The Waterway to the Inner States

Li Banfeng asked, "Who exactly is inviting you to Zhaoge?" Luo Lijun replied, "Three royals, who together make up one of the powerful ministers of the Cabinet: Zhu Jin, Qiao Yi, and Xie Gong." Li Banfeng felt thoroughly helpless. "There are clearly three people, yet you insist on calling them 'one of them.'" Luo Lijun said, "I just told you, they belong to the Great Shang royal family. Three people growing on a single body." Li Banfeng asked, "What is their reason for inviting you back to the Inner States?" Luo Lijun took out a letter and handed it to Li Banfeng. "Of the three, Qiao Yi is the one in charge. This is a letter he wrote to me in his own hand." Li Banfeng looked over the letter. Written in pure Classical Chinese, its contents were exceedingly obscure. With Xiao Yeci's help, Li Banfeng grasped the general idea. Qiao Yi meant that he believed Juanzi to be the orphan of the Sage, addressed Juanzi as the Crown Prince, and wished to invite Luo Lijun to Zhaoge so they could jointly discuss installing the Crown Prince onto the throne. After he read the letter, Luo Lijun presented an invitation card. On it was written: *To His Highness Prince Li the Seventh, Crown Prince of Puluo.* Li Banfeng was stunned for a good while before asking Luo Lijun, "What is this 'Crown Prince of Puluo' supposed to mean?" Luo Lijun explained, "In Great Shang, there are two factions—pro-war and pro-peace—with various branches beneath each. Qiao Yi and I belong to two closely aligned branches of the pro-peace faction. We both believe you have already become the Crown Prince of Puluo Province." Li Banfeng asked, "Why do you think that? What basis do you have?" "Your actions in Puluo Province have often extended beyond the scope of your personal interests. Because of that, we suspect you have a special relationship with the peddler, and that you are very likely to become the next master of Puluo Province." Li Banfeng shook his head repeatedly. "You people are handling this completely wrong." Luo Lijun nodded. "In terms of etiquette, Qiao Yi directly addressing you as Crown Prince in the invitation might indeed cause a misunderstanding between you and the peddler." "The misunderstanding is massive!" Li Banfeng said angrily. "I am the peddler's senior martial brother, not his son! What on earth does calling me Crown Prince even mean?" "Senior martial brother?" Luo Lijun found it a bit hard to follow Li Banfeng's train of thought. Li Banfeng added, "This invitation is clearly addressed to me, so why was the letter inviting you?" Luo Lijun explained, "Because this is an open banquet. Qiao Yi wants to invite you to Zhaoge in his capacity as a Cabinet Minister to attend a banquet, not for a private clandestine meeting." Li Banfeng understood what Luo Lijun meant. "So it's finding a legitimate cover for a secret meeting." Luo Lijun nodded. "And since I am a condemned criminal in Zhaoge, by rights I shouldn't appear at this official banquet. That's why my name cannot be on the invitation, and the matter of the Sage's orphan could only be raised in a confidential letter." Li Banfeng set the invitation aside. "In other words, Qiao Yi doesn't just want to install a new ruler; he also wants to win Puluo Province's support." Luo Lijun nodded again. "This is our pro-peace faction's usual strategy. Taking this incident as an example, if he wants to install the Crown Prince, Qiao Yi will inevitably need Puluo Province's assistance. Once the Crown Prince takes the throne, it will benefit Qiao Yi, me, you, and the entire Puluo Province. This is the mutual win-win that the pro-peace faction has always strived to achieve." Li Banfeng read Qiao Yi's letter over and over. The wording was airtight; no further information could be gleaned from it. He asked Luo Lijun directly, "Is this person trustworthy?" "He should be trustworthy..." Luo Lijun answered somewhat vaguely. Luo Yanjun shook her head. "We dare not jump to conclusions. In Zhaoge, the thoughts of the high and mighty are impossible to fathom. Three years ago, Qiao Yi belonged to the pro-war faction, but later, for reasons unknown, switched to the pro-peace faction. There are many things here whose causes I cannot figure out, nor can I explain the reasoning. This banquet might be a sincere invitation from Qiao Yi, or he might harbor other designs." It was rare for Luo Yanjun to speak so directly. Beside her, Luo Shaojun nodded. "I'm worried this is a trap! First they invite you into the urn, and then they catch the turtle in the jar!" *Smack!