilang, use your 'Intent to Travel A Thousand Mountains' technique and imagine wind and clouds."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "What kind of wind and clouds?"

Hong Ying thought about how to describe it: "A gentle and harmonious breeze, and clouds that roll and unfurl."

Those eight short words truly resonated with Li Banfeng. He sat by the bed and thought for a moment, and then clouds appeared in the room, accompanied by gusts of cold wind.

"Make the wind warmer and softer," Hong Ying instructed, "and the clouds a little thicker." She gently rubbed Li Banfeng's forehead and helped him lie down on the bed.

The 'Intent to Travel A Thousand Mountains' technique usually lasted a very short time, but with Hong Ying's help, Li Banfeng managed to sustain it a little longer.

The clouds in the room slowly enveloped Li Banfeng, and as a warm and gentle breeze blew, he quickly fell into a deep sleep.

Jiang Linger looked at Li Banfeng. "Isn't he just asleep? What kind of 'promotion environment' is this?"

Hong Ying sneered, "Don't talk nonsense if you don't understand. When I advanced before, it was always done by just sleeping."

Jiang Linger said, "Do you think this matter is so easy to fool around with? Are you even a journey cultivator?"

"Who are you saying is fooling around?"

Jiang Linger looked at Hong Ying, and Hong Ying stared back. As their eyes met, it seemed they were about to fight, so the phonograph quickly intervened to mediate.

"Miss Jiang," the phonograph said, "Hong Ying is the chief of journey cultivators. Her methods might be a bit crude, but they might not be ineffective. It's best to quickly get started and help our husband promote."

Jiang Linger snorted, "Just two concubines, and you dare call him 'husband' in front of me?"

This remark infuriated Hong Ying. "Who are you calling a concubine? Do you have no sense of propriety?"

"Propriety?" Jiang Linger sneered. "Just look at the two of you. Do you really think you have the right to contend with me for the main wife's position?"

Those two short sentences, every word of them, struck Hong Ying's heart.

Hong Ying drew her long sword. "In what way am I inferior to you? With your meager looks, how dare you be so presumptuous in front of us sisters? I think you're tired of living!"

The phonograph angrily reprimanded, "Yingying! Don't be foolish. Wait until we've helped husband."

Jiang Linger looked at Hong Ying's sword. "The blade is decent. This thing will be useful soon, so put it aside for now."

The phonograph was puzzled. What use could a sword be?

But she didn't dare ask more. She didn't even dare to take another glance at Jiang Linger.

The phonograph found it absurd herself. She had changed into this appearance; Jiang Linger couldn't possibly recognize her.

Yet she was still afraid. Every time she saw Jiang Linger, her chest ached.

She took out a music box from Li Banfeng's person. The music box played a melody towards Li Banfeng, ensuring he remained in a deep sleep for a long time.

Jiang Linger uncovered Li Banfeng's clothing. "First, help him wash up."

The phonograph was good at this. She often helped Li Banfeng wash his body, meticulously cleaning every part of him.

Jiang Linger indicated a vital spot and told Hong Ying, "Prepare to make an incision."

Hong Ying was startled. "Where do I make the incision?"

Jiang Linger pointed to the vital spot and said, "Don't you recognize this?"

Hong Ying said in horror, "Are you crazy? Can you make an incision here? Do you actually want to cut this off?"

Jiang Linger said, "How else can he advance if we don't cut it?"

Hong Ying was furious. "What will he use after it's cut off?"

"I'm not telling you to cut it all off," Jiang Linger said, not bothering to explain further. "You hold it, and I'll do the cutting."

Hong Ying held the vital spot. Jiang Linger tried Hong Ying's sword but found it awkward, so she turned and picked up her own scissors.

She made a small incision below the vital spot. Hong Ying trembled with fright. "Be very careful!" she cried. "If you cut it wrong, life will be impossible afterward!"

Jiang Linger said, "Last time, he had excess spiritual essence, and we needed to cut his meridians open to convert some of it into Yang energy.

This time, the situation is the opposite. He's slightly short on spiritual essence, with about 99%. The remaining 1% needs to be supplemented with Yang energy, so we need to make another incision in the meridians and clear them again."

