Fool Cultivator Technique

Li Banfeng lay on the bed, while Sun Tiecheng stood beside it.

He clasped his hands together, his smile honest and simple, still the same kind of simple, honest man.

His tone of voice remained simple and unpretentious, as if he were chatting casually with Li Banfeng: "I really didn't expect you to be such a Lazy Cultivator."

I have never seen anyone who practices both Travel Cultivator and Lazy Cultivator. Logically speaking, these two paths of Daoism cannot be practiced together.

If I had known you were Lazy Cultivator, I wouldn't have invited you to take the exam. Lazy Cultivator have too much of an advantage in Fool's City; your passing the exam was purely by cheating.

"Lazy Cultivator are foolish cultivators?" Li Banfeng asked weakly.

"You didn't know about this?" Sun Tiecheng pursed his lips, put his hands behind his back, squatted on the ground, and said honestly, "Then pretend I never mentioned it..."

That honest and simple appearance is so deceptive.

Sun Tiecheng continued, "I just said you passed the exam. You might not understand what that means. Actually, it's similar to reclaiming new land."

"If you survive three days on this Land Block, you'll pass the new land test. If you can leave Fool's City alive, you'll pass Fool's City's test. I have three rewards for you, rewards that others wouldn't even dare to dream of..."

Li Banfeng's eyes were unfocused; he was about to fall asleep.

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand, and a gentle breeze came, waking Li Banfeng.

"As your first reward, I'll reserve a piece of land for you in Fool's City. Of course, it won't be as big as the new land. Do you want to choose it yourself, or should I help you?"

"No," Li Banfeng said.

"Why not?" Sun Tiecheng asked curiously.

Li Banfeng was too lazy to talk.

Is there a territory to claim in Fool's City?

What's wrong with you?

Li Banfeng never wanted to come back to that place again.

Besides, who gave you the right to test me?

Why are you testing me?

"You can't refuse. I've gone to so much trouble for this. You have to have it whether you want it or not." His tone was no longer so honest.

Sun Tiecheng waved his hand again, dispelling some of Li Banfeng's weariness. Li Banfeng took a deep breath and sat up from the bed.

The foundation of magical artifacts lies in ironclad rules, rules that are extremely difficult to break. The Wife doesn't have a good way to deal with the foundation of magical artifacts.

This person can easily offset part of the cost of the Judge's Brush, which shows that he is of a very high status.

He was about to give Li Banfeng a piece of land, which proved that he was likely also a Local Earth God.

Is it possible to be even higher than the Local Earth God?

"Who exactly are you?" Li Banfeng wasn't so lazy anymore.

"I am Sun Tiecheng, a very honest person. To tell you the truth, over the years, only two people have passed my examination. You have no reason not to cherish such a rare opportunity." At this moment, Sun Tiecheng's tone was more like that of a wise man who had experienced the world.

"Who was the other person who passed the college entrance exam?"

Sun Tiecheng shook his head. "I won't tell you, and I won't tell him about your affairs either."

Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and asked, "How many people have taken your entrance exam?"

"Tens of thousands, I can't count them all, they all stayed in the Fool's City."

Li Banfeng thought of those flesh-and-blood souls who had perished.

He understood the origin of that flesh and blood.

Why did you choose me?

Sun Tiecheng said, "At first, I didn't want to choose you either. I chose people without cultivation, because people without cultivation are more useful to me."

But they were useless; once they entered the Fool's City, none of them could get out, and most didn't even survive two hours.

None of the people who died in Fool's City had any cultivation.

No wonder the Red Lotus doesn't eat the scattered pieces of flesh and blood on the ground.

Tens of thousands, he described as nonchalant.

Sun Tiecheng suddenly put on the appearance of an honest man again, squatted down by the bed. "After putting in so much effort and getting nothing, I had no choice but to find someone capable, so I chose you."

Li Banfeng still didn't understand. "How do you know I have the ability?"

"A person who can develop ten miles of Land Block in a new area must be very capable."

"You came to Decency Village just to trick me into coming to Fool's City?"

"I originally intended to deceive Ma Wu; I didn't initially notice you."

After spending a few days in Decency Village, I learned from Shui Yongquan that you were the one truly in charge, and you were also the one who reclaimed the land.

