Trample Ten Thousand Rivers

Old Man Yao asked Li Banfeng to go to Sea Eat Ridge to deliver a prescription to Pan Dehai.

Li Banfeng asked first, "Who is Pan Dehai?"

"The big boss at the top of Sea Eat Ridge."

The big ladle-handler must be the Local Earth God, right?

The head of Sea Eat Ridge is a virtuous man.

Is there any necessary connection between moral cultivation and being a foodie?

"What level is his cultivation at?" This was a question that Li Banfeng had always been curious about, but after asking, he figured that Yao Lao wouldn't answer.

If the cultivation level of the Local Earth God is revealed, it would be equivalent to revealing Yao Lao's own cultivation level.

As expected, Yao Lao did not say it explicitly, "I can't say for sure how high Pan Dehai's cultivation level is, but it should be no less than mine."

Li Banfeng asked again, "Why do you trust me?"

"As I just said, you're quite capable to be able to cross the border from Singapore, and you and I get along well; you won't use my prescription for evil purposes. So, are you willing to go?"

The various Lineage are likely to clash in Sea Eat Ridge, Li Banfeng doesn't want to get involved.

But it also depends on the cost; Yao Lao gave a generous reward.

With this Wine Gourd, Li Banfeng essentially had a winery, able to obtain Yao Lao's medicinal wine anytime, anywhere. Whether for arson or healing, this medicinal wine was of the highest quality.

Furthermore, this map not only allows Li Banfeng to return to Blue Poplar Village, but also enables Li Banfeng to travel to multiple locations without Travel Permit. In Pro State, this is an extremely rare treasure.

After careful consideration, Li Banfeng agreed to the deal.

A map, a prescription, and a Wine Gourd appeared before Li Banfeng.

A woman's voice cried out from inside the Wine Gourd: "Good wine! Good wine!"

It truly is a magic weapon!

But why is it a woman?

Are there women in this world who are addicted to alcohol?

The items arrived ahead of schedule.

Li Banfeng quickly said, "Yao Lao, I don't have much cash on hand. I'll send you 500,000 in a bit."

Yao Lao didn't care about the money at all. "It's nothing, just write down the route first."

The map on the table was unfolded, revealing a water stain with a strong aroma of wine.

This water trail covers Medicine King Gully, Green Water Bay, Belt Ridge, Sea Eat Ridge, Bitter Vegetable Manor, Bastard Slope, and Iron Gate Fort.

This is the route that Yao Lao drew for Li Banfeng.

"There's more than one road in the new land, but you must remember to follow the path I've drawn. The other paths are too dangerous; you can't navigate them with your current abilities."

If you need to climb a mountain, climb a mountain; if you need to cross a ridge, cross a ridge. Don't take detours, don't go around any ridges.

"Yao Lao, I've arrived at Sea Eat Ridge. How can I contact Pan Dehai?"

"Prepare a few doses of prepared medicine first. When you arrive at the disaster-stricken area, kill as many insects as possible. Pan Dehai will be able to see them, and he will naturally appear to ask you for the prescription."

You went through a lot of trouble delivering the medicine; he should give you a reward. If he brings it up, don't hesitate to take advantage of him.

But if he gives you a magical artifact, try your best to resell it, no matter how valuable it is. Don't be reluctant to part with it.

There's something called a tape recorder in Outer State; you've probably heard of it. He has tape recorders among his valuable possessions, and they might just leak your secrets.

Sold?

Magical artifacts are not easy to resell; they can't be sold in just a day or two.

As long as the magic weapon is with Li Banfeng, it must be kept in his Portable Abode. If this matter is leaked, Li Banfeng will suffer a great loss.

If all else fails, just ask for money instead of magic items; that's the most practical approach.

Yao Lao continued, "Pan Dehai talks a good game; he'll probably make you a lot of promises, but just ignore them."

If he turns on you and attacks, tell him that if he hurts you, he'll be making an enemy of me, Yao Lao, and if he falls into my hands, I'll get my revenge, with interest!

