Is It Theft or Robbery?

Li Banfeng asked, "How did Green Water Beggar defeat Thin Donkey Yuan?"

Meng Yuchun shook his head and said, "I don't know that. I heard about it, and even now I still can't understand how a Ninth Layer could defeat Local Earth God on the Cloud Above Second Layer."

The Green Water Beggar stole the cultivation and status of the Local Earth God.

This is a good way to avoid becoming a slave in the Inner State and to keep one's health.

The other way is to steal.

"How do we steal this route?"

There are two types of theft: one is stealing secretly, and the other is passing through covertly.

Stealing is similar to robbing; it involves taking a position from Local Earth God. However, stealing cultivation level is not easy. One must first use a lower level of cultivation to occupy a higher level position, and then find a way to advance quickly.

The greatest danger of this method lies not in stealing a position, but in the fact that a person with a low level of cultivation occupying a high-level position will suffer a backlash from that position.

Another method is more akin to deception, stealing popularity from others' territory to Crossing Tribulation and directly ascend to Cloud Above First Layer.

Li Banfeng didn't quite understand. "It's possible to Crossing Tribulation?"

"To put it bluntly, it means that when they were on the Ninth Layer, they stole the popularity of others and deceived everyone by using cultivation methods from the clouds to get through the Tenth Layer."

How is popularity stolen?

"I don't know about that," Meng Yuchun shook his head. "Whether it's stealing or robbing, it's not something an ordinary person can do. If I really had that ability, I wouldn't have needed to suffer in Inner State."

I've said everything I can say, you can't go back on your word, we need to find someone else to clear the land!

"We need to find the person, but you need to change your rules!"

Meng Yuchun was displeased. "Now you're telling me your terms? This is my rule, and I absolutely won't change it. If you dare to go back on your word, don't even think about taking a single step out of here!"

Li Banfeng looked at the boundary of the Land Block and asked, "Your boundary is almost as long as the border of the Proper Land."

"Is there a border line on the Proper Land?" Meng Yuchun asked blankly.

"Yes, there is a border line set up by the border guards."

Meng Yuchun looked at Li Banfeng and asked, "What is Guanfang Envoy?"

Li Banfeng looked at Meng Yuchun in surprise. "Sister, how many years have you lived in Inner State?"

Meng Yuchun frowned and said, "Didn't I tell you? I can't remember. Let's clarify the land reclamation issue first!"

"It's about land reclamation. You can't decide how big Land Block to reclaim; the land reclamation workers have to choose for themselves."

Meng Yuchun shook his head and said, "That won't work. You find a group of people and open up a Land Block about one mile in diameter. I have 10,000 yuan here. How many years would it take to open it up like that?"

Even the three-mile Land Block isn't fast enough; it would take over a thousand drives!

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "Not everyone has the ability to develop a three-mile Land Block."

Meng Yuchun laughed and said, "Don't worry about that. You've seen how many people I've sent these past few days. If they were incompetent, they would definitely die here."

Li Banfeng didn't know what to say.

This woman seems to have gone a bit senile from staying in the Inner State for so long.

"You want people to come and cultivate the land, but you set such high barriers. If the people who cultivate the land lose their lives, your popularity will not increase. In the end, no one will benefit, and both sides will suffer losses."

"Do you think this is a peach, with white sides?" Meng Yuchun was unconvinced, but she understood what Li Banfeng meant. "How about this, you choose someone capable, and we'll discuss the size of the Land Block."

This is a serious idea.

The two signed a contract, and with a wave of Meng Yuchun's hand, the boundary lines around the Land Block disappeared.

Li Banfeng asked, "Is this your technique?"

Meng Yuchun glared at him. "Why are you, a Travel Cultivator, asking me about techniques?"

It really is Shut-in Cultivation Technique.

Li Banfeng strolled around his Land Block and was generally satisfied with the place. "When I'm not around, someone needs to take care of the house for me. Brother Toad, you can be my housekeeper."

Xiu Wenxiu's toad, having sustained minor injuries and still harboring resentment towards Li Banfeng, puffed out its cheeks and said to Li Banfeng, "Croak! Why should I be your butler?"

Li Banfeng took out two Mystic Scarlet Pills and stuffed them into the toad's hand. "I certainly won't let you do things for nothing."

The toad glanced down at the pill in its hand, then arrogantly raised its head and shouted at the group of Strange Monsters, "Get away from here! This is Seventh Master's territory, don't you know that?"

The Strange Monsters creatures exchanged bewildered glances. A gray wolf stepped forward and said, "Seventh Master, one steward isn't enough. Don't you think you need an assistant as well?"

