Chapter 792: Spirit Seals Should Not Be Lightly Left Behind

Soda Kiln, Qingrong Silk and Satin Shop.

Duan Shuqun arrived at the shop, which was largely burned, waiting for the accountant to calculate the losses.

Yue Changyou, the head steward of the silk and satin shop, stepped forward to confess his fault: "Master Duan, I am useless. Whether you beat me or punish me, I will accept your judgment."

Yue Changyou was a fifth-level martial cultivator. Seeing his body covered in wounds, Duan Shuqun knew he had fought desperately.

"Changyou, are you sure this was done by Ma Wu?"

Yue Changyou gritted his teeth and said: "Master Duan, I stake my life on it. Ma Wu sent people to do this.

I recognize several of them! If I say a single false word, you can take my life right now!"

Duan Shuqun frowned slightly, narrowing his eyes.

Yue Changyou said: "Master Duan, give me a few more men. I'll go avenge this right now. If we don't settle this score, I won't be able to eat another meal!"

Duan Shuqun shook his head: "Changyou, don't rush. Wait for word from the master."

The accountant finished calculating the losses, and Duan Shuqun immediately reported to He Jiaqing: "The silk fabric is mostly burned. Only a small amount of remaining stock is left in the warehouse, which won't sell for much. This shop is a total loss."

He Jiaqing simply replied: "I know about this."

Duan Shuqun added: "Jiaqing, two of our factories were also smashed. The soda kiln business might be impossible now."

"Tell the brothers to stay calm and not act rashly." He Jiaqing cut off communication. He was on Ma Wu's new land and it was not convenient to say too much.

He wore a coarse cloth padded jacket, a dog-skin hat, had wrinkles drawn on his face, a fake beard, and his hair dyed white. Dressed as an old hunter, he carried a wild boar and arrived among a group of pioneers.

"This pig was just hunted. Gentlemen, please take a look and give me a price." He Jiaqing set down the wild boar and cupped his fists in greeting to the crowd.

The pioneers gathered around. Some wanted to buy meat, some wanted to buy hide, and some wanted to buy pig ears. He Jiaqing waved his hand: "I'm not selling the meat or the hide separately. I'm selling the whole pig."

The hunters started shouting, all at once:

"Who can afford a whole pig? Besides, it's difficult to process."

"It's not easy working here. We just want to buy some pork to satisfy our cravings. We want the pig bones too. Give us a cheaper price."

"This is an Iron-bristle Pig, right? The hide's quality is good. You won't lose money selling it separately. If you don't believe me, I'll calculate it for you."

He Jiaqing haggled with the people around him. The pig's quality was indeed excellent, and more and more people gathered.

Among them were some pioneers He Jiaqing recognized; these people had been clearing land on his territory just a few days ago.

This confirmed it: the one who had poached people from He Jiaqing's territory earlier was indeed Ma Wu!

He Jiaqing thought to himself: *Is Ma Wu coming for me? How did he know about those thirteen new plots of land?*

*Did Li Qi tell him?*

That's possible. Li Qi and the peddler had an unusual friendship; the peddler likely told Li Qi the truth.

Ma Wu's territory was already over ninety percent developed and was about to become official land. He also had a large number of three-headed people under him.

For him to come to my territory and poach people, it's clear he's deliberately trying to provoke me.

If I don't teach Ma Wu a lesson, if he dares to steal people this time, next time he'll dare to steal my territory!

He Jiaqing made up his mind, but he wouldn't act today. Today was purely for scouting. The "Kneading Kiln" operation would have to wait for a better opportunity.

He planned to take something valuable from Ma Wu, making him truly suffer this time.

But he didn't intend to kill Ma Wu; he didn't want to fight Li Qi to the death.

Speaking of which, where exactly was Li Qi?

With such a big commotion, why was there no sign of him at all?

Li Qi was squatting in Room 32, looking at a door crack on the wall.

