Life from the Sun

Li Banfeng dragged Han Xiaoxuan into Portable Abode.

It was already quite an achievement to be able to move him; without the external equipment, Han Xiaoxuan's technique failed, and most of the dust returned to his body. This man had single-handedly created a factory; his weight was considerable.

Li Banfeng also got covered in dust. He sat on the edge of the bed, took a deep breath, and used his Carefree Sleep technique. Soon, he was covered in sweat, then began to vomit violently, coughing up a lot of phlegm and shedding a lot of tears.

The Wife heated some water and gave Li Banfeng a bath, cleaning out all the dust that had accumulated in his pores, respiratory tract, mouth, stomach, and eyes. This dust slowly moved towards Han Xiaoxuan and quickly merged with his body.

Hong Ying felt a bit disgusted. "Seventh Son, who is this person?"

"People from Inner State, made of powder." Li Banfeng held the powder box and slowly approached Han Xiaoxuan. Sensing the powder box approaching, Han Xiaoxuan woke up. The powder that had been absorbed into her body continued to dissipate outwards, spreading layer by layer over Han Xiaoxuan's body.

His condition was very unstable and could explode at any moment, but his mood was still quite good. He wasn't flustered at all, and when he saw Li Banfeng, he didn't forget to tease him a bit, "Handsome boy, we meet again. I thought I would never see you again in this lifetime."

The record player helped Han Xiaoxuan regain her composure temporarily, and she then asked seriously, "Are you that worried about my husband?"

Han Xiaoxuan glanced at the record player, but didn't panic. "Oh dear, so this handsome guy is already taken. Don't worry, I won't compete for his affections. I'm almost gone anyway. As long as he has me in his heart, that's enough."

Li Banfeng shook his head and said, "I could never have you in my heart, but perhaps my Wife can have you in her stomach. Are you from Inner State?" "Why ask that?" Han Xiaoxuan smiled and shook her head. "I don't have much time left. Can we say a few sweet nothings?"

The Old Teapot chuckled, "Look at your own face! Which eye of our young master would even look at you? Say some sweet nothings to me, and this old man won't look down on you." A pot of boiling water was poured over Han Xiaoxuan, and the tough man from Inner State showed a hint of pain.

During the fierce battle, Li Banfeng had genuinely overlooked the teapot; the tea had a noticeable effect on this man from Inner State. Despite suffering immense pain, Han Xiaoxuan remained silent. The teapot was about to be filled with more water when the record player stopped her. "Girl, you're tough. I know this won't help you."

Han Xiaoxuan was taken aback and asked the record player, "Looking like this, you're calling me 'little sister'?"

The record player, now in the form of Puppet Body and a woman, sat down next to Han Xiaoxuan: "I don't care what you look like, I can tell you were originally a woman." Han Xiaoxuan smiled and looked down, "Sister, you're so beautiful. I've never seen such a beautiful woman before. Were you sincere when you said that?"

"We are both women, you can definitely tell whether we are sincere or not."

Han Xiaoxuan smiled, "Alright, just for that, I'll play the girl for you this once. What do you want to ask?" The record player asked, "Are you a pure-blooded Inner State?"

Han Xiaoxuan nodded: "I am, but not entirely." "Your circuits have been rebuilt?"

"Yes, a group of people were remade, and I became like this, but my soul remained." The soul is pure, but the body is not.

What special thing is inside her body?

Zhao Xiaowan asked, "Do you have any dealings with Feng Yunting from back then?"

Han Xiaoxuan thought for a moment, "You mean back then? I don't know how long ago that was. I saw her a few days ago." The record player was startled. "She's still alive?"

Han Xiaoxuan nodded and said, "Yes, she's alive. I learned my techniques from her." Li Banfeng asked, "Who is Feng Yunting?"

Zhao Xiaowan said, "Feng Yunting is the Powder Cultivation Ancestor. Her sect was destroyed, and she is said to have been dead for many years. I will tell you about this later, my husband. If you have any questions, you should ask her as soon as possible."

