Chapter 741: Come on, Brother (This Chapter Tested)

Banfeng Yi said, "Brother, we've decided. We're definitely getting you out this time."

Old Train shook his head. "How many times have I told you? Don't think about saving me. You can't even get to where I'm trapped."

Banfeng Yi suddenly remembered something and quickly asked, "Brother, I met another you in another state. Was that also a shadow?"

"Another state—" Old Train was startled. "What did the other me look like?"

"A train engine!"

Old Train was shocked. "Stay far away from him. That really was me."

Banfeng Yi asked, "If it was you, why should I hide?"

Old Train explained seriously, "I was split in two. That half is difficult to deal with. Where did Old Seven go?"

Banfeng Yi said, "He went to negotiate a price with Qiao Yi. This time, we're going to force him to release you."

"Nonsense! Old Seven must have been tricked by Qiao Yi. Call him back quickly!" As he spoke, Old Train's shadow became fainter and fainter.

Banfeng Yi asked with concern, "Brother, what's wrong?"

Old Train opened his mouth, seemingly shouting, but Banfeng Yi couldn't hear him. He just watched Old Train disappear.

This shadow couldn't be too far from its main body; that distance exceeded its limit.

***

Inside the mansion, Li Banfeng and Qiao Yi finalized the price, but there were still a few points of disagreement regarding the details.

They agreed to complete the transaction in ten days. Li Banfeng would cure Qiao Yi's eyes and simultaneously cancel the debts of two cities.

Qiao Yi insisted the transaction be completed in Chaoge, stating that once his eyes were cured, Li Banfeng could take Old Train away.

Li Banfeng didn't agree to this condition.

"If I cure your eyes and then you go back on your word and don't release him, what am I supposed to do?"

Qiao Yi said, "We have a contract. If I renege, I will certainly face sanctions."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "You definitely have a way to circumvent the contract. The transaction location must be changed; it cannot be Chaoge."

Qiao Yi sighed, "That's difficult. The Grandmaster Craftsman is in Chaoge. If we don't do the transaction here, where will you find him?"

Li Banfeng had already anticipated Old Train being in Chaoge. "I will find Old Train in Chaoge. You go to Tianyi City, without any weapons. I'll arrange for someone there to cure your eyes."

Go to Tianyi City without weapons? Wouldn't that leave him at the mercy of Li Qi?

Qiao Yi repeatedly shook his head. "Your Highness, please don't make things difficult for me."

Li Banfeng made a promise: "In Tianyi City, I can guarantee your safety, provided you can guarantee that I can safely take Old Train out of Chaoge."

Qiao Yi thought it over, then counter-offered: "I cannot go to Tianyi City. No matter what promises Your Highness makes, that's your territory. I might not come out alive. I can go to Wubian City; the Luo family can at least ensure my life there."

Li Banfeng also conceded a step: "Then it's settled. We'll go to Wubian City."

That old fox definitely has a backup plan in Wubian City.

Qiao Yi then asked, "What if the Grandmaster Craftsman is unwilling to leave with Your Highness? How should we handle that?"

Li Banfeng didn't understand. "Why wouldn't he want to come with me?"

Qiao Yi said, "The Grandmaster Craftsman has a peculiar temperament, and some of his actions are unfathomable to me. I can wait for a maximum of one hour in Wubian City. If Your Highness fails to take the Grandmaster Craftsman within that hour, how should this deal be handled?"

"One hour is too short."

"How long does Your Highness deem appropriate? I can't stay in Wubian City for half a year, can I?"

Li Banfeng pondered carefully. "Three hours. If I haven't rescued Old Train by then, I will return to Wubian City and renegotiate the price with you."

Qiao Yi said, "The transaction will be in two parts: first, we exchange information, then we act."

Li Banfeng nodded. "It's settled then."

Both pricked their fingertips and pressed their fingerprints onto the contract.

***

Back in Tianyi City, Banfeng Yi said, "Old Train's shadow just visited and told us not to save him."

Li Banfeng was already worried about this. It seemed Qiao Yi's words were true; Old Train might genuinely not want to leave.

"Have you gotten any news about Dangkou Camp?"