* Luo Lijun slapped Luo Shaojun. "Who are you calling a turtle?" Li Banfeng pondered for a moment and asked, "Is there any precedent for this?" Luo Shaojun immediately shook her head. "The royal house of Great Shang has never had a precedent for hosting people from Puluo Province. In the past, high officials have hosted foreigners, but never people from Puluo Province." Li Banfeng didn't quite understand. "Why host foreigners?" Luo Lijun didn't want to answer, afraid of offending Li Banfeng. Luo Shaojun didn't think too much of it and spoke frankly: "Because some people want to open other pathways to the Outer States, but those pathways are controlled by foreigners, so they all want to ease tensions with them." Li Banfeng recalled Critic's words. When Critic went to the Inner States back then, he was treated very well. The "foreigners" Luo Lijun spoke of likely included the Inner Amicans, as well as influential figures from similar regions. Li Banfeng asked again, "And after easing tensions?" Luo Shaojun said, "After easing tensions, there's a path forward. The foreigners will find a route for them, enabling them to leave Great Shang, and even head to the Outer States. But that doesn't work in Puluo Province. The peddler does not permit people from the Inner States to enter Puluo Province." Li Banfeng sorted through his thoughts; the current situation had become clearer. Great Shang and Puluo Province were like fire and water, yet Qiao Yi, a member of the royal house, was inviting Li Banfeng to attend a banquet in Great Shang. Qiao Yi's motive and methods made sense, but given the circumstances, should Li Banfeng go? Luo Lijun said, "If I don't go, our connection with Qiao Yi will be severed, and there won't be any supporters of the new monarch within the royal family anymore. I'm afraid our road forward won't be walkable either." She laid out the significance of this banquet, which also made one thing clear: Luo Lijun very much wanted to go. Luo Yujun nodded. "That's right. If we don't give Lord Qiao face, how could the royal family ever acknowledge the heir we found?" Luo Xiujun also thought they should go. The two sisters were backing Luo Lijun up. Luo Yanjun kept silent. There were things she understood in her heart, but couldn't say out loud. Luo Shaojun hesitated for a moment, but spoke up anyway: "If we really go, what happens if Qiao Yi turns against us? He's a powerful man in high office. If he decides to strike in secret, none of us will ever make it back." After weighing it over and over, Li Banfeng decided to make the trip. Luo Lijun was overjoyed, yet still felt a twinge of worry: "Young Master Li, when going to the Inner States this time, under no circumstances should you look into news of Old Train." Li Banfeng's face darkened. "Why can't I look into him?" Luo Lijun said, "Because you aren't familiar with the Inner States yet. If you look into Old Train's whereabouts on your very first visit to the Inner States, you'll put us in mortal danger." Li Banfeng compared the two matters. "Going with you to Zhaoge to discuss installing a new monarch—isn't that dangerous?" Luo Lijun pursed her lips. "That is dangerous too..." "Could inquiring about Old Train possibly be more dangerous than installing a new monarch?" While Luo Lijun was still trying to think of how to explain, Luo Shaojun spoke the truth right out: "Brother Seven, Great Shang invested heavily in Old Train. If you look into him, Zhaoge definitely won't let you come back." "Invested heavily?" Li Banfeng asked Luo Shaojun. "Just how heavily?" Luo Shaojun said, "Let me put it this way: even if you replaced Old Train with the peddler, it might not involve such a massive undertaking." "Don't talk nonsense!" Luo Lijun raised her hand to slap Shaojun, but Li Banfeng shot her a glance, and Luo Lijun dared not strike. Li Banfeng followed up, "Could it be because Old Train is better at fighting than the peddler?" Luo Shaojun shook her head. "No, that's not it. It's because—" She glanced at Luo Lijun, whose expression was so ferocious that Shaojun was too frightened to continue. Li Banfeng looked at Luo Lijun. "Go squat by the wall." Lowering her head, Luo Lijun squatted by the wall. Luo Shaojun said in a low voice, "Because Old Train's train can bring all of Great Shang's fine weapons over." A layer of frost seemed to settle over Li Banfeng's face. Because Old Train's train was right beside him. Going to Zhaoge was already an extraordinarily risky endeavor. If the train were lost, it could bring utter catastrophe upon Puluo Province and the Outer States. "I need to think this matter through carefully." Li Banfeng stood up and walked away. Squatting in the corner, Luo Lijun held her forehead. "What are we going to do now? Everything was settled, and now he refuses to go! It's all because of your blabbermouth!" Luo Shaojun pouted. "We should have made things clear to