Li Banfeng agreed to the matter. After the ashes of the paper offerings were scattered, Yao Lao left. Li Banfeng ate a Golden Essence Pill and a Blue Leaf Pill. With the time he had accumulated while traveling in the new land, he had less than half a year left to reach the third level of Travel Cultivator.

After resting for more than five hours at the inn, Li Banfeng recovered and went back to his Portable Abode for a nap to make sure he wouldn't delay his cultivation at House Cultivator.

The next day, at eight o'clock in the morning, Li Banfeng left the inn and went to four pharmacies to buy a bunch of herbs, which he then had ground into powder.

The reason he didn't buy from a single pharmacy was to prevent the prescription from being leaked. For this reason, Li Banfeng also bought a lot of useless medicinal herbs and stored them in his Portable Abode.

Back at the inn, Li Banfeng prepared the medicine according to Yao Lao's prescription.

Is dispensing medicine really that simple?

It wasn't that simple. Li Banfeng wasn't Medicine Cultivator practitioner either. He took the prescription, looked up the names of each herb, weighed them, and couldn't prepare a single prescription in a long time.

"Little brother, have a drink to warm yourself up and take a rest." The Wine Gourd jumped in front of Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng looked the gourd up and down and asked, "Is your wine drinkable?"

"Why can't you drink it? What are you saying? This wine of mine cures ailments, satisfies cravings, enhances virility, and dispels cold. Being able to drink a sip is your good fortune!"

Li Banfeng took a sip, and it really tasted pretty good.

"Young man, you can't prepare medicine like this. If you weigh every single ingredient, won't you exhaust yourself?"

Those who should be weighed should be weighed, and those who shouldn't should use a fine-tuned scale!

While preparing the medicine for Li Banfeng, Wine Gourd also fed Li Banfeng wine.

This job wasn't tiring at all; I prepared over a hundred doses of medicine in one morning.

The Wine Gourd possesses a high level of intelligence, clearly surpassing that of the Tang Blade.

After preparing the medicine, it was already noon. Li Banfeng went to Yu Family Cloth Shop, but the shop was not open yet, and only Wang Xuejiao was guarding the door.

Li Banfeng took out 500,000 yuan in cash and asked Wang Xuejiao to give it to Yu Nan, who would then pass it on to Yao Lao. He also gave Wang Xuejiao an extra 2,000 yuan as a reward.

When he reached the intersection of Pailou Street, Li Banfeng felt that something good was about to happen. He stopped and looked around.

He was looking for someone, for the Carriage Driver with the steamer.

He actually found him. This Carriage Driver only had two waiting spots, one at the station and one in Inner Gully. He was sleeping in his car, and you couldn't see him unless you looked closely.

Li Banfeng stepped forward and carefully woke him. The Carriage Driver rubbed his eyes, looked at Li Banfeng, and smiled, "Need a ride?"

Li Banfeng nodded. "Go to the Three Coil River New Area."

"Three Coil River? That's so far! Are you in a hurry?"

"No rush, let's take it slow."

How much money are you offering?

Name your price.

"If you're not in a hurry, it'll take us half a day to walk here."

"I'll provide meals."

The Carriage Driver did the calculations and quoted a price. "Three thousand five!"

Li Banfeng didn't haggle and got into the car immediately.

Despite being told there was no rush, the Carriage Driver still pulled the cart very fast, because the journey was indeed quite long.

After leaving Inner Gully and walking for two hours, around lunchtime, Li Banfeng asked, "Should we find a place to eat, or just grab something quick?"

"There's no village or shop in sight, where's a good place to eat? I'll just grab something to eat!" The Carriage Driver wiped his sweat and took out the flatbread he had brought with him.

He understood what Li Banfeng meant: he was spending so much money to ride in his car because he wanted to ask him some questions about spiritual practice.

Li Banfeng carried several cans of food with him, which went perfectly with the biscuits, and the two ate and chatted.