Pineapple shook his head. "We've found out a lot of other information, but nothing at all about Dangkou Camp."

Li Banfeng manipulated Tianyi City, moving it to several locations, but still couldn't receive any news. Time was tight, so he controlled Tianyi City to leave the Shang Kingdom and immediately rushed to Dao Gui Ridge.

Ten days later, Li Banfeng arrived in Wubian City with Cui Tike.

Cui Tike was still in his Dao Laogui form, accompanying Li Banfeng.

Although this appearance was somewhat unsettling, it saved a lot of trouble. Everyone except Luo Shaojun kept their distance from Li Banfeng.

With Seventh Brother around, Luo Shaojun feared nothing. Moreover, she still remembered this "Dao Laogui" in front of her. When Chaoge suffered an epidemic, she and her two sisters were cured by taking medicine from this very Dao Laogui.

Using Wubian City to travel to Chaoge, Li Banfeng settled Cui Tike in Yicui Tower. Luo Lijun went ashore and brought Qiao Yi into Wubian City.

As agreed, Qiao Yi brought no weapons, only allowing Nian Shangyou to accompany him. He and Li Banfeng met in the city to complete the first part of the transaction: exchanging information.

"The Grandmaster Craftsman is in Ninefold City. I've prepared documents for you, so soldiers along the way won't stop you."

"The person who can cure your eyes is in Yicui Tower. Wait for my return with him on the first floor."

The Luo family members hid in the distance, not daring to eavesdrop or peek. They didn't know what Qiao Yi and Li Qi were up to, and they dared not ask about things they shouldn't know.

Luo Lijun took Qiao Yi and Nian Shangyou to Yicui Tower. Qiao Yi had given instructions that no one was allowed into the back garden.

Luo Shaojun saw Li Banfeng off from Wubian City. As they reached the shore of Chaoge, Shaojun reminded him, "Seventh Brother, I don't know what you're going to do in Chaoge, but I know everything you do is important. However, if you're going deep into Chaoge, you must be extremely careful. Be especially cautious once you enter Sixfold City."

Li Banfeng nodded, bid farewell to Luo Shaojun, and passed through the first gate. The guarding soldiers saw the cabinet's documents and immediately let him through without a word.

The remaining city gates were the same, until he reached the Sixth Gate. The guarding soldiers didn't recognize Li Qi, but still warned him, "Sir, please be careful with everything after entering the city. If you encounter an emergency, contact the guards frequently."

The layout of Sixfold City resembled a palace, with pavilions and towers arrayed like fish scales. Guards patrolled every street and alley.

Li Banfeng had only visited Qiao Yi's mansion, but Banfeng Zi had been to many more places. He had almost been sucked into the melting pot here, and he had encountered Old Train's shadow here too.

Banfeng Zi's memories reminded Li Banfeng to avoid deserted streets as much as possible, guiding him all the way to Sevenfold City.

***

Sevenfold City presented another sight. The city was filled with pavilions, some two stories high, some five, with the tallest reaching over a dozen stories. With upturned eaves and painted beams, each pavilion was incredibly ornate. Winding corridors intersected in the air, connecting all the pavilions.

Only Banfeng Yin had been to Sevenfold City. He whispered in Li Banfeng's ear, "Keep your eyes on the tallest building. Its position doesn't move, and neither do the Seventh Gate and Eighth Gate. Follow these three points, and walk through the corridors towards Eightfold City. Absolutely do not get lost. This place is quite dangerous. Qiao Yi once said Sevenfold City has 777 buildings, each floor a world. If you go to the wrong place, you won't be able to get out."

Each floor a world? Are there over seven hundred worlds here?

Li Banfeng looked up, wondering if Dream Tower was also here.

Following Banfeng Yin's guidance, Li Banfeng passed through Sevenfold City and reached Eightfold City.

Outside the city gate was a lake, covered with countless boats. There were large ships, bigger than cruise ships from other states. Standing on the shore, one couldn't see their entire bow and stern at a glance. There were also small boats, similar to canoes, barely able to carry one or two people.

