Chapter 789: Naihe Zhai Ling is a Traveling Cultivator (High Energy in This Chapter)

Meeting would mean life or death.

Who could have imagined that when Li Banfeng first arrived at Yaowanggou, the Peddler and the Heavenly Maiden almost met, separated only by a backpack?

If they had truly met back then, and the Peddler had killed the Heavenly Maiden, the borders of Prozhou might not have held. Innumerable weapons from Neizhou would have poured into Prozhou.

But what if the Peddler hadn't killed the Heavenly Maiden? What would have been the consequences then?

Without the Peddler, Prozhou's situation would have been even more dire.

After drinking twelve bowls of Soul-Returning Soup, Li Banfeng barely managed to sit up. He was still breathless and felt dizzy.

As soon as he lay back down on the peddler's cart, he found himself unable to move again.

The Peddler frowned. "Don't move around too much yet. Right now, I'm only temporarily gathering the Renqi (human energy) within your body. If you exert yourself improperly, the Renqi could explode again. If you're blasted twice, even I won't be able to save you."

Li Banfeng asked, "Even after drinking so much Soul-Returning Soup, this Renqi can't be dissolved?"

The Peddler shook his head. "To dissolve Renqi, you must advance your cultivation. There's no other way."

Li Banfeng took it in stride. "Then I'll advance. With you here, I'm sure there'll be a way."

The Peddler assessed Li Banfeng's condition. "Not yet. You can't move right now, and you certainly can't leave this cart. You need to wait until the Renqi is fully gathered and stable before you can advance. If it remains unstable, you'll have to drink more Soul-Returning Soup.

For Journey Cultivation advancement, I can help you, but my method is quite dangerous. Given your current state, you might not be able to withstand it.

For Residence Cultivation, I can't assist. It must be performed within a residence, using the methods of a Residence Spirit to achieve advancement."

Li Banfeng was very curious about the unique aspects of Residence Cultivation. "Why is Residence Cultivation so special? Why does one absolutely need a Residence Spirit to advance in it? And why must Residence Cultivators learn techniques from a Residence Spirit?"

The Peddler also seemed puzzled. "Ever since the Heavenly Maiden created the path of Residence Cultivation, these rules have been in place.

I've never understood the reason behind it, and she refused to tell me."

The Heavenly Maiden created the path of Residence Cultivation.

Li Banfeng asked, "Did Residence Cultivation appear quite late?"

"No!" The Peddler shook his head. "Residence Cultivation was the fifth cultivation path to emerge. For an individual, the most pressing matters are always food, clothing, shelter, and travel.

I thought at the time that what people wanted most was food. After eating their fill, they'd need clothes. Once warm, they'd need shelter. So, I figured Residence Cultivation should have been the third path to emerge. But I was wrong in my deduction. After eating their fill, people don't necessarily want clothes; they want to do other things. If they had nothing to eat and nothing to do, they'd think about stealing. That's why Joy Cultivation and Thief Cultivation came before Clothing Cultivation and Residence Cultivation."

Li Banfeng considered the timeline. In Prozhou, few people were particular about precise dates, but this time, Li Banfeng sensed a significant discrepancy. "Didn't you meet the Heavenly Maiden only during the war?

All cultivation paths in Prozhou must be approved by you to be recognized. If that's the case, Residence Cultivation must have emerged after you two met, which means it began after the war started. That can't be considered early."

The Peddler chuckled. "Who told you the Heavenly Maiden and I met during the war? If we hadn't had a prior connection,

why would she have helped me during the war? Because I'm handsome?"

Li Banfeng snorted. "As a peddler, you must have some advantages."

The Peddler turned, grabbed a funnel, and inserted it into Li Banfeng's mouth. He then scooped a bowl of Soul-Returning Soup from the pot and poured it down Li Banfeng's throat.

Li Banfeng cried out indistinctly, "Didn't I drink twelve bowls already? Why more? It's hot! It's too hot!"

"Junior Brother, your Renqi is gathering too slowly," the Peddler said. He put down the bowl, sat under a willow tree, and gazed at the sky, seemingly lost in thought.

"She and I knew each other a long time ago. Back then, I was just a peddler selling sundries. Every day, I'd push my cart to her doorstep and just look at her—"

A gust of wind blew past, and the Peddler looked at Li Banfeng. "Have you decided yet? Are you going to advance in Residence Cultivation or Journey Cultivation?"

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment. "Which do you think is more suitable?"