Brother Seven from the start. We couldn't just trick him into going. Otherwise, once we reached Zhaoge and Brother Seven insisted on looking for Old Train's whereabouts, do you really think we could stop him?" Luo Yanjun nodded. "Sister, Shaojun is right. If things go wrong after reaching Zhaoge, we truly won't be coming back." Luo Lijun sighed. "Yes, that's true. Without Young Master Li, none of us would be alive today. I wanted our Luo family to rise again, but if we can't, we can't blame anyone else. We can only say that's fate." Luo Yujun slipped into the river snail shell. "Well, since we're not going, I'll go tell the messenger." "Tell him what? Is the messenger your lover? What's your rush?" Luo Lijun whacked Luo Yujun with a stick. "Let him wait. We'll decide after Li the Seventh gives his reply!" *** "Friend, excuse me." He Jiaqing lightly touched the man ahead, stepped around him, and walked on ahead of him. The man was a bit annoyed, thinking to himself: *Since you could step around me, why did you have to touch me?* The reason He Jiaqing touched him was that he noticed the man had unusual footwork. This man was a Travel Cultivator. Though his cultivation level wasn't high, his footwork of Wind Rising from Still Earth was solid. Stealing his technique and pairing it with the innate talent of a Thief Cultivator would be of great use. This was Santoucha, and up ahead was Duanxu Mountain. Once his business was done, he had to leave quickly. In this place, the faster one's feet, the better. Reaching the foot of the mountain, He Jiaqing felt a chill run through his body. Besides Wind Rising from Still Earth, he seemed to have stolen another technique as well. Looking up at the mountain peak, He Jiaqing muttered to himself, "Duanxu Mountain, a perilous place. If not forced by circumstance, I wouldn't want to come here either." Arriving at the summit, he stayed for over three hours, then loosened up his right hand. His right hand flapped back and forth, brimming with energy. It being able to move proved that the hand tendon had grown back. Moving nonstop proved that too much hand tendon had grown. One couldn't linger on Duanxu Mountain. Stay a bit longer, and who knew what else might sprout. On his way down the mountain, He Jiaqing saw a group of three-headed people heading up and couldn't help sighing for them. These people had originally come to Santoucha wanting to be physical cultivators, but because of the physical vessel, they ended up turning into three-headed people. Now climbing Duanxu Mountain was to satisfy their last remaining fantasy: they wanted to grow three bodies. One of the three-headed people cried out joyfully, "It worked! It worked! I grew an arm!" He Jiaqing gave a wry smile. What did he mean by "it worked"? What was there to be happy about? Right now it was an arm growing; what might sprout next was anyone's guess. Even if nothing else grew and you just kept sprouting arms, you wouldn't be able to bear it. Though if it were Smiling Thousand Hands, constantly growing arms would actually be a good thing for him. Thinking of Smiling Thousand Hands, He Jiaqing shivered. Was this the instinct to seek fortune and avoid calamity? Smiling Thousand Hands was already dead, so why could he still sense peril? He Jiaqing sprinted away from Duanxu Mountain, went to Sinner City, took the train, and arrived at Qishuiyao. Relying on his memory, he followed the route Shi Gongxing had once led him along to the factory. Before he could enter the workshop, a longsword pointed at the back of He Jiaqing's head. He Jiaqing dodged aside, catching the scent of rouge in his nostrils. "Young Master He, what brings you to Qishuiyao?" Feng Daiku sheathed her longsword and stood before He Jiaqing with a smile. He Jiaqing lowered his eyes, doing his best to avoid Feng Daiku's gaze. Feng Daiku, who moved along threads of passion, was extremely difficult to deal with. If she planted a few more threads of passion in him, He Jiaqing would be in dire straits. "Lady Feng, I came to Qishuiyao wanting to take a look at the entrance to the Inner States." "Young Master He, what do you want with the entrance to the Inner States?" The cold wind blew, trembling the threads of passion. The longsword in Feng Daiku's hand, pulled by the threads of passion, slowly circled He Jiaqing. His mind had to remain utterly calm. If there were the slightest emotional disturbance, the spreading threads of passion would bind He Jiaqing completely. "Lady Feng, I only wanted to see the entrance to the Inner States. I have no other intentions." "Since Young Master He wants to look, go ahead and look." Feng Daiku stepped aside to let He Jiaqing into the factory. He Jiaqing glanced at the factory, an