Zhao Xiaowan touched the crack: "Husband, the gloves have been tested. This door crack is breathable, proving there's another room behind it, but we can't open it right now."

Li Banfeng's eyebrows were almost twisted into a knot. He walked through room after room, then turned to look at Zhao Xiaowan:

"Wife, something's not right!"

Zhao Xiaowan nodded: "Indeed, something's not right. But now that Grandpa is asleep, we can't figure out the reason, nor can we act rashly."

Li Banfeng didn't understand his wife's meaning: "What does this have to do with Grandpa?"

Zhao Xiaowan also didn't understand Li Banfeng's meaning: "Isn't this Grandpa's business?"

"You can't rely on Grandpa for everything. What we need to do, we have to do ourselves."

"Husband, what exactly are you talking about?"

"Twenty rooms, and nothing in them. How can we live like this?"

Zhao Xiaowan was stunned for a long time, then counted carefully.

Room 13 was newly added and only had one table; no other items had been prepared.

The remaining nineteen rooms had just appeared and didn't even have tables.

Counting them, it really was twenty rooms.

"My dear husband, is this really urgent?"

Li Banfeng's eyes widened as he said: "If daily living isn't urgent, then what is? Hurry up and make a list, I'm going out to buy furniture!"

Zhao Xiaowan looked at Jiu'er: "Husband must be right. Could it be that I misunderstood this?"

Jiu'er looked at Li Banfeng: "Ah Qi, why don't you marry Ayi as well? I don't think she's a good match for Old Train, nor for Autumn Elephant."

Li Banfeng said: "Why aren't they a good match?"

Jiu'er said: "Autumn Elephant definitely won't do; he's not crazy enough. Old Train isn't quite right either. Even when he's at his craziest,

I don't think he's as well-suited as you are with my sister."

Li Banfeng wasn't crazy; he really intended to go out and buy furniture. He genuinely felt it was very important.

Seeing him about to rush out, Zhao Xiaowan quickly stopped him: "My dear husband, you must learn the techniques quickly. A fifth-level house cultivator without techniques has unstable cultivation. You are already at the sixth level. If your foundation isn't solid and you add another layer, serious problems will arise over time."

This matter was indeed urgent. Li Banfeng walked up to the Bronze Lotus: "I want to learn techniques, for house cultivation."

The Bronze Lotus coughed lightly: "I don't know any house cultivation techniques. I'm just an alchemist."

Li Banfeng stared at the Bronze Lotus for a long time, making the Bronze Lotus uneasy.

"Ah Qi, just say what's on your mind. I really can't teach you techniques, I'm not lying."

Li Banfeng touched the lotus heart: "Actually, all my techniques were taught by you, weren't they?"

The Bronze Lotus chuckled: "You shouldn't say such things carelessly. If your wife hears it, she'll flay me alive, won't she? Your house cultivation techniques were all taught by her."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "My wife didn't originally know house cultivation techniques."

The Bronze Lotus used a lotus leaf to hook Li Banfeng's chin: "You're at this cultivation level, and you still don't understand the rules of house cultivation? The house first teaches the house spirit, the house spirit comprehends it on its own, and once fully understood, teaches it to the house cultivator. That's how all your techniques are learned."

Li Banfeng still shook his head: "The Portable Abode didn't originally know house cultivation techniques either."

"Oh my! Is that so?" The Bronze Lotus's tone was very surprised. "Then how did you acquire your techniques? Could it be that there are other secrets hidden in this house?"

Li Banfeng picked up the Bronze Lotus: "Some secrets aren't clear when we're inside the house. Let's go outside and talk."

The Bronze Lotus snorted: "Why are you taking me out? To scare whom? Do you think the peddler is still outside?

It's been so many days, do you think the peddler has been watching the door for you all this time?

I'm telling you, even if he were at the door, I wouldn't be afraid of him. Ah Qi, I'm thinking of you. If you go out, you'll be exposed to heavenly light, so let's just not go out—Qilang! We can discuss things! Let's not go out!"