Banfeng Yin didn't know which way to go. "When Qiao Yi came, Nian Shangyou had made arrangements in advance. A boat came to pick him up and took him to the island in the middle of the lake, which is Ninefold City. With so many boats now, I don't know which one to take."

Not knowing was fine. Having visited many unfamiliar places, Li Banfeng was used to it. A traveler-cultivator didn't fear this.

Li Banfeng used his "Riding the Wind and Clouds" technique to fly towards the center of the lake. After half an hour, a chill ran down Li Banfeng's spine. It wasn't that danger was approaching; danger was already right in front of him.

How big was this lake exactly? At Li Banfeng's speed, after flying for so long, he still hadn't seen the island in the middle of the lake that Banfeng Yin had mentioned. Was he even heading towards the center of the lake?

Li Banfeng looked back; the lakeshore and city gates were no longer visible. Without any reference points, Li Banfeng could only fly forward based on instinct.

After flying for less than five minutes, someone caught up from behind.

***

"This is the ocean! The way you're flying, who knows where you'll end up!"

Li Banfeng smiled. "Brother, you're here?"

Old Train shook his head. "I'm not here; my shadow is. Don't call me brother. Your shadow and I are brothers, but there's a layer of separation between you and me."

"Should I call out my shadow then?"

Old Train retorted angrily, "Stop messing with me! Am I crazy, or are you? You brat, I told you not to come, but you insisted on finding me!"

"I'm definitely getting you out today!"

"You can't save me!"

"At least let me see where you are, otherwise this trip will be a waste!"

Old Train, helpless, led Li Banfeng in a different direction and continued flying. "I'll take you to Ninefold City to see. Once you've seen it, you better leave quickly, or I'll deal with you!"

At such high speeds, they flew for another hour over the lake before finally reaching Ninefold City.

Li Banfeng asked in surprise, "Was that really the ocean just now?"

Old Train snorted. "What did you think? It's connected to the seas outside!"

Li Banfeng estimated their journey. "Eightfold City is actually this big?"

Old Train said, "Ninefold City isn't small either. We can't fly there; we have to walk. If we fly too high, we'll be swept away by the wind."

***

Ninefold City was indeed very large, but its layout was relatively simple.

Outside, four palaces—to the east, south, west, and north—formed a garden. In the center of the garden was a great hall, and within that hall was the melting pot.

Old Train stood at the East Palace entrance, not rushing in. He told Li Banfeng, "Brother, when the strong wind blows, stand close to the wall and don't move. Once the wind passes, then walk into the palace gate."

Li Banfeng asked for the reason, and Old Train explained, "The great melting pot changes wind direction every five minutes in a sequence: east, south, west, north. Right now, I estimate it's gathering things from the West Palace. After the West Palace, it moves to the North Palace, then the East Palace. When the wind direction is towards the East Palace, we can't walk inside the East Palace, or we'll be sucked into the melting pot. So we need to find the right time to enter."

Li Banfeng asked, "Does the melting pot look like the Profound Red Lotus?"

Old Train was stunned. "What does the Profound Red Lotus look like? I don't think I've ever seen it."

Li Banfeng (surprised): "Brother, you haven't seen the Red Lotus?"

"I told you I'm not your brother, I'm just a shadow," Old Train mused for a while. "My true body has lived for so long, it must have seen it, but whether it was in this half or the other half, that's hard to say."

After waiting a moment, the wind direction shifted to the North Palace. Li Banfeng asked, "Brother, do you know where Dangkou Camp is?"

Old Train was also investigating this matter. "Dangkou Camp isn't in Chaoge, but I know they've started training again recently. The Ministry of War has been busy, and the Grand Dispensary has produced many new medicines."

At the mention of the Grand Dispensary, Li Banfeng's eyes lit up. "Where is the Grand Dispensary?"

"The Grand Dispensary is in Sevenfold City. That place is hard to find; even I've gotten lost there. I'll draw you a map in a bit," Old Train guessed Li Banfeng's intention. "That old fox Qiao Yi must have gotten the formula. It's no use destroying the Grand Dispensary; with the Inner State's capabilities, they could build a new one in less than three days."