The Peddler glanced at Li Banfeng's bandages. "You're injured, so advancing in Residence Cultivation would be safer. It causes less physical harm, and after advancing, your physique will become more robust. Then, advancing in Journey Cultivation later on will be more manageable."

Li Banfeng gave a wry smile. "These injuries are precisely what I sustained when I advanced in Residence Cultivation. But speaking of which, why did you make me choose both Residence and Journey Cultivation in the first place? Don't tell me it was an accident. With Qiao Yuesheng's cultivation level, he surely couldn't have crashed into your cart."

The Peddler added some water to the medicinal pot. "That was an act of desperation. If you weren't a Residence Cultivator, you definitely wouldn't have been able to control the little train. And without the little train, you couldn't have kept her in check."

Li Banfeng said, "You give me too much credit. How could a novice Residence Cultivator with no real rank keep someone like Portable Residence in check?"

The Peddler took some all-purpose balm and spread it on Li Banfeng's face. "Everything bought from me comes with a contract.

Although it was verbal, the little train still had to abide by the agreement."

Li Banfeng thought for a moment, then asked, "Then why did you also make me practice Journey Cultivation?"

"To save your life," the Peddler said, picking up a bottle of soy sauce and pouring two gulps into Li Banfeng. "If you were to stay in one place with the Heavenly Maiden alone, you'd certainly lose your life."

"At that time, you actually still cared about whether I lived or died?" Li Banfeng was bewildered. "My bringing the Heavenly Maiden back to Prozhou was almost a catastrophe for the entire region."

The Peddler shook his head. "That wasn't your fault."

"Is right or wrong that important?"

The Peddler nodded. "To me, it's very important. Right is right, and wrong is wrong. You didn't know why you were bathed in heavenly light, nor did you know what you were carrying.

It wasn't until Ma Junyang and Qin Tianjiu arrived, and I listened to the three of you talk, that I realized you knew nothing about Prozhou.

You were clearly a scapegoat. You shouldn't have died for it. It's as simple as that."

A gust of wind blew, making the wind chimes on the peddler's cart jingle softly.

Li Banfeng cautiously moved his left hand. "Didn't you ever consider finding someone else to take over Red Lotus? Someone you knew better, someone you trusted more?"

The Peddler answered frankly, "I did think about it, but there was no suitable person at the time. The one who came with you was Monkey Qiu. If I had entrusted the Heavenly Maiden to Monkey Qiu, given his cautious nature, he would have definitely opened the bag to inspect it. The moment he opened it,

the Heavenly Maiden and I would have met, and everything would have been ruined.

Even if I used some means to prevent him from opening the backpack, given Monkey Qiu's loyal nature, he would surely have handed the Heavenly Maiden over to Lu Dongliang. Lu Dongliang's disposition is unpredictable; no one knows what he might do. He might even have given the Heavenly Maiden to Neizhou."

His left hand was now moving more freely, so Li Banfeng exercised his right hand. "It wasn't just Qiu Zhiheng there at the time; the coachman was present too."

"You mean Che Wushang?" The Peddler couldn't help but laugh. "Brother, do you know how potent his skill of 'seeking fortune and avoiding disaster' is? He would never have agreed to this. Even if I'd just mentioned it to him, you would never see him in Prozhou again."

Li Banfeng tentatively sat up, and the Peddler gave him a hand.

"Since then, you haven't considered finding someone to replace me?"

"I have," the Peddler replied with continued candor. "I looked for you many times afterward. I honestly wanted to find a suitable person to take the Heavenly Maiden away. That would have given me peace of mind, and you could have lived a stable life. It would have benefited both of us. But later events left me with no choice."

"Why no choice?"

The Peddler took a bag of nuts and offered it to Li Banfeng. "I couldn't find anyone more suitable than you. Every time I thought I'd found a better candidate, I ultimately realized they weren't as suitable as you."

Li Banfeng chewed on the nuts. "Why was I the most suitable?"

"Because you're the most reliable," the Peddler said, meticulously picking through a jar of medicinal candies with tweezers. "For a long time, I was unwilling to trust anyone. But from the bug infestation at Haichiling to the toad disturbance at Moxianxiang Store, I realized I could trust you."

The Peddler handed Li Banfeng two medicinal candies, one orange-flavored and one cantaloupe-flavored.

Li Banfeng ate the candies and felt his joints become less stiff.

The Peddler said, "Try getting off the cart."

Li Banfeng carefully dismounted the cart, but suddenly felt all strength leave his body. He swayed, barely able to stand steadily.

