Mourning Gate Formation

Who is this Mourning Star?

Yao Lao said, "The Local Earth God Yellow Earth Bridge, no one remembers his name, they only know that he is a 'mourning cultivator,' possibly the head of a sect, and those who know him call him the Mourning Star.'"

Mentioning the Mourning Star, Yao Lao felt unlucky and somewhat apprehensive. "He sent all his disciples here, just to destroy Medicine King Gully."

Li Banfeng asked, "Why did he destroy Medicine King Gully?"

Yao Lao sighed, "That's the trick he used to seize Yellow Earth Bridge back then."

Yellow Earth Bridge used to be the Old Train station, but ever since it was taken over by Mourning Star, its condition has deteriorated day by day. No one expected it to end up like this.

Old Train?

Train Grandpa?

Li Banfeng deliberately asked, "Who is the Old Train?"

Yao Lao, "Old Train are masters of Travel Cultivator and maintenance repairs."

"Is a grandmaster the same as a patriarch?"

Yao Lao shook his head and said, "Grandmaster and Patriarch are different. The one who founded the Daoist school is called Patriarch. Neither the Travel Cultivator nor the Craftsmanship Cultivation schools were founded by Old Train."

However, his achievements were the highest in these two Daoist schools, surpassing even the founders of those schools, hence he is called a Grandmaster of Two Taoisms.

Why is he called "Old Train"?

Li Banfeng wanted to confirm how many people knew about Portable Abode.

Yao Lao, "He likes trains, he always likes to study trains, and he always pretends to be a train, running around aimlessly on the railway tracks."

This man was a madman, but he was very capable. Yellow Earth Bridge, Black Stone Slope, Green Smoke City, Hundred Skill Ridge, Soda Kiln were all once his territory.

But this old man couldn't stand staying anywhere, so he handed all these territories over to his disciples. The disciple at Yellow Earth Bridge was useless; he couldn't guard against the Mourning Star and lost the territory.

He searched everywhere for his master, trying to reclaim the territory, but he had no idea where the Old Train had gone.

Li Banfeng knew that the Train Grandpa had gone to Inner State.

But Li Banfeng didn't understand what use it was for the Mourning Star to send his disciple to Medicine King Gully.

Yao Lao sighed, "Fifteen cultivators have come at once. He's sent all his disciples here. He's trying to destroy my cultivation."

Li Banfeng still didn't understand.

Yao Lao didn't mince words and told the truth, "I have three levels of cultivation, not from the ground up. The Mourning Star also has three levels of cultivation."

He sent the sorcerer to sow discord and destroy the morale of the people in my territory, causing my cultivation level to drop. Once it falls to the second level, he will then make his move against me.

Li Banfeng asked, "That Old Train handed over all his territory, didn't his cultivation level drop?"

"His cultivation level is no longer at this level, so he no longer needs human energy. You all wait here for a while, I'll go back and make some preparations." Yao Lao went back into the house and went to get something.

According to Yao Lao, for Local Earth God, increased popularity leads to increased cultivation, while decreased popularity leads to decreased cultivation.

This is completely consistent with Meng Yuchun's statement.

While the reasoning seems clear, there are serious logical problems in this matter.

Li Banfeng asked Qiu Zhiheng, "Yellow Earth Bridge has fallen to such a state of ruin, how much popularity can he possibly have left? How could this Mourning Star still have three levels of cultivation?"

Qiu Zhiheng knew far more about the Local Earth God than Li Banfeng. Since they were in Yao Lao's courtyard, Yao Lao could hear everything Qiu Zhiheng said, so he no longer held back. "The Local Earth God have different cultivation methods. Yao Lao uses living water, while the Mourning Star' uses stagnant water."

Living water? Stagnant water?

What does this mean?

Qiu Zhiheng looked at the wine pot and said, "Just like Yao Lao's wine pot, it looks like a wine pot to us, but it's actually connected to a wine vat."

If the wine vat is deep, the wine jug contains a lot of wine; if the wine vat is shallow, the wine jug contains little wine.

The popularity of Medicine King Gully enhanced Yao Lao's cultivation, Yao Lao used his own cultivation to bring good fortune to Medicine King Gully; the two complemented each other perfectly.

When the popularity of a region increases, the Local Earth God's cultivation level rises; when the popularity decreases, the Local Earth God's cultivation level falls. This is the essence of "Water Cultivator," and most Local Earth God use this method.

