Steam Era: The Lord of 'Puluo' Chapter 931 - 524: Home Cultivation Technique Above the Clouds_2

The shadow disappeared from Li Banfeng’s vision in an instant, provoking no sound.

Li Banfeng cried out in alarm, "Not good, Passing Glance is about to be triggered!"

He frantically scanned his surroundings for any sign of the shadow but found none after considerable searching. Fortunately, the Passing Glance did not activate.

While Li Banfeng was distracted, the shadow silently approached from behind. He suddenly sensed its presence and spun around to counterattack, but the shadow agilely dodged and delivered a swift kick to the back of Li Banfeng’s knee.

The impact was forceful, almost sending Li Banfeng tumbling to the ground. As the shadow prepared to follow up with a kick to his face, Li Banfeng managed to evade and landed a punch on the shadow’s knee.

The shadow faltered, and Li Banfeng seized the opportunity, stepping forward to execute the 'Trample Over Thousands of Rivers' technique and crush the shadow.

Bang!

Despite his effort, the kick was launched, but the 'Trample Over Thousands of Rivers' technique failed to manifest.

The shadow spun around and targeted Li Banfeng’s ankle with a kick. Enduring the sharp pain, Li Banfeng retaliated with a kick to the shadow's groin.

This exchange of blows resulted in a significant blow to the shadow, which reeled back. Before it could recover its balance, Li Banfeng grabbed a nearby vase and smashed it down upon the shadow's head.

The shadow lay on the ground, writhing for a moment before collapsing, unable to rise.

As Li Banfeng moved to deliver another kick, the shadow suddenly flattened itself and curled up defensively under his foot.

The phonograph exclaimed with admiration, "Husband, your martial prowess is truly remarkable! It appears you have subdued the shadow!"

"It cannot be truly subdued," Li Banfeng replied, shaking his head as he sat on the bed to tend to his injuries.

While applying medicine to Li Banfeng’s wounds, the phonograph elaborated on the essence of the technique: "'Home Cultivation' involves solitary living and adapting to solitude, with the shadow serving as the cultivator’s companion.

By standing alone and relying on one's form and shadow for sustenance, fighting back-to-back, and uniting form and shadow in spirit, one can achieve proper control. In the future, husband will be able to fight as two against one. This technique is said to be the most potent for dealing with adversaries."

Li Banfeng looked at the phonograph and asked, "Beloved wife, do you truly believe I can master this technique?"

The phonograph responded with encouraging drumbeats, "You are brave and skilled in combat; you will surely learn it."

Li Banfeng gently caressed the phonograph and said, "Wife, we must be completely honest with each other as a couple. Do you genuinely believe I can learn this?"

The phonograph’s drumming softened slightly, "Husband's temperament is quite intense. There might be some challenges in wielding the technique effectively, but I am confident a way can be found to overcome them."

Li Banfeng picked up the oil pot and inquired, "Beloved wife, why did you not impart this technique to me sooner? You must be honest!"

The wife ceased her drumming and softly replied, "That is because your disposition is rather peculiar. I feared that even the shadow would prove difficult to tame. I was also concerned that, having just reached the 'Above the Clouds' realm, your foundation might be unstable, and misusing the technique could lead to a backlash."

The wife’s words were exceptionally diplomatic.

In simpler terms, Li Banfeng was deemed a volatile individual, prone to losing control of himself and, consequently, the shadow. His cultivation level, newly ascended to 'Above the Clouds,' was still precarious, carrying a significant risk of being harmed by his own shadow.

On this matter, Li Banfeng and his wife found common ground: "Knowing what I know now about this technique, I might not have bothered learning it."

"My husband, if you had patiently consolidated and stabilized your cultivation foundation over time, not learning the technique would have been acceptable.

However, having just reached the initial stage and immediately advancing to the second without the technique's support, how can your body endure such a strain?"

Li Banfeng struggled to grasp the meaning of "technique’s support." It was a concept that words alone could not fully explain. The phonograph offered further advice: "Beloved husband, your body is still weak from newly acquiring the technique. You should first consume some elixirs to recuperate."

The phonograph produced a Xuanyun Pill, deliberated for a moment, and then offered Li Banfeng a third of it.

After taking the elixir and resting briefly, Li Banfeng asked, "When I was battling the shadow just now, why was I unable to utilize the technique?"

The wife explained, "Your 'Above the Clouds' foundation is still quite shallow. After employing the Shadow Hanging Technique, most other techniques become unusable."

Li Banfeng sighed, "This shadow is not only of little use but also comes with a considerable price."

"My dear, mastering the technique requires time. For now, let us examine this treasure." The Gloves brought forth the Land Seal and the Contract Book.

Upon exiting the Dark Dimension Space, these items were now clearly visible. The Land Seal appeared unremarkable. Li Banfeng then focused his attention on the Contract Book.

The Green Flower's Contract Book possessed a distinctive appearance. The front bore the inscription of eight characters, "Hundred Miles of Land," serving as verification.

The reverse side was densely inscribed with dozens of lines of text. The very first line read: Yuan Showu obtained this land.

Li Banfeng inquired of Tang Sword, "How did this parcel of land come into your possession?"

Tang Sword mulled it over for a considerable period before responding, "My recollection is that someone bestowed this Contract Book upon me. As for the identity of that individual, I cannot quite recall."

The subsequent entry stated: Yuan Showu vanquished Sha Dingzhong, thereby acquiring twenty li of territory.

"And who might Sha Dingzhong be?"

Tang Sword engaged in a moment of thought. "He bears a resemblance to a neighbor who sought to encroach upon my domain and was subsequently repelled by my efforts."

The following three lines chronicled Yuan Showu's numerous triumphs, detailing his victories over three Local Deities and the considerable expansion of his territory.

It became evident that upon Yuan Showu's occupation of Beggar Bay, he was a formidable Local Deity.

The next line indicated: Zhao Nongbao defeated Yuan Showu, and this entire expanse of land now rightfully belongs to Zhao Nongbao.

"Who is Zhao Nongbao? Could it be Green Flower?"

Upon the utterance of Zhao Nongbao's name, Tang Sword appeared to grasp at a fleeting memory. He commenced pacing restlessly within the chamber, completing more than ten circuits before a phrase surfaced in his mind: "Find a spot to relieve yourself and gaze upon that pustule-ridden visage of yours."

Li Banfeng questioned, "Was this statement directed at the Greenwater Beggar?"

"That is likely the case," Tang Sword affirmed, still actively dredging his memories. "I believe I did take notice of him. He seemed to be a rather notorious beggar in Beggar Bay, known for his perpetual ailing and unfortunate circumstances..."

Hong Ying expressed her bewilderment, stating, "When he usurped your position as Local Deity, he was at the very least in the Ninth Layer of Earth Skin, and moreover, possessed Martial Cultivator roots. How could such an individual perpetually endure the life of a beggar, constantly subjected to bullying?"