Li Banfeng realized that the peddler's cart must have some hidden mechanism, as it had played a crucial role in him being able to sustain himself until now.

The Peddler then said, "Try walking."

Li Banfeng tentatively tried to walk, shuffling and stumbling. After a few steps, he sat down on the ground.

The Peddler was generally satisfied with the results. "The Renqi has gathered, but the Soul-Returning Soup's effects are limited. You need to advance quickly. Have you decided which cultivation path to pursue now?"

Li Banfeng sensed the amount of Renqi within his body.

This time, he had accumulated far too much Renqi. Advancing in only one path might not release it all. "This is difficult to choose," he said. "I won't choose at all. I'll go home and advance in both paths at once!"

The Peddler froze for a moment, then smiled. "Others probably couldn't do it, but you're different. You have a tough fate."

Li Banfeng raised an eyebrow. "How tough do you think my fate is?"

"Your fate is even tougher than mine!" The Peddler found two boxes of Xuanyun Pills on his cart and handed them to Li Banfeng. "This is all the medicine I have left. Take them."

Li Banfeng took the pills, and they parted ways quickly.

The Peddler cautioned, "If you truly are advancing in both paths simultaneously, you must be extremely careful!"

Li Banfeng laughed. "You said my fate is tougher than yours, so I trust you!"

Back at Portable Residence, his wife quickly came to greet him. "The old master said something happened to you just now. Husband, are you alright?"

Li Banfeng kissed his wife. "My dear wife, I need to advance my cultivation again."

"Again?" His wife exclaimed in surprise. "We just advanced once!"

Li Banfeng sighed helplessly. "I bumped into the Heavenly Maiden's statue, and my Renqi is full. There's no other way."

Zhao Xiaowan knew the consequences of excessive Renqi. After weighing her options for a long time, she told Li Banfeng, "Husband, this time, let's advance in Journey Cultivation, and Residence Cultivation can wait until later. If we go to Ling'er again, she'll have to use that pair of scissors—"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'll advance in both paths simultaneously. There's too much Renqi this time; advancing in just one might not be enough."

"Both paths at once?" Zhao Xiaowan's eyes widened. "Husband, you absolutely mustn't!"

"I must. Wasn't it both paths at once when I advanced to 'Cloud Ascent'?"

"That's different, husband. This is advancing to Cloud Six!"

"It's fine. Back then, I was still at the 'Ground Level,' but now I'm at Cloud Five. My physique is much better."

"Then we can't advance in Journey Cultivation first. Yingying, that brute, isn't reliable after all." Based on his wife's understanding of Hong Ying, and Banfeng's lessons from his Cloud Ascent advancement, if Hong Ying assisted him, Li Banfeng would be extremely weak even if he completed the advancement, making it extremely difficult to continue advancing in Residence Cultivation.

Her judgment was that he should advance in Residence Cultivation first. "Husband, are you going to A'yu, or to Ling'er?"

This matter required careful consideration.

Going to Jiang Ling'er seemed safe, but Li Banfeng's old wounds had not yet healed. If the scissors were used on him again, it might endanger his life. Even if his life was saved, his injuries would not recover quickly.

Since he still needed to advance in Journey Cultivation after Residence Cultivation, going to Jiang Ling'er was clearly not a viable option.

Going to A'yu, her methods were much gentler.

However, ever since his last unfortunate experience, Li Banfeng always felt A'yu couldn't be trusted.

He felt that anyone in his own household was far more trustworthy than A'yu.

Besides, there was an expert in his home. Her understanding of Residence Cultivation was much deeper than A'yu's.

When Li Banfeng arrived at the Fifth Chamber, the ladies there quickly hid deep within the flower bushes, startled.

The ladies of the Fifth Chamber were overthinking it; Li Banfeng wasn't there for them.

Li Banfeng sat down near the Bronze Lotus and chuckled, "I really can't believe it. I knew you even before I came to Prozhou."

The Bronze Lotus unfolded its petals. "What's so surprising about that? We met at the campus supermarket."

Li Banfeng sighed. "Indeed. Ever since I took you out of that locker at the campus supermarket, I've been carrying you. A'yu carried you, the Thief Cultivation Grandmaster carried you, and I carried you too. You certainly enjoy being carried."

The Bronze Lotus's petals paused slightly, then brushed against Li Banfeng's cheek. "What are you talking about? When did A'yu ever carry me? And who is this Thief Cultivation Grandmaster you speak of?"

"Still playing dumb?" Li Banfeng chuckled. "The famous Heavenly Person. I hadn't been in Prozhou long...