A tall tree catches the wind!

I've probably stayed in Green Water City for too long; now a lot of people know me.

I told Ma Wu to try his best to hide it, and he did, but some things just couldn't be kept secret any longer.

Li Banfeng gritted his teeth and said, "You're really ruthless."

Sun Tiecheng stood up, his simple face full of indignation. "You should speak from your conscience. I advised you all the way not to be fooled, but you were stubborn and insisted on living in the Fool's City."

Yes, he kept advising Li Banfeng not to be fooled.

Don't fall for the scam of selling medicated plasters.

Don't fall for fortune-telling scams.

This gave Li Banfeng the illusion that this honest hunter was on his side and had always been thinking of him.

This made Li Banfeng never suspect that Sun Tiecheng was a fraud.

"What is your purpose in testing me? Do you want to increase the popularity of Fool's City 'Fool's City, or turn it into Proper Land?"

Sun Tiecheng's expression turned serious, his face transforming into that of a wise man. "Old Land can never be restored to its Proper Land. Although there are legendary methods, they are beyond the capabilities of ordinary people."

I just want to find someone to continue this foolish practice, to truly continue it, instead of just existing like this, a mere walking corpse, barely clinging to life.

Li Banfeng was startled.

He had said before that he always used people without any cultivation level to test his skills.

People without cultivation are more useful to him.

What are the reasons for this?

It's because people without cultivation are more likely to join his sect!

"You want me to become a foolish ascetic?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded. "I am a straightforward person, and this is indeed what I think. People in the world have exterminated all the foolish cultivators, but I want to ensure that there are still living cultivators in this Daoist sect."

Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly and said, "I can't possibly join your sect. I've already practiced two sects simultaneously."

Sun Tiecheng nodded again. "This is what's troubling me. Given your current condition, attempting to cultivate three different Daoist sects simultaneously will undoubtedly lead to your death."

But I can wait until you have the ability before I let you start.

Wait?

Is such a thing even feasible?

I am currently a fourth-level House Cultivator. If I were to add a Daoist sect, I would be considered a beginner without any levels.

The two sects are four levels apart. If I were to die instantly, what kind of feasibility would there be?

Li Banfeng didn't want to think about the future; he just wanted to focus on the present.

Judging from our strength, I definitely can't beat him. We're not even on the same level. Even my current Wife might not be his match.

Let's figure out a way to get out of his clutches first.

"Since you think so highly of me, then wait a few more years until I have the ability, then we can talk about entering the profession." Li Banfeng fought off his weariness and got up from the bed.

Sun Tiecheng nodded and said, "Don't rush, we can put the matter of joining the sect on hold. We haven't finished talking about the reward yet."

"I don't want the Land Block in Fool's City. If I go into Fool's City again, I might not come out alive."

Sun Tiecheng nodded and said, "So I'll give you another reward; I'll give you a technique."

"A technique of foolish cultivation?"

Sun Tiecheng nodded.

"I'm not a fool, how can you give me techniques?" Li Banfeng didn't understand the operating principles here.

Sun Tiecheng said with a smug look on his face, "What others can't do, I can."

What level is this person at?

Even Local Earth God wouldn't do something like this, right?

Will learning techniques from him have any negative impact on me?

Probably not. If he wanted to harm me, he would have many ways to do so...

Li Banfeng began to struggle again; it seemed he had fallen for Yu Xiu's tricks once more.

Never mind.

He wanted to harm me, and I couldn't stop him.

Learning a skill is no big deal.

Li Banfeng agreed.

Sun Tiecheng looked at Li Banfeng with a smile, "Choose a technique, it's up to you, just tell me the level."

"Tenth Layer!" Li Banfeng answered decisively.

Sun Tiecheng's cheek twitched, and he looked at Li Banfeng, saying, "If I teach you Tenth Layer of the technique, can you learn it?"

Li Banfeng snorted and said, "What kind of 'choose freely' is that?"

Sun Tiecheng stared at Li Banfeng for a moment. "I'm a man of status, you know that? I've killed tens of thousands, you know that? I'm your senior, you know that? Is it appropriate for you to talk to me like that?"

Li Banfeng was too lazy to argue with him. "I met a fortune teller in the city. That fortune teller had a technique that made people think a lot and get very conflicted."