A golden eagle flew over. "Seventh Master, I'm good at this kind of thing, I have good eyesight."

The gray wolf got angry. "What good are good eyesight? My nose is even better!"

The golden eagle snorted and said, "So what if you have a good nose? Do you use your nose to guard the house?"

The two argued, Li Banfeng gave each of them two pills, hiring them both.

In addition to the housekeeper and assistants, Li Banfeng also hired a group of aardvarks as workers to help him repair two houses. With everything arranged, Li Banfeng asked for directions and immediately set off for Green Water City.

Meng Yuchun is a remote place. Even with Li Banfeng's cultivation level, it took him from dawn to dusk to reach Blue Poplar Village, which is farther than the distance from Black Stone Slope to Green Water Bay.

On the way, Li Banfeng was calculating the time.

I stayed at Oil Lake for three days.

It took three days to open up the new land.

Traveling all day.

I haven't been home for seven whole days.

Will Portable Abode get angry?

Why is it angry? If it weren't for it, would I have run to the Oil Lake?

The Portable Abode is not important; what's important is the Wife.

My Wife is definitely angry; I need to explain this to her properly.

Explaining it with just words won't work; how about we apply some Machine Oil?

There's plenty of oil, but the problem is this machine won't last long.

Applying Machine Oil isn't a long-term solution; let's bring some gifts for my Wife instead.

What should I bring? It's hard to find the things my Wife likes to eat.

When I reach the Ninth Layer, how will I get to the Tenth Layer?

Was it theft or robbery?

It's too difficult to snatch it.

The process of stealing is too abstract.

Perhaps it's not that abstract in practice, it's just that she described it in a very abstract way.

You need to learn more information and make plans in advance; you need to plan ahead before going up to the Ninth Layer.

However, the most urgent task is to get to the Ninth Layer as soon as possible.

While pondering, Li Banfeng entered Blue Poplar Village and found the village unusually quiet today.

An old woman was sewing shoe soles at her doorway. Li Banfeng went up to her and greeted her, "Auntie, where have all the villagers gone?"

The old lady smiled kindly and said to Li Banfeng, "Child, sit down and have a bowl of water first."

Li Banfeng was indeed a bit thirsty. He took the water bowl and then heard the old woman ask, "Are you from out of town?"

Li Banfeng nodded.

The old woman smiled and said, "You must be tired from your journey. It's five yuan for directions, ten yuan for asking questions, and twenty-five yuan for this bowl of water."

The folk customs of Blue Poplar Village are still so simple and honest.

Li Banfeng doesn't do things for free, but this price is outrageous.

He lowered the brim of his hat and smiled slightly at the old lady.

The old woman felt a chill. Having lived to such an old age in Blue Poplar Village, she must have some sense. She quickly apologized, saying, "I was just joking. This little thing doesn't need money."

The eldest son of the Song family is back, saying he's going to take the village back. Grandpa Gen and the others are fighting it out at Dream Spring Garden, and the whole village has gone to watch the spectacle.

No wonder the village is so quiet.

Li Banfeng slipped ten yuan to the old woman, then left with a smile.

My Wife's meal is settled.

In front of Dream Spring Garden, Song Zhigang, the eldest son of the Song family, was confronting Little Genzi Dream Spring Garden two martial arts practitioners.

In Song Zhigang's memory, Little Genzi was just a road worker at the village entrance. He never expected that Xiao Genzi would have the audacity to resort to violence in front of him.

"You little bastard, you dare to lay a hand on me when you see me?" Song Zhigang spat. "Get out of my way right now! This is Song family territory. Anyone who blocks my way today dies!"

Little Genzi had bruises on his face, and his spoon was broken.

But he held onto the bucket, refusing to back down. "I'll stand right here and see who dares to come up to me!"

Song Zhigang covered his nose and sneered, "Trying to be disgusting, huh? Let me tell you, I'm not buying it." He turned to the two martial arts practitioners and said, "Please, you two, clean up this piece of trash."

The two martial arts practitioners hesitated. They were both at the fourth level, their cultivation level above the Genzi.

However, having fought Genzi before, they know what's in the bucket and don't want to get close to Genzi right now, which is why Genzi has been able to hold out until now.

But Song Zhigang didn't want to waste time here. Since the two martial arts practitioners refused to step forward, he ordered his other subordinates to make the first move.

Genzi was prepared to fight to the death, but Li Banfeng walked over from the crowd and first persuaded Little Genzi to stop:

"Genzi, put the bucket down first."

"Uncle Song, why are you so angry?"