The Bronze Lotus's shout was heard clearly throughout all thirty-two rooms of the house.

Li Banfeng put down the Bronze Lotus: "I want to learn this."

The Bronze Lotus, still shaken, asked: "Which 'this' are you talking about?"

"Didn't you just mention 'heavenly light'? I want to learn that—it should be called Profound Light Exorcism, right?"

The Bronze Lotus sighed lightly: "I do know a little about this technique, but there are many other good techniques for house cultivation. It's not easy to advance a level, so we could learn something else, like 'Purifying Mind and Sealing Demons,' 'Grass Hut Embracing All,' 'Warm Spring Night,'

all of which are excellent techniques."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I just want to learn Profound Light Exorcism."

This wasn't Li Banfeng being stubborn. The technique of Profound Light Exorcism had been mentioned by A Yu, and Li Banfeng had also experienced it, so he had some understanding of it.

Li Banfeng had no concept of the techniques the Bronze Lotus mentioned; learning them blindly would be equivalent to letting the Bronze Lotus manipulate him.

"Alright then! I'll teach you Profound Light Exorcism!" The Bronze Lotus agreed. "First, find your most precious item and bring it to me. I'll teach you how to leave a spirit mark.

A spirit mark is like a house cultivator's identifier. Only when the spirit mark is triggered can Profound Light Exorcism be used. The techniques are interconnected, and not a single step can be skipped. What's more, why are you carrying your wife over?"

Li Banfeng put down Zhao Xiaowan: "Didn't you say the most precious thing?"

The Bronze Lotus said: "I meant an object, not a person."

Li Banfeng looked at the Bronze Lotus: "Why would I be exposed to heavenly light if I carried you outside?"

The Bronze Lotus said: "Because I am an object."

Li Banfeng shook his head: "Nonsense, you're a person."

The Bronze Lotus didn't deny it: "Do I look like a person right now?"

Li Banfeng thought for a moment: "If my wife turned into a gramophone, would she be able to leave a spirit mark then?"

The Bronze Lotus waved its lotus leaf: "That is indeed the principle—"

Zhao Xiaowan pushed Li Banfeng: "Crazy man, stop messing around. Quickly find an object, learning the technique is important."

As Li Banfeng was looking for an object, Tang Dao jumped out: "Master, leave a spirit mark on me. What if you lose me someday..."

Hong Ying kicked Tang Dao: "Who would bother stealing you? Taking you back would just be more trouble! It's better to leave it on the glove."

The Glove wagged its index finger: "Thank you for your concern, Second Mistress, but I don't need a spirit mark. I won't get lost. Anyone who dares to lay a hand on me is just asking for trouble."

Hong Ying said: "In my opinion, there's no need to overthink this. It's just an experiment. Just find anything around the house, a cup or a plate will do."

The Bronze Lotus said: "Ah Qi, don't say I didn't warn you. This matter requires utmost caution. This technique isn't to be used lightly, and a spirit mark isn't to be left on just anything."

His wife suggested: "Our family takes care of each other, so no one will get lost. But the house key has no spiritual essence, so it should be carefully guarded."

"Wife makes a good point!" Li Banfeng went outside the house and retrieved the Portable Abode's key.

The Bronze Lotus instructed: "First, sprinkle a drop of blood. Rub half on the key and half on your chest."

Li Banfeng applied the blood, and the Bronze Lotus then said: "Place the key against your chest, pinch it hard, and see if it hurts."

After a small pinch, Li Banfeng brought the key to his ear and listened for a moment: "He says it hurts!"

The Bronze Lotus waved its lotus leaves: "Who asked him? I'm asking you, does your chest hurt?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I pinched *him*. Why would *I* hurt?"

"That's why this technique is difficult to learn. Only when you feel the pain will the spirit mark be considered established." The Bronze Lotus closed its lotus leaves and went to sleep.