However, a small number of Local Earth God do not use this method. They only absorb popularity, not bestow blessings. When the popularity in their territory increases, their cultivation level increases; when the popularity decreases, their cultivation level remains unchanged. Only when the territory changes from Proper Land to Old Land will their level drop.

The Yellow Earth Bridge was desolate, showing signs of turning into Old Land. The Mourning Star, fearing his own decline, plotted to seize Yao Lao's territory.

Scheming against Medicine King Gully?

Li Banfeng said, "He only attracts popularity, not good fortune. If he continues to operate this way, won't every piece of land he owns turn into Old Land?"

Qiu Zhiheng didn't speak; he didn't know much about Mourning Star either.

"That damned Mourning Star is just like that; he's ruined so many good places!" Yao Lao walked out of the house, wearing Three-Pronged Purple Gold Crown, Red Brocade Hundred Flower Robe, Lotus Silk Cloud-Stepping Shoes -walking shoes, and holding Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade.

What's most special is that there were four flags stuck behind Yao Lao.

In the world of traditional Chinese opera, these four flags are called "Back Flags" or "Back-Protecting Flags," and they symbolize the power and authority of military generals.

Yao Lao strode aggressively towards the door, singing as he went:

"The head drum resounds, the battle meal is prepared."

Two drumbeats, tighten battle robes.

Three drumbeats, sword drawn.

The four drums sounded, signaling the surrender of the troops.

"Those who advance will be rewarded, those who retreat will inevitably suffer a blow!"

The song was sung with powerful and resonant strokes, its energy shaking the mountains and rivers. Li Banfeng exclaimed in praise, "Well sung! Yao Lao, what are you doing here?"

Yao Lao recited, "Kill those damned, corrupt monks completely! Waaaaaah~"

Why are you dressed like that?

Yao Lao, "You don't understand. Killing a vengeful spirit will bring bad luck. My battle armor and weapons can suppress that bad luck. Then, when I fight that old dog, the Mourning Star, I won't lose my luck."

You all come with me. You don't need to lift a finger; just point out that scoundrel. Waaaaah~

Qiu Zhiheng wasn't sure if Yao Lao's attire would work. He looked at Li Banfeng, unsure if Yao Lao had truly sobered up.

But when he saw Yao Lao walk to the door, Li Banfeng suddenly felt a tremor in his heart.

It trembled for a moment, then immediately returned to normal.

What's going on?

Is this an ominous sign?

"Yao Lao, please wait a moment."

Yao Lao acted as if he hadn't heard, maintaining his momentum as he continued walking out.

"Yao Lao, wait a moment."

He kept walking out; his momentum was unstoppable.

Li Banfeng shouted, "Stop right there!"

With his fighting spirit high and his momentum fierce, how could he tolerate being yelled at like that?

Yao Lao turned around abruptly and shouted angrily, "What do you want to do?"

Qiu Zhiheng was terrified.

He didn't understand why Li Banfeng was yelling at Yao Lao.

Among the Local Earth God, Yao Lao was definitely considered kind, but he wasn't someone who would easily talk back to someone.

The Wine Gourd jumped out from beside Li Banfeng and stood between the two, saying, "Yao Lao, please calm down. This little brother must have something to say to you."

Li Banfeng really had something to say.

Despite his lack of common sense, Li Banfeng had quite a few contacts with Local Earth God.

Having experienced two wars Local Earth God, his current situation reminded him of Shui Yongquan.

"Yao Lao, is it possible that Mourning Star has already arrived?"

Yao Lao was taken aback. "What do you mean by that?"

"Yao Lao, is it possible that he sent his disciple to trick you into leaving, and then he'll come to your house if you do?"

Yao Lao asked, "What brings you to my house?"

What do you think?

After a moment of eye contact, Yao Lao calmed down.

He immediately returned to the courtyard, braced himself against the Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, and looked at Li Banfeng, saying, "This old dog wants to dig up my contract?"

Li Banfeng nodded slightly.

Qiu Zhiheng was secretly amazed that Li Banfeng, who had only been in Pro State for a short time, had actually thought of this.

He didn't know what Li Banfeng had been through before.

The Shui Yongquan and Qiu Luoye used this tactic in their previous battle.

Moreover, Li Banfeng sensed danger just now.