Li Banfeng asked Han Xiaoxuan, "What is your purpose in making face cream?"

"We're at war! We've already started a war with the Outer State, but Outer State don't know it yet, just like back then when we were at war with Pro State, and Pro State didn't know either."

"The states of Outer State and Pro State aren't very bright; they know nothing, but they always manage to win. You guys are incredibly lucky. I wonder if you can win this time too." Hong Ying turned around and asked, "A war? Who's fighting whom? How is it going to fight?"

The record player snapped, "Stop messing around!"

Li Banfeng continued, "What will be the consequences of using your face cream?"

"You'll become more beautiful, your skin won't be oily anymore, and they'll eat away all the excess oil on your body." "Who are they?"

"Mushrooms, also known as fungi in Outer State, are what I discovered. That day, the sun suddenly brightened, and I quickly hid. After the sun went down, I found these mushrooms on the mountain."

These mushrooms are growing exceptionally well; they're creatures born from the sun, they're bound to be of great use. I quickly informed the elders. The Grand Elder said to hand them over to the imperial court, the Second Elder said not to spread the word, and the Third Elder said to keep them for ourselves, they'll definitely be of great use in the future.

The three elders each held their own opinions, but the Grand Elder was in the middle, so everyone had to listen to Grand Elder. "What does 'in the middle' mean?"

"Because the elder has three heads."

Li Banfeng thought of the Three-Headed People: "Can three-headed people be elders in the Inner State?" "What's so strange about being an elder? They're royalty."

"What about the Three-Headed People of Pro State?" "They also have royal blood."

Li Banfeng shook his head with a smile, "You're talking nonsense."

The Three-Headed People of Pro State, many of whom are failed practitioners of body cultivation, what is their connection to the royal family of the Inner State?

Han Xiaoxuan said, "I know you don't believe me. We're not the same kind of people. We live in different places, and very far apart. The bloodline we talk about is not the same as the descendants you talk about, just like the war we talk about is not the same as the war you understand." The environments of Inner State and Pro State are so different? Even their concepts of bloodline are different?

Are you trying to fool me?

Li Banfeng went straight to the next question, "What did you mean by the sun being bright? Are there times when it's not bright?" Han Xiaoxuan laughed, "Do you think the Inner State and the Outer State have the same sun?"

Li Banfeng remained silent for a long time. Could it be that the sun is different too? Could it be that Inner State isn't in the Solar System?

Han Xiaoxuan said, "Let me tell you clearly, the suns in these two places are different. If you want me to explain the suns clearly, it will take a long time. I can talk to you, but I may not be able to finish. If you have any more important questions, you should ask them quickly, I can't hold on much longer."

There are indeed pressing issues at the moment.

"Will using your face cream leave any side effects?" Han Xiaoxuan was silent for a while, not wanting to say this.

Li Banfeng said, "I've already arranged for people to research the face cream. I know the results even if you don't tell me."

Zhao Xiaowan said from the side, "Girl, things have come to this point, just tell the truth, and I'll give you a quick death in a bit."

"Fine, just for that 'sister' call, I'll tell you," Han Xiaoxuan was certain she couldn't live any longer. She was tough, but nobody wanted to suffer. She really wanted a quick death. "Anyone who has used the face cream will have their brains controlled by fungi within two months and eventually evolve into our soldiers."

"You mean they can become Inner State citizens?"

"It's not about becoming Inner State person, it's about becoming Living Dead doesn't know fear in battle or pain when attacked."

When the power of the Living Dead is exhausted, they will seek their final resting place. They will find a quiet and peaceful place to complete the final journey of their lives. They will stand there, standing straight, their feet firmly planted on the ground, their hands fixed to their sides, until they slowly merge into their bodies.

Their skulls will regrow, growing larger and flatter until they form an umbrella-like canopy. Beneath this canopy, countless spores will be nurtured. These spores, carrying their flesh and blood, will spread out like face cream, seeking the next host. This cycle will continue endlessly, until the Outer State slowly perish...