icy chill repeatedly surging up his spine. "I've come, and I've looked. I won't be going inside." He Jiaqing cupped his hands in farewell. The corners of Feng Daiku's mouth curved up in a smile. "Take care on your way, Young Master. Forgive me for not seeing you off." Running all the way to the station, He Jiaqing pondered a question: the route he took was identical to the one Shi Gongxing had led him along, so why had there been no problem when following Shi Gongxing, but walking it alone, he was discovered by Feng Daiku? Could the threads of passion themselves have changed? And what method did Shi Gongxing use to deal with the changes? Probe it again tonight? At the thought, He Jiaqing felt another shudder of dread. *No, I can't go to Qishuiyao,* He Jiaqing shook his head and muttered to himself. *Last time I came here I ran into Smiling Thousand Hands, and this time I was discovered by Feng Daiku. My horoscope clashes with this place.* He had to go to the Inner States. If not through Qishuiyao, where else could he go? Third Uncle had another route; perhaps that one would be easier to take. He Jiaqing contacted He Haisheng and agreed on a time. He Jiaqing returned to Green Water City, exchanged his travel pass, bought a ticket, and went to Yuezhou. When he arrived in Yuezhou, it was late at night. He Haisheng picked him up at the station and drove him to the Cultural Palace. He Jiaqing frowned. "Third Uncle, are we going to the black market?" He Haisheng nodded. "You have to go in person." He Jiaqing wasn't very pleased. "What am I going to the black market for? Weren't things supposed to be all arranged, just waiting to board the plane?" He Haisheng lit a cigarette. "The foreigners said the deal must be done face-to-face. He has questions for you." He Jiaqing still detested foreigners. "Pay money for service—what does he have to ask? These foreign devils are just full of pretension!" He Haisheng agreed completely. "I think they're pretentious too. But why didn't you take the Qishuiyao route? Why insist on going through Inner Amican?" He Jiaqing spoke frankly: "I feel Qishuiyao clashes with my fortune." A gunfight movie was playing in the Cultural Palace cinema. Today belonged to the smooth-talkers'—the brokers'—business. He Haisheng bought some water from the snack vendor and went to Private Room 209. Inside the private room stood a man under one and a half meters tall, with slicked-back hair, wearing a suit and tie. Short in stature, but carrying a strong presence. This was the smooth-talking broker working for He Haisheng: Lü Zuocong. Lü Zuocong introduced He Jiaqing to a blond, blue-eyed foreigner: "This is Mr. Williams. He has questions for you." Holding a fountain pen and notebook, Williams looked at He Jiaqing and said, "Mr. He, first I must ask you something: what is your true purpose in going to the Great Shang Empire?" Williams's accent was very stiff, grating on He Jiaqing's ears. And the question he posed made He Jiaqing even more repulsed. "I pay money, you do the job. Why are you asking so much?" Williams looked at the broker, Lü Zuocong. "Mr. Lü, it seems there is a misunderstanding between Mr. He and me. I haven't collected any fee from him." Lü Zuocong felt a bit awkward. He said to He Haisheng, "Did you not explain things clearly beforehand?" He Haisheng looked at Lü Zuocong. "The money was given to you. What else is there to explain?" Lü Zuocong said, "Didn't we agree beforehand that everything would follow Mr. Williams's arrangements?" Twirling the cigarette in his fingers, He Haisheng looked at Lü Zuocong. "Following arrangements doesn't mean taking orders. How the route goes, we listen to you. What we do is none of your business." "You can't put it that way..." Lü Zuocong looked at Williams, then back at He Haisheng. It looked like the deal was falling apart. He Jiaqing said, "Third Uncle, why don't you have a good chat with this broker outside? I'll say a couple of words to this foreigner alone." He Haisheng hauled Lü Zuocong out of the private room by the scruff of his neck. Lü Zuocong wanted to shout, but choked on a mouthful of smoke and coughed incessantly. Tang Changfa was chatting inside a room with Yin Siniang. Hearing a commotion outside, he pushed the door open to take a look, only to see Lü Zuocong being dragged downstairs by someone. Returning to the room, Tang Changfa asked, "Who did that punk Lü Zuocong offend this time? Isn't he a broker?" Yin Siniang laughed. "Lü Zuocong got in touch with foreigners recently and has been running a business with zero capital and immense profit. Word has it he's made quite a fortune, but also offended plenty of people." Tang Changfa was startled. "Zero capital and immense profit? How