As they spoke, a strong gust of wind blew from outside into the East Palace. The wind was fierce; Li Banfeng stood pressed against the wall, his feet lifted off the ground by the force. There were many cries and screams in the wind. Li Banfeng used his Golden Eyes of Autumn to take a glance, seeing many distorted figures struggling desperately in the wind.

These figures were clearly the souls of the deceased. Old Train sighed, "If a person has no cultivation, they feel like they've lived in vain their whole life. But if they gain cultivation, they lose their next life. In Prolou State, as long as people have cultivation, their souls will come to Chaoge City after death. They don't know why they've come, nor what to do after arriving, until they are drawn into the melting pot, where they can only let out a couple of screams."

Li Banfeng asked, "Do cultivators ultimately have to enter the melting pot? Can't they escape this fate?"

"Yes, there are two ways to escape this fate. First, stay alive; don't die. As long as you're alive, you don't have to enter the melting pot. Second, after death, force yourself to live on, even if you become a lonely ghost, or a spiritual artifact, or a demonic cultivator's ghost servant. If your soul clings to the mortal world and refuses to leave, you also won't have to enter the melting pot. Even if you do enter the melting pot, there might still be a turning point. Clench your teeth, fight them inside the furnace, and if you win, you can preserve yourself. One day, when you get out of the melting pot, you'll still be a true hero. I'm looking forward to that day!"

Li Banfeng was dumbfounded. "Brother, you're inside the melting pot?"

Old Train chuckled. "Otherwise, why wouldn't I let you come?"

That old bastard Qiao Yi! No wonder he agreed to this deal! Old Train was trapped inside the melting pot and couldn't get out at all. How was Li Banfeng supposed to rescue him? That old villain was too malicious!

After a while, the wind in the East Palace stopped. Old Train led Li Banfeng through the palace gate. "The wind has shifted to the South Palace. There are still fifteen minutes until it shifts back to the East Palace. Let's walk faster. I'll take you to see the melting pot. Once we've seen it, we'll leave quickly."

Inside the East Palace, large halls contained smaller ones. Li Banfeng roughly counted, there were around ninety halls, each unique.

Old Train found it strange. "There used to be many first-grade weapons in the East Palace. Why aren't there any today?"

Li Banfeng said, "I've already settled the price with Qiao Yi. The contract clearly states I'm here to rescue someone, and he cannot stop me."

Old Train sighed, "You shouldn't have negotiated with Qiao Yi. He only signed the contract because he was convinced you couldn't rescue me."

They traveled along, and just walking out of the East Palace took nearly five minutes. With only fifteen minutes total, factoring in the return journey, Li Banfeng would have only five minutes to stay near the melting pot. When the East Palace wind arrives, could he use the "Unimpeded Travel" technique to pass through to the West Palace and hide?

Li Banfeng stared at the wall, lost in thought.

Old Train called out, "Hurry up! Don't think about phasing through the wall. We don't know how thick it is, or what might be inside it."

Li Banfeng said, "We're walking so fast, and time is still so tight. If an ordinary Inner State person came, how would they even get close to the melting pot?"

"Not just anyone from the Inner State can come. Only certain special individuals can approach the melting pot. The four palaces—east, south, west, and north—protect them. As long as they don't jump onto the melting pot itself, they won't be absorbed. Even if they jump onto the melting pot, if they stand in the right spot, the great hall will protect them and prevent them from falling into its depths."

Upon reaching the great hall, Li Banfeng finally saw the melting pot. Its lotus leaves unfurled, swaying gently. Whenever Madam couldn't see, the Red Lotus would touch Li Banfeng's face with its lotus leaves—a motion Li Banfeng was very familiar with. Now, the melting pot also used its lotus leaves to touch faces—the faces of the departed souls. Its lotus leaves were much larger; just the tip could cover an entire soul's face. With a shudder of the leaf, a group of souls fell onto the petal together. The leaf then curled, drawing the souls directly into its lotus heart.

So, the lotus leaves touching faces was a preparatory action before eating. Did the Red Lotus also have the same habit? Li Banfeng felt he had previously misunderstood some of Red Lotus's actions.

While the lotus leaves unfurled, Old Train pointed to the lotus heart. "There are seven holes in the lotus heart; the one slightly to the east in the middle is mine."