Li Banfeng interrupted Han Xiaoxuan: "What method can be used to neutralize this fungus?"

"There is no way to resolve this," Han Xiaoxuan shook her head and said, "At least I don't know of any way to resolve this. You can go and see those infected people, including the sales staff in this factory. Anyone who has been infected with the fungus will gradually have their consciousness controlled by the fungus."

The initial symptom is that they prefer to stand; they no longer like to sit or lie down to rest. They prefer to rest standing upright in dark, damp corners. From this point on, they are close to becoming Living Dead...

Han Xiaoxuan spoke haltingly, becoming increasingly strained as she went. Li Banfeng asked, "You use this kind of thing as a weapon? Can you control this fungus yourselves?"

"We can, we can communicate with fungi, they listen to us, so even if one day our people get infected, there's no need to worry. Our life form is different from that of people from Outer State."

Outer State is wonderful, truly wonderful. Here, I see the sun every day. I'd be willing to make sacrifices to conquer Outer State, but I never imagined it would turn out like this. I long to be a woman again. Sister, when I was a woman, everyone in the village said I was beautiful...

Han Xiaoxuan was about to explode when her Wife kept her promise, returned to the record player, and sucked away Han Xiaoxuan's soul, giving her a quick end.

Han Xiaoxuan's body remained in the room. A glove gently touched Han Xiaoxuan skin, causing it to dent and then crack, with fine dust drifting out from the cracks.

The Wife exhaled a cloud of steam, which formed a water film and controlled Han Xiaoxuan's body.

"My dear husband, Han Xiaoxuan's body contained a portion of the Pink Cultivator's cultivation. It's truly remarkable that you were able to defeat him." "What kind of sect is Pink Cultivator? Do Peddler even recognize that?"

"The Peddler acknowledged the debt, and this Daoist sect was once very powerful. Later, because its power was too great, it threatened the interests of many people. Master Water Cultivator Xiu led a group of people to destroy this Daoist sect. Unexpectedly, their ancestor Feng Yunting is still alive."

"Ah," Li Banfeng replied, his eyes somewhat vacant. "Husband, is something on your mind?"

"It's nothing," Li Banfeng shook his head.

"My lord, you must listen to Little Slave. Don't worry about those who have contracted the fungus. You've already saved a life in the Outer State by holding back the war in the Inner State. They may never be able to repay such a great debt. Don't worry about anything else for them."

"That's right..." Li Banfeng stood up, put on his jacket, "You guys eat first, I'm going out for a walk." Gloves followed Li Banfeng: "Honey, I'll go with you."

"You should stay home too. You have a hole in your clothes, let my Wife sew it up for you."

Gloves insisted on going. "It's just a minor injury, it's nothing serious. I'm worried about you going out alone."

The gloves followed Li Banfeng away, and the record player sighed, "He says he doesn't care, but he can't let it go."

Hong Ying nudged Han Xiaoxuan: "This is all powder, how can we eat it? I think it smells quite good, let's just put it in a powder box and we sisters can use it." Tang Blade leaned closer. "General, don't forget about your brothers!"

Hong Ying kicked Tang Blade: "Look at you, so pathetic! What's a man doing wearing makeup?"

Li Banfeng emerged from his Portable Abode, using his Unimpeded Travel to slip through the sealed enclosure of the Phlegm Cultivator, and ordered Chen Changrui to begin grouting. The yellowish-green grout covered the entire factory, absorbing all the remaining dust.

When Chen Changrui inquired about the outcome, Li Banfeng replied, "The factory manager was from Inner State. Because he revealed important secrets, he triggered Inner State's Curse Art and has already self-destructed. He was a powder cultivator and was completely blown to dust, leaving no remains."

"Isn't powder repair... supposed to be extinct?" Chen Changrui was knowledgeable, but he wasn't concerned about powder repair. "Did he mention anything about fungi?"

"I told you," Li Banfeng said, looking at Chen Changrui with a serious expression, "This is the war strategy of the Inner State. The war has already begun, we just haven't realized it yet."