The Carriage Driver asked, "Are you going to this new land to reclaim wasteland?"

Li Banfeng shook his head. "I want to go cultivate. They all say that Travel Cultivator progresses faster in new places."

"The faster one's cultivation level increases, the faster one dies," the Carriage Driver sneered. "Why are you people always so obsessed with risking your lives? Isn't it better to cultivate steadily like me?"

"Speaking of cultivation, there's something else I'd like to ask. What are the names of the third level of Travel Cultivator Third Layer Technique?"

"The third floor?" the Carriage Driver scoffed. "You've only been on the first floor for a few days, and now you're already eyeing the third?"

Li Banfeng explained, "I've entered the new land Calculation Cultivator for over ten years. I estimate I can at least reach the third level. If I can't learn the techniques by the time I reach that level, wouldn't I be at a huge disadvantage?"

The Carriage Driver sighed, "Can you even live for another ten years in New Zealand? How can you think so highly of yourself?"

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "That depends on luck and opportunity. Maybe I'm just lucky?"

The Carriage Driver shook his head and said, "If you want to ask about something else, I can tell you. But if you're asking about techniques, this price isn't right. For second-level techniques, you'll have to give me at least ten thousand, Third Layer Technique, that's another story."

He charged me 500 for asking me about one technique.

The second-level technique now costs 10,000.

How much would he need for the Third Layer Technique? Would 100,000 be enough?

A price of 100,000 is actually reasonable. Second-level cultivators are far rarer than first-level cultivators, and third-level cultivators are even rarer. Their techniques are becoming increasingly secretive, so it's only right that they're sold at a higher price.

"I've heard about the second-level technique before, but I'd like to ask about the third level. We can discuss the price."

The Carriage Driver still refused. "This isn't about money. A three-tiered Travel Cultivator is extremely rare. Do you think I'd just tell you this technique so easily? Even if you gave me 100,000..."

Li Banfeng took out two Mystic Blaze Pills and gave them to the Carriage Driver.

The Carriage Driver examined the quality of the Mystic Blaze Pill, then put it away. "We're from the same Daoist sect. I see you're venturing into new territory all by yourself, which must be tough, so I'll give you a few pointers."

Our Daoist sect's Third Layer Technique is called "Trample Ten Thousand Rivers."

What does "Trample Ten Thousand Rivers" mean?

Li Banfeng analyzed the text literally and asked, "Is this technique particularly useful when traversing mountains and valleys?"

The Carriage Driver didn't say anything. He stood up, eating his canned food as he took a step forward.

Snap!

His footsteps slammed on the ground with a sharp crack, startling Li Banfeng.

A fist-sized stone in front of the Carriage Driver's toes turned into dust.

Li Banfeng was stunned.

This technique is incredibly powerful.

The Carriage Driver looked down at Li Banfeng: "This is one of the most powerful fighting techniques in our Daoist sect. Our Daoist techniques are generally not difficult to learn, except for the Third Layer Technique, which is extremely difficult."

When you first enter the third level, being able to crush a pebble the size of your fingertip is considered very lucky. As your cultivation level increases, your Third Layer Technique will improve, but the extent of improvement depends on your talent and your comprehension.

When using this technique, you must have courage and boldness. Concentrate your mind and strength on your feet. Even if there are thousands of troops in front of you, you must believe that you can forge a bloody path!

Many cultivators in our Daoist sect cannot learn the skill of "Trample Ten Thousand Rivers," nor can they advance to the fourth level without mastering the Third Layer Technique. Therefore, there are very few Fourth Layer Cultivator in our Daoist sect.

Moreover, even if you learn this technique, you must use it with caution. The technique of "Trample Ten Thousand Rivers" is extremely energy-consuming. Our Travel Cultivator is excellent, but if we take a full-force step, we'll have used up half of our strength.

Don't go all out unless absolutely necessary. Once you've gone all out, never go all out a second time. How you unleash your power and how you hold back is up to your own skill.