could there be such a sweet deal?" "There really is. These foreigners don't ask for money and do the work for nothing. Whatever perks you squeeze out of the buyers belong entirely to you." Tang Changfa rubbed his hands together. "Is this an easy business to run?" Yin Siniang shook her head. "Not very easy. Foreigners don't understand our rules, so quite a few misunderstandings have cropped up. Lü Zuocong has taken plenty of beatings over it. What, do you want to give it a try too?" "Sure do," Tang Changfa said, rubbing his hands. "Such a good business, who wouldn't want in?" Yin Siniang laughed. "Greedy as ever. There isn't a corner of this black market you haven't stuck your hands into." Tang Changfa chuckled. "No need to flatter me. First tell me, do you have the connections?" Yin Siniang took a puff of smoke. "I have connections, but I can't do favors for you for nothing!" Tang Changfa sat down beside Yin Siniang. "Then tell me, how should I show my gratitude?" Yin Siniang gave Tang Changfa a shove. "Why sit so close? You think I care for you? Let's settle the price first!" He Jiaqing asked Williams, "Why do you ask so many questions?" Williams said, "Because we bear the expenses and risks of your journey to the Great Shang Empire, we must know your true purpose. If you are going to fight against the tyranny of the Great Shang royal house, I will assist you to the best of my ability. If you intend to defect to the Great Shang royal house for your own gain, our cooperation must end right here." He Jiaqing asked Williams, "Why are you an enemy of the Great Shang Empire?" Williams paused thoughtfully. "Because there is a flock of freely soaring warriors who have always been fighting them." He Jiaqing guessed their identity. "A flock of proud White Falcons?" Williams nodded. "Therefore, I need to know whether you are someone we should help." He Jiaqing replied, "I am going to rescue a group of enslaved people—people who, even after leaving the Great Shang Empire, remain enslaved." Williams pondered for a moment. "You mean the local gods of Puluo Province?" He Jiaqing said, "To be exact, the local gods of the newlands." Williams took careful notes in his notebook, his pen never leaving his hand. "We will provide you with assistance, but there are several details we need to confirm further with you." *** Li Banfeng was frolicking with Zhao Xiaowan at the bow of the boat. Zhao Xiaowan pursued him a step closer, yet Li Banfeng remained ten paces away; she took another step, and though Li Banfeng stood motionless, he was still ten paces away from her. "The Hundred Steps Traverse—my husband has learned it." Li Banfeng took a single step and arrived right beside Zhao Xiaowan. "Hong Ying taught well, and it's been hard on her these days. In a few days, take her out to sea for a spin." Zhao Xiaowan was taken aback. "Why should I take her out? Why not you?" "I have to take a long journey. I'll be leaving soon." "Where are you going? To the Inner States?" Zhao Xiaowan gasped. "No matter where you go, don't we always accompany you?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "You can't come along this time, because the house cannot come." With that, Li Banfeng handed the keys to Zhao Xiaowan. "Crazy man, what are you doing?" Zhao Xiaowan said in bewilderment. "Going to the Inner States is already entering a dragon's pool and tiger's den. If you don't take the house, what way out will you have left?" Li Banfeng shook his head. "I'll figure out an escape route myself, but the house cannot be brought." Zhao Xiaowan grabbed hold of Li Banfeng. "Without the house, do you know how many techniques you won't be able to use? When it really comes to fighting for your life, your capital will be cut in half!" Li Banfeng said, "A bit more or less capital can still be made up for somewhere. But if the house is taken by people from the Inner States, it truly will be beyond redemption." Zhao Xiaowan shook her head. "If you're afraid, don't go! Precious husband, this is no time to be stubborn." Li Banfeng shook his head. "I have to go. I need to know what the Inner States look like. The first time going, I'll definitely be afraid, but afterward, I won't be. Once I've mapped out the ropes, I'll take you all with me." Zhao Xiaowan shook her head violently. "Then wait and go later!" "If I don't go this time, next time will still be my first. The first time in the Inner States, unfamiliar with the people and the land, I certainly won't dare bring the house. If I can't get past this hurdle, who knows how long it will drag on." "Why do you have to go to the Inner States? Can't you just not go?" Zhao Xiaowan held onto Li Banfeng, refusing to let go. "My mind is made up. This time, I must