"Find all major platforms and immediately stop selling this face cream. All sold products must be recalled, and everyone who has used it must be isolated and treated." Chen Changrui's expression was horrified. "Can it be cured...?"

Li Banfeng did not answer, "Take care of the most urgent matters first, then arrange for people and report to the superiors." Upon returning to the Dark Star Bureau, Li Banfeng went to the laboratory first.

Light Bulb, Crabapple —several people are in isolation in the laboratory.

Li Banfeng asked the lab technician, "Is there any way to kill fungi?" "Yes!" the technician nodded.

Seeing a glimmer of hope, Li Banfeng excitedly asked, "What method?"

"Using High-Pressure Steam for sixty minutes can kill all fungi, including spores..." The lab technician shuddered halfway through his sentence, a nameless fear making it hard to breathe.

Li Banfeng almost attacked him. Sixty minutes of High-Pressure Steam sterilization killed all the fungi, but also cooked the man! Fortunately, Li Banfeng regained his senses. This was not a problem that the lab technician could solve in the first place.

He went to the isolation room and saw candied Crabapple.

The two were unaware of the seriousness of the situation and continued chatting idly in the isolation room.

Upon seeing Li Banfeng arrive, Mijian asked, "Have you found that factory? Is their factory going to be shut down?" Haitangguo listened attentively from the side, the two of them looking like spectators.

"Yes, it's been sealed off. Where's the Light Bulb? Where did he go?" "He's standing in the corner."

"Why are you standing?"

Candied Fruit pointed to the corner of the wall. "We don't know what's wrong with him. He always says his back hurts when he sits." Light Bulb stood in the corner and smiled at Li Banfeng.

Li Banfeng experienced a ringing in his ears, and veins throbbed on his forehead.

The Light Bulb was oil-repaired, and the amount of fungus on his face was several times higher than others; the symptoms first appeared on him. "Director Li," Crabapple asked, "How much longer do we need to be quarantined?"

"Not long..." Li Banfeng's voice was very soft. Mi Jian asked, "Shouldn't it be around tomorrow?" "Ah, about..."

Seeing that Li Qi was reluctant to speak, Mi Jian didn't press further. Hai Tang Guo, standing nearby, asked, "Mimi Jian is too shy to ask, so I'll ask for her: Did Chuunibyou do anything good today?"

"He's done a great job, he's definitely done a great job..." Li Banfeng turned and left the isolation room. Looking at Li Qi's back through the glass enclosure, Mi Jian sensed that something was wrong.

Li Banfeng sat in his office from nightfall until dawn.

Around nine o'clock, Tangyuan entered the office, closed the door, and whispered, "Seventh Master, Director Gao is here."

"Which Director Gao?"

"Director Gao Yina will replace Guan Zhengyang..."

"Not see!"

"Seventh Master, it would be best to meet this person. She's here to discuss yesterday's operation with you."

"Let Chen Changrui talk to her about it."

"Seventh Master, are the candied fruit and the others...?"

Li Banfeng remained silent.

"Seventh Master," Tangyuan's voice trembled slightly, "Let's meet with Director Gao. She might be able to help."

Li Banfeng nodded slightly, and Tangyuan invited Director Gao to Li Qi's office.

"Director Li, I won't bother with formalities. You have made a huge contribution to this incident. While expressing my deepest gratitude, I solemnly promise you that we will implement the conditions you have proposed as soon as possible. We will send the relevant residents of Three Heads Junction to Green Water City within a week."

"It was implemented so quickly," Li Banfeng said, looking at Gao Yina, "Is there anything else?"

Gao Yina nodded and said, "As Director Li said, this incident has escalated to the level of war. Our aim has always been to resolve the issue peacefully. We hope that Director Li can mediate with Inner State to balance the interests of both sides and prevent the incident from escalating further."

"Mediation?" Li Banfeng laughed. "You think there's still a possibility of mediation?"

Gao Yi sighed and said, "War is an outcome that none of us want to see."

"As you've seen, this isn't some event that escalates to the level of war; this is war."