Given the cultivation level of the Mourning Star, if he wanted to conceal his malice, Li Banfeng would not be able to sense it.

But the moment Yao Lao stepped out, the Mourning Star was probably excited.

He must be excited; as soon as Yao Lao leaves this door, he'll have his way!

He couldn't hide his excitement at that moment, and Li Banfeng noticed it.

Yao Lao stood in the courtyard, silent for a long time, like a clay sculpture.

He picked up the wine jug on the table and gulped it down his throat.

Judging from the sound, he seemed to have downed three to five kilograms of liquor. Yao Lao wiped his mouth and said, "Brothers, come on, let's go down the mountain!"

Li Banfeng was taken aback. "Why do we still have to go down the mountain? Didn't I tell you that you can't leave this courtyard?"

"Hiding here? How long? Until the Medicine King Gully is deserted, my cultivation has declined, and I'm just waiting for Mourning Star to come and get me?"

As he spoke, Yao Lao smiled, raised his Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade, and brandished it a couple of times in his hand, with Back Flags fluttering in the wind behind him on all four sides.

"Even if it costs me my old Local Earth God, I won't let this old dog ruin Medicine King Gully today!"

Qiu Zhiheng stepped forward and stopped Yao Lao: "You have done me a favor. You don't need to worry about the funeral arrangements in town. I will handle it."

Yao Lao shook his head and said, "Little Qiu, you're a good child. You can't let bad luck haunt you for the rest of your life."

Li Qi, you don't need to say anything more. You are all good children, and I can't let you down.

I'll handle this myself. I'll keep a clone here, plus a few magical treasures to guard the place. Even if Mourning Star really comes, I can hold them off for a while.

Yao Lao has a doppelganger.

That makes things much easier to resolve.

Li Banfeng said, "How about this, you stay here and let your clone kill the vengeful spirit? Wouldn't that be the best of both worlds?"

"That won't do. A clone can't suppress bad luck. If I use a clone to kill the jinx, I'll be dragged into this mess, and I'll still suffer the consequences of the Mourning Star!"

Yao Lao exhaled a puff of wine mist, which transformed into an avatar of Yao Lao, leaving him to stay at home.

This clone looked exactly like Yao Lao, wearing a battle robe, carrying a flag, and wielding Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade.

Because he had drunk a bit too much, the clone was a little disoriented as soon as it appeared, unable to distinguish between itself and the real body. It shouted at the two men, "Brothers, let's go down the mountain!"

Yao Lao's true form became angry and shouted at his clone, "What are you doing coming down the mountain? I told you to stay home and guard the place!"

The clone also got angry, brandishing its longsword at the real body and saying, "Who do you think you are? When did you become the one to make decisions?"

Li Banfeng and Qiu Zhiheng knew that Yao Lao was used to being humorous, so they didn't take it seriously.

Unexpectedly, this clone was very serious and started pushing and shoving and fighting with Yao Lao.

The real body could easily defeat the clone; Yao Lao could have dealt with the clone with ease.

Unexpectedly, someone happened to be burning paper money in Inner Gully, delivering a message to Yao Lao.

This distracted Yao Lao.

In that moment of distraction, Yao Lao's true body was slashed by the clone; the three-pointed, Three-Pointed Double-Edged Blade pierced his skull and hung there.

Qiu Zhiheng was shocked, not expecting his clone to actually kill him.

Li Banfeng was taken aback, inwardly praising the clone's impressive martial arts skills.

The clone stopped, realizing it had made a mistake.

With a knife hanging from his head, Yao Lao asked Li Banfeng and Qiu Zhiheng, "Does this count as being cursed with bad luck?"

Does it count?

This should be considered an accident, right?

Could this unexpected situation be due to bad luck?

Yao Lao pulled out his long sword and looked at the two of them, saying, "That girl Yu Nan just told me that the previous scumbag died at the Train Station."

Yu Heshun dead?

Who did this?

Yao Lao wiped the blood from his face and continued, "I was killed by my own clone right after that monk died."

Could it be that the Mourning Star has set up Mourning Gate Formation in Medicine King Gully in advance?

As long as Sangxiu dies in Medicine King Gully, I won't be able to escape this bad luck.

"If that's the case, then these undead cultivators can't be killed?"

PS: If Sang Xiu himself doesn't want to live anymore, wouldn't this matter be unsolvable?