Hong Ying mostly understood, but she remained worried, and her grip tightened more and more.

Jiang Linger said, "Don't squeeze it. If it comes out, the Yang energy will dissipate, and it'll be harder to deal with. Instead, use your technique to push him forward and accelerate the promotion."

If it was just about speed, Hong Ying actually knew what to do.

She gently massaged Li Banfeng's body with her fingertips, and his flesh trembled continuously beneath his skin.

This was no ordinary method; this was 'Trampling Ten Thousand Rivers'.

Don't assume Hong Ying only knew harsh methods; she also knew gentle ones. She used 'Trampling Ten Thousand Rivers' to stimulate Li Banfeng, without harming him, allowing the sleeping Li Banfeng to perceive danger through his instinct to seek fortune and avoid calamity, thus naturally accelerating his promotion speed.

Jiang Linger then asked, "Who has the Profound Essence Pills?"

The phonograph opened its front compartment. "I have them."

Jiang Linger told the phonograph, "Administer them to him according to his condition. I can't say how much he needs; it's best to divide the pills into small pieces and give them to him slowly. During this time, you must also ensure his breathing is stable. How well you do this depends on your skill."

This required delicate control. Fortunately, the phonograph understood Li Banfeng well enough and had precise control over administering the medicine.

Jiang Linger carefully examined the meridians, using Yang energy to slowly supplement the missing spiritual essence.

The three of them worked tirelessly all night. By daybreak the next day, Li Banfeng's condition had stabilized, meaning the promotion had been successful.

Li Banfeng was still in a deep sleep. The phonograph and Hong Ying had nowhere else to go, so they remained in Jadeite Pavilion.

Hong Ying still found Jiang Linger displeasing, but fortunately, Jiang Linger didn't stoop to her level and simply kept her head down, doing her needlework.

By dusk, Li Banfeng's condition had greatly improved, and it seemed he would awaken in another hour or so.

Jiang Linger looked at Li Banfeng and sighed. "A domestic flower is not as fragrant as a wild one. This man is heartless; once he wakes up, I'm afraid he'll follow you two vixen again!"

Hong Ying drew her long sword, intending to fight Jiang Linger desperately. "Who are you calling a wild flower? Who are you calling a vixen? When I entered this household, Qilang didn't even know you. If anyone's a wild flower, it's you!"

The phonograph kept pulling Hong Ying back, but then saw Jiang Linger holding two packages, which she handed to Hong Ying and the phonograph. "Regardless of who is the 'domestic flower'," Jiang Linger said, "we are acquainted after all. Please accept this small token of my goodwill."

Hong Ying took the package but didn't open it immediately.

She really disliked Jiang Linger, but at the same time, she felt Jiang Linger's straightforwardness resonated with her own personality.

Having received a gift without giving one in return, wouldn't that make her seem narrow-minded?

Hong Ying handed her sword to Jiang Linger. "This sword is well-made. You can keep it."

Jiang Linger didn't decline and accepted the sword directly.

This sword wasn't brought by Hong Ying herself; it was a weapon Li Banfeng had obtained during a fight. Its value wasn't exceptionally high, but it had been with Hong Ying for quite some time, making it a sincere gift.

The phonograph was at a loss.

What could she give in return?

Her front compartment contained a pile of cheap jewelry and rouge, but these things were definitely not suitable as gifts.

Besides these, there were wrenches from the peddler and pliers from A-Yi, which were for repairing the small train. They were not suitable as gifts and couldn't be given to others.

What else was there?

There was also a lot of silver currency. Would giving this as a return gift be too vulgar?

But she truly couldn't think of anything suitable.

As the phonograph was feeling at a loss, she suddenly heard Hong Ying exclaim, "Your hands are truly skillful, this dress is so beautiful!"

Clothes?

Jiang Linger gave clothes?

The phonograph was stunned. Wasn't this mocking her?

She was a phonograph, why would she need to wear clothes?

Could it be a piece of fabric?

The phonograph opened the package and looked. The package indeed contained a set of clothes.

It had sleeves, a collar, and a skirt.

This was clearly not clothes for a phonograph; these were for a human.