Gao Yina remained silent, waiting for Li Banfeng's reply.

"How are things going with the aftermath?"

Gao Yina said, "The face cream has been discontinued on all major platforms, and we are making every effort to recall the sold creams. We plan to conduct a screening of all residents to ensure that every infected person is identified."

"Is there a treatment option?"

"The treatment plan is still in the research stage. There are no similar cases of this fungus in our known medical history, and treatment cannot be accomplished overnight. Therefore, we hope that you can focus your efforts on..."

Li Banfeng's tinnitus returned, and he gradually lost the ability to hear Gao Yina's voice.

In fact, some things have already been said very clearly. The fact that it cannot be accomplished overnight proves that there is still a long time before treatment can begin.

Given the current situation, the Light Bulb is basically beyond saving, and the hopes for the candied fruit and Crabapple are also very slim.

"Director Li? Director Li!" Gao Yina pulled Li Banfeng back to reality. "Regarding the next phase of the mediation work, we'd like to hear your opinions. Do you have any further requests?"

Li Banfeng paused for a moment and then said, "Give me a special train to Pro State."

Gao Yina nodded and said, "That's for sure. We will definitely ensure you receive the treatment you deserve."

As soon as Li Banfeng agreed to mediation, his treatment immediately improved, and he was addressed as "you" (formal).

But Li Banfeng's current concern is not about treatment. "I need a special train with medical staff, and it must be equipped with professional medical equipment."

"What are you trying to do...?"

"Don't ask why, just do as I say!"

After seeing Gao Yina off, Li Banfeng picked up the landline and dialed a number with Chuunibyou.

"Chuunibyou, come to my office!"

"Director Li, it's me," came the voice of Mi Jian on the phone. "Chuunibyou is still lying in the hospital." "How should we portray his condition?"

"The doctor just called and said the detoxification is complete, but the person is still in a coma." "Tangyuan, come to my office for a moment."

Tangyuan entered the office, Li Banfeng said, "I'm taking candied fruit, Light Bulb, and Begonia to Pro State. You stay here and keep an eye on the latest news. If there's any progress in the treatment, notify me immediately."

They're going to Pro State. Could it be that they're...?

Tangyuan dared not think about it, and she pleaded with Li Banfeng, "Let me go with you."

"You can't help me even if you go. Stay here and help me gather information. We still have a chance to save everyone!" Tangyuan nodded slightly.

Li Banfeng added, "Tell Chen Changrui to arrest the Star immediately and try to get some clues out of him!"

The special train departed that afternoon.

Candied fruit, Light Bulb, and Crabapple —the three people, their bodies wrapped in bandages, were transported to the train carriage in a special vehicle. Their carriage was off-limits to anyone except Li Qi and related medical personnel.

Now that things had come to this, the three of them realized the seriousness of the situation. They stopped joking and didn't dare ask a single question about their journey. They were afraid; they were afraid that Li Qi would tell them, "There's no hope."

Upon reaching Pro State, looking at the unfamiliar scenery outside the window, Mijian burst into tears. "Director Li, are we not going to survive?" Light Bulb stood next to the bunk; he didn't want to lie down or sit, he just wanted to stand upright like this.

He also reminded the candied fruit vendor of the inappropriate terminology, "When we get to Pro State, don't call him Director Li, call him Seventh Master. As long as Seventh Master is here, he'll definitely be able to come up with a solution."

Tears streamed down Candied Fruit's face. "Seventh Master, things have come to this point. Allow me to be shameless, but can I see Chuunibyou one more time?"

Crabapple remained optimistic. "What's the rush? Once we're cured, we'll come back and get that kid to settle things. I'll give him the guts to refuse. Seventh Master, as long as we find Dr. Kang Zhenchang, we'll definitely be cured. Is Dr. Kang Zhenchang in Pro State?"

Li Banfeng shook his head.

To find Kang Zhenchang, you need to find Song Qianhun.

Song Qianhun must have gone to Outer State at this moment. Under these circumstances, he is the only medical cultivator in that Outer State who can be trusted.