Li Banfeng looked at the lotus heart. Old Train's true body was actually in a hole in the lotus heart. This was hidden too deeply!

Old Train's shadow gave a wry smile. "Now you know why I didn't want you to come, right? It's not that I don't appreciate your kindness, or that I look down on you, brother; it's that I simply can't get out."

As he spoke, a hand reached out from the easternmost hole in the center of the lotus heart.

Li Banfeng said, "This hand is—"

"This is my true body's hand," Old Train said. "My true body has been trying to crawl out too. When the wind is weak, it can inch out a bit more; when it lacks strength, it gets sucked back in a bit. Maybe one day it'll gather enough strength and crawl out. Brother, you've seen what you needed to see. You truly can't rescue me. Time's almost up, we should leave. Remember this path, I said—you brat, what are you doing!"

Li Banfeng leapt up onto the lotus heart. Taking advantage of Old Train's extended arm, he grabbed his hand. He came to rescue someone; having seen him, he had to rescue him. How could he go back empty-handed?

Li Banfeng pulled Old Train, dragging him for a while, pulling out half of his body. Old Train's true body had its eyes closed, seemingly unconscious, but its body was still moving, instinctively crawling outwards.

"Pull harder, Brother!"

Old Train's shadow was stunned. Vaguely, he seemed to see a small train. Is this Thousand Mountains Traverse?

Above the lotus heart, the strong wind suddenly intensified. The melting pot seemed enraged.

Old Train's shadow rushed onto the lotus heart and pulled Li Banfeng back. "I told you not to go, why won't you listen to me?"

As he spoke, Old Train's true body, the half that had just crawled out, was sucked back in.

Li Banfeng stamped his foot in anger. "Why did you pull me back? We should have pulled his true body out together!"

Old Train's shadow was still shaken. "You can't pull him out. Look how strong this melting pot is. My true body can't resist it, let alone you. Stay any longer, and you'll be sucked in!"

Li Banfeng recalled his previous sensation. "I don't think the wind was that strong. It shouldn't have pulled me in."

Old Train snorted. "You used the 'Boundless Wanderer' technique. For that brief moment, the melting pot couldn't pull you in."

"Boundless Wanderer?" Li Banfeng scratched his head. "I just used 'Thousand Mountains Traverse' to give myself more strength. I haven't learned 'Boundless Wanderer' yet."

"With the courage of a wanderer, to level the dangers of a thousand mountains, boundless and fearless. You brat dared to charge onto the melting pot, being headstrong goes without saying. 'Boundless Wanderer' was used by you as a result."

"How long did I use it just now?"

Old Train pulled a pen from his pocket, drew a pocket watch on his palm, and after a moment, said, "Thirteen point two seconds. I don't think much of your other techniques, but this one was truly impressive. To use it for so long the first time."

Li Banfeng puffed out his chest. "I can't promise anything else, but I can definitely last long enough. Time me again, I'll try one more time."

Old Train grabbed Li Banfeng. "Stop messing around! Even the founder of traveler-cultivation could only use it twice a day, and had to rest for half a day in between! Even if I let you use the technique one more time, you still can't pull me out. We have just over seven minutes before the wind shifts to the East Palace. We should leave."

Li Banfeng stood at the great hall entrance, refusing to leave.

Old Train sighed. "Brother, I appreciate your loyalty. I promised to bring you to see, and you've seen it. If you insist on being foolish now, you'll be in the wrong."

"Brother, don't you know the 'Boundless Wanderer' technique? Let's charge in together, brothers!"

Old Train's shadow shook his head. "I told you, I'm not your brother. Why don't you understand? I don't know the 'Boundless Wanderer' technique. I'm just a shadow. There are many techniques I don't know."

Li Banfeng shook his head. "Brother, don't mess with me. When I saw you in Dream Tower, you didn't seem to have any technique you didn't know!"

"That wasn't me either," Old Train's shadow shook his head. "That was the Old Train from the dream, with half of Old Train's soul. He's much stronger than me, but unfortunately, he's trapped in Dream Tower and can't get out. How about this: you come with me to Dream Tower, we'll find a way to release half of Old Train's soul, and then we'll figure things out together."