Li Banfeng held the key and pondered it all afternoon, making several attempts to leave a mark. At six in the evening, Li Banfeng handed the key to Hong Ying.

Hong Ying's heart fluttered: "Qilang, you trust me? Is this home entrusted to me from now on?"

Li Banfeng shook his head: "I just want you to pinch it. This key has been with me for too long, and my connection with it is too deep. I can't bring myself to do it."

Hong Ying snorted. Just as she was about to pinch it, Li Banfeng added: "Go pinch it in the second room. Don't let me see; it pains me to see him suffer."

As Hong Ying was about to go to the second room, Li Banfeng reminded her again: "Don't press too hard, don't break it."

In the second room, Hong Ying considered the force she would use, then, without a word, pinched the key.

Li Banfeng in the main room cried out in pain: "It hurts! A little softer!"

The Bronze Lotus opened its leaves, looking somewhat surprised.

Hong Ying pinched the key in the second room. Li Banfeng hadn't activated his Golden-Eyed Perception, nor did he use his Spirit Sound Insight, or even his most basic perception, yet he truly felt pain.

This proved that the spirit mark had indeed been planted.

The Bronze Lotus sighed with emotion: "It also shows how well you've learned the Family Treasures skill."

Li Banfeng asked the Bronze Lotus: "What should I do next?"

The Bronze Lotus said: "The spirit mark is set, and you have perception. Next, you should retrieve lost items. Do you know where the key is?"

Li Banfeng called out: "Yingying, find a room to hide in, and don't tell me where you are."

Hong Ying disappeared in a flash. Li Banfeng sensed carefully for a long time, then asked: "Is it in Room 12?"

Hong Ying replied: "It's in Room 16!"

The Bronze Lotus chuckled: "You're a bit off. Try a few more times."

Li Banfeng practiced for over two hours. Without using other methods, he could guess correctly two or three times out of ten. The remaining seven or eight times were not far off, typically within one or two rooms.

The Bronze Lotus said: "That's good enough. Now, let a beam of light shine forth from your body."

Li Banfeng didn't understand: "How does it shine?"

The Projector stepped forward: "Director Qi, I know how to do this."

He lit up his lens.

The Bronze Lotus shook its lotus leaves: "Not light from an external object, but light emitted using your own cultivation."

That one sentence left Zhao Xiaowan bewildered: "How can cultivation emit light?"

The Bronze Lotus said: "I can't explain this clearly. Think about what Profound Light looks like, then think about its source and its destination. Think about the connection between Profound Light and the spirit mark. There are many unnamable mechanisms involved that you must comprehend on your own."

Li Banfeng sat on the ground, pondering for a long time: "From what angle is it best to comprehend this?"

Not only Li Banfeng couldn't figure it out, but no one in the family could understand what the Bronze Lotus meant.

Zhao Xiaowan looked at Jiu'er; in terms of technique mechanisms, Jiu'er had researched them most thoroughly.

But Jiu'er had never seen Profound Light Exorcism, so she could only infer based on experience: "When it comes to emitting light, Fire Cultivators should be the best at it. The mechanism should be somewhat similar to Fire Cultivation techniques, right?"

Jiu'er's tone was a bit vague. She wanted to get confirmation from the Bronze Lotus, but the Bronze Lotus didn't respond.

Hong Ying, carrying her sword, walked back into the main room and said to the Bronze Lotus: "Jiu'er is talking to you, can't you hear her? I think you just don't want to teach properly!"

The Bronze Lotus pushed away the sword: "I've said everything I can say. If his comprehension isn't enough, that's his own failing. You've also taught him techniques, didn't you say back then that techniques should be moved by intuition, without overthinking, because overthinking can harm one's mind?"

"You—"

Hong Ying was provoked and was about to act against the Lotus.