"I'm going to take you to find another person. This person's treatment method is very special and may have some risks, but if there is only one person I know who can cure you, then that person must be him."

The train stopped at Virtue Praise Cliff, and Liao Zihui came to pick him up personally.

He was wearing protective clothing, a heavy mask, and a helmet; Li Banfeng initially thought they had arrived at Three Heads Junction. "Why are you dressed so warmly?"

"Isn't this a fungal infection?"

Liao Zihui waved to the candied fruit vendor and the others, acknowledging his visit, and then saw them onto the steam car. Li Banfeng said, "Settle them in the Guanfang Hall first, and I'll find someone to treat their illnesses."

Liao Zihui said, "Brother Li, I don't think it's appropriate for me to go to the Guanfang Hall."

Li Banfeng was a little angry. "They've already taken enough preventative measures; they won't spread the fungus to the Guanfang Hall. They're practically at your doorstep, aren't you going to give them a place to stay?"

"There is a place for them to stay, but the Guanfang Hall is short-handed right now. I'm afraid there will be no one to take care of them if they go there."

Where is he?

" With the Virtue Praise Cliff in such a state, the Guanfang Hall has lost all its manpower, leaving only the gatekeeper."

Li Banfeng was both amused and exasperated. "Then why did you come to pick me up at the station?"

"Isn't this giving you face? I've had someone check, and Cui Tike is on Virtue Sincerity Mountain. Just go directly to him, and don't go to the wrong place."

Are you worried I'll go to the wrong place?

"Many Dexiu have died recently. If I run into you again, I'm worried that their sect will become extinct."

"What's there to be afraid of? There's still Pan Dehai at Sea Eat Ridge!"

Liao Zihui accompanied the car and dropped Li Banfeng off at the foot of the mountain. Li Banfeng then led the three of them up the mountain.

Halfway up the mountain, Li Banfeng saw a long line of people waiting at the entrance of the cave.

A man with a severed hand and a missing tongue wailed incessantly before Cui Tike.

Cui Tike quickly assessed the other person's condition. "You have seriously broken your promise. Your right hand is beyond saving, but your tongue might grow back, depending on your future performance."

After finishing with the patient in front of him, Cui Tike looked at Li Banfeng: "My friend, are you here to catch up or to steal my business? The Peddler has already handed over Virtue Praise Cliff to me."

"Don't worry, I won't steal your business. I'm here to ask for your help."

Li Banfeng brought the three bandaged men to Cui Tike. Cui Tike smelled the scent on Crabapple's body and suddenly smiled.

"What an authentic taste."

Startled, Crabapple hid behind Li Qi.

Light Bulb had seen Cui Tike before, and he was even more afraid than Crabapple. He wanted to hide behind Li Qi, but then he saw a child carrying a bowl walk out.

"Here's some noodle soup!" The child held the bowl up in front of the Light Bulb.

"Xiao De, come back!" Cui Tike stepped forward and hugged the child. "Don't go near these friends yet. They can't play with you. They're in great danger. Go back to the cave and wait for me."

Li Banfeng was stunned.

Since meeting Cui Tike, Li Banfeng has never seen him care about anyone so much.

"Is this your son?" Li Banfeng felt that this deduction was quite reasonable.

Cui Tike looked at Li Banfeng with a serious expression. "Don't joke like that. This child is a very important person. I need to get very important information from him!"

Looking at Cui Tike, Mijian mustered her courage and asked, "Are you a doctor?"

Cui Tike nodded. "I am a very good doctor. Some wonderful little things are growing rapidly in your bodies. I need some time to have a good chat with these good things, but before that, I need to talk to my old friend about the price."

"Is the price too outrageous?" Li Banfeng asked with some concern.

"Don't worry, the price is guaranteed to be fair," Cui Tike said, opening his shirt to reveal eight large characters tattooed on it. "Fair trade, Honesty with Old and Young!"

PS: The Peddler left behind the Green Flower back then, and there was indeed a reason for it.