go," Li Banfeng stroked Zhao Xiaowan's cheek. "I have to avenge you. If I can't do it this time, I'll do it next time; I can't let the Sage live so carefree in the Inner States. I have to rescue Old Train. If I can't rescue him this time, I must rescue him next time; I can't let my benefactor keep suffering in their hands. I have to make the Inner States feel the pain. If I can't make them suffer this time, I will in the future; they can't be allowed to keep attacking Puluo Province while we do nothing. I have to hit them right in their home. Only then can I hurt them where it counts!" Clutching Li the Seventh's hand, Zhao Xiaowan whispered, "Precious husband, this servant will accompany you. Up mountains of blades, down into seas of fire, we husband and wife will face it together." As she spoke, Zhao Xiaowan's body trembled continuously. She hadn't recalled anything, yet felt waves of dizziness clouding her consciousness. Li Banfeng gently caressed his wife's hair. "Precious wife, just thinking about the Inner States brings you suffering. If you really went to the Inner States, who knows what state you would end up in? Guard our home well, and wait for me to return." *** Li Banfeng brought the five Luo sisters to Qishuiyao. On the way, they ran into Feng Daiku. Feng Daiku wanted to say a few words to Li Banfeng, but in an occasion like this, she didn't know what to say. In the end, she managed only: "Young Master Li, do take care." Ma the Fifth brought reporters from the press and followed Li Banfeng into the workshop. Truly unable to set his mind at ease, he exhorted him repeatedly, "Old Seven, be extremely careful." Liao Zihui had been waiting in the workshop early on. Cupping his hands toward Li the Seventh, he said, "Director Li, a true warrior indeed!" Luo Lijun, carrying the snail shell on her back, lowered her head and asked, "Young Master Li, why did you bring so many people?" Li Banfeng replied, "We are attending a proper banquet, not scheming in secret. We are going out in the open, fully legitimate. Can't friends and family come to see us off?" Standing by the pool, Luo Yanjun reminded him, "Young Master Li, the Great Shang State might not be quite what you think." Li Banfeng nodded. "I asked the local gods and know a little bit." Before coming, Li Banfeng had heard Luo Shaojun describe some of the Inner States' conditions, and had verified them with Qiu Luoye, Meng Yuchun, and Shui Yongquan. Everyone described things from different perspectives, but they basically aligned with what Luo Shaojun had said. Luo Shaojun grew anxious. "Brother Seven, I didn't know beforehand that you were taking the waterway. The water route and the land route are completely different." Luo Lijun chimed in hurriedly, "The waterway is better, far better than the overland route!" Luo Yanjun let out a cold scoff. "That's not what you told Ma Junyang." The reporters nearby quickly jotted down notes: *Miss Luo Lijun personally admitted that the waterway is better.* Li Banfeng said no more. Following the five river snail sisters, he jumped into the pool. Before he plunged into the water, camera flashes from reporters of all kinds flashed nonstop. Underwater, Luo Yanjun asked Luo Lijun, "Who will receive us?" Luo Lijun replied, "Boundless City." "Will they really come?" "They will definitely come. This is Luo family territory." Li Banfeng couldn't hear what they were saying; he could only see that the river snail sisters could communicate freely underwater. After swimming underwater for a long time, Li Banfeng felt as if he had lost all sense of time and space. It was a peculiar feeling. Li Banfeng felt as though he had been swimming for a year, yet also felt that the flash of the reporter's camera from just moments ago had not yet faded. He was completely unable to judge the passage of time, with no idea where he was located. Underwater, Li Banfeng had no urge to breathe either, feeling as if he were merging into one with the surrounding water. *Gurgle~* A massive bubble rose from the depths, enveloping Li Banfeng and the five sisters within it. Breathing in a gulp of air, Li Banfeng regained some clarity, seemingly perceiving his own existence once again. Looking down, two mountains at the water's bottom were slowly approaching them, and the valley between them was gradually widening. The valley was widening? Li Banfeng adjusted his angle of view, wanting to see the valley's full shape. The projector crawled out of Li Banfeng's pocket, using its lens to capture the outline of the valley. "Director Qi, that's no valley! That's a mouth—we're about to be eaten!" Li Banfeng readied himself for battle, only to hear Luo Lijun cry in delight, "Boundless City has come to receive us!"