...before I heard your name. I kept wondering what kind of person you were, and to my surprise, you're living in my house."

The Bronze Lotus retracted its petals, looking somewhat fearful. "A'qi, are you having an episode again? What you're saying is a bit frightening. I'm just a tool for alchemy. The Heavenly Person is my master. You can't just confuse things like that."

"Really?" Li Banfeng picked up the Bronze Lotus. "The Peddler is outside. Shall I take you out to meet him?"

The tip of the Bronze Lotus's petal trembled, and its voice lost its gentle tone. "Why would I meet him?"

Li Banfeng said, "They say Red Lotus was jointly forged by the Peddler and the Heavenly Maiden. He's half your master, so aren't you going to show him any regard?"

With that, Li Banfeng carried the Bronze Lotus toward the door.

The Bronze Lotus cried out, "Old Seven, A'qi, Qi Lang! Let's not go out yet. The Peddler and I have some past grievances...

...we can't meet! First, listen to what I have to say. What exactly do you need?"

Before they even reached the main house, the Bronze Lotus was drenched in dew from fright.

Li Banfeng said, "Nothing else. I need to advance my cultivation."

"Didn't you just advance?"

"I glanced at your statue, and my Renqi is about to explode. You need to help me advance to Cloud Six."

The Bronze Lotus said softly, "A'qi, I can't help you with this. I've never been a Residence Spirit, and I don't understand how advancement works. I'm just a lotus flower—Qi Lang, don't be hasty. Don't go outside. Can't I just obey you? First, call that wretched Hong Ying!"

Li Banfeng asked, "Why call Hong Ying?"

The Bronze Lotus said, "Hong Ying is your Residence Spirit. To advance in Residence Cultivation, you need her help. She's also the head of Journey Cultivation, so she can assist you if you want to advance in that too."

Li Banfeng called Hong Ying, and his wife watched from the side.

Hong Ying puffed out her chest, looking formidable. "Qi Lang, don't be afraid. I'll help you advance!"

Seeing Hong Ying in that state, Zhao Xiaowan felt uneasy.

Li Banfeng asked the Bronze Lotus, "So, how do we advance now?"

The Bronze Lotus spread its petals, carefully scrutinizing Hong Ying. "Well, this one... he's quite concerning... how is he supposed to advance then..."

Advancing in Residence Cultivation relies on the methods of a Residence Spirit.

A Journey Cultivator acting as a Residence Spirit – even the Heavenly Maiden had never seen such a thing.

Hong Ying snorted. "Are you looking down on me? I've been a Residence Spirit for others before! When Qi Lang advanced previously, I always said I didn't know because Xiaowan was there, and I didn't want to interfere carelessly!"

This wasn't bragging. When Hong Ying was at Iron Stronghold, she indeed served as a Residence Spirit for Butler Old He. It was only because Li Banfeng defeated Old He that he had the chance to obtain Hong Ying.

Li Banfeng asked, "How did you help Old He advance back then?"

Hong Ying thought for a moment. "The method was simple: I'd use the tip of my spear to prod his back and run around everywhere using 'Bu' (a special footwork technique)."

Jiu'er, standing nearby, said, "The tip of your spear could easily take a life. How did that Old He survive?"

Hong Ying seemed quite pensive about this. "Back then, I was deaf and blind, but my hands had some sense of proportion. I could try to avoid vital points."

Jiu'er pondered. "Isn't the back of the heart a vital point?"

Hong Ying added, "Residence Cultivators have robust physiques. He just had to lie in bed for two or three months, and then he could get up."

Jiu'er still didn't understand. "You just prodded him and ran around with him like that, and that made him advance?"

The Bronze Lotus rubbed its lotus core with a petal, seemingly having grasped some principle. "Bu (footwork) involves moving within subtle, imperceptible dimensions. While the technique itself may not be complex, it requires a pure mastery of the 'unnamable force.'

Advancement is nothing more than guiding and channeling. A'yu used kneading, Jiang Ling'er used cutting, and Hong Ying moving Li Qi in and out – it's not impossible.

However, Cloud Ascent and Ground Level are ultimately different. When using Bu, one needs to employ some skill. Let's try it as we go along."

"Nonsense!" Hong Ying retorted, letting her hair fall loose to reveal the tip of her spear.

Ren Xing grabbed a plank and hit her. "Impudent! What are you doing with that? Carry your husband and run!"

Hong Ying picked up Li Banfeng.