Zhao Xiaowan stepped forward and stopped Hong Ying, then said to Li Banfeng: "Husband, at this level of technique, the mechanisms are indeed difficult to grasp. When I was researching the Dark Bridge Cannon, I learned some knowledge from other states. If we study it together, we should be able to figure out some tricks."

*Why did my wife mention other states?*

*Is this technique related to that knowledge from other states?*

It truly is.

What was called "unnamable" was a substitute term for dark matter and dark energy. The knowledge system of other states indeed had a more intuitive description of light emission. When Li Banfeng returned to Yuezhou University, Professor Song had specifically introduced relevant research findings to him.

His wife had recently been improving the Dark Bridge Cannon and had a thorough grasp of dark energy knowledge. She quickly found materials, and in Professor Song's handouts and notes, the concept of dark matter emitting light was mentioned multiple times.

This was a seemingly contradictory theoretical system: dark matter does not absorb, emit, or reflect electromagnetic radiation, meaning it is "non-luminous" in a physical sense—that is the definition of dark matter. However, in the mathematical models established by Professor Song, under certain special circumstances, dark matter could indeed emit light.

Back then, Li Banfeng had studied very diligently with Professor Song, but he hadn't fully grasped this theoretical system. Today, reviewing these materials again, he still found it very difficult.

Drinking tea, pinching his thigh, and having watched for several hours, Li Banfeng, who had slept for several days, slowly found his eyes closing.

His wife helped Li Banfeng into bed, covered him with a blanket, and even sang him a lullaby.

In his dream, Li Banfeng returned to a university classroom. Professor Song was at the podium, holding a pointer and lecturing: "Dark matter fundamentally does not interact with electromagnetism, nor does it participate in strong interactions. This was once an iron rule in the field of dark matter research.

But currently, this iron rule is likely to be broken. Some disordered changes dominated by dark matter have led to unpredictable, yet observable, forms of energy conversion—"

Just hearing these theoretical concepts made Li Banfeng fall asleep even in his dream.

He looked up at Professor Song, intending to secretly doze off when she wasn't looking.

However, Professor Song's attire gradually changed, which slowly dispelled Li Banfeng's drowsiness.

Her black suit dress turned into a turquoise cheongsam, and her ear-length bob transformed into finger waves.

Her graceful figure, accentuated by the cheongsam, moved between the podium and the blackboard.

Professor Song had turned into Zhao Xiaowan.

His wife held the pointer, turned her head, and said: "Husband, can you learn it now?"

Li Banfeng nodded vigorously: "I can!"

He Jiaqing said from the side: "Banfeng, once you've learned it, you should go to Pro Province."

Li Banfeng was taken aback: "What would I do in Pro Province?"

The Bronze Lotus, beside him, said: "You promised to send me back to Pro Province."

He Jiaqing nodded: "Yes, you promised."

Yes, I promised.

Li Banfeng looked at He Jiaqing: "Stay away from me!"

He then turned to the Bronze Lotus: "You too, stay away from me! Touching you means being exposed to heavenly light!"

The Bronze Lotus snorted: "Without being exposed to heavenly light, where would your cultivation come from?"

*That's right, where did my cultivation come from?*

Li Banfeng suddenly woke up, sat up in bed, and looked at the Bronze Lotus: "Where did my cultivation come from?"

The Bronze Lotus opened its lotus leaves and softly said: "Have you forgotten this? You were exposed to heavenly light, gained a spiritual affinity, used the introductory medicinal powder, and cultivated diligently to attain your cultivation."

Zhao Xiaowan quickly wiped the sweat from Li Banfeng's forehead: "Husband, did you have a nightmare?"

Li Banfeng thoughtfully considered the Bronze Lotus's words.

Hong Ying felt there was nothing to think about; what the Bronze Lotus had just said were fundamental Daoist principles.

Li Banfeng asked: "What's the difference between spiritual affinity and cultivation?"

Zhao Xiaowan said: "Spiritual affinity isn't cultivation. Spiritual affinity is—"

Li Banfeng said: "Spiritual affinity is dark energy, right?"