Sun Tiecheng clasped his hands together again, squatted on the ground, and transformed into an honest man. "Can't we just not learn this? Let's find another one."

"Why can't I learn this? The fortune teller said he's at the second level, so his technique probably isn't very advanced, right?"

"It's not a matter of skill level, but this technique... never mind, I'll teach you!"

After hesitating for a long time, Sun Tiecheng finally agreed, saying, "This is the second level of the Foolish Cultivation Technique, the Fool's Thousand Concerns Technique."

Li Banfeng was taken aback; this matched the description in the Judge's Brush.

Sun Tiecheng explained, "There's a proverb that says Fool's Thousand Thoughts can have a stroke of genius, but that's just a load of nonsense."

Fool's Thousand Thoughts may yield no results; instead, they become preoccupied with gains and losses. Though they may seem to have considered everything thoroughly, they cannot even take a single step out. This is why ordinary people cannot escape the Fool's City.

Is this what the Judge's Brush meant by overthinking?

Sun Tiecheng added, "The key to this technique is to say something that makes the other person conflicted. The more they trust you, the more they will think about it, and the more conflicted they will be about gains and losses. With a little guidance, they will make a choice that is in your favor."

Sun Tiecheng waved his sleeve, and a gentle breeze brushed against Li Banfeng, causing him some pain.

This was somewhat similar to the pain he felt when he first entered the Daoist sect and was sprinkled with medicinal powder, but not as intense.

Sun Tiecheng cautioned, "The Fool's Thousand Concerns Technique can be manipulated with a mere thought, but while techniques are easy to learn, they are not necessarily effective. Fool's Thousand Thoughts are limited only by knowing what he is thinking about."

If someone is starving and wants to eat, and you insist on taking them to a brothel, they won't agree, nor will they feel conflicted.

To make him conflicted at this point, you need to ask him what he wants to eat—meat or vegetables? Oil or vinegar? If you want to use the techniques of foolish cultivation, you'll have to put in some thought.

After a while, the pain subsided, and Li Banfeng asked, "You said the key to the technique is to gain the other person's trust. What if they don't trust me?"

"Then find a way to make him believe you."

Li Banfeng nodded and asked, "How can I make him believe me?"

Why would Li Banfeng trust someone selling plasters?

This is why Sun Tiecheng was unwilling to teach Li Banfeng the Fool's Thousand Concerns Technique.

This technique is best used in conjunction with a first-level technique.

Sun Tiecheng pursed his lips, turned his head away, and refused to look at Li Banfeng: "I can only teach one technique."

Li Banfeng scooped up his hands and squatted down next to Sun Tiecheng: "Over the years, only two of us have passed the exam. Shouldn't you take care of us?"

"Then I gave you three more rewards."

"Give it to me one more time, buy three get one free, these are common promotional activities."

"No! You're not a member of my Daoist sect, yet you want to learn two of my Daoist techniques?"

"What about the reward I haven't claimed yet?"

"The third reward is no longer about technique."

"Let's switch then."

Sun Tiecheng suddenly felt conflicted.

He raised his head, glaring angrily at Li Banfeng, and said, "You're using the Fool's Thousand Thoughts on me?"

Li Banfeng smiled shyly, "I'm a beginner myself."

"Do you know how high my status is? Do you know how powerful my background is? Do you know I've killed more people than you've ever met? You dare use techniques against me..."

Sun Tiecheng did indeed fall for the technique.

The Wife also fell for the fortune teller's tricks.

Li Banfeng was quite surprised that Yu Xiu's technique could ignore the hierarchy.

This is why the various major sects besieged and killed the foolish cultivator.

Of course, despite the dilemma, Sun Tiecheng's true strength remains unchanged. If Li Banfeng were to fight Sun Tiecheng, he would still have no chance of winning.

After gritting his teeth for a long time, Sun Tiecheng finally agreed.

"One skill is called Definite Statement; it's about making your words seem credible to the other person."

The techniques used in the Daoist school of Foolish Cultivation all require some skill. It's not enough for someone to believe everything you say with Definite Statement, and you must add a touch of cunning.

In short, if it's all lies, the other party will find it hard to believe; but if you mix in 10% truth, the technique will be easier to execute.

For example, if a fortune teller tells you some truths, you're likely to believe him.