After careful consideration, the Bronze Lotus first told Li Banfeng, "Tell the little train to open all the chamber doors."

Li Banfeng conveyed the instruction, and Portable Residence complied accordingly.

With all the chamber doors open, the Bronze Lotus told Hong Ying, "Use Bu every three steps, from the main chamber all the way to the thirteenth chamber. And then—don't just run off! Take me with you!"

Hong Ying, carrying Li Banfeng, immediately took off running.

The Bronze Lotus, needing to monitor Li Qi's condition, was frantically hopping behind, unable to keep up with Hong Ying.

Using Bu every three steps, the frequency seemed insufficient.

The Bronze Lotus thought for a moment. "Try it again, using Bu every two steps."

Hong Ying immediately complied, running from the thirteenth chamber back to the main chamber.

Li Banfeng, curled up in Hong Ying's arms, was convulsing uncontrollably.

The advancement was too intense, and the frequency seemed too high.

The Bronze Lotus then said, "Use Bu every two and a half steps—"

"Nonsense!" Hong Ying roared. "How is that easy? How do you even find half a step?"

Zhao Xiaowan offered a suggestion: "Try alternating between three steps and two steps."

This was not easy. While walking, they also had to constantly change the pace of the footwork, relying entirely on Hong Ying's mastery of the technique to barely manage it.

Li Banfeng moved out of Hong Ying's embrace, his body wracked with spasms.

The left side of his face was smiling, while the right side twitched. One leg was kicking sideways, while the other moved forward.

"Yingying, why don't we try a different approach? How about I carry you and run instead?"

Hong Ying's face turned beet red as she roared at the Bronze Lotus, "This is all your wretched idea!"

The Bronze Lotus remained silent. The last suggestion had been Zhao Xiaowan's.

However, Li Banfeng's suggestion might actually be effective. The Bronze Lotus jumped onto Li Banfeng's shoulder. "You two alternate carrying each other. Hong Ying uses Bu every two steps, and A'qi uses it every three—"

Before it could finish speaking, the Bronze Lotus nearly fell off Li Qi's shoulder.

Li Qi's cultivation was unstable, and his spasms became even more severe.

The Bronze Lotus asked, "Do you have any Xuanyun Pills?"

Zhao Xiaowan took out a pill, wondering how much to give him, when the Bronze Lotus said, "At a critical juncture, take one first!"

Would one be too much?

Zhao Xiaowan pondered for a moment, then fed the entire pill to Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng calmed down slightly. Following the Bronze Lotus's instructions, he and Hong Ying supported each other, alternating their movements forward.

Hong Ying picked up Li Banfeng, covering a 'Bu' every two steps, effortlessly and smoothly.

Li Banfeng picked up Hong Ying, but attempting a 'Bu' every three steps, he couldn't succeed.

His technique wasn't as proficient as Hong Ying's. He would take a few steps, and then the 'Bu' would take effect.

Although it was a bit slower, the signs of advancement were more pronounced than before. The Bronze Lotus's approach was correct.

Jiu'er noticed a trick. She brought ink and made marks on the ground. "Yingying, don't walk straight forward. Walk sideways, so A'qi's Bu (footwork) can be executed more easily."

Li Banfeng had learned 'Silk Bu' (footwork) primarily for dodging, so he was more familiar with side-stepping.

Jiu'er's move was indeed effective. Li Banfeng's 'Bu' became increasingly smooth, and the trend of advancement grew more evident.

Zhao Xiaowan looked at the clock on the wall. It was 7 PM.

Two hours later, after countless trips back and forth inside Portable Residence, Li Banfeng began convulsing again.

The Bronze Lotus told Zhao Xiaowan, "Feed him another Xuanyun Pill."

Zhao Xiaowan's forehead was covered in sweat. Her hand trembled as she held the pill.

The Bronze Lotus urged, "Quickly, feed it to him! With a Cloud Two physique, he can handle it!"

After another pill, Li Banfeng recovered slightly. They continued to alternate using 'Bu,' but the advancement trend weakened.

"'Bu' isn't working anymore," the Bronze Lotus murmured to itself. "It seems we need to change methods. Little train, close all the chamber doors."

Portable Residence did not respond.

Li Banfeng said, "Old Master, close the doors."

All the chamber doors of Portable Residence closed. The Bronze Lotus said, "Hong Ying uses 'Bu,' and Li Qi uses 'Unrestricted Movement.'

Continue alternating the use of the unnamable force and see if it's effective."

It actually worked. The advancement trend resumed.