Song Zhigang stared at Li Banfeng for a long time. He couldn't see Li's face, only the brim of his hat pulled down very low.

That's the madman who demolished his house!

"Your Li Qi, right?" Song Zhigang clenched his fist and said, "I've been looking for you. I'm telling you now, I'm back, and Blue Poplar Village is still my Song family's territory."

"You and Ma Wu, pack your things now, and get out of here within ten minutes."

Song Zhigang still remembers the grudge that Li Banfeng gave Song Zhigang ten minutes to move out.

Li Banfeng pressed his palms down and said, "Uncle Song, please calm down. The past grievances are in the past. We can discuss what needs to be done now."

Song Zhigang shook his head and said, "I have nothing to discuss with you! Are you leaving or not? If you don't, I'll take your life today."

"Don't say we're bullying you. We'll give you two choices. If you want to settle things right now, we'll fight right here. If you want to go to the Wilderness Contest, we'll Decide Life and Death. We'll do it according to the rules of Blue Poplar Village."

The onlookers stared wide-eyed, some whispering amongst themselves.

"The eldest son of the Song family is back. Will Blue Poplar Village be under the Song family again?"

"They're back, Bonus Money want half of our bonuses. We're going to have a hard time."

"They can't just come back whenever they want. Seventh Master and Fifth Master are not to be trifled with."

"The fact that Song Zhigang dared to come back proves that he has a new backer. I think the two people behind him are no ordinary people."

Li Banfeng also noticed the two martial arts practitioners behind Song Zhigang.

During this period, Li Banfeng and Ma Wu's business grew bigger and bigger. Even if Song Zhigang was not well-informed, he should at least know that Blue Poplar Village was still under the protection of the Lu Family.

The fact that he dared to come proves that he dares to go against the Lu Family. As for who his backer is, we'll find out soon enough.

Li Banfeng chuckled and said, "Uncle Song, how long has it been since we last met? It's too much of a mood killer to start with these kinds of things. Please come inside with me and have a couple of drinks first, then we can talk things over."

Seeing that Li Qi had given in, Song Zhigang ordered his men to follow Li Banfeng into Dream Spring Garden.

Li Banfeng had a private room prepared and some food and wine served. He then dismissed all irrelevant people.

Li Banfeng warmly greeted everyone, saying, "Please don't be shy, everyone. Eat and drink first."

Song Zhigang slammed his fist on the table. "Stop wasting my time! Get this straight, when are you getting out of here?"

"Uncle Song, don't be in such a hurry. Didn't I say we should eat first?" Li Banfeng turned around and locked the door to the private room.

Song Zhigang shouted, "Let me tell you, these two behind me are the Big Support of Old Master Lu. My return to Blue Poplar Village is on Old Master Lu's orders. Nothing you say will make a difference."

Li Banfeng nodded and said, "Yes, this is the last meal. What's the point of saying so much if you're not even eating properly?"

The two martial arts practitioners frowned, one of them looking at Li Banfeng and saying, "Damn it, don't you know how to be polite?"

Before he could finish speaking, Li Banfeng suddenly appeared behind him and touched the martial artist's face. "Inviting you to dinner is a favor, and if you don't eat well, you're really asking for trouble."

The martial arts practitioner tried to get up, but suddenly felt his breathing blocked and his body weak.

Li Banfeng's sickle had already sliced across his throat.

Blood gushed out, and Wu Xiu clutched his neck, wanting to fight Li Banfeng to the death, but he couldn't even see Li Banfeng's shadow.

Once the martial artist stopped struggling, Li Banfeng took out a roll of duct tape, tore off a strip, and stuck it to the man's neck, temporarily keeping him in a half-dead state.

Another martial arts practitioner shakily got up, trying to jump out of the window to escape, but Li Banfeng grabbed him by the hair and pressed him to the ground.

With tears in his eyes, he said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, we didn't mean to offend you. The Old Master sent us. We really didn't mean to offend you..."

"I didn't want to offend you either," Li Banfeng said with a smile. "My brother's spoon was broken; it was his prized possession. How are we going to settle this?"

"I'll pay for it!"

"Fine, you pay up." Li Banfeng swung his sickle and broke his spine.

Wu Xiu collapsed to the ground.

Song Zhigang knelt on the ground and said to Li Banfeng, "Seventh Master, I'm leaving right away. I swear I'll never set foot in Blue Poplar Village again."

Li Banfeng laughed and said, "Uncle Song, that's too formal. Blue Poplar Village is your home. You can settle down and live here from now on."

PS: The first step to improving your strength is to fatten up your Wife.