Enter Dream Tower, fight its master, Meng Qian. In the dream, Meng Qian had every advantage, and Li Banfeng didn't even know where Old Train was. This wouldn't work at all. Old Train's shadow brought this up just to persuade Li Banfeng to leave.

Li Banfeng looked at the lotus heart, still trying to find a solution. Besides Boundless Wanderer, was there any other way?

After thinking for a moment, Li Banfeng asked in a low voice, "Can she do it?"

Old Train grew anxious. "What do you mean 'can she do it'? Are you leaving or not? If you don't, I'm going! Don't think I'm just a shadow; it's not easy for me to come out here. I can't waste my time here. Who just spoke?"

Old Train's shadow wasn't very sharp-eared; he sensed someone spoke but didn't hear clearly. Li Banfeng heard it clearly. It was one of the voices he knew best.

"Let her try."

It was Portable Dwelling.

Old man, I knew you were awake!

As he finished speaking, Portable Dwelling sighed deeply. To be honest, he still wasn't sure if he should rescue Old Train.

Li Banfeng asked, "Where is she?"

Portable Dwelling replied, "In the Fifth Chamber."

Li Banfeng quietly sprinkled a drop of blood.

Old Train urged, "Hurry, there's no time! If you don't go, I'll really deal with you!"

The wind direction changed. Old Train looked at his pocket watch.

While Old Train was looking down at his watch, Li Banfeng used the "Connected Chambers" technique to bring out Red Lotus.

Red Lotus, who had been observing the outside situation with the family through the Fifth Chamber, suddenly saw the gigantic melting pot appear before her. It felt like walking right into the screen while watching a movie.

Red Lotus gasped, "What are you doing?"

Hong Ying at home was also scared stiff. "What is Qilang doing? Won't this attract heavenly light?"

The Record Player remained composed. She understood Li Banfeng's idea. "This is the Inner State. Red Lotus can't contact those in the heavens here, so it won't attract heavenly light. It just depends on whether Red Lotus is willing to act."

Jiu'er watched anxiously. "Not much time left."

Li Banfeng said to Red Lotus, "You said this melting pot was made to imitate you. You're the original, the first generation, so you should be able to control it, right?"

Red Lotus retorted angrily, "What kind of logic is that? This thing wasn't made by me! How can I control it?"

"You don't need complex control. This thing has sentience. If you speak to it, it will definitely understand. Tell it to release Old Train, and it will surely listen to you."

Red Lotus angrily exclaimed, "You madman! Listen to the crazy things you're saying! Why would it listen to me? I told you I've never even seen it."

Li Banfeng carried Red Lotus forward. "I think you two should be quite familiar with each other; you've just been apart for too long and grown distant."

Red Lotus spread her lotus leaves, trying to break free from Li Banfeng's grasp.

Old Train shouted, "Don't go any further!"

Seeing the melting pot continuously approaching, Red Lotus roared, "You stand still! I'll figure something out!"

Red Lotus certainly had the ability to break free from Li Banfeng's grasp, but she didn't, because she dared not gamble. She knew how fast a Cloud-Layer Four traveler-cultivator was. If Li Banfeng carried her and rushed onto the lotus heart of the melting pot, it would be too late to say anything.

Red Lotus spread her lotus leaves before the melting pot, but the melting pot showed no reaction.

Miss Jiu estimated the time. "Less than five minutes left."

Red Lotus tried more than a dozen times. The melting pot seemed to respond, its lotus leaves opening and closing, gradually matching Red Lotus's rhythm.

Meng De reminded them, "Less than three minutes left."

Red Lotus opened all her lotus leaves, and the melting pot also unfurled its lotus leaves, exposing its lotus heart. Red Lotus grew a lotus seed on her lotus heart, but the melting pot remained still for a long time.

Meng De spoke again, "Less than two minutes left."

Old Train's shadow grabbed Li Banfeng. "Come with me!"

The moment he finished speaking, a lotus seed also grew on the melting pot's lotus heart. This lotus seed pushed Old Train's true body out of the lotus heart.