Portable Residence seemed a bit nervous. Not wanting to disturb Li Qi, it spoke to Zhao Xiaowan, "You're not going to use 'Breaking Ten Thousand Rivers' in a moment, are you?"

Zhao Xiaowan didn't know how to answer. She didn't trust the Bronze Lotus and was also worried about Li Banfeng's condition.

After more than an hour, Li Banfeng began convulsing again.

By 10 PM the next day, Hong Ying collapsed onto the bed, unable to get up. Li Banfeng was ashen-faced and convulsing ceaselessly.

Zhao Xiaowan held Li Banfeng and asked Hong Ying, "Yingying, can you still hold on?"

Hong Ying lay on the bed, panting. "If he can advance, then I can hold on. But when will he finally advance?"

More of the household looked at the Bronze Lotus. Jiu'er asked in a grim tone, "A'qi should have completed his advancement a long time ago. Are you hiding some trick?"

The Bronze Lotus shook its petals. "He should have advanced, but I also don't know why this is happening. I've been assisting him all this time. I didn't mean to harm him; harming him brings me no benefit at all!"

As they spoke, Li Banfeng began to inhale frantically, each breath deeper than the last.

Jiu'er looked at Zhao Xiaowan. "Xiaowan, there are still pills, right?"

There were still pills, but Li Banfeng had already consumed eight of them. Eating more would certainly cause problems.

Zhao Xiaowan hugged Li Banfeng tightly and cried out, "Old Master, go to Yicui Tower and find Ling'er! I shouldn't have trusted Red Lotus. I must be insane to have believed her!"

Before Portable Residence could move, Li Banfeng's body underwent a dramatic change.

From his cheeks to his torso, and then to his limbs, Li Banfeng visibly and rapidly thinned down.

His cheekbones became increasingly prominent, his cheeks sunken and clinging to his teeth. His eye sockets deepened continuously, and his eyeballs seemed almost detached from their orbits.

Li Banfeng extended a skeletal arm and grasped Zhao Xiaowan's hand.

Jiu'er grabbed the Bronze Lotus's petal. "What exactly is happening now?"

The Bronze Lotus thought for a moment. "Try using a 'harmonizer' from outer regions. It should work!"

Jiu'er angrily said, "How is that different from the pills?"

The Bronze Lotus said, "The harmonizer is gentler. At least it can keep him alive!"

Jiu'er brought the harmonizer, but Zhao Xiaowan suddenly calmed down. She looked up at the Glove. "Is there any Renqi left?"

The Glove's body swelled, and it spat out a bag of small divine statues.

Zhao Xiaowan placed the divine statues on top of Li Banfeng's head.

Jiu'er exclaimed, "How can this work? His Renqi was already about to explode!"

Zhao Xiaowan shook her head. "It won't explode. He doesn't have enough Renqi!"

Ultimately, Zhao Xiaowan knew Li Banfeng best.

Previously, when Li Banfeng advanced, he had experienced insufficient Renqi. At that time, Jiang Ling'er had compensated for him using Yang energy.

The current situation was very similar. As for why the Renqi was insufficient, Zhao Xiaowan still couldn't figure out the reason.

One by one, the divine statues were absorbed dry by Li Banfeng. The Glove said, "Mistress, don't worry, we have plenty in stock."

There was indeed plenty in stock. The Renqi gathered earlier at SanToucai hadn't been used up yet.

As he absorbed more and more Renqi, Li Banfeng gradually recovered. Although he was still a bit thinner than before,

at least he regained his usual vitality.

Exhausted, Li Banfeng fell asleep in Zhao Xiaowan's arms.

The Bronze Lotus breathed a long sigh of relief. "This time, it finally succeeded."

Zhao Xiaowan looked up and asked, "What succeeded?"

The Bronze Lotus said, "The advancement was successful!"

Zhao Xiaowan then asked, "Which path advanced?"

The Bronze Lotus thought for a moment. "Residence Cultivation definitely succeeded; my method couldn't be wrong. Journey Cultivation – it might have succeeded too, given that Journey Cultivation techniques were used all day and night."

The Residence Spirit was a Journey Cultivator, using Journey Cultivation techniques to advance Residence Cultivation while simultaneously helping Journey Cultivation advance. The process was quite logical.

Zhao Xiaowan confirmed again, "You mean that both Residence Cultivation and Journey Cultivation advanced by one level each?"

The Bronze Lotus swayed its petals. "Of course! Definitely—"

Special thanks to Alliance Leader Bai Xiaohanxing for supporting this work!