Li Banfeng stood up, thanked the Carriage Driver, and bowed deeply.

A cultivator at the third level can only crush stones the size of a fingertip.

The Carriage Driver stomped on a fist-sized rock and crushed it, and he certainly didn't use his full strength.

What does this mean?

This means that his cultivation level may have reached the fifth level, or even higher.

It was only right for Li Banfeng to bow to him, having received his guidance.

"We've eaten our fill, it's time for us to get in the carriage." The Carriage Driver prepared to pull the carriage.

Li Banfeng didn't get in the car. "Senior, I don't feel at ease having you pull me. I'll walk the rest of the way myself. Could you give me some more pointers on the fourth level technique? The price is negotiable."

Li Banfeng prepared to take out the Purple Radiance Pill.

If the Carriage Driver didn't like it, Li Banfeng was even willing to offer him the Golden Essence Pill.

The Carriage Driver laughed, "Young brother, martial arts skills are what cultivators rely on for survival. I'm teaching you skills not just for the two pills, but because I value our camaraderie as fellow disciples."

You asked me directly about the Third Layer Technique, so I guess you've already reached the second level. It's a pleasure to see a prodigy like you emerge from our Daoist sect.

Even if someone from another Daoist sect presented me with a mountain of gold, I wouldn't reveal the techniques to them, because that would be tantamount to cutting off my own path to Travel Cultivator.

You learned the Third Layer Technique from me, and you shouldn't have told anyone else, but I couldn't control your mouth. Don't ask about techniques beyond the third level anymore. If you're still alive when you're close to the fourth level, I'll tell you then.

Remember what I told you before: when you're Travel Cultivator, you'll be traversing mountains and rivers, and you must be extra careful with every step you take.

Li Banfeng dared not insist and got up to take his leave.

The Carriage Driver waved his hand and said, "You've already paid the fare, so I have to get you to your destination. Get in the car and let's go. I have my rules."

The Carriage Driver continued pulling the cart at the same speed all the way, taking Li Banfeng all the way to the entrance of the Three Coil River.

Three Coil River is a river that flows regularly.

Why is it called "flowing on time"?

The river is named Three Coil River because its water level changes every eight hours and three times a day.

Every day from eight o'clock in the morning to four o'clock in the afternoon, the Three Coil River is very gentle, with flowing water that is knee-deep, just like any other small river.

From 4 p. m. to midnight, the river suddenly dried up completely, leaving not a drop of water. There was not even any mud in the riverbed. Apart from some traces of the river water, the rest of the river was no different from ordinary flat land.

After midnight, a giant wave struck, and the river suddenly overflowed, reaching a depth of five or six meters, submerging the land on both banks.

Fortunately, the Three Coil River is not long; it flows for less than thirty miles before disappearing underground through a cave.

But with floods every day, no one could withstand it. No one lived near the Three Coil River, and few people came to this new land to reclaim wasteland or hunt.

The best way to get into the Three Coil River is to walk against the current of the Three Coil River when there is no water.

You could also walk along the wasteland on both sides of the river, but there are too many wild animals along the river, so you can't walk fast. When the Three Coil River rises, you won't be able to retreat or advance, and things will get complicated.

Li Banfeng arrived at the river at 8 p. m., just as the river was dry and he had plenty of time.

Walking briskly, Li Banfeng arrived at Xindi in less than half an hour.

After walking another fifteen li upstream, Li Banfeng saw a mountain.

According to the map, this mountain is called Blood Tooth Mountain. The first stop to get to Sea Eat Ridge is to cross Blood Tooth Mountain.

Why does this name sound so creepy?

Li Banfeng was searching for a path up the mountain when he suddenly heard someone behind him say, "Passerby, you can't go up this mountain. Blood Tooth Mountain is the territory of the Dripping Blood Tooth Monster. If you encounter it, you won't even have a bone left."

P. S.: Blood Tooth Mountain is a really fun place.