When he said that, Zhao Xiaowan somewhat understood.

Li Banfeng gathered all the knowledge he had previously acquired, including from his wife, the peddler, Professor Song, Cui Tick, Old Train, and the Dark Star Bureau, connecting them to form a coherent Daoist theory.

"Accumulating spiritual affinity first is like having dark energy, but dark energy is chaotic, and the physical mutations it causes are also chaotic.

Daoist medicinal powder acts as a navigation device, guiding cultivators and transforming chaotic dark energy into ordered dark energy, leading to ordered physical mutations. That's why Daoist medicinal powder from other states is called a 'guide agent,' right?"

Li Banfeng looked at the Bronze Lotus.

The Bronze Lotus corrected a small error: "Those who have just started can't actually be considered cultivators yet."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Right, now they just know the path, but haven't started walking it, so they can't be considered cultivators.

Cultivators must follow the Daoist rules to cultivate; this is the process of transforming chaos into order. I haven't said anything wrong, have I?"

The Bronze Lotus sighed lightly: "Oh dear, what you're saying is too profound. I don't understand it anymore."

Hong Ying sat beside the Bronze Lotus, nodded, and said: "Qilang, what you're saying is indeed a bit profound. I don't understand it either."

The Bronze Lotus was silent for a moment, then shifted away slightly: "I'm not really confused; I was just teasing him. We're a bit different."

Li Banfeng scratched his scalp, grasping the core of the problem: "Transforming chaos into order is cultivation, and transforming order into chaos is Profound Light. Am I right?"

The Bronze Lotus said in surprise: "I don't understand the knowledge from other states, but I think what Ah Qi said makes sense!"

Hong Ying picked up the key: "Qilang, I'll go to any room, and you can try again."

Li Banfeng nodded: "Be extra careful, don't let the heavenly light hurt you."

Hong Ying's face was relaxed: "Don't worry, I can dodge the heavenly light if it comes."

The Bronze Lotus said: "Ah Qi, think carefully before you try."

Hong Ying went to Room 11 and shouted: "Qilang, I've placed the key. You can start!"

She wasn't that arrogant; she placed the key on the table.

Li Banfeng quickly sensed the key's location and was about to channel his power to release the Profound Light.

But just as his body began to brighten slightly, he immediately stopped.

Li Banfeng felt something was wrong.

Zhao Xiaowan also felt something was wrong: "Husband, don't try it yet."

Li Banfeng looked at the Bronze Lotus and said: "This technique cannot be used lightly because it will cause a loss of cultivation, right?"

The Bronze Lotus nodded: "That's why I told you not to casually leave spirit marks."

Transforming order into chaos, exchanging cultivation for destructive power—the Profound Light Exorcism technique seemed incredibly powerful, yet its cost was surprisingly heavy.

"Qilang, why aren't you trying?" Hong Ying returned to the main room with the key. After hearing Zhao Xiaowan explain the reason, she felt Li Banfeng had suffered a great loss. "Who uses a technique that also causes a loss of cultivation? The more techniques are used, the faster cultivation progresses! Qilang, let's not learn this one."

The Bronze Lotus sighed: "It's too late. From the moment you learned to create spirit marks, this layer of technique has already been occupied."

Hong Ying roared in anger: "You don't teach so many other techniques, yet you chose to teach this one. You clearly have ill intentions!"

"General Hong, be reasonable when you speak!" The Bronze Lotus pointed a lotus leaf at Li Banfeng: "I didn't force him or trick him into learning the technique; he chose it himself."

Li Banfeng had nothing to say.

Hong Ying comforted him: "It's fine if you learned it. We just won't use it in the future."

The Bronze Lotus said: "That's not up to him. If the technique is truly learned, once the key is lost, you'll have a sensation. And once that sensation comes, the Profound Light will automatically be released. So, I'll remind you again: never casually leave spirit marks."