Li Banfeng recalled his encounter with the fortune teller, "He told the truth from the beginning. I did come here to seek revenge, and his predictions were very accurate."

"That's because I told him beforehand that you were there for revenge."

Li Banfeng was speechless.

"The key to the first layer of the technique lies in unwavering belief. You must firmly believe that your lie is true in order to fool others."

After Li Banfeng learned the techniques, Sun Tiecheng brought up the matter of Fool's City again. "Now that you've learned the techniques of my Daoist sect, you should be able to adapt to the customs and culture of Fool's City. You must take over the land; choose a place for yourself."

Li Banfeng didn't want to go to Fool's City to pick another shop, and casually said, "Pick a shop for me."

"What kind of shops do you sell?"

"I'll sell anything."

"How about a butcher shop?"

"Okay, this can be considered a legitimate business."

He said he'd do whatever he wanted, getting away was the priority.

Sun Tiecheng nodded and said, "The Changsan Academy in the east of the city is yours."

"A bookstore? A place that sells books?"

"Didn't I tell you? That's a meat shop."

The butcher shop was called Shuyu, which is quite an elegant name.

Li Banfeng said, "I have other jobs outside, so I can't manage this business."

Sun Tiecheng had already thought of this, "You don't need to worry about the business in Fool's City. I'll find someone to manage it for you."

He waved into the distance, and the man selling plasters came over. "Boss, what can I do for you?"

"His name is Tang Changfa. He'll be following you from now on. Changfa, call him Seventh Master."

Tang Changfa stared at Li Banfeng for a moment, then asked, "You want me to follow him?"

Sun Tiecheng looked at Tang Changfa and asked, "Is that not allowed?"

Tang Changfa lowered his head. "Okay."

Sun Tiecheng added, "From now on, you will be in charge of the Changsan Academy."

Tang Changfa looked up. "Me, manage that place?"

"You're not convinced?" Sun Tiecheng glanced at him again.

"I'm impressed!" Tang Changfa and went back into the city.

Watching Tang Changfa's figure, Sun Tiecheng sighed and said, "His flesh and blood need replacing; he's practically falling apart when he walks."

Li Banfeng was curious about this. "They are all dead souls, why do they have to be covered in blood and flesh?"

Sun Tiecheng sighed and said, "Only in this way can we make them believe that they are still alive."

Li Banfeng looked at Sun Tiecheng: "Did you lie to them?"

Sun Tiecheng shook his head. "They've fooled themselves. The key to this technique lies in unwavering belief. Fooling yourself is difficult; you need flesh and blood, and a livelihood, to believe you're truly alive."

Foolishness is foolishness, and deception is deception; these are two different things.

If one day they no longer believe they are alive, their souls will dissipate, their spirits will become empty, and the path of this foolish cultivation will cease to exist.

Li Banfeng said expressionlessly, "Their flesh and blood were created by tens of thousands of people."

Sun Tiecheng shook his head and said, "Those people deserve to die. They have no real skills, yet they want to make a fortune in the Old Land. They think the spirits of the dead in the Old Land are like weeds that they can pick at will."

They forgot that the dead were once human too. They obtained talismans from the Nightmare Cultivator and squandered them, both living and ethereal beings.

Seeing so many souls in the Fool's City, they wanted to rush in, thinking that the city full of souls were like money on the ground, which they could easily pick up.

After they stormed into the city, I advised them to leave immediately, but they wouldn't listen. They were courting death. I also advised you when you entered the city.

But if any of them survive, they are truly capable and deserve a reward.

You had three rewards, I gave you two, and now you have one left.

Li Banfeng was curious about what the reward was. Sun Tiecheng took out a package from behind his back and handed it to Li Banfeng: "I don't know what kind of grudge you have with Iron Sheep Mountain. You can do whatever you want with this."

Li Banfeng took the package, opened it, and found a human head inside.

Sun Tiecheng laughed and said, "I'm giving you Rong Yeguang's head, the big gourd from Iron Sheep Mountain."

PS: "Changsan Academy" was an elegant name for a special type of place during the Republic of China period. In such places, tea cost three yuan (silver dollars), wine cost three yuan, and overnight stay also cost three yuan, hence the name